Katameya Heights - Egypt

Myself and a couple friends played Katameya Heights today in New Cairo. Most of what I have to say about it is good, but I'll start with the bad. The greens were not in good condition at all. It was a bit shocking, actually, considering how beautiful and well-designed this course is overall. The greens were also pretty small, though that's neither here nor there. Now, everything else about this course was delightful. The topography was impressive. There were so many elevation changes, some of which were quite dramatic. It wasn't a terribly difficult course, but it was challenging enough to be fun. It also wasn't all that long, but with plenty of doglegs, hills, and hazards, it didn't need to be. All in all, this was a gorgeous and very enjoyable course.

Katameya Heights lives up to its name. It is walkable, but not for the faint hearted. The first hole is a welcoming par four that bends right. The second is the shortest par four and an excellent birdie oppty. Consider laying up off the tee, unless you can hit a high draw 300+ yards. The rest of us should favor the right off the tee to set up a flip wedge to this elevated green. The 3rd is a short par three. The 4th is a valley par five. The hole bends right, favor left of center off the tee. Take an extra club on the approach. The 5th is the longest par four and the number one handicap hole. Thank goodness it is downhill and oh by the way there is water hazard right. Without a doubt, my favorite hole. Yes, I am shallow, birdie. I was humbled on the next hole. A straight away uphill par five, where three average shots should have you putting for birdie. I wish I could have strung together three average shots to avoid my double. The 7th leans right, with fairway bunkers right. I was surprised that this is the number three handicap hole as a decent drive will leave you with an attack iron. The 8th is the longest par three. Do not be intimidated by the middle bunker as the green is a good thirty yards behind it. The 9th is a big dogleg left. Take an extra club to the elevated green.

The back starts with another dogleg left, albeit shorter. The 11th is a mid-length albeit uphill par three. Definitely, take an extra club. The 12th is a downhill dogleg right par five. Favor the left off the tee and the second shot to set up an attack iron. The 13th is a short downhill par four. Stay right off the tee to set up a flip wedge for a great birdie oppty. The 14th is an uphill par four slight dogleg left. Take an extra club on the approach. Not sure why this is the number two handicap hole. Heck, if I can birdie it….? The last par five bends right and the tee shot is from the course’s highest elevation. This provides a scenic panorama of the greater Cairo area. Possible to get home in two, however there is a water hazard left off the tee. If you do get there, you deserved it. The 16th is a valley par three. The 17th is a downhill par four with water left on the approach. The finishing hole is a good one, unless you are walking, uphill all the way. A par here is earned.

A fun course that takes advantage of its elevation changes. I would pay to play it again.

Very pretty course...like playing on a well manicured garden. Nicely designed holes, except for 17. Excellent practice facility, club house and locker room. This place has a real country club feel to it and as a visitor you'll be welcomed warmly. This is, in my opinion, the third best course in Cairo...ranking behind only Katemaya Dunes and Palm Hills; and the fourth best in the whole country. Sokhna is the best in Egypt. So, if you are visiting Egypt and you play golf, be sure to have this one on your "must play" list. You will not be disappointed.