This was the country club when my parents moved to Miami in 1954. From this point until about 1975, I vividly recall names, events, funny stories only, and secrets the club will never share. This building and all who passed through it in those years impacted my life and that of my sister, Jonya. We would not be the strong determined women we are now, if it weren't for the community around us, and I would not be able to tell the stories that I've shared about the club over these last 45 years as a professional storyteller. Thank you Miami for the memories.
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| Miami Country club appearance in the 1950's, swimming pool is behind the trees on the far right. On the left the No. 9/18 green would be facing the cedar trees and clubhouse. |
GOLF LESSONS by Johnie Stapp
Personal story by James Taylor: I recall Johnie teaching me how to hit down on an iron shot. This happened in the mid-1950's when I was 14 on the practice range left of No 9/18 fairway from the players perspective. I used to caddy for Johnie and he would comment on my golf game periodically. I was hitting 5 irons and he was trying to get me to hit down on the golf ball, and I was continually hitting it on the upswing. After 20 minutes or so, Johnie popped me with the butt end of a club he was holding and said in an elevated voice, "Hit down on the ball." He moved the ball back on my right foot and I hit down on it for the first time. It flew like a shot out to the dust laden range and when it hit a puff of dust shot up and he said, "Now that's backspin." I never forgot that and all of my golfing life I hit irons better than any other club and relatively very well to other players. Johnie refined my golf swing from 1954-59 and helped me to develop a good swing, one that drew compliments from Labron Harris Sr and Jr., the golf coach at OSU and his son, a National Amateur Champion. I just wish he had worked on my putting as I never could putt worth a nickel.
1956 April 20 "Country Club Golf Team Plays Independence"
A 10-man team from the Miami Country club will journey to Independence, Kas, Sunday to play a golf team from the Independence club. Representing Miami will be Johnie Stapp (former Professional at the Independence Country club), Jack Myers, Bill Neel, Bob W., Dick Lowry, Bob Temple, Dr. W.D. Jackson, G.R. White, Jess Fronterhouse and Charles Trussler.
Named alternates for the match were Walter Williams, Jim Nowlin, Harry Dean, Rex Painter, George Beck, Jack Buzzard, Spencer Dawson, Howard Owens, and Jack Doan.
1956 April 23 "Independence Golfers Clip Miami Team"
The host Independence Country club golfers turned on Miami Country club's 10-man team to grab a 29-16 dual-match victory on Sunday. Scores soared on the cool, overcast day with only Miami professional touring in the layout in less than par. Stapp who wasn't entirely a stranger to the course, shot a one-under 71.
The feature match, which parred Stapp and Jack Myers against Dave Dennis and Independence pro Marshall Smith, ended in a dead heat with each team getting six and a half points.
The Independence golfers will play in Miami at a future date.
1956 April 23 "Stengel Crying, Says Mickey Hits the Ball Too Far"
1956 May 3 "Instruction for Young Golfers Slated Here"
Club pro, Johnie Stapp, said all children of club members interested in learning more about golf are invited to participate in the free sessions beginning Saturday at 10:30 o'clock. Instructions will be given in both boys and girls sunder 18 years of age.
In other club news, Stapp said cards have been mailed to men club members concerning formation of teams for the summer Twi-Light league. The league was introduced here last year and Stapp said he expects a large field this season. Four-man teams play different foes each week. The league has been set up to give club members a chance to become better acquainted.
1956 May 3 "Miami Golfer Tied for Lead in State Meet"
Larry Parker, a junior in Miami high school, and Johnnie Jacobson Midwest City, shot 69's at the Green Hills course in OC Wednesday to grab the lead in sand green competition in the state high school golf tournament.
1956 May 4 MDNR (Oklahoma City special) "Miami Golf Squad Snares All Honors in State Meet"
Miami High School's four-man golf team put on a brilliant performance and carried off all the honors in the state high school golf tournament completed here. Dick Lowry, Miami senior, battled teammate Larry Parker all the way before nabbing the individual championship. Parker had led through the first 36 holes in the meet before Lowry rallied on the final 36 to take the crown by five strokes.
Lowry had a 54 hole total of 213. Parker, a junior, tied with Sid Terry of Edmond, for second play with 218. Lowry and Parker and teammates James Emery and Phillip Temple also won the team title. The Miami squad beast out U.S. Grant of O.C, for the four-ball crown.
