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‘Lost holes’ rediscovered at Ojai Valley’s Inn’s historic golf course

Located 73 miles northwest of Los Angeles, the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa has renovated its legendary golf course by bringing back two signature holes that had been ‘lost’ for more than a half-century.  Golf historians have applauded the renovation that, in an era of golf real estate development, reclaims ten acres for the sake of history and not expansion.

The complete story

Built in 1923 by renowned golf course architect George C. Thomas, Jr., the Ojai course was immediately celebrated as "the cream of Southern California golf courses" and has enjoyed a long and illustrious history.

During World War II, the U.S. Army took over the picturesque resort as a training camp, stationing 1,000 troops there from 1942 to 1944. The U.S. Navy occupied the resort as an ‘R&R’ facility for officers from 1944-45. Before returning the property to private ownership at the end of the war, the government sold off the last of the Quonset huts and platform tents that had occupied the front nine of the course and attempted to restore the links.

Unfortunately, they did not rebuild it according to Thomas' original design. One of these holes was known to be one of his favorite par-three holes and was built to resemble the famous #3 at Pine Valley Golf Club. Ojai's #3 hole was featured in three classic golf course architecture books: Golf Architecture in America, by George Thomas; The Captain, by Geoff Shakelford; and The Links, by Thomas Hunter.

Today, more than 50 years since these holes were lost and forgotten, careful research by Director of Golf Mark Greenslit, Course Superintendent Sam Williamson, and Carter Morrish, who designed the renovation, has brought them once again to light. Using old photographs in Thomas' book, they located the precise location of the original third and fourth holes.

In recent years, the Ojai course has hosted 7 Senior PGA TOUR events and was selected as the venue for the Golf Skills Challenge, televised by NBC Sports. It is repeatedly rated a medalist resort by GOLF magazine, and is selected as a top golf resort by Golf Illustrated, Condé Nast Traveler, and The Golfer magazines. Along with historic golf, Ojai Resort & Spa has 206 rooms and suites, a full-service spa, and a wide array of other resort amenities.

Planning a trip

Visitors should fly into L.A. (90 minutes) or Santa Barbara (40 minutes).