[Mike Bowline]

In watching the LA Open several weeks ago, I noticed an additional green located off to the west of the traditional 10th green. I visited a satellite view to confirm:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=riviera+country+club,&near=Pacific+Palisades,+CA&fb=1&cid=0,0,17972996148165047898&sa=X&oi=local_result&resnum=1&ct=image

To anyone familiar with the course, is this an alternate green for #10? The green at 10 we see played in the tournaments looks mighty small  with only a few hole location options, and the turf could therefore undergo some stresses if it is the only green.

If it is an alternate green, and in view of how the slope from front right to back left of the traditional green is such an integral component of the hole, how is the alternate green contoured? How does it change the playing strategies of the hole?

[Jeff_Mingay]

Mike,

Good observation. It is an alternate green you see at Riviera's #10. I've not played it, so can't comment on its characteristics. However, I do know it was designed by Ron Forse... how long ago? (I don't know.)

[Sean McCue]

There are alternate greens on holes #10 and #16.  They are used in the winter time when the turf is not actively growing and cannot withstand the heavy traffic.  Both of the regular greens are only around 2500sqft each, and with nearly 75,000 round a year they don’t stand much of a chance of having quality turf on them otherwise. 

[Lynn_Shackelford]

Actually I believe the current round play is less that 60,000 rounds annually.  Before turning over the club to Noboru Watanabe, the Hathaway family had the play count close to 80,000 rounds one year.
The Hathaways actually opened the door to alternate greens with one at the 16th, designed by Ted Robinson.
There is also one at the 6th.
On weekends all 18 greens are available.  During weekdays they open 16 to 17 greens.  My last year as a member I played the alternate on #6 2 to 1 over the regular green.  Ouch.

[Michael Powers]

Several years ago I had the opportunity to play Riviera.  Got to 6 - alternate green, got to 10 - alternate green.  For a guy from the east who doesnt ever get to Cali, it was a huge disappointment.

[Ian Larson]

...I used to work there. That green is from when they did the renovation with Crenshaw back in the 90's. It was an alternate green for those purposes and they decided to keep it and use it sometimes for outtings they have on Mondays.

[rjsimper]

My one and only play I arrived and saw the pin on the alternate 10th.  Turned out that all of the alternates were in play...

We were playing in the last group before their club team play event against LACC, and the team captains insisted the holes be played to their normal greens - the super or someone with a radio put in the call and sent them around to be changed and we played the regulation greens.  Talk about a pleasant surprise!

[Adam_Messix]

I played at Riviera a couple of weeks ago and the holes were on the regular greens.  The temps were still there for 10 and 16:  I don't remember one for 6, but the thing I remembered the most about that hole was the far back tee to the far front right hole location.  According to our caddie, they only use the temporaries for Monday outings currently.

[Lynn_Shackelford]

Adam, that is good news.
Now the members can find out other things about which to whine.  The back tee on 6th was put in only for the alternate green.  Unfortunately the Tour keeps using it one day every year.  I think however they are wondering if it is the right thing to do.

[Adam_Messix]

Lynn--

I believe what you are saying about 6.  Admittedly, the member in our group wanted us to play it "all the way back" so back we went.  It required a pretty good cut to get the ball to that right hole location.  I was thrilled making par there with my draw.

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