Los Pinos at Almenara Golf Resorts

Los Pinos occupies the inland portion of Almenara Golf Resorts in Sotogrande, positioned between the coastal plain and the rising foothills of Andalucía. Dave Thomas designed the course to work with the property's natural elevation changes and mature pine forest, creating a layout that contrasts with the flatter, more exposed courses closer to the Mediterranean. The routing moves through corridors of umbrella pines and cork oaks, with fairways that follow the land's contours rather than impose geometric patterns on it.

The design reflects Thomas's preference for strategic variety over pure length. Doglegs require positioning off the tee, and the green complexes incorporate subtle borrows and false fronts that reward local knowledge. Several holes play across or along natural drainage lines, and the elevation shifts—modest by mountain standards but significant for the region—create downhill drives and uphill approaches that alter club selection. The back nine generally occupies higher ground, offering occasional views toward the coast and the Rock of Gibraltar in clear conditions.

Almenara operates as a resort facility with Los Pinos serving alongside its companion course, Los Flamingos. The club attracts a mix of visiting golfers and Sotogrande-area residents, and the layout sees regular play from members of the broader Costa del Sol golfing community. The course provides a woodland alternative to the links-style and parkland designs that dominate Sotogrande's golf corridor, and its tree-lined character offers more shelter during the region's occasional wind.