Historic course set against the Giza Pyramids to undergo a refined redesign emphasizing heritage and playability
GIZA, Egypt — Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects has been selected to lead the redesign and renovation of the historic golf course at Mena House, one of the world’s most distinctive golf destinations, uniquely located at the base of the Giza Pyramids.
Blending sport, history, and global tourism, the golf course at Mena House is one of the few places in the world where golf is played in the shadow of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The partnership between Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG) and RTJ II reflects a shared commitment to elevating the course’s international profile while preserving its distinctive legacy.
Mena House has held a singular place in Egypt’s hospitality and sporting history since the late 19th century, when it began as a royal hunting lodge before opening to guests in the 1880s. For generations, its setting beside the Great Pyramid has drawn travelers, dignitaries, and golf enthusiasts from around the world.
Golf has been played at Mena House since 1899, making the course one of Egypt’s oldest golf venues. Its proximity to the Pyramids gives it a character unmatched anywhere else in the world.
The redesign will honor that history while reshaping Mena House for today’s golfers and resort guests. RTJ II’s plan introduces a more flexible golf experience with multiple ways to play, broadening the course’s appeal to families, juniors, and international visitors.
“Mena House Golf Course is unlike any other golf destination in the world. It combines heritage, hospitality, and one of the most iconic settings imaginable,” said Omar Hisham Talaat, Chief Business Development Officer for TMG. “With the Giza Pyramids as its backdrop, the course offers an extraordinary opportunity to create a golf experience that is both globally distinctive and deeply rooted in Egypt’s cultural legacy.”
“Golf is a key part of our broader vision for sustainable development and healthy lifestyles,” Talaat said. “As we continue to grow our golf portfolio—which includes Madinaty Golf Club, the 18-hole SouthMED course on Egypt’s North Coast, and Sharm Bay in Sharm El Sheikh—we see Mena House as a crown jewel, one that deserves the highest level of design excellence and international attention.”
“This partnership builds on our successful collaboration with RTJ II, which previously designed the Madinaty and SouthMED golf courses,” Talaat said. “It reflects our confidence in their global expertise and ability to deliver a world-class golfing experience.”
Trent Jones III, Chief Operating Officer of RTJ II, emphasized the importance of honoring the site’s legacy while shaping its future.
“This is one of the most meaningful sites for golf anywhere in the world. We are honored to steward a course with more than 125 years of history and to shape its next chapter with care, precision, and creativity,” Jones said. “Our vision is to embrace the history of this awe-inspiring setting as golfers play beneath the 4,700-year-old Pyramids.
“Mena House has all the ingredients that make golf memorable: history, landscape, atmosphere, and a setting people will never forget. Our focus is on designing a course that belongs in that place.”
Known for its unmatched views, each hole at Mena House offers dramatic perspectives of the pyramids, creating a playing experience that is as memorable as it is challenging. The renovation will further elevate the guest experience through thoughtful enhancements and upgraded infrastructure—all designed to maintain the course’s identity while meeting the expectations of today’s international golf traveler.
Highlights of the renovation will include:
- A complete redesign of the course to best capture the experience of playing beneath the Pyramids.
- A social green to encourage family play and to act as a gathering place for resort guests
- Ground contour lighting to enable evening play
- Installation of a modern irrigation system to support optimal conditions year-round.
- Installation of new grasses.
For more information about RTJ II courses, award-winning sustainable designs, visionary water conservation, and world-class tournament venues, visit the company’s website at www.rtj2.com.