For Morocco’s emerging golf talents, and the best in the MENA region, International Series Morocco isn’t just another event. The fourth elevate event of the season on the Asian Tour calendar offers an important opportunity to step inside the ropes with some of the game’s best and test their skills under intense pressure.
Eight local players lined up for this week's event at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat alongside hopefuls from Saudi and the UAE.
The MENA representation ultimately fell short of playing this weekend, but the contingent - which featured local hero Ayoub Lguirati - all gained vital experience against some of the Asian Tour's best, and talent from around the world.
Amateur Youssef El Hali has trained on the Red Course since childhood. The tournament offered the 19-year-old a deeper understanding of what it means to compete at a higher level.
He shared: “The International Series is serious golf. You need to follow a routine, show up mentally ready, and execute. Even though I’ve played here for years, this setup was different, longer tees, tougher pins, and a real demand for strategy.
"John Catlin’s calm consistency really stood out. Travis Smyth’s ball-striking and course management too. I also played with Santiago De la Fuente from Mexico in Marrakesh on the ADT event. He is only 23 but already very composed. Seeing how these guys carry themselves, it’s a huge learning experience.”
Emerging talent such as promising amateur Hugo Mazen Trommetter have now made three appearances on the elite-level event.
For Othman Raouzi, also making it three out of three, the challenge never gets old.
“Super happy to be back,” he said. “There’s always something to take away when you’re in a field this strong. The greens were tough this year, fast and tricky, but overall, the conditions were solid. It pushes you to dig deeper.”
Soufiane Dahmane knows the Red Course well, but felt competing on it under tournament pressure was a different story.
Dahmane was the only local player to par the course on round one, but despite finishing highest among the local players, he ultimately missed the cut after a four-over second round.
He said: "It’s a big step up. I’ve played this course a lot, but the International Series brings a different level. Everything is elevated, the setup, the players, the pressure. But I loved every minute of it. The organisation is incredible, and everything runs so smoothly.”
“A big thank you to the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation for their continued support. Their belief in us means everything,” he said.
“And I want to express my deepest gratitude to His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid for his vision and leadership in pushing golf forward in Morocco. Without that, we wouldn’t have opportunities like this.”
The International Series is the most prized pathway in golf. It consists of 10 elite tournaments sanctioned by the Asian Tour and offers the year-long Rankings leader promotion to the LIV Golf League.
