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Kevin Pallier

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Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera) New
« on: March 30, 2010, 08:28:37 AM »
The Riviera Country Club (RCC) is an elite course in LA. One drives down what seems a mainstream suburban street before they meet a set of gates. Golfing nirvana awaits once inside. This was the last course I saw on my US Trip and I was a very fortunate golfer to finish it in such a style.

You seem a world away once within the confines of the property – a large Mediterranean clubhouse looms over the property and looks down on a very good course. I had the privilege of staying in The Hogan room overlooking the 1st / 10th holes and there are very few better inland course views from onsite accommodation that I have experienced. The RCC has hosted numerous Major golf tournaments and is well renowned its Hogan associations.

Having golfed on a kikuyu course for over 20 years I thought I knew what I was in for……big mistake on my part. When you see sprinkler heads in the rough you soon realise that you are in for a challenge. Thankfully, like some of its San Francisco counterparts RCC has its trees - for the most part - set back from the playing corridors. On some holes those corridors are very tight (eg: #13) but on most others the driving lines are quite wide incl. the fairway width.

The layout is set on relatively flat property in a canyon of sorts but the great thing about RCC no two holes feel explicitly similar – they all have their own uniqueness. Thomas has done a superb job with the routing and Billy Bells bunkers are marvellous. The course has consistent quality throughout touch with a sprinkling of “quirk” which IMO is a great thing.

Holes I noted:

1st = (P5: 503yds) I have never so many P5 starting holes than I did in Ca.? I like this hole with its elevated tee down to a fairway that has OOB left and a line of trees right. One crosses the barranca for the first time and the green is reachable in two by the longer hitters. I like how the hole has one deep bunker right in the middle of the boomerang shaped green.





4th = (P3: 236yds) has some similarities to a Redan styled hole with its significant cant from the right but the primary slant comes from off the green. Being kikuyu based I’m not sure all balls would release onto the green from there ? It is a lovely P3 all the same and even Hogan once famously labelled it “the greatest P3 in America”.



5th = (P4: 444yds) I love the design of this hole whereby it doesn’t need a bunker off the drive to make it difficult. A large grass hill right plays on the golfers mind and almost forces them to go left when the ideal line is as close to it as possible to it for a clear view of the green. The fairway itself has a drop-off short of the hill as seen by the photo looking back up towards the tee.





6th = (P3: 200yds) there’s quirk and there’s good quirk – this hole epitomises the later IMO. I love the intricacy of the bunker placement in the middle of the green coupled with the steeply pitched slope. No matter what side your ball is in relation to the pin you can still putt your ball to the hole range with a degree of imagination on the steep green slopes.





8th = (P4: 462yds) this hole has recently had a cop of trees taken out and been replaced by sand drainage in the barranca reverting to something reportedly akin to Thomas’ original design on the dual fairway hole. I’m also led to believe the tinkering of the greensite is possibly more controversial than the removal of the trees themselves.





   
10th = (P4: 315yds) is probably the most famous short P4 in American golf. A slightly elevated tee shot to well bunkered fairway and a green that is very narrow and also surrounded by bunkers. Personally, I would never consider using driver here but others more brave than me might just be able to pull the shot off.





11th = (P5: 564yds) after playing with a degree of width off the tee for most of the round thus far this hole tightens up somewhat and then begins a run of tighter holes on the course. This is a straight P5 with the barranca, trees and deep lone front bunker asking questions of the golfer.



13th = (P4: 459yds) is a very tight driving hole and has a very claustrophobic feeling in and amongst the eucalypts. This is one hole I think that could be improved with some loping of trees on the “cape” / inside of the dogleg.



18th = (P4: 475yds) this is a difficult finishing hole with an intimidating drive requiring one to cross a large rise to a tight semi blind angled fairway. Once on the short grass one is then faced with a long approach to an unbunkered amphitheatre green. You would be lucky to get such a slope to help you on your approach as I would have thought that the thick kikuyu surrounding the green will hold up most approach shots.





Whilst the barranca is a constant on many holes I wonder how often water is found at the base of it ? The course routing flows really well and the bunkering is some of the best I’ve seen. A lot of bunkers on most courses are superfluous and I couldn’t imagine any that couldn’t come into play at some stage or another at RCC.

The layout doesn’t favour a particular shot shape though being able to shape a ball either way will put someone at a distinct advantage around the RCC. The brilliance of the design is that you forget that the majority of the holes are on mostly flat terrain. The talent of Thomas is evident in that he has designed such a strategic course without the advantage of large movements in topography. I would suggest that most people would struggle to name a number of “lesser” holes at RCC and as such would support Thomas’ legacy even further.

One golf writer is famous for espousing the following:
“Some may curse it, but they will remain to love it, because, like Old St. Andrews, it beams over with character. The name Riviera will be known throughout the universe of golf as the Pine Valley of the Western coast." (D. Scott Chisholm)

Whilst I wouldn’t go as far as putting it in PVGC class - RCC is a superb golf course in its own right and certainly one of California’s finest.
« Last Edit: April 05, 2010, 07:37:41 PM by Kevin Pallier »

jonathan_becker

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Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2010, 08:43:24 AM »
Kevin,

Would this be the last photo tour from your trip?  If so, you need to take another trip for us!

That's a great photo of #10.  It really shows how the best playing angle is in from the left.

Scott Warren

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Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2010, 08:45:16 AM »
KP,

When did "one" start using "golfing" and "golfed" as verbs? :P

Brett_Morrissy

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Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2010, 08:50:17 AM »
KP - what an amazing trip - thank you for sharing all your reveiws and pics - it has been fantastic.

