Inaugural LA84 Foundation Legacy Golf Invitational & Taste of the World Event Launches at Riviera Country Club

The inaugural LA84 Foundation Legacy Golf Invitational took place at the famed Riviera Country Club on a sunny October day. Eighty-four participants forming 21 foursome groups enjoyed a day on the lush greens.

Participants enjoyed breakfast at the clubhouse after they registered and received their Nike bags. The day started off with a putting contest sponsored by JMG Capital. After the putting contest, players were called to carts to begin their rounds.

The shotgun start kicked off the day’s activities at 11am and there was a shamble format of play.

There were activities, contests and giveaways at most of the holes. HESS, the Invitational’s title sponsor, hosted the Longest Drive competition at Rivera’s famed opening hole. All participants received their choice of a Riviera Country Club baseball cap or visor.

At Hole 3, participants tested samples of Nosotros Tequila’s award-winning Blanco, Reposado, and Mezcal Joven of Nosotros varieties.

American Business Bank awarded a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses to the closest to the pin (CTP) winner in each group at Hole 4.

All players received Play Equity shirts at Hole 6.

Teqball athletes led a live demonstration, kicking a soccer ball off a curved table at Hole 9. The overall winning golf team was awarded VIP tickets to a Teqball event in San Diego.

Teams participated in a photo opportunity with an authentic Olympic torch from the 1984 Summer Games at Hole 10. Groups stood atop a medal podium in front of Riviera’s clubhouse.

The Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling Longest Drive male and female winners were awarded branded beach cruisers at Hole 13.

Golfers had the opportunity to hit a hole-in-one and win a new Lexus convertible at Hole 14.

The player closest to the pin (CTP) in each group received a bottle of KIN Whiskey on the par 3 at Hole 16.

At the home hole, golfers selected their favorite ALLIANCE: Los Angeles team hat to take home.

Golf carts were filled with drinks provided by Coca-Cola distributed beverages around the course as players competed in the tournament.

An In-N-Out truck served lunch at the turn near the clubhouse. The Halfway House by Hole 13 served tacos and Simmzy’s offered additional culinary treats to keep the golfers full. Players were treated to dessert by a Van Leeuwen’s ice cream truck on the course.

After the tournament, players, guests and friends joined over 50 Olympians and Paralympians in the Riviera clubhouse for the “Taste of the World” celebration. The event featured food from Olympic host countries such as Mexico, Italy and Japan, and the medalists from the tournament were also honored.

Following the golf tournament, the inaugural Taste of the World event celebrated 2020 Olympian and Paralympian athletes from Southern California who returned from Tokyo. The event took place in the Rivera Country Club Clubhouse and brought together civic leaders, athletes, colleagues, and friends. The event acknowledged the 36 years of service to youth from across the region by the LA84 Foundation as the legacy of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games. The winners of the golf tournament were announced at the event.

Riviera’s historic clubhouse was decorated to resemble Paris, Mexico City, Tokyo, Venice, and Los Angeles. Attendees enjoyed hors d’oeuvres inspired by the cuisines and cultures of France, Mexico, Japan, Italy and our hometown of Los Angeles. As people entered the venue, taiko drummers played and mimes greeted guests. Inside, dancers spun around the terrace under the hanging papel picado and lights.

Fifty-five Olympians from Tokyo and athletes from previous Olympic and Paralympic Games attended the Taste of the World event. The Counsel General of Japan in Los Angeles Akira Muto and Olympian and IOC Executive Committee Member Anita L. DeFrantz – a President Emeritus of the LA84 Foundation attended.

Tokyo 2020 Olympians and Paralympians who were honored at the Taste of the World event included Tri Bourne (Beach Volleyball), Isaiah Evans (Track & Field), Ezra Frech (Paralympian, Track & Field), Rudy Garcia-Tolson (Paralympian, Swimming), Kaleigh Gilchrist (Water Polo), Lex Gillette (Paralympian, Track & Field), Tina Graudina (Latvia/Beach Volleyball), Jamal Hill (Paralympian, Swimming), Katie Holloway (Paralympian, Volleyball), Karch Kiraly (Indoor Volleyball Coach), Sakura Kokumai (Karate), Jordan Larson (Indoor Volleyball), Brandon Loschiavo (Diving), Sarah Pavan (Canada, Beach Volleyball), Justin Phongsavanh (Paralympian, Track & Field), Gustavo Rocha (Latvia/Beach Volleyball), Jesse Smith (Men’s Water Polo), Mallory Weggemann (Paralympian, Swimming), Jack Williams (Archery) and Alex Wolf (Men’s Water Polo).

In addition to celebrating these world-class athletes, the LA84 Foundation recognized organizations it has supported and the over 3.9 million youth it has served since its inception. Rare sports memorabilia and artifacts were auctioned at the Taste of the World event. The largest packages included:

Olympic Torch Package: 1984 Summer Olympic Games Authentic Torch, a 1984 Summer Olympic Games participation medal in a case, and a Framed and signed Robert M. Runyan poster of the Stars in Motion – Donated by: LA84 Foundation
Pebble Beach: two rooms at THE LODGE for one night and a foursome at Pebble Beach Golf Links AND private jet transportation on a turbo prop KingAir 350 from Los Angeles – Donated by: Board Members Peter Ueberroth & Lisa Wehrly
Masters: Thursday tournament access paired with optional first-class hospitality access at the Executive Club, located just steps from the course. Hotel accommodations provided for the before as well as night of the tournament. – Donated by: Augusta SportsWear
Dodgers: #REPEATLA: Round up your 20 best friends and take your Dodger experience to the next level, or do a #suiterepeat. signed jersey by Dodger Manager Dave Roberts, autograph baseball and a visit to your suite by a Dodger Great! – Donated by: Board Member Stan Kasten

Attendees enjoyed the festive atmosphere and celebrated the homecoming of the Tokyo Olympians and Paralympians.

Silver event sponsors include Bank of America, Deloitte, EquiTrust, The Foundation for Global Sports Development, Johnny Carson Foundation, King, Holmes, Paterno & Soriano, LLP, The Lindbrook Group at Morgan Stanley, Nationwide, Oak Coast Properties, Stephanie & Nicholas Sandler Stonebriar Commercial Finance, Teqball, Tyler Ellis, and Wedgewood Homes.