Photos: Only the best grass for the world’s top golfers

Jordan Gilmore, assistant superintendent at Riviera Country Club adds water by hand to the 12th green in the shadow of a sycamore tree known as “Bogart’s tree” as the course prepares to host the Northern Trust Open. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Feb. 17, 2015 7:07 PM PT

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Here’s a look at the preparation that goes into readying the course at Riviera Country Club ahead of the Northern Trust Open.

Jay Sporl, left, PGA tour staff agronomist uses a Stimpmeter, a device used to measure the speed of the putting green by applying a known force to a golf ball and measuring the distance traveled in feet at The Riviera Country Club. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Fabian Pacheco uses a collar mower as he trims the grass at Riviera Country Club. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Workmen are busy at Riviera Country Club preparing to host the Northern Trust Open PGA event. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Fabian Pacheco uses a collar mower as he trims the famous bunker in the middle of the putting green of the 6th hole at Riviera Country Club. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Steve Rintoul, a PGA tour officer, feels the fairway of kikuyu grass at Riviera Country Club. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Jordan Gilmore, assistant superintendent at Riviera Country Club, tests the firmness of the green by dropping a steel ball from a height of 6-feet and measuring the depression. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)