APRIL IN OJAI MEANS TENNIS.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore

Dick Gould has played or coached at the Ojai Tennis Tournament for more then 50 years, the last 38 as the men's coach at Stanford.

The Cardinal has won 11 Pac-10 titles under Gould at the century-old tournament, and Ojai has provided more memories then Gould can count, much less recall. But it's not the wins Gould remembers most.

``I guess you always remember the losses more then the wins,'' Gould says, with a hearty laugh. ``Those tend to stay with you longer.''

Gould has suffered both losses as a player for Stanford, where he was as gutty and hard-nosed as they come, but rarely as talented. Which is why the two wins he let slip away gnaw at him after all these years.

Like the time he led USC All-American Ed Atkinson 5-3, 40-love in the third and deciding set, only to crumble in a bitter fall. A year later Gould was a service point away from victory against UCLA No. 1 Norman Perry, leading 5-2, 40-15 in the third. But once again, Gould didn't win.

``I choked them both away,'' Gould said. ``Those are the two things I remember most, I guess.''

Aside from those painful memories, the Ojai has been blissful for Gould, who's been a participant in one form or another since he was a seventh-grader in Ventura. Like so many others, he is a fixture at this tradition-filled event, which turns 100 this year and maintains its popularity.

The enduring tournament has become part of the Ojai landscape, made special by subtle touches like the freshly squeezed orange juice and the tea and cookies served at Libbey Park. Or the wonderful weather and outpouring of hospitality from local residents, many of whom open their home and tennis courts to the players.

The Ojai is host to the Pac-10 and Big West championships and the Division III West Invitational. In addition, more then 1,600 entrants compete on more than 150 courts in 38 youth, interscholastic and open events.

If you're in Ojai this weekend, you don't have to walk far to see a tennis match.

``Part of its appeal is that you can see any kind of tennis, from 12-and 13-year-olds to the Pac-10 championships,'' Gould said. ``And unlike some tournaments, where there's only men or only women, you have both at the Ojai, and that also sets it apart.''

This is the top amateur tennis tournament in the country. Over the years, more than 80 former Ojai players went on to win at least one Grad Slam title, including Bill Tilden, Pancho Gonzalez, Tony Trabert, Billy Jean King, Arthur Ashe, Jimmy Connors, Michael Chang, Tracy Austin and Stan Smith.

The Ojai was founded in 1896 by William L. Thacher, who played tennis at Yale before moving to Ojai to assist his brother Sherman at the Thacher School. An elimination tournament was formed in 1899, laying the foundation for the tournament.

``Can you imagine this small, quaint little town out in the middle of nowhere starting something like this, then having it grow into the even that it has?'' Gould said. ``It's so tucked away, almost off the beaten path, even difficult to get to. Just think what it was like years ago, when people had to get there by horse and buggy.''

The outstanding tennis drives the Ojai, but it's the people involved who make it a must-see experience, even for non-tennis fans.

``You see so many of the same faces from year to year, and for me it's even more special because I grew up in the area, so I get to see all my old buddies, guys I've played with or against or coached against,'' Gould said. ``It's just a great atmosphere and a wonderful event.''

Many of the tournament's volunteers and organizers have been involved throughout the years. Ruby and Jack Morris, former presidents of the Ojai Tennis Club, have been associated a combined 90 years. Ironically, neither were tennis fans when they first got involved in the early 1950s. It didn't take long to change that.

``It's what you do in April,'' Ruby Morrison said. ``It's something we look forward to every year, the whole town does. It's so unique, when you come downtown to Libbey Park, there's oak trees and lots of grass and hospitality. It's such a personal thing and people around here take great pride.''

Which is why the fans keep coming.

``I don't think I've ever heard anyone tell me they won't be back,'' Morrison said.