1957 TIMELINE AND STORIES of the Miami Country Club by Letty Stapp Watt

 1957 Spring

Coached by Bill Smith on the left and Johnie Stapp on the right, the Wardog foursome from left, includes James Emery, Larry Parker, Phil Temple, and Bob Hill. In the foreground is the trophy won by the Wardogs at the Bristow Invitational tourney on Tuesday.

Spring 1957  "Wardog Golfers to Contend for State Diadem in O.C."

Oklahoma City next stop: Coach Bill Smith, left and Johnie Stapp, right, Miami country club golf pro, are working with Miami Wardog golfers preparing for the state schoolboy tournament in Oklahoma City Wednesday and Thursday. The Wardog foursome from left, includes James Emery, Larry Parker, Phil Temple, and Bob Hill. In the foreground is the trophy won by the Wardogs at the Bristow Invitational tourney on Tuesday. 

In preparation for the tournament Wardog golfers will participate in an 18 hole practice in Midwest City.

UPDATE--FOLLOW UP:

Bob Hill shares the rest of the story: In the 1957 State High School Championship our MHS golf team was in a good position after the first round to win another Championship. When we left the hotel to go to the golf course the next morning, the lady at the parking lot lost our car keys. She looked everywhere and we took that little building apart trying to find them with no luck.

We thought of all of our options and the last one was to call a locksmith. While we waited  for that to happen Coach Smith called the course to see if they would change our tee times, bu they refused. When we finally go to the course we learned that because we missed our tee times we were disqualified. It was just an unhappy adventure for all concerned. 

1957 March 3 "Women Golfers Schedule First Club Gathering"

 The long winter layoff from golfing will end Wednesday morning for members of the Women's Golf Assn at the Miami Country club. Mrs. Faye Berentz, President, announced the women will meet for coffee and rolls to discuss the spring and summer golfing program. 

Johnie Stapp, club pro, will explain the free clinic which he will conduct on Wednesdays. Mrs. Berentz said new and aspiring members will be welcomed. 

1957 April 11  "Miami Golfers Win at Joplin" 

Miami High school War Dogs defeated Joplin 12-6 in a match at Twin Hills Country club. James Emery, Miami, was medalist with an 84. Other members of the War Dog squad are Bob Hill, Pat Temple, Larry Parker, Steve Hollerbach, and Mike Wilson. 

1957 April 14  "Pairings Given for Club Play"

Last week's winners in golfing action among the women at the Miami Country club included:

Championship flight: Mrs. Robert Temple; class A, Mrs. George Murphy; class B, Mrs. Hance VanBeber; class C, Mrs. Ruth Heyburn.

Johnie Stapp, Pro and M.C. Bagby Club President

1957 May 1 "Country Club Set to Resume Golf Program"

Mcc golfing events that were cancelled during April's rainy weather will be rescheduled for May and June, according to Johnie Stapp, golf pro.

May 17 has been set for beginning of play in the Twilight League (on Tuesdays), with competition in the circuit due to continue for the next 16-18 weeks. Eighteen teams of four men each participated in the competition last year. We have found  this type of play provides the most democratic form of golf, said Stapp. "During the season's round-robin scheduled, men of the club will tour the local course at least once with most of the other members. This results in more golfing enjoyment.

1957 May 1 "War Dog Golfers in O.C. for State Tourney Action"

Sharpshooting golfers for MHS were in O.C. today for preliminary round in the annual state schoolboy tournament over Lincoln Park golf course. They wer to play 18 holes today and 36 Thursday. 

The War Dog foursome consists of James Emery, Larry Parker, Bob Hill, Philip Temple, Steve Hollerbach went along as a possible replacement.

Coach Bill Smith accompanied the team. Johnie Stapp, golf pro of the Miami Country club, plans to watch the local linksters during Thursday's final rounds. He has taken an active part in the development of golfing talent of local students. 

Smith and Stapp were with the War Dogs last week when they won the championship of the Bristow Invitation schoolboy tournament.

The Miamians won the state championship in the sand greens division last year. The are competing for the grass greens title this year. 

1957 May 1 "100 Teenage Golfers (Boys and Girls)  Play in State Tournament at O.C."

This year's high school tournament will host about 100 teenage golfers from 30 schools. The tournament is divided into three divisions and trophies are given in both grass and sand green competition. The boys opened with 18 holes and will follow with 36 holes Thursday, while the girls play nine holes' today, and will play 18 on Thursday.  

