CASARES, SPAIN – Finca Cortesin has opened 2026 by reinforcing its status as a benchmark for European luxury, securing a sweep of high-profile accolades and nominations across the golf and hospitality sectors.
The resort’s early-year success is headlined by its ranking as Spain’s number one for ‘Best Hospitality’ in the annual Golfers’ Choice Awards (GCA) by Leading Courses. This recognition was further bolstered by the resort being named the second-best in Europe in the publication’s tenth-anniversary rankings.
Unlike traditional editorial rankings, the GCA results are derived entirely from verified customer feedback. Finca Cortesin’s dual success reflects the direct experiences of golfers and guests who visited the Andalusian venue over the past year.
In tandem with these consumer-led awards, the resort retained its Gold Flag status from 59club. This remains the highest tier in the organization’s benchmarking system, which utilizes a rigorous mystery shopping program to evaluate:
The resort was also a prominent fixture at the recent 59club awards ceremony held at Terre Blanche, where the Golf Operations team was recognized among the industry's elite. Director of Golf Jose Ignacio Olea was also shortlisted for the "Golf Manager of the Year" category.
Reflecting on the resort’s sustained performance, Jose Ignacio Olea emphasized the importance of guest-driven data:
“It’s a tremendous honour for Finca Cortesin to receive this recognition across a variety of well-respected areas of the golf industry. Being recognised through awards and rankings is always incredibly rewarding... particularly when they stem from the feedback of our guests and members, which we feel truly showcases the world-class standards that everyone can expect.”
Olea added that the achievement belongs to the collective effort of the staff:
“The passion, professionalism and commitment are reflected through our entire golf operations team every day. Delivering exceptional experiences for our members and guests is always our priority.”
The momentum for the resort is expected to carry through the year, as Finca Cortesin has secured five nominations at the upcoming 2026 World Golf Awards. The categories include:
Voting for these prestigious titles remains open until October 1, 2026, with the final winners to be announced at the year-end gala ceremony.
