The esteemed Riviera Nation Membership in Pacific Palisades, California, won’t host this yr’s Genesis Invitational, the PGA Tour introduced on Thursday.
The explanation for transferring this Signature Occasion is kind of obvious: wildfires throughout the better Los Angeles Metropolitan space have wreaked havoc on the area. In accordance with NBC Information, firefighters have contained solely 22% of the Pacific Palisades fireplace, which got here near Riviera a couple of days in the past. Actually, the well-known membership fell inside the necessary evacuation zone final week, and residents had no alternative however to flee.
Therefore, the tour desires first responders, firefighters, native governments, and resorts to focus their efforts on supporting the displaced residents of Southern California — not a golf event that’s of little significance in comparison with the restoration efforts.
“We’re probably not centered on the event as of proper now,” mentioned Genesis Invitational host Tiger Woods on Tuesday.
“There’s so many different issues which are larger than that. It’s extra about what we will do to assist everybody who’s struggling, who’s misplaced houses and had their lives modified.”
Twenty-seven individuals have sadly succumbed to the blazes throughout the area, whereas nearly 13,000 buildings have been misplaced. All the nation has rallied round Los Angeles, as town could face harmful conditions within the coming days. The Nationwide Climate Service predicts the notorious Santa Ana winds will decide up once more subsequent week, possible re-igniting wildfires within the space.
Due to this fact, the tour has determined to maneuver the event to a location that will likely be introduced within the coming days.
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By. Comply with him on X @jack_milko.
