CARLSBAD, Calif. -- With a rich history of professional tour events, visitors who play the golf courses at La Costa Resort and Spa will be able to follow in the footsteps of Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, David Toms, and most recently, Lorena Ochoa and Brittany Lincicome.
That's because the LPGA is the latest tour to call La Costa home. The new Kia Classic, which started play at La Costa in 2010, uses nine holes each from the Legends Course and the Champions Courses.
The first three holes and last six holes of the Champions Course at La Costa Resort and Spa as the back nine of the professional events. Highlighted by par-3 16th over water, the golf course finishes strong with a good risk-reward par 5 that plays over a stream.
Both La Costa golf courses were designed by Dick Wilson, with the Champions Course playing slightly more difficult, even though it has wider fairways.
La Costa Resort in Carlsbad - Champions Course - No. 16
The par-3 16th on La Costa Resort and Spa's Champions Course is arguably the course's signature hole.
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La Costa Resort in Carlsbad - Champions Course - No. 13
The dogleg right par-4 13th on La Costa Resort and Spa's Champions Course wraps around the pretty wetlands area.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
La Costa Resort in Carlsbad - Champions Course - No. 18
The par-5 finishing hole on La Costa Resort and Spa's Champions Course has a troublesome stream running in front of the green.
Courtesy of La Costa Resort and Spa
La Costa Resort in Carlsbad - Champions Course - No. 2
The reachable par-5 second on La Costa Resort and Spa's Champions Course provides a good opportunity for birdie.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
La Costa Resort in Carlsbad - Champions Course - No. 4
The par-4 fourth at La Costa Resort and Spa's Champions Course has seven bunkers.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
La Costa Resort in Carlsbad - Champions Course - No. 6
The uphill, par-5 sixth on La Costa Resort and Spa's Champions Course can play two clubs longer on the approach.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
La Costa Resort in Carlsbad - Champions Course - No. 7
The par-4 seventh on La Costa Resort and Spa's Champions Course plays shorter than its 450 yards because it's downhill.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
La Costa Resort in Carlsbad - Champions Course - No. 8
It's almost all carry to the par-3 eighth on La Costa Resort and Spa's Champions Course.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
La Costa Resort in Carlsbad - Champions Course - No. 9
A lake comes into play on the par-4 dogleg ninth on La Costa Resort and Spa's Champions Course.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
La Costa Resort and Spa - practice green
A large practice green sits behind the clubhouse at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad.
Mike Bailey/TravelGolf
