The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will feature golf at the renowned Riviera Country Club.
Los Angeles will join London and Paris as cities that have hosted the Olympics three times, but this is the first time golf will be part of the LA Games. Golf returned to the Olympics in 2016 after being absent since 1904.
Interestingly, Riviera Country Club has a unique Olympic history. In 1932, it hosted dressage equestrian and modern pentathlon events, not golf . The course has since become famous for hosting major golf tournaments.
Riviera’s Prestigious Events:
In 1948, Riviera was the site of the US Open. It also held the PGA Championship in 1983 and 1995, and the US Senior Open in 1998. Before the upcoming Olympics, it will host both the US Women’s Open and another US Open shortly after.
Fans might think it’s cool that such a historic course is chosen for another big event like this!
Every year, Riviera hosts one of PGA Tour’s top events—the Genesis Invitational—hosted by Tiger Woods. This shows how well-prepared it is for large-scale competitions.
Hollywood Glamour:
Riviera has always been close to Hollywood stars’ hearts. Members have included Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn, Dean Martin, Adam Sandler, Howard Hughes (the entrepreneur), NFL legend Tom Brady, and country singer Glen Campbell who helped revive its PGA Tour event in the ’70s.
Course Layout:
The course itself is known for its natural design with narrow fairways and deep bunkers like one on its sixth green that’s quite famous. The greens are undulating too which makes them tricky even for pros!
Trees play an important role here too ! Eucalyptus trees with white bark are scattered around while a sycamore tree on hole twelve—called “Bogey’s Tree”—is named after Bogart who used to watch games there sipping bourbon.
Riviera Country Club combines rich history with challenging gameplay making it perfect for an event as grand as these upcoming Olympic Games! What do you think about this choice?
