Egypt and UAE take top honors at World Golf Awards in Cairo

Egypt and the United Arab Emirates emerged as major winners at the World Golf Awards, which were held in Africa for the first time at Madinaty Golf Club near Cairo on Nov. 8, 2026. The result spotlights Egypt’s push to expand golf tourism and stage more international sporting events.

Why it matters: - The awards signal growing international recognition for Egypt and the UAE as golf tourism and sports destination hubs. - Egypt hosting the World Golf Awards for the first time in Africa adds credibility to the country’s bid to attract more major events and higher-spending visitors. - The wins also reinforce the commercial value of golf-linked hospitality, destination development and tourism branding across the region.

What happened: - Egypt and the United Arab Emirates won top honors at the World Golf Awards, beating representatives from roughly 80 countries. - The ceremony took place on Nov. 8, 2026, at Madinaty Golf Club on the eastern outskirts of Cairo. - The event was hosted in Egypt for the first time and marked the first time the awards were held on the African continent. - Talaat Moustafa Group won World's Best Golf Hospitality Development Company. - Madinaty Golf Club won Best Golf Course in Egypt and Africa. - Madinaty Golf Club defended its title as Egypt’s best golf course for the sixth consecutive year. - Madinaty Golf Club also remained Africa’s best golf course for the fourth year running.

The details: - UAE winners included Trump International Golf Club, Dubai, for Best Golf Course in the Middle East. - Abu Dhabi won Best Golf Destination in the Middle East. - Al Zorah Golf Club won Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility in the Middle East. - Al Zorah Golf Club also won Best Clubhouse in the Middle East. - Omar Hisham Talaat, chief business development officer at TMG and president of the Egyptian Golf Federation, said hosting the awards in Africa for the first time marks a milestone and reflects international confidence in Egypt’s ability to stage world-class sporting events. - TMG is working on new golf destinations beyond Madinaty, including Red Sea Links in Sharm El-Sheikh. - TMG is also developing a new course at SouthMED on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. - TMG is moving ahead with the historic redevelopment of the Mena House golf course overlooking the Giza Pyramids. - The Mena House project is being developed with golf course designer Robert Trent Jones Jr.

Between the lines: - The awards fit a broader effort by Egypt to use sport as a tourism growth engine. - High-profile golf events can help fill resorts, raise international visibility and build demand for premium travel experiences. - The repeated wins by Madinaty Golf Club suggest Egypt is trying to anchor its golf strategy around a proven flagship venue while expanding into new destinations. - Chris Frost, managing director of the World Golf Awards, said Egypt has the climate, courses and historical landmarks to become one of the world’s leading golf tourism hubs.

What's next: - TMG’s planned projects in Sharm El-Sheikh, SouthMED and Mena House will likely be central to Egypt’s next phase of golf tourism development. - Egypt will aim to convert international recognition into more tournaments, more visitors and more investment in golf-related infrastructure. - The World Golf Awards’ Egypt debut may open the door to additional global sports and hospitality events in the country.

The bottom line: - Egypt and the UAE used the World Golf Awards to strengthen their standing in global golf tourism, with Egypt also making a bigger play to become a regional sports-event host.**