La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif., which hosted the PGA Tour’s Tournament of Champions for 30 years through 1998, will be the site of the 2014 California Amateur Championship. The California Amateur, one of the nation’s oldest state amateur golf championships, was played for the first time in 1912 at Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey.
The tournament was held at Pebble Beach Golf Links from 1919 through 2006 before the event began rotating in 2007 to courses throughout the state, alternating years in Southern California and Northern California.
“It’s an honor for La Costa to be chosen to host the California Amateur,” said Paul McCormick, vice president and general manager at La Costa Resort and Spa.
“La Costa has been synonymous with the top echelon of golf for more than 40 years, having hosted 37 PGA Tour and LPGA Tour events. Now we are adding one of the game’s most distinguished amateur championships to the next era of our golf legacy.”
The California Amateur is one of the few major amateur events that Tiger Woods did not win, losing in the semifinals to Ed Cuff Jr., in 1994, the only year he played in the tournament.
However, the list of Cal Amateur champions includes Ken Venturi (1951, 1956), Gene Littler (1953, over Venturi), Bob E. Smith (1997), Johnny Miller (1968), John Cook (1975), Mark O’Meara (1979), Bobby Clampett (1979, 1980), Duffy Waldorf (1984), Charlie Wi (1990), Jason Gore (1997) and Spencer Levin (2004).
Others who have tried, but failed to win the title include Phil Mickelson, Corey Pavin, Scott Simpson, Al Geiberger, Dave Stockton, Bob Rosburg and Craig Stadler.
“When you combine La Costa’s history of hosting prestigious tournaments with its new renovations, we’re confident this will be a terrific championship,” said Chris Clark, president of the California Golf Association.
“Players from all over the state should be excited to be a part of this historic event.”
This year’s tournament, the 102nd California Amateur, will be played June 17-22 at Monterey Peninsula Country Club.
Kevin Marsh of Santa Barbara won the title last year in his hometown at La Cumbre Country Club in Santa Barbara, the first time the state amateur was held in Southern California.
Marsh beat Ben Geyer of Arbuckle, 4 and 3, in the scheduled 36-hole final.
— By Tom LaMarre