Enid returns the most experienced team. It is headed by Jim Wright, who lost to Jim Loy of Northwest in a sudden death playoff last year for the tate individual title. Enid won the state team title last year. 

The girls division also finds itself without a defending champ since Beth Stone, Muskogee, titlist for the last two years. Beth Stone went on to become a leading Ladies Professional Golfer is in the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame Beth Stone

 1957 May 10 "Hot Springs Leaders"

Johnie Stapp, Miami golf pro shot an 80 in Thursday's first rounds of the Arlington Open according to information received here.  

 

1957 May 10  "Miami Golfers in Matches Sunday"

Twenty or more golfers from the Miami Country club are expected to participate in matches at Independence Country club Sunday afternoon. Thirteen men have signed up the Independence rip, according to announcement this morning the local club officials. Other members wishing to play in the matches have until Saturday afternoon to register at the pro shop. 

Those who have signed are Bill Hirsch, Pat Campbell, Bill Neal, Bob Temple, Jim Nowlin, Charlie Trussler, bob Baron, Jess Fronterhouse, G.R. White, Clarence J. Carselowey, Dr. W.D. Jackson, G.R. Scott, and Neel Wyatt. 

1957 May 13 "Miami Golfers Divide Honors"

 Independence men defeated Miamian's 38 to 31. Miami juniors almost made a clean sweep of the matches making 12 1/2 points of a possible 13 points. The Miami boys were Dickie Neel, Bob Hills, Philip Temple, and Jim Taylor.

1957 June 11 "Johnie Stapp Among Leaders in Bartlesville Pro-Am"

An entry list of 150 shot qualifying rounds today preceding the opening of the 45th annual Oklahoma Amateur Golf Tournament. The tournament begins Wednesday with 18 holes of match play over the Hillcrest Country Club course.

Don Sechrest (future course designer) of Stillwater shot a five-under-par of 66 to win the pro-amateur, playing with Art Hall and Ed Henderson of Tulsa, won $85 first prize. Oklahoma City pro Jimmy Gauntt and Labron Harris of Oklahoma State University golf coach from Stillwater tied for second with 67 and $50 each. Johnie Stapp, Miami with a 68 finished third. 

1957 June 11  "Two Showings Slated for Golf Playoff Film"

Motion pictures of the Snead-Middlecoff playoff in the Phoenix Open golf tournament will be shown tonight and Wednesday at the Miami Country club. 

Tonight's showing will be for the stag night dinner beginning at 6:30. Members of the Women's Golf Assn will be the film at noon Wednesday in connection with their golf day luncheon. "Even if it is too rainy for our weekly golf competition Wednesday, the motion pictures of the tournament will be shown," said Mrs. Corbin Shouse, chairman of arrangements. The women's handicap tournament scheduled to been Tuesday, has been called off. 

 

1957 June 23 NY (UP)  "Mantle Replaces Ted"

Mickey Mantle of the Yankees replaced Ted Williams for the Rec Sox today as the nation's most popular choice for any position on the 1957 major league all-star team. Mantle, who led both leagues in batting with a .381 average and was tied with Hank Aaron of the Braves for the home run leadership at 19 at the conclusion of Friday night's games, has attracted a total of 50, 591 center field votes from the fans. 

1957 June 23 mdnr 

1957 June 30 mdnr "Women Golfers Play for Best 6"

The Best 6 play this Wednesday on the front nine will be the last for the local women before the Tri-State Women's golf tournament here July 11-12. Mrs. Bert Wall won the championship for low putts the past week. Mrs. Bob Temple was the winner in class A, Mrs. Woodrow Painter in class B, and Mrs. W. D. Jackson in class C. 

Katrina White a personal story:

My family, Hattie, Al and uncle G.R. White, were grateful to George Coleman for building such a beautiful golf course and clubhouse. Through the years the country club hosted Sunday dinners, Happy Hours, Class Reunions, and special events like our engagement party and Daddy's retirement from Miami Savings and Loan. We were so sad when it burned and later when the course was closed. Can't take away those memories! Sorry it was not able to thrive. 

