Grass won’t grow in one spot! Help!!

We bought this new house about a year ago in central California. There is one spot that seemingly will not grow grass no matter what kind of seed we try. I’m inclined to buy a patch of sod but I’m worried it will die in that spot.

Does anyone know why grass wouldn’t be growing here?

Some possibly important details:

1. We have two cats, mostly indoors.
2. We have a pool fairly close to this grass however other grass just as close is fine
3. There isn’t much foot traffic on this grass
4. There is a sprinkler head right on the corner
5. We water once twice a day in the summer and haven’t really watered during the winter. (It wasn’t growing during the summer)
6. It’s a bit overgrown surrounding the area because the mower throws the seed all over so I’m waiting to mow that area.

Grass