Golf Course Review - La Costa Resort & Spa (North/South Courses

Golf Betting Lines

08/13/2007 - Carlsbad, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - FACTS AND STATS: North Course Architects: Dick Wilson (1965), Joe Lee (1973). Year Opened: 1965. Location: Carlsbad, California. Slope: 141. Rating: 74.9. Par: 72. Yardage: 7,094. South Course Architects: Dick Wilson (1965), Joe Lee (1984). Year Opened: 1965. Slope: 140. Rating: 74.8. Par: 72. Yardage: 7,077.

Hole-by-Hole (North):

1 - Par 4 413 Yds 10 - Par 5 539 Yds

2 - Par 5 526 Yds 11 - Par 4 384 Yds

3 - Par 3 187 Yds 12 - Par 3 221 Yds

4 - Par 4 382 Yds 13 - Par 4 387 Yds

5 - Par 4 389 Yds 14 - Par 4 447 Yds

6 - Par 5 548 Yds 15 - Par 4 389 Yds

7 - Par 4 460 Yds 16 - Par 3 189 Yds

8 - Par 3 199 Yds 17 - Par 4 479 Yds

9 - Par 4 415 Yds 18 - Par 5 540 Yds

Par 36 3,519 Yds Par 36 3,575 Yds

Hole-by-Hole (South):

1 - Par 4 392 Yds 10 - Par 4 450 Yds

2 - Par 4 357 Yds 11 - Par 3 210 Yds

3 - Par 4 467 Yds 12 - Par 5 587 Yds

4 - Par 4 371 Yds 13 - Par 4 448 Yds

5 - Par 4 406 Yds 14 - Par 3 211 Yds

6 - Par 3 170 Yds 15 - Par 4 384 Yds

7 - Par 5 501 Yds 16 - Par 4 428 Yds

8 - Par 3 166 Yds 17 - Par 5 575 Yds

9 - Par 5 494 Yds 18 - Par 4 460 Yds

Par 36 3,324 Yds Par 36 3,753 Yds

Key Events Held: WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship (1999-2000, 2002-06), PGA Tour Qualifying School (2000), Lexus Challenge (1996), Mercedes Championships (1994-98), Infiniti Tournament of Champions (1991-93), MONY Tournament of Champions (1975-90), Tournament of Champions (1969-74), Haig Scotch Invitational (1967), Haig & Haig Scotch Mixed Tournament (1965-66).

Awards Won: 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest (North), Best Places to Play (2006-07), 4 stars by Golf Digest (South), Best Places to Play (2006-07), Top 75 Golf Resorts in North America, Golf Digest (2004, 2006), World's Best Golf Resorts, Travel + Leisure Golf Survey (2006), Diamond Golf Resort Award, Luxury Golf & Travel (2006), #3 Golf Resort in the West, Travel + Leisure Golf Survey (2005), Top 100 Courses in California, GolfWeek (2005), Top 75 Courses in North America, Golf Digest (2004), Top Women-Friendly Courses, Golf for Women.

Website: www.lacosta.com

HISTORY: Since opening in 1965 as the first resort in the United States with a full-service spa, La Costa Resort and Spa has been home to Hollywood and some of the greatest sports personalities. From Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra to Joe Namath, Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays, all of the superstars from yesteryear and today have graced the legendary fairways.

The original 18 holes at La Costa were designed by Dick Wilson, who passed away in the late 60s, with an additional nine holes added by Joe Lee in 1973 and in 1984. The closing nine of the South Course are from Wilson's original design, while the other 27 holes are a combination of Wilson and Lee's work. Wilson and Lee both designed many courses around the United States, such as Bay Hill (FL) and Laurel Valley (PA) by Wilson and the Magnolia and Palm courses at Walt Disney World by Lee or their co-design work at Cog Hill (IL) and Doral (FL).

Set amongst the foothills of Carlsbad, just 35 miles north of San Diego, La Costa Resort and Spa rambles through over 400 acres of prime real estate in southern California. Featuring classic and traditional design, La Costa is for all levels of golf, with four sets of tees and yardages ranging from 5,600 to just under 7,100 yards.

