On Tuesday 26th April Celebrities in Marbella was very lucky to be invited along to an event organised by the Costa Press Club to hear from the organiser of the 2023 Solheim Cup in Spain. For those of you that don’t already know, it is the women’s version of the Ryder Cup where a team made up of the best players in Europe take on a team made up of the best players from the USA.
The Solheim Cup 2023 is set to take place from 22nd to 24th September 2023 at the prestigious Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Casares. It will be by far the most ambitious golfing event to take place on the Costa del Sol since the Ryder Cup back in 1997. Finca Cortesin has hosted some large men’s tournaments previously such as the Volvo World Match Play, but nothing like the Solheim Cup.
Event organiser, Alicia Garrido was the guest speaker at the event arranged by the Costa Press Club at the Andalucía Lab in Marbella. As she spoke about the tournament it was clearly evident how passionate Alicia is about women’s golf in general, and her emotion and relief at finally getting the Solheim Cup to Spain, despite many previous failed attempts.
Her speech captured the hearts of all attendees as she explained in detail the difficult journey her organisation, Deporte & Business faced, made even more challenging with the covid outbreak. Alicia was overcome with emotion on a few occasions as she recalled the discrimination that they faced from sponsors towards the women’s game and the extreme bias funding for the men’s game receives.
There were also some really heartwarming moments as she spoke about the success of her father, the former Spanish golf professional Antonio Garrido, who was part of the first Ryder Cup team that included European players, as opposed to just UK players, back in 1979. She also talked about her brother who was part of the European team to play at the Ryder Cup at Valderrama in 1997.
Alicia also explained that one of the main reasons they secured the event was their investment in women’s golf in Spain, which has involved many different tournaments under the guise of ‘the road to the Costa del Sol’. Some of the main sponsors that helped it all happen were the townhalls of Marbella, Benahavis and Casares, as well as the Junta de Andalucia.
When questions were opened up to the floor Alicia was asked about the expected economic impact of the event for the Costa del Sol. She explained that ticket sales are going extremely well and that the types of spectators for women’s golf differs from the men’s game in that there is more of a family atmosphere, which will mean spending will spread outside of the golf itself.
There is already a high number of American visitors expected, which will help raise the profile of the Costa del Sol in the USA.
Much planning has gone into road access and park and ride areas with special buses being laid on to get people from Marbella and Estepona to Finca Cortesin. Special cars parking areas have been designated to assist spectators in getting to the event.
Guests were also privileged to be able to inspect (and touch) the actual Solheim Cup itself, along with the junior version which is slightly smaller.
The Finca Cortesín course will host the Solheim Cup golf tournament, which will bring many additional hotel bookings for Finca Cortesin and the surrounding hotels.
The Ping Junior Solheim Cup will take place a few days before at the exclusive La Zagaleta Golf & Country Club on the 18th and 19th of September.
Make sure you put the date in your diary and get your tickets (official ticket line here) as it is set to be a great and fun tournament!