A Beloved and Burned L.A. Golf Course

Fires ravaging Los Angeles have so far spared the famous Riviera Country Club. The PGA Tour sent out a memo saying it’s too early to discuss whether the Genesis Invitational will be played there next month. Of course, whether a golf tournament is contested or not doesn’t matter right now – as of Monday, 24 people have been confirmed dead, more than 150,000 are under evacuation orders, and another 166,000 may soon need to evacuate.

30 miles east of Riviera, close to the Rose Bowl Stadium and working-class neighborhoods, is Altadena Golf Course, a 9-hole public course founded in 1910.  The Eaton fire destroyed its clubhouse, and the status of the golf course remains uncertain. 

The course posted a video on Instagram showing the clubhouse reduced to rubble, as a fire burns a remaining room frame. The course noted that while they’re relieved their staff members are safe, losses in the community have left them heartbroken.

“Look at the flag,” says the man behind a camera filming the smoldering remains of the Altadena clubhouse. A tattered American flag waves, scorched fabric at half-mast. The man behind the camera lingers quietly for a moment on the burnt, frayed flag, with smoke rising from ashes around it. The moment evokes depictions from popular culture – a shredded flag as a metaphor for a mission, country or a world, in peril. But this isn’t an apocalyptic film. It’s real life. 

“Dena,” as the Altadena Golf Course is affectionately called, is a local hangout where for $22.75 on a weekday, anyone can tee it up. Seniors play for $15.50, Juniors play for $5, and for just one dollar, juniors and seniors can play nine more. Friday is $2 taco day and the bar has a daily drink special. The twilight and super-twilight rate cost a golfer less than a trip to Chipotle. It's a place that holds food drives, collects toys for kids in need during the holidays, and hosts community pet adoption events. Hundreds of local golfers lamented the course's destruction on social media, and sent encouraging words. 

“I f**king loved this place,” one golfer wrote. “Could get on pretty much whenever you wanted during the week, awesome snack bar that served great hot dogs, one of the few public grass ranges, and a fun 9 hole layout. I really hope the tree on hole 6 survived.”

“I’m completely heartbroken,” wrote Precilla Alex. “Used to work here at the pro shop. Mr. Johnny Eusebio was one of the best golf bosses we have ever had! All my prayers, love and blessings go out to all the staff. It was such an honor working here.”

Another commenter tagged the First Tee of Pasadena, writing, “We’re so sorry for this loss. It’s devastating to witness. I took lessons here and my kids took lessons here from.”

Another added, “This is where my grandfather essentially taught my brothers and I how to play. Lots of memories there. Endless hours on the putting green. My first time playing on a real course. Obviously everyone in the area that’s losing their homes so close to where I grew up is heavy, but this is the thing that really got me.”

60% of Altadena is non-white, and historic black neighborhoods have been leveled by the Eaton fire. Dena is home to high school golfers, middle-class and blue collar workers, and to the First Tee of Pasadena. The course brought together golfers from all walks of life, affordably, in a city known more for its iconic and exclusive golf enclaves.

While playing in the Genesis Invitational Pro-Am the past two years, I stayed with a former club pro and golf writer who lives minutes away from Riviera. Last week, he was on the border of the evacuation zone. A golf mentor of mine also lives on the edge of the Eaton evacuation zone. His family packed quickly, left L.A., and hoped for the best. Dozens of his friends did the same and lost their homes. 

Another L.A. friend who works in the golf industry shared a distraught post: his daughter’s school in Altadena had been completely wiped out by fires. Teachers’ and classmates' homes had burned down. While his family is safe, their community is devastated, and the fires rage on. He wrote he didn’t know what to do or how to support his daughter and her friends. Hundreds of schools are closed and dozens may no longer be standing. 

Ryder Cup Captain, Keegan Bradley, said he’d played practice rounds for last week’s Sony Open with four players from L.A., and they were “stressed out.” Sahith Theegala, who grew up in an L.A. suburb, donated $100 for each birdie and $250 for each eagle, to fire relief efforts while at the Sony Open. He also posted direct relief links for followers to help. 

The Santa Ana winds are expected to pick up again this week, increasing the danger of fire spread across the city. For every story about a movie star’s home being destroyed, or an iconic venue like Riviera being in danger, there’s a Dena, and a hurting community around it.

“My daughter and family live across the street (from Altadena G.C.),” someone wrote on Reddit. “They are VERY lucky their house is still standing.  Most of the neighborhood is gone. The golf course is a mess. Please show your support at local businesses that are still open in the area. Local people need jobs to rebuild their lives. The golf course will bounce back. It's a nice one.”

Monday Q Info started the Drive Fore The Future Foundation to help high school golf teams in need. To L.A.-area families, schools, and golfers affected, please connect with our foundation and let us know how we can help. We’ll do everything we can to support you.

“Together, we will navigate this difficult time and work toward recovery,” Altadena Golf Course posted online. “We wanted to express our deepest gratitude to the courageous firefighters, first responders, and volunteers who have worked tirelessly during these challenging circumstances. Your bravery, dedication, and selflessness are an inspiration to us all.”

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