Hooked in Ojai : GTE Move to Not Sponsor Golf Tourney Fails to Deter Players, Fans

Anne Truhan of Camarillo Springs waited anxiously by the 15th green, clutching a pen and Thursday’s program, ready to pounce on a living legend as soon as he finished putting.

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“You don’t need a pen,” tournament volunteer John Behne said from behind her. “Arnie’s got one in his back pocket that he uses.”

Moments later, clad in hand-pressed slacks and a bright purple golf shirt with a car company logo, Arnold Palmer knocked down a six-foot putt for par and headed straight for Truhan.

“Hundreds?” the professional golfer said, referring to the number of autographs he had signed. “That was in the first hour.”

Thousands of people crowded the footpaths along 18 holes at the Ojai Valley Inn as the GTE West Classic golf tournament held its pro-am contest Thursday, the final round before the 54-hole Senior PGA event officially begins today.

Although GTE said Monday that it would no longer sponsor the tournament after the final round Sunday, the announcement did nothing to dampen the spirits of players or fans. The communications giant said it would be focusing its resources on new technology and downsizing its sports marketing efforts.

“Let’s hope it’s coming back,” said Palmer, perspiration dripping from his tanned forehead as he made his way to the 16th tee. “There are rumors to the effect that it may stay.”

Like others bantering about the possibility of the Ojai Valley Inn attracting another sponsor and retaining the tournament, however, Palmer declined to speculate about its future.

“I think this is a great place for an event like this,” he said. “It would be a shame not to have a tournament here of the senior caliber.”

Officially, the Senior PGA and Ojai Valley Inn are seeking a new corporate sponsor to replace GTE, but have not yet found one. GTE has sponsored the tournament since 1987.

It costs between $1 million and $2 million to sponsor the event, according to Senior PGA estimates. GTE declined to say what it spent promoting the tournament.

Although dozens of other top-ranking senior golf pros will participate in the tournament over the weekend, Palmer is the most popular by far. Hundreds of fans--known collectively as Arnie’s Army--followed him Thursday from hole to hole, cheering his triumphs and bemoaning his misses.

“The man is golf,” Ventura chiropractor Ken Plaut said, just outside the 14th green. “No one would be here if it weren’t for him. He made this tournament what it is. I’ve been following him all morning.”

The $550,000 tournament will generate tens of thousands of dollars for local charities and even more for local businesses.

This year, the CREW, Interface and the Ojai Education Foundation will receive proceeds from the event. Nordhoff High School will get the revenues from the $5 parking fees.

Hotels and motels have been booked solid for weeks, and downtown Ojai’s restaurants and specialty shops are also brimming with out-of-towners.

“All the players’ wives love it here,” said Andrea Bloom, who owns Tottenham Court Ltd. in the Ojai Arcade. “Those wives shop in the best places in the world, so when they like our things, we consider that a compliment.”

Tottenham Court was not the only shop with an increase in foot traffic.

“Any time there is a tournament or a festival, business improves,” said Virginia Layfield of Helga & Hellmut, a wearable art boutique just east of Bloom’s store.

“A lot of people who hadn’t been here come back,” Layfield said. “We have women who shop here annually.”

Not every business, however, is raking in tourist dollars as a result of the GTE West Classic.

“Mass people, but not a lot of buyers,” said Natasha Cordes, whose family owns the Cordes Four clothing and accessory shop. “I’m hoping the rest of this week and the weekend will be really busy.”

Even without huge sales increases due to the tournament, merchants say losing West Classic would be a shame.

“It doesn’t bring us a horde of people, but it’s fun,” said Eric Zacher, manager of Rains, an Arcade fixture since 1916. “I’d really hate to see it go. It’s part of the ambience of Ojai--and not just from the business standpoint.”

Several miles from the bustling downtown, where the 15th green meets the 16th tee at the Ojai Valley Inn, Truhan proudly grasped her Thursday program bearing a fresh ball-point autograph from Palmer.

“He was so gracious,” she said, still flustered from the encounter. “He smiled when I asked to take his picture. I was really thrilled.”

FYI

The GTE West Classic golf tournament begins today at the Ojai Valley Inn. Tickets for the first and second rounds cost $12 each and can be purchased at Ticketmaster locations or by calling 646-5796. Final round tickets for Sunday cost $15. Parking is $5.