Shane Lowry’s never played Augusta National but he agreed it would be easier to play a round of golf on next month’s Masters venue than to tee up outside of this week’s host Hassan 11 Trophy course at Agadir.
The Irish golfing ace was the second European Tour player this year to take to the ultra-exclusive Royal course that is for the sole use of one man, the late King of Morocco and now is for the exclusive use of his son, His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
Shane Lowry after his pro-am round Tuesday on the ultra-exclusive Royal course in Agadir. (Photo - www.golfbyourmiss.com)
The Royal Course is laid out in and around the grounds of the Royal Palace bounded on one side by the Atlantic Ocean and protected on the other three by 12-foot high fortress like walls.
There’s also a parameter road and a high barbed wire fencing running the length of the walls with armed Moroccan military personnel posted every 100 meters.
Lowry and some 150 players, caddies and officials who were aboard a special Royal Air Maroc flight that left Malaga Airport direct to Agadir late Monday afternoon.
Prior to Lowry competing in the Pro-Am there had just been some 30 people, and all doctors, who had played the course in the 12 months since England’s David Horsey captured the 38th edition of the Hassan 11 Trophy.
“I would agree it’s probably easier to get a game at Augusta and there is certainly no course’s in Ireland like this as they are all access friendly,” said Lowry.
“And in many ways it’s very much a privilege to play here and we are grateful to the King of Morocco for letting us play here this week.
“You almost feel embarrassed to take a divot as the golf course is that good.
”It is also a good golf course as well but it’s playing a bit soft at the moment but after the way I played in Spain last weekend I am getting back to the golf I know I can play.”
