I was in Tunisia a couple of weeks ago and visited the resort courses at El Kantaoui, Yasmine Valley, Citrus and Tunis El Residence.
While I was there, several people mentioned to me that Tabarka was probably the best course in the nation but because of its relative remoteness in the north west of the country, not many golfers get to play it and appreciate just how good it is.
I know from corresponding with its architect, Ron Fream, that the course, with proper care and attention, could easily be tagged the
"Pebble Beach of North Africa".
I did manage a quick visit to another Tunisian golfing gem, Carthage, which is the oldest layout in the country, dating back to the 1920s.
The club somehow managed to squeeze 18 holes into a 75-acte site and it just oozes charm from the moment you walk through the arched entrance at street level then climb the marble stairs up to the clubhouse:
Here's a snap of the 2nd green, sitting behind a rickety old wooden bridge that spans a rather sorry looking pond:
The 17th is the second of back-to-back par threes (one of six such short holes on the back nine):
It's a government run facility that could be a wonderful golfing attraction if only the new regime would invest
some money in the place - the greens were absolutely top notch; it's the tees, fairways and bunkers that are in
need of some TLC.