1959 TIMELINE AND STORIES

1959 TIMELINE and STORIES

 

 

Our nation was still growing and school children were memorizing 49 states and capitols.

 1959 April 5 mdnr "Spaulding's Ace, Features Local Golf"

A hole-in-one by Al Spaulding Friday afternoon climaxed golf activities during the week at the Miami Country club. Playing in a threesome with his wife and daughter, Suzy, the manager of the Miami B.F. Goodrich plant scored his ace on the 151 yard No. 12 hole. He used a 5 iron.

Mrs. Spencer Dawson also gained the spotlight during the week with an eagle on the 328 yard No. 1 hole. She used a 3 wood to sink her second shot from a distance of 150 or more yards. Mrs. Dawson was playing with Mrs. Bill Oliver, Mrs. Pat Campbell, and Mrs. Smae Lusk when she made her sensational shot. 

Regular competition for members of the Miami Ladies Golf Assn, was rained out Wednesday, but they went ahead with the morning lessons in the weekly clinic conducted by Johnie Stapp, club pro. 

The men's Twilight league will begin its regular schedule on May 5, according to Wayland Kelly, tournament chair.

  

1959 April 12 mdnr "Golfers from 18 High Schools to Compete in Tourney Here Monday"

Outstanding schoolboy golfers from Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma will be among the four-man teams from 18 high schools competing here Monday i the second annual invitational tournament sponsored by Miami High School in cooperation with the Miami Country club. Teams will be arriving from Ardmore; six OKC high schools; three from Tulsa; Muskogee; Midwest City, Miami; three high schools from Springfield,Missouri; Joplin, Mo; Coffeyville and Parsons, Kansas. 

Members of the Ladies Golf Assn will tabulate scores and assist with other details. The Miami high Student Council will provide hospitality service by serving sandwiches and milk to the players. 

Miami players finished second last year with a four-man score of 323. Harding won with 318. The Miami players were: Bob Hills, 77; Phil Temple, 79; James Emery, 79; and Dickie Neel 88. 

1959 April 14  "Miami's 2nd Annual High School Golf Meet"

Top honors were captured by Tulsa Edison and Ardmore entries Monday a the Miami Country club as 72 schoolboy golfers from three states competed in the highly successful invitational second annual tournament sponsored by Miami high school.Each school was represented by a four-man team in 18-hole medal play.

Ronnie Brown an all-around senior athlete at Ardmore, carded a 37-39+76 to take medalist honors.  

4-Man team scores: Tulsa Edison 321, Ardmore 326, O.C. Grant 332, Muskogee Central 336, O.C. Northeast 336, Miami 343, Coffeyville 345, Joplin 347, Cascia Hall 352, O.C. Hardin 358, Parkview, Springfield 368.

1959 April 19 mdnr "War Dog Golf Matches

Miami high school golfers played on the Grandview course at Springfield, Mo. Friday afternoon in competition with three Springfield high schools. 

Coach Jack Rucker's War Dogs won over Hillcrest 10 1/2 to 7 1/2; but lost to Central and Parkview. Scores posted by the Miamians: Dickie Neel, 37-40=77; Bob hill, 37-41=78; Mike Wilson, 48-45=93; Charles Hirsch 49-45=94; Stephen Moore, 46-50=96; Brad Smallwood, 49-55=104. 

 ***

Ladies Golf Notes:

Winners in competition for the past week for members of the Miami Ladies Golf Association were: Florence Dawson and Ruth Heyburn, championship; Millie Carter, Class A; Lois Cowles, B; Mildred Reniker, C: Susie Kemp and Helen Shafer, class D. 

 

1959 The Masters Golf Championship was televised and the world of golf began to change. 

 

 

1959 April 29 "Plant to Open at Commerce"

Ottawa county's newest factory will be open for public inspection Friday afternoon. It plans to begin full production next Monday...While Commerce baseball star Mickey Mantle is belting out hits for the New York Yankees, the Glenn Berry Manufacturers each day will be belting out about 1,000 pair of denims carrying Mantle's endorsement.

"We will carry a full line of Mickey Mantle work clothes," said Rose. The Yankee star has signed a "100 percent contract," meaning he will permit the use of his name and picture in promoting sales of the clothing."   

1959 May 1 mdnr "High School Boys Championship"

Oklahoma City Harding high school golfer George Hixon blistered the Lincoln Park course in two rounds to the win the boys high school golf tournament with a 54 hole total of 225. Other top individual scores are: Spike Goff, Duncan, 225; Terry Wilkerson, Duncan, 229; Robert Hill, Miami, 231. 