The two-ball championship also went to Miami with Lowry and Parker nosing out the No.1 and No.2 men of the Midwest City team. In all, the Miami Wardogs crew brought home two trophies and several medals. The team is coached by Delbert Wolf. Matches were played on the Green Hills Sand Greens layout.
Miami high school's foursome golf team Thursday became the second school group to take a state title this year. The other state champions were the high school's driving team.
Personal story from James Taylor: Larry Parker and his older brother Dick both worked in the pro shop. I knew Larry well and he and I were playing together when I almost made my first hole-in-one, on old #3 a 150 yard par 3 over water and through trees. I had a terrible duck hook and was 13 years old. I aimed 45 degrees to the right and hit it solid. It hit in the cup and bounced out to 1 foot. I missed my putt and Larry never let me forget.
Personal story from Bob Hill, Jr:
1955-56 won the HS State Championship on sand greens. Bill Smith (High School coach) signed us up to play sand greens because he knew we couldn’t compete on grass greens. We practiced on the sand greens courses in S.E. Kansas.
One time our high school team of Emery, Temple, Hill, D. Neel play in OKC. We stayed at the Schirvin Hotel. Somehow we managed to lose the car keys. We were leading the tournament by four strokes but were DQ, disqualified, because we didn’t show up in time to tee off.
1956 May 7 "Country club Golfers Trip Independence Team, 29-16"
A 29-16 victory for the Miami Country Club golf-team here Sunday left the Miamians deadlocked with the Independence, Kas, golf team in their home-and-home series.
Two weeks ago the Kansans bested Miami by and identical 29-16 score on the Independence course. Miami professional Johnie Stapp and Jack Myers teamed to take eight points in a contest against Marshall Smith (Quapaw native) and Dave Dennis (former Kansas amateur champion).
Once again Stapp turned in the best score among the 30 golfers, a one-under par 71. His effort was good for three points. Smith who hails from Quapaw fired a 73, his teammate shot a 75. The only other golfer in the 70's was Dr. W.D. Jackson.
1956 May 6 "Junior Golfers"
If you are 70 and older and played golf in the 1950's you might be in this picture.
1956 June 10 "Bob Hill Leads Young Qualifiers"
Bob Hill fired a 42-37--79 to lead the qualifiers here Friday who were shooting for berths in the state Junior Chamber of Commerce golf tourney. Joining Hill will be Dickie Neel who shot an 84, Parker carded an 85 and Temple an 88. Young Hill's score is creditable for the tough Miami Country club course. The competitors were not allowed to improve their "lie" in any manner.
Both Parker and Temple were members of the Miami High school team this year which won first place in the state sand greens tournament at Oklahoma City.
Young Neal will be a sophomore this year and is being counted upon to help keep the local golf team among the best in the state. Parker, with 33 putts, won a putting contest. Temple was winner of the a driving contest. Hill was awarded a trophy for his low-qualifying score. Other prizes included: Neal, gift certificate from B&K Men's store; Parker, sports shirt from Penney's, and Temple, sports shirt from The Hub. Parker also won three golf balls from Barkett's Sport Shop and Temple received a sports shirt from Milliner-Berkey's. Each entrant in the qualifier was given a golf ball from the Coca-Cola company, co-sponsored by the local Jaycees.
"Ladies Golf Notes"
Members of the Miami Women's Golf Assn will hold competition for low putts in their regular play day at the Country club on Wednesday.Winners of the May Ringer competition were Mrs. Spencer Dawson, 37 in championship flight; Mrs. Bob Temple, 41, class A; Mrs. Burt Hollerbach, 45, class B; and Mrs. Chester Blair, 48, class C.
Pairings this week are as follows:
Mrs. Don Young, Mrs. Spencer Dawson, Mrs. Howard Owens, Mrs. Jack Horner.
Mrs. Floyd Newton, Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. James Moore, Mrs. Bob Temple.
Mrs. H.H. Hollenbach, Mrs. Joe Ramsay, Mrs. John Reese, Mrs. Hank Garwood.
Mrs. George Murphy, Mrs. Corbin Shouse, Mrs. Jim Smallwood, Mrs. Vernon Sapp.
Mrs. Joe Thompson, Mrs. Woodrow Painter, Mrs. Ed Badger, Mrs. Oral Westfahl.
