Stephane Talbot’s journey in the world of golf is nothing short of remarkable. From his early days in Canada to his extensive career on various tours, Talbot has seen and experienced it all. However, it is his time in Morocco that has truly shaped his career and life in ways he never anticipated.

As director of golf at Royal Golf de Marrakech in Morocco, one of the oldest clubs in the Kingdom, Talbot’s introduction to golf came at a young age.

Growing up in a golfing family, he was surrounded by the sport from the very beginning – his father was the president of their local private club, and his older brother was a professional golfer.
This environment fostered a deep love for the game, and Talbot spent countless hours at the golf course during his childhood.

After spending 12 years playing on Tours around the world, including the South American Tour, Asian Tour, and Canadian Tour, Talbot decided to transition into a different role within the golf industry, where he admits, he got fortunate.

“When I was on Tour, I often thought what I would do when my playing career finished, and knew I wasn’t going to be a golf teacher for sure,” he recalls. “I wanted to go into some kind of business, but it’s tough as a touring pro as so many guys just end up teaching. But life takes you in certain directions, and I got lucky.”

In 2002, Talbot was hired by the Palmeraie Golf Resort in Marrakech – an opportunity that came at a perfect time, as he was dealing with a wrist injury and was looking for a new direction in his career.

“I met a guy at the Montreal Golf Show who was talking to a friend of mine who’s a golf pro,” he says. “He’d been hired as a head-hunter for a family in Marrakesh that ran Palmeraie and they wanted a French speaking North American for the position.

“I had played in the Moroccan Open in 1998 and 1999 and remembered how friendly the people were, although I hadn’t visited Marrakech at the time. I remember asking my wife what she thought about moving to Morocco, as she’d caddied for me back then, and she said, ‘yeah, why not?’

“We had two young kids at the time, and with my wrist injury, the timing was perfect.”

Talbot’s role at Palmeraie was multifaceted, and he was responsible for managing all operations, which included overseeing the construction of three new golf courses, and one of the significant projects he worked on was the construction of nine holes at the resort in 2007 and 2008.

Despite facing challenges with local companies during the construction process, Talbot’s determination and expertise ensured the successful completion of the project.

In 2009, Talbot moved to the Gary Player-designed Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, where he was employed by Troon and played a crucial role in the development of golf in the north of the Kingdom. His experience in building and managing golf courses in Morocco provided him with valuable insights and skills that he later applied to other projects.

Talbot’s time in Morocco was not just about golf, and he found the country to be incredibly safe and welcoming. “Morocco is totally different, and we do sell it a lot as a cultural experience,” he explains.

“I tell people don’t come just for the golf and stay at the resort and come to the golf course. Morocco is one of the few countries where you can mingle with the locals and it’s so safe.”

The growth of the golf industry in Morocco has been impressive, and Talbot has been at the forefront of this development. He has seen the country evolve and become a popular destination for golfers from around the world, observing: “Morocco’s growing, and with the [FIFA] World Cup coming to the country in 2030, everything is growing with new infrastructure too.

“The King has done a whole lot for this country and seems to have taken almost all of the right decisions, and we’re now starting to see the results.”

As he looks towards the future, Talbot remains optimistic about the continued growth and development of golf in Morocco, and especially at Royal Golf de Marrakech where he has been director of golf since 2019.

Nestled in the heart of Morocco, Royal Golf de Marrakech is a historic gem that combines tradition, natural beauty, and world-class golf. Established in 1927, it is one of the oldest golf clubs in the country, offering a unique experience steeped in heritage.

Surrounded by lush gardens, towering palm trees, and panoramic views of the majestic Atlas Mountains, the club provides an idyllic setting for golfers of all levels and features 27-holes of exceptional golf – the original Old Course, and the nine-hole New Course, which opened for play in 2008.

The new clubhouse, with its elegant colonial architecture, exudes timeless charm and provides the perfect retreat for relaxation.

Its inviting atmosphere is complemented by one of the finest restaurants in the city, and is renowned for its exceptional lunch, where guests can indulge in exquisite Moroccan and international cuisine, making dining here as memorable as the golf itself.

And it is the guest journey throughout the club where Talbot says that he’s again been highly fortunate.

“I’ve been lucky enough that the ownership gives me total control of the golf course, and I don’t have a resort manager, or villa owners that can put pressure on you, so it’s all about the golf, and the experience which is an advantage for me.

“With the new clubhouse, and excellent F&B offering – coupled with the renovation of the golf course – the club has kind of positioned itself at a higher level,” he admits.

“The course is more enjoyable now, and we’ve been working hard on quality as well as the visitor experience.”

Membership has increased from 220 when Talbot assumed the role six years ago to 400 now, which he admits is “probably too many.”

But with 52,000 rounds last year on both courses, of which 40,000 were green fee-paying visitors, it’s clear to see where the lions share of revenue comes from.

“We only had 12,000 member rounds last year,” he says, “so when visitors book to come and play, we do try and suggest that they book lunch afterwards, because in my opinion, the clubhouse is a special experience serving very good food.

“We’ve kept the quality of the food and the level of service really high for six years now, and people keep coming back – it’s a great experience.”

Membership is diverse – with nationalities from Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland and the UK – plus some Canadian brethren, but it’s not just on the course where there is growth.

“I’m seeing more and more people from abroad – other than from France – buying property,” he states. “The word is out – not to everyone – but a lot more people other than the French are buying in Morocco as we have the weather, the culture and it’s so safe.”

When asked where home is, Talbot who is 58, is quick to affirm that it’s not Canada.

“We sold everything when we left in 2002,” he says. “I go back two or three times a year, but Morocco is my home now. At one point I was trying to figure out where I was going to retire, but with the growth here, and the weather and the people, it’s a no-brainer to stay in Morocco.

“When I retire, I may do summers in Canada, and winter’s here – that would be perfect as the weather is so good. But I still think I’ve got another ten years before then, provided I stay in shape.”