New Site Sought for Senior Event, Previously Held at Wood Ranch

The GTE Seniors tournament, which drew such stars as Arnold Palmer, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Gary Player and more than 50,000 spectators to the Wood Ranch Country Club in Simi Valley in 1987 and 1988, will not be held there this year or probably ever again because of the pros’ complaints about strong winds at the course.

Winds gusting to more than 40 m.p.h. sent scores soaring in the 1988 tournament. Only winner Harold Henning finished under par in the 54-hole event, coming in at 1 under.

Tournament officials said they are searching for a new site for the event. The Sandpiper Country Club in Santa Barbara and the Ojai Inn and Country Club, as well as courses in Orange County, are being considered. If a course can be found, the tournament will be held Dec. 1-3.

The North Ranch Country Club in Thousand Oaks and the Lakeside Country Club in North Hollywood were offered the tournament, but members of those clubs rejected the event.