A Trailblazer Redefining the Golf Course

Megan Watanabe has become the first President and CEO at the historic Riviera Country Club, with its century-long legacy, bringing major events like the U.S. Open and the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 to the venue.

She has also extended significant support for the recovery of the Pacific Palisades after the devastating 2025 wildfires. From her West Coast home, we asked her how she was able forged her remarkable journey.

 

With Mr.Tiger Woods at the Riviera Country Club, courtesy of Riviera CC

 

100 Years In — And Just Getting Started

IROHA: Could you tell us about your current projects?

MEGAN: This fall we're planning a 100th anniversary celebration. It coincides with the 100th edition of the PGA Tour's LA Open—now known as The Genesis Invitational—which has been hosted at Riviera, 63 times. And 2026 marks Riviera's own 100th anniversary.

In　October, we're holding a centennial celebration with a gala and golf tournament.

This milestone isn’t just about honoring history—we must create new history.

We want this celebration to show what the next 100 years will look like.

When Crisis Hits, Community Comes First

IROHA:　Last year there was a major wildfire in Palisades, how did it impact your life?

MEGAN: Well, the fire started on January 7th, forcing the club and my family into full evacuation—we never imagined it would last two months.

Riviera spans 160 acres, and the fire stopped just short of the golf club, sparing it.

But the mountaintop communities in Pacific Palisades were completely wiped out—a devastating loss. I felt strongly that we had to do everything we could for this community.

The golf club was closed for two months. Some members lost their homes, so we prioritized our 25 hotel rooms for them. With donations from vendors to our golf shop, we provided clothing; we offered breakfast and lunch for about three months and made the ballroom available for administrative work.

Our fundraising arm donated $1.3 million, split between the CD11 Foundation focused on LA's 11th District and the Pacific Palisades Community Council.

Recently, we co-hosted HexClad's "Rise & Dine LA" a fire recovery event in January, featuring Gordon Ramsay for a dining experience at The Riviera, raising about $1+ million donated to Steadfast LA.

We invited first responders from LAPD and LAFD to play golf, donating course access and giving $90,000 to their foundations. We will continue this annually.

 

HexClad's "Rise & Dine LA", featuring Gordon Ramsay

 

A Twist of Fate That Changed Everything

Despite her current leadership role, Megan did not begin her career in golf.

After graduating from Pepperdine University, she worked for a decade at Riviera’s Tokyo headquarters. Her father, Noboru Watanabe, Chairman and CEO of the Riviera Group, acquired the Riviera Country Club in 1989.

After leaving the company to pursue independence, Megan was traveling in Paris when the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake struck.

Soon after, she traveled to Augusta, Georgia—via New York—for the Masters Tournament with her father. What happened next changed everything.

MEGAN: At the time, Riviera’s Vice President suddenly passed away. It was completely unexpected. Since I was already in the U.S., I stepped in to help.

I helped for two weeks, then said I needed to return to Paris—my father said no. "This is your destiny. You should stay and do it.”

At the time, I had zero knowledge or experience in the golf business, so I refused. But he insisted, ‘You’re the only one who can do this.’ That’s how I ended up staying—and I’ve been here ever since.

Over the past 15 years, I got married and had three children.

IROHA: That’s quite a dramatic turning point. How was it suddenly becoming the Vice President?

MEGAN:　For the first five years, honestly, I couldn’t do anything. I just kept listening and learning.

Most of the staff had decades of experience, so it was difficult for them to take someone like me seriously.

But gradually, I began to understand more, build relationships, and now I can finally see the bigger picture.

I now have a clear vision of where Riviera should be in 10, 20, or even 30 years.

 

Delivering Authentic Value

IROHA: What is your vision moving forward?

MEGAN: I studied art, and I’ve always loved music and culture. I also serve on the board of the LA Philharmonic.

Just like classical music or paintings created hundreds of years ago still resonate today, true authenticity always moves people.

I believe, we can add new layers of values to our members with art and music.

 

The U.S. Open Against the Odds

IROHA: The U.S. Open will be held here in 2031. How did that happen?

MEGAN: My father initially thought it would be impossible.

But I believed it was possible for us to get another Majors at Riviera.

Even though the chances were low, we let the USGA know that Riviera would always be ready to host U.S Open if another venue became unavailable.