 

Teaching Lessons by the Pro:

Dad loved to create toys and personal methods for teaching golf swings. His use of the 8mm camera and side by side photos helped many of us in those years. He would hold ladies golf meetings and show them some of the swings he had recorded and then give lessons from that reference.

This old club converted to an early day "orange whip" to help us create speed at impact.

 

 

 

 

1959 June 15 mdnr TWO BERTHS IN NATIONAL PGA AT STAKE IN MIAMI TODAY by Mack Boswell

Big-name golfers toured the beautiful Miami Country club course today in 36-hole qualifying tests that will determine the two men who will represent the Oklahoma-Kansas-Arkansas section of the national tournament of the PGA at Minneapolis on Jule 29-August 2.

John Langford, municipal course pro at Enid and Loddie Kemper, former OSU golfing ace who is now pro at Okmulgee, shared top honors Sunday with three-under par 69's.

Langford lowered the course's nine-hole record with a seven-under recorded of 29. The old nine-hole course record of 30 belonged to John F. Robinson. Langford finished with a 40 for a 69.

John F. Robinson's 18-hole record in 1947 still stands at 64.

Doug Smith, asst. pro at Southern Hills and his foursomes of amateurs consisted of Bob Klein of Tulsa, and John F. Robinson and son, David, captured low-ball team honors with a score of  36.

"Side Notes"

Loddie Kempa of Okmulgee, who tied John Langford for medalist declared: "I have played on many golf courses, but I've never seen finer greens than these at this Miami club,"

Along with the delegation from Arkansas came a recent illustrated clipping from the Little Rock Arkansas Gazette with a feature about the reunion of the three Charles Lewises.

Charles Lewis Sr., 71 is a former Miami Country club pro, now of Battle Creek, Michigan. Charles Lewis Jr., who grew up in various pro shops operated by his father (and won numerous events while living in Miami, Ok) holds forth at the Little Rock Country club. Charles Lewis III is a top amateur golfer at 18 and is awaiting a call to military service. 

Lewis Sr., a native of England, came to the United States in 1913 after serving a golfing apprenticeship of six years. In a picture with his sons, he was holding the putter he delivered to America 46 years ago.  (The Lewis's kept their ties with Miami friends and the country club through the years when Johnie Stapp served as pro.)

1959 June 16  "OSU Coach Harris and Langford Gain PGA Spots" by Mack Boswell

Labron Harris of Stillwater provided an expert lesson on the Miami Country club course Monday while taking top honors in the three-state sectional qualifying for the National PGA in Minneapolis, July 29--Aug. 2.

           Personal notes from Jody (Joanne) LaCaff Lasky:

Letty, I remember a conversation that I overheard between your dad and mine. It seems at the club dances couples were meeting at the green closest to the pool for a little whoops. Your dad said the women's heels were leaving holes in the green. Then one of them said laughingly maybe he should put up a sign that read…..

 "Ladies, no high heels on the green."

That is the gist of the conversation… I just happen to over hear them.

Some of the best times we had as a family was being at the Fourth of July celebration. We would swim all day, change for dinner and fireworks. Dad would also assist with the fireworks. It was something we looked forward to each year.

Of course you know how many of the teens growing up would sneak into the pool and swim late at night…. Mostly in our underwear. I do remember seeing a few skinny dippers one time, but didn’t know them as they were older.

Dorothy Ann Horner explained the facts of life to me when I was in the seventh grade on the steps going up to the porches, on the north side by the swimming pool.

1959 June 23  "Hill, Neel Win Berths"

Bob HIll, Jr. and Dickie Neel, aces of the Miami High golf team the last two seasons, will represent Miami on July 6-8 in the Oklahoma Junior Chamber of Commerce tournament in Lawton.

Hill was the leader among five local youths who competed for the two state berths. Hill carded a one-over par 100 for 27 holes. Neel wasn't up to his usual sharpness, but gained the other ticket to Lawton with a total score of 122. Jim Taylor, all-state scholboy football tackle last fall, was third with a 126. Next were Charles Hirsch with a 151 and Roger Scruggs, a 153.  The local sponsors were the Miami Junior champber of Commerce with Earl Hahn and Raymond Gibson, Jr. in charge.  

