1950 TIMELINE AND STORIES

 1950 TIMELINE AND STORIES

By Letty Stapp Watt

 

Jack Guild, polishing the clubs.

 

1950 January 1 mdnr  "Stockholders Meeting"

The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Miami Country Club of Miami, Oklahoma, for the election of two directors and the transaction of other business that may come before the meeting will be held at the clubhouse on January 10, 1950 between the hours of 6 and 10 p.m.

signed, M.C. Bagby, President

1950 January 25 mdnr  "In Miami, Local News Briefs"

Clay Potts, director of short courses and supervisor of dining rooms at Oklahoma A &M college at Stillwater, has returned after a visit in Miami during which he directed the barbecuing of food for 350 people at the Fullerton banquet at Miami Country club Sunday. Potts has been featured in a magazine of national circulation as the "Barbecue King." Recently in Colorado he supervised a barbecue for 10,000 people.

1950 February 19 mdnr  "Commerce Star" 

Mickey Mantle, 1950

The New York Yankees appear to have a "comer" in Mickey Mantle, who at 18 will enter his second year of professional baseball this spring. With whom the former Commerce high school athlete will be playing is not definitely known as diamond fever starts settling in. Mickey made the first team in a post-season all-star balloting last year after hitting .314 with Independence's pennant playoffs winners. The agile shortstop has considerable power at the plate and attracted lots of attention at a Yankee baseball school in Phoenix, Arizona earlier this year. 

1950 February 20 mdnr "Thoughts for the Week"  

**Note: I am including this as a reference to how the times have changed. 

"Thoughts of the Week"

Monday 

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations--I Peter 1:6

Every temptation is an opportunity to get nearer to God. J.Q. Adams

**There are two thoughts listed for each day of the week. This is the first I have seen of this column.  

1950 March 30  mdnr  "Miami Schools"

Floyd Thompson of Okemah, director of secondary education in the Northeast Oklahoma area has made visits to each classroom in the Miami schools this week. Thompson reported finding Miami schools superior in all respects, from administration to janitor services he said. He added that each department was above average.  

***

"Outstanding Boss Selected"

Miami bosses were special guests of the Junior Chamber of Commerce last night. At the first "Bosses Night," which the Jaycees plan to stage annually. Walter E. Head, manager of the Miami BF Goodrich company pant, was introduced as the "outstanding boss of the year." 

1950 April 2 mdnr "Hog Varsity Golfers Beat Vikings Here"

The Northeaster A&M golf team was blanked by the strong Arkansas university varsity Saturday afternoon on the Miami Country club course. All four Arkansas golfers shot in the 70's with Randy Warner, the No. 3 man, carding the lowest total of 75.

Max Peacock led the Miamian totally 80 over the course. 

Friday, the Norsemen golfers were beaten by the Joplin junior college squad, 9 1/2 --2 1/2 points on the Schifferdecker layout in Joplin. 

Following are the scores in the two matches with Miami players named first:

Miami vs. Arkansas

Dale Smith, 81 J. Mosley,77
Max Peacock, 80  M. Marks,78
Thomas Witte, 83, Randy Warner, 75
Wayne Mason, 84, J. Eisermann, 77

Miami vs. Joplin

Dale Smith, 79, Jim Thomas, 74                                                            Max Peacock, 77 Fritz Kauffman, 79                                                      Thomas Witte, 89, Dick Shaw, 76                                                          Wayne Mason, 98, Dale Hawkins 91.                                                                 

1950 April 5 mdnr  "Young Ed Johnson Wins Florida Golf Title"

Eddie Johnson, a former Miami high school athlete, added another trophy to his collection recently when he captured the Florida state high school golfing championship.

Johnson, who lived in Miami until two years ago, had already bagged the Georgia high school championship in 1949 and his victories this year rate him as one of the better young golfers in the south. 

He is the grandson of Mrs. Carl Pulford, 219 D southwest, Miami, and is a nephew of Ky Laffoon, a prominent member of the professional golf fraternity for years. Eddie's parents are Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Johnson of Tallahassee, Florida. 

1950 April 9 "Women Golfers"

The Women's Golf association met Wednesday for a luncheon at the Miami Country club. Those present were: Mrs. Henry Garwood, Mrs. Bob Hughes, Mrs. Harry Ford, Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. Floyd Myers, Mrs. Bus Williams, Mrs. Frank Pauly, Mrs. Jack Horner, Mrs. Gib Reynolds, Miss Susan Stansell and Miss JoAnn Taylor.

1950 April 16 mdnr  "Golf in the Air" 

Even before spring arrives officially, Jack Guild, Country club pro, begins to polish the clubs. The likeable 50-year-old bachelor has been with the club 12 years. During that time he has witnessed development of the local course into one of the finest nine-hole layouts in this part of the country. 

