My interest in this history is sincere and simple. My father, Johnie F. Stapp, became the PGA head pro at Miami Golf and Country Club in the spring 1954. I was six years old and already playing golf. Now at age 73 I find as much passion and fun in the game as I did in the 1950's. Because of my parents, I have a great deal of love and respect for the game of golf and its history from Scotland to the wind swept prairies of the plains state. My plan is to preserve that history and some of those stories.
1914 -- 1929
The Miami News Record first announced the future for a county club in Miami on May 1, 1914. The headlines read "Golf Club in Process of Formation: Must Have Forty Members: Figuring on Palmer 60 Acres; Club House: Amid Shades on Tar Creek."
...Already eighteen members have joined and the ministers of the city are to be admitted to membership without charge. Sixty acres are to be included in the grounds, and a nine hole course will be mapped out on the Harley Palmer tract between here and Hattenville on the macadam road, about two and a half miles north of this city is the site wanted. If this is procured the clubhouse will stand back on Tar Creek on a natural site, in the midst of a fine cluster of shade trees, and on a promontory that will catch the breezes...
Following are well-known persons who have joined as members: M.R. Tidwell, B.L. Geddes, O.C. Hadley, W.L McWilliams, R.R. Heath, John C. Linton, Victor Rokowsky, E.C. Mabon, Lon J. Newton, R. Clark, W.O. Cardin, George Bomford, F.E. Millner, Theo W. Kitchen, W.H. Trapp, R.J. Tuthill, H.A. McWilliams, and Nat F. Wright.
*The following notes on the club came from members of the Miami community and Jane Mabon Osborn, whose father was a founding member of the country club. The County club was eventually organized by the Miami Reality Mining Company, and George L. Coleman, Because of Coleman's investments in the lead and zinc mines of NE Oklahoma, in the early 1900's George L. Coleman became a very wealthy man. He wanted to put Miami, Oklahoma on the map as a place to visit. He and his wife traveled a great deal and realized that golf was a new up-and-coming game, and he wanted to make sure his son, George Jr. had the opportunity to learn how to play and to learn from the best. The original four holes were built so George could learn the game of golf.
A small wood-framed clubhouse was built near this time.
**** This link will take you a story that I wrote from my personal blog called "Literally Letty." Miami Memories: Rockdale CC
1921
Ed Dudley was hired as the first Professional Golf Instructor in 1921.
When the course was built about 1916 it only had four holes.
Hole #1 a par 4 faced the west with a target that lay in the SW corner of the lot. It did not have grass or sand greens, merely a target for each hole.
Hole #2 a short par 4 faced NE following the creeks and trees on the left side of the fairway with the target approximately where hole #3 green lay on the south side of the creek (a tributary to Tar Creek) when the course became nine holes in 1936.
Hole #3 faced the east, crossing a runoff to the creek, and continuing up the hill (like old #4 of the original nine holes).
Hole #4 then reversed and headed back to the clubhouse building, again crossing the narrow creek.
1921 October 25 Professional golf players of three states will play for a purse of $150 in Miami tomorrow starting at 9:30am when Eddie Garre of Joplin, Joe Collins of Tulsa with play Ed Dudley the local pro at Rockdale Country Club, and William Garre of Parsons. The latter is a brother of the Oak Hill profession, Eddie Garre. (Joplin News Herald)
1922 May 5, Joplin News Herald Fifty-one students, the largest graduating class in the history of the Miami high school, will begin commencement week Sunday night, May 14, when the Rev. Arthur J. Haldy, pastor of the Friends church, will deliver the baccalaureate sermon at the Christian church.
Saturday will be a field day, contests between the various classes of the school will be staged at the Rockdale Country club. An exhibit of work done during the year by the domestic science class will be held Tuesday afternoon. Thursday night, Dr. Stranton D. Brooks, President of the University of Oklahoma, will deliver the commencement address. School will close Friday, May 19.
1922 October 25 Joplin News Herald Dewy Longworth, Oak Hill professional will play Harry Robb, professional at Milburn County club in Kansas City. The match will be played over 36 holes. A purse of $100 is offered the winner by the local club. Longworth's game is going nicely now. Yesterday, he played in a foursome with Ed Dudley, professional of the Rockdale Country club. Longworth shot a 35 and a 36, and ran off from Dudley.