Then COVID happened. The U.S. Open scheduled in New York became uncertain, and USGA reached out to us.

Ultimately, it stayed in New York without spectators, but I believe our willingness to step in during a difficult time contributed to securing the 2031 event.

 

Reimagining the U.S. Women’s Game

IROHA: This will be Riviera’s first time hosting the U.S. Women’s Open.

 MEGAN: Women’s golf still receives less recognition, prize money, and support compared to men’s golf.

That’s why hosting it here is so meaningful.

We want players to feel welcomed through our hospitality and experience the depth of our history.

We want the best female players to make history at Rivera and prepare for the the Olympic Games in 2028.

We’re planning thoughtful touches like gift bags and incorporating Los Angeles-style entertainment so that it becomes more than just a golf tournament—it becomes a full experience of the city for the players.

 

Identity Without Limits

IROHA: The golf industry is still largely male-dominated and predominantly white. Could you share your thought about it as a first woman CEO of a prestigious golf club?

MEGAN: I grew up attending international school in Japan where diversity and respect were natural.

When I first came to the U.S., I expected the same, but reality was different.

Still, I treat everyone with respect, regardless of gender or background.

I was aware that I was seen as a young Asian woman in this industry, but I didn’t focus on it. If you overthink it, you can’t move forward.

In fact, not knowing too much about the industry and not focusing on being accepted may have helped me.

What matters is believing in what you want to do, communicating it sincerely, and doing your best. Passion will always come through.

The Power of Sharing Your Vision

IROHA: What advice would you give to young people who want to follow in your footsteps? 

MEGAN: Building networks takes time.

But even if you fail once or twice, don’t give up. Sharing your failures and experiences—even embarrassing ones—is how you connect with people.

When you communicate what you want to achieve and why, people will want to support you.

I didn’t get here alone. I had help from many people.

So, find what you want to do, pursue it wholeheartedly, and share it with others.

Writing is also powerful. Every New Year, I write down my goals—and when I look back at what I wrote 10 years ago, most of them have come true.

Writing, reading, and speaking all have tremendous power.

 

 

Investing in the Next Generation

IROHA: What kind of cause do you like to pursue?

MEGAN: I want to focus on developing young talent in golf and tennis.

Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA who has launched U.S. National Development Program to develop junior players said that if we don’t focus and support on developing junior players, the sport will decline, and I 100% agree with him.

That’s why we will continue to support initiatives like the USGA's U.S. National Development Program through Riviera Foundation.

written by Eri Kurobe       Photographs : Courtesy of Riviera Country Club

 

LINK

Riviera Country Club

Forbes - Michelin Star Chefs Raise $1 Million+ For Los Angeles Fire Victims

Los Angeles Daily News - Rise & Dine LA brings city back to the table to support post-wildfire recovery

Santa Monica Daily Press - LA Chefs & Dr. Dre Support Wildfire Recovery at Pacific Palisades

PROFILE

As Chief Executive Officer of The Riviera Country Club, Megan F. Watanabe is the Club’s senior executive, responsible for all aspects of the operation of Riviera Country Club, one of Southern California’s premier private clubs. Ms. Watanabe provides strategic leadership for the Club, manages its professional staff, and upholds the Club’s rich traditions and national and international reputation in the world of golf.  Under her leadership, the Club perpetuates the ideals of its founders, who said in 1927 what she says today -- “Only the best is good enough.” 

Prior to her work at The Riviera Country Club, where she began in 2011, she was Manager of Corporate Planning at Riviera Holdings, Inc., Riviera’s affiliate headquarters in Tokyo.  There she supervised all elements of new business and program development, as well as employee education.  Notably, she spearheaded Riviera’s overseas professional education program to facilitate exchanges between managers at The Riviera Country Club and the many branches of Riviera Holdings, Inc., which include significant real estate, property management services, hospitality/event properties and restaurant/banquet operations in both Japan and China.

Ms. Watanabe is graduate of Pepperdine University in Los Angeles where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She lives locally and is the busy mother of three school-aged children.  She serves on the Board of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Advisory Board of LASEC , YPO of Bel Air Chapter in support of the orchestra’s continuing tradition of bringing superb music to the local community.  She is in the process of forming a non-profit foundation to leverage the Club’s assets to “give back” to the greater Los Angeles community, with an emphasis on sports, education and community initiatives.