The professionals have been coming to La Costa ever since it first opened its doors, with such events as the Haig & Haig Scotch Mixed Tournament and the PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions.

After several years in Las Vegas, the TOC moved to La Costa thanks in part to Allard Roen, the events first tournament director. Roen felt that the resort and golf courses were a perfect fit. "The respect the players have expressed has been gratifying," commented Roen. "They've shown that this is a golf course worthy of the caliber of players and the tournament itself."

Roen, you see, was the brainchild behind La Costa. A real estate entrepreneur in the early 60s, Roen discovered the remarkable area while riding horseback and joined with a partner to begin purchasing some of the land. Starting as a 90-room inn, La Costa has developed into a world-class resort and spa.

South African Gary Player captured the first TOC at La Costa back in 1969, as he defeated Lee Trevino by two shots. Player enjoyed his time at La Costa, winning the event again in 1978 and finishing runner-up on three other occasions. Player's winning score of four-under-par 284 remains the highest winning score in La Costa's TOC history.

Jack Nicklaus was another player who had great success at La Costa. The "Golden Bear" won the TOC at this venue three times with one second-place result. Joining Nicklaus as a three-time winner at La Costa was Tom Watson, who won back-to-back events in 1979-80 and again in 1984. With his win in '84, Watson recorded his 30th PGA Tour victory.

When Calvin Peete captured the 1986 tournament, Peete posted a record of 21- under par, winning by six shots over Mark O'Meara.

Notable champions of this glorious event at La Costa were; Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Lanny Wadkins (twice), Tom Kite (twice), Davis Love III, Phil Mickelson (twice) and Tiger Woods.

Mickelson's victory in 1994 was the fourth of his career and it came in a playoff over Fred Couples. Mickelson, from the Southern California area, added his second title four years later by one over O'Meara and Woods.

The world's number one player, Woods titled for the first time at La Costa in 1997, as he defeated Tom Lehman in a weather-shortened event.

The newly created World Golf Championships - Accenture Match Play Championship came to La Costa in 1999, as Jeff Maggert outlasted Andrew Magee on the 38th hole. Maggert, the 24th seed, defeated Fred Funk, Nick Price, Bernhard Langer, Woods and Steve Pate en route to the final.

Darren Clarke, the only European to advance to the semifinals, defeated Woods in the 2000 event. Clarke played stellar golf in defeating Woods quite handily, 4 & 3.

In 2002, Kevin Sutherland became a first-time winner on Tour, as he defeated Scott McCarron, 1-up. On the final hole, Sutherland, who missed the green with his approach, blasted out of the sand to within a foot and when McCarron missed his eight-foot birdie putt, he earned his only PGA win.

With his win in 2003, Woods became the first player to sweep all four of the WGC events, as he clipped David Toms, 2 & 1. Woods opened up a huge 5-up lead after 19 holes, but Toms battled back to get within one down after a birdie on the 11th (29th hole). Woods however closed out the match with a three-foot par save on the 35th hole.

Woods made it two straight as he dispatched Davis Love III, 3 & 2, for his 40th career PGA Tour title in 2004. In doing so, Woods passed Watson and legendary golfer Gene Sarazen on the all-time wins list.

Toms gained a little redemption from his 2003 loss as he pasted Chris DiMarco, 6 & 5, in 2005. The win, the most lopsided in event history, was over early, as Toms won holes often, posting a 9-up lead after 26 holes. Toms' play over the week was quite amazing, as he recorded just four bogeys in 116 holes. Even after nine holes, Toms won seven of the next eight holes to put the match away.

The final WGC - Match Play event held at La Costa was captured by Geoff Ogilvy as he knocked off Love III, 3 & 2. Ogilvy, who became just the second Australian to win a World Golf Championships event, played a record 129 holes to win the title. His first four matches went extra holes, including wins over Michael Campbell and Mike Weir. Ogilvy clipped Charles Howell III in the quarterfinals and then dispatched former British Open champion Tom Lehman to reach the final. Ogilvy's win was deemed a "Major" victory, as he knocked off former U.S. Open, Masters, British Open and PGA Championship winners.

