Ojai, CA - Todd Eckenrode – Origins Golf Design was recently selected by the Ojai Valley Inn, the iconic, storied retreat of the stars, to create a Golf Course Master Plan for the historic golf course. Situated between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, the world-class Ojai Valley Inn golf course was immediately recognized as one of the first great golf courses in Southern California. Its story began in 1923, when glass industrialist Edward Drummond Libbey began constructing a brilliant country club and an 18-hole golf course at the site. Known as the “Ojai Valley Country Club”, the golf course was laid out by noted golf course architect George C. Thomas, Jr. and William P. “Billy” Bell, who also designed and built courses at Riviera, Bel-Air and Los Angeles Country Clubs. Libbey supposedly gave Thomas free reign to design the course in whatever way he liked, instructing the architect to “…go ahead and build me the finest course that can be built…and use whatever land you wish. Give me the best. Money will be no object.” Upon its completion, many hailed the design as one of the finest ever built.
“I believe that I am absolutely impartial as to the courses which I have helped to build, but I consider the Ojai course as far and away above the best of them.” George Thomas (from The Captain by Geoff Shackelford).
Todd Eckenrode recently commented: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to develop a Golf Course Master Plan for Ojai Valley Inn. George Thomas was one of the greatest golf course designers the world has known, and our goal will be to develop a plan that could restore the golf course to its fullest potential and standing as one of Thomas’ greatest creations.”
Consistently, the Inn has been honored in the prestigious, Condé Nast Traveler Magazine Top 100 Hotels in the World, editor-selected Gold List. The Inn has also been chosen by Travel + Leisure publication readers as one of the Best Hotels in the World, affirming the Inn as a treasured destination that authentically combines the region's unspoiled spirituality with 21st century modern luxury.