USA 2023 Solheim Cup Captain visits Finca Cortesin

Stacy Lewis, the Captain of the US Solheim Cup team, has made her first visit to Finca Cortesin ahead of it hosting the most important tournament in women’s golf next September.

Lewis, in charge of leading the United States team in the 2023 Solheim Cup, visited the host venue in Southern Spain over the last few days to become accustomed to conditions before the main event gets underway for the first time in twelve months’ time.

“These are the best bermudagrass greens I’ve ever played on in my life,” said Lewis at the end of his first inspection of the course.

“My first impression was fantastic. You go out to play, and apart from the spectacular sea views, the course is very fair to play, and it’s in very good condition. The greens are fast, and at all times you have to place the ball in the good part of the hole, because you can have very fast putts”.

The two-time Major Champion not only spent time at the magnificent Andalusian venue, where her team will take on 12 of Europe’s finest players, but also visited many of the region’s most emblematic places in Marbella and Benahavis where she intends to take her team.

“I’ve been able to walk around the beach, the promenade, amazing restaurants, and now I understand why people come here for holidays, and have their second homes here. It’s a great destination, we’ve tasted the great gastronomic variety they have, and enjoyed their culture and hospitality. It’s been amazing” she stated.

During her stay, the American praised the quality of the facilities at Finca Cortesín, which more than a year before the Solheim Cup 2023, has already begun preparations to showcase its world-class golf course to the world.

“It’s a great match-play course with a lot of risk-reward holes, like the par 5s, so there will be a lot of birdies, and we’ll see some very good golf,” said the American captain.

Having starred as a player on four separate occassions, Lewis understands best the responsiblity she faces to return the trophy to the USA after two consecutive defeats for the team in 2019 and 2021. Before becoming Captain, she previoulsy acted as a Vice-Captain for Juli Inkster, first, and Pat Hurst, later.

“I want to help my players to win, it’s very frustrating to lose several times in a row, and I want to get them back to the winning position.

Finally, he made special mention of Spanish passion as a key factor in players like Carlota Ciganda: “If you think about Seve and the Ryder Cup, Carlota and the Solheim Cup, and the pride they fight for and have fought for every day, you see that it is special. I’m sure the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin will be one of the highlights of their career. I’m looking forward to seeing all the fans cheering on the teams on the course, and I hope a lot more Americans come out to support us than in recent years.

Lewis, who will become the youngest American Captain in the history of the tournament when it gets underway next year, ended her visit to Finca Cortesín by stating that “I would love to be able to transmit to all my players the culture of this area, not only to stay on the golf course, but to be able to enjoy what I have experienced these days, it has been incredible”.

Revered as one of Europe’s best golf destinations, Finca Cortesín has been a staunch supporter of the women’s golf industry, often helping to promote the development of women’s golf within the region. The resort sponsors three of Spain’s most highly promising female golfers, including Nuria Iturrioz, a three-time Ladies European Tour winner, who was announced earlier this year.

The Solheim Cup 2023, an event of exceptional public interest, is sponsored by PING, Costa del Sol and Rolex as global partners; and by the Consejería de Turismo de la Junta de Andalucía, Acosol, the Ayuntamiento de Marbella and the Ayuntamiento de Benahavís as official partners, and Reale Seguros as official sponsor.

Solán de Cabras, Eversheds Sutherland, Casares Town Hall, Toro, Vithas and E-Z-GO are official suppliers. Marca and Radio Marca are official media. LET, LPGA, RFEG, CSD, RFGA and Deporte & Business collaborate in its organization.

For more information on the 2023 Solheim Cup, please visit www.solheimcup2023.eu. To discover more about next year’s venue, please visit www.FincaCortesin.com