Johnie and MGCC were so important to my entire family. My daddy,Al White, loved the game so. He and uncle G.R. taught me the game by sawing off a wooden putter, then playing holes 1 and 3 on the near side of the creek. I still have that putter and all the great memories. Gretchen and I played in the Jr. Golf League (photo above) where one of our mother's would walk the 9 holes with us, teaching the game and the etiquette of golf. They kept score, too. My mother, Hattie had been a P.E. teacher, and loved the game and shared that love with Al all of their lives. 

Playing in the swimming pool was a wonderful baby-sitter for our parents when they could slip away for a game of golf. Pure joy and such happy memories of a free, carefree childhood. It is heart-warming to see so many familiar names. It's Bill JOE Newman to me.

 

1957 June 30 "Bartlesville Golfers Play in Miami"

Golf teams of the Miami and Bartlesville country clubs will compete in matches today at the Miami club. A team of 28 Miami men lost at Bartlesville two weeks ago by score of 75 to 59.

Bridge games will be featured this afternoon for wives of the golfers. Mrs. Pat Campbell of Miami was high scorer in bridge at Bartlesville. (On a personal note, I might add Virginia Campbell was a powerful bridge player according to the articles I've read. Virginia was in mother's bridge club group and frequently won. Of course, I have vivid memories of walking into our home on H st Northeast and smelling cigarette smoke, peppermint candies, creme d'mint cookies, and nuts on the Tuesday's when my mother hosted bridge club. The smoke was so disgusting I swore I'd never smoke. Luckily, that was a smart decision for a grade school child to make.) 

Personal stories:

James Taylor has shared many stories of playing golf, caddying, and swimming at the MCC. Thank you James for your help and support. I greatly appreciate everyone who has shared.

During the summer of 1957 some of my friends and I would sneak into the swimming pool and swim at night buck naked. Dad was a member, and I didn't have to sneak in, but the pool was closed and none of my buddies fathers were members, so I snuck in with them to be with them. We were seen from the veranda and someone had complained to Johnie. One night when we snuck in, we were raising cane and I was diving off that little wooden board buck naked springing up and down when suddenly there was a snub nosed 32 in my ribs and a rough voice saying, "What are you doing here?" 

Scared me to death, when I finally gathered myself, I could see Johnie laughing and he told us to get. That's all it took and I never did that again. That is the only time I recall of anyone holding a gun on me, but I still think many of the country club women were disappointed when our swimming ended as we all were fairly physically fit. 

1957 July 3 "Women's Tri-State Golf Tourney Here July 10--12"

 Practice rounds may be held this Wednesday. Medal play competition for championship honors in six flights will be conducted Thursday and Friday, July 11,12. The 18-hole qualifying rounds on July 11 will determine the medalist and assignments to the six flights. Some 100 golfers from 20 or more Tri-State area clubs are expected, according to Mrs. Henry Garwood who is heading this year's event.

Miami Country club has hosted this event in 1941 and 1948. Extra events in the tournament next week include putting and driving contests. The Carrothers trophy, inaugurated in 1937, will be awarded to the team with the low grow score. The Miami trophy, established in 1948 by the men's division of the local country club, will be presented to the team with the low net score. 

 

1957 July 12 "Joan Thomas Medalist"

Mrs. Jim (Joan) Thomas of Webb City, Mo., winner of the women's golf championship for the Puerto Rican Isle in 1955, captured medalist honors Thursday afternoon in the Tri-State event by shooting 40-42, six strokes better than an competitor. (Thomas wins the title this year,) Mrs. Bert (Hattie) Wall and Mrs. Jack (Pat) Horner, the 1956 city champion, were the only other Miami entries to qualify for the championship flight. They had scores of 100 and 101, respectively.

While admiring the beauty and excellent condition of the Miami Country club course, most out-of-town entries agreed that it was one of the toughest, if not the most difficult golf layouts they ever encountered. 

1957 July 13  "Bartlesville Golfers Lose"

Miami golfers defeated a team from Bartlesville by a score of 45 to 39 Sunday afternoon at the local links course.  Jack Myers of Miami was the low scorer of the day, shooting an even par 72. John F. Robinson was next with a 73. Ed Hinds, with a 75, was low for the Bartlesville contestants.

