PACIFIC PALISADES, CA—Current PGA of America President Jim Richerson has been named General Manager of The Riviera Country Club & The Riviera Tennis Club it was announced by Riviera President Megan Watanabe.
Richerson, who will conclude his PGA presidency in November this year, comes to Riviera from Troon and their corporate headquarters in Scottsdale, AZ. He has more than 34 years’ experience in the golf industry.
“We are thrilled to have Jim join our team at The Riviera Country Club,” said Riviera President Megan Watanabe. “Jim is a respected leader in the world of golf and his expertise and relationships will be a great asset in leading us as we head toward our centennial as well as the U.S. Women’s Open in 2026 and the men’s and women’s Olympic golf competitions in 2028.”
“The Riviera Country Club is one of the most prestigious clubs in the world,” said Richerson. “I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of continuing the great legacy and history of this iconic club and working with our dedicated executive team and passionate membership.”
Jim Richerson, General Manager of The Riviera Country Club
Prior to joining Riviera, Richerson had spent the past five years with Troon, where he served as their Senior Vice-President of Operations. He was part of a team responsible for helping oversee the day-to-day management of Troon’s expanding portfolio, while serving 585-plus locations around the globe, including 630-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses and 620-plus food and beverage operations, with properties located in 450-plus states and 30-plus countries.
Prior to joining Troon, he served the Kohler Co. for 11 years as their General Manager & Director of Golf Operations, overseeing the facilities at Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run in Wisconsin and The Duke’s Course in St. Andrews, Scotland. He also played an integral role for Kohler Properties in conducting major golf championships. He was an Executive Committee Member of the 2007 U.S. Senior Open, the 2010 PGA Championship, the 2012 U.S. Women’s Open, where he also served as the General Chair, and the 2015 PGA Championship.
Richerson spent his first 18 years of his career affiliated with the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Golf Corporation, holding various management and executive positions at golf properties in six states.
Richerson learned the game of golf from his father, Bill, who coached golf at Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University). Jim was a four-year letterman and captain of the golf team at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri.
Richerson was elected to PGA Membership in 1995 and has been involved in working for the betterment of the game for more than 27 years. Serving on various local and national golf industry related committees and boards and garnering several awards and recognitions for his work.
He was elected President at the 104th PGA Annual Meeting in November of 2020.
Richerson was the recipient of the 2013 and 2016 Wisconsin PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award, the Section’s 2011 Horton Smith Award and the 2012 Bill Strausbaugh Award.
Richerson, his wife, Kristi, and daughter, Mary-Claire will be relocating to Southern California.
Contact: Steve Brener, BZA, 818-462-5598