Have you seen the "sand filled barranca" hazard before like on the 8th? How do you think it plays, it is worth investigating? I think it may be an excellent design enhancement for down here...

It seems to be providing visual strategic values, and enhancing the step down of the fairway, does it play that way? I suppose depending on skill level it is certainly a half shot penalty?

Thanks again
Brett

@theflatsticker

Kevin Pallier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2010, 08:51:16 AM »
Jonathan

If someone is interested in paying my airfare - I'd be glad to jump on the next plane over  :D

I need to do one more......from a collage of courses from the NJ / PA area to repay my kind US hosts & friends.

It's actually been great spending the time going through the hundreds of photos and putting my thoughts to same. I hope you and fellow GCAers like them.


Kevin Pallier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2010, 08:57:35 AM »
KP,

When did "one" start using "golfing" and "golfed" as verbs? :P

Scott

Dont you start....there's a little "punk" golfer I know in Melbourne who's a wannabe school teacher. I need to have a little "chat" on the side next time I see him. Dont add your name to the list  ;D

jonathan_becker

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2010, 08:58:13 AM »
Kevin,

Of course we like them!  You've shown us so many great courses that will never be played by 99% or more of American golfers....and you did it all in 3 weeks!

I will be looking forward to your last tour.  :)

Kevin Pallier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2010, 09:04:41 AM »
Jonathan

Your recent thread on Rolling Green has led me to pull up my photos on that course tonight - I had better get cracking on it now  ;D

Scott Warren

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #8 on: March 30, 2010, 09:06:17 AM »
KP,

When did "one" start using "golfing" and "golfed" as verbs? :P

Scott

Dont you start....there's a little "punk" golfer I know in Melbourne who's a wannabe school teacher. I need to have a little "chat" on the side next time I see him. Dont add your name to the list  ;D

;D

Kevin Pallier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #9 on: March 30, 2010, 09:36:11 AM »
Have you seen the "sand filled barranca" hazard before like on the 8th? How do you think it plays, it is worth investigating? I think it may be an excellent design enhancement for down here...

It seems to be providing visual strategic values, and enhancing the step down of the fairway, does it play that way? I suppose depending on skill level it is certainly a half shot penalty?

Thanks again
Brett

Brett

The barracana is pegged as a hazard in some parts and not in others at RCC. My home course originally had gravel in a few of it's lateral hazards and has finally filled some of them with sand. I haven't specifically played out of the barracana on #8 so fellow GCAers may have have to help you out there but it did seem quite compact. I'll give you a tip though - I would rather try and play off sand than in some of the kik lies I found in the rough  ;)

I did ask the question above as to whether the barracana at RCC fills with water at some stages ?

John Mayhugh

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Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #10 on: March 30, 2010, 12:04:16 PM »
No love for the 15th & 16th holes? 

Hope you found room in your bag for a copy of Geoff's club history.

Ash Towe

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Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #11 on: March 30, 2010, 02:06:22 PM »
Kevin,

Great course to finish a wonderful trip.  Thanks for sharing your experiences.

With your ability with a camera perhaps a few photo tours of the best courses at home could be in the offing.  I am sure there are many people here who would appreciate it.

Kevin Pallier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #12 on: March 30, 2010, 07:34:39 PM »
John

15 and 16 are very good holes - particularly the formers winged shape green.

Ash

I will do an Austrlian course at some stage - but would like to finish the US courses first.


Ash Towe

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Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #13 on: March 30, 2010, 07:38:56 PM »
Kevin,

How many more are there?

I knew it was a great trip but I never realised how great.

Kevin Pallier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #14 on: March 30, 2010, 07:41:20 PM »
Ash

There's a couple of decent courses in California + PA/NJ that I haven't looked at yet.....

Ash Towe

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #15 on: March 30, 2010, 07:51:26 PM »
Hi Kevin,

Thanks for the quick reply.  Look forward to seeing them.

Do you find it hard to play your usual courses after a trip like you have done?  I found it mundane to start with and then got used to it.  I do cherish the memories though of the people I played with and the courses played.

Kevin Pallier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #16 on: March 30, 2010, 08:02:42 PM »
Ash

Absolutely - I've been on a downer for the last 5 months......thankfully sorting through the photos and putting words to them brings back some great memories.

Kevin Pallier

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #17 on: March 31, 2010, 11:48:28 PM »
Hope you found room in your bag for a copy of Geoff's club history.

John

Unfortunately they didn't have a copy in the pro-shop re: same though I hear it is a very good read ?

Aside - did you think the 16th had a similar feel to the 14th ? Similar distance, direction etc ?

John Mayhugh

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Re: Golf in California: USA Final Frontier Trip (Riviera)
« Reply #18 on: April 01, 2010, 09:04:28 AM »
Hope you found room in your bag for a copy of Geoff's club history.

John

Unfortunately they didn't have a copy in the pro-shop re: same though I hear it is a very good read ?

Aside - did you think the 16th had a similar feel to the 14th ? Similar distance, direction etc ?

Shame about the club history.  It is probably the best one I've seen.  Pays a lot more attention to the golf course than most do and includes some great photos.

Speaking of photos, how about those that are in the hallways of the clubhouse? 

I noticed the similarities in distance between the tee shots at 14 & 16.  I thought 14 was much easier. The green is about twice the size of the 16th.  The 16th is also way more intimidating from the tee since the bunker faces make a small target seem even smaller.

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