Sustainable golf takes shape at Somabay in Egypt
| Pure Seed, Silver Partner, Sustainability, Tim Lobb
Estimated reading time 2 min
A new chapter in sustainable golf is unfolding along Egypt’s Red Sea coast. Hidden Coves Golf Course at Somabay, near Hurghada, is redefining what environmentally responsible golf can look like in arid regions. Designed by Lobb + Partners, the course pairs thoughtful architecture with innovative sustainability solutions to create a playing experience that feels both natural and forward-looking.
The back nine holes of Hidden Coves opened in December 2025, marking a major milestone for the project. From tees to greens, every turf area is planted with Pure Dynasty® Seeded Paspalum from EIGCA Silver Partner, Pure Seed and Atlas Turf International, a cornerstone of the course’s sustainability strategy. The single-grass approach delivers visual continuity, strong performance, and long-term efficiency across the entire layout.
Water stewardship is central to the course’s design. All irrigation water is produced through onsite desalination, with solar panels powering the entire system. With unbeatable salt tolerance, Pure Dynasty is a critical component in meeting water sustainability goals.
Pure Dynasty was selected following proven success at Somabay. As Tim Lobb, Principal at Lobb + Partners, explained, “We trialed Pure Dynasty on the Academy project in Somabay a few years previous, and we were very happy with the results.” That experience confirmed the grass’s ability to perform under saline conditions while maintaining high-quality playing surfaces.
As a seeded turfgrass, Pure Dynasty also provided practical advantages. Lobb noted that “the ease of importing the product into the country was a factor for selection,” particularly in regions where vegetative turf faces regulatory challenges.
Performance has continued to exceed expectations. “Pure Dynasty has performed very well. The greens are smooth and running at a good speed,” Lobb said. Its adaptability across a wide range of mowing heights allowed Hidden Coves to adopt a wall-to-wall grassing concept. “We love the single grass selection so we have the flexibility to play around with the mowing lines and cutting heights,” he added, citing “the flexibility, salt tolerance, and surface quality” as standout traits.
The remaining front nine holes are scheduled to open at the end of 2026, completing what is poised to become one of Egypt’s premier sustainable golf courses—driven by smart design and the performance of Pure Dynasty.
