How Much Does a Riviera Country Club Membership Cost?
The Riviera Country Club, located in Los Angeles, California, formally opened in June of 1927 and is an exclusive members-only club, including Hollywood celebrities, CEOs, prominent businessmen, and politicians.
How much does a Riviera Country Club membership cost?
On average, the initiation fee is as high as $250,000, and the cost will greatly depend on the type of membership you sign up for. Annual dues are said to be north of $25,000+.
Membership, however, is strictly through a sponsorship and recommendation by club members with at least one year of membership in good standing. The club enforces sponsorship by a club member and a seconded sponsor by another member, and both must know the applicant for at least three years. Letters of recommendations and sponsorships must answer five important questions related to the character and personal credentials of the applicant, and afterward, all of these letters are forwarded to the membership committee before submission to the board of Governors for final approval.
The HollywoodReporter.com, in its “L.A.’s Power Golf Clubs: Where the Hollywood Elite Play,” they noted the initiation fee is $250,000.
In the past, according to this GrandStreet.com article, the person being interviewed, Jean Stein, said the annual dues were as high as $40,000 before it was sold to a Japanese company.
The membership options
Club Social – A Club Social member may enjoy all social privileges accorded by the club, with limited golf and tennis privileges.
Tennis – The Tennis membership allows members to enjoy all tennis privileges at the club, with limited golf privileges.
Golf – A Golf member is entitled to all golf privileges of the club, with restricted tennis privileges.
Associate – An Associate membership is designed for a member who is at least 18 years old and no older than 35 years old. This membership includes all social privileges accorded by the club, with associate golf and tennis privileges.
Golf/Tennis – A Golf-Tennis membership allows a member to enjoy all golf and tennis privileges at the club.
Junior – A Junior membership is designed for a child of a member and spouse of the club and enjoys the same privileges as the parents. A Junior membership is designed for members younger than 30 years old. A member’s spouse and their single children below 25 enjoy the same privileges as parents.
Riviera Country Club membership overview
Its golf course, an 18-hole course designed by golf architect George Thomas in 1925, has hosted many golf events in the past like the Nissan Open, US Senior Open, and the PGA Championship. The Riviera is the venue of the PGA Tour’s Los Angeles tournament (LA Open) every year.
The tennis club is one of the oldest and biggest tennis clubs in the Western part of the U.S. It has more than 1,000 active members ranging in skills from beginners, nationally-ranked juniors to international touring pros. It was founded in 1963 and is equipped with 22 Hard-Tru courts, two clay courts and two ball machine courts. The tennis club offers lessons and training to all members.
The club offers the following venues: its Crystal Ballroom has a 240 guest capacity, the Grand Ballroom can seat up to 360 guests, and the Vista Riviera can accommodate up to 500 guests. The George Thomas Room, named after the club’s architect and offers the most beautiful view of the golf course, can accommodate up to 70 guests.
The club’s Spanish-style clubhouse is situated on a hillside perch, overlooking the course. It has 27 hotel guest suites for members. The clubhouse walls are decked with pictures of many Hollywood greats that include Gregory Peck and the foursome of Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dean Martin, and Jerry Lewis.
What are the extra costs?
Green fees will apply to those who don’t have golfing privileges.
Lessons, clinics, tournaments, academies, and leagues, available for both tennis and golf, can all incur additional costs.
Social events, available at the club throughout the year, will often have a fee to attend.
Tips to know:
Strict dress codes must be adhered to, as per the club’s official website.
Cellphones and any electronics are allowed in certain areas.
The course honors one of Hollywood’s star — Humphrey Bogart, with a tree on the 12th tee, known as Bogey’s Tree; this was the spot where the late actor would relax and watch the L.A. Open.
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Average Reported Cost: $0
