Morocco’s only player in the field, Maha Haddioui, is hoping to regain her full Ladies European Tour Exemption Status this week by finishing in the top 30 at the Final Stage of Lalla Aicha Tour School, beginning in Marrakech on Friday.
As the only Arab woman on the LET since 2013, Maha is used to being in the spotlight and knows how to cope with the pressure of Tour School, having already been successful four times.
“This was my third year on tour and I’ve got accustomed to it,” said Haddioui, who is supported by the Hassan II Golf Trophy Association (ATH). “Regarding Lalla Aicha Tour School, I just have to focus on what I need to do this week. It’s a different week from tournaments, a different kind of pressure and different objectives, so I just need to concentrate on one shot at a time and staying focused and doing the job.”
Elaborating on her future goals, she added: “Playing in the Olympic Games is my biggest goal for 2016 and it goes along with the goals I’ve got for next year. It would be amazing to qualify and that will be my focus for next year: trying to get top 10s, but for now I need to just focus on the Lalla Aicha Tour School.”
The 27-year-old from Agadir believes things are changing for the better when it comes to women’s golf in the Arab world.
“I wish there were more Arab women on tour but I’m proud to be the only one. I hope that in the next five to ten years there will be more players, maybe not on tour in the next five years but definitely playing the Lalla Aicha Tour School.”
Haddioui is grouped with Luna Sobron from Spain and Joanna Charlton from Australia for the opening two rounds and will play round one on the Samanah Course starting at 10.44am, followed by round two on the Amelkis Course at 9.44am on Saturday. After four rounds played on both courses alternately, the fifth round will be played at Samanah Country Club on Tuesday.
