The Italian quartet composed of Michele Ferrero, Lucas Nicolas Fallotico, Marco Florioli, and Luca Memeo is set to participate in the prestigious Copa Real Club de Golf Sotogrande – European Nations Championship, scheduled from April 17th to 20th at the Real Club de Golf de Sotogrande course in the Spanish city of Sotogrande, near Cadiz. Accompanying the team are Alberto Binaghi, Technical Commissioner of the Men’s National Amateur Team, and Alain Vergari, Assistant Technical Commissioner.
Sotogrande, schedule
Defending the title is England, which has emerged victorious on 12 occasions in the 24 editions of the tournament, followed by Spain with four wins, and Scotland and Wales with two each. The event spans 72 holes, with 21 national teams composed of four players each competing for both team and individual rankings. The team standings will be determined by the best three daily scores out of four.
The Copa Real Club de Golf Sotogrande – European Nations Championship originated as an individual competition in 1970 (Sherry Cup), with 28 editions held thus far. In 1998, the team competition was introduced, and the event was known as the European Nations Cup – Sherry Cup until 2006, the European Nations Cup – Grey Goose Cup in 2007, and finally adopted its current name in 2008. Although Italy has never claimed the team title, they have won the individual championship six times: Alberto Croze achieved a hat-trick (1971, 1973, 1973), followed by Francesco Molinari (2004), Nino Bertasio (2010), and Guido Migliozzi (2014). The event’s hall of fame includes notable names such as Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia (twice), and Rory McIlroy.
Sotogrande, situated in Andalusia, Spain, stands as the largest privately owned residential development in the region. Originally conceived as a gated community, it has since evolved into an expansive resort settlement within the municipality of San Roque. Positioned 25 kilometers northeast of Gibraltar, Sotogrande spans a vast 25-square-kilometer area, stretching from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea into the foothills of Sierra Almenara. This unique location offers picturesque vistas of the sea, rolling hills, cork forests, and verdant fairways, with iconic sights such as the Rock of Gibraltar and the shores of Morocco visible in the distance.
Renowned as an ideal destination for H1 incentive trips, Sotogrande boasts a rich history and a vision rooted in luxury living. Conceived by the industrious couple Joseph McMicking and Mercedes Zóbel, alongside their nephews Jaime Zóbel and Enrique Zóbel, Sotogrande was envisioned as a European counterpart to the opulent city of Palm Springs. The McMickings, inspired by the breathtaking coastal scenery they encountered in 1962, acquired five contiguous farms with the ambitious goal of establishing a prestigious residential development on the Mediterranean coast.
In May 2006, Sotogrande garnered international attention when The Times featured it as home to some of the most luxurious residences in Europe. The development boasts several artificial lakes and is distinguished by five championship golf courses, including the renowned Valderrama Golf Club, founded by Jaime Ortiz-Patiño, and the San Roque course. Additionally, the Sotogrande port, established in 1988, adds to the allure of this coastal haven, offering a blend of luxury living and recreational opportunities amidst stunning natural surroundings.
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