Blog

The European and American players are now deep into their practice routines as the official inauguration date nears for Spain’s historic Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesín. 

From the practice tees to the fairways and greens of the Casares course, the 12 players from each of the European and U.S teams are fine-tuning their games in preparation for the opening tee shots on Friday morning (22 September).

The first day’s pairings for the four foursome matches scheduled for Friday morning will be announced during the event’s official opening ceremony at Marbella Arena (on the outskirts of Puerto Banús) on Thursday night. 

The pairings for Friday afternoon’s four fourball groupings will be announced on completion of the foursome matches. Saturday will follow the same schedule (albeit with likely player changes), then the two captains – Suzann Pettersen (Europe) and Stacy Lewis (U.S.) – will announce the 12 individual matches for Sunday.

The public gates open at 7.30am on the practice days, 6.30am on Friday and Saturday, and 8.30 on Sunday. 

Entertainment

Associated events being held during the week include a flamenco dress exhibition in the Málaga Pavilion at Finca Cortesín and later in Marbella; a concert by tribute band “Queen Forever”/Victor Santana at Marbella Arena on Thursday night (starting at 7.30pm); and “Gastronomic Dinners” at Villa Padierna resort on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. 

Parking and Transfers

Public parking areas are provided in the Casares coastal area, with bus shuttle services transporting fans to the course.

Bus transfers are also available between Marbella, Puerto Banús and San Pedro de Alcántara and Finca Cortesín for those who prefer to avoid travelling by car.

Tickets

Organisers say they are expecting week-long attendance figures in the region of 100,000, and most tickets have reportedly already been sold. However, tickets still remain available on the official website, including season passes covering the whole week, and tickets for practice days and/or the three tournament days. 

PING Junior Solheim Cup

In the meantime, Europe took a 8.5 to 5.5 lead on the opening day (foursome and fourball) of the PING Junior Ryder Cup being played on the Old Course at La Zagaleta in the Benahavís hills. The Europeans need just four of the 12 points available in today’s singles to retain the trophy.  

Official Presentation

The “starting gun” was shot on Monday morning, when representatives of the various official bodies involved in the tournament held a press conference and subsequent tour of the first tee, hospitality village, and other club and course facilities. 

They included the Diputación de Málaga (provincial government), Tourism Costa del Sol, Acosol (public water utility company), Casares, Marbella and Benahavís Town Halls, and Finca Cortesín, accompanied by Ana Belén Sánchez, a former Ladies European Tour pro who, in 2003, became the first Málaga-born player to compete in the Solheim Cup.

More information about the tournament agenda, parking, transfers and tickets is available here.