Although construction began in 2008, circumstances delayed the completion of Hacienda Bay in Al Alamein, Egypt. The 18-hole course designed by John Sanford of Sanford Ferris Golf Course Design resumed construction in 2014 and opened in 2021. Worth the wait, Hacienda Bay offers views of the Mediterranean and “big swing holes” that appeal to casual and experienced golfers alike.
When designing the course, Sanford made water conservation a primary goal. The course pulls irrigation from a combination of effluent water and wells. Scaling back grassed areas and selecting the most sustainable turfgrass ensured that the project would use its resources most efficiently. Platinum TE Paspalum proved to be the turfgrass variety for the job.
“Platinum TE was selected primarily for its tolerance to salty/poor water quality but also because, in my opinion, it’s the best playing surface of all the available Paspalum varieties.”
John Sanford, Sanford Ferris Golf Course Design