Redo gives southern California's La Costa Resort and Spa the feel of Champions
CARLSBAD, Calif. -- While it was the intention of the architectural team of Pascuzzo & Pate to maintain the integrity of the original Dick Wilson design, the new Champions Course La Costa Resort and Spa certainly has a modern, updated feel to it. In fact, you might say it has a championship-caliber feel.
Damian Pascuzzo and former PGA Tour player Steve Pate (with an assist by consulting architect Jeff Brauer) did more than a mere renovation of the former North Course. While the greens on the par-72, 7,172-yard course were all restored to their original dimensions and now sport A-4 bentgrass greens, many of the other changes are little less than subtle.
Among them is the new bunkering. Unlike the old design, which goes back to the early '60s, the fairway bunkers are no longer symmetrical but stacked and staggered, strategically placed to make the modern player think off the tee.
The golf course also got refined fairway routing, expanded native-grass areas, new lakes and subtle elevation changes. Four holes on the Champions Course are also completely new designs.
La Costa Resort - Champions golf course - No. 11
The new version of the North Course at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif. -- now called the Champions Course -- got new, modern bunkering.
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La Costa Resort - Champions golf course - No. 2
Large greens await you on the par-5 second hole on the Champions Course at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.
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La Costa Resort - Champions golf course - No. 5
Part of the renovation on La Costa's Champions Course included the reduction of maintained turf.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
La Costa Resort - Champions GC - No. 6
The par-5 sixth at La Costa Resort and Spa's Champions Course was one of the favorites of architects Damian Pascuzzo and Steve Pate.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
La Costa Resort - Champions golf course - No. 7
The long, par-4 seventh is one of the more difficult holes at La Costa Resort and Spa's Champions golf course.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
La Costa Resort - Champions golf course - No. 9
The par-4 ninth at La Costa Resort and Spa's Champions Course plays around to an uphill green.
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La Costa Resort - Champions golf course - No. 13
The 13th on La Costa's Champions Course requires precision off the tee and on the approach.
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La Costa Resort - Champions GC - No. 15
The 493-yard, par-4 14th is the No. 2-handicap hole at La Costa Resort and Spa's Champions golf course.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
La Costa Resort - Champions golf course - No. 16
One of the signature holes on La Costa's Champions Course is the picturesque par-3 16th.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
La Costa Resort - Champions golf course - No. 17
The par-4 17th on the Champions Course at La Costa got an entirely new greens complex.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
La Costa Resort - Champions G.C. - No. 18
At 594 yards from the tips, the par-5 finishing hole on La Costa's Champions Course requires three good shots.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf