Nicole Whitmore (England) teeing off from the 7th on La Manga's south course during the 1st round of prequalifying at the 2012 LET Q school

This year the LET has moved it’s Qualifying School to Marrakech, Morocco after many years at the lovely spanish resort of La Manga.  Micro climate weather in the Murcia region of Spain has started to become a bit less predictable than in the past.  It has been especially true during the 1st couple of weeks of December, when the LET has traditionally scheduled its Q School.  In addition, the LET Q School has a new sponsor, which of course is always great to see.

The new european womens mini-tour , United Ladies Pro Tour, has a tournament scheduled near Malaga/Marbella, Spain 21-23 November.  That is the last warmup playing opportunity for pros and aspiring pros before the 1st round of LET Q School.  Great deal too (free accommodation, free training facilities). We highly recommend it, just as we did the Murcia Ladies Open (LET Access Series) which was held just before Q school in 2010.

Vicky Tomko on the 13th green, north course during the 2010 LET Q School

Travel to Marrakech is bound to pose a few problems if you haven’t been there before, so we thought we’d post a few links that might be of help, especially for family, friends, and fans/supporters who may want to be in Morocco to support the golfers.

Airport Information

Marrakech Airport

Many flights actually connect through Casablanca (Mohammed V), so be aware that transfers and customs clearing may actually be there.  There are reasonably priced flights to Marrakech from Malaga (Spain) via Casablanca on Royal Air Maroc and direct flights from Madrid & Barcelona for those getting in a competitive round just before Q school.

Hotels

Marrakech Hotels (via Booking.com)

LET Q School Information

LET Q School

The LET has posted a wealth of information on its website about Q school, including entry forms, exemption rankings, Q&A, etc.

We’ll update this article as more information becomes available.  If you have any tips/suggestions about Marrakech or travel to Marrakech which we can share, please contact us

It’s a great tournament to go to, not just to escape the wet, early spring weather in europe, but also since it’s a two-for-one: the men’s European Tour  are in Agadir the same week.  There are only one or two weeks a year where the european tours converge on the same location.

Zuzana Kamasova, 2011 Winner of the Lalla Meryem Cup

The weather will likely be warm – last year the temperatures reached as high as 40 degrees centigrade – though the coastal location will likely keep the temperatures from reaching the same extreme heat.   No doubt the players and tour caddies will be grateful, as several suffered heatstroke during the event in 2011.

Italian golfer Matia Maffiuletti celebrates her putt on the 9th green during the 2010 Lalla Meryem Cup at Royal Anfa in Mohammedia Morocco

Good friend Zuzana Kamasova earned her first LET win at the 2011 tournament.  We’re still kicking ourselves for missing it – you always want to be there when friends do well !   We did manage the trip to see Germany’s Anja Monke earning her win at the 2010 edition at Royal Anfa in Mohammedia, near Casablanca.  And as much as her win was great, the highlight had to be watching Switzerland’s Frederique Seeholzer earn an LET career-best 14th place finish.  But I digress…

Anja Monke, 2010 Champion of the Lalla Meryem Cup

Stay:

We don’t have specific recommendations, since we haven’t been to Agadir.  But the best bets are likely to be along the beach area, where there are more restaurants & nighttime activities.  Taxi’s are very cheap (be sure to negotiate upfront) and reliable, so getting to/from the tournaments won’t really be an issue.

Agadir Hotels (via Booking.com)

Do:

Go surfing dude!  Highly recommended as a to do while you are in Agadir by Surf Taddanga.  Enjoy moroccan-style sweet, fresh mint tea.  When traveling to/from Agadir, spend a day in Casablanca or Marrakesh.  If the weather is warm, be sure to drink plenty of bottled water.  Other nearby golf courses include Golf du Soleil, Royal Golf, and Club Med.

Tour Website:

Ladies European Tour

European Tour

Host Club:

Golf de l’Ocean

Getting There:

Aeroport Agadir Al Massira

Google Maps:

Grotere kaart weergeven

The 2012 Terre Blanche Ladies Open is scheduled for 14-16 March at luxurious Four Seasons Provence, near Fayence, France.

Marion Ricordeau (France) at the 2011 Terre Blanche Ladies Open

Fortunately for golf fans, its an easy destination to get to, just about a hours drive south of Nice/Cote d’Azur airport.

It’s a lovely part of France, close to the Alpes Maritimes and the sea.  Lots of non-golf possibilities in nearby Cannes, Grasse, and Fayence. Great area for a quick weekend away or for a longer holiday.

As for the golf, it will be the 3d edition of this popular tournament.  Last year, England’s Henni Zuel emerged as the winner, finishing just ahead of the 2010 champion Caroline Afonso.  The course features a parkland style layout, albeit a hilly one which will test the players ability both off the tees and in their approaches to the greens.

If you want to get in a round or two yourself, Four Seasons Provence has two courses and a great practice/training facility on site. The 2nd course will be open to the public, allowing for nice combinations of playing & watching for the spectators.  There are also several nearby courses, in cases you’re not quite up to playing on the hills or the (very) quick greens.

Stay:

Four Seasons Provence  (direct)

The host resort/golf club offers luxuriously appointed hotel rooms and villas.  Great facilities (golf, spa) on site.  The spa was recently voted as the 2nd best in the world by the readers of Travellers World.   We have stayed in one of the villas at Four Seasons Provence and can say it lives up to its reputation for luxury.  Very comfy beds, lots of space especially for a european hotel.  But like all Four Seasons, you pay for the privilege.

Moulin de la Camandoule (Booking.com)

We’ve stayed at the Moulin and can recommend both the hotel and the restaurant.  This is a relaxed, but still comfortable b&b style hotel.  The restaurant is top-class, a great choice for an elegant evening out.  The hotel is located in the valley near the foot of the main road leading up to Fayence, about a 10 minute drive from Terre Blanche.

Other Nearby Hotels (Booking.com)

Our easy link to Booking.com will direct you to nearby hotels in the Tourettes/Fayence vicinity.

Do:

Watch the tournament (free entrance).  Get in a round or two of golf.  Ski in the nearby Alpes Maritimes.  Try the local restaurants in Fayence, the restaurant at the Moulin de la Camandoule,  or for a cheap night out one of the local pizza restaurants.  Visit nearby Grasse, Cannes, Antibes, and Nice.

And in case you forget any essentials or want to cook rather than eat out, there is a Carrefour and a SuperMarche close by – both are large & well-stocked.

Tournament Website(s):

LET Access Series

Generali Ladies Tour

Getting there:  

Aéroport Nice Côte d’Azur

The host resort is about 1 hours drive south from the Nice Cote d’Azure airport.

Terre Blanche on Google Maps:

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