The Benahavis Senior Masters will move to a new date of June 1-3 when the European Senior Tour event returns to La Quinta Golf and Country Club, in Spain, for a fourth consecutive year.

Ahead of the European Senior Tour schedule announcement on Monday, February 6, the Benahavis Senior Masters will take place in between the already confirmed US Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid and the ISPS Handa PGA  Seniors Championship, after changing from its previous October slot.

The tournament will take place a fortnight after the European Tour also visits Andalucía for the Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin.

Englishman Carl Mason, the Senior Tour’s most prolific winner, won the inaugural staging of the Benahavis Senior Masters in 2009, beating former Ryder Cup player Gordon Brand Jnr in a play-off, before Thailand’s Boonchu Ruangkit claimed the title in 2010 en route to winning the Order of Merit.

Mason then reclaimed the trophy last year to capture a record 25th Senior Tour title, holding off the challenge of former Ryder Cup Captain Mark James and 2011 Rookie of the Year Gary Wolstenholme.

Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “We are very grateful to promoter Sportcel for their endeavours in staging the Benahavis Senior Masters and to the local council, the Ayuntamiento de Benahavis, our host La Quinta and numerous other sponsors for their support of the Senior Tour’s fourth visit to the Costa del Sol.

“This tournament already has a proud history following three successful editions and we look forward to crowning another worthy champion in 2012.”