Valentina Albertazzi: “I can’t think of a better place than Finca Cortesín to keep growing”

Valentina Albertazzi dreamed from an early age of dedicating her life to golf—and she achieved it. What she may not have imagined was that her true calling would not lie solely in competition, but also in teaching. Born in Turin into a family passionate about the sport, she found on Spain’s Costa del Sol the perfect place to build her professional future.

Golf became part of her life when she was just four years old. After trying other sports such as gymnastics and swimming, Albertazzi realized that golf was different: success was not measured in seconds, but in the ability to manage 18 holes, exercise patience, and embrace constant learning.

Thanks to an athletic scholarship, she studied Marketing in the United States while balancing her academic commitments with long hours of training and helping out in her family’s pizzeria. That dedication and work ethic continue to define her character today.

From Player to Coach at Finca Cortesín

After completing her studies, Albertazzi decided to take the next step and qualify as a Golf Sports Technician through the Royal Spanish Golf Federation. During that process, she met Ricardo Jiménez, Director of the Finca Cortesín Academy, who quickly recognized her talent for teaching and guided her through her first coaching experiences.

Her professional career began at PG Atalaya, where she continued to develop as an instructor. Soon afterward, she received the call to join the team at Finca Cortesín, one of Europe’s most prestigious golf resorts.

How did your move to Finca Cortesín come about?

“I was teaching at PG Atalaya, a place that helped me grow tremendously as a coach. When Rubén Holgado decided to pursue another project, Ignacio Olea contacted me about joining his team. It felt like an extraordinary opportunity, both professionally and personally.

I can’t think of a better place than Finca Cortesín to continue growing as a golf coach. Everything it represents and the opportunities it offers for professional development make it truly unique.”

Suddenly, you arrive in this paradise. What do you remember about your first day?

“It was incredibly exciting. Even now, there are days when I arrive here and still can’t quite believe it. It feels like a dream—the dream of every golf coach.

I feel very fortunate and extremely excited about everything that lies ahead.”

Had you always imagined yourself teaching at a particular course?

“My goal was to work at a renowned club, at the same level as Finca Cortesín, and honestly, I can’t think of a better golf club in Spain.

Not only because of what it represents for women’s golf—which has always been important to me, especially through events like the Solheim Cup—but also because it allows you to deliver coaching at the highest level thanks to the academy’s technology and the profile of its members and guests.”

Was Finca Cortesín one of the places where you imagined yourself working?

“My goal was to reach a benchmark club, and honestly, I can’t think of a better place in Spain.

Not only because of what it represents for women’s golf, especially after hosting the Solheim Cup, but also because of the academy’s standards, the technology available, and the quality of its members and clientele.”

Finca Cortesín has made a strong commitment to women’s golf, hosting the Solheim Cup and supporting players such as Nuria Iturrioz and Ana Peláez. Ana was recently here. Have you had the chance to work with her?

“Yes. In fact, we recently delivered a masterclass together for members, which I believe was a great success.

I have a very good relationship with Ana. She is an extraordinary person and an outstanding player.

I think we connected very well. It was a highly enriching experience to combine our knowledge—from both the technical side and competitive experience—and share it with members. We were able to offer perspectives and advice that they might not usually encounter.

Having a female coach within the technical team also fits perfectly with the values represented by the club.”

What type of players do you most enjoy teaching?

“It doesn’t depend on handicap or playing level.

I love working with beginners and seeing the excitement they feel when they hit their first good shots and watch the ball take flight. That emotion is incredibly rewarding.

At the same time, I enjoy helping advanced players achieve more demanding goals, whether it’s shooting level par or improving their competitive performance.

What truly motivates me is not the student’s level, but helping them improve, enjoy golf more, and feel proud of their progress. I love receiving calls from students telling me they’ve won a tournament or lowered their handicap.

In a way, I feel I’m giving back to the sport a small part of everything it has given me.”

What is your philosophy as a golf coach?

“Our goal as coaches should be to encourage more people to play golf and enjoy the sport for many years.

That’s why I believe it’s essential for beginners to get onto the course from the very beginning. They need to understand what golf really is and discover what makes it so special. If they focus solely on technique for too long, frustration can easily set in.

To enjoy golf, you have to play it and understand it. As a coach, I always try to connect what we work on during lessons with the real situations players will face on the course. It’s important that they understand why they are practicing each aspect of the game.”

What do you consider your greatest success as a coach?

“Without a doubt, helping people rediscover their passion for golf when they were on the verge of giving it up.

I’ve had students who arrived completely frustrated, no longer enjoying the sport and even questioning why they continued playing. After a few sessions, they become motivated again, regain their desire to get out on the course, and start enjoying competition once more.

That gives me enormous satisfaction.”

Do you have a phrase you often repeat during lessons?

“Yes, although I only realized it recently because several students pointed it out.

I often say: ‘Little by little’ or ‘Step by step.’

When someone is making technical changes, they usually become more tense and the results don’t appear immediately, even when the movement itself is improving. That’s why I constantly remind them to be patient and trust the process.”

What do you think you bring to the Finca Cortesín Academy?

“I try to adapt every lesson to the person standing in front of me. Every golfer is different and requires a different approach.

Speaking three languages also helps me build trust and create a closer connection with students. I consider myself a calm person, and I try to transmit that sense of calm during lessons.

I want everyone who trains with me to feel that I’m there to help and support them throughout their journey.

Seeing students excited, motivated, and eager to come back the next day is probably what fulfills me most.”

You often say you want to give back to golf everything it has given you. Yet when you were younger, you dreamed of a professional playing career.

“That’s true, but I’ve never felt that golf gave me less than I expected. Quite the opposite.

Because of golf, I was able to earn a university degree, complete a master’s program, and meet incredible people. It has taught me values such as discipline, humility, patience, composure, and attention to detail.

The fact that I ultimately chose a career in coaching doesn’t mean golf hasn’t given me an enormous amount. In fact, I only have to look around me today.

I work in an extraordinary place, doing what I love most and helping other people enjoy this sport. I couldn’t ask for much more.”

A few years ago, you told me your dream was to play professional golf. When did you realize your path would take a different direction?

“I suffered a significant injury that forced me to stop competing for a while. It was a difficult period, and that’s when I discovered coaching almost by chance.

Even before beginning my coaching qualifications, I had already realized how much I enjoyed teaching. At the same time, I came to understand that life as a professional golfer is not easy.

I still love competing. Whenever I have the opportunity, I play tournaments because that feeling never truly goes away. But professional competition can be extremely demanding, both financially and personally.

Over time, I realized that coaching brought me tremendous satisfaction and that I could build a very rewarding career in that field.”

Are Finca Cortesín and the Costa del Sol where you see your future?

“Right now, absolutely.

My family is here, and I believe the Costa del Sol offers an exceptional quality of life.

There is a deep golf culture, outstanding facilities, and the possibility of working outdoors almost all year round—something that is impossible in much of Europe.

I would love to stay here for a long time. You never know what the future holds, but today I can’t imagine a better place.

I want to continue growing as a coach and contribute my small grain of sand to the world of golf. My goal is to help more people enjoy this sport and, ultimately, create more happiness through golf.”