Pau Gasol, arguably the greatest basketball player Spain has ever produced, is the new ambassador for the 2023 Solheim Cup, an event taking place this September at Finca Cortesín in Málaga. He joins a select group of ambassadors that includes other prominent figures in Spanish sport such as Rafael Nadal and José María Olazábal.

The winner of two NBA rings with the Los Angeles Lakers is a big golf fan, a passion he shares with his great friend, Rafa Nadal, and since the pandemic and his subsequent retirement from professional basketball he has intensified his practice, both receiving lessons and participating in charity tournaments.

“The final push that made me start playing golf came from the confluence of three factors: during the lockdown it was one of the few sports that could be practiced, it coincided with my recovery from a foot injury and my wife's family has always played golf, so I was encouraged,” Gasol explained.

“At first I was pretty bad at it, it was frustrating, but I didn’t give up. I started taking lessons, I saw the first progress… and now, whenever I can, I try to play wherever I go,” he admitted.

Pau Gasol has always been involved in numerous charitable projects. In 2013, he and his brother Marc founded the Gasol Foundation to reduce childhood obesity rates and promote healthy habits. Furthermore, Pau is a strong advocate for gender equality in all areas, but especially in sports.

For all these reasons, the former basketball player has joined the effort to promote the Solheim Cup 2023, after learning the details of the project from Alicia Garrido, executive director of Deporte & Business, the company organizing the most important tournament in women's golf.

“Hosting the Solheim Cup in Spain for the first time is a source of great pride and an event we must enjoy, but above all, support, because I am sure it will mark a turning point for Spanish golf in general and for Spanish women's golf in particular. I have no doubt that this tournament will encourage the emergence of more excellent players,” he concluded.

The 2023 Solheim Cup, an event of exceptional public interest whose official venue is Finca Cortesín, is sponsored by PING, Costa del Sol, and Rolex as global partners; and by the Andalusian Regional Government's Ministry of Tourism, with co-financing from the European Union, Acosol, the Marbella City Council, and the Benahavís City Council as official partners, and Reale Seguros as official sponsor. Solán de Cabras, Eversheds Sutherland, the Casares City Council, Toro, Vithas, EZ-GO, and Jet Set Sports are official suppliers. Marca and Radio Marca are official media outlets. It is promoted and organized by Deporte & Business. The LET, LPGA, RFEG, CSD, and RFGA collaborate in its organization.
SOURCE: Sport & Business.