1923 Ed Dudley and several members designed and added five holes to the existing four. Sand greens were added at this time. (1958 article by Wally Wallace).
1923 May 23 Joplin Herald Members of the Joplin Municipal Golf Association this morning made preparations for entertaining the golf team of the Rockdale Country club of Miami, Oklahoma. The sixteen players of the two teams with a few guests will have lunch at noon in the Japanese room of the Connor hotel. The visiting players will use special accommodations at the Young Men's Christian Association. A room with lockers and showers has been provided.
The inter-club match will start at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon at the municipal links, each pair of players starting with five minute intervals between them.
1923 June, 14 Joplin Herald
C.O. Anderson, crack player of the Rockdale club at Miami, got into the championship class in the state amateur tournament at the Milburn club, Kansas City. He holds a membership in the Swope Park course in KC, and therefor is eligible to the Missouri tourney. His qualifying score yesterday was 81.
1923 July 23 JOPLIN NEWS HERALD Upsets occurred yesterday in both Tri-state inter-club matches. Oak Hill was scheduled to win from Rockdale at Miami, but took a defeat for the first time since organization of the golf association two years ago.
1923 Note: It was quite common in these early decades of golf for the local players to raise "purse" money for exhibition golf. The Joplin Herald (June 14, 1923) reports a purse is now being raised among Joplin golfers to put up as prize money for a special exhibition match between Ted and Dewey Longworth, who are to meet Bill Creavey and Johnny Madden, the latter two of Kansas City. Creavey is a professional of the Hillcrest CC and is rated the best playing pro in the city. Madden is a pro at the Community club. He finished well in the Oklahoma State Open recently held in Tulsa. If the purse has not be raised by late this afternoon, the subscribed money will be refunded.
1923-24 John Gavin
became the golf professional (info from a later news source)
1924 April 11 G. L. Coleman elected President of Rockdale CC by the seven directors: Ed Millner, Ross R Bayless, J.A. Robinson, A.C. Wallace, L.A. Thompson and R.W. Skinner.
Rockdale CC will become a member of the state golf association, which will give all members of the local club the right to play on the course of any other club in the state, which is a member of the association without having to pay a green fee.
The first tournament of the Tri-State assoc. in which the Rockdale players will be entered will be held at Pittsburg, Kas. May 4. A championship tournament will be held in Miami Sept. 23-27.
1924 April 15 MNR Russel Hawk, with a golf score of 72 on Monday equaled the local course record for eighteen holes, held by Ed Dudley, former golf professional here and Carl Anderson, district champion. Hawk's score was Out--443-435-345 for a 35. In--334-445-346 for a 37 total to 72.
1924 Ed Dudley, former pro from Rockdale CC is now the head pro at Oak Hill in Joplin from 1924-25. He replaced Dewey Longworth. (Oak Hill will later be known as Twin Hills in Joplin, Mo.)
1924 September 9 Miami's only entry in the Tri-State Golf Association tournament at Rockdale CC, C.O. Anderson is eliminated. Anderson got off to a poor start but rallied and was 1 down later in the match. However, he could not overcome the Oak Hill kind and dropped the match and his chance for retaining the title.
1924 September 17 MNR Members of the Rockdale Country club enjoyed a family picnic Tuesday evening in the club rooms. a delicious luncheon was served. Messrs and Mesdames Lon Newton and Moody R Tidwell acting as hosts and hostesses for the evening The members and families represented were: Messrs and Mesdames George Coleman, Ray McNaughton, L.W Thompson, Wesley Smith, Fred Newton, Ross Bayless, Frederick H. Gartung, Sam Kenoyer, R. G. Cunningham, Oscar Hadley, Olaf Baker, H. D. Skelton, Johnson D. Reed, and Mary Trapp.
 |
| 1920's vintage Forrest Hills Woods, irons are Chromium, *Photo shared by Richard Goodwin. |
1924 September 18 In order to lure large numbers of men and women golfers to the Tri-State Tournament at Rockdale CC, president George L. Coleman expects an elaborate reception and grand prizes for the players. A dinner and dance are planned on successive nights. Extra men have been employed to round the course into fine shape. The tournament begins Tuesday and ends Friday. (Joplin News Harold 24.9.18)
1924 October 12 Golfers were helping charities in the early beginnings of golf. A contribution of $150 has been made to George Coleman, president of the Rockdale CC, by Victor Rakowsky, Joplin Mining man, and has been turned over to Miami Baptist hospital. The donation represents the proceeds of the golfer's auction held during the Tri-State Golf tournament last month. In his letter to Mr. Coleman, Mr. Rakowsky stated that he hoped the total would be larger next year.
