The Golf Club of Lebanon is one of the finest and oldest golf courses in the country.
It’s the only golf course in Lebanon that provides members and visitors with sports activities such as golf, swimming, tennis and basketball. Golfers have been flocking to the club since 1922 when the venue was on the old airport highway but, in 1963, it relocated between the airport and southern suburbs of Beirut.
Jihad Husseini, chairman of the club, describes it as “an island of tranquility and greenery, away from the bustle of the capital”. The course is made up of 18 holes, which are used all year round due to Lebanon’s moderate climate. During the past few years, the club underwent a major facelift with an extensive tree-planting programme. New greens were designed and seeded alongside an artificial lake. The course is around 6,000 yards and challenges the skills of the most experienced golfers. Caddies and club rentals are available to all players and special green fees can be arranged for foreign visitors.
“We have 250 golfers in our club,” added Husseini. The Golf Club works very closely with hotels and the ministry of tourism and has opened its doors to foreign tourists who are interested in golfing. “We’ve made a modest green fee for foreigners interested in golfing for a day,” added Husseini. Not only that, but there’s also a golfing academy for children between the 7 and 14.
“I find the Golf Club of Lebanon to be great. However, the difference between this golf course and the ones in Europe is that in Lebanon you’re playing on the same course but are challenging different people, while in Europe you play on different courses,” explained Randa Alameddine, who has been golfing for 22 years and has presided over a ladies golf team where she encouraged around 40 women to play.