An old master among clubs on the coast, Royal Sotogrande, opened in 1964, is still one of Europ´s top ten courses. Known as Sotogrande "Old" to differentiate it from its youngest neighbour Valderrama, the Robert Trent course is a private club which welcomes green fee paying visitors although they are advised to book in advance. As recognition during its thirtieth year Sotogrande was awarded the "Royal" prefix. The layout has well-established vegetation with pine, cork oaks, eucalyptus and palm trees, and water hazards play an important role, affecting holes 12, 13 and 14, and 16 and 17. They seem to make the course longer than its 6,244 metres. The great consolidation is the total lack of rough on the immaculately groomed fairways. There is also a short par 3 course. The club hosts the annual Sherry Cup-European Amateur Golf Masters.