Historic Layout Returns to Tournament Glory with NCAA Division I Women’s and Men’s Golf Championships in May
(CARLSBAD, Calif.) – Omni La Costa Resort & Spa announces that following a comprehensive renovation of its Champions Course by Hanse Golf Course Design, the esteemed layout will revert to its original name, the “North Course,” and will open for resort guest and member play beginning June 1.
Originally designed by Dick Wilson and quickly becoming one of golf’s treasured destinations after debuting in 1965, Omni La Costa’s North Course previously served as a home to notable PGA Tour events. For thirty years, the resort hosted the Mercedes Championships (originally called the Tournament of Champions) from 1969 – 1998. In 1999, Omni La Costa hosted the inaugural WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship as well as six additional occasions. In 2010 and 2012, the resort hosted the Kia Classic, a popular LPGA Tour event.
The North Course will feature six sets of tees creating flexibility to play from 4,500 to 7,500 yards in order to accommodate players of all skill levels. Additional portions of the completed project are environmental in nature, like transitioning irrigation lines that will continue to use reclaimed water, man-made ponds removed, and the reintroduction to natural barrancas composed of drought-tolerant and native species.
The ‘South Course’ Returns
The Legends Course at Omni La Costa is also going back to its original name, the “South Course.” An ideal complement to the North Course, the parkland style 18 features mature trees, gentle doglegs and places a premium on accuracy off the tee. Holes Nos. 10 – 18 on the South Course were used for the Mercedes Championships tournament routing over the decades. The impressive number of victories by the greats of the game at Omni La Costa includes Gary Player, Tom Watson, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.
2024 NCAA Women’s and Men’s Championships
Set to play 7,500 yards from the back tees, the par-72 North Course will add to Omni La Costa’s rich history by returning the property to prestigious tournament golf when hosting the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship (May 17 – 22) and Men’s Golf Championship (May 24 – 29). The North Course is also scheduled to host the NCAA golf championships in 2025 and 2026 as well.
Hanse and his team implemented significant design changes with the NCAA’s match-play format in mind as well as fashioning a layout ideal for the best players in the game to test their skills at the highest level moving forward. Chief among the impressive new aspects is challenging players with more risk-reward decisions throughout their rounds. Specific changes include the creation of a drivable par-4 on No. 11, a repositioned green on the par-3 16th hole reminiscent of Augusta National’s iconic 12th hole, and a stout finisher with the par-5 18th now playing over 600 yards from the back tee into the prevailing wind with water lurking on both sides of the fairway.
“Working with the ‘best of the best’ course architects like Gil Hanse and his design team is a prime example of our continued commitment and investment to be in the highest echelons of U.S. golf destinations,” says Craig Martin, Managing Director. “This transformation signals a full return to championship glory at Omni La Costa and joins the now completed renovation of the property as a whole resulting in an elevated experience for our members and resort guests to enjoy for decades to come.”
“The North Course is now positioned to return to its stature as one of the top venues for championship golf in Southern California,” says Hanse. “We were able to combine a respect for the natural contours, landforms and vegetation with an emphasis on strategic design. This combination of beauty and interest should prove enjoyable for everyday play by members and resort guests, while asking compelling questions to be answered by the best players in the world during championship events.”
Reimagined Golf Practice Facility from Beau Welling Design
The golf course renovation work at Omni La Costa is joined by another project focused on reimagining the resort’s golf practice facility. Led by Beau Welling, and his firm, Beau Welling Design, the project focus is on elevating the practice experience with regrassing the lengthened driving range and expanded short game area. Toptracer technology is now available for the resort’s golf members as well as for instruction.
Similar to the North Course renovation, the practice range upgrades incorporate a new state-of-the-art irrigation system allowing the facility to maintain efficient usage of water for sustainability considerations while still exhibiting the highest maintenance standards.
Omni La Costa Resort Transformation
Set to be unveiled in early Summer 2024, this extensive renovation will elevate the resort’s every element, from its guest rooms and villas to the spa and championship golf courses. This visionary redesign melds timeless charisma with modern sophistication, capturing La Costa’s illustrious heritage while providing a contemporary haven for travelers of all kinds. Following a sweeping refresh of the resort’s lobby, bar, Costa De La Luna ballroom, and meeting spaces in 2021, the property now enters a new phase of this three-year transformation.
About Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
Long one of the celebrated Southern California vacation destinations, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa was originally created as a playground for celebrities and athletes with every amenity imaginable and is now the perfect locale for family vacations, meetings and events, and more. The Spanish Mission-style property boasts over 600 guestrooms, suites and villas, 170,000 square feet of meeting and event space, an Athletic Club, and eight sparkling pools including an adults-only pool and exhilarating waterslides. Two iconic golf courses, the North and South layouts, are complemented by the Golf Performance Institute, offering Southern California’s most comprehensive game improvement program. The 43,000-square-foot Spa at La Costa includes a private pool, waterfall showers, café and therapeutic reflexology path. Acclaimed restaurants – Bob’s Steak & Chop House, VUE and Bar Traza – present a fresh take on local cuisine. For more information, call (800) 854-5000 or visit omnilacosta.com.
About Omni Hotels & Resorts
Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences at over 50 distinct hotels and resorts in the country’s most popular leisure and business destinations across the United States, as well as key destinations in Canada and Mexico. With 28 iconic golf courses including multiple short courses, 24 award-winning spas featured in dynamic locales nationwide, every Omni proudly opens its doors to share the true spirit of its destination. Reflected through local color, personalized service, unique wellness options, signature restaurants and creative culinary offerings, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every guest and a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest® loyalty program. Omni is committed to reducing hunger and is on a mission through its Say Goodnight to Hunger initiative, to provide millions of meals each year for food banks to feed children, families, and seniors in communities in which it operates. Through its partnership with Shared Hope International, Omni is dedicated to the education and training of its associates to help combat human trafficking. Omni Hotels & Resorts is the official hotel of the PGA TOUR® and PGA of America. For information or to book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.
About Hanse Golf Course Design
Hanse Golf Course Design is an intentionally small firm dedicated to the proposition that golf courses are designed, restored and renovated in the field as opposed to solely on the drawing board. Formed in 1993 by founder Gil Hanse, who was joined in 1995 by partner Jim Wagner, it has patiently nurtured its reputation and its craft to arrive at a position of designing and restoring some of the finest golf courses in the world.
