MEMPHIS REISEN

On the manicured fairways of Madinaty, players from 35 different countries gathered this autumn for the return of the Egyptian Open for Professionals. For the local golf community, the event was more than just a tournament; it marked the end of a 15-year hiatus and signaled a profound shift in how the North African nation views a sport once dismissed as a peripheral, elitist pursuit.

The Egyptian Golf Federation, under the chairmanship of Omar Hisham Talaat Moustafa, has spent 2025 dismantling that stereotype. Through a combination of infrastructure overhaul, international regulatory alignment, and a hard-nosed approach to financial sustainability, the Federation has transformed golf into a high-yield platform for both national pride and economic growth.

The “kernel” of this transformation lies in a strategic pivot toward sports tourism. By hosting five major international championships in rapid succession this year, the EGF has effectively placed Egypt back on the global golfing map, using the sport as a tool to support the state’s ambitious goal of attracting 30m tourists annually by 2030.

Egyptian Golf Federation’s Economic Independence and Media Momentum

Financially, the Federation has broken new ground. For the first time, the EGF recorded a historic surplus of approximately 7m EGP. This milestone was achieved by diversifying self-generated resources and securing strategic sponsorship deals, moving the organization toward a model of financial independence that is increasingly seen as a benchmark for other national sports bodies.

This economic success was bolstered by a massive spike in visibility. A strategic partnership with the ON Sports network, sponsored by United Sports Company, brought the game to the masses. Live broadcasts garnered over 5m views across sports channels and social media platforms in October and November alone.

“Golf in Egypt is no longer viewed as a niche sport or a marginal activity,” the Federation noted in its year-end review, citing a 30% increase in the official practitioner base and a doubling of unofficial participation.

Golf: A Growing Footprint

The physical landscape of the sport is also expanding. Egypt now boasts between 25 and 30 golf courses that are either operational, under construction, or in the planning stages. This infrastructure serves as the backbone for an intensive tournament calendar that, in just two months, drew over 350 players from 70 countries.

The geographic diversity of these events—spanning from the urban landscapes of New Giza and Dreamland to the coastal beauty of Sokhna Golf on the Red Sea—is a deliberate move to showcase the country’s varied tourism offerings. In the final quarter of the year, these events generated more than 2,000 hotel room nights, providing a direct injection into the local hospitality sector.

The Road to 2032

Looking ahead, the Federation is shifting its focus toward technical excellence and long-term talent development. The appointment of world-renowned expert Stuart Clayton as Technical Director for the national teams signals an intent to move beyond hosting and into the realm of producing world-class competitors.

The ultimate target is clear: the cultivation of an Egyptian Olympic champion, with a roadmap specifically designed for the 2032 Olympic Games. To bridge the gap to professional competition, the EGF has signed a strategic partnership with the MENA Golf Tour to resume the “Egypt Golf Series.” This initiative includes four major tournaments scheduled for January and February 2026, with total prize money reaching $400,000.

The international community has taken note of this rapid ascent. Omar Hisham Talaat’s recent election to the Executive Board of the Arab Golf Federation for the 2025–2029 term is viewed by analysts as a validation of Egypt’s restored regional stature.

As the Federation enters 2026, the focus remains on maintaining this momentum. With a professionalized technical system and a burgeoning tournament circuit, Egypt is no longer just playing the game—it is aiming to lead it.