RIVIERA COUNTRY CLUB
“The sense of history… It adds something to your experience here because you know every great golfer and so many others have been on this course,” explains Michael Yamaki, Riviera’s longtime corporate officer—and he’s not kidding. Presidents, movie stars and VIPs from around the world have enjoyed—and continue to enjoy—what long has been regarded as one of the world’s greatest clubs.
Perched atop the Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles since it opened in 1927, enjoying the cool Pacific breezes and golden light, the club is scheduled to host the golf portion of the 2028 Olympic Games, but every day here is special. There’s the spectacular clubhouse where Dean Martin, Jack Nicholson and so many others have relaxed and dined, and the grounds where a young Elizabeth Taylor trained with horses before appearing in National Velvet, and so much more. Today Riviera’s membership continues to be a “Who’s Who” of entertainment, sports and finance, a global group that appreciates the top-shelf service and amenities along with the club’s illustrious history and traditions. But in the end, of course, it all comes down to the golf course, which is a legend in its own right.
“Say you only played nine holes,” Yamaki points out. “So you finished up on 9. No.9 is equally as good as 18. And then, say, you started off on 10 instead of 1. You’re starting on another world famous hole. We have pretty much four iconic opening and closing holes, and there aren’t too many courses with that.
“When you walk up 18, every great golfer has walked up 18 and talked about what it’s like to come back toward the clubhouse with that amphitheater and with all the fans and the energy. There’s a magic to this place.”