Wilshire Country Club

A 15-year cook has sued the Wilshire Country Club alleging racial and sexual harassment and discrimination, charging that the management ignored repeated complaints about abusive remarks and physical assault by her boss. Margaret Inyama, 52, a native of Ghana, said in the suit that her troubles began shortly after Michael de Maria was named chef at the exclusive golf course in 1989.

It's all but official: Preppy is back. But can Los Angeles — the laid-back land of mañana and margaritas, ever rise to the level of a prep paradise? It may surprise you, but it already has. You wouldn't know it from the definitive text on the topic. When "The Official Preppy Handbook" was published in 1980, it didn't just give the West Coast the short end of the lacrosse stick, it practically smacked the City of Angels upside the head with the milky white sole of a Sperry Top-Sider.

The Wilshire Country Club reached a confidential settlement in a lawsuit brought by a former employee who claimed that the club discriminated against black workers, the woman's attorney said Monday. As a condition of the settlement, the amount was kept confidential, said attorney Dan Stormer, who represents Margaret Inyama. The plaintiff, who was a cook at the club, claimed that the discrimination included forcing black employees to park in separate parking lots from whites.

ONE OF L.A.'s oldest neighborhoods, Hancock Park was originally part of the vast Rancho La Brea (Spanish for "the tar") deeded to Maj. Henry Hancock in 1860 by Jose Jorge Rocha, the son of a prominent Portuguese immigrant. Early residents included some of the most prominent and well-to-do members of Los Angeles society, including the Chandlers, Huntingtons, Dohenys and Van Nuys. Paul Williams, A.C. Chisholm and John Austin were among the notable architects hired to design Hancock Park's lavish estates.

Playing Wilshire Country Club for the first time, Ben Hogan arrived at the ninth tee, where a large mound on the fairway obscures the green. The usual way to play the blind tee shot was to aim for the white Hollywood sign, far up in the hills. So when Hogan asked where he should hit his drive, his caddie told him to aim for the Hollywood sign. "Which letter?" Hogan asked.

Dave Stockton is running a marathon and he's carrying his golf clubs. Stockton is in the midst of playing the last 11 Senior PGA Tour events of the year, including the $800,000 Ralphs Senior Classic that begins today at Wilshire Country Club. Stockton's reason for playing nearly three months' worth of tournaments is pretty basic--it's the money. Stockton has won $1,197,680 in 30 events this year and is first on the earnings list. And it's a familiar position.

Playing Wilshire Country Club for the first time, Ben Hogan arrived at the ninth tee, where a large mound on the fairway obscures the green. The usual way to play the blind tee shot was to aim for the white Hollywood sign, far up in the hills. So when Hogan asked where he should hit his drive, his caddie told him to aim for the Hollywood sign. "Which letter?" Hogan asked.

It's all but official: Preppy is back. But can Los Angeles — the laid-back land of mañana and margaritas, ever rise to the level of a prep paradise? It may surprise you, but it already has. You wouldn't know it from the definitive text on the topic. When "The Official Preppy Handbook" was published in 1980, it didn't just give the West Coast the short end of the lacrosse stick, it practically smacked the City of Angels upside the head with the milky white sole of a Sperry Top-Sider.

Randy Harvey, in his column of Sept. 29, stated, "I don't have any more golf circled on my calendar until the Nov. 28-29 Skins Game at Rancho La Quinta." I was sorry to see that he doesn't think that the Ralphs Senior Classic at Wilshire Country Club, which benefits the Centinela Healthcare Foundation, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, is worth circling on his calendar. JOHN K. BUSCH, Los Angeles

The historic Wilshire Country Club in Hancock Park has begun a $10-million renovation and expansion of its Mediterranean-style clubhouse. The expansion and interior remodeling, which will include the addition of a red clay tile roof with broad eaves, arched openings and iron railings, is aimed at recapturing the character of the original building. The project was designed by Los Angeles architect Scott Johnson of Johnson Fain Partners.

