1951-1953 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF THE MGCC
by Letty Stapp Watt
The Miami Daily News Record is not available from August 1950--fall of 1953. I am confident the floods and the Korean War had something to do with this. Golf being a world wide sport cannot be written without references to the times and places of the events.
1951
By Letty Stapp Watt
 |
| Rosemary Harvey, standing Left, two seated women, AvonNell Williams, first lady standing next to the seated women. Thank you so much to Carolyn Harvey Monroe for sharing this photograph. I think the photographer is facing the Southeast over what will become the putting green. This appears to be #1, as the Cedar Trees originally defined various tee boxes. |
Carolyn writes of her memories: I have many memories of the club, but one specifically was the Pat Chestnut wedding in 1952. My mother and Mrs. Chestnut did the decorations for the receptions--no wedding planners in those day. It was quite an event. We lived at 205 A. N.W. I believe that house has been torn down to make a parking lot for the Methodist Church. That home was originally owned by the Coleman family. Charley Harvey purchased the house from them, probably about 1925. Charley's father, Charles Milton Harvey, Sr. was one of the "Big 4" in Commerce Mining and Royalty Company.
1952
During the years of 1952--54 Ben Hogan came to Miami to purchase cattle from George Coleman. Ben often came to the golf course during those visits and hit shag ball on west side of the pool area. Bob Hill and James Taylor both recall seeing Ben practicing.
James recalls that Ernie (Warner) shagged for Ben Hogan during those visits. Ernie may have the only full time caddy who worked at the club during this time. When we moved there in 1954 Ernie worked a few more years. He always treated me with kindness, a smile, and a good word. He smoked heavily and was shoulder bent, as they used to say. I would guess that he was a veteran like so many of the men my dad befriended and hired over the decades of his life.
(This is one of best early Oklahoma golf history stories I have been able to locate. Readers will recognize some of these names from my earlier posts. The Miami Country club, along with George Coleman, Jr., John F. Robinson, and other golfers played a major role in the early Oklahoma PGA.)
1952 April 13 Ardmore, The Daily Oklahoman "State Will Add Golf Milestone" by Wilbur Johnson
The $15,000 Ardmore Open, bringing big time professional golf back to Oklahoma after seven years, recalls the "good old day's of knickers and spade mashies. The June 5-8 tourney at Dornick Hills Country club is heralded as the beginning of a new era for golf in the state. Stars will gather at the historic southern Oklahoma course to provide another milestone in the state's golf history.
Many golf enthusiasts probably don't realize that Oklahoma was the training ground for some of the game's best players (author's note: who played at the Rockdale/Miami Country club). The vaulted into prominence after appearances in the four Oklahoma City Open tournaments held from 1925--1929.
Horton Smith, a gangling kid from Joplin, Mo, launched his brilliant career in the Opens here. Now as President of the Professional Golfer's associations, he still makes several tournament appearance each year. (Ed Dudley, Miami Country club's first pro, has gone to be President of the Professional Golfers association during the war years, as well as Head Professional at Augusta National followed by the Broadmore Country club in Colorado Springs.)
After the depression the golf bugs in Oklahoma City blossomed with a prize attractions--the 1935 National PGA tourney at Twin Hills. Two years later the first and only Oklahoma City Four ball Invitational tournament was played at the Oklahoma City Golf an Country club. Both of these events were considered successful even though rain, col and wind brought miserable conditions.
The 1937 Invitational was the last of the major tournaments until 1945 when Tulsa gave the game a shot in the arm with a $10,000 tournament at Southern hills sponsored by a group calling themselves "Tulsa Golfers for the War Wounded." It was a financial success, some tickets selling for as high as two for $100.
The 1926 Oklahoma City Open toured old Lakeside course off Western avenue. Strong winds during the November classic blew pants off the line and sent scores mounting. Al Espinosa of Chicago carried off first place prize money of $1000 shooting 79-74 for 153. Willard Hutchinson of Ponca City took second place money of $250. Ed Dudley, who had just taken over as the pro at the Oklahoma City Country club was third. Oklahoman's who picked up $100 were Clarence Clark of Tulsa, and Jack Guild of Miami.
The 1927 Open saw a sparkling demonstration by"Lighthorse" Harry Cooper who shot round of 72-69 at Lakeside and the following day at the Country club 74-68 for a 283 first place. Smith, then 19, finished third behind Espinosa. The winners bested such stars as Gene Sarazen, Ray Mangrum, and Ky Laffoon. (My father played against Sarazen, Mangrum, Snead, Revolta, Ralph Guldahl, and Zell Eaton between the years of 1946--1959.)
