Secretly, Sotogrande already outranked glitzy Marbella, located 60 kilometres further north. The idyllic village on the shore has been designed in 1962 as a holiday resort for well-heeled Spaniards, but within the last years, the spot attracted more and more Europeans seeking an exclusive secondary residence with a friendly climate all year round. The hilly terrain, mainly overgrown with cork oaks, comprises 2,000 hectares and has been cautiously covered over the years with beautiful villas in the local style. Besides, the infrastructure is excellent: Next the marina, harbouring hundreds of luxurious sailing and motor yachts and surrounded by state-of-the-art apartment buildings, there are two beach clubs, numerous restaurants and shops, an international school and, last but not least, exquisite sport facilities.

Most notably, the choice of golf courses is unbeatable. Due to seven clubs close-by (Valderrama, Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, San Roque, Almenara, Alcaidesa, La Canada and La Reserva), Sotogrande became the El Dorado of the European Golf Scene. In this regard, the club of Valderrama and the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, played a major role, as these two clubs definitely offer world-class standard. The Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, a brilliant Robert Trent-Jones-course, once established the golf boom and defends its place among the top 10 European courses since its inauguration in 1964. Valderrama, the Ryder-Cup-location is even celebrated as Europe’s best golf course. The club did not only become a legend because its tricky fairways already demanded a great deal of superstar Tiger Woods, but also because it probably holds the richest green keeper in the world: Jaime Ortiz-Patino, Bolivian, former mine tycoon and since twenty years the proud owner, still takes care by himself.

For San Roque, the British architect Dave Thomas, together with the aid of his compatriot, the champion Tony Jacklin, invented a course that challenges the best but does not spoil the party for amateurs. From there, you have a nice view on the club of Almenara, another design by Thomas. For the first nine holes, he took it easy, but then, he set up some sort of adventure tour: uphill, downhill, over creeks, along lakes. For those who do not hit dead straight, pocket a dozen more balls…

Another course, Alcaidesa, features one of the few serious left-courses in Spain. The site is limited by the coast, therefore exposed to the breeze and shows some cliffs that have to be considered. The sea permanently forms the background and in good weather, the rock of Gibraltar seams to be in drive distance. La Canada in Guadiaro represents another common project of Robert Trent-Jones and Dave Thomas, while the course of La Reserva, providing spectacular perspectives because of its elevated location, has been arranged by Cabell B. Robinson.

Still, Sotogrande is not only a paradise for putting and pitching, but also a popular station for professional Polo players: Every year, the local Santa María Polo Club organizes international tournaments, equalling the level of competitions in South-America, something of a rarity in Europe.

After all, the people here just don’t like to make a fuss of all these attractions. Certainly, the gentle reluctance that reigns in Sotogrande is the only reason why Marbella is still better known.