The historic Wilshire Country Club in Hancock Park has begun a $10-million renovation and expansion of its Mediterranean-style clubhouse. The expansion and interior remodeling, which will include the addition of a red clay tile roof with broad eaves, arched openings and iron railings, is aimed at recapturing the character of the original building. The project was designed by Los Angeles architect Scott Johnson of Johnson Fain Partners.

Annika Sorenstam said it would take a miracle for her to win the Office Depot Hosted by Amy Alcott Saturday at Wilshire Country Club, but when Sorenstam is involved, miracles seem to follow closely. Sorenstam erased a 10-stroke deficit against second-round leader Pat Hurst when she shot six-under-par 66 in the final round, then won the tournament by defeating Mi Hyun Kim in a one-hole playoff.

Many of the students are grandfathers, but school is in session today and their undivided attention is essential. Honors will go to fast learners. Only a handful among the SBC Senior Classic field of 78 have played the Valencia Country Club course in Santa Clarita, the new venue for a tournament held the last six years at Wilshire Country Club. Even fewer can recall anything about it.

As the Nissan Open and Riviera Country Club became synonymous over the last 20 years, most of the players in this week's field are probably unaware that 10 other golf courses have hosted the event formerly known as the Los Angeles Open. Besides 39 appearances at Riviera since the tournament's inception in 1926, the event has been played at familiar public courses, exclusive private clubs and three layouts that no longer exist.

A look at upcoming tournaments in the region or major events involving top regional players: SEPTEMBER * 12-13: Couples Classic, Crystalaire Country Club, Llano. * 14: U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying, Bernardo Heights Country Club, San Diego. * 14-16: SCPGA Section Championship, Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage. * 14-17: TearDrop Tour event, La Purisima Golf Club, Lompoc. * 16-17: SCGA 4-Ball Net Championship, Palm Valley Country Club, Palm Desert. * 17: U.S.

* What: 73rd Nissan Open. * Where: Valencia Country Club; 6,967 yards, par 71. * When: Today through Sunday. * Prize money: $2.1 million, $378,000 to the winner. * Television: 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Today and Friday, USA Network; noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Channel 2; 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Channel 2. * Defending champion: Nick Faldo (66-70-68-68 272) by three shots over Craig Stadler.

A look at upcoming tournaments in the region or major events involving top regional players: SEPTEMBER * 12-13: Couples Classic, Crystalaire Country Club, Llano. * 14: U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying, Bernardo Heights Country Club, San Diego. * 14-16: SCPGA Section Championship, Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage. * 14-17: TearDrop Tour event, La Purisima Golf Club, Lompoc. * 16-17: SCGA 4-Ball Net Championship, Palm Valley Country Club, Palm Desert. * 17: U.S.

Randy Harvey, in his column of Sept. 29, stated, "I don't have any more golf circled on my calendar until the Nov. 28-29 Skins Game at Rancho La Quinta." I was sorry to see that he doesn't think that the Ralphs Senior Classic at Wilshire Country Club, which benefits the Centinela Healthcare Foundation, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, is worth circling on his calendar. JOHN K. BUSCH, Los Angeles

SPECTATOR SPORTS / FRIDAY 4 * GOLF: Ralphs Senior Classic at Wilshire Country Club, 8:30 a.m. * HOCKEY: New York Islanders at Kings, 7:30 p.m. * HORSE RACING: Thoroughbreds, Oak Tree meeting, Santa Anita, 1 p.m.; quarter horses, Los Alamitos, 7:15 p.m. * MEN'S COLLEGE SOCCER: Cal State Fullerton at UC Irvine, 7 p.m. * WOMEN'S COLLEGE SOCCER: California at USC, noon * TENNIS: U.S. Tennis Assn. women's challenger, Newport Beach Marriott and Tennis Club, 10 a.m.