1957 July 21 "Miami Youths to Play State Tourney"

Four Miami youths, Bob Hill, James Emery, Philip Temple and Dick Neel, will leave Monday for Duncan, where they will compete in the annual state junior golf tournament, Tuesday through Thursday. They will be accompanied by Johnie Stapp, professional of the Miami Country club.

The high school quartet earned the right to represent the Miami area in the state tournament when a junior meet was held June 25 at the Miami Country club under the sponsorship of the Miami Junior Chamber of Commerce, is co-operating with the Miami Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Hill won the top honors in that meet for the second year in a row. 

The Jaycees and Carl Hilliard, owner of the local Coca-Cola plant, are aiding in expenses of the local group to the tournament at Duncan. Darrell Kissee is furnishing the Ford Station wagon transporting the boys. 

1957 July 25 "Miami Entries Post Excellent Scores"

Miami's delegation made an excellent record in the first 18 holes of the state Jaycee teenage tournament at Duncan. In addition to finishing third from the top with a two-over-par 74, Bob Hill won the driving contest with pro-like distance of 241 yards. 

Johnie Stapp, Miami golf pro, who accompanied the local boys, reported that Dickie Neel shot a 77, Phil Temple 78, and James Emery, 81 in the first round. 

1957 September 22 "Mrs. Dawson is Tourney Winner"

Mrs. Spencer Dawson has added the championship of the Miami Women's Golf Assn, annual match play tournament to her list of golf honors this year. She defeated Mrs. Robert Temple, 6 and 5, in the championship round. She won over Mrs. O.R. Westfall in her first match and defeated Mrs. Joe Thompson in the semi-finals. 

Mrs. Kelso Berentz won over Mrs. Claud Jones, 5 and 4, for championship of A flight. In Thursday's B flight final match, Mrs. William L. Oliver defeated Mrs. W.D. Jackson, 3 and 2. 

1957 September 23 "Myers Captures Invitational Title"

Jack Myers won his second golf championship within a week by capturing the crown in the second annual invitational tournament Sunday afternoon. Myers won the Club Championship last Monday.  Kenneth Childress of Webb City, was the runner-up. 

In the A flight competition identical winning cars of 83-85 were posted by Rex Painter and Bill Neel of Miami. Painter won the title when Neel three-putted on the first extra hole. Visiting contestants from cities of the Tri-State area praised the excellent condition of the local course and described the greens as the finest they had played this year. 

Personal notes on dad, Johnie Stapp from Jim Taylor:

I don't know which tournament Johnie defeated Ben Hogan but he did (I think in was in California in the late 1940's after the war.) However, he did not win the tournament. Johnie was playing in southern California and elsewhere as a professional golfer on what became the P.G.A. tour. He was an accomplished golfer and had significant athletic ability.

He like my father lived during a different time and place. Much of what he learned was self-taught, and he received very little help. I can not help but marvel at their accomplishments and think of the disgust they would feel at many of the things occurring in our society today. While many things in the past were unfair, the American Dream was always a reality with the freedom to pursue it.

1957 September 30  "Miami Golfers Play Pro-Am"

The Miami Country club will be represented by four men in state golf competition and meetings this week at Oklahoma city and Tulsa. Club pro, Johnie Stapp, Dr. W.D. Jackson, John Robinson, and Kenneth Childress were to leave today for Oklahoma City. The three amateurs will team with Stapp in "best ball" pro-am rounds Tuesday. 

The local men will represent this area Tuesday night at a meeting in Tulsa to prepare preliminary plans for the National Open tournament that will be held next summer at Tulsa's Southern Hills course.

Stapp will finish out the remaining 54 holes in the tourney at Oklahoma City on Wednesday and Thursday and will attend the annual meeting of the state PGA in O.C. Stapp is tournament chairman for the Oklahoma PGA which serves all of Oklahoma and Arkansas and a part of Kansas. 

**

"Quarterbacks in City to Meet MHS Group"

Miami Quarterbacks will meet members of the 1957 Miami high school football squad at Monday night's meeting, Dr. Rex Graham, President announced. The prep candidates will be introduced by Bo Bolinger, new MHS coach. 

Another feature will be showing of the 1956 Oklahoma-Colorado game movie, obtained by Bolinger from OU athletic film library.  The meeting will be held at 6:30 in the Little Theater at NEO. Backers of War Dog and NEO college athletic groups who were unable to attend the inaugural meeting may plunk down $5 for club membership cards tomorrow night.  The club has dedicated itself to a wholesome development of interest in local sports, especially football, among patrons and youths. 

