Noria Golf Club at Domaine de Noria in Marrakech, Morocco, is a par-72, eighteen-hole championship golf course that measures 6,589 metres (7,206 yards) from the professional tees. Amateurs will find enjoyment and challenge at one of the four alternate lengths that range from 4,579 metres (5,008 yards) up to 6,116 metres (6.689 yards). The two par-36, nine-hole loops, which are very well balanced in terms of length and difficulty, wind through olive orchards, lavender fields and desert landscapes before making a dynamic, parallel finish along a formal reflecting pool with the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and a dramatic, beautiful clubhouse providing a stunning backdrop.
The central feature is a magnificent traditional “basin” that splits the 9th and 18th holes and stretches away into the distance from the clubhouse to the far side of the site.
From a golf course architectural perspective, Noria Golf Club is easily the most unique golf course that Hills & Forrest have ever designed. The concept of blending three different landscapes (orchards and lavender fields, the desert and a formal “oasis”) was challenging, yet provided the basis for a golf experience filled with wonderful variety for the player. Added to this basic framework were lots of interesting traditional Moroccan features ranging from reflecting pools, cascades and basins to architectural elements such as bell towers and observation structures to desert oued (wadi), khettara, seguia (irrigation channels) and even the namesake noria.
The noria is a traditional Moroccan landscape feature and has been incorporated into the golf course design on the 15th hole, hence the name, Noria Golf Club.
