An unforgettable experience awaits the players of the Asian Development Tour (ADT) when the region’s leading developmental circuit visits the northern African nation of Morocco this week.

Two Moroccan Rising Stars Marrakech events will debut consecutively in Marrakech, dubbed the ‘Red City’ for the ochre hue of its sandstone buildings, each offering a handsome purse of US$125,000. The first event tees off this week at Marrakech Samanah Golf Club (June 19-22), followed by a three-day break before the second event at Marrakech Al Maaden Golf Resort (June 26-29).

Jointly sanctioned by the Arab Golf Federation and staged in collaboration with the Hassan II Golf Trophy Association and the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation, the back-to-back events mark a major milestone for the ADT as the circuit’s first-ever stop in the African continent. The top two players in an aggregate money list will earn spots in the Asian Tour’s US$2 million International Series Morocco, which takes place at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in the Moroccan capital of Rabat from July 3-6.

Leading Moroccan professional Ayoub Lguirati was brimming over with excitement to see his fellow-ADT combatants gear up to do battle in his country.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have the ADT in Morocco with the two Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech events. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Moroccan golf to a broader audience and inspire more people in the region to take up the game. It will also provide our local players with valuable exposure and experience competing at a high level,” said the 31-year-old, a regular on the ADT since 2023.

“Playing on the ADT has been an incredible experience. It’s competitive, yet there’s a sense of camaraderie among players. The opportunity to travel, meet golfers from around the world, and play on diverse courses has been invaluable to my growth as a professional,” he added.

Lguirati shared some insights into the two venues, Samanah and Al Maaden, crafted by Nicklaus Design and Kyle Phillips respectively. “Both courses are challenging but in different ways. At Samanah, precision is key as the desert-style layout demands accuracy off the tee. Al Maaden, on the other hand, requires excellent short-game skills due to its strategic design and tricky greens.”

Ayoub Lguirati of Morocco – looking forward to welcoming fellow Asian Development Tour professionals on the Tour’s first visit to the African continent.

The field of 132 at Samanah includes 30 Moroccan players consisting of 12 professionals and 18 amateurs. Lguirati and Soufiane Dahmane earned their starts through the ADT’s country exemptions, while the rest got in as regional exemptions (25 players) and tournament invitations (three players). The local players will be up against a strong international contingent, including 2025 ADT winners Gabriele De Barba of Italy, Suradit Yongcharoenchai of Thailand, Aidric Chan of the Philippines and Pakistani Ahmad Baig, as well as Asian Tour stalwarts Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh and Berry Henson of the United States.

Lguirati noted that the events will help spur golf’s growth in Morocco, where the game has already taken strong root. “We have a solid foundation, thanks to the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation’s efforts. Promising amateurs like Adam Bresnu and Hugo Trommetter are showing great potential, and I believe they will represent Morocco on the international stage soon,” he said.

Off the golf course, Lguirati hopes that the players will find time to take in the exotic sights, sounds and tastes of Marrakech. “Marrakech is a vibrant city with so much to offer. I would highly recommend visiting Jemaa el-Fnaa, the Medina, and the Majorelle Garden. For something unique, a trip to the Atlas Mountains can be a memorable experience. Moroccan cuisine is world-renowned, and players should definitely try dishes like tagine, couscous and pastilla. Msemen, which is a Moroccan pancake, with honey or mint tea is a must!”

Having mustered a best ADT finish of joint fourth at the Toyota Tour Championship in Malaysia last November, Lguirati is hungry for his first title – and where better to achieve that feat than on home soil. “Winning an ADT event in Morocco would mean everything to me. It would be a dream come true to achieve this milestone in front of my home crowd, representing my country!”

Ken Kudo, General Manager of the ADT, lauded the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation for their vision and commitment. “It has been a privilege and an honour indeed to collaborate with the dedicated folk at the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation, whose foresight and dedication to the growth of golf have been key to bringing the two Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech events to fruition. We are extremely grateful for this opportunity to bring our tour to the beautiful nation of Morocco. I would also like to thank the Arab Golf Federation for their partnership and look forward to greater cooperation in the future.”