Picture yourself transported to a place where Hollywood glamour meets golfing excellence. That’s the Riviera Country Club. Here, history whispers from every blade of Kikuyu grass. This is a private club in Pacific Palisades. It is more than just a golf course. It is a stage where legends are made.
The Riviera Country Club opened in 1926. Back then it was known as the Los Angeles Athletic Club Golf Course. Its creation was an ambitious endeavor. The price tag was a whopping $243,827. This made it one of the most expensive golf courses ever built.
George C. Thomas Jr. and William P. Bell designed Riviera. They carved this masterpiece out of the Santa Monica Canyon. In 1992, Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore redesigned the bunkers. They wanted them to mirror the original design.
Riviera is not just about golf. The club hosted equestrian events during the 1932 Summer Olympics. Child star Elizabeth Taylor even trained at the Riviera Equestrian Center. She was preparing for her role in the movie National Velvet.
The Riviera Country Club has a dress code. Denim is not allowed. Collared shirts are required. Bermuda shorts or slacks are also required.
The Riviera Country Club has hosted major championships. These include the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, and U.S. Senior Open. It will host the U.S. Women’s Open in 2026. It will also host golf at the 2028 Summer Olympics. In 2031, it will host the U.S. Open again.
Many famous faces have walked these fairways. Humphrey Bogart and Walt Disney were members. Even actor Conrad Veidt died of a heart attack while playing here.
Willie Hunter was the head professional. He served from 1936 to 1964. He helped save the course from flooding. He rescued the club from bankruptcy during World War II.
The Genesis Invitational has been held at Riviera many times. The course is known as “Hogan’s Alley”. Ben Hogan won the L.A. Open three times here. He also won the U.S. Open in 1948. Other notable winners include Sam Snead and Phil Mickelson. However, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods never won here.
The greens at Riviera are Poa annua. The fairways and rough are Kikuyu grass. Kikuyu is tough and dense. It provides optimal lies.
One of the most famous holes is the sixth. It is a par-three with a bunker in the middle of the green. The tenth hole is a short par-four. It is known as a risk-reward hole. Longer hitters can try to drive the green.
The eighteenth hole is world-famous. Its uphill tee shot is blind. The green is surrounded by a natural amphitheater. It offers a beautiful view of the clubhouse.
So, as you stand here at the Riviera Country Club, imagine the echoes of laughter. Picture the legendary golfers. Feel the weight of history beneath your feet. This is more than a golf course. It is a timeless testament to dreams. It is a stage where legends come to life.