1959 July 6 mdnr "Miami Girls in Tournament Spotlight"

Miami girls made the finest record of any single club competing in the annual state junior girls' golf tournament that will be completed today at Tulsa's Southern Hills Course. (During our three rounds of golf each of us stayed in family homes in Tulsa. I stayed with a family whose last name was McGraw. My host family had a daughter who played golf and consequently her parents were in charge of transportation and meals. 

Results match play:

Diana Oliver lost in B flight consolation semi-finals to Terry Townsend, Tulsa 4 and 3.

Nine hole divisions:

Letty Stapp won the championship of G flight with a score of 70-73-73=216.

Janie Berentz won the H flight championship with 76-77-78=231.

Susie Stephenson won third place in D flight with 66-61-74=201. 

Bobbi Sue Baron won fourth in C flight with 66,61,74=194

Barbara Dahl posted a 247 total in C flight and Mary Dahl carded a 270 in G flight. Sandra Stephenson shot a 74 to finish sixth in the peewee division. Five of the Miami entries also won medals for taking first places in special driving and putting contests. 

Paired today in the championship flight final match were medalist Jeannie Thompson and defending state champion Patty David, both of Tulsa.

 

This is the marble based trophy that I won in 1959. I have kept this trophy all of my life, while the others have gone away. 

 1959 July 10 mdnr "Miss Propper Wins Tulsa Golf Trophy"

Phyllis Propper of Miami won the A flight championship of the state junior girls golf tournament at Southern Hills Country club in Tulsa this morning by defeating Sally Perrine of Tulsa, 4 and 3. Phyllis, who will be a Miami High school Junior this year, led most of the way. She carded a 51 on the front nine. Sally shot a 56. The match ended on the 15 hole  

Nine Miami girls competed in the state meet, giving Miami Country club the best record of any club in the tournament. 

1959 July 12 mdnr "Joplin Golfers Compete Here"

Traffic on the Miami Country club golf course should be heavier today than at any time this year with inter-city matches between members of the local club and a 48-man delegation from Twin Hills, Joplin. Pat Campbell, chairman of the event, said boys wishing employment as caddies should report to the club by 9:30 a.m. 

1959 "Women's Tri-state Champions"

Faye Berentz, Claire Oliver, Hattie Wall, and Lois Garwood, winner of the overall team low-net for the 1959 Women's Tri-State  *Orrick Sparlin collection at the Dobson Museum.

 

1959 August 2 mdnr "Finals Near in Men's Tourney"

Final matches may be completed this week in most flights of the annual men's golf tournament at the Miami Country club. Players who have already qualified to play in championship matches includes: Joe Thompson vs Kelso Berentz in President's flight; Bob Nunn vs George Beck in A flight.

Quarter-final results follow:

Championship flight:  John F. Robinson won over Dr. W.D. Jackson; Jess Fronterhouse defeated George Windham; Ed Olivey beat Dick Lowry; P.J. Stephenson dropped Phillip Temple.

President's flight: Joe Thompson eliminated Ted Lowry; Bill Hirsch beat Bill Carter; Kelso Berentz won over Charlie Trussler; Rex Painter defeated Tom Barton.

A Flight: Bob Nunn beat Marion Zajic; Clarence Carselowey downed Dr. Harry Ford; George Beck beat Pat Campbell; Harry Whitaker won over buck Bagby.

B Flight: Ted Vernon defeated Jack Schofield; John Burford beat Wayland Kelly; Crab Grayson downed Frank Hansford; Paul McIntosh won over Noel Wyatt.

C Flight: Bill Oliver--Spencer to be played; Bob Hill beat Henry Garwood; Bill Harper ousted Don Curlee; Don Lockard advanced over Vernon Cray.

Semi-Finals: Thompson beat Hirsch and Berentz won over Painter in president's flight; Nunn beat Carselowey and Beck defeated Whitaker in A flight; Harper won over Lockard in C flight.

***

 "Golf Tourney Monday for Miami's Juniors"

Monday will be the final event of the season for Miami Junior Golfers. A picnic lunch will be served at noon on the porch of the club house. Trophies will be awarded to the tournament winners and new club officers will be elected. 

Winners by grade groups in last week's competition were: 7-8 Carole Luttrell and Bill Fullerton; 5-6 Jonny Highland and Lee Dell Snyder; 2-4 Jonya Stapp and Jimmy Painter. 

Pairings are as follows for Monday's play:  TWO HOLES, 6 AND 9

8:30--Gayla Brown, Judy Berentz, Jonya Stapp; Mrs. Clarence Carselowey; 8:40 Jimmy Painter, Judd Nafziger, Scotty Jackson; Mrs. P. J. Stephenson.  

