Ojai Tennis Tournament back for 103rd time
By Misty Volaski

For more than a century, they eyes of the amateur tennis scene have focused on Ojai.

As the venue for such events like the Pac-10, Big West and CIF high school tennis championships, "The Ojai" has seen some of America's, and indeed the world's, greatest amateur tennis players.

More than 80 players who have competed in the annual event have gone on to win a Grand Slam (a U.S. Open, Wimbledon or a French or Australian Open), including Pete Sampras, Lindsey Davenport, Arthur Ashe, Jack Kramer and Billie Jean King, to name a few.

Each year, contenders make the trek to Ojai to raise their rackets against some of today's most formidable players. And each year, they have been greeted with the hospitality of hundreds of local volunteers, who put on various events throughout the last weekend in April.

Ever since the first Ojai Tennis Tournament, the women of the valley have come together to serve players and spectators tea and cookies. The Ojai's founder, William Thacher, came up with the idea for the tea tent, "because he just loved tea," said tennis tournament committee member Gerry Roe. Over the years, the tea tent has become a tradition. Now, "Having tea at The Ojai is like having a hot dog at a baseball game," said Roe.

For 103 years, the tournament has united the people of Ojai, who put on several events for the public throughout the course of the weekend. These events, such as the annual barbecue and the pancake breakfast, benefit local causes. The barbecue, to be held tomorrow from 6:30 to 8 p.m., will be hosted by The Ojai Rotary Club West and Wilson Sports. Rotary members will be cooking a tri tip and chicken dinner in the lower Libbey courts.

Tickets are available to the general public for $7 at the gate. Before the dinner, Wilson Sports will provide mini-lessons for youth, along with prizes and games. Dave McKinney and Brian Giffin, tennis pros at the Spanish Hills Country Club, will join pro Mark McCampbell of the Oxnard Tennis Center in assisting participants to improve their game. There will also be a band to provide music throughout the night.

Sunday morning's pancake breakfast, also open to the general public, is Ojai Boy Scout Troop 504's major fund-raising event for the year. The troop will serve hot pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee and orange juice from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Chaparral High School Auditorium.

Tickets are $4 for advanced sales and $5 at the door. Children under five are served free. The scouts will use the proceeds to fund their outdoor program, their Boy Scout summer camp and their trip to Ireland.
Ticket prices for the 103rd Ojai Tennis Tournament are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, students and children under 12 for a Thursday or Friday pass; $15 for adults and $10 for seniors students and children for a Saturday or Sunday pass; $25 for a weekend pass, and $40 for a four-day pass.


© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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