Par 3 18th on the Championship Course
Ten years ago just before we moved to Japan we had a short golfing holiday in Agadir. We both really enjoyed our time there and when we decided to cancel our winter trip to South Africa this year it seemed a good idea to return.
First package holiday for many years, the last one was to the Gambia before we got married, just before my PE2 final accountancy exams. That was not the greatest experience as I got a bad bout of food poisoning on the way over which didn’t help my revision efforts! Not such issues with TUI.
We managed to get a very good deal on a weeks stay at the Tikida Beach hotel which gave us free transfers to the Golf du Soleil (where we stayed on our previous visit) and a discount on our green fees. The hotel was spotless, staff very friendly and the setting very beautiful with landscaped gardens bordering the beach. For golf the weather was perfect, not too hot and light winds. The sun worshippers were a bit more disappointed though as by the coast it was a bit cooler, windier and overcast compared to a couple of miles inland where we were playing.
We had thought that we would play at several courses however as it turned out we decided just to play at the Golf du Soleil. There are 2 courses there which seem pretty much unchanged in my mind from when we played them before and it was nice to play the courses more than once.
Mike won the daily most beautiful shot awards, and his prize was an energising back massage and a very nice red jacket. He also used one of his winnings to buy me a relaxing massage. I seemed to win the award for maximum points, however I think the result was skewed a bit by the obscene number of shots I got based on the slope rating, as well as Mike being generous on the mulligan front. Will use my winnings to treat us to a nice meal out.
We had 4 golf days and a couple of relaxing days. Our cultural excursion was a trip to the Souk. Reminded me a bit of the covered outdoor markets in Malaysia and Hong Kong that Mum used to shop at, especially the food stalls. The scent of herbs and spices piled up on platters was very evocative and the fresh fruit/ veg on offer looked in the main very fresh and of good quality. There were a lot of stalls selling various household items and clothing, none of which were of interest to us but we did hear a Brit in the bar later saying it was a great place to get cotton knickers!
Other highlights / memorable moments of our stay were-
- Morocco getting through to the final 16 in the football World Cup on the day we arrived and then winning their quarter final match. Lovely happy atmosphere in the hotel
- Going for a run along the beachfront promenade when the Morocco game was underway. Feeling the energy of people crowing round the bars, watching the game on their phones, hooting at every chance Morocco had.
- Our last evening sitting on the terrace drinking cocktails and listening to a jazz saxophonist
- The waiter who looked after us, always smiling and with a nice word. Generally the quality and variety of the food served in the buffet restaurant was excellent. Now need to go on a diet.
- My golf overall, I pared more holes than normal especially the par 3s and was very happy with my short game. Was very happy to par the 18th on our last round (photo above)
- Our last day it absolutely tipped down, a dry riverbed became a swollen torrent and as we were eating lunch we could see the silt pouring out into the sea and being turned parallel to the beach by the waves (not a common event)
- Finally arriving back to a very chilly Manchester, a light dusting of snow on the ground and more on the hills the next morning when we drove home.
A good place for a week of winter golf in the sun.
