Solheim Cup Teams Now Finalised for Historic Event at Finca Cortesín

All is now set for an epic battle at Finca Cortesín after both the European and the United States captains finalised their teams for the 2023 Solheim Cup. History will be made when the biennial event is held for the first time in Spain. The women’s equivalent of the Ryder Cup – which was held at nearby Royal Valderrama Club in 1997 – will run from 22 to 24 September at the luxury Finca Cortesín resort in Casares municipality. 

Associated activities, including live music concerts and gastronomy, are also being arranged in other areas of the Costa del Sol. Marbella Arena, for example, is organising a “Swing and Sun Fan Fest” from 19 to 24 September. At Hotel Villa Padierna, in Benahavís, three gourmet culinary evenings, including live music, are being held on 21, 22 and 23 September. Diners can also have their photograph taken next to the Solheim Cup. 

As for the golf, spectators will be able to take advantage of special public transport transfer options from Marbella (including Puerto Banús and San Pedro de Alcántara) to avoid car parking issues. Once at the course, there will be a vibrant hospitality village ambience, with music, food and drinks, and other leisure activities.   

The U.S. team won the first Solheim Cup in 1990, but Europe have been gradually chipping away at the Americans’ 10-7 overall advantage, and will be the defending champions at Finca Cortesín after their 15-13 victory at Inverness Club in Ohio last year.

One of Europe’s top holiday and residential-tourism resorts, Finca Cortesín already has international pedigree as a top tournament venue, having hosted the 2009, 2011 and 2012 Volvo World Match Play Championships.

The Teams

The European captain is Norwegian Suzann Pettersen, and her vice captains will be Anna Nordqvist (the Swede who also made the team as a player), legendary English star Laura Davies and Norwegian former Ladies European Tour pro Caroline Martens.

Eight players qualified automatically for the European team, and Pettersen had four captain’s picks. France’s Celine Boutier and Sweden’s Maja Stark were the top two on the LET Solheim Cup points list, while English pair Charley Hull and Georgia Hall, Ireland’s Leona Maguire, Linn Grant and Anna Nordqvist from Sweden, and Spain’s Carlota Ciganda secured their spots through the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.

Pettersen then named Gemma Dryburgh (Scotland), Madelene Sagström and Caroline Hedwall (Sweden) and Emily Kristine Pedersen (Denmark) as her four selections.

The Americans will be captained by Stacy Lewis, supported by assistant captains Morgan Pressel, Natalie Gulbis and Angela Stanford.

Seven players qualified from the U.S. Solheim Cup points list – Lilia Vu, Nelly Korda, Allisen Corpuz, Megan Khang, Jennifer Kupcho, Danielle Kang and Andrea Lee – and another two from the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings (Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang). Lewis’s final three captain’s picks were Ally Ewing, Cheyenne Knight and Angel Yin.

Still considering coming?

If you are looking for a hotel or other accommodation options when attending the Solheim Cup, contact us. You might consider extending your stay and playing at other top courses on the Costa del Sol, in Sotogrande or further afield in Murcia (Costa Cálida), Alicante (Costa Blanca) or Madrid. Check out our special golf offers.