Mrs. Glenn McCollum, Mrs. Sam Fullerton, Mrs. Walter Patterson, Mrs. Lillian White.
Mrs. Bill Oliver, Mrs. Bob Nunn, Mrs. Kelso Berentz, Mrs. Frank Hansford.
Mrs. Wayman Jackson, Mrs. William Whatley, Mrs. Earl Gaines, Jr., Mrs. Dick Wright.
Mrs. Lee Adkison, Mrs. Chester Blair, Mrs. Orville Dahl, Mr.s Hance VanBeber.
Mrs. Lois Cowles, Mildred Gibson, Mrs. Charles Harvey, Jr., Mrs. George Russell.
Mrs. Lou Newell, Mrs. Tom Smith, Mrs. Don Johnson, Pauline Dykes.
Mrs. Bob Kreihagen, Mrs. Sam Brown, Mrs. Jim Nowlin.
Mrs. David Ray, Mrs. Alec Sharpe, Mrs. Glen Stripling.
1956 July 1 "Harris Wins Junior Golf Crown"
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| Mike Wilson and Bob Hill |
James Harris, smooth-stroking golfer from Stillwater, nabbed championship honors and Miami had two titlists in the Oklahoma Jr. Golf tournament completed here Friday. Harris, 17-year-old son of Stillwater professional and Aggie golf coach, Labron Harris, carded a 4 and 3 victory in the championship finals over Wallace tucker of McAlester.
Miami's winners were Bob Hill, C flight kingpin, and Mike Wilson, D flight champion. Hill had to go an extra hole in his finals match before besting Bristow's Gerld Schmidt, 1 up. Wilson nipped Tulsa's Forney Hutchinson, 1-up when Hutchinson missed an 18-inch putt on the 18th hole.
1956 July 1 "Tourney Sidelights: Joy of Victory, Losers' Heartbreak"
Much of the interest of spectators in the Oklahoma Jr. Golf meet here was centered in the play of the tiny golfers in the Pee-Wee flight. The week golfers took the game with all of the seriousness of professional competitors and joy at winning and heartbreak of losing were extreme.
Little David Warwick of Nowata chipped in from off the green on the 18th hole to win a semifinals match. His leap of joy may have set some sort of high-jump record. On the other side of the fence, a youngster from Tulsa lost his match on the 16th green. All the heartbroken, disappointed lad could do was slump on a bench and let the tears flow.
Even in losses like that, however, the value of such competition stands out. Many a young competitor will learn to take the discouragement of losing just as stolidly as he takes the joy of winning. ***
Competitors, spectators and just casual visitors at the Miami Country club last week all were highly pleases with the condition of the Miami course. Thanks to Johnie Stapp, club pro, and his maintenance crew--and big thanks to some rainy weather which has produced fine growing conditions--the greens and fairways are "slick as glass." One club members remarked it had been several years since he had seen the course in such fine shape.
Continued hard work will be necessary to maintain the local course in its present condition. Nearly 100 golfers completed last Sunday in an inner-city match, the 73 contestants in the junior tournament gave the links quite a beating and another big golfing day in upcoming with the Fourth of July near.
When it somes to passing out bouquets, however, Marion Askew, professional from the Oaks Golf and Country club in Tulsa, rates one of the biggest: Askew brought 13 boys to the tourney, watched over them every minutes and anxiously followed their progress throughout the meet.
The Tulsa pro commented that he work with youngsters a lot but complained about not being able to spend as much time with them as he would like. It was evident, by watching the Tulsa boys, that Askew is no "square."
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| OKLAHOMA TIRE AND SUPPLY , JUNE 1956 *Note, at this time the Miami Daily News Record ran from 10-43 pages depending on advertisements for groceries. |
**PERSONAL NOTE 8/6/22
A young man named Richard Goodwin shared his story about these clubs: In 1958 or 1959 my mother took me to Otasco after I saw the add for the Wilson clubs shown in this blog. I had saved 50 Silver Dollars that my Great Grandfather had given me since I was born. I played golf with those clubs for years. Sadly, I misplaced them in a move somewhere...I never felt bad for spending the 50 Silver Dollars because I got so much joy from the clubs.
