Course of the Week: Omni La Costa’s North Course to reopen following a Gil Hanse renovation
Following a comprehensive renovation of its Champions Course by Hanse Golf Course Design, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, Calif., will revert the course back to its original name, the “North Course.” The North Course will open for resort guest and member play beginning June 1.
Originally designed by Dick Wilson and 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, an LPGA Tour event.
The North Course will feature six sets of tees creating flexibility to play from 4,500 to 7,500 yards to accommodate players of all skill levels. Additional portions of the completed project are environmental, like transitioning irrigation lines that will continue to use reclaimed water, removal of man-made ponds and the reintroduction of natural barrancas composed of drought-tolerant and native species.
“The North Course is now positioned to return to its stature as one of the top venues for championship golf in Southern California,” said 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.”
Photo: Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
The South Course returns
The Legends Course at Omni La Costa is also going back to its original name, the “South 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.
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 history by returning the property to 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.
Photo: Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
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. Among the new aspects implemented 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,” said Craig Martin, managing director of Omni La Costa Resort & Spa. “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.”
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 irrigation system allowing the facility to maintain efficient usage of water for sustainability considerations while still exhibiting the highest maintenance standards.
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