Most Members of Riviera Now Support Plan for PGA

The members of Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades overwhelmingly favor the club staging the 1995 PGA Championship, according to a telephone survey by the club’s management.

Bill Masse, Riviera’s general manager, said Tuesday that he will recommend to owner Noboru Watanabe that the club proceed with plans to hold the event, one of four major tournaments on the PGA Tour.

“The results are very gratifying,” Masse said. “Some of the members gave their unqualified support and others supported the tournament with the incentive package we offered. But regardless, the incentive package is part and parcel of the deal.”

Masse said 80% of the golf members and 70% of the tennis members support the tournament, which the Professional Golfers’ Assn. awarded to Riviera last August. Then, after several members voiced opposition, management decided to re-examine its decision.

To compensate members for any inconvenience during the event, Riviera offered an incentive plan that includes waiver of membership dues for one month, special arrangements for tickets and parking, a members’ lounge and reciprocal play at other clubs.