50 YEARS OF DELAVEAGA

Half A Century & Still Counting… Jose Vicente de Laveaga, a successful businessman and landowner, gifted his hacienda and land on the outskirts of Santa Cruz to the city in the late 1800s. His dream was for this prime property to one day be a public park and recreational area. Over the years, these hills have housed a zoo, a Boy Scout camp and an animal shelter.

Where de Laveaga had enjoyed horseback riding, picnicking, orchards and gardens, a 1960 master plan finally fulfilled his dream for an expansive park, a golf course, ball fields and a fishing lake.

In 1968, course architect Bert Stamps was hired to design the 18-hole course which winds its way through the forested hillsides and canyons. Gary Loustalot was named the first head professional, a role his son Tim now fills. Lance, Elsworth and Jon Bei, local bar owners and restaurateurs, were brought in to run the restaurant and bar. George Vomvolakis joined their partnership soon after.

Over the years, Gary Loustalot’s children all took part in the business and Jon Bei’s daughter, Marcie, became a partner with her father in the restaurant after culinary school. In 2001, Tim and Jamie Loustalot took over the golf business after Gary retired. In 2016, Tim and Jamie took ownership of the restaurant and Marcie Bei is now the head Chef.

Since its opening, over 3,000,000 rounds of golf have been played here. DeLaveaga continues to host fundraising tournaments for area nonprofits in addition to the annual Santa Cruz City Amateur, and the course is home to several local middle and high school golf teams.

Come out and enjoy a round of golf or just play around at DeLaveaga!

Tim Loustalot

Tim grew up in the golf business as his grandfather, father and uncle were all Golf Professionals. Following their footsteps and his passion for golf, Tim was awarded a full ride scholarship to Fresno State where he gained the title of All American. In the late 1980’s, Tim qualified for the Australian Tour where he began his professional career in Golf. In 1990 Tim qualified for the Ben Hogan Tour and won his first tour event in 1992 (Lake City Classic – Lake City, FL). Tim then went on to play in the Nike Tour and won his second title in 1996 (Nike Shreveport Classic – Shreveport, LA). After qualifying to play on the PGA Tour, Tim played in his first US Open in 1999. His best finish on the PGA was 2nd place (Sanderson Farms Championship – Jackson, MS). Tim retired from competitive golf and became the Head Professional at DeLaveaga Golf Course in Santa Cruz, CA. where he succeeded his father and came home to his roots. Tim and his wife, Jamie, own the concession to run Golf, Disc Golf and the Restaurant together. Tim and Jamie have been married since 1991 and have three children: Ellie Gail, Ian Robert and Andrew Vincent.

Jamie Loustalot

Jamie grew up in a very strong Italian-American family rooted with many traditions. Her cultural background and upbringing have guided her through many experiences in her life. Educated at San Diego State University, Jamie followed her passion as an entrepreneur experimenting in various business ventures. Following her heart to San Francisco, Jamie worked for, J. Walter Thompson Ad Agency before marrying her husband, Tim, in 1991. After marrying Tim, Jamie went on to work for PowerBar to promote the brand while travelling with her husband on the Professional Golf Tour. After travelling for 10 years, Jamie & Tim moved their young family to Santa Cruz to become the new operators of DeLaveaga Golf Course and return to their home town. Jamie is co-owner & concessionaire with her husband, Tim for DeLaveaga Golf Course, DeLaveaga Disc Shack and The Grille at DeLaveaga. Jamie and Tim have three children: Ellie Gail, Ian Robert and Andrew Vincent.

Todd Pontti

COO/GM
Todd reunited with DeLaveaga Golf Course and the Loustalot family in May of 2019 after a 25-year history of managing successful golf operations at public golf facilities on the Monterey Peninsula. While serving in his role as Vice President and PGA Director of Golf at Rancho Cañada Golf Club in Carmel and Laguna Seca Golf Ranch in Monterey, he was awarded with the Northern California PGA Merchandiser of the Year, Northern California PGA Club Fitter of the Year and the AT&T Pebble Beach Junior Golf Association Professional of the Year honors. His enthusiasm, business development, tournament operations and customer relations skills have developed a respectful, professional reputation within the golf community on the Monterey Peninsula. He earned his B.S. Degree in Business/Professional Golf Management at Ferris State University in Michigan where he also played basketball. Todd is a “Quarter Century” Class A Member of the Professional Golfers Association of America, a member since 1991.

PAR 5 | HCP 4
Think twice about grabbing the driver out of the bag for this tee shot. The hole is bordered by out of bounds on your left and lateral water on the right. A long iron or hybrid may be the best choice if you plan to stay in this narrow fairway.

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PAR 4 | HCP 10 
This 337 yard Par 4 is a real sleeper from the tee, but lateral water guards the entire right side of this hole. Miss left and the conveniently placed fairway bunker awaits you. Mounding around the perimeter of the green will challenge your short game should you miss the green on your approach.

