Finca Cortesin: Spain's sparkling new golf star

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One of the longest running and most prestigious events on The PGA European Tour's seemingly endless calendar, is the annual, World Match Play Championship. For some 44 years, this always exciting event has been hosted by England's highly esteemed Wentworth Golf Club, where the list of winners includes every great name of the past four decades. Included among the multiple winners are Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo and the all-time King of match play, the great Seve Ballesteros, a five-time winner of the championship.

Finca Cortesin -- A sparkling addition to Spain's enviable collection of world-class courses.

Proud host to The Volvo World Match Play Championship Finca Cortesin is now worthy of Ryder Cup consideration.

Finca Cortesin offers a very serious challenge together with handsome good looks.

Finca Cortesin's stunning design demands the attention of every visitor to the Costa del Sol.

Finca Cortesin's plush boutique hotel deserves a sixth star for reaching new levels of pure luxury.

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The 45th World Match Play Championship takes on a new look with a new format, a new sponsor in the form of Volvo and a new location - the imposing, Finca Cortesin Golf Club, located on the Costa del Sol, in Seve's native Spain. Appropriately, the charity proceeds from the event will be donated to Seve Ballesteros' own foundation, focused on fighting cancer, brain tumor research and developing opportunites in golf for youngsters suffering from cancer. The indefatigable Seve has even promised to be at Finca Cortesin for the event, which takes place later this week, from Oct. 29th thru Nov. 1st.

This year's, Volvo World Match Play Championship offers an especially strong field, which is limited to just 16 players, 11 of them ranked in the World's top 30. Our own Anthony Kim is the sole American and Sergio Garcia will be Spain's lone representative, but they will have some stiff competition from the likes of Angel Cabrera, Retief Goosen, Paul Casey and Northern Ireland's boy wonder, young Rory McIlroy. Also among the crème de la crème listing of other combatants will be Camilo Villegas, Henrik Stenson, Robert Allenby and Lee Westwood. It's a top flight field that will be fascinating to watch in action and the Golf Channel will be doing just that for three hours each morning of the tournament, so be sure to tune in.

But it's not only the caliber of players that makes this an exciting tournament to watch, it's also the quality of the course they will be playing and in Finca Cortesin, they will be playing one of the best newer layouts in all of Europe. The European Tour didn't move after 44 years at Wentworth, to take up residence at a second tier course and it's an amazing tribute to Finca Cortesin, its designer and the maintenance team that keeps this sparkling layout in year round, tip-top condition

The 2009 Volvo World Match Play Championship promises to be an especially thrilling event and well-worth watching for the sheer excitement of witnessing these golfing gladiators in their individual quests for victory. It will also provide the opportunity to see one of Spain's most brilliantly conceived, contemporary golf courses, up close and personal. For golf travelers, it's a chance to get a preview of a stunning layout that belongs at the top of every visitor's, must play list.

Over the past decade Spain has earned the title of Europe's Capital of Golf, boasting an inventory of world-class courses, the envy of the entire continent. Nowhere are Spain's golfing glories as much in evidence as along the southern coast of the region of Andalucia. This is the Costa del Sol, a sun-blessed paradise, where golf reigns supreme and many of Spain's finest layouts are to be found, including Finca Cortesin.

A youngster at barely 3 years of age, this uncommonly handsome course has immediately been propelled to super-star status, alongside such neighboring luminaries as the legendary Valderrama, of 1997 Ryder Cup fame; venerable Sotogrande, spectacular La Reserva, the pair of gems at San Roque and a few dozen more. The Costa del Sol is simply a gallery of golf course excellence like no other.

The architect responsible for the design artistry, immediately apparent at Finca Cortesin is Cabell Robinson, a transplanted American who has devoted some 35 years to bringing his special brand of sensitivity and creative genius to an impressive array of courses around the Mediterranean region. He has been the driving force behind the very particular design style that is Mediterranean golf and Finca Cortesin maybe Mr. Robinson's crowning glory.

The professionals who have earned their participation in this week's Volvo World Match Play Championship, will be playing one of Europe's longest courses, measuring over 7,500 yards from the back tees. This is a big hitters delight, but perhaps a little overly ambitious if not frightening for the average player. Be thankful for Robinson's philosophy that golf is a game to be enjoyed by players of all abilities. Offering five different tee positions on each hole, Finca Cortesin's foreboding length can be reduced to as little as only 5,800 yards for mere mortals, making it a course that really can be enjoyed by all.

But there is far more to golf than distance alone and while the big hitters will revel in the opportunities to spread their shoulders and let it rip, precision will be of no small benefit toward a successful scorecard. With some 100 cunningly placed bunkers, combined with an intriguing abundance of risk-reward possibilities, this is a strategists dream that simply calls out to be played more than once. A design of Finca Cortesin's intelligence is a rare treat, even in this corner of Spain, blessed with so many extraordinarily good courses -- it's something to be savored and experienced to the fullest.

There is a sense of stylish sophistication that starts on the golf course and runs through the entire Finca Cortesin Resort. You find it in the stunning clubhouse and the superbly elegant boutique hotel, which has immediately become known as the Costa del Sol's very best.

In a world where five stars has always been the top hotel ranking, this is one that could easily and unapologetically, be awarded a sixth. Just 60 rooms and suites of massive proportions, unadulterated luxury and a level of very personal, yet totally unobtrusive and genuinely friendly service that raises the bar to a level most others have only dreamed of.

Quality has always had a universal appeal and Finca Cortesin is certainly no exception. Golfers will relish the golf course, now a regular European Tour event host, together with the surrounding courses of this golfing haven. But those less enamored by the game will be equally as impressed with the entire environment at Finca Cortesin. From the plush state-of the-art health and beauty spa, to the selection of three decidedly first class restaurants, the beach club and the variety of fascinating sightseeing options available close by.

This is the place to really relax for a week or so, enjoy the balmy, year round climate and wallow in the pampering that Finca Cortesin has proved to be its true specialty. Tune into the Volvo World Match Play Championship this week and get a small sampling of all that awaits.

For more information on Finca Cortesin and more of the Costa del Sol's best courses and many other attractions, click here.

©2009 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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