Historic Layout to Host NCAA Division I Women’s and Men’s Golf Championships through 2028
The Gil Hanse-renovated North Course at Omni La Costa will now host the best collegiate players in their season-ending championship through 2028. With the addition of 2027 and 2028, the North Course will host the event for five consecutive years. This will be the longest consecutive streak of the tournament being played at one venue in the rich history of NCAA golf.
“Omni La Costa is poised to continue to elevate the incredible brand of NCAA Division I golf and become an even longer-term home for these prestigious championships,” says Craig Martin, managing director of Omni La Costa Resort & Spa. “We’re thrilled the fantastic work of Gil Hanse and his team transformed our North Course back to its championship splendor.”
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.
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.
The golf course renovation work at Omni La Costa was 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 elevated 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.
About Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
Long one of the celebrated Southern California vacation destinations, the 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 unveiled a top-to-bottom renovation in 2024 and 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 a new state-of-the-art practice facility offering Southern California’s most comprehensive game improvement program. The 43,000-square-foot refreshed 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.
About Omni Hotels & Resorts
Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences at over 50 distinct hotels and resorts in the most popular leisure and business destinations across the United States, as well as in Canada. With 28 iconic golf courses, including multiple short courses, and 25 award-winning spas across the country, every Omni welcomes you to experience the true spirit of each 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.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
David Wood
Buffalo Groupe
703.635.0577
dwood@buffalogroupe.com
Michelle Zwirek
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
760.929.6391
michelle.zwirek@omnihotels.com