1957 saw Eagle-Picher suspending mining operations, costing 500 their jobs.

1957 saw actor Joel McCrea pay a visit to the Coleman Theater when they debuted his film "The Oklahoman."

Follow this link to learn more about the history of Miami, Ok. Miami History

* 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

1950-1996 George Coleman, Jr. Miami Years, part 2

 

Coleman family crest found in carpet of the Coleman Theater.

1950 January 11 MDNR  "George Coleman, Jr., Re-elected by Bank"

George L. Coleman, Jr., was re-elected president of the Miami First National bank at an annual meeting of stockholders and directors. Other officers include: C.H. Mullendore, executive vice-president; R.J. Tuthill, vice-president; D. F. Ogden, cashier, and C.V. Ayres, J.B. Lehmer, H.S. Maupin and W.S Vanatta, assistant cashiers.  

Members of the board of directors are Richard Beck, George L. Coleman, Jr., V.D. Cooper, Sam Fullerton, Jr., J.H. Griffin, M.K. Hutts, Ray McNaughton, C.H. Mullendore, J.A. Robinson, John F. Robinson, R.J. Tuthill, C.P. Williams, Richard F. Wills, F. L. Wormington and C.E Youse. 

(Mr. Coleman was a director of Florida Sun Incorporated and a director of Pennzoil Company, and its predecessor companies for 33 years. Former corporate directorships included Detroit Baseball Company, and Chris Craft industries.)

1950 May 16 "Thirty-two Americans in British Open"

Thirty-two yanks are entered in the British Amateur golf championship starting next Monday.....For the most part, including Bing Crosby, the roundup at historic St. Andrews in Scotland is strictly a rich man's holiday. Among the competing Yanks are socialites, tobacco wholesalers, a bank president, a steamship executive, a Wall Street broker, an oil man, and a dozen more who no longer have to work for a living. 

Auto Dealer, Ed Lowery of San Francisco, who caddied for Francis Quimet when the Bostonian won the U.S. Open in 1913 will try again as will Quimet. Other entrants include: George L. Coleman, Jr, a bank president from Miami, Oklahoma.

1950 August 22 The Ardmoreite "National Amateur Results"

 Defending champion Charlie Coe of Oklahoma City, was impressive in his 5 and 4 victory over Tom Jamison of Greensburg, Pa. Coe was one of a few who trimmed par, being one under for the 14 holes needed. In other first round results George L. Colman, of Miami, Ok. def. Emerson Carey, Jr. of Hutchinson 7 and 6. Today's pairing George Coleman vs. Marshall Trammell.

 

1953 January 2, San Mateo Times "Gala List of Golfers Ready to Play in Crosby Tourney"

 Pebble Beach (UP) More than 100 top-flight amateur golfers, including scores of motion picture, radio and sports celebrities have been invited to play in the $10,000 Bing Crosby national pro-amateur golf championship of 1953. The tourney will be played January 9,10, and 11 on the Monterey Peninsula golf course.  

In addition to the old crooner himself, the player list includes such entertainment names as Leo Durocher, Phil Harris, Bob Hope, Gordon McRae, Randolph Scott, and Johnny Weismullier.  Other players include George L. Coleman, Jr., Pebble Beach and  Eddie Lowery, San Francisco. (List abbreviated)

 

1955 May 26 MDNR  "Scholarships to 100 Here"

More than 100 scholarships have been contributed by Miami business firms, civic groups, and individuals for students entering Northeastern A & M College next autumn. 

Dr. Bruce G. Carter noted that Eagle-Picher will contribute 10 scholarships, and B.F. Goodrich, Walter Head confirmed that Goodrich will add it's fair share to the scholarships. Other firms and individuals offering one or more scholarships include the following: Milner-Berkey, by H.A. Berkey; Miami News-Record; Lowry Ford; Charles Burtrum; Neil Norton; Stephenson Pontiac; Mrs. and Mrs. Charles M. Harvey, Jr.; John A. Robinson; John F. Robinson; Miami Floral Co. by Lance Duff; Charles A. Neal, Sr, Charles A. Neal, Jr.; B&K by Tom Barton; Wiley Rexall drug John Wiley; C.R. Durham; Bomford Insurance Co, Tom Bomford; O.K. Plumbing Co, Lisle Torbert; Warren Wilbur; Coca-Cola Carl Hilliard; Meadow Gold, Ed Jones; Miami Savdings and Loan; Cooper Funeral Home; Plannett Cleaners;Owens & Wallace legal firm; AAUW, Mrs. David Steele; Junior Chamber of Commerce;  Miami Lions club; Miami Rotary club.