1925 March 12 Forbes Thornton Golf Professional (MNR)
Forbes Thornton arrived from Scotland to become Rockdale’s pro at the now 9 hole course.Thornton a native of Scotland will report April 1. The new golf "pro" came to America in May 1923, after having been a professional on the Gullane courses in Scotland. He was employed y the Monoosnock Country Club in Massachusetts his first year in America. Mr. Thorton is a first class golf instructor and also has experience in laying out courses and making clubs. He is 26 years old.
(I cannot locate the information on how long Thornton stayed in Miami. My next notes show that in January 1926 Ky Laffoon, youngest pro ever becomes pro at his home course of Rockdale Country Club.)
1925 June 14 Ed Dudley from Joplin, Mo, former golf professional from Miami and Bartlesville wins the Oklahoma State Open Golf Championship in Tulsa. Dudley was considered the darkest of dark horses, and today won the 36 hole championship with a gross score of 151.
1925 September 18 MNR Cartoon of the times:
1925 September 18 MNR Labor Day, September 8, has been designated as the date for the golf tournament at Rockdale Country club, in which every active member of the club is expected to take part.The committee expects that at least 100 Miami golfers will participate. Twenty-four prizes for the event will be donated by Miami merchants. A loving cup will be the prize in the championship flight. To obtain permanent possession of this cup, a golfer will have to win it three years in succession.
A team of 14 golfers from the Hillcrest Country club at Vinita will come to Miami today to engage in a tournament with a team of the Rockdale Country club. Play begins on the links at 1:30 this afternoon.
Ed Dudley, golf professional from Joplin and formerly from Miami, has been selected by the Missouri Professional Golfers as the state representative because of his fine showing in the Western Open Tournament held recently at Youngstown, Ohio.
1926 January 18 (Joplin News Herald)
Rockdale Country Club hired Ky Laffoon as the new head pro. Ky Laffoon is now pro where he learned to play golf. The news reports that he’s been engaged for another year as head pro at Rockdale CC. *Ky Laffoon took lessons from Ed Dudley and became a touring pro, calling Miami home. He became a very well-known and colorful touring pro from the 1920-1950’s.
 | ||
| Ky Laffoon club courtesy of Richard Goodwin | | |
John F. Robinson, Jr. and I both remember him vividly from the 1950’s
when he came to play golf with Dad, John Robinson Sr., Jackie Meyers, and other outstanding local golfers. This is when money
exchanged hands at the drop of a shot. Ky drove a large gold tone Cadillac and
his pet Chihuahua traveled with him at all times, even on the golf course. He was a tall man who wore large golf shoes.
1926 January 14 H.D. Skelton is the new President of Rockdale Club. A.C. Wallace VP, F.D. Pelsue, Secretary and Treasurer. Directors are George Mathews, G.L. Coleman, C.M Harvey, Jr. and M.R. Floyd.
1926 August 15 A tilt between members of the Rockdale CC and the Baxter Springs Country club will be held at the local links today. The competition will be the first of a series which will be held on the Rockdale links this fall. Several of the neighboring golf clubs will be challenged and a great deal of interest is expected to result. The tournament will be held on Sunday afternoons, enabling business men to participate.
1926 August 23 Golfers of the Rockdale Country club scored another victory when they walked away with a win over Vinita with a score of 52 to 14 on the local greens. The Vinita greensmen played good golf, but the local team had a little trouble in defeating the visitors. Rockdale golfers will play against the Columbus, Kansas team there next week.
1926 October 31 Women to Play in Golf Tournament. This is the first recognition that I have found of women now playing golf regularly at Rockdale Country club.
