May 6, 2022 – That Finca Cortesin is the first golf course in Spain to receive the Acosol Quality Seal is not the result of chance. At a time when world golf institutions, both men’s and women’s golf, are very focused on the issue of sustainability, the club’s strategy regarding the maintenance and improvement of the course during the recent years has been decisive in its designation as the venue for the 2023 Solheim Cup. And this certification comes to endorse the good work done by its agronomy team.

Ignacio Soto, Head Greenkeeper of Finca Cortesín, explains it to us in this exclusive interview.

MYGOLFWAY: Given the joint work that Finca Cortesin and Acosol have been carrying out for some time, has the Acosol label of quality been something sought after, or has it come naturally?

IGNACIO SOTO: Since the construction of the golf course and its opening in 2006, we have developed a very close and tight-knit relationship with Acosol. As the golf course at Finca Cortesin is irrigated from 100% regenerated water from the nearby village of Manilva, our team often remain in contact and hold a good level of communication with the managers and technical team from Acosol.

When the Club found out that Acosol were working on a new certification that focused on the regeneration of water resources, we were very proud to work alongside them on this certification. Our team have worked extremely hard to collect the necessary information and it is great that Acosol has decided we should become the first golf course in Spain to be nominated for this certification.

MGW: As the first golf course to receive this recognition, Finca Cortesin marks the highest standard of the Acosol certification, not something that any golf course can aspire to achieve. What are the key features?

IGNACIO SOTO: The main feature to recognize with this certification is that it focuses on maintaining great standards of quality across the resort using 100% regenerated water resources. As a team at Finca Cortesin, we have demonstrated to the local region, as well as the golf industry as a whole, that water resources are adaptable to all surfaces of the golf course, including greens and fairways, and can play a huge role in showcasing quality conditions all year round if managed correctly.

MGW: Can irrigation using 100% recycled water keep the golf course in excellent condition on a daily basis, particularly for the Solheim Cup?

IGNACIO SOTO: Definitely. As mentioned above, excellent golf course conditioning can be created all year round by properly managing the way in which the key features are irrigated. We have instilled a different strategy at the resort, when compared to most.

The team has chosen to irrigate the course in a slightly different manner by opting to water certain areas or features less frequently, in addition to supplying the irrigation deeper into the soil. The drainage strategies across many of the key areas have also been improved to deal with a higher content of conductivity and nutrients, therefore helping to generate improved playability and consistency throughout the course over the last few years.

MGW: Regarding the new grass species on the course, with different varieties of Bermuda grass in fairways and greens that can be irrigated with residual water, what advantages do they have in comparison to the previous grass? And what benefits do they provide for the future of the golf course?

IGNACIO SOTO: Bermuda grass varieties are much more resistant to salinity than other varieties of cool season grasses. Since Bermuda grass is a warm season variety, it is very well adapted to the climate we face throughout the year in Spain, especially during the hottest periods of the summer, as other grasses require more water and pesticides to survive. We have also implemented Tifway Bermuda grass and Ultradwarf Bermuda grass on the greens, offering excellent playing conditions across all surfaces on the golf course.