The new El Ein Bay golf course, located on the Red Sea, just over 100km from the Egyptian capital, Cairo, will open its first nine holes in spring 2011.

The course, which has been designed by the British-based firm Thomson Perrett & Lobb, sits on a 237 acre plot of land in the El Ein El Sukhna Beach Resort, a development designed as a weekend retreat for Egyptians and a leisure destination for visitors from overseas. The course's second nine holes will be ready for play in 2012.

Over recent months, TPL has been finalising the detailing work to a significant number of holes. Principal Tim Lobb said: “It is always exciting to be part of a large development in a new golf market, and Egypt is rapidly emerging as a genuine alternative to the traditional golf destinations of Spain and Portugal.

“At El Ein Bay we have created a golfer’s golf course which offers a challenge for all levels of player without being too daunting. It was always our ambition to design a course that allowed visitors and residents a friendly environment in which to play golf, with an emphasis on delivering a memorable, positive experience that will encourage them to return.”