Courtesy of Finca Cortesin (2)
Finca Cortesin, host venue of the 2023 Solheim Cup, has achieved the third party verified GEO Certified label for sustainable golf.
Since opening in 2006, the venue has developed world-class facilities and a championship golf course that complement the area's local culture, landscape, and ecology. Covering almost 600 acres, Finca Cortesin continues to emphasize preservation of the property through sustainable turfgrass management.
Employing a combination of cultural and mechanical practices, the resort maintains healthy and resilient playing surfaces, capable of withstanding droughts and diseases. A 2016 switch to Bermudagrass greens has helped reduce course water consumption by 30 percent.
Pioneering water management practices have also become a hallmark of Finca Cortesin’s commitment to environmental stewardship. By using 100 percent recycled water from the nearby village of Manilva, the resort was awarded ACOSOL’s seal of quality for recycled water management in May 2022 — the country’s first golf course to receive the accolade.
“Our GEO Certification stands as a resounding testament to Finca Cortesin’s unwavering commitment to sustainability,” president Vincente Rubio said. “At every step, our resort prioritizes the preservation of the environment and the well-being of our planet. We approach each decision with a profound respect for nature, recognizing that our actions today shape the future of our ecosystem. Our dedication to sustainability permeates every aspect of our operations, from naturalization efforts that foster native habitats to meticulous turfgrass management practices that prioritize water conservation.”
“It is so important that golf’s major venues and events are at the forefront of efforts to reduce negative impacts and maximize positives for the environment and communities,” said Suzann Petersen, the captain of the European Solheim Cup team. “I recognize the role golfers and golfing events play, so to see Finca Cortesin being recognized at the forefront of action and providing solutions to these and other related issues is the right thing to do, very encouraging and setting a great example for other future Solheim Cup venues.”
Speaking about Finca Cortesin’s commitment to sustainability, Carole Kerrey, credibility manager at GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf, said, “We are thrilled that Finca Cortesin is flying the flag for sustainable golf. Over recent months they have worked hard on the process, providing so much data, representing so many best practices, and with some fantastic strategic projects and highlights. The accredited third-party verifier was very impressed by what they have achieved since opening, and (by) their plans for the future. To see a resort that operates at the highest level do the same for sustainability is a real example of what can be achieved at venues like this across the world."
Beyond the golf course, Finca Cortesin has added beehives to support vital pollination, offering guests the opportunity to try honey produced from the colonies.
The venue also supports the local community, extending a social benefits program. Notable collaborations include partnerships with Malaga University providing educational programs, as well as internships for unemployed individuals through a relationship with City Hall. The resort also actively supports organizations like Katrama, dedicated to raising funds for Saharan children living in Casares.