A women's match play tournament will be played today and run for three weeks. There are 74 women players in the various class.
Championship: Myra Shannon, Mrs. Russell Hawk, Mrs. Fred Gartung, Mrs. George Beck, Mrs. T.H. Thompson, Miss Winifred Locke, Mrs. Olaf Baker, and Mrs. Fred Newton.
Class A:Mrs. John Robinson, Mrs. Floyd Myers, Mrs. Wesley Smith, Mrs. F.D. Pelsue, Mrs. Vern Thompson, Mrs. M.R. Floyd, Mrs. Tidwell, Mrs. Herbert Keiser.
Class B-F women golfers at Rockdale Country club.
1927 November 3 The
"Kinks 'O The Links" in the Joplin News Herald states that Ky Laffoon,
Oak Hill pro, is matched with Joe Kirkwood, famous trick shot maker, for
an exhibition round, which will be played over the Rockdale Country
Club on November 9. Laffoon is given a good chance to win the match
because he grew up on that course and is a top-notched golfer. An
exhibition of fancy shot-making and a period of golf instruction will be
given by Kirkwood.
1928 Jack Gullane wins the Oklahoma PGA Championship at Rockdale Country Club, Miami, Ok. (Sand Greens)
1928 May 6 A short note reads that a 'putting contest' will be held for members of the Rockdale club at 5:00 Tuesday, in conjunction with a ladies day program. Prizes will be awarded according to Glen Scott, tournament chairman.
1928 July 25 New clubhouse to be built. As a result of an enthusiastic membership meeting and smoker at Rockdale CC Tuesday night, plan were put under way for the erection of a new building. The board is authorized to sell $20,000 bonds and increase membership to 150.
1928 August 19 Forty men qualify to play in match play tournament. The prize for low qualifying score was won by Melvin Hutts with a 74 for eighteen holes. Trophies for all flights have been donated by business men of Miami.
1928 August 26 "Two Local Golf Stars Defeated" Two former club champions were eliminated in the first round of the Rockdale CC golf tournament when C.A. Douthat of Quapaw defeated Russell Hawk, and Glen Scott defeated L.T. Sheldon. Other matches were played late yesterday. R.P. (Kelly) Spencer lost to H.D. Skelton in probably the tightest match that went 19 holes.
1928 November 18 "Rockdale Club District Being Transformed." The Better Homes company, a group of local investors, is improving the residence section, lying between Tar creek and the country club golf course. Lots will be for sale.
Interest in the Rockdale addition as residence property has been stimulated greatly by the announcement that the club itself is planning a new $25,000 clubhouse. Officers of the club declared that they hoped to have the country club function more in the nature of a social center than as golf exclusively.
The Better Homes company is working on a street system at the present. Beginning at the Tar creek bridge, the main boulevard will be a double traffic-way for six blocks. well past the home of Dr. General Pinnell, and then will converge to one drive and continue around to the left until it describes a circle and joins the boulevard again immediately west of the G. L. Coleman residence. The improvement company plans to beautify the 150-foot strip of land between the double drive, making it a beautiful park of flowers and shrubbery and possibly a lake.
All thoroughfares in the district have been named for the former presidents of the United States with the exception of one running straight north and south, near the center of the improved area, which has been designated Elm street.
ribbons, neckties or other loose accessories that will blow up and get in the way of your shots.
Here is Miss Patricia Dub, herself: She has addressed the ball, lined up the pin and is right at the top of her back swing when her scarf blows out, and gets tangled around the stick and her arms. She stops the shot. She pulls the scarf back; sticks it under her arm; grabs the stick again, and tries her shot over. This time she is about half way up with the club when the ribbon belt she is wearing pops up and gets tangled with the scarf, leading to her hitting the turf a foot back of the ball. In the meantime, the foursome back of her are waiting to shoot.
By all means stick to the simple comfortable golf or sport cloths and sensible shoes. One pair of high heel shoes will ruin the greens on any golf course in a very few minutes. They are barred from all golf courses.
