The Legends golf course at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in SoCal gets a makeover

CARLSBAD, Calif. -- Architects Steve Pate and Damian Pascuzzo renovated the Legends Course at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in 2013 to make it easier and more interesting for all.

The former South Course won't play that way until the greens mature enough to accept shots. The makeover mostly upgraded a tired original Dick Wilson/Joe Lee design. The project redesigned and expanded 18 new bentgrass greens, rebuilt all the bunkers (including the removal of others) and reshaped tees, adding a fifth set.

The new paspalum-grass fairways were widened in places, especially the difficult par-4 15th hole. Some other nice holes dot the routing, although the houses on the surrounding hillsides tend to intrude on its natural ambience. Tough shots over or around water hazards and wetlands are the continuous theme from the first green onward.

The Legends will never star at La Costa. It's intriguing enough, though, to serve as a nice change of pace from the Champions Course.