REVIEW: NORTH COURSE - The North Course opens with a relatively simple par four. Straightaway with an extremely wide fairway, just avoid the bunkers on either side of the landing area and you're left with a short-iron to an elevated green. The putting surface, which slopes from back to front, features a ridge in the center and three massive bunkers, two of which protect most of the front of the green.

The shortest of the par-five's on the North, the second is quite reachable, depending of course on your tee ball. Left fairway will set up the best look at the green, as the hole bends slightly to the right. Beware of the water hazard on the right, not to mention the four traps surrounding around the green. Another miniscule putting surface which plays uphill from front to back.

One of the most difficult par-three's on the course, the third is just 187 yards from the tips, but plays slightly uphill and the green, well, it's just 19 paces deep. Four bunkers, short and deep make club selection a necessity. Par here is a great score.

The fourth is the start of four consecutive, dogleg left holes. Four and five are quite similar in length and style. Both are in the 380s in length, both bend to the left with trees down either side and they also feature fairway bunkers. The only difference is the fourth hole requires a second shot with a short-iron to fly over a deep bunker fronting the sloping green. One of the longest putting surfaces on the course, the fourth is two-tiered and falls sharply to the front. Although the fifth green is also 30-some paces deep, the traps surrounding the putting surface are on the right and left.

The longest par-five on the course, the sixth is a gem as it wraps around to the left. Playing uphill to the green, this 548-yarder is truly a three- shotter. Your tee shot must avoid the bunkers on either side of the fairway, while your second shot is played left of the landing-area traps on the right. From there, a little wedge remains to the longest green on the front nine. A back flag could play two to three clubs longer. Par is not a bad score on the No. 1 handicap hole.

You'll need a lot more than luck to tame the par-four seventh. A rugged and long dogleg left, this hole plays extremely difficult, especially with an offline tee shot. Sand guards both sides of the fairway, as the hole slopes downhill towards the green. The putting surface is fairly benign with a trap on either side. If your long-iron second shot is true, you just might make par.

One of the prettiest par-three's at La Costa, the eighth on the North Course can not only be beautiful, but quite diabolical. Stretching a modest 199 yards from the gold tees, this gem plays over water to one of the widest greens on the course. Only 25 paces deep, the putting surface slopes gently from back to front. With the wind blowing and the pin in the back-right corner, watch out, you might be playing your third from the drop area.

The closing hole on the outward nine is a great, dogleg right par-four. Your tee shot must carry across the lake that borders the eighth. Depending upon how much you want to cut the bend, you might be left with a wedge or a five- iron. Your approach shot plays slightly uphill and blind to a narrow, but long putting surface. The green is blocked in front by a deep bunker, while the two-tiered surface slopes slickly from back to front.

Number ten is a sharp, dogleg to the right, playing 539 yards from the tips. Playing downhill from the tee, the key is avoiding the trio of traps down the right side, not to mention the tall stand of trees that guard the corner of the elbow. A big decision comes into play on your second shot, as water guards the entire left side of the fairway towards the green. So the choice is, do you go for the green in two, or layup down the right side of the fairway? If you need to pick one up, play a high draw and hit it hard. Bailing out to the right will set up an easy pitch. If you layup, leave yourself a comfortable yardage, so you can wedge it close for birdie. The 37-yard long green is the largest on the course, so adjust accordingly to pin placement. Either way, birdie is a real possibility.

Accuracy reigns supreme on the 11th. Just 384 yards from the tips, the key here is placement in the fairway from the elevated tee. Water hugs the entire right side through the green, while a deep bunker protects the left. A successful tee shot will leave just a short-iron to a very receptive green, devoid of slope. Just be leery of the sand short and right and the water deep and left.

The longest par-three on either course, the 12th is a difficult 221 yards from the back markers. A long-iron or fairway-metal will be required in an attempt to reach this lengthy one-shotter. Sand on either side of the long putting surface will snare its share of mishits. Not much slope to the green, but below the hole is best in an attempt to mark or save par.

