Singapore: The Asian Development Tour (ADT) will follow in the footsteps of the Asian Tour by staging ground-breaking events in North Africa this month.

Two events in successive weeks, called the Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech tournaments, will be played in Morocco’s vibrant and colourful city of Marrakech this month – marking the first time the Asian Tour’s secondary circuit has visited the African continent.

Marrakech Samanah Golf Club will host the first Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech event from June 19-22, while Marrakech Al Maaden Golf Resort will welcome the second one the following week (June 26-29).

Both events will offer purses of US$125,000 and will be jointly sanctioned with the Arab Golf Federation (AGF), as part of a three-year commitment.

They will be part of a pioneering African adventure as they will lead into the International Series Morocco – being played on the Red Course at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, in the nation’s capital Rabat, from July 3-6.

Cho Minn Thant, the Asian Tour’s Commissioner and CEO, said: “Over the past few years the Asian Tour has regularly visited Morocco, and now the time is right for the Asian Development Tour to make its first visit.

“This is a signature moment and the result of collaborative efforts with key partners, the Hassan II Golf Trophy Association, the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and the Arab Golf Federation. We share their vision of building the profile of the game in the region in order to help nurture the next generation of professional golfers.

“We’d also like to thank Marrakech Samanah Golf Club and Marrakech Al Maaden Golf Resort. They will be two new wonderful venues for our membership to enjoy in one of the world’s most inspiring cities.

“The Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech events mark the start of an exciting new chapter for the Asian Development Tour that will open the door for some incredible new opportunities.”

Competitors in the two new ADT events will also have the opportunity to play in the International Series Morocco. Invitations will be extended to the two leading players (not otherwise exempt), from an aggregate money list over the two tournaments.

Mustapha Zine, Vice President of the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation, said: “Hosting the Asian Development Tour for the first time marks a new milestone for professional golf in Morocco. Through the Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech events, we are not only providing an international competitive platform but also creating a genuine opportunity for our talents to grow and progress.

“The inclusion of two of our courses on the Tour’s official calendar is a strong endorsement of the quality of our infrastructure and our thriving golf eco-system.

“This initiative is fully aligned with the High Directives of our President, His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, who envisions Morocco as a global golf hub – capable of hosting major professional tournaments while fostering the rise of a new generation of Moroccan golfers.”

Each tournament will feature 132 players, with 70 from the ADT, 40 players nominated by the AGF, and several invitees.