Ojai Accepts Golf Event Without Protest

Ojai residents known for their opposition to anything that brings people and traffic into their town--a Japanese millionaire’s plan to build the private Farmont Golf Club was met with fierce resistance--have been exceedingly tolerant toward the GTE West Classic, which concludes today at the Ojai Valley Inn & Country Club.

Now in its fifth year in Ojai, the seniors golf tournament has not caused a protest or raised more than an eyebrow. “Residents find it a drag--getting through town takes twice as long,” said Alasdair Coyne, an Ojai environmental activist who spearheaded efforts to stop the Farmont, “but there’s been no organized opposition.”

Even when the event was first proposed in 1989, it sailed through the Ojai city council.

“In our community there are objections to everything,” said Jim Loebl, former Ojai mayor. “That’s because of the fragile environment and air quality and roads. The council was concerned about those things but they were all resolved and we went ahead.”

Why did residents accept the golf tournament, yet become outraged over the Farmont golf club?

Because the tournament is played at a club that is part of Ojai’s urban use plan, and the Farmont, which recently received approval from the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, will be built on undeveloped land that had been zoned as open space.

And unlike the tournament, the club will be around all the time. “There’s a difference between objecting to a one-week event and to something that will bring in traffic 52 weeks of the year,” Coyne said.

The tournament scores high marks from residents by generating revenue for local merchants, although not as much as expected considering that nearly 20,000 spectators attended the event each day this weekend.

“(The tournament) helps a little on the weekend,” said Alan Rains of Rains Department Store, “but it doesn’t have a significant economic impact on the city.”

Restaurants and motels also report only a small increase in customers, but the big beneficiary of the tournament is the Ojai Valley Inn & Country Club. Built in 1923, the private club receives an undisclosed fee from GTE and also makes money off rental of rooms and banquet facilities and increased food and beverage business.

Nordhoff High also benefits: Students park cars, at $5 apiece, with the money going to the school. Some tournament proceeds go to charity: Casa Pacifica, a home for abused children, has received at least $50,000 a year from the event.

Another reason why the country club members don’t mind the intrusion: They’ll be playing on a course that’s been manicured for the pros and the TV cameras. “It’s in absolutely spectacular shape,” said John Sharp, the country club’s general manager.

When the contract with the Senior PGA Tour expires after the 1994 tournament, the club hopes to renew for another two years. “We’d like it back,” Sharp said.