The Riv

[Jim_Coleman]

    No apology needed, Michael.

[Steve Lapper]

    No apology needed, Michael.

Definitely no apology needed!!


Let me remind those whose political leanings might support even an iota of politicization of natural crises and disasters of some of the great quotes of the past:


"Everyone is entitled to his opinion, but not his own facts." - Daniel Patrick Moynihan

"Facts are stubborn things, and whatever may be our wishes, our inclination, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot altar the state of facts and evidence."  -John Adams


"Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider."  -Francis Bacon

The FACTS here are this tragedy is a perfect storm confluence of hazardous drought conditions, plentiful fuel, vicious winds, and a spark or misplaced flame. No local residential hydrant and reservoir system could effectively combat the scope, scale and speed of this kind of fire. Period.

Statements made by politicians assigning blame here are petty at best and vindictive at worst. As a first hand up close witness to the horrors of 9/11, the lesson is for EVERYONE to come together and recognize the human tragedy that these fires and reflect only sensitivity and human empathy.

[Bernie Bell]

Meanwhile, back on point, does anyone have any information on the status of Riviera? 

[Matt Schoolfield]

Meanwhile, back on point, does anyone have any information on the status of Riviera?

Again, your best bet is Cal Fire: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/palisades-fire

It appears the fire has advanced toward Riv by maybe one city block, and remains about three blocks away, just with a bit more surface area.

[David_Tepper]

Golf Channel article:




https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/news/pga-tour-monitoring-los-angeles-fires-with-riviera-event-scheduled-in-one-month

[Rob Marshall]

Is it not possible to do controlled burns to eliminate some of the debris. That's what they do here in south Florida.

[Matt Schoolfield]

Is it not possible to do controlled burns to eliminate some of the debris. That's what they do here in south Florida.

It is, but it’s wildly unpopular and not without risk. Honestly the main issue is that people probably just shouldn’t be living in these area, at this mid-level of density. It’s an unpopular view, but the there is a real disconnect here between the homes existing and the unsustainably of insuring the homes. This fire will almost certainly bankrupt the CA FAIR plan insurer of last resort.


The same thing exists in Florida with subsidized federal flood insurance, and the way that is changing.

[Steve Lapper]

Golf Channel article:




https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/news/pga-tour-monitoring-los-angeles-fires-with-riviera-event-scheduled-in-one-month

Based on the proximity and degree of devastation, there's no way RIV should be hosting the Genesis Open. Hotels and even some of the private residences that have always housed players, caddies, and officials are now fully dedicated to housing displaced residents. This room scarcity won't dissipate anytime soon.

That said, the really smart thing from a PGA Tour & Sponsor P.R. perspective would be to cancel the tournament in it's entirety and "co-donate the entire purse" (and possibly even a matching donation--with the heft maybe coming from Tour executives??) to a relief fund for those who have lost everything and will need some form of subsidized housing, and maybe give some of that $$$ to the firefighters who are fighting this so valiantly. The tour could finally earn back some measure of forgiveness from its recent raw pursuit of greed. The cynic in me doubts this will ever happen, but a man can dream

[Tom_Doak]

Based on the proximity and degree of devastation, there's no way RIV should be hosting the Genesis Open. Hotels and even some of the private residences that have always housed players, caddies, and officials are now fully dedicated to housing displaced residents. This room scarcity won't dissipate anytime soon.

That said, the really smart thing from a PGA Tour & Sponsor P.R. perspective would be to cancel the tournament in it's entirety and "co-donate the entire purse" (and possibly even a matching donation--with the heft maybe coming from Tour executives??) to a relief fund for those who have lost everything and will need some form of subsidized housing, and maybe give some of that $$$ to the firefighters who are fighting this so valiantly. The tour could finally earn back some measure forgiveness from its recent raw pursuit of greed. The cynic in me doubts this will ever happen, but a man can dream

This is a lovely thought.  And while I agree with you that the Tour is unlikely to do it, maybe the PIF could fund it as part of their consolidation plan?


As you said, a man can dream !

[Tim Liddy]

Message from a friend at Rivieria today, "Apocalyptic type damage and devastation to the entire area.  So many have lost everything, and the fires continue. Fires have not yet reached the club, but only a few blocks away.Will be very touch and go next few days."

