Legends Course at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa Set to Reopen


The totally renovated Legends Course at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif., was unveiled in a special ceremony on November 10.

The debut of Legends - open for resort guests and the general public November 17 - completes La Costa's second golf renovation project in the last three years. Both were under the direction of Pascuzzo & Pate Golf Course Design. The remodeled Champions Course reopened in 2011.

As with the initial project, the Legends Course embraces the elements of the original Dick Wilson/Joe Lee design, which has challenged the greatest names in the game for more than 40 years. "We are pleased to have restored these legendary golf courses to world-class standards," said Paul McCormick, vice president and general manager at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa. "The new Legends Course adds to the excitement as we begin a new chapter in La Costa's golf history."

While the Wilson routing on what was formerly named the South Course remains intact, the makeover includes a complete reconstruction and redesign of all 18 greens, as well as a thorough resurfacing of tees, all-new bunkering, and the planting of Paspalum turf in the fairways.

"The Legends Course gives golfers a completely different type of golf course to play at La Costa," said Damian Pascuzzo, who oversaw the renovation. "It's fun and interesting, with different visuals and some subtle nuances, especially around the greens. Golfers will really be challenged to use their imaginations."

The Legends project, which began this spring, has created a spacious layout that is more open than the Champions Course. Its bentgrass greens were redesigned and enlarged; they now average 5,000 square feet. The green complexes also offer numerous options for approach and recovery shots. The greens at four holes - Nos. 1, 12, 15 and 17 - have been relocated, some slightly, some dramatically.

Bunkering has been completely redesigned and reconstructed, as well as reduced in number. In contrast to the Champions Course, the bunkers on the Legends Course are shallower, with lower faces and less visible by design, although a few deeper bunkers are featured around the greens.

All tees also have been entirely rebuilt and, in many cases, reshaped to provide more room and options. Adding a fifth set of tees allows to play from 5,029 to 7,025 yards. Fairways now feature Paspalum turfgrass - a salt-water-tolerant grass that provides favorable, cushioned lies - and are wider.

on the sharp dogleg-left was expanded 16 yards to the right and the cart path rerouted.

"We have a lot of respect for La Costa's original design and have maintained its integrity," added Pascuzzo, who teamed on the project with partner Steve Pate and Jeffrey D. Brauer of Golfscapes Inc. The trio also worked together on the Champions Course remodel.

Located in the coastal foothills north of San Diego, La Costa Resort and Spa has a rich history in golf. The resort hosted the season-opening Tournament of Champions from 1969 through 1998, with the list of winners ranging from Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player to Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. La Costa held the Match Play Championships for seven years until 2006, and was home to the Kia Classic on the LPGA Tour in 2010 and '12. Pate won the 1988 Tournament of Champions at La Costa.

"La Costa has been synonymous with elite championship golf for more than 40 years," Pate said. "It is important to ensure the future of the golf courses, which are the heart and soul of La Costa."

For more information or a tee time, call 800/854-5000 or visit www.lacosta.com.