A plane was forced to make an emergency landing at the renowned Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades on Friday afternoon, officials have confirmed. The Los Angeles Fire Department issued a statement explaining that the aircraft had been diverted from Santa Monica Airport.
“LAFD and Santa Monica Fire Department (SMFD) resources responded to a plane (unknown size) which landed safely at Riviera Country Club, diverted (unknown cause) from Santa Monica Airport,” the statement read. “Three total passengers onboard were unharmed; LAFD and SMFD companies are working together to assess the aircraft for any damage.”
Footage of the dramatic landing quickly circulated on social media, showing the small plane narrowly avoiding trees and bunkers as it descended onto the golf course, with its wheels bouncing off the ground several times with the engine off.
The aircraft finally came to rest on the rough, much to the astonishment of golfers nearby who watched the plane come to a halt just feet away from their carts. There were no fatalities thanks to the pilot’s expert handling. The Riviera Country Club is famous for hosting the Genesis Invitational, a tournament held every February for over 50 years, cementing its status as one of golf’s premier courses.
Come 2028, the prestigious Riviera Country Club will play host to both men’s and women’s golf during the Los Angeles Olympic Games. The announcement came in July 2024, and Antony Scanlon, the Executive Director of the International Golf Federation, couldn’t hide his enthusiasm.
“We are honored to work alongside LA28 and the world-renowned Riviera Country Club to host the golf competitions during the 2028 Los Angeles Games,” heralded Scanlon, as quoted by the LPGA.
“The Riviera Country Club will offer a prestigious and continuously challenging backdrop for golf’s most elite players, and we look forward to sharing one of the finest courses with our fans around the world.”
The Riviera isn’t a stranger to high-profile tournaments having played host to the 1995 PGA Championship, 1998 US Senior Open, and the 2017 Amateur Open. Looking ahead, the course is set to welcome the US Women’s Open in 2026 and the US Open five years after that.
Earlier this year, the venue was thrust into the spotlight for an unexpected reason—wildfires in the area forced the relocation of this year’s Genesis Invitational. Scheduled for Pacific Palisades, it had to be moved to San Diego, while LA firefighters bravely battled the January blazes.
The PGA Tour released a statement, saying: “The PGA TOUR’s focus continues to be on the safety and well-being of those affected by the unprecedented natural disaster in Greater Los Angeles. We are grateful for the life-saving efforts of first responders and the tireless work being done to put an end to the tragic wildfires.”