Thirteen is a great par-four that doglegs sharply to the right. Water is in plain site from the elevated tee box down the right side, so steer clear down the left where the fairway opens up. Three bunkers provide a perfect target to shoot at off the tee. Your approach to the green with a short-iron plays to a slightly elevated green that falls sharply towards the water. Although sand lurks deep and left, take an extra stick to reach the small putting surface. Just 25 paces long, the green slopes to the front with a shelf in the back- left quadrant.

The following three holes certainly qualify as signature holes of the North. The first is the very difficult, par-four 14th. At 447 yards, it's not the length that will get you, it's the angle of the fairway. A meandering creek, beginning on the right side of the tee box, runs in front of the teeing area and then dissects the fairway as it angles toward the right. The fairway is wide, but narrows down the right side. A power-fade will set up the shortest approach to the green, as long as you avoid the two fairway traps down the right. Any shot slightly left of center with a driver will most likely get wet. The putting surface is kidney-shaped and very small with sand left and deep. It stands to reason that this is the number two handicap hole on the course.

The 15th is a short par-four that requires two accurate shots. The fairway, with traps and trees right, must be split in order to leave an open shot to the well-guarded green. Water comes into play at the end of the landing area, so leave the driver in the bag and place a fairway-metal or hybrid down the center. Just a wedge will remain to reach the putting surface off to the right. The green features four traps surrounding the promised land. Just 29 paces deep, the green slopes hard from back to front and left to right.

The beautiful 16th is one of the most famous holes at La Costa. Back in 1997 at the Mercedes Championships, Tiger Woods tied with Tom Lehman in a playoff, knocked his tee shot just two inches from the hole for the victory. Both players were forced to return Sunday morning to complete the playoff due to rain, as Woods basically ended the extra session with just one shot. Lehman, who led Tiger by four shots at one point, hit his approach into the water, thus ending his chances. The 189-yard hole is all carry over water, with sand front, rear and right. The putting surface is just 20 paces deep, but quite wide. Any shot offline left will most likely end up wet.

At 479 yards, the 17th is the longest par-four on the course as it bends towards the right. The generous landing area is flanked on both sides by a pair of traps and trees. A medium- to long-iron will remain to another small, well-guarded green. Traps on three sides of the putting surface, make this one of the most difficult greens to hit.

The closing hole on the North Course is a certain risk-reward par-five. Just 540 yards from the tips, the 18th can definitely be reached in two. A couple of factors could sway your decision. First..if the wind is in your face, then it's a three-shotter. Second...you must split the fairway, avoiding the bunkers on both sides and third...you gotta have stones. That's right, you have to have the guts to commit to a big second shot that plays towards the resort and over a creek. If that's not your style, no problem. Just layup down the right side, leaving yourself a respectable yardage for you to get it close. The green is very long and narrow with sand left and right. Play below the hole, as the putting surface slopes towards the front.

SOUTH COURSE - The opening hole on the South Course is a fairly gentle one, however, the key is position off the tee. A dogleg to the left under 400 yards, the sensible play is a three-metal with a draw, as a driver could run through the fairway. Your approach shot with a short-iron must carry a creek 50 yards from the green, while the putting surface is guarded on both sides and deep. Fairly long at 32 yards, avoid the back-left corner, as it falls off away from the green.

Not much trouble on the second, although the tee box points you towards the out of bounds on the right. Just a hybrid from the back markers will set up a wedge to a tiny, narrow green. Sand right and left could make for a difficult up-and-down. One of the easiest holes on the course.

In contrast, the third is a bear of a par four. In fact, it's the longest at La Costa, stretching 467 yards from the gold tees. Not only that, the hole plays uphill from a tee box overlooking a pond. For starters, you must avoid the left bunker next to the fairway and the out-of-bounds down the entire right side. With a medium- to long-iron, your second must be spot-on, as the putting surface is long and narrow with five surrounding bunkers. The green slopes gently from back to front, so once on, you have a reasonable chance of making par. Don't be disappointed at bogey, it is the number one handicap hole.