This is the best editing I can do on this old photo. Since the carrying of the golf clubs and old cart showed up, along with the club in the background, I decided to add it to the story.

 

The attractive foursome turned to the fairways last week to absorb some spring weather. All members of the Women's Golf association at the Country club, they are, from left to right--JoAnn Taylor, Mrs. Bob Hughes, Billye Ann Green, and Susan Stansell.

 ***

Promotion of the Northeastern Oklahoma recreation area has been given a boost through the arrival of 75,000 Grand-Spavinaw lake maps. The maps, which depict the high points of interest in the sporting territory, are published jointly by the Chamber of Commerce and the Northeastern Oklahoma Lakes association. Besides Miami, included in the NOLA are Afton, Disney, Jay, Pryor, Tulsa, Bernice, Fairland, Ketchum, Spavinaw, Wyandotte, Cleora, Grove, Langley, and Vinita. 

***

"Miami Census"

Will the census records show that Miami has doubled it population in the last decade? That was the $64 million dollar question going around here Saturday while Uncle Sam's nose counters entered the final lap in the 1950 business and residential tabulation.

Jack C. Brown, Miami attorney and district census supervisor for Ottawa and six other counties, said Saturday he'll probably break the big news late next week immediately following completion of the census in Miami.

1950 May 8 mdnr "Stag Night"

A regular Stag night meeting will be held at the Miami Country club Tuesday evening. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.  All members are urged to attend. 

1950 May 19 mdnr  "Country club Women Meet"

At a Wednesday luncheon of the Women's Golf association at the Miami country club, prizes on blind holes were awarded to Mrs. Floyd Newton, championship class; Mrs. Frank Pauly, class A; Mrs. Richard Wright, class B; and Mrs. Elmer Gaines, class C.

Those present for the luncheon were: Mrs. Frank Pauly, Mrs. Harry Ford, Mrs. G.W. McCollum, Miss Susan Stansell, Mrs. Richard Wright, Mrs. Wallace Dunn, Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. Jack Galloway, Mrs. Claud Jones, Mrs. John E. King, Mrs. Floyd Newton, Mrs. Jack Horner, Miss JoAn Taylor, Mrs. Gib Reynolds, Mrs. Robert Temple, and Mrs. Elmer Gaines.

1950 May 28  mdnr "Holiday Tourney"

A mixed foursome golf tournament will be held at the Miami Country club on Decoration day, Tuesday, beginning at 1:30 p.m.

All members have been asked to register their names with Jack Guild at the club house either Sunday or Monday. Pairings will be announced Tuesday morning. 

The match originally scheduled between the Miami and Pittsburg clubs for June 4 has been postponed until June 11.

 

 

1950 June 5  "Letters from the PGA Championship Office"  

While my father was the pro at Independence, Kansas Country Club he qualified for the 1950 PGA held in Columbus, Ohio.  These are copies of his original letters from the PGA. This little piece of history is quite captivating. 

Please note the signature of Horton Smith, who was an outstanding amateur and professional from Joplin, Missouri.

1950 June 23 mdnr "Women Golfers"

The Women's Golf association of the Miami Country club met Wednesday noon for a luncheon at the clubhouse. Those attending were: Mrs. Elmer Gaines, Mrs. Bus Williams, Mrs. Jack Galloway, Mrs. Frank Pauly, Mrs. Richard Wright, Mrs. Bill Blackwell, Miss JoAnn Taylor, Mrs. D.E. McIntire, Mrs. G.W. McCollum, Mrs. Rex Graham, Mrs. Dee WAtters, Mrs. Henry Garwood, Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. Floyd Newton, Mrs. John King, Mrs. Claud Jones, Mrs. Wallace Dunn, Mrs. Gib Reynolds, Mrs. Harry Ford, and Mrs. Robert Temple. 

Prizes for last week's low gross were won by Mrs. Floyd Newton, championship; Miss JoAnn Taylor, class A; Mrs. Frank Pauly, class B; and Mrs. Bill Blackwell, class C.

***

"Junior Group" night at Miami Country club will be observed Friday from 7:30 until 10 pm. Folk dancing and other entertainment will be furnished. 

1950 June 30 mdnr  "Mixed Foursomes"

Jack Guild, Miami Country club pro, announced today that mixed foursomes will be played Sunday at the club course. Play will start at 1 o'clock. Pairings will be made Saturday and published in Sunday's New-Record.

1950 July 2 mdnr  "Pairings Made for Local Golf Play"

Miami Country club Pro Jack Guild announced Saturday that pairings for today's mixed foursomes, originally slated to be made yesterday, will be paired this morning at the country club.

Members may learn the pairings by contacting Guild. He said that an 18-hole flag tournament with handicap has been scheduled for the Fourth of July. Members may play in the tourney any time during the day. 

