For decades, the global golf community has celebrated legendary courses from Scotland to California, but a new destination has quietly captured the attention of discerning players, and golf management professionals alike… Somabay Golf.

Along Egypt’s Red Sea coastline, Somabay has quietly evolved into one of the Middle East’s most compelling golf destinations. While the dramatic desert-meets-sea landscape provides a natural stage for world-class golf, the destination’s true distinction lies in its strategic focus on sustainability, integrated golf infrastructure, and long-term course development.

Rather than simply creating a single championship layout, Somabay has pursued a broader vision: developing a golf destination built on responsible environmental practices, modern training facilities, and multi-course expansion that positions the Red Sea as a growing hub for international golf tourism.

Central to this vision is the Gary Player Championship Course, complemented by advanced academy facilities and the upcoming Somabay Hidden Coves Golf Course, which together will form the foundation of Somabay’s future as a multi-course golf destination.

Operating two championship golf course in an arid coastal environment presents inherent challenges. At Somabay, sustainability has therefore been embedded into the operational philosophy from the earliest stages of development.

The course operates under the internationally recognised framework of the GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, with Somabay Golf achieving GEO Certification – one of the most respected sustainability benchmarks in golf.

Somabay’s location along the Red Sea peninsula places it adjacent to one of the world’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems. Protecting this environment has been central to the destination’s development philosophy.

Responsible Water Management is one of the most critical aspects of golf course management in desert climates, which is why Somabay utilises advanced irrigation systems supported by soil moisture monitoring and climate-responsive technology.

This ensures precise water delivery across playing surfaces, minimising waste while maintaining championship-level turf conditions.

A key element of Somabay Golf’s sustainability strategy lies in its carefully selected turfgrass varieties, chosen specifically to perform in the Red Sea’s arid coastal climate while supporting efficient water management.

Across the Hidden Coves Course and Academy facilities, Pure Dynasty Paspalum was the selected turfgrass. Paspalum is widely recognised as one of the most sustainable turf options for coastal golf courses due to its ability to thrive using saline or recycled irrigation water.

This capability significantly reduces reliance on freshwater resources while maintaining high-quality playing surfaces.

The combination of Kikuyu for durability and Paspalum for salinity tolerance supports Somabay’s broader agronomic strategy, enabling the course to maintain championship-level conditions.

At the heart of Somabay’s golf offering lies the Gary Player Championship Course, which stretches over 7,255 yards and plays to a par of 72, offering strategic challenges for professional players while remaining accessible to recreational golfers.

The routing takes full advantage of the peninsula’s dramatic topography, incorporating elevated tees, sweeping fairways, and panoramic sea views across multiple holes. Wind patterns from the Red Sea add an additional strategic dimension, requiring players to adapt their shot selection throughout the round.

Water hazards – rare within desert golf environments – are integrated into 13 holes, providing both aesthetic beauty and strategic complexity.

Importantly, the course design minimised excessive earth movement during construction, aligning with the broader sustainability principles that underpin Somabay’s development philosophy.
Beyond the championship course, Somabay has invested significantly in building one of the region’s most comprehensive golf training environments.

The Somabay Golf Academy supports player development at all levels, from beginners and amateur golfers to elite athletes and professional training camps.

Key facilities include a floodlit driving range supporting evening practice and training throughout the year; a dedicated short-game practice area with chipping, pitching, and bunker amenities; a floodlit 9-hole par-3 course for both skill development and leisure play; the advanced Scoring Arena, which allows players to refine their competitive short-game techniques in a dynamic setting; and professional coaching services paired with state-of-the-art swing analysis technology.

These facilities allow Somabay Golf to host international golf camps, coaching academies, and development programs, positioning the destination as a growing hub for golf training in the region.

Looking ahead, Somabay Golf is entering a new phase of development with the introduction of the Somabay Hidden Coves Golf Course, a new 18-hole championship layout currently under development along the dramatic coastline of the Red Sea peninsula.

Designed by Tim Lobb, Hidden Coves represents a significant step forward in Somabay’s long-term sustainability strategy and is being designed as the first fully integrated sustainable golf course in the region.

“Our new 18-hole golf course is created to complement the existing Gary Player Design layout,” commented Lobb. “It was not our intention to design a traditional championship course but to create a family friendly and manageable test of golf for the holiday golfer.”

From land shaping and routing to irrigation systems, turfgrass selection, and landscape integration, the project has been carefully planned to minimise environmental impact while enhancing the natural character of the surrounding terrain.

The course design embraces the peninsula’s natural coastal formations, incorporating the dramatic coves and undulating desert landscape to create a layout that feels both organic and immersive.

Once completed, Hidden Coves will transform Somabay into a two-championship-course destination, significantly expanding its ability to host international tournaments, training camps, and multi-round golf tourism experiences.

The addition of the new course will strengthen Somabay’s position within the global golf travel market while reinforcing its reputation for environmentally responsible golf development.

Somabay Golf is part of a broader Red Sea destination that combines luxury resorts, marine sports, wellness facilities, and residential communities, and is a growing golf destination in the region.