Exploring Marrakech: Golfing at Assoufid and Al Maaden, culinary delights and nightlife adventures
Remaining in the magnificent Marrakech for another episode of Golf Travel Tales, host Immy Barclay uncovers the city’s neverending options, delicious cuisine and fun activities!
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00:00This program is brought to you by Morocco, Kingdom of Light.
00:13Moroccan cuisine is famous for the amazing colors and flavors characterized by this mixture
00:18of sweet and savory, it's that unique fusion of spices.
00:22So when you're in Marrakech, head to the Medina and get yourself to the soup.
00:26After some great food at the Medina, I'm ready to play at Asoufid Golf Club.
00:35The Asoufid Golf Club is a desert-style course lined with olive and palm trees, and it's
00:40been especially designed to minimize water consumption.
00:43Now, you've got these amazing panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains.
00:47The course layout was designed by former European tour player, Nile Cameron.
00:52It's 18 holes, it's a par 72, and it is a real challenge for golfers.
00:56Does that sound about right, Guy?
00:58That sounds absolutely right, yeah.
00:59Great to see you.
01:00It's a pleasure to welcome you.
01:02But yeah, as I was mentioning, there's, you know, there've been a lot of olive trees transplanted
01:08at the beginning of when they constructed the golf course, about 2,200 of them, so...
01:13That's immense.
01:14Yeah, it is.
01:15Guy, your signature 17th has got one of the best views I've ever seen.
01:24What can you tell me about this?
01:25Yes, this is a great par 3, 150 meters downhill, superb backdrop.
01:30And a canyon we've got to get the ball over.
01:32Yeah, and that can be a problem.
01:33Let's have a go.
01:38We're at the 14th, which is one of the most strategic holes of the golf course.
01:42It's a par 5 with a double fairway.
01:44Very unique, Guy.
01:46Are you going to go left or right?
01:47I'm going to choose the left side, and hopefully, that's where it's going to go.
01:50Yeah, let's hope so.
01:51Have fun.
01:52After being inspired by all the wonderful food in Marrakech, I'm going to learn how
01:57to cook a traditional Moroccan tagine.
02:00Hello.
02:01Hi, Amy.
02:02I'm Fatima.
02:03I'm loving the look of your spices already.
02:05Sure.
02:06Today, we will cook lamb tagine with pearls and almonds.
02:09Oh, divine.
02:10What is in the 36 spices?
02:12There is two tips of the pepper.
02:14There is cardamom, and also, there is canola, there is some ginger.
02:19Plus some more.
02:20Yeah.
02:21And once everything is mixed together, you pop the tagine on top of the hot coals.
02:26Oh, Fatima, finally.
02:29After two hours, we have the tagine.
02:33Bon appetit.
02:35Shukran.
02:36Oh, it looks so good.
02:38And now it's time for my last round of golf here in Marrakech.
02:42I am at the Almaden Golf Course, which is situated at the foot of the Atlas Mountains.
02:47Now, this 18-hole par 73 course is probably one of the most creative of the Moroccan golf
02:53courses because it's inside an open-air sculpture park.
02:57Now, Nicolas, good to see you.
02:59Hi, nice to meet you.
03:00Welcome to Almaden Golf Course.
03:02Well, you're the person to show us around the place.
03:04I'm happy to.
03:08Almaden is one of a kind.
03:10It's designed by Kyle Phillips and combines a Scottish style with the influence of the
03:14Marrakech Minara Gardens.
03:16Now, we're at 12, which is a par 3, surrounded by these rectangular pools.
03:19All the water here is sustainably managed.
03:22Now, Nicolas, you're going to hit it.
03:30So, they say this here is the most challenging hole, the 18th.
03:33It's a par 5 with a dog leg to the left.
03:36Now, there's a bunker here.
03:37It's a famous bunker, the Seven Saints.
03:39I say there's nothing saintly about that.
03:41This could just destroy my school card.
03:49Well, that was challenging, and the sun is setting, but it doesn't mean the day is done.
03:53It is time to head into Marrakech and see what this city has to offer.
04:01It wouldn't be a trip to Marrakech without experiencing its exciting nightlife.
04:05This city has such a buzz.
04:24Wow, Marrakech.
04:25I have been challenged by the golf courses and really embraced by the city.
04:30I cannot wait to come back.
04:35Here are the great Marrakech courses to hit the ball at.