Dr. F.L. Wormington; R.J. Tuthill; Dr. Rex Graham; M.K. Hutts, George L. Coleman, Jr.; Sam C. Fullerton, Jr.; Joe S. Thompson; C.E. Youse, Elmer Isern, Al White;Miss Nellie Dobson and S.B. Dobson; Gordon Walkers, Merrill Chaney, George Walbert. 

** This is the community which makes me proud. Everyone stepped in to help others.

1956     THE MATCH BY MARK FROST

In 1956, a casual bet between two millionaires eventually pitted two of the greatest golfers of the era -- Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan -- against top amateurs Harvie Ward and Ken Venturi.

The year: 1956. Decades have passed since Eddie Lowery came to fame as the ten-year-old caddie to U.S. Open Champion Francis Ouimet. Now a wealthy car dealer and avid supporter of amateur golf, Lowery has just made a bet with fellow millionaire George Coleman. Lowery claims that two of his employees, amateur golfers Harvie Ward and Ken Venturi, cannot be beaten in a best-ball match, and challenges Coleman to bring any two golfers of his choice to the course at 10 a.m. the next day to settle the issue. Coleman accepts the challenge and shows up with his own power team: Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson, the game's greatest living professionals, with fourteen major championships between them.

My words can't begin to share the delight and suspense of reading this story. I encourage anyone who can related to golf history and our storied past to check out the book from the nearest library and read it, purchase your own copy.    

1958 July 10 MDNR "SOCIALITES' GEMS STOLEN--$100,000"

Theft of jewelry from the Pebble Beach, California home of Mr. and Mrs. George L. Coleman, Jr., of Miami rated BOXCAR headlines in the San Francisco Chronicle's July 2 final edition, a copy of which has reached the News-Record. Across the top of page one and measuring three and one-half inches in depth were there lines:

SOCIALITES' GEMS

STOLEN--$100,000

Details of the theft was accompanied by a picture of the Coleman's. 

 

1959 March 24, San Mateo Times "Duke and Wally Get Lost on Visit"

The former King of England and his American-born duchess, playing the role of ordinary tourist, ran into a typical tourist snafu last night when they asked direction of three young girls on the Monterey Peninsula: They got the wrong directions and spent half an hour driving around the tree-lined byways of 17-Mile Drive, while a dinner party waited patiently for them.

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, accompanied by a chauffeur, secretary, maid, valet and three pug dogs, slipped into Monterey after a long drive from Southern California, looking like many a tourist in their baggage-laden station wagon, trailer, and sedan. At last they pulled into the estate of Mrs. George L. Coleman, Jr. where they will be house guests. After a stay in Pebble Beach they will continue their journey of parties and social engagements in California.

1959 November 1  AP George L. Coleman, Jr. Weds Dawn L. Soles

 

Description: Photograph taken for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company. Caption: "Wedding vows were exchanged here today between George L. Coleman, wealthy industrialist and part owner of the Detroit Tigers baseball team, and Mrs. Dawn L. Soles, Montecito, CA., socialite."

Date: November 12, 1959

Creator: Associated Press

1962 October 10 "Registrations Lag at Election Board Here"

Absentee voting interest is thriving here, but there is a surprising lack of registrations for the Nov. 4 general election, according to Secretary Jim Reed of the Ottawa County Election Board.....Seventy-one applications for absentee ballots have been filed up to mid-morning today, including these 43 not listed previously:

Miami: George L. Coleman, Jr., Dawn L. Coleman, Mary Poe, Mary Viola Sims, Grace Woodall, Ronda Kayleen Thomas, Don Coulter, Bernice Coulter, Ruth Watters, Rosemary Russell, George G. Russell.  

 

1963  The Coleman Ranch was sold, ending an era.

 

A view of the Coleman Mansion from the back side. Thank you Bob Poole for sharing this photo.

