The Pacific : Riviera Members Getting to Know Japanese Investor

After spending 10 straight days on the golf course, Noboru Watanabe was looking tanned and relaxed at a party at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons Hotel given recently by his new business partners, Frank G. Hathaway and Charles F. Hathaway.

The affair culminated a string of receptions to welcome Watanabe, whose Marukin Shoji company now owns a 49% interest in the landmark Riviera Country Club & Riviera Tennis Club.

The quiet celebrations followed the close of escrow and were low-key in marked contrast with the much publicized flap that accompanied initial reports that a Japanese investor was buying the club in Pacific Palisades. Some Riviera members were uneasy because of the secrecy and uncertainty surrounding the sale. Marukin’s identity was unveiled only after papers were signed in September.

Partly because of the illness of the emperor of Japan, Japanese companies both here and in Japan have toned down or canceled corporate events.

The boards of governors of both clubs attended a reception for 150 at the Southwest Museum in Pasadena, where the Hathaways introduced Watanabe. Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley stopped by another private party hosted by attorney Chet Lappen, a member of the Riviera for 35 years. Bradley presented Marukin with a letter of welcome from the city.

Meanwhile, between breakfast and lunch, Watanabe and other Marukin officials sandwiched in rounds of golf to get acquainted with Riviera members. Watanabe said through an interpreter that he was especially grateful for the warm feelings that have developed between his and the Hathaway families.

Frank G. Hathaway said members are seeing for themselves that the Marukin partners are “very sincere people.