[Pete_Pittock]

Is it not possible to do controlled burns to eliminate some of the debris. That's what they do here in south Florida.

The vegetation in California is much different than that found in Florida. It is more flammable and grows back quickly.
Also have to consider the urban interface.

[John Emerson]

Is it not possible to do controlled burns to eliminate some of the debris. That's what they do here in south Florida.

The vegetation in California is much different than that found in Florida. It is more flammable and grows back quickly.
Also have to consider the urban interface.

Exactly. Southern Cali is a desert with millions of acres of material ideal to start a fire. Florida is a swamp. Take away the irrigation water in Socal and everything is brown.

[Matt Schoolfield]

Hotels and even some of the private residences that have always housed players, caddies, and officials are now fully dedicated to housing displaced residents. This room scarcity won't dissipate anytime soon.
That said, the really smart thing from a PGA Tour & Sponsor P.R. perspective would be to cancel the tournament in it's entirety and "co-donate the entire purse" (and possibly even a matching donation--with the heft maybe coming from Tour executives??)

This is a lovely thought.

I don't know that the purse just sort of exists, and the fixed capital costs will be there regardless. The main issue is simply the proximity of the course to the disaster. It may be more feasible (and able to do more good) if the tournament was simply moved to an area with less strain. Possibly a club willing to donate their course in Irving or even San Diego, though that might be obscenely naive on my part.

Call me a heartless consequentialist, and I don't know the finances of the Tour, but I figure we can do more good by moving a revenue positive tournament, and donating those revenues, than we can by simply canceling it.

[Bruce Katona]

Slapper:

I'm loving your idea of scratching the Riviera event & having the PGA Tour donate the purse for relief. 


How about one better (like what occurred during COVID):

Get four marquis players to play an 18 hole event, prize winnings donated to the winners SoCal Charity of Choice for fire relief.  Lots of big companies can sponsor long drive, birdie challanges, closets to the pin, etc since the funds will be donated to a charity and thus become a tax deductible contribution.


I'm thinking there could be a private club - out of the area of damage - that could/would host, with TV coverage - much like Seminole did during COVID.


Just my $0.02

[Jon McSweeny]

https://space-solutions.airbus.com/newsroom/satellite-image-gallery/pleiades-neo/wildfires-in-los-angeles/
That map has basically the same info as the Cal Fire map linked above, but it shows the actual damage in and around Riviera.

[Rob Marshall]

Is it not possible to do controlled burns to eliminate some of the debris. That's what they do here in south Florida.

The vegetation in California is much different than that found in Florida. It is more flammable and grows back quickly.
Also have to consider the urban interface.

Exactly. Southern Cali is a desert with millions of acres of material ideal to start a fire. Florida is a swamp. Take away the irrigation water in Socal and everything is brown.

You must be joking right? South Florida burns every year. A few years ago it got within 100 yards of Hideout. You could spell smoke this week. It rarely rains here in the winter.


https://www.fox13news.com/news/florida-fire-officials-preparing-drought-wildfire-season

[Rob Marshall]

Slapper:

I'm loving your idea of scratching the Riviera event & having the PGA Tour donate the purse for relief. 


How about one better (like what occurred during COVID):

Get four marquis players to play an 18 hole event, prize winnings donated to the winners SoCal Charity of Choice for fire relief.  Lots of big companies can sponsor long drive, birdie challanges, closets to the pin, etc since the funds will be donated to a charity and thus become a tax deductible contribution.


I'm thinking there could be a private club - out of the area of damage - that could/would host, with TV coverage - much like Seminole did during COVID.


Just my $0.02

Saw a report that the losses will be $50 Billion with only $20 billion covered by insurance.

[Michael Morandi]

My insurance agent told me that one of his clients with a $25 million house in California wine country was quoted annual premium of $800k for full insurance. The client decided to “self insure”, a euphemism for taking the risk. I’m sure many LA homeowners did the same.

[Adam G]

It's getting worse. Mandatory evacuation orders just expanded dramatically all the way to 405 from Valley to Sunset.  Warnings all the way to Bel Air CC