1956 June, July, August
This is the swimming pool in about 1955--59 with the Haralson family sitting on the edge (Thank you George Haralson for sharing this family photo.) Please notice that there is no fence around the pool, and no filtration tanks. These would all go in later, and the fence has several of it's own stories to tell. This photo would have been taken from the outside steps leading up to the screened in porches that lined the north and East side of the building. In the top right hand corner would be tee box hole #1, the building in the background was used as the caddy shack. The road led to the house where the greens-keeper lived.
Personal Stories:
During the summers, Bob Hill, recalls childhood memories of the practice putting green past midnight on some nights.(The lights were added in 1955, as an improvement to the golf course. It was also cooler in the evening for practice, not to mention fun antics by children and adults.) It cost a quarter to put in the light switch for one hour of light on the green. So often our parents were in the clubhouse till it closed, so kids, boys and girls, imitated their folks carrying cokes out to the practice green, sitting them down by the green, then putting for challenges that each one set up.
**At some point as the summer passed it seems as though there were women in high heels walking on the putting green at night. I'm quite sure a drink was in hand. My father eventually put out a sign that read "No HIGH HEELS allowed on the putting greens."
Those were the same kids who often went swimming in the pool after the club closed, where there was no gate around the pool. Of course, they were skinny dipping. Eventually, the club put a fence around the pool and lock on the gate to keep the kids out, but as Mary VanBeber explained it was really some of the adults who went skinny dipping and drinking past midnight on those hot summer nights. The kids (Phyllis Proper, Patty Lou Gibson, Bob Hill, Joe Thompson and ?), however, were blamed for the police calls.
1956 August 16 "Women Golfers form League"
Not to be outdone by the Men's Twilight golf League, the women of Miami Country club have formed what they are calling the Sunrise league. The women will hit the links bright and early each Friday morning in an eight team league designed to help "beat the heat." The first Sunrise event will be held Friday and Pro Johnie Stapp said there will be four players to each team and that different players will meet each week.
Stapp also said a new women's course record was set over the nine-hole Mcc course layout when Mrs. Bert Wall (Hattie) carded even par 38. Mrs. Wall, playing in a three-some with Barbara Shouse and Pat Horner, went bogey on the sixth hole and carded a birdie on number five to card the record total.
**Some of the top women golfers in the country, including Patty Berg and Betty McKennon have failed to equal Mrs. Wall's score. Later in the '60's and 70's my sister and I also tied the course record with Hattie. All walled trophies, of course, burned in the fire.
1956 September 9 "First Annual Miami Golf Invitational"
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| Frances Clayton (Joplin), Jackie Myers, John F. Robinson, Hal DeLongy (Joplin) |
*I believe this annual invitational continued with the help and guidance of Norma Lou Jackson (Mrs. W.D. Jackson) until the 1990's. Please help me out if you know more about this wildly popular tournament that brought in Payne Stewart's father and a large number of top amateur golfers throughout the four-state area.
Jack Myers, top Miami amateur, fired a blazing 3 under par 69 Saturday to take the first round lead in the first annual Miami Country club Invitational golf tournament. Myers' par busting output netted him a two-stroke advantage over his nearest rival John Robinson, also of the host club. Robinson carded a one-under-par 71. Trailing the leaders were two Missouri golfers, Ken Childers of Webb City and Hal Delogny of Joplin with three over pars 75's.
Tournament officials have extended an open invitation to area golf fans to watch the play and added that there would be no gallery charge. A total of 50 golfers from Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri registered for the two-day 36-hole affair which offers $450 in prizes, two prizes will be awarded in each of the four flights.
Pairings for the second round:
9:00 Bud May, Dee Tourtelot, Harold Childres, Ken Tredway.
9:30 Lee Adkinson, Dave Todd, Jr., Harry Whitaker, Jack Brown.
10:00 Hal Delongy, G.r. White, Jess Fronterhouse, Dr. W.D. Jackson.
10:10 Bill Hirsch, Lloyd Cowgill, Bob Sims, Claude Jones.
10:20 Lewis Jolley, John Burford, Bob Kock, Howard Owens.
1030 J.D. Hill, Al White, Dr. Harry Ford, Joe Whipple.
10:40 Hank Garwood, Charles Kenny, E.A. Richardson, Charles Carselowey
10:50 Pat Campbell, Dee Patrick, Ralph Warwick, R. McDonald.
11:00 P.J. Stevenson, Ken Richards, Charles Trussler, George Beck.
