Going for Golf

Madinat Makadi

If you choose to leave Hurghada airport in a southerly direction, a 30km trip will take you to the door of Madinat Makadi, a resort comprising luxurious residential areas, 10 four and five-star hotels, shopping and leisure facilities. The course at the Madinat Makadi Golf Resort was designed by American John Sanford and makes the most of the natural features, surrounded as it is by stunning scenery. Numerous water hazards include three lakes – with two cascading waterfalls – and five holes overlooking the Red Sea.

Who better to explain the thinking behind the lay-out than Sanford himself? He said: “Each hole is strategically designed with risk/reward shot-making opportunities through the course. The front nine is distinctly different to the back nine, being flatter with a series of ponds and creeks to challenge the golfer, whereas the back nine is routed through the hills and valleys in the desert. The challenge on the back nine is due to the natural topography that was utilised in the design.”

That word ‘natural’ again, which, given the attention to detail that has sculpted every single piece of the resort, may seem a little incongruous. Yet, because of its location, tucked between the mountains and a desert with the Red Sea as a side order, it’s easy to forget that it’s only 11 years since the first hotel was built.

Transfers from all the Madinat Makadi hotels to the golf course are free of charge, but again tee-times must be booked in advance. I stayed in the club’s new boutique hotel which served the tastiest omelette I have ever eaten.