Following the conclusion of an entertaining 2025 season on the Ladies European Tour (LET), it is now time for the circuit to hold its Qualifying School ahead of the 2026 campaign.
For the third consecutive year, Qualifying School for the LET will take place in Marrakech, Morocco under the name Lalla Aicha Q-School.
First up is the Pre-Qualifier which will be staged across four different courses between 10-12 December. The four courses are Fairmont Royal Palm Golf & Country Club, Noria Golf Club, PalmGolf Marrakech Ourika and Samanah Golf by Nicklaus.
Next week will then see the Final-Qualifier take place between 16-20 December at Royal Golf Marrakech & Al Maaden Golf Marrakech. Like in 2023 and 2024, players will alternate between each course over the first four rounds with the fifth and final round being staged at Al Maaden Golf Marrakech.
Last year, Ecuadorian Daniela Darquea topped Final Qualifying becoming her nation’s first-ever LET member. The likes of England’s Mimi Rhodes and Wales’ Darcey Harry also attended Lalla Aicha Q-School before joining the LET winners’ circle in 2025.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this week’s Pre-Qualifier in Marrakech…
WHAT ARE THE COURSES?
Fairmont Royal Palm Golf & Country Club – Nestled in the heart of Marrakech, the Royal Palm Golf Course offers an unparalleled blend of natural beauty and world-class design. Framed by the majestic Atlas Mountains, this 18-hole masterpiece, crafted by Cabell B. Robinson, combines lush fairways with pristine landscapes. Each hole presents a unique challenge, perfectly harmonising technical precision with breathtaking views.
Noria Golf Club – Located at Domaine de Noria in Marrakech, Noria Golf Club is a par 72, 18-hole golf course that was designed by Steve Forrest from Hills & Forrest International Golf Course architects. The course winds 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 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. The noria, a water wheel which is a traditional Moroccan feature, has been incorporated into the golf course on the 15th hole, hence the name, Noria Golf Club.
PalmGolf Marrakech Ourika – Located in the south of Marrakech on the Ourika road in a calm and relaxing environment surrounded by olive and palm trees, PalmGolf Marrakech Ourika is a must from the PalmGolf collection. Conceived and designed in a desert style landscape (with waste bunkers) by Canadian duo Neil Haworth and Stephane Talbot, PalmGolf Marrakech Ourika extends over 6692 metres and is par-72. PalmGolf Marrakech Ourika offers a true golfer’s paradise combining performance and pleasure, stunning views of the Atlas Mountains snowy peaks. Managed by Troon Golf, world leader in golf management, PalmGolf Marrakech Ourika offers wonderful practice facilities and superior service on the golf course as well as the clubhouse.
Samanah Golf by Nicklaus – Samanah Golf Club in Marrakech is a distinguished 18-hole championship course covering 100 hectares, with a par-72 and a length of 6,800 metres. Crafted by Nicklaus Design, it combines Moroccan beauty with top-tier golf architecture. The course, set against the Atlas Mountains, features wide fairways and large greens, suitable for all skill levels. Its design includes strategic bunkers and native flora like olive trees, offering both a challenge and a visual delight. The clubhouse, with its panoramic terraces, overlooks the scenic course and mountains, providing a serene spot for relaxation.
WHO IS PLAYING?
A field of 255 players representing 49 nationalities will compete in the Pre-Qualifier. This includes:
- LET Members ranked outside the top 135 and ties on the 2025 LET Order of Merit
- LETAS Members ranked outside the top 32 and ties on the 2025 LETAS Order of Merit
- Professionals ranked outside the top 200 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings at the close of entries
- Amateurs ranked outside the top 25 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings at the close of entries
WHAT IS THE FORMAT?
The 255 players are divided into four groups with each group playing one course at the Pre-Qualifier. The tournament is a 54-hole stroke play competition with no cut. The top-19 players and ties at Fairmont, Noria and Samanah will advance to the Final-Qualifier with the top-20 players from PalmGolf making it through. Here is the draw for each course in Marrakech:
Fairmont Royal Palm Golf & Country Club
HOW CAN I FOLLOW ALONG?
A live leaderboard will be available to fans around the world right here on the LET website. Simply click on the relevant course while navigating the home page and it will take you to live scoring.
You can also follow along across our social media pages and YouTube channel: @LETgolf and @LETAccess on Instagram and X, Ladies European Tour on Facebook and YouTube -#LETQSchool.
