Only three years had passed since its inauguration when all the media attention of the golf world was focused on Finca Cortesín. In 2009, the World Match Play Championship, for the first time in 45 years, was not held at the famous Wentworth Club but at the almost newborn Costa del Sol course located in the municipality of Casares, halfway between Sotogrande and Estepona, in an estate located just over a kilometer from the sea. The Englishman Ross Fisher won the final match against the American Anthony Kim by 4&3 in that edition of the tournament.
In 2011 the World Match Play Championship was held again at Finca Cortesín, with Englishman Ian Poulter winning by 2&1 over his compatriot Luke Donald, and in 2012 the tournament was played at the same venue, with Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell (winner of the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach) beating Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee by 2&1 in the final.
Thanks to the worldwide media projection of the tournament and the undoubted quality of both its golf course and the rest of the resort’s facilities (clubhouse, hotel, spa…), Finca Cortesín quickly became an international benchmark for the best golf.
It is not surprising, therefore, that this exclusive resort, opened in March 2006 and located in an estate of 215 hectares, is recognized worldwide for offering an extraordinary golf experience. Ranked among the best golf courses in Spain by specialized rankings and media, the harmonious relationship between the natural Mediterranean landscape and the environment on the 18-hole course creates a most attractive design, while the excellent year-round climate provides the perfect setting for golf.
Designed by the American Cabell B. Robinson, collaborator of the legendary Robert Trent Jones, and with attractive landscaping by Gerald Huggan, the course is one of the longest in Europe thanks to its 6,802 meters. The layout, par 72, has wide and undulating greens, wide fairways and more than a hundred bunkers strategically distributed along the course, which offers views of both the sea and the Casares mountains. The driving range is located at the foot of the resort’s elegant clubhouse.
As you would expect from a resort that boasts one of the top 50 hotels in the world (Condé Nast Traveler magazine), providing exceptional customer service is at the heart of the Finca Cortesín experience.
Renowned for its attention to detail, Finca Cortesín Hotel, Golf & Spa has been further acclaimed after in 2017 it had completed a comprehensive upgrade of its greens becoming the first golf course in Spain to feature on all its greens a new type of environmentally friendly Bermuda grass (UltraDwarf).
Ecological awareness is another of the resort’s premises, which received worldwide recognition from the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) after being presented as the winner of the IAGTO 2018 Sustainability Award for its resource efficiency.
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Why Grande de España
James Beasley, Director of Golf Operations at Finca Cortesín, is very clear about why this course has to be considered one of the great courses in Spain.
“The design and routing of the course are outstanding,” he assures. “Cabell Robinson’s design and Gerald Huggan’s attractive landscaping superbly capture the natural features of the area, adding up to an ideal balance of 20 varieties of flora, typical Mediterranean forest and perfectly manicured Bermuda grass on the course.”
“With spectacular views and elevation changes,” he continues, “impeccably defined fairways and water hazards and smooth, fast greens, it is widely regarded among the top layouts in Europe and this has been reflected in the numerous awards it has won in recent years.”
For Beesley, “the excellent condition of the course and attention to the smallest details make playing here a challenging and true test of a golfer’s skill, while, all the while being surrounded by an aesthetically exceptional environment that is natural and unique.”
“A good illustration of this,” he adds, “is the resort’s recent decision to become the first course in Spain to introduce a new type of eco-friendly Bermuda grass on our greens, making them fast and smooth while looking pristine and consistent all year round.”
-What do you think is the highlight of Finca Cortesín?
-Finca Cortesin is known throughout the golf industry for the consistently high standard of its facilities and customer service, and I believe this is what sets us apart from other courses.
The resort underlined its commitment to excellence over the past two years with continued investment, working with 59club and European Tour Destinations to help enhance the experience it offers the luxury customer. Despite being a member of European Tour Destinations since only 2017, Finca Cortesin has won one of its top awards two years in a row since then, winning the award for ‘Best Staff Operation’ and receiving the top honor for ‘Best Staff Engagement’ in 2018.
