Cortesin Golf club
The 5 star Finca Cortesin Resort and Spa is home to one of the new Championship courses on the western side of the Costa del Sol. Situated close to Estapona it is within easy reach of the main resorts of Puerto Banus and Marbella.
The course was designed by Cabell Robinson who trained with Robert Trent Jones and has designed many of the top courses in Spain. Finca Cortesin and Santana near Mijas being his most recent projects.
Finca Cortesin opened for play in 2007 and has already hosted the World Match Play Championship which is a good indication of the quality and aspirations of this new course.
The course is defiantly in the same league as its famous neighbours of the Sotogrande and San Roque areas. However the feel of the course if very different, built very much in an American style with a lead toward risk and reward shots on many of the holes.
The terrain in the valley is a lot more pronounced and dramatic than the Sotogrande estates with their rolling cork forests.
The clubs house, bar and changing rooms are luxurious and add to the pleasure of a great days golf.
The Jack Nicklaus Academy practice facilities are also first class and situated below the terrace of the club house. They are an ideal place to warm up before you get to the course.
The staff are extremely friendly and customer service is impeccable, from the bag collection service right through to the marshals on the course.
You can walk the course if you are fit, but for the average golfer we would recommend buggies as there are quite a few climbs and distances between holes.
The course itself is immensely enjoyable and first tee nerves will help to raise your game a notch or two. Though stretching to almost 7000 meters from the back tees, it is accessible to medium standard golfers through the use of a multiple tees. Off the shortest men’s tees it plays to a much more manageable 5,200 meters and 4,800 for the ladies.
As with many of Robinson’s layouts, he has tried to make the course adaptable to all levels of golfers buy incorporating spacious landing areas from the tees.
However through the clever use of elevated greens, bunkers and thick Bermuda grass fringing the putting surface, scoring pars are made a challenge. If you are not on the green in regulation it is more than likely you will be walking away with a bogey.
The course starts with two quite straight forward holes to ease you in, a par 4 and par 3. This first real test is the 3rd par 5 with water running up the left all the way to the small green. Nearly all the holes are quite a challenge after that, up until the 14th at least.
The stretch from the 10th, (a lovely par 3) through to the signature hole of the 13th , which has a spectacular approach to a well protected green are particularly enjoyable.
The developers have made a concerted effort to make the course as ecologically friendly as possible with a variety of over 20 types of flower and fauna. This combined with the natural landscape offers a memorable days golf.
Your Views
Recently played Finca Cortesin, staff were really helpful and friendly.
Really noticed the 15 minute space between the tee times which gave a feeling of space on the course.
Tom Gibbons - March 2009-12-01
Finca Corstesin is set to become one of the top courses on the Costa del Sol.
A thrilling and challenging course so make sure you take select the tee box that suits your level if you want to take it on.
John Jackson - June 2009
Played Cortesin last week. Extremely fast greens, fantastic condition. Must make a special mention of how well trained the staff were and the service we experienced.
Way above your average course.
Mike Green - November 2009 |
