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Record entries for Mena Golf Tour’s opening event in Morocco

A total of 108 golfers, including 24 amateurs, representing a perceptible 70 per cent increase in the field from last year’s tally, are hoping to tame the course which is reminiscent of an old-fashioned Scottish seaside layout with small dunes and tumbling fairways.

Defending champion Stephen Dodd of Wales watches the flight of his ball during a practice round on Monday. — Supplied photo

Led by defending champion Stephen Dodd, a record number of players will join the starting line-up in the Royal D’Anfa Open, the opening event on the 2014 Mena Golf Tour schedule, underling the growing popularity of the tour across the region and beyond.

A total of 108 golfers, including 24 amateurs, representing a perceptible 70 per cent increase in the field from last year’s tally, are hoping to tame the course which is reminiscent of an old-fashioned Scottish seaside layout with small dunes and tumbling fairways.

Last year, Dodd, a three-time winner on the European Tour, defeated Zane Scotland in a three-way playoff, also involving England’s Ian Keenan, to take the title on a 6-under total. The Welsh ace, who posted a creditable tied 17^th finish at the just-concluded Hassan II Trophy, will have his work cut this time around with the likes of experienced Ross McGowan, Yasin Ali and Alessandro Tadini making their first appearance in a Mena Golf Tour event in Morocco.

With 22 nationalities represented in the line-up, the tournament’s strength is further highlighted by the presence of England’s Lee Corfield and William Harrold and Sandro Piaget of Monaco, all former winners of the MENA Golf Tour, along with Dodd and Scotland, who between them have won nine times. With 36 entries, including 19 amateurs, Moroccan players are headlining the field, which also consists of 21 golfers from England and, for the first time, eight from Italy in what promises to be an absorbing contest on a course described by head pro Mohamed Makroune as in “great condition.”

“If the weather stays calm, as is the forecast for the week, there will be plenty of scoring opportunities,” he said. “The course is short and requires an accurate tee shot due to strategically located fairway bunkers if you aim to shoot low.

“If you can keep the ball in play, you can make lots of birdies,” said Makroune, who is a walking encyclopedia of golf in Morocco, having played the sport for 52 years, and a good 32 years as a professional. “Wind will be a big factor throughout the week. If it blows, which is usually the case, I think a score between 14 and 16 will be the winning one,” said Makroune, who himself will be featuring in the field.

Located on the west coast of Morocco between Casablanca and Rabat, Mohammedia was called Fedela until June 25, 1960 when the name was officially changed.