Egypt possesses the world’s best golf courses and is positioning itself as a premier international destination for the sport, according to Omar Hisham Talaat, President of the Egyptian Golf Federation.
Speaking to FM Radio on the sidelines of the “Egypt Golf Series 2026,” Omar Hisham Talaat said the country’s combination of world-class facilities and ideal weather is designed to showcase Egypt’s capabilities to a global audience. The remarks come as the first event of the series, part of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Tour, commenced on Monday at the New Giza Golf Club.
Egyptian Golf Federation President stated that golf is currently one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, noting that the federation’s strategy extends beyond athletic participation to include tourism, media coverage, and international diplomacy.
“For many years, golf was already present in Egypt, and we were enjoying beautiful courses and perfect atmosphere, but we had very little appearance,” Omar Hisham Talaat said. “In one year, everything changed.”
The Egypt Golf Series 2026 consists of four consecutive tournaments offering a total prize pool of $400,000 and Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. He described the MENA Tour as the “engine room” for international golf in the region, providing a platform for players to earn ranking points and transition to global tours.
“For the first time, Egypt is not only hosting this event but is laying its foundations,” Moustafa added.
The opening event at the Thomson, Perrett & Lobb-designed New Giza course is scheduled to run from 19 to 21 January. Slovenia’s Zan Luka Stirn took an early lead in the opening round with an eight-under-par 64, while Egyptian amateur Issa Abou El Ela remains the leading home contender.
The tournament features a field of international professionals, including Italy’s Aron Zemmer and Malaysia’s Galven Kendall Green, who currently share second place.
