Finca Cortesin, where the Solheim Cup 2023 will be hosted, following its policy of supporting women’s golf, has chosen Nuria Iturrioz, a professional at the European Tour (LET) and Symetra Tour, as the resort’s ambassador. Therefore, the young player will represent with pride the resort as one of Europe’s more inclusive and sustainable golf destinations.

Since the moment Francisco de Lancastre David became the Golf and Leisure operations General Manager of Finca Cortesin, the initiatives to promote women’s golf there increased. He explains the reason for this sponsor: “Nuria is an exceptionally talented golfer, she has achieved a great success at a very young age. Not only is she an amazing golf player, but she is also a wonderful person and we believe she will represent the Finca Cortesin brand with pride, a feature that really embodies what it means to represent your country or your continent in the Solheim cup”.

The Finca Cortesin General Manager and President, Vicente Rubio Mörch also added to the explanation: “As our preparations to host the Solheim Cup advance, it is important that Finca Cortesin has represented some of the local best women players of the world. With Nuria as the Finca Cortesin ambassador, we can work together to promote positive messages about gold and about our destination. Luckily, we will be able to support her to become a member of the European team”.

Photo:Tristan Jones/LET

Born in Son Servera, Mallorca, Iturrioz is considered as one of the Spanish young players with a better future in golf and she is a strong candidate to form part of the European team next year, when they compete against the American team for the cup. We talk with her about Finca Cortesin and about the Solheim Cup.

Congratulations for this new sponsor, Finca Cortesin: How has it been to achieve this and what does it mean for your career?

The truth is that I am very excited, it is an honour and a privilege for me to have them in my team. A few years ago, I was playing the course and I enjoyed it very much, but this time I have been able to visit all of its facilities and I have felt at home. The way they have treated me and their mentality, their passion and love for golf and women’s sports make me feel very secure.

How are you facing the 2022 Season?

My main objective is to be established at the LPGA and through it, to be able to classify for the Solheim Cup that will be hosted here. It is going to be a very busy year but I have hope and enthusiasm.

You finished last season with a record at Los Naranjos… What a great feeling!

Yes, it was incredible. So, I have to repeat it a lot, hahaha…

How do you see your game?

I am at the end of the pre-season; therefore, I am still trying to get some changes adjusted and I am training hard at the gym, but I am eager to do what I like best, that is, to compete.

Finca Cortesin is showing a clear support for women’s golf, as much for the Solheim as for sponsoring golfers like you: Do you think that more companies are going to follow it?

The passion and love that Vicente Rubio (General Manager and President) and all the Finca Cortesin team show for us is admirable, it is a privilege and they have given a big step so that the other Spanish companies follow them. I wish that we all grow together; it will be a win-win for all of us.

This year there is another LET tournament in Spain and the Aramco comes back to La Reserva: How do women players perceive the support to women’s golf?

This also shows that everything is growing and developing, it is very good news that there are so many events in Spain and I hope that many people come to see us and enjoy. We are very grateful.

The Solheim Cup is almost here and you have always dreamt of playing it: What is going to be your strategy to be in it?

My main objective is to get established at the LPGA and through it to be able to classify for the Solheim Cup that will be hosted here, but I am very eager and enthusiastic. I still have to study the election system.

What do you think of the election of Suzanne Pettersen as the captain?

She is a great player and she will give her best for the team for sure, she is a warrior. Furthermore, it was seen at the last Solheim she played, what she did was amazing. I am sure that she is getting very good advice from Catriona. She will be a great captain.

How is your relationship with her? Could she choose you due to your open and enjoyable character if you weren’t to be classified?

We haven’t met in person. Obviously, I know who she is, hahaha. But anyway, she will meet me eventually, hahaha. And the elected one will be the one who wins it. In the end, we have to think that we need players who are fit to be able to achieve the title. Obviously, I want to be elected or win it because of that, to contribute to the team with what they need.

What other Spanish players can you see in the team?

Carlota will be there for sure; she is key and she has shown it every year. I wish we could see many other Spanish, but the truth is that it is a very difficult objective and the experience is crucial. You have to work hard for it. But you know how golf is, hard work and consistency and, in the end, it is to have a very good year and a half of golf.

Let’s talk about Finca, chosen as the best Resort in Europe. Is it going to be an unforgettable Solheim?

Finca Cortesin is an amazing place for an event such as the Solheim, with a course that is a challenge to any player because it has holes with match play situations that I am eager to play and to see myself there. As a Resort, it is really incredible, you can breathe the style, the professionalism, the staff excellence and service and the education. In my opinion, that makes of it a place very difficult to equal- furthermore, they have a commitment with the sustainability in managing the golf course and the resort, it is to be admired and an example to be followed. Regarding the Solheim, I am sure that it will be unforgettable and if I achieve my objective and I play with the European team, even more, because it will be an experience that I will never forget. May Europe win in the end. Go Europe!

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