The Genesis Open

Could not pass up the opportunity to play a round at the fabled Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, so accepted an invitation from the folks presenting the Genesis Open, which runs February 15 to 18, to cover world number 1 golfer Dustin Johnson (D.J.) at a press conference there a couple weeks before he defends his title at this year’s tourney.

So, there we were: ESPN, NBC Sports, Fred Altieri from the Culver City Observer, and about 50 other news gatherers, in the ballroom at the Riviera, to listen to Erwin Raphael from Genesis, along with tournament director Mike Antolini, who introduced D.J.

This tournament was formerly called the Los Angeles Open but is currently named for its chief sponsor, Genesis, the car company. If you are a golfer, you should know that William F. Bell, who designed Sandpiper Golf Course, was the son of William P. Bell, construction manager and course architect at Riviera. Mr. Bell Sr. went on to design Torrey Pines with his son, plus a number of great golf courses.

If you are a golfer and have never attended a golf tournament, this is one you might want to consider; it promises to be, as Ed Sullivan may have said, “a really good show.” Among the golfers competing will be not only D.J. but also Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama, Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, Adam Scott, Matt Kuchar, Xander Schauffele, Alex Noren, and, well, it’s a top-notch field, and Riviera (I attended two years ago) offers some excellent viewing possibilities. If you’ve never watched up close D.J. or Tiger or Rory (or Justin Thomas, for that matter) smack a ball so powerfully that it cries out in pain before barreling 300-plus yards down a 400-yard fairway (nearly four times the distance of a football field), then you are in for a treat.

Want to attend?

It’s not too late. Just go to GenesisOpen.com/tickets. For as little as $17, you can enjoy access to the course and follow your favorite player or find a place to stay put; other, more pricy, options include the opportunity to visit the clubhouse, assemble greenside at the 17th hole, or take a seat at the 9th green and/or 10th tee box, where you can also enjoy a glass of William Hill Estate Chardonnay while you watch. There is also the Genesis Lounge at the par-3 14th hole, promising “soft seating” and “unobstructed views.” If the $17 ticket is enough, then join the public at the Grey Goose vodka 19th-hole lounge and patio (as long as you are over 21).

Also on the grounds will be a number of Genesis vehicles to inspect at various locations. Genesis, by the way, is Hyundai’s luxury brand and it is a rather handsome vehicle. I don’t own one, but it’ll probably be my next car, as Genesis compares favorably to Lexus, BMW, and Audi, and at what seems to me a much lower price point. In any case, attending the Genesis Open in Pacific Palisades and the Riviera Country Club (chosen as one of the competition sites at the 2024 Olympics) would be an excellent way to spend a Sunday afternoon.