With preparations well underway for the 2023 Solheim Cup and the successful ‘One Year to Go’ countdown complete, the team, led by Head Greenkeeper, Ignacio Soto, continues to work hard to maintain the high standards and outstanding course conditioning that has seen Finca Cortesin become one of Europe’s best golf resorts. Key initiatives such as the relaying all the tee boxes not only benefit the resort itself but also showcase the environment that we take for granted every day of our lives.
Sustainability has always been a cornerstone when it comes to operations at the resort. For over 15 years, Finca Cortesin has ensured the water used on its championship golf course has come entirely from regenerated sources. Our 100% recycled water management system saw us become the first golf club in Spain to receive Acosol’s seal of quality for efficient golf course irrigation earlier this year.
Alongside other sustainable developments such as our installation of an environmentally friendly type of Bermuda grass, we have also built bee colonies here at Finca Cortesin in the aim of preserving and growing the bee population, who are integral to our eco-system. With these foundations in place, we are ready to move closer to our end goal of becoming one of Europe’s most sustainable golf destinations and hosting the most eco-friendly Solheim Cup in its history.
Improving the game of golf has been another key motivation for us at Finca Cortesin. In particular, we have focused on how to create a lasting legacy for the women’s and girl’s game. With the announcement that the resort would host the 2023 Solheim Cup, we have strived to improve golf’s accessibility for women at all levels. In March, it was announced that Spanish Ladies European Tour player Nuria Iturrioz would be joining her fellow professionals, Laura Gomez and Noemi Jimenez Martin, as ambassadors at Finca Cortesin, as we aim to support their development whilst on tour.
Recently, we have announced our further commitment to the women’s game by becoming the latest signatory to The R&A’s Women in Golf Charter. As part of the signatory, we have outlined many initiatives from hosting golfing clinics to creating a number of entry-level internships across our golf operations and agronomy departments.
Alongside the ‘One Year to Go’ celebrations, it was only fitting that we also paid tribute to one of Spain’s most influential female golfers, Marta Figueras-Dotti, by awarding her an honorary membership at the resort. Having captained the European Junior Solheim Cup team in 2002 and been part of Annika Sorenstam’s backroom team in 2017, Marta has been an inspiration to many of the country’s current leading professionals including Carlota Ciganda and Azahara Munoz.
Since our opening in 2006, it is remarkable to witness and be part of the incredible progression that Finca Cortesin have made to this date. We are excited to welcome the world’s best players from Europe and America next year for what is sure to be one of the greatest Solheim Cups of all time.