As you would expect from a resort with one of the top 50 hotels in the world, delivering exceptional service is at the heart of the experience we offer. Upon arrival, the security guard directs guests to the appropriate parking lot, where players can leave their golf equipment with our player service attendant, who will ensure that clubs are placed in the appropriate buggy before play begins. Ample practice facilities are available for players, with complimentary practice balls and fresh fruit to ensure you go to the first tee well prepared for the unforgettable round ahead.
In addition, our guests can also enjoy the newly upgraded Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy, which features the latest golf swing technology, as well as offering an exclusive five-star clubbing experience using equipment from some of the best clubs, with brands such as Honma Golf.
-What is the star hole on the course and why?
-The 13th is our signature hole. It is a spectacular par 4 where players drive down a wide fairway avoiding a water hazard that runs to the left of the fairway and in front of the green. Bunkers to the right and left complete what is one of the most beautiful approaches in Spain. It is a charming and evocative hole surrounded by wild olive trees. The green is wide and sloping, allowing several different flag positions.
-What differentiates Finca Cortesín from other golf courses or resorts?
-When it comes to the level of luxury service and customer experience, I believe there is no other place in Europe that can rival us. From the moment they arrive to the moment they leave, the resort goes out of its way to ensure that golfers receive the best luxury experience, on and off the golf course.
In addition to an excellent golf course, the resort’s other five-star facilities include an elegant 67-suite hotel, the Hotel Cortesin, a 6,000-square-meter Beach Club and an award-winning spa with Spain’s only snow cave, featuring bespoke treatments from French beauty brand Biologique Recherche.
Hotel Cortesin offers a choice of four restaurants, including El Jardin de Lutz, which serves authentic Spanish cuisine, and the Japanese restaurant Kabuki Raw. The development also features an exclusive collection of villas that are available for purchase or rental.
-Will this course host again a professional tournament of international projection?
-Finca Cortesin received many excellent comments when we had the honor of hosting one of the world’s most prestigious golf tournaments, the Volvo World Match Play Championship, in 2009, 2011 and 2012. By design, the course is ideal for hosting match play competitions, and we would be delighted to host a similar style of professional tournament in the future.
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IN BRIEF
In memory of Seve
“Seve, Seve, Seve, my name next to yours”. Ian Poulter’s first words at Finca Cortesín with the 2011 World Match Play Championship championship trophy in his hand were to honor the memory of the Cantabrian genius, five-time winner of this tournament.
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Top three in the world
The 2011 edition of the Volvo World Match Play Championship, played at Finca Cortesín, was the one that brought together the best cast of players in the history of the tournament. No less than the top three players in the world ranking: Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Martin Kaymer.
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Quality pays
The quality of both the product and the service comes at a price, and if you want to enjoy one of the great golf courses in Spain you have to pay between 260 and 320 euros, depending on the season. The buggy and practice balls are included.
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CABELL B. ROBINSON, THE SUNSHINE COAST DESIGNER
On the Costa del Sol, also known as the Costa del Golf, where he took up residence 49 years ago, he is, along with Robert Trent Jones, the most prolific designer, since seven courses bear his signature: Finca Cortesin, Santana, La Reserva de Sotogrande, La Cala (its three 18-hole courses) and Valle Romano. Cabell B. Robinson is one of the most prestigious golf designers in Europe.
Born in 1941, this American with a degree in History from Princeton University, who later studied at the Harvard School of Design and then graduated in Landscape Architecture from the University of Berkeley, began working under Robert Trent Jones at the end of his studies.
In 1970 Cabell moved to the Old Continent to take over Jones’ European office and settled on the Costa del Sol. In 1987, Cabell became independent. Before that, he had already designed two courses in the United States and one in Puerto Rico. In Europe he was involved – not to say that he was actually the author – in the creation of the twenty or so courses that Jones signed on this continent since he opened his office here.
As his own boss, Cabell designed the courses of La Cala, La Reserva, Santana Golf, Valle Romano, Finca Cortesín, Las Colinas and Castillo de la Mota in Spain. He also creates courses in Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, Cyprus and Morocco. Highlights include the Portuguese Praia del Rey, the Moroccan Golf Les Dunes and the French Evian Resort Golf Course.
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