Who is the architect of Riviera Golf Course?
George C. Thomas, an amateur architect who agreed to design the golf course free of charge created his crowning achievement and even today, Riviera is considered one of the finest natural layouts in all of golf. One of the oldest and largest tennis clubs in the Western United States, Riviera features 24 courts.
What is the history of the Riviera Championship?
Originally established in 1926, “The Riv” as it’s affectionately called, will host the U.S. Women’s open in 2026 as part of its centennial celebration. Riviera hosts the Genesis Invitational, a tournament that was originally the Los Angeles Open.
What is the Genesis Invitational at Riviera?
Riviera hosts the Genesis Invitational, a tournament that was originally the Los Angeles Open. Like many events on the PGA Tour, the tournament has had several names over the years but one thing that has remained constant is the golf course.
When was the last time the PGA Championship was held at Riviera?
The exceptions were in 1983, when the club hosted the PGA Championship, and in 1998, when it hosted the U.S. Senior Open. Riviera also has been the venue for the 1948 U.S. Open, 1995 PGA Championship, and 2017 U.S. Amateur. It is scheduled to host the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open, as well.
See more
When was Riviera golf course built?
Riviera Country ClubClub informationEstablished1926, 96 years agoTypePrivateTotal holes18Tournaments hostedGenesis Invitational - (PGA Tour) 1948 U.S. Open 1983 PGA Championship 1995 PGA Championship 1998 U.S. Senior Open 2017 U.S. Amateur16 more rows
When was Riviera Country Club built?
Originally a nine-hole golf course built in the late 1930's, Riviera Country Club was purchased by the Meyers family in late 1953. In 1954, the course was expanded to 18 holes. The front nine-holes were remodeled in 1954 by golf course architect Mark Mahana.
Who owns Riviera golf course?
tycoon Noboru WatanabeToday Riviera is owned by Japanese real-estate tycoon Noboru Watanabe, who paid $108 million in 1989 to the descendants of L.A. Athletic Club founder Garbutt. It was a small price to pay for one of American golf's true national treasures.
How much does it cost to join Riviera Country Club?
Riviera Country Club Membership CostItemPriceMembership RatesInitiation Fees$250,000Annual DuesEstimated Annual Dues$25,000-$40,000
What celebrities live on Riviera Country Club?
Famous Riviera MembersTom Brady.Jack Nicholson.Happy Gilmore (a.k.a. Adam Sandler)Mark Wahlberg.Luke Wilson.
How hard is Riviera Golf Course?
Only four par-5s played to a lower scoring average (4.28) last season, and it was the easiest opening hole on TOUR in 2021. It traditionally plays as the easiest hole at Riviera, as well. The difficulty dramatically shifts right after.
What are green fees at Riviera Country Club?
Green Fees: $51.60 including mandatory cart before 12:00 p.m. $40.30 including mandatory cart after 12:p.m. $20.00 walking after 3:00 P.M.
What are the white trees at Riviera Golf Club?
Another unique feature of Riviera Country Club's 92-year-old course is its abundance of Eucalyptus trees. The mammoth, white-barked trees are prevalent throughout the property, and in addition to looking and smelling great, they play a strategic role on several holes.
What is the hardest golf course in the world?
World's 10 toughest golf coursesPalm Course, Saujana Golf Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ... Bethpage Black, New York, United States. ... Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. ... Le Touessrok Golf Course, Ile aux Cerfs, Mauritius. ... Championship Links, Royal County Down, Newcastle, Northern Ireland.More items...•
Is Bill Gates a member at Augusta National?
Included in the membership are Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and billionaire Warren Buffett.
How much for a round of golf at Augusta?
There are roughly 300 members of Augusta National, and being invited by one of them is the quickest way to get a round in at the famous course. Members are allowed to bring a guest on the course for a relatively small fee of $40.
What are the leafless trees at Riviera Country Club?
Another unique feature of Riviera Country Club's 92-year-old course is its abundance of Eucalyptus trees. The mammoth, white-barked trees are prevalent throughout the property, and in addition to looking and smelling great, they play a strategic role on several holes.
Is Larry David a member of Riviera?
Comedian, writer, actor, playwright, and television producer Larry David calls Riviera Country Club home. The Seinfeld co-creator is an avid golf nut who plays to about an “11” and even incorporated the game into a few episodes as well as in his other show Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Where is Riviera Country Club Genesis open?
