There is no doubt that holding the Solheim Cup on the Costa del Sol in September is having and will continue to have just as many positive effects – if not more – as those produced by the Ryder Cup 25 years ago.

This "Solheim effect", which is already tangible throughout the area, is being felt especially at the resort that will host this major event in women's and world golf: Finca Cortesín.

"The truth is," says golf club general manager Francisco de Lancastre, " that the Solheim Cup is having a very positive impact on Finca Cortesín, in all our business areas, both real estate and the hotel and golf. As for golf, we have seen a significant increase in club memberships over the past year – actually over the past two years, although with spectacular growth the past 12 months.

You mentioned the resort's residential development. How many properties do you think have been sold due to the direct or indirect effect of the Solheim Cup?

It is difficult to establish a direct correlation, but we do see that hosting this tournament generates more interest in our entire resort. We have had a fantastic year, also for macroeconomic reasons post-pandemic, but certainly hosting this competition multiplies the resort’s attraction. This year we are going to deliver 36 new properties, which reflects the interest in Finca Cortesín.

The golf club already has a significant number of members, but is there still scope for accepting more while maintaining the club's exclusivity?

Yes, certainly. We have a membership model that is unique in our area. It comprises a right-of-use for life and transferable, which entails several specific aspects that make it quite flexible. Although over the past two years we have had a substantial increase in the number of members, we still have an open admission process.

We have an individual and a family model. All this provides the club with an important and attractive social life, which is enhanced from day to day. We are a club where golf enthusiasts and players are seeking the best services, as they do throughout the resort

The social club atmosphere is growing and becoming more and more well-established: we have monthly tournaments and several competitions with other national or international golf clubs, etc. Nevertheless, as I noted, our club is quite special, as we have no committees and no club captain. We operate in a different way to other members' clubs.

What are the advantages of becoming a member here compared to other clubs?

Finca Cortesín is a “lifestyle”. Whoever identifies with our resort wants the best, and the golf club is a reflection of that exceptional way of life and quality which is exuded throughout this great complex. Of course, apart from the advantages that members have on the golf course – where we have specific tee times for them, and we don’t admit more than one hundred players a day – they can also take advantage of other amenities within the resort.

So the number of members at Finca Cortesín is never going to be high?

That's right. We are going to maintain rigorous control over this. Our idea is to become, in the future, a members' club as well as for clients who are staying at our hotel. As the hotel has only 67 rooms the number of players will always be limited and there will be excellent access and availability for our members.