Unforgettable Incident: Plane Makes Emergency Landing on Notable Golf Course, Venue for $20million Tiger Woods Tournament
Plane Makes Dramatic Landing at Riviera Country Club
Witness a heart-stopping moment as a plane6 crashed landed on a golf course in Los Angeles7 last Friday. In a scene straight out of a movie, the small aircraft8 zipped towards the fairway at breakneck speed. It skimmed the ground, careening between bunkers before finally halted by a tee box, where players were waiting to tee off.
Bystanders, including golfers, stared in disbelief as the emergency unfolded at 1pm local time.
Originally scheduled for Santa Monica Airport, the plane carried three passengers9. Remarkably, everyone onboard and the golfers nearby all walked away unscathed.
GOLF INSIDER
Unveiling Tensions: Legend Calls for Discipline Towards Rahm & DeChambeau
Riviera Country Club, famous for hosting the annual Genesis Invitational, was designed by Tiger Woods10. Known as one of the biggest tournaments on the PGA Tour calendar, the Riviera Country Club is a beloved destination for players and fans alike.
Due to the devastating wildfires that struck LA11, this year's event had to be relocated to Torrey Pines in San Diego. The 2028 Olympics still has Riviera as the chosen venue for both men's and women's golf competitions.
In 2026, the US Women's Open will mark its debut at the club, followed by the men's event returning in 2031.
Two-time Genesis champion Phil Mickelson shared his thoughts on social media, commending the pilot's skill12.
"Full flaps13. Prop feathered. Looks like everyone is ok," he posted on X.
A fan chimed in, "Great landing14. I've seen carts do more damage than this."
Another added, "The dude on the green didn't even flinch15."
Amidst the praise, a third admirer commented, "Absolutely incredible16. Off the charts skill from the pilot, and a little bit of luck."
The Riviera Country Club fortunately remained undamaged despite being in the Pacific Palisades community that suffered heavily from the wildfires17,18.
Enrichment Data:
- The incident occurred on May 2, 2025, involving a 1966 Cessna 172G Skyhawk that was diverted from Santa Monica Airport.
- The course was not affected by the wildfires, despite being situated in a heavily affected community.
- This marks the first publicly documented plane crash/landing at Riviera Country Club.
- There is no direct link between the plane incident and the tournament operations at Riviera.
- The club's status as a globally recognized course ensures continuity for hosting major events.
- The plane crash incident did not disrupt the club's plans for Olympic golf or upcoming golf events such as the US Women's Open (2026) and the men's event (2031).
- The dramatic landing of the 1966 Cessna 172G Skyhawk, initially scheduled for Santa Monica Airport, took place on a golf fairway at the Riviera Country Club, stunning golfers and bystanders alike during a game on May 2, 2025.
- Even amidst the praise for the plane's skilled landing, some golf fans disagreed, comparing the planes' impact to that of standard golf carts and stating that the golfer on the green didn't even flinch.
- Phil Mickelson, a two-time winner of the Genesis Invitational, held at the Riviera Country Club, took to social media to remark on the incident, lauding the pilot's skill in navigating the aircraft and managing the emergency landing.
- Although the Riviera Country Club was situated within the Pacific Palisades community that experienced devastating wildfires, the golf course itself emerged unscathed, ensuring its continued status as a globally recognized and esteemed venue for sporting events like the Olympics, US Women's Open, and men's major tournaments.
