The inaugural El Jadida Championship by HLO has attracted 112 players, including 14 amateurs, with a vast majority of them experiencing the long, tree-lined course for the first time.

Old-timer Younes El Hassani, one of the local favourites, feels the golf course will call for players to hit a lot of draw or fade shots.

“I have played this course many times and know what it takes to shoot low. It’s a very nice course where you need to shape the ball around the trees on many holes,” said the experienced Moroccan, who racked up a top-10 finish in the season-opening event at Mohammedia last week.

“Winds in the afternoon will also come into play which means precision will be needed when approaching the greens.”

Zane Scotland will hope the confidence that returned to his game at Mohammedia can propel him to an 11th victory on the MENA Tour, but he is wary of a stiff challenge.

“There are many good players in the field. Andrew (Marshall) and Jamie Elson are experienced enough to win on any course,” he said, referring to his fellow Englishmen who finished in a tie for second last week.

Other notable names include 2015 Order of Merit champion Thriston Lawrence, England’s Miles Tunnicliff, a two-time winner on the European Tour, and the exciting duo of Elliott Oxlade and James Allan, who have just turned professionals.