The Hidden Coves golf course, the second 18-hole championship layout at Somabay on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, will open fully in January 2027, capping what the resort describes as a landmark year for its golf offer.
Before then, Somabay Golf is hosting three international tournaments this autumn, running from 25 September to 16 October 2026 and expected to draw more than 240 players from around the world. For UK companies that combine client entertaining, incentive trips or a few days of downtime with work in the region, the destination is building a stronger case.
Three tournaments this autumn
The calendar opens with the U.S. Kids’ Golf International Team Championship from 25 to 27 September, when junior golfers aged 12 to 18 will compete. The annual Somabay Open Golf Tournament follows from 8 to 10 October, before the Somabay Golf World Cup Tour, run in collaboration with LeClub Golf, closes the season from 11 to 16 October. Readers can find more detail in our earlier report on Somabay’s tournament calendar.
All three events will be played on the existing Gary Player-designed course, which Golf World recently named among its top 100 X Factor courses worldwide. That recognition matters to anyone planning corporate hospitality, as a ranked course is an easier sell to clients and senior guests than an unknown one.
When does the Hidden Coves golf course open?
The Hidden Coves golf course opens for play in January 2027. Designed by Lobb + Partners, it threads between coves along the reef-side and follows the natural contours of the land, with the desert mountains forming the backdrop to every hole.
Tim Lobb, Principal at Lobb + Partners, said: “The Hidden Coves is designed to work with the coastline, with every hole responding to the natural contours of the land, and plenty of wow factor moments along the way as the course reveals itself. We wanted to create a course that feels distinct from Somabay’s first, while still delivering the kind of challenge and playability that international players expect, and we’re really proud of what we’ve achieved.”
Sustainability has shaped the build, in line with Somabay’s GEO International Sustainability Certification. Earth movement was kept to a minimum during development to preserve the natural terrain, and Pure Dynasty Paspalum turfgrass was chosen for its low water and fertiliser needs. The surrounding landforms also shelter the course from the wind, removing the need for invasive landscaping.
What it means for business travel to Egypt
For businesses, a second championship course at Somabay Golf changes the practical picture in two ways. First, groups get more choice: a party of clients or colleagues can play two quite different 18-hole layouts during a single stay rather than repeating the same round. Second, the January opening falls in the Red Sea’s winter season, when many UK travellers look for warmer weather and when incentive trips and leadership retreats are often scheduled.
The environmental credentials may also help travel managers justify the trip. Many firms now ask suppliers about water use and land management, and a course designed around low-irrigation turf and minimal earthworks gives buyers something concrete to point to in their travel policy reviews.
Anyone adding a golf break to business travel in the region should check current FCDO entry requirements for Egypt before booking, and keep an eye on Egypt’s expansion of visa-free entry for UK travellers. For wider advice on mixing work and downtime, see our guide to combining business travel with leisure.
Further details on the new layout are available on the Somabay Golf Hidden Coves course page.