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PAR 3 | HCP 10
This little, but difficult Par 3 is all carry over a ravine, which can result in a costly penalty if you fail to carry it. You must also guard against hitting too much club as the lateral water that wraps the right side and back of the green awaits errant tee shots. This green is one of the most challenging on the course.

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PAR 4 | HCP 12 
A 332 yard dogleg right which invites you to hit driver off the tee. Lose your tee shot right though and you could walk off the 4th with a big number.

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PAR 3 | HCP 16 
Another difficult Par 3. You’re faced with a 171 yard downhill shot to a kidney-shaped green. Pick your club wisely. Miss right of the bunkers and you’ll find yourself in yet another lateral water hazard.

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PAR 4 | HCP 6 
A very challenging dogleg right Par 4. Try and cut too much off the dogleg with your tee shot and you’ll be asking your friends to help find your ball in the eucalyptus groves lining the entire right side of this hole. The left to right sloping fairway and uphill approach will require all of your attention.

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PAR 5 | HCP 4
This 366 yard, slight dogleg left requires two very well placed shots. Aim at the fairway bunkers off the tee to give yourself the best angle into the green. Miss the fairway off the tee and you’ll be lucky to escape with par.

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PAR 3 | HCP 18 
From the tee, this little Par 3 looks inviting, but be careful with your alignment and club choice. Deep front bunkers and a severely left-to-right sloping green await errant tee shots.

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PAR 4 | HCP 2
Pull out your driver for this 408 yard Par 4. Hit it down the left center of the fairway, aiming just left of the clubhouse in the distance. OB borders the entire right side of this hole, so don’t start thinking about lunch at the turn too soon.

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Rage

PAR 5 | HCP 4
Driving Range
Our two tired, 40-station lighted driving range offers three sizes of buckets. Range service including snacks and beverages are also available.

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Grille

Grille at DeLaveaga
Our newly renovated, award-winning restaurant, offers both Continental and Californina cuisine using carefully sourced products featuring many local and organic farms. Enjoy our stunning views, outdoor patio & deck seating, built-in fireplace, full bar and relaxing atmosphere.

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Rangeside-Bar

RangeSide Bar
Visit the RangeSide Patio Bar adjacent to the Driving Range – a hidden oasis among the trees. With outdoor seating only, this beautiful setting offers a full bar, TV, music, cornhole and pingpong. Sneak away, relax, have a beverage and enjoy.

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PAR 5 | HCP 1 
Pull out your driver for this 408 yard Par 4. Hit it down the left center of the fairway, aiming just left of the clubhouse in the distance. OB borders the entire right side of this hole, so don’t start thinking about lunch at the turn too soon.

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PAR 3 | HCP 15 
A 164 yard Par 3 which plays slightly uphill. This relatively deep green is guarded by bunkers on the left and right.

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PAR 4 | HCP 9 
Bordered by lateral water along the entire left side of the fairway, which slopes significantly from left to right. Fairway bunkers further complicate matters off the tee, so pick your line carefully. Your approach shot will play slightly uphill and you’ll most certainly be dealing with a sidehill lie, so going straight at the pin might be wishful thinking.

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PAR 4 | HCP 13 
Hit a long iron to the top of the ridge and you’ll have a good look into this green, which is one of the narrowest at DeLaveaga. The green sits on a slight hill, so your approach will be all carry. Remember to pick enough club. Also keep in mind that missing this green deep would be one of the most costly mental mistakes possible on this course.

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PAR 4 | HCP 17 
Try not to worry yourself about the tree-lined ravine that stands between you and the fairway. For the big hitters, this green is reachable. A pair of trees which stand in the center right of the fairway can create a difficult approach into the green, so be careful picking your line off the tee.

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PAR 5 | HCP 7 
The last of DeLaveaga’s challenging Par 3’s. Lateral water frames the entire left side. Bunkers surround the green which slopes primarily from left to right, and back to front.

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PAR 4 | HCP 3 
The tee shot on this 405 yard Par 4 is basically like trying to hit a ball through the eye of a needle. If you can get past the line of trees on your right and tree-lined hazard on the left, the hole opens up nicely for your approach into the green. Bottom line is long and straight off the tee is the way to play the 16th.

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PAR 5 | HCP 11 
This 513 yard, dogleg left Par 5 is reachable in two for big hitters. Driver is the play off the tee, taking aim at the group of trees standing at the right corner of the dogleg. Lateral hazards line the entire left side of this hole so don’t get careless. You will face an uphill approach shot so be sure to take enough club.

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PAR 4 | HCP 5 
The finishing hole at DeLaveaga demands your full attention. The play off the tee is driver, aiming down the right center of this right-to-left sloping fairway which will keep you out of the lateral water bordering the entire left side of this hole. Your approach shot will be slightly downhill into a very challenging and undulating two-tiered green.

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