The 1928 Open brought out a new champion--the 20-year-old putter Smith. Overcoming November winds and rain the "Joplin Ghost" nosed out Ed Dudley by a stroke 268-269. Smith's victory was due in large part to a hole-in-one on the 119 yard No. 2 at the Country club on the final round.
The Open prize money was increased to $5,000 in 1929 and the scene shifted to the new Nichols Hills course, now the Country club. Craig Wood won with a score of 298 over Tommy Armour, the venerable Scot from Edinburgh, and Dick Grout, then pro at Okmulgee who tied for second.
With rain pouring down, Wood pitched his third shot neatly over a sandtrap 18 inches from the hole. He tapped the ball into the water-filled cup for his par, the championship and $1,200. Weather plagued the event but thousands flocked the fairways to watch their favorites. Other famous professional who played in the Open were Walter Hagen, Johnny Revolta, Lawson Little, Paul Runyan, Dick Metz, Ralph Guldahl, and Zell Eaton, hometown boy (who moved to California after the war and competed against my father.)
Back to Ardmore, the best of today's tournament travelers will be here to protect the laurels they have cornered with their deadly assault on par. Their glory, however, will be reflected in the fortitude and exploits of their predecessors--those who braved uncertainties to blaze the trail of tournament golf.
1953
Between August of 1950 and fall of 1953 Jack Guild, Golf Professional at the Miami Country Club resigns and moves to Shawnee, Oklahoma to become the pro at Shawnee Country Club. I could not find any information about hiring a new pro until my father is hired in spring of 1954. One source, Herman Childers, gave me the name of Miller who was acting pro during this time.
1953 October 11 mdnr "Ladies Golf Notes"
The Miami Women's Golf association concluded their low medalist tournament for the year with honors going to Mrs. Jack Horner. (Club Champion)
The low gross winners in last Wednesday's play were: championship, Mrs. J. R. Organ; flight A, Mrs. Joe Ramsey, flight B, Mrs. Hance Van Beber.
Next week a partnership low net tourney will be held on Wednesday at the Miami Country club. Pairings are as follows:
Mrs. Al Spaulding, Mrs. G.W. McCollum, Mrs. Tom Cordell and Mrs. Hance Van Beber. Mrs. William Oliver, Mrs. S.A. Powrie, Mrs. Elmer Jarrett, and Mrs. Charles Harvey. Mrs. Claud Jones, Miss JoAnn Taylor, Mrs. Woodrow Painter and Mrs. Harold Ramey. Mrs. Stan Moldander, Mrs. Dick Wright, Mrs. Spencer Dawson, and Mrs. Jack Horner. Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. Lee Adkinson, Mrs. Robert Temple and Mrs. Arch Fisher. Mrs. Vernon Sapp, Mrs. Rex Graham, Mrs. Don Jones, and Mrs. Rex Painter. Mrs. Wayman Jackson, Mrs. Kelso Berentz, Mrs. O.E. Westfall and Mrs. Gib Reynolds.
**Note: Mrs. G.W. McCollum, whose name appears regularly in the Ladies Notes from 1947--early 1950's is the mother of Roger McCollum. Roger writes this about his mother: Yes
that is my mother, Henrietta (aka Henri to her friends/family). She
was very active in the Women’s Club plus the Club’s bridge group. My
dad, Glen, was a dentist in Miami, but was not much of a golfer (read
for fun only!). With emails flying right now between Emery,
Gibson, Temple & myself (we all were in the same HS class &
junior golfers), I’ve come up with some recollections; 1 specifically
about your dad. I will email them later.
"Family Night"
The Miami Country club has slated a family night for Wednesday with dinner being served at 6:30.
1953 October 11 mdnr "Babe's Golf Game Sharp"
Babe Didrikson Zaharias, whose sports career was feared at an end six months ago when she underwent an operation for cancer, is recovering perfectly and will return to golf on a full-time basis.
The famous woman athlete is in Fort Worth to play in the Texas Women's Open, of which she is defending champion, and it will be the only tournament for her until next year. The Babe now weighs 160 pounds, but is dieting and will cut down to 145. "I feel wonderful and I am playing well," she said, "The only trouble is that I get tired on the back nine of a round."
In January she will make the woman's golf tour starting at Tampa, Florida, where she lives and owns a golf course.
