RIP: La Costa "Miracle Mile"

Tod Leonard reports on the Damian Pascuzzo-Steve Pate-Jeff Brauer $10 million redo of La Costa that includes the removal of 30 turf acres and a new tournament routing that will permanently retire the most overrated stretch of golf: La Costa's old "Miracle Mile" of 16-17-18.

The work, which begins in a couple of weeks and is expected to take at least 10 months, is extensive.

All of the greens on the North Course will be replaced, and four green locations – at 11, 13, 15 and 18 – will be moved. The fairways will be sand capped so they drain better, and the water flow from rain runoff – often a nightmare at La Costa --will be more controlled.

Thirty-two acres of grass will be removed to conserve water. Extra tee boxes will be added to produce “family tees” that amount to around 4,200 yards.

The effort on the South Course will be limited to those holes that are visible from the clubhouse – Nos. 1, 9, 10 and 18. When the project is complete, La Costa General Manager Paul McCormick said the North Course will be considered the championship track for future pro tournaments. The holes on the South – including the once-daunting “Miracle Mile” of 16-18 -- won’t be used.