 

1963 November 27 "The Local Scene"

Mrs. Helen Johnson, who is employed in the Miami office of George L. Coleman, Jr, and Mrs. George L. Coleman, Sr., left Tuesday to join Mr. and Mrs. George L. Coleman, Jr., in Palm Beach, Florida.  

1965 

In the late winter of each year Ben and Valerie Hogan go to Palm Beach, where Ben began preparing for his first tournament appearance of the season—the Masters. This had been an unvarying custom for fifteen years, and it began because of his admiration and affection for The Seminole Golf Club, which he considers the equal of any in the world, both in design and condition.

Super-social Palm Beach may not seem the place for a man like Ben Hogan to find friends, but he has found them there. Claude Harmon was the pro at Seminole when Hogan first started going to Palm Beach. He was succeeded by Henry Picard, who was a staunch friend of Ben's in his very early days of tournament golf. The maitre de at the club and the man who was largely responsible for the excellence of the course, was Chris Dunphy, an old companion of Ben's. One year Ben and Valerie spent their holiday at Dunphy's house, where the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were frequent guests. Another of the wealthy Palm Beach gentry whom Ben and Valerie have visited was George Coleman, a man who has long been a patron of athletes. 

(George L. Coleman, Jr. was an investor in Ben Hogan's Golf equipment company in Ft. Worth. )

Ben Hogan and George Coleman 

1968 December 3 San Rafael Daily Independent Journal  

"Socialite Sues Artist Husband"

Mrs. Ann Coleman Woolworth Carmack, San Francisco socialite, filed a complaint yesterday in Superior Court for annulment of her marriage to John Carmack, landscape artist.

The complaint alleged Carmack "knew he is incapable of functioning as a husband over any sustained period of time" and had "moved into plaintiff's home intending to be supported and use plaintiff's social and family contacts to foster and finance his own speculative projects, thereby practicing a fraud."

The Carmack's were married Oct. 6, 1967 and separated Thanksgiving Day this year. Mrs. Carmack is the daughter of Mrs. W.W. Crocker, Pebble Beach and George L. Coleman, Jr, Palm Beach, Florida. She married Robert Frederick Woolworth, New York in 1954 divorced him in 1959. She has two children. 

1977 Ben Hogan visits George Coleman at his Florida home.

     In 1977, at age 65, Ben Hogan made one final trip to Florida to enjoy time with his good friend George Coleman and to play a little bit of golf at Seminole where for many years he had loved to practice in the winter months leading up to the Masters. George Coleman had a home on the water and, according to James Dodson’s biography Ben Hogan: An American Life,  Coleman and Hogan often hit balls into the ocean from that backyard. At the time of what appears to be Hogans’ last trip to Seminole Coleman had just purchased a new video camera and wanted to test it out. This led to one of the most important pieces of film ever made of Ben Hogan – The Coleman Video. Magnum184 on the Golfwrx Thread pointed out to me that you can actually see the balls land if you pay attention.

Hogan video link

1997 July 23 

George L. Coleman, age 85, of Hobe Sound, Florida, died July 23, 1997...Two of his closest friends were Bing Crosby and Ben Hogan.  

Mr. Coleman was a member of the Board of Governors of Seminole Golf Club, Juno Beach, Florida since 1959 and served as President from 1981 to 1992 and then became President Emeritus. A yearly amateur tournament is now held in honor of George L. Coleman, the prestigious George Coleman Invitational. 

Mr. Coleman had the longest membership (60 years) in the Cypress Point Club at Pebble Beach. Other memberships include the Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, Brook Club, NYC, NY, Castle Pines Golf Club, Castle Rock, CO, and Jupiter Island Club, Hobe Sound, Florida. (obit)

 

PERSONAL NOTES from emails and FACEBOOK "You Know You Are From Miami, when..."

I recall being at the Miami Airport about 1970. I asked the manager, Nelson Malochay, why the employees were busy dusting and straightening up. Nelson replied that George Jr went to OU and learned to fly, so his dad bought the land and built the airport so George Jr. could fly home to visit. That was a happy trip for me to the airport. 

Nancy

(February 18, 2018 from Debbie East)

I just got off the phone with a friend of mine who worked for the Coleman's and here is the information given. He swears it is true because he was there.