NINE HOLES

No. 1 tee at 8:30--Bobbi Baron, Phyllis Propper, Diana Oliver; Mrs. Bill Plumlee; 8:40--Judy Fullerton, Barbara Dahl, Bethanne Badger; Mrs. Bill Medcalf. 8:30 Katrina White, Glenda Highland, Penny Zeis; Mrs. Dale Nafziger;  9:00--Stephen Moore, Tom Pat Wilson; Mrs. Olin Moore; 9:10--Dickie Badger, Charles Dawson, Jeff Reanger,: Kenneth Richards.

 From No. 6 at 9:00--Cathy Olson, Jenee Kenreigh, Julie Lockard; 9:10 Peggy Sapp, Sue Nunn, Carole Luttrell; Mrs. Ed Badger; 9:20 Bobby Zeis, Pat Wilson, Billy Oliver, Mrs. George Wojcik. 

From No. 1 at 9:20--Letty Stapp, Mary Dahl, C.Anne Richards; Mrs. Don Lockard; 9:30--Suzanne Stephenson, Janie Berentz, Mike Juergens; Mrs. Orville Dahl; 9:40--Johnny Stansell, John Badger, Billy Fullerton; Mrs. George Russell. 

  FIVE HOLES:

From No. 1 at 9:50 -- Kae Nunn, Sandra Stephenson; Mrs. Bert Wall; 10:00 Lee Dell Snyder, Susan Russell; Mrs. Bob Temple. 10:10 Butch Jenkins, Woody Painter, Johnny Robinson; Mrs. Kelso Berentz; 10:20--Mark Wojcik, Jim Thompson, Johnny Highland; Mrs. John Robinson.  

 

            Personal note:

Roger McCollum shares a painful story of swimming at the old pool at the country club:  One day when my mom was playing in a Women's club event left me at the swimming pool for the day. I fell asleep on the hard concrete after some swimming and woke hours later. The next morning when I awoke my entire back was blistered. It was pretty painful and I recall that it took 5-7 days before I could move without pain.

 

1959 August 2 mdnr "Playground Parade Day Contest Winners"

The parade in downtown Miami and the Rotary club's city-wide picnic Friday more than 700 youngsters  climaxed supervised activities in the 1959 municipal program, the larges ever held here. The photo page spread was shot by Orrick Sparlin.

More than 500 boys and girls participate in the parade, a new record here. The playground and parade is under the supervision of S.A. Red Robertson, general director of the summer program and Mrs. Lawrence Zane, supervisor of tournaments and special contests at parks.

1959 August 5  "Second Annual Sidewalk Sale"

1959 August 8  "Club Champion"

 

John F. Robinson, 1960 Club Champion **Orrick Sparlin Collection at the Dobson Museum.

 

1959 September 16 "8 Teams in Fall Tourney at Miami Country Club"

Tournament Chairman, Harry Whitaker asks players to complete their first round by Sunday. In playing for qualifying scores, each entry must play with another member of his team. Two players from each team, who post the lowest qualifying scores, will compete in match play with the lowest scorers from other teams. One match is to be played each week. 

Team members who do not have the two best qualifying scores will continue consolation medal play rounds each week. 

 

 

 

Lady golfers decorating for Christmas: ...., Yvonne Temple, Lottie Mae Russell, Hattie Wall, Florence Dawson, .... Johnson, Erin Wojick *photo from Orrick Sparlin collection, Dobson Museum.

 1959 December 10  "Country club Slate Chosen"

Miami Country club members re-elected Pat Campbell as President at their annual meeting Tuesday night. also re-elected were Dr. W.D. Jackson, vice-president, and H.F. Myers, secretary-treasurer.

Elected to the board of directors were: O.A. Rockwell, Corbin Shouse, Vernon Sapp, Orville Dahl, Wayland Kelly, Jerry Zeis, and Myron Jenkins. Club improvements will be considered when officers and directors meet in January.

 

**In 1958 Mrs. Jack Horner and Mrs. Bert Wall both held the title for the lowest score posted on nine holes, a 39.  Hattie (Mrs. Bert) Wall would go on to set the women's course record with a par round of 38. I matched that round while playing college golf at NEO and my sister, Jonya matched the par round in the 1970's.  All records and trophies burned in the fire in 1984.  

 

Sometimes we just need to reflect and laugh at our memories and the times.

Playground parade pictures by Orrick Sparlin