MISTWOOD GOLF DOME is up with a new shell-and new carpeting. It’s opening soon in a safe manner to avoid Covid-19 being spread. For details Mistwoodgolfdome.com. _____________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or friend him on Facebook, or LinkedIn.
Omni LaCosta Champions Course in Carlsbad California.
Southern California’s Omni La Costa Resort and Spa, a premier destination for golf and relaxation. Has won the bid to host the 2024-2025-2026 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Division 1 National Championships.
Play will be contested on the historic Champions Golf Course, that will receive a renovation by famed golf architect Gil Hanse. Hanse and his Caveman team will begin work in 2022.
The NCAA Women’s Division 1 Championship was last held in Southern California in 28 years ago. The last Men’s NCAA Division 1 Championship was played at Riviera Country Club located in Pacific Palisades in 2012.
The University of Texas serve’s as host for all three sets of championships. NCAA players have restriction dates, when they’re not allowed to play the course in advance of the championships.
“We are thrilled that the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships will return to California in 2024,” said Connie Hurlbut, senior associate commissioner at the West Coast Conference, and chair of the NCAA Division 1 men’s golf committee. “The collegiate golf community is so excited about the opportunity to play La Costa as a neutral site for the championships. We have complete confidence that it will prove to be a unique and challenging championship experience for all.”
The Omni La Costa resort in Carlsbad California
The Omni LaCosta Resort and Spa is home to 36 holes of golf, the Champions and the Legends golf Courses.
La Costa has over 400 acres of property that created in a Spanish Mission style village.
Shortly after the resorts opening, the original architect Dick Wilson (Cog Hill Dubsdread) designed golf course hosted a made for TV CBS Golf Classic. The PGA Tour brought the annual Tournament of Champions (before it’s move to Kapalua Maui) to La Costa from 1969 through 1998. Several Hall of Famers starting with Jack Nicklaus won championships at La Costa. The original course layout hosted the 1999 Match Play Championship.
The Omni La Costa is one of 12 golf resorts in the Omni portfolio. Omni is known for outstanding service and amenities. Hanse who is perhaps the hottest name in the world of course design and architecture, will over see the renovation of the Champions Course. Omni Hotels are currently reviewing multiple designs, that Hanse and his team have submitted.
Hanse has been one of the golfs busiest architects of late. His recent projects that include, Pinehurst #4 and the resorts Par 3 “Cradle Course.” Other projects include the now under construction East Course at Frisco Texas ( New home of the PGA of America). The course will host two PGA Championships in 2027 and 2034. And a future Ryder Cup. The East and West Courses at Winged Foot, and famed East Course at Merion Golf Club. Trump Doral’s famed Blue Monster, is yet another recent Hanse renovation.”
“Our team is excited to be part of bringing La Costa’s esteemed stature in American tournament golf into a new generation. But just as we did with the Olympic Course in Rio, we embrace collaborating with the NCAA on creating a course that is suitable for both top-tier men and women players as well as Omni La Costa’s members and resort guests,” says Hanse.
“Bob and Blake Rowling (owners of Omni Hotel’s and Resorts) have tremendously high golf IQ’s. So they understand what quality golf is and what it takes to make it a reality. Their support has been invaluable and motivates us to create something special here in this excellent Southern California landscape. It’s too soon to say if the characteristics will be more like a George Thomas Los Angeles Country Club, Bel Air or Riviera style. With an Alister MacKenzie look, like at the Valley Club of Montecito, or something else. But we’re looking forward to ‘solving the puzzle’ out in the land.”
NCAA Division 1 Men’s Golf Championships started competition in 1939. With the Women’s Championship beginning play in 1982.
Past NCAA Division 1 Golf Champions include Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Ben Crenshaw, current U.S. Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau, and Tigers Woods. Past Women’s Champions include Annika Sorenstam and Stacy Lewis.
To play your stay and play visit OmniLaCosta.com or call (800)-854-5000.