Bruce Heppler, an esteemed head coach in men’s college golf, expressed his excitement about the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa potentially becoming the permanent home of the NCAA Division I men’s and women’s national golf championship tournaments. This year marked the first time the tournaments were held at the Omni, with Stanford winning the women’s title and Florida State facing Auburn in the men’s final. The feedback from coaches, players, and officials has been overwhelmingly positive, indicating a strong possibility of La Costa becoming the permanent site.
The North Course at La Costa, redesigned by architect Gil Hanse, provided a challenging but fair test for the players. Coaches and players praised the course for identifying the teams playing their best and being in excellent shape despite only six months of growth. The centralized location on the West Coast was also seen as a benefit for the Golf Channel coverage and the overall experience for the teams.
One significant change this year was that all teams stayed on-site, making it convenient for them to practice at any time. Coaches noted the improved experience for the players, who could manage their own schedules and access practice areas without any hassles. The accessibility and convenience of the facilities contributed to a positive tournament experience for all involved.
The course conditions, particularly the firmness of the new greens, posed a unique challenge for the players. The highly demanding championship test at La Costa produced results reminiscent of a U.S. Open, with only 14 players finishing at even par or better out of 151. Coaches and players acknowledged the difficulty of the course but also praised it for exposing every part of their game and providing a true test of skill.
While some players struggled with the firmness of the greens, others, like Virginia sophomore Ben James, found it to be a welcome challenge. The course conditions forced players to think strategically and execute precise shots, separating the contenders from the pretenders. Coaches expressed varying opinions on potential changes for future tournaments, with some preferring the course to remain similar to this year’s setup.
One area of criticism was the amount of sand in the bunkers, which made it challenging for players to control their shots and led to some unexpected results. Despite this issue and possible adjustments for next year’s tournament, the overall consensus was overwhelmingly positive about the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa as a potential permanent home for the NCAA championships. Coaches and players praised the course, facilities, and overall experience, indicating a bright future for college golf at La Costa.
