LPGA’s Pros Try to Avoid Windburn at Wood Ranch

Look who blew into town.

The LPGA is bringing big-time golf to Wood Ranch Golf Club for the first time since the over-50 crowd huffed and puffed and complained its way through the GTE Seniors tournament in 1987 and 1988.

Howling winds, undulating greens and narrow fairways had the likes of Arnold Palmer and Bob Charles pledging never to return.

But that was then and these are the ladies. Organizers believe the $750,000 Los Angeles Women’s Championship beginning Friday will be as wonderful as it will be windy.

“This course is a great test of golf and that’s why our members enjoy it,” said Steve Boveri, general manager at Wood Ranch. “The wind is always a factor. Simi means wind.

“The saving grace for the women is that they hit the ball very straight. If you hit it straight, that’s how you can beat Wood Ranch.”

The course is more golfer-friendly than the seniors found it. Fairways are wider and the rough is not as dense as it was when the course opened in 1984.

Also, the GTE events were held in March, one of the windiest months. According to meteorological studies, early February is the least windy time of year.

It’s also when the LPGA held this event at Oakmont Country Club in Glendale the last three years, although the event was called the Valley of the Stars Championship in 1999.

However, squabbles with Oakmont members had tournament promoter AJ Sports seeking a new venue last summer, and when AJ turned the tournament over to Group Dynamics, Inc., the search continued.

Wood Ranch was selected over several other courses. Bob Collins, a GDI vice president who lives in Simi Valley, hopes the tournament has found a permanent home.

“We were looking for the support of the city, the community and of the club members,” Collins said.

Simi Valley is supplying about $120,000 of services, including traffic control, signage and a shuttle service.

The LPGA, which approved the course after a walk-through, can pull out of the remainder of its three-year contract with GDI before March 1.

Although this is the first golf tournament promoted by GDI, Collins doesn’t think that will be necessary.

“We’ll all sit down after the tournament and iron out any problems,” he said.

Wood Ranch, built in the Scottish links style, has many attributes, including breathtaking views, water on 14 holes and tremendous vantage points for spectators.

The Golf Channel will televise live all three days of the 54-hole tournament from 1-4 p.m. PST and rebroadcast the tournament twice.

Activities begin Monday with a qualifying round and practice rounds. The pros will play another practice round Tuesday followed by two days of pro-am tournaments. The first round is Friday.

“The course is photogenic,” Collins said. “Our whole goal is to take the tournament to the next level. This is a picturesque course, something we believe the pros will like.”

As long as they aren’t blown away.

FAST FACT

L.A. Women’s Championship

Wood Ranch Golf Club

Simi Valley

Who: 130 LPGA players plus two sponsor exemptions

Purse: $750,000

($112,00 to winner)

Schedule: Monday, qualifying round; Tuesday, practice round; Wednesday, pro-am; Thursday, pro-am; Friday, first round; Saturday, second round; Sunday,

final round

TV: The Golf Channel will televise the 54-hole tournament live each day from 1-4 p.m.