The Fascinating Intersection of Golf and Ancient Egypt's Pyramids
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Chapter 1: The Golf Course and the Pyramids
The sight of a golf course adjacent to the Great Pyramids of Egypt presents a striking juxtaposition of contemporary leisure and ancient history.
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In 2009, Gerald Eskenazi found himself in a surreal situation. While preparing to take a shot on the twelfth hole, he glanced up to see the towering Pyramid of Cheops looming in the distance. The pressure must have been immense! Although he didn’t disclose whether he made the shot, his review of the Mena House Golf Course was overwhelmingly positive in his NY Times feature. Currently, the course is undergoing renovations, but the hotel remains open for visitors. Managed by Marriott, their social media showcases stunning imagery of the locale.
Imagine enjoying breakfast with a view of the pyramids in a region once traversed by historical figures like Alexander the Great, Saladin, and Napoleon Bonaparte.
This narrative transcends mere golf or hospitality; the images serve as reminders of an enduring historical cycle: cultures building upon their predecessors. While it seems apparent, it often escapes our notice.
Archaeological endeavors typically revolve around excavation. Throughout history, civilizations have been constructed atop others—sometimes intentionally, other times accidentally. A prime example is the Pyramid of Cholula, which is the largest pyramid in the world, though not located in Egypt.
Section 1.1: The Pyramid of Cholula
“…Concealed beneath grass, trees, and earth, lies an ancient pyramid of immense scale. With a width of 450 meters and a height of 66 meters, the Great Pyramid of Cholula is equivalent to nine Olympic-sized swimming pools.”
— Zaria Gorvett, BBC
While the Egyptian pyramids are notable for their height, the Cholula pyramids are distinguished by their expansive base. The construction process at Cholula was not straightforward; its builders made numerous modifications over time.
Rachel Funnel at IFL Science likens the Cholula pyramid to Russian nesting dolls, highlighting at least three distinct phases of construction, with the first pyramid dating back to 300 BC. By 1500 AD, the Aztecs were the dominant force in the region, and the entire structure had been buried and revered by locals as Tlachihualtepetl, or “man-made mountain.”
Upon the arrival of Hernan Cortez and the Spanish, who decimated the native population, a church was built atop this seemingly innocuous earth mound. It wasn't until centuries later that the massive pyramid was rediscovered beneath the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios (Church of Our Lady of Remedies).
Section 1.2: The Colosseum's Many Lives
In a similar vein, the Colosseum in Rome has experienced numerous transformations over the centuries. Officially opened in 80 AD, it hosted gladiatorial contests and various events for approximately five centuries. By the late sixth century, it had become a burial site, and from 800 to 1349 AD, it served as a residential complex, complete with terra cotta sewage systems.
As time passed, the powerful Frangipani family repurposed it into a fortified structure. Following an earthquake in the 14th century, locals scavenged the Colosseum for materials, some of which were believed to have been used in the construction of Saint Peter’s Basilica.
In the 1500s, Pope Sixtus even considered transforming it into a wool factory. Considering its tumultuous history, it’s remarkable that the Colosseum still stands today, ready to host events—even a hypothetical wrestling match between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.
Chapter 2: The Cycle of History
Humanity has a long history of building upon what came before.
“…If, on the other hand, there is a limited number of elements from which events are interwoven, the same things must happen many times, being brought to pass by the same agencies.”
— Plutarch, “Parallel Lives”, 2nd century A.D.
Our family-owned warehouse has an intriguing past; an elderly neighbor once told me it was a boxing gym during his childhood. The building's unique design includes a metal beam overhead and remnants of a large window, hinting at its previous life as a horse stable with a hayloft.
This history of transformation is not surprising—after all, we find golf courses adjacent to ancient pyramids, and churches built atop multi-layered pyramids in Mexico. It even explains why a pope might consider converting the Colosseum into a wool factory.
People often ponder the repetition of history. As Plutarch suggests, much of what exists today is constructed upon the foundations of the past. Hence, certain elements inevitably recur. The narrative of history is one of cultures layering upon one another—both metaphorically and literally.
If you wish to uncover what lies ahead, look beneath the surface; there are often hidden insights waiting to be discovered—much like a golf ball resting next to a pyramid.
The first video titled "The NEWEST and MOST DRAMATIC golf course in Egypt & visiting the Ancient Pyramids" showcases the stunning contrast of modern golfing amidst the backdrop of Egypt's ancient wonders.
The second video, "THE GREAT PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT AND OUR AMAZING EXPERIENCE WITH MY SISTERS," offers a personal glimpse into the captivating experience of visiting these historic sites.