The Genesis Invitational, this week’s PGA Tour event, was supposed to be played at Riviera CC in Pacific Palisades, CA.
The widespread devastation caused by wildfires in and around a broad swath of the Los Angeles area prompted a rescheduling of the event.
Getting the nod in the host roles is Torrey Pines. The San Diego-based course will be doing double-duty as it hosted the Farmers Insurance event just a few weeks back.
Mike Antolini, Tournament Director for the Genesis Invitational was asked to provide comments on how the event will fare this week.
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The Antolini Story
Mike Antolini is a Senior Vice President at TGR Live and Tournament Director for The Genesis Invitational.
He has worked for TGR Live since 2013 and previously held roles with the PGA TOUR and the USGA, including serving as the Manager of the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.
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How soon after the fires started was a move or postponement likely to happen?
As the wildfires intensified in the Palisades community surrounding Riviera, and after consulting with Riviera and taking into account all of the resources that the tournament requires, it became clear that it would not be possible to hold the tournament at Riviera this year – nor would it have been the right thing do to.
Was even cancelling the event a real possibility?
So, from there, it was can we hold the event, and where can we hold the event?
Torrey Pines emerged as the relocation site, and we were very fortunate to be invited and welcomed with open arms by the City of San Diego and so many others who have helped make this relocation possible.
The toughest logistical aspects have been what since the move to Torrey Pines was announced?
We haven’t had time to think about what the past three-plus weeks have been like from a reflection standpoint. We have been focused on how we can transition The Genesis Invitational to Torrey Pines in 2025 and make the event as successful as possible.
When I say that, a key element of that is how we’re able to highlight and support the relief efforts for the Los Angeles wildfires. We’re very proud to support the California Rises initiative, which Genesis launched early in tournament week.
Genesis has pledged more than $8 million of support through the tournament. For every birdie, eagle, albatross and ace, they will make a monetary donation to California Rises. There is also merchandise on site, with 100 percent of proceeds benefitting California Rises.
All ticketing fees from The Genesis Invitational will be donated to California Rises and its four beneficiaries – the American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen, California Fire Foundation and the Genesis Inspiration Foundation, all of which are providing critical resources to support the relief efforts.
Will the course be set-up differently for the Genesis as opposed to the Farmers Insurance event?
With respect to the action inside the ropes, the PGA TOUR competition staff – on a week-in and week-out basis set up golf courses for the world’s best players.
We are looking forward to shining a spotlight inside the ropes on our field. Many of these players have not been to Torrey Pines in a number of years, so the course will be new to many of them.
Seeing how they manage a championship-caliber course like this. Torrey Pines has such a deep and rich tournament history, not only with the annual PGA TOUR event that it hosts, but also two U.S. Opens. When you look at some of the past winners at Torrey Pines, it’s some of the best in the game.
How will you be able to measure success this year?
When we think about this year’s tournament and success, of course there are going to be a lot of highlights inside the ropes when you consider our field as a Signature Event on the PGA TOUR and what it means to win.
For us, this week is about much more than what happens inside the ropes. It’s the impact that we’re able to make outside the ropes, in the community, in Los Angeles as we dedicate so much of the support through the 2025 Genesis Invitational to wildfire relief efforts through California Rises.
We’re proud to play a role alongside Genesis and so many others who are supporting the California Rises initiative at this year’s tournament.