One of few par fours on the South under 400 yards, the fourth is a straightaway, downhill 371-yard beauty. Sand down both sides of the fairway will keep you honest, so choose wisely off the tee with a three-metal or hybrid. Your second shot will play slightly uphill to a green guarded on both sides by deep traps. The putting surface is long and narrow, with a ridge in the back-left. Below the hole and you'll make birdie.

The fifth is a lovely hole that bends to the right, as it plays downhill to the green. The tee shot requires a fade towards the bunker in the distance. From there, just a short-iron remains to a very accessible green. Although sand guards both sides of the putting surface, the chance of making par or better is quite good.

The first par-three on the course, the sixth is one of the best at La Costa. Just 170 yards, the key is finding the putting surface. The green is small and narrow with sand on both sides and in front, so club selection is quite important. Once on the green however, take dead aim at the cup, as there is very little slope.

Another chance at birdie, the seventh is a reachable, dogleg-left par-five. Just 501 yards from the tips, the hole features a stream running down the entire left side. The fairway is quite wide with just one trap on the left in the landing area. Trees flank both sides of the fairway, but are much closer on the left side. Bunkers complicate matters around the miniscule green, so when going for it in two, you must be precise. Who knows, maybe an eagle is possible.

The eighth is another real solid par-three. A short-iron should suffice, but a back-right pin and the wind in your face, might force you to hit a couple of extra clubs. Sand left and right is the real detractors, however a marshy area can snare any offline shots to the right. Take your par and move on.

The final hole on the front side, the ninth is another reachable, dogleg par- five, this time bending to the right. Once again, driving is the key, as too far right and you'll be blocked by trees and left, a fairway bunker is sure to snatch your shot. Wind off the ocean, just a few miles away can affect your second shot, whether you're going for it or laying up. The smart play would be to layup, as the landing area is devoid of traps. The aggressive player will have to cross water, 60 yards from the promised land. Bunkers left, right and deep provide plenty of drama as you pull the trigger on your approach. A back- right pin on this puny, 24-yard green requires pin-point accuracy. Don't be greedy!

The 10th is certainly one of the harder holes on the course. At 450 yards, it requires length and accuracy. At all costs you must avoid the left side of the fairway, as three bunkers and trees come into play. The right side is the play, as it opens up the hole towards the green that bends ever so slightly to the left. The green is again, long and narrow with deep sand pits on both sides. This putting surface is tricky, so being bold might cost you a stroke or two.

One of the longest par-three's on the course, the 11th is made difficult, not by the length, but by smallish target. Sand guards all angles of the putting surface, making the depth of the green hard to identify. Choose your club wisely and trust your swing or you'll be playing from one of the deep bunkers like I did. The green slopes hard from back to front, so stay below the hole.

A big, bending par-five, the 12th is the longest hole at La Costa, stretching 587 yards from the back tees. You'll need two big blows to have any shot at reaching this monster and you'll need to fade both shots around four fairway bunkers and trees guarding the right side of the landing area. The proper play would be to layup around the 100-yard marker and take your chances with your wedge game. The green is smallish with plenty of guarding sand. Just make birdie the old fashion way, make a putt.

Another lengthy par-four, the 13th doglegs to the right as it reaches 448 yards. The fairway is generous, although sand and trees right will make you think twice. A medium-iron should remain to a fairly large putting surface with a ridge in the center. A trio of bunkers, including a deep one in front, guard the green, making your approach quite difficult. Play to the center and stay clear of the sucker pin.

My favorite par-three at La Costa, because it's the only one I made birdie on, is the 14th. This is where the course really heats up as you head for home. Playing over a creek, a long-iron is needed to reach the small, slick putting surface. Just 26 paces deep, with four deep traps standing watch, the green slopes right to left and back to front. A two always looks good on the scorecard.

This final stretch of holes makes up what has been deemed, "The Longest Mile in Golf." So named by the tour pros, the final four holes, usually played into the prevailing wind, add up to 1,847 yards, just 87 shy of an actual mile.

