In Appreciation of Mike Taggart

Mike Taggart loved holding court and talking about The Ojai Tennis Tournament – an event he first attended some 60-plus years ago when he worked as a lines judge calling matches that included greats like Arthur Ashe, Billie Jean King, Stan Smith and Jimmy Connors.

Back in 2003, Taggart – a retired English professor – began giving some of his own personal wealth to the Ojai Valley Tennis Club to attract better players in the men’s and women’s Open division. Taggart passed away in the summer of 2019 in Michigan, but his generousity and kindness will never be forgotten.

“I always say this is the most underappreciated tournament on the planet,” Taggart once said. “Once you see it, you’re hooked.”

THANK YOU to the Taggart Family for their continued support of The Ojai!