Golfing News & Blog Articles

Riviera was a grand dame of the game, a dowager empress. Hogan made it famous, and its corridors between the eucalyptus groves became hallowed ground, a shrine of golf. It achieved this grandeur with the immaculateness of its challenge. No water holes had to be piped in to artificialize its difficulty. The first time Bobby Jones played these storied acres, he shot a 73 and, as he came off the course, someone wanted to know what he thought of it. “Riviera?” said Jones, startled. “Well, it’s a fine course. But tell me--where do the members play?” But that was historic Riviera. That was Riviera before titanium shafts, space-age metal woods, four-irons you could hit 240 yards. The onslaught of modern technology--and the proliferation of young guys who played the game with no respect for tradition--seemed to dim Riviera’s luster. You could almost hear them wondering what all the shouting was about.It was depressing for hard-liners. It was like hearing Babe Ruth couldn’t hit the slider, Dempsey couldn’t punch with Tyson. JIM MURRAY

Riviera was a grand dame of the game, a dowager empress. Hogan made it famous, and its corridors between the eucalyptus groves became hallowed ground, a shrine of golf. It achieved this grandeur with the immaculateness of its challenge. No water holes had to be piped in to artificialize its difficulty. The first time Bobby Jones played these storied acres, he shot a 73 and, as he came off the course, someone wanted to know what he thought of it. “Riviera?” said Jones, startled. “Well, it’s a fine course. But tell me--where do the members play?” But that was historic Riviera. That was Riviera before titanium shafts, space-age metal woods, four-irons you could hit 240 yards. The onslaught of modern technology--and the proliferation of young guys who played the game with no respect for tradition--seemed to dim Riviera’s luster. You could almost hear them wondering what all the shouting was about.It was depressing for hard-liners. It was like hearing Babe Ruth couldn’t hit the slider, Dempsey couldn’t punch with Tyson. JIM MURRAY

To my mind, the most important thing in the Championship course is the terrain, because no matter how skillfully one may lay out the holes and diversify them, nevertheless one must get the thrill of nature. She must be big in mouldings for us to secure the complete exhilaration and joy of golf. The made course cannot compete with the natural one… GEORGE THOMAS

To my mind, the most important thing in the Championship course is the terrain, because no matter how skillfully one may lay out the holes and diversify them, nevertheless one must get the thrill of nature. She must be big in mouldings for us to secure the complete exhilaration and joy of golf. The made course cannot compete with the natural one… GEORGE THOMAS

To my mind, the most important thing in the Championship course is the terrain, because no matter how skillfully one may lay out the holes and diversify them, nevertheless one must get the thrill of nature. She must be big in mouldings for us to secure the complete exhilaration and joy of golf. The made course cannot compete with the natural one… GEORGE THOMAS

Greens may be long and narrow, wide and shallow, in fact of every shape; but the great thing to be noted is that they must adhere to three most important principles: First, their utility for the shot required, which includes orientation and visibility; second, their utility as to all drainage and other physical needs; third, their beauty taken as an individual unit, and also as they appear in the landscape. The man who can comply with these principles, and also diversify his greens, is a successful golf architect.
GEORGE THOMAS

Greens may be long and narrow, wide and shallow, in fact of every shape; but the great thing to be noted is that they must adhere to three most important principles: First, their utility for the shot required, which includes orientation and visibility; second, their utility as to all drainage and other physical needs; third, their beauty taken as an individual unit, and also as they appear in the landscape. The man who can comply with these principles, and also diversify his greens, is a successful golf architect.
GEORGE THOMAS

Greens may be long and narrow, wide and shallow, in fact of every shape; but the great thing to be noted is that they must adhere to three most important principles: First, their utility for the shot required, which includes orientation and visibility; second, their utility as to all drainage and other physical needs; third, their beauty taken as an individual unit, and also as they appear in the landscape. The man who can comply with these principles, and also diversify his greens, is a successful golf architect.
GEORGE THOMAS

As well as achieving the natural and artistic side of golf course construction, Riviera retains a fascination and serves as a supreme test for every golfer, placing it among an elite few. The golfer is confronted with eighteen separate problems which require that extremely rare balance of mental and physical, or skilled effort. BEN CRENSHAW

As well as achieving the natural and artistic side of golf course construction, Riviera retains a fascination and serves as a supreme test for every golfer, placing it among an elite few. The golfer is confronted with eighteen separate problems which require that extremely rare balance of mental and physical, or skilled effort. BEN CRENSHAW

As well as achieving the natural and artistic side of golf course construction, Riviera retains a fascination and serves as a supreme test for every golfer, placing it among an elite few. The golfer is confronted with eighteen separate problems which require that extremely rare balance of mental and physical, or skilled effort. BEN CRENSHAW

As well as achieving the natural and artistic side of golf course construction, Riviera retains a fascination and serves as a supreme test for every golfer, placing it among an elite few. The golfer is confronted with eighteen separate problems which require that extremely rare balance of mental and physical, or skilled effort. BEN CRENSHAW

My love affair with Riviera began way back in ‘46 when I caught my first golf tournament there. Byron Nelson won it. Ben Hogan was second. Stars won golf tournaments those days and stars attended. I remember how impressed I was. Ted Williams was there. So was every movie luminary, actor, director, producer who was anyone in Hollywood. Bogart used to sit under the tree at the entrance to the 12th green wearing a trench coat and holding a Thermos filed with God knows what. Clark Gable was around. So was Danny Kaye. Bing Crosby was there. Hope. Howard Hughes, even. JIM MURRAY