Bunkers, if they be good bunkers, and bunkers of strong character, refuse to be disregarded, and insist on asserting themselves; they do not mind being avoided, but they decline to be ignored" - John Low, Concerning Golf – 1903
George Thomas never met John Low but you would sure think he did. And wouldn't John Low have been mightily impressed by Thomas's work at Riviera?! If ever you want to appreciate the skill that man can bring to a golf course project, Riviera is it.
This view across the second green shows that the property wasn’t feature rich.
Of course, because of what Thomas and Bell poured into it, and because of the international fame that the course and club then achieved, every move that the club makes is intently scrutinized. That's fine but sometimes the criticism gets too lopsided, leaving one with the impression that Riviera is something other than a fabulous course. Yes, it could be better (just like your marriage could be better, you could be paid better, you could drink better single malt, etc.) but in my book, Riviera still inspires awe. An invite to play there is as cherished to me personally as to any course. Since it represents a masters class in design, I don't see how any design student wouldn’t be blindly captivated as to what was accomplished here.
Thomas didn't strive for home lot sales or big design fees (in fact, he famously never accepted a fee). Trite as it may sound, he strove for excellence in everything he did, from roses to golf course architecture. Like few (or is it none?!) architects before or after, he achieved it and, regardless of some ups and downs and some harsh mother nature events, Riviera radiates greatness. So very many memorable, distinguished holes emerged from not great property.
Will someone hurry up and design a better hole than this one? Architects are 0 for 85 years in doing so!
I have several first edition books but none more read than Thomas's Golf Architecture in America. Quotes from that book are laced throughout the profile as there is no better window into Thomas's design beliefs than his own words. For those wanting further information (and who wouldn't!), Geoff Shackelford's club history book entitled Riviera Country Club: A Definitive History is must addition for your library. It remains the best club history book of which I am aware. At one point, you could get it by calling the pro shop and I assume that is still the case as I recently saw a copy there.
One other thing about this profile: Each color photograph pops up to a full size high resolution one by clicking on it. Chris Buie spent untold amount of time getting the code to do that and his time is truly appreciated. We are just glad to try to begin to do justice to a design of this magnitude.
Anyway, hope you enjoy this west coast profile.
Cheers,