Pacific PalisadesLos Angeles OpenTournament informationLocationPacific Palisades, CaliforniaEstablished1926Course(s)Riviera Country ClubPar7114 more rows
What kind of grass is used in Riviera Country Club?
Inside the course: Riviera Country ClubCourse SuperintendentMatthew A. Morton7,298 yards (2009)GrassBermudagrass, perennial ryegrass (tees); Kikuyugrass (rough, fairways); Creeping bentgrass, Poa annua (greens)Tournament Stimpmeter12 ftSand bunkers6015 more rows•Feb 12, 2012
Share this article
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — Riviera Country Club is approaching its 100th birthday and if the fairways and greens could talk, it’d probably take weeks to hear all the amazing stories.
Founded in 1926
Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo: Todd Kelly/Golfweek)
Breaking down gender, race barriers
Babe Zaharias hits a shot from a sand trap on the ninth hole at the Los Angeles Open on January 5, 1945. (Photo: Associated Press)
Hogan's Alley
Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo: Todd Kelly/Golfweek)
Jack's first payday came in this event (not on this course)
On this day 52 years ago, rookie Jack Nicklaus made his first check as a professional at the Los Angeles Open when he was part of a three-way tie for 50th place, winning $33.33.
PGA Tour debut but no Tour wins
Tiger Woods watches his shot during the 1992 Los Angeles Open at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo: Gary Newkirk/Allsport)
Drivable par-4 10th hole
Riv has a pretty great finishing hole (more on that in a minute) and a much-talked about donut-shaped green with a bunker in the middle (the 6th), but the 10th hole is perhaps the hole here.
Clue
He designed a number of courses especially in California including the North Course at Los Angeles Country Club and the Bel-Air Country Club, a course recently restored by Tom Doak and his team.
Answer
George C Thomas, an amateur architect was commissioned by the Los Angeles Athletic Club. Actually, he was not truly commissioned as Thomas agreed to take on the project, free of charge.
More about the golf course at The Riviera Country Club
It took 18 months to develop the golf course at The Riviera Country Club before opening in 1927.
What is the golf course at Riviera Country Club?
In addition to its golf course, Riviera Country Club includes an equestrian center and a tennis club. Many Hollywood luminaries have been members at Riviera over the years. The golf course begins with a short par-5, 503 yards from the tips but playing from a teeing ground elevated 70 feet above the fairway, with danger lurking from out-of-bounds ...
When was Riviera Country Club opened?
Riviera Country Club officially opened on June 24, 1927. (Thomas' best-known other designs include Bel-Air Country Club, Stanford University Golf Course, and the North Course at Los Angeles Country Club.) The famous clubhouse, which overlooks the course from a lofty hillside perch, was completed in 1928.
What year did Ben Hogan play golf?
Open, at the course. In early 1949, Hogan suffered serious injuries in a car crash in Texas. He made his return to tournament golf at Riviera, playing the 1950 Los Angeles Open in January.
How old was Tiger Woods in 1992?
In 1992, Oosterhuis hosted 16-year-old Tiger Woods for a practice round in advance of Woods' first appearance in a PGA Tour tournament, the 1992 Nissan Los Angeles Open (Woods missed the cut). Hale Irwin won the 1976 Los Angeles Open at Riviera, and 22 years later won the 1998 U.S. Senior Open there.
What is the name of the PGA tournament at Riviera Country Club?
That event was known for much of its history as the Los Angeles Open; today it carries the name Genesis Open. In addition to the PGA Tour event:
How many yards is the 15th hole at Riviera?
The 15th hole is a nearly 500-yard par-4 that plays into the prevailing wind, and the 17th is a nearly 600-yard par-5 that plays uphill all the way to the green. Riviera's closing 18th hole is iconic, a long par-4 that plays uphill to a green tucked against a hillside and below the imposing clubhouse. Overall, the Riviera Country Club course is ...
Where was Elizabeth Taylor's riding lesson?
Actress Elizabeth Taylor took riding lessons at Riviera's equestrian center in preparation for her role in the movie National Velvet. Multiple golf movies have been filmed in part at Riviera Country Club, including Follow the Sun (the Ben Hogan story), Pat and Mike (Tracy & Hepburn), and The Caddy (Martin & Lewis).