11:10 J.C. Taylor, Max Peacock, Dick Wright, Rex Painter.
11:20 Woody Painter, Kelso Berentz, Bill Neel, Howard Lambdin.
11:30 Sonny Peacock, Dick Wilson, Joe Thompson, Walter Williams.
11:40 Buck Bagby, Bill Davis, Jim Moore.
11:50 Dave Todd, Sr., G. L. Meyers, F. C. Clayton.
12:00 Jack Myers, John Robinson, Ken Childers.
2:00 Don Orell, G. Lentz (Please notice the accommodations made for men going to church or work on weekends, at this time period.)
"Deadline Announced for Tourney Entries"
Next Sunday is the deadline for entering the fall handicap golf tournament at the Miami Country club, Dick Wright announced. Details for the annual autumn feature, including plans for a Calcutta sidelight, will be worked out at a stag night dinner. Tuesday at the club, Dinner will be served at 6:30 o'clock in the clubhouse.
"Ladies Golf Notes"
Winners of this week's ladies golf play were announced. The weekly event was for low putts and Mrs. Glenn McCollum was declared the winner.
1956 September 10 "Myers Captures MCC Invitational"
Miami's Jack Myers cooled off somewhat Sunday but still fired an even par 72 over the nine-hole Miami Country club course to take top honors n the club's fist annual invitational golf tourney. Myers coupled his even par round Sunday with a torrid three under par 69 Saturday to finish six strokes ahead of his nearest rival, Hal Delogny of Joplin. Robinson, after shooting a 71 in the Saturday r0und, lost control of his game Sunday and was forced to settle for 37-44=81. Childers, who shot a 75 on Saturday, also ran into trouble in the Sunday round and was forced to card a 38-37=75.
Winners of the four flights were: Championship flight: Myers; Delogny, runner-up; Class A: Kelso Berentz, Walter Williams runner-up; Class B J. L. Tredway, Joplin, Ray Wammick, runner-up; Class C Joe Whipple, Springfield, Dave Todd, Jr. Nevada, runner-up.
1956 October 31 "Patty Berg Exhibition and Clinic"
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| Dave Marsh, Wilson rep, Mickey Mantle, Patty Berg, Johnie Stapp |
One of the top women golfers in the United States will be in Miami Thursday for what may be one of the finest golf clinics ever presented in Miami.
Miss Patty Berg will arrive in Miami this evening. She faces a full afternoon of clinics and golfing tomorrow. Miss Berg's famous clinic will get underway at 1 p.m. at the Miami Country club and that following the clinic she will play a nine-hole exhibition match with Jack Myers, Mickey Mantle, and either one of the club's better woman golfers or club pro Johnie Stapp.
**In my notes from Charlie Dawson, class of 1963, Florence Dawson, his mother and wife of Spencer Dawson was selected to play in the foursome. One of Charlie's fondest memories of living in Miami was that day, as he caddied for his mother.
Miss Berg is labeled "the epitome of all a great champion should be" and is called the dean of women's golf.
Patty holds some of golf's greatest honors among which includes the women's world 18 hole record of 64 established in 1952 in the Richmond Open; she is the three-time winner of the Associated Press Woman Athlete of the Year award; six-time winner of the Titleholders, and the only woman golfer to be leading money winner and Vare Trophy winner in the same year.
For more than 15 years Patty has toured the nation for Wilson Sporting Goods giving clinics and exhibitions. Patty's travel averages out to more than 50,000 miles per year. She will stay in the Hotel Miami.
*Women pros at this time traveled in caravans across the country driving from tournament to tournament.
1956 November 9 "Youngsters Share Birthdays"
Terry Ford, son of Dr. and Mrs. Harry Ford, 210 B st Southwest, and Bobby Paine, son of Mrs. Elizabeth Pains, Virginia Apartments, will share birthday honors from 2:00--4:00 Saturday at the Miami Country club.
Thanksgiving and birthday motifs will combine to lend a festive air to the refreshment table which will center at large cake. Four candles will be lighted for Terry and four for Bobby. Ice cream and pop will also be served. The mothers will take moving pictures of the youngsters.
The guest list includes K.C. Kelly, Ruth Wills, Ricky Adams, Bobby Wilson, Ricky Wright, Chuck Chestnut, Bobby Graham, and Kirk Francis.
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