1929 April. The vision of George L. Coleman created more than a golf course in Miami, Oklahoma. His vision to bring the world to Miami encompassed the arts, the education of children and the health and well-being of the community. This is a clip of his vision:
George L. Coleman, Sr. A wealthy lead and zinc mining magnate in Northeast Oklahoma, Coleman loved movies and vaudeville. He decided that Miami needed a true movie palace and so the built the Coleman Theatre at a cost of $600,000 which opened in April of 1929. It is now insured for over $6 million and thanks to the generosity of the Coleman heirs belongs to the City of Miami and its citizens. The Coleman Theatre, after restoration and renovation, has become the center of cultural activities in Miami and the heart of downtown rejuvenation. It is a very active and living legacy in honor of George L. Coleman, Sr.
 |
| The Coleman Theatre link |
1929 Clarence Clark of Tulsa wins the Oklahoma PGA Championship at Rockdale Country Club in Miami, Oklahoma.
1929 New Rockdale Country Club, incorporated.
1929, December 1. The Rockdale Country club opened its doors to a Gala Christmas event. Over 200 members and guest dined in the new building. (Centennial calendar)
1929 November 22
A throng of sorrowing citizens meets funeral train and bereaved family--pubic may view body at Home from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday--Cities of Picher and Commerce join Miami in evidences of respect.
At rest in that eternal sleep which overtakes us all, the body of James. F. Robinson came home today from Denver, Colorado, where his earthly career came peacefully to an end last Wednesday morning.
Escorted by a group of intimate friends, the sorrow-stricken family in loving custody of his remains arrived at the Frisco railroad station at 3:50 o'clock this afternoon. Long before the time scheduled for the arrival of the train, a great crowd of relatives and friends were massed about the railroad station and in automobiles in long lines along the thoroughfare leading to the depot.
A selection of twelve men who will act as pallbearers in the burial was made this morning. They are as follows: George L. Coleman, Charles M.Harvey, Sr., A.Scott Thompson, Charles J. Fribley, Joe R. Willard, and W.E. Johnson; active--R.J. Tuthill, George Stein, H. B. Harrison, Fred A. Gartung, John Newton and Ray McNaughton.
In a proclamation by the mayor, all business in Miami will close on Saturday from 1 to 4 o'clock. The city of Picher will observe a general suspension of business between 2 and 3 o'clock on Saturday. Businesses will be suspended in Commerce between the hours of 2 and 4 o'clock in respect of Mr. Robinson.
The Commerce resolution reads:
"Whereas, the Great Ruler of the Universe in His infinite wisdom has seen fit to take from our midst our honored friend and citizen, James F. Robinson, and,
Whereas, Mr. Robinson was truly beloved by the citizens of this community, who deeply mourn his departure and feel an overwhelming sense of loss in the death of such a devoted husband and father, loyal friend and true Christian, as well as one of the greatest forces in promoting the welfare and up-building of our community."
*In later notices about James F. Robinson it is noted over and over his love of God and community. "Brother Robinson was great in the service he rendered. Wealth was created by the touch of his genius. Towns and cities sprang up because of his service. He has had more to do perhaps than any living man with the development of the church life in Miami. He has given largely of his means to all of the churches of this community. It was by his efforts that the Miami Baptist hospital was erected at the cost of more than $150,000. The Nuyoka Indian School and Orphanage near Okmulgee was largely supported by his generosity. The Southwestern Theological Baptist seminary at Ft. Worth, Texas has received substantial support from this great servant of God. "
*For further information on golf or Miami, Oklahoma please click on the link to my personal blog Literally Letty .
*This is a work in progress outline. For the purpose of this blog TIMELINES are being used to collect and share archival information. As these timeline becomes near completion stories will appear in single blogs. My sources have been the Archives of the Miami New Record, Miami Daily News Record, Joplin Globe, Joplin News Herald, "Golf in the Ozarks" by Monte McNew, "The Story of Golf in Oklahoma" by Del Lemon.
Your work is outstanding. Thanks for your effort. What a great service you are providing.Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you Doug for reading and sharing your thoughts with me. Our history is colorful and to think it happened while we were busy being teenagers who could have cared less. I recently found an article about Tarzan, the 13th in a line of Tarzan's from the circus days, who came to Miami to pick up his Newell Coach in April of 1968. How fascinating.
ReplyDelete