Stacy Lewis, who will lead the United States team in the 2023 Solheim Cup, made her first visit to Finca Cortesín, the resort located in the municipality of Casares, on the Costa del Sol, which will host the most important tournament in women's golf from September 18 to 24, 2023.
“These are the best Bermuda greens I’ve ever played on,” Lewis said after completing his first inspection of the course.
In this regard, the American praised the quality of the facilities at Finca Cortesín, which, more than a year before the 2023 Solheim Cup, has made significant progress in the necessary work to look its best to the world.
“My first impression has been fantastic. You go out to play, and besides the spectacular sea views, the course is very fair to the game, and it's in very good condition. The greens are fast, and you always have to place the ball in the good part of the hole, because you can have some very tricky putts.”.
“It’s a great match-play course with many risk-reward holes, like the par 5s, and therefore there will be many birdies, and we will see some very good golf,” the American captain said.
The two-time Grand Slam tournament winner wanted to get a firsthand look at the place where her 12 players will face off against the 12 European golfers, in a visit to Andalusian lands during which she was able to discover not only Finca Cortesín, with its magnificent hotel and golf course, but also visited emblematic places in Marbella and Benahavís where she intends to take her team.
“I’ve been able to walk along the beach, the promenade, and visit some amazing restaurants, and now I understand why people come here on holiday and have second homes here. It’s a great destination; we’ve sampled the wide variety of food they have and enjoyed their culture and hospitality. It’s been amazing.”.
The captain, who has defended the American team in the 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017 editions, faces the great responsibility of returning the trophy to the USA after the two consecutive defeats suffered in 2019 and 2021, editions in which, precisely, Stacey Lewis collaborated as vice-captain to Juli Inkster, first, and to Pat Hurst, later.
“I want to help my players win; it’s very frustrating to lose several times in a row, and I want to lift them to the winning position.”.
Finally, she 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's special. I'm sure the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesín will be one of the best moments of her career. I'm eager to see all the fans cheering on the teams on the course, and I hope many more Americans than in recent years will come to support us.”.
Stacey Lewis, who will become the youngest American captain in the history of the Solheim Cup when it is played in 2023, ended her visit to Finca Cortesín by saying that "I would love to be able to transmit to all my players the culture of this area, not just stay on the golf course, but be able to enjoy what I have experienced these days, it has been incredible.".
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, and EZ-GO 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: Tournament Organization