1953 October 12 mdnr "Free Dinner for Top Golfers Here"
Some lucky golfers will get free dinners at the Miami Country club next Tuesday night. Teams captained by Dick Wright and Bert Wall will play matches Tuesday afternoon, beginning at 2:30 o'clock. The winners will receive their dinners at the stag even in the clubhouse that night at the expense of the losers.
1953 November 1 mdnr "Ladies Golf Notes"
Members of the Miami Women's Golf association will hold a flag tournament Wednesday a the the Miami club. Pairings will be made at the tee.
Mrs. J.R. Organ took championship honors in last week's rounds on the fairways. Mrs. O.R. Westfall won class A while Mrs. G.W. McCollum copped class B laurels. Low scores for October: Mrs. J.R. Organ, a 44; Mrs. Bert Wall, 45; Mrs. Floyd Newton, 46, and Mrs. Woodrow Painter, 48.
1953 November 2 mdnr "Mantle Undergoes Knife Today"
Springfield, Mo. Mickey Mantle awaited the operation on his knee today with hopes that he could be out of the hospital by Friday. The New York Yankee center-fielder wants to see his twin brothers, Ray and Roy, play football for the Commerce High School Friday night.
But Dr. Dan Yancey has his doubts. He thinks Mantle will be in the hospital for a week or 10 days. Mantle who re-injured the right knee in which he pulled a cartilage in the 1951 World Series, finished the 1953 season wearing a brace on the leg. Mantle asked Dr. Yancey if he would be given a local anesthetic so he could watch the operation, scheduled in about an hour. But the physician said Mickey would be given a general anesthetic.
(I could not resist sharing this colorful description of a football player.)
"Gritty Jack Ging"
Plucky little Jack Ging, Oklahoma's buggy whip halfback whose grit and devotion to football make him seem nine feet tall and 75 pounds heavier to Saturday opponents, has made good on a promise, when he pledged through pain-paled lips, "Ill be back out there in three weeks. You just watch. My shoulder's going to knit. I heal fast." Saturday in Manhattan, Kansas, four weeks to the day of his shoulder separation in the Pitt game, he was playing against Kansas State as fiercely as ever.
1953 November 22 mdnr "Ladies Golf Notes"
Last Wednesday's play on the Miami Country club golf course ended outings for the Women's Golf association for this year.
Annual ringer prizes were awarded three feminine clubbers in the championship class. Mrs. Claud Jones, Mrs. Jack Horner, and Mrs. J.R. Organ received the honors. Class A prize went to Mrs. Rex Painter, class B went to Mrs. Elmer Jarrett, and class C to Mrs. Hance VanBeber.
The November ringer winners were: Mrs. Jr.R. Organ, championship; Mrs. G.W. McCullum, Class A; Mrs. Dick Wright, Class B, and Mrs. Stanley Molander, class C.
Mrs. J.R. Organ copped first place honors in last week's play for low net, followed by Mrs. Jack Horner in second place.
Ottawa Country thrived even with the floods and the Korean War. The Airport News read more like Facebook socially. Reports were given weekly of peoples flying in and out of the airport with description of the planes they were flying and destinations. That is how I caught up with comings and goings of George Coleman, Jr. and his family.
For example: 1953 October 11
The big football game in Dallas Saturday drew several from Miami. Flying down were Wayne Pack and family in a Cessna 176; and George Coleman, his daughter Ann; and Mr. and Mrs. Sam Fullerton, Jr., in Coleman's Beech Bonanza.
Airport personal, Nelson Malocsay took Elmer Isern to Kansas City in a Cessna 180. Dr. Glenn Cosby flew to Bartlesville in a Cessna 140..... (This would make a great research project for someone.)
Movies regaled us with action, love, and comedy. Home appliances were busting through the market along with boxed television
sets, which often needed repairs.
 |
| Bob Wills' brother. |
First National U.S. Broadcast: 1953 World Championship
It took until 1953 before any golf tournament was broadcast nationally in the United States. That tournament was the World Championship of Golf (sometimes referred to as the Tam O'Shanter World Championship).
The event was played just outside Chicago and televised for one hour per day by the ABC Network
* The book Miami Forever in our Hearts is available for purchase if you click on the blue link.
** If you are interested in pictures of Miami in the 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's consider purchasing one of Ron Enderland's Hand Drawn Miami, Ok. Calendars. 2022 Historic Miami, Ok. Calendar
