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The Honor of the Tea Tent

For the last 108 years Libbey Park has been host to the oldest amateur tennis tournament in the country, lovingly dubbed “The Ojai.” Over the course of the four day event, Ojai is jammed with tennis players and spectators, all in anticipation of the tennis matches. It wouldn’t be “The Ojai” if not for the “Tea Tent” where tea is poured from beautiful silver urns into delicate gold rimmed china and cookies are served on festive trays. It is an honored tradition dating back to William Thacher, brother of Thacher School Founder, Sherman Thacher; William is credited with starting the Ojai Tennis Tournament. The story is told that tea was William’s favorite drink and that he was not only responsible for organizing the first tournament in 1899, but it was his custom of hanging a “T” sign in his window at Thacher School to indicate that he was ready for “tennis, tea and talk.”

Originally, tea was served from a booth decorated by garlands of wildflowers. By 1904, the event had grown and tea was being served from the club house porch, which once stood at the south end of Libbey Park. In 1925, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Sinclair donated a pavilion style tent, which established the “Tea Tent” tradition. Today, the hospitality and elegance is continued and carried on by a tradition that is timeless.

The “Tea Tent” is the nicest tradition of “The Ojai,” commented Ojai’s treasure, Ruby Morrison, who has served as president, secretary and board member. She now holds the prestigious title of “Director Emeritus” and added with pride, “it’s so beautifully done and such a nice surprise to people. Some say – we’re the Wimbledon of the West.” In the course of the tournament, approximately 1,500 cups of tea will be poured and 10,000 cookies served.

Staffing for the “Tea Tent” is a collage of volunteers dedicated to keeping this tradition of dignified elegance thriving. The honor of being the brew master of the tea and keeper of the kitchen belongs to Mona Woolwine and her committed helpers, Bonnie Patton, Leanna Kennedy, Chelsey Woolwine, Hanna Mitchell and Teresa Rapp. This has been a family tradition for years; Mona’s mother and grandmother preceded her in this role. In the early years, ladies picked wild flowers from meadows to decorate the tea table. Members of the Ojai Valley Garden Club lend their talents to creating exquisite floral arrangements. They do a beautiful job every year, and have been doing so for over 60 years. This year the flowers will be displayed in the silver bowl donated in memory of the late Cynthia Fairburn, an avid tennis tournament supporter and board member.

This year’s chairperson, Liz Hermes, knows what it takes to orchestrate such an elaborate undertaking. The first meetings are held in January, and organizing a total of 108 ladies is no easy task. It’s an honor and privilege to be asked to be Vice Chairman and that position is filled by Sandy Herman, a native Ojaian. Together they have hand picked the day hostesses and their assistants. The day hostesses are Peggy Chase, Claudia Wunderlich, Carol Hall-Mounsey and Carly Ford. Their assistants are Alice Chesley, Mickie Butterbaugh, Ann Scanlin, Ann Costigan, Susanne Wilson, Donna Purvine, Barbara Popps, Peggy Russell and Jane McCarthy.

Opening day is April 24th and tea will be served between 2:30 pm and 5:00 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm on Sunday.

“So, come and have a cup of tea, and let us serve you some old fashioned hospitality – seeped in tradition.”

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For more information about The Ojai®, call (805) 646-7241 or visit www.ojaitourney.org.

For previous coverage of The Ojai, click below:
The 107th
Ball Boy Diaries
April Tennis Madness
Interview with Tennis Pro Brian Wilson
Tennis and Tea
Tennis Anyone?

Listen to Matt and Lisa talk about The Ojai (among other things) on the latest show on Radio Ojai .