Los Alcornoques at Almenara Golf Resorts

Los Alcornoques forms part of the Almenara Golf complex in Sotogrande, the coastal resort area in southern Spain's Andalucía region that has become one of Europe's most concentrated golf destinations. Designed by Dave Thomas and opened in the 1990s, the course takes its name from the cork oak trees (alcornoques) that characterize the landscape. Thomas, a former Ryder Cup player who became a prolific course architect across Europe, routed the layout through gently rolling terrain typical of the Sotogrande area, incorporating the natural vegetation and elevation changes into the design.

The course plays through a parkland setting with fairways framed by Mediterranean pines, cork oaks, and eucalyptus. Water features appear on several holes, and the routing makes use of the property's natural contours to create variety in shot requirements and visual interest. The layout is generally considered more forgiving than some of the championship courses in the immediate Sotogrande vicinity, making it accessible to a range of skill levels while still presenting strategic challenges for better players.

Almenara operates as a resort facility with accommodation and dining amenities serving both members and visiting golfers. The property includes a second nine-hole course and practice facilities. Sotogrande's position near Gibraltar and the Costa del Sol makes it a year-round golf destination, with Los Alcornoques contributing to the area's reputation as a hub for the sport in southern Europe.