Jessie married the much older George L. Coleman. George died in 1945 at the age of 87.  She died at the age of 92 in 1972. Jessie had a cook named Mrs. Shaffer from Afton, a nanny and cook named Anna and a chauffeur and gardener name Louis. All lived in the Coleman Mansion servant quarters. Coleman's daughter, Ann, who bought the house after Jessie's death, kept the servants on until their deaths.

Jessie's car was a black Cadillac but Ann's was a Bentley and her tag was OT-1. It was taken away from her so the city could use that number as a prize for employee of the year. The Coleman's were so furious that they dropped their Country Club membership. 

Jessie gave most of her estate to her three granddaughters. She didn't give her son, George Jr., any money because he was independently wealthy. Helen Journeycake was the secretary of the trust and also for Ann. 

George Jr. married Elizabeth Fullerton. When they divorced, Elizabeth married a banker from California. When he died she married a Duke and became Duchess of Manchester. **

George Jr., then married Dawn and they lived in a home in Palm Beach but continued to fly back to Miami to visit. 

Richard Neal:

 

Ann and I were friends and kept in touch til her death. I remember one day in high school, Mrs. Coleman (Jessie) was in her late 80’s. Louis was off and I needed to go to the country club. She insisted on driving me. She rarely drove and could barely see over the steering wheel of that huge Cadillac. When we got to the country club she ignored the “new” circle drive and drove up the middle of the lawn to drop me off at the front door and returned across the lawn ignoring the new drive I could barely see her head above the wheel. Exciting ride. Mrs Coleman was a great lady.

Her sister, Jenni, was a most wonderful lady who worked the ticket booth at the Coleman Theater for life. Jenni lived in a home, owned by George Jr. It was located by the Cooper Funeral Home.

**

Footnote on Elizabeth Fullerton Fullerton Obit 

 OKLAHOMA GIRL BECOME A DUCHESS

Fascinating woman. Born in Oklahoma to a lawyer, who later became a District Judge. This part of Oklahoma was in the heart of the oil empires and she met and married, George L. Coleman, a multi-millionaire oil magnate. Her new husband had an estate in Pebble Beach, California, where they spent much of their time. On July 1, 1958, the Sheriff's Department was investigating the theft of Elizabeth's jewels valued at between $62,000 and $100,000. By 1959, Elizabeth and George were divorced. 

She became fabulously wealthy from the divorce, receiving millions plus the Pebble Beach estate that George Coleman had owned. Quite quickly, she met William Willard Crocker, scion son of the famed transcontinental railroad builder, Charles Crocker. His wife had just died and soon they were off to Europe. They married in a civil ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland, followed by a church wedding in Paris. Returning from their wedding, they moved into Crocker's 53 room estate on several hundred acres in Hillsborough, San Mateo Co., California. It was named "Sky Farm." Rumors had it the marriage was one of convenience. They maintained separate bedrooms and when there was a social function, William Crocker usually attended with a woman other than his wife. The marriage lasted only four years and William died.

 Elizabeth, already a wealthy woman, inherited one half of the Crocker estate with a monthly allowance of $12,500 for personal needs. A quarter went to each of Bill Crocker's children. When the children attempted to visit the house, Elizabeth refused them admission and turned them away at the front door. Irate, the children took Elizabeth to court claiming they had been cheated out of their legitimate inheritance.

With black handkerchief in hand to dab her tears, she testified that, since Bill's demise, she had cut down on her expenses and was existing with a skeleton staff of a cook, a butler, a maid, a cleaning man and a gardener. She could no longer afford a chauffeur to drive her 1964 Rolls Royce. Yes, she had recently gone east for "health reasons" and while there had purchased a $4,000 mink coat. Otherwise, she had acquired "nothing" for herself.

An unsympathetic Judge told Elizabeth Crocker she was a fabulously rich woman even without Crocker money, and cut her allowance by $5,000 a month. After the lawsuit was finalized, Elizabeth heard about the death of a former neighbor at Pebble Beach and she became the first to offer the grieving husband condolences. Understanding each others losses, the couple soon married. In February, 1969, Elizabeth Fullerton, the girl from Miami, Oklahoma, married Alexander Montagu, the 10th Duke of Manchester. Thus the Oklahoma girl became a Duchess.

 

Research and writing by Letty Stapp Watt