In the low-ball Calcutta tournament, Charles F. Lewis carded a low gross score of 70 strokes for top honors, while Jess Fronterhouse and Walter Williams, Jr, tied for low net honors with 67. 

Winners in the play were: Dr. R. Baron and Jack C. Brown, with a 56 net score; Bill Jones and Noel Wyatt, 60 net; Dr. R.E. Baron and W.C. Bullock, 60 net; Jack Myers and Max Peacock, 60; Charles F. Lewis and Claude Jones, 61; Charles F. Lewis and George Beck, 61; Charles F. Lewis and Jack James 62; and Jack Guild and Rex Painter, 62. 

1950 July 5 mdnr  "Notes  from Your Town"  

The area of his left hip painfully, though not seriously seared, when eight fuses went off in his pocket at Miami Country club last night, Charley Trussler, 23 C st. Southeast, was sittin' carefully if not pretty today. 

The injury, which cost Charley a pair of almost new trousers, occurred while he was setting off fireworks display for the club members and their families. According to Charley, he had just touched off a "motor rocket" when sparks flew into his pocket and set off the fuses he was keeping handy there. His wallet also was seared but no currency was destroyed--he wasn't carrying any, he said.

1950 July 6 mdnr  "Dunn Wins Golf Tourney" 

Results of the Miami Country club Fourth of July golf flag tournament were released yesterday by club pro, Jack Guild. 

In the tourney Wally Dunn won first place honors with a 74 minus 10 stroke handicap for a 64 net. Second place was won by W.L. Williams, with a 78 minus 12 for net 66, while M.K. Hutts came in third with an 81-12, 69 net. Others with 69 nets, were Dale Mabon, 96-27, and Harry Dean, 87-18. Deadlocked with 70 nets were M.W. Hall, 94-24, Jack C. Brown 55-15, G.R. White, Jr., 80-10 and M.C. Bagby, 80-10. 

Guild also announced the winners of the mixed foursomes tourney held last Sunday. Low net honors went to Mrs. Claud Jones and C.F. Lewis, Jr., with a 40-11, 29 low net, while Mrs. Frank Pauly and Glenn Scott carded second low net of 46-15, 31. Low gross cards were turned in by Joann Taylor and Jack Meyers with a 40, while Mrs. George Anderson and C.E. Trussler had second low gross with 44. 

All prizes for the winners may be picked up at the golf shop.

In other Sunday links action C.F. Lewis, Jr., aced the No. 3 hole. Using a No. 6 iron Lewis made his hole-in-one on the 150-yard drive while playing with Dee Watters, Max Peacock and Phillip Peacock, Jr.

1950 July 23  mdnr "The Grist"   -- Mickey Mantle

The answer to the New York Yankee's pennant prayers is stuck deep in Joplin, Missouri--and his name is Mickey Mantle. Who sez, you say?

Well, these words come from no less an authority than ol' Casey Stengel himself. And he ought to know, for he's the guy whose managing the Yanks in their pennant climb.

Stengel is really sold on the Commerce flash, now going like a house afire for the Miners in the class C Western association, according to a recent news release. 

"I've seen great baseball prospects in my lifetime," Stengel said, "but no one to compare with this kid Mickey Mantle at Joplin I saw this Mantle at the Yankees in Phoenix winter camp and he really made my eyes pop."

The Yank mentor was sold all the way around on Mickey, who performed so superbly for Commerce on the athletic field. Stengel likes his hustle, his size and especially gets a gleam in his eye when Mickey's prodigious batting feats were mentioned, the report said. Right now the husky Miner shortstop is hitting a robust .391 leading the league in runs batted in, triples, and total bases. 

And Stengel would love to have him up there now. But if Mickey was the parcut Yanks he'd play on third, Stengel said, for "with his natural ability, he'd go good anywhere." 

But Casey isn't planning on getting him for awhile, because of the Yankees system of leaving a youngster in the minors for a few years. Stengel doesn't go along with that theory--that a player must serve a long apprenticeship in the minors before he is ready to play in the bi time. He thinks that if a kid's good enough and ready, bring him up. 

 

1950 July 30 mdnr "Golfers to Oppose Pittsburg"

A golf match between the Miami Country club and the Pittsburg Country club will be played this afternoon on the local links. club pro Jack Guild announced. 

Matches between the two squads, each composed of 20 players will start at 1 o'clock. Members who played in a previous meet at Pittsburg, won by the Kansas golfers were requested to sign up for the match this morning at the golf shop. 

 

 

1950 August 4 mdnr   "Mixed Tourney Set"

It will be  mixed foursomes at the Miami Country club Sunday afternoon, club pro Jack Guild announced today.  Pairings for the tourney will be decided Sunday. Any local golfers interested in playing need to call the golf shop.

**NOTE:  There are no copies of the Miami Daily News Record available from August through December 1950.

 

 

* 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