Gerhardb

Have played this track a number of times and, each time, I tell myself I’ll never come back. The only reason I do is to play with clients who are impressed by the fact that it’s a Nicklaus design and it’s super easy to get a tee time. The fact that the Golden Bear himself has likely never set foot on the property, or even consulted on the design, is immaterial to them. Blessedly I’m on an expense account when I play here because if this is a $100+ track I’m a space alien.

The condition of the course can be summed up as decent tees and greens with concrete in between. The fairways are like a Texas muni on steroids. The lies are so tight around the greens that chipping and pitching are virtually impossible.

The layout is massively tricked up. Idiotic bounces abound on well played shots. The greens are so sloped that to find fair pin positions is near impossible.

The staff are uncaring at best, rude at worst. Because of lack of play they all disappear around 2-3pm. We went out as a four ball and behind us the starter put out two twosomes and a single. We had to let them all through thus disrupting the flow of our round. The carts have unbelievably annoying alert messages that keep popping up.

The snack bar was closed when we made the turn at 2:45 and the pro shop was shuttered as well. There is no drinks cart roaming the course. This is bare bones even for COVID!

There are courses in the area at a fraction of the price that are far better on all accounts.

A little beaten up. I’ve played this course numerous times prior to COVID and it was excellent in every respect. This time out the driving range was pretty spotty and most of the tee boxes were in rough shape. Fairways were ok to good. Greens, in the main, we’re good.

I’m hoping that the facility is not in financial trouble and can bring a great course back to its former condition.

I’ve been playing Ojai for 20 plus years. I took an extended layoff from the game, so I’ve not been back to Ojai for quite awhile.

The course has changed over the years. A number of years ago they took out the old 7 and 8, flipped the nines and put in “The Lost Holes” (16 and 17) to accommodate the Spa and shopping. IMO The Lost Holes should have remained lost. 16 is almost punitive with no bail out and 17 is just funky. Most recently they narrowed 9 and took out the back tee on 18 to build a function/wedding venue. 18 from the back was one of the best 4s I’ve ever played and it’s sad that it’s gone.

All of that taken into account Ojai is still a lot of fun. It plays like a short version of Rivi. On the day I played the conditioning tee to greed was above average. The greens were another story. I spoke with the guys at the Shop and found out that, while shut down, they tried to get the poa out of the greens. Over applying chemicals led to varying states of damage from complete ruin to minor effect. When the greens come back the course will be great, but not as great as it was a decade ago.