As picturesque as they come, the 15th is a great risk-reward par-four. Just 384 yards from the tips, the hole plays downhill and doglegs sharply to the left. Water cuts in front of the tee boxes, swings to the left and then cuts in front of the green. The landing area off the tee is tree lined with two bunkers down the right, so accuracy and placement is crucial. Just a short- iron remains to an uphill and tiny putting surface, surrounded by five diabolical bunkers. Missing this green will spell bogey, but hitting it in two, can result in birdie. Go for it! Back in 2006, Phil Mickelson took a chance in his match against Charles Howell III, ended up halving the hole and winning the match.

What makes the 16th one of the hardest holes on the course with no sand until you reach the green and just 428 yards long? First of all, the fairway is tight with trees running down both sides of the fairway. Next, the hole doglegs to the right and generally plays into the wind. Finally, the putting surface is slick and guarded by deep bunkers on either side and when the pin is back-right, forget about it.

One of the most exciting, not to mention difficult holes on the course is the sensational 17th. A par-five of 575 yards that meanders around a lake, this gem is all you can handle. Just ask David Toms who played Tiger Woods in the championship match in 2003 of the Accenture Match Play. Toms, who missed the fairway off the tee, played through trees to more rough, left his third in the rough and although he chipped within inches to save par, lost to Woods after the world's best sank a three-footer to close out the match. The tee shot is of utmost importance, as two bunkers guard the left side and trees the right. Laying up is the prudent play down the left, as water comes into play on the right, however stay clear of the bunker on the left. Just a wedge should remain to a fairly round green with sand left and water right. Don't be a hero.

The closing hole on the South Course is a robust, 460-yard par-four, generally playing into the wind. Two bunkers guard the wide open fairway on either side, which is a must to dissect to have any chance of getting home in regulation. The green is the smallest on the course at just 24 steps deep. Three bunkers protect the putting surface, which slopes from back to front. A wonderful finishing hole.

FINAL WORD: It comes to reason that when the PGA Tour visits a resort for over 40 years, when celebrities and sports personalities continue to vacation year after year, then La Costa must be doing something right.

I'm here to tell you, they most certainly are!

Let's open with the resort itself. Completion of the $140 million redevelopment enabled the resort to remodel the guest rooms, villas and suites, redesign the Spa, rework the pools, slides and kids clubs and refurbish and expand the practice facility, not to mention restoring the venerable layouts to peak condition.

Over 550 rooms and suites, restaurants and cafe's, seven swimming pools, waterslides, 43,000 square foot luxurious spa, 17 tennis courts, fitness club, children's programs and of course, two wonderful golf courses.

The practice facility received a face-lift as well, enlarging the range to twice it's original size, complete with putting and chipping greens, a new short-game area and two distinct winds for hitting.

The two traditionally designed layouts are beautiful, with lush conditions, sensational vistas, slick putting surfaces, well-positioned and shaped bunkers, diabolical streams and lakes and best of all, a real challenge for even the greatest players in the world.

When designing the courses Wilson and Lee had all levels of players in mind. That's why year after year, La Costa Resort and Spa receives high marks from all major periodicals, including Golf for Women.

Four sets of tees of varying distances, bunkers strategically placed and water hazards that are fair and intimidating, make both courses quite a demanding test. When the tournament course (a mix of nine holes from each course) is in play, the slope is 142 with a course rating of 75.4. That rating is higher than Pine Valley!

La Costa is great for the whole family, not just the serious golfer. Golf and spa packages, not to mention the "Kidtopia Experience" family package are available. Check the website (lacosta.com) or call 1-800-854-5000.

What makes La Costa even more appealing is the sensational weather. Year- round temperatures in the 70s and plenty of sunshine. Imagine this. You wake up in the middle of June and walk out of your suite to the crisp morning air. Stroll to the clubhouse through the mist of the morning air. As you play your round, the fog clears, the sun shines through and you're well on your way to having one of the best days of your life.

Ahh...that's La Costa Resort and Spa.

Aces, pars or bogeys, send your thoughts to psokol@sportsnetwork.com.