The prestigious American golf architect Robert Trent Jones designed this course, which has been deemed world-class by specialist golf publications from Europe and Northamerica since its opening. This was the first course that Trent Jones designed in Europe. In 1994 His Majesty King Juan Carlos I granted the course the title Real (Royal). Only 2 years after its opening, RSGC was the venue of the 1966 Spanish Open and 21 years later, in 1987, it hosted the Spanish Professional Championship.