MIAMI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB 1948--1949 TIMELINE

 1948 TIMELINE AND STORIES MGCC

By Letty Stapp Watt

Pictured above is the spacious and scenic nine-hole Miami Country club golf layout where several hundred Miamian spend many happy hours during the summer months. Scene of several Oklahoma State PGA championships, the local links is now receiving a large daily turnout of shotmakers. Women golfers have taken an active part in golfing. 

**Note:  My sincere apologies for the incomplete follow ups to various events. It seems as though my new computer and I have not learned how to co-habitate, yet. With help from my techie friends, I hope to have some major problems resolved soon. I can not longer cut and paste pictures, often my ability to read the news issue is blocked,  and some of the print in the old newspapers are very blurry.  

1948 February 1 mdnr "Country Club's Officers Cited"

 Members of the board of directors for Miami County club announced Saturday the selection of M.C. (Buck) Bagby as club president for the ensuing year. The president and other officers are chosen from within membership of the board. Other officers are Claude Jones, vice-president, and Floyd Myers, secretary-treasurer. The board also includes Charles M.Harvey,Jr., W.L. Williams, Russ Hawk, and Bob Schlemmer.

Bagby announced appointment of chairmen for five committees. These are Wilbur Worley, membership; Bob Lawson, house; John F. Robinson, tournament; Hawk, entertainment, and John Burford, finance. Th next meeting will be held February 10. Bagby announced that Jack Guild, who has been pro at Miami Country club since 1939 except for a two-season break for duty in World War II, has been rehired in his present capacity.

 ***

In a snowy black and white picture by Orrick Sparlin, too blurry to share, shows  the city of Picher. The heart of the nation's largest zinc mining field is reported to have a population of around 4,000 including some 800 lead and zinc miners. The photo is similar to one published in September 1947 issue of "Fortune," a national magazine.  

1948 February 2 mdnr  El Paso, Tx.  "Ben Hogan Injured in Bus-car Wreck"

Ben Hogan, National Open champion and the leading golfer of America, suffered serious injuries today in a car-bus crash 30 miles east of Van Horn, Texas. Southwestern General hospital was advised Hogan suffered three broken ribs, a severe chest injury and possibly a broken back. He and his wife, Mrs. Valerie Hogan, were being brought here in an ambulance. She was said to have escaped serious injuries. 

Hogan was on his way home to Fort Worth after playing in the Phoenix, Ariz. Open where he lost in a play-off to Jimmy Demaret. 

1948 March 7  mdnr "Square Dance Returns"

**Miamians are active after the war with varied interests. 

The square dancing ear may have gone out with bustles and mustache cups in other sections of the country, but the pastime lingers on in Miami today. With the revival in Oklahoma of interest in the Virginia reels and other dances of bygone days, a group of young married couples here have for more than a year helped keep square dancing alive in this area. 

Comprised of 28 couples, the "Do-See-Do" club holds a square dancing party twice each month in Miami. During each jamboree, the dancers participate in several types of reels and chains, movements and steps of which date back more than 200 years. 

Women members of the club attend in old-fashioned dresses, while the men wear blue jeans, plaid shirts, boots and silk ties. Usually five sets or squares, with four couples in each square, are on the floor dancing. Officers of the club are W.L. (Bill) Oliver, president; Bernard Schaff, vice-president, and Don Sandmire, secretary and treasurer. 

1948 March 7 mdnr "Stag Party and Other Events Set"

Activities are picking up out at Miami County club, where the men's membership is planning a stag party for Tuesday night. Jack Guild announced Saturday that two different golf classes for women will begin Wednesday morning. Those who have had prior instruction will meet with Guild from 9 to 10 a.m. and those who are beginners, new club members, etc., will gather at 10 for a one-hour's meeting. 

The club pro said two local club teams have entered the four ball tournament being sponsored by the Tulsa World. The event, which will extend over several weeks with play on Sunday only, is open to competitors throughout this section of the state. 

Jess Fronterhouse and Jack Myers will form one combination for the Tulsa meet and Charley Lewis and Jimmy Moore, a Neosho player who holds a local club membership, also will become an entry. Guild said Buy May also is a probable starter, but his partner hasn't been selected yet. 

1948 March 24 mdnr -- Our social pages are full of people traveling and usually 20-30 women's clubs and social organizations meeting.**On a personal note, I have enjoyed reading every social page I find because it is so revealing. I am amazed at the social activities our town sponsored and shared in the news: Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, all school PTA's, Riverside park, local parks, summer activities galore.  We all read the same paper and read the same news which seems to have helped build community and local interest in community.

Mrs. Leona DeAtley Hampton, 223 D. street southwest, was in Tulsa Friday and Saturday on business. 

Mr. and Mrs. George L. Coleman, Jr., have returned to Miami from a trip to Florida.  

  

1948 May 9

Photographer Orrick Sparlin, whose collection is at the Dobson Museum, captured these times in black and white photos.

1948 May 9 mdnr "PGA Movies Shown at Country Club"

Technicolor sound movies of the 1947 PGA golf tournament held at Portland, Oregon will be shown at 6:30 o'clock Tuesday night at the Miami Country club stag party. The film also will be shown Wednesday at noon at the luncheon of the Miami women golfers.

Shown in the film are such topnotch golfers as Bobby Locke, Ben Hogan, and Sammy Snead.

Sunday, May 16, a group of 25 Miami golfers will travel to Pittsburg, Kas., for an inter-city match. According to pro Jack Guild, 40 players are needed for a match with Parsons on May 23. Players interested in signing up for the Parsons match are requested to report at the club's pro shop.

1948 May 17 mdnr "Team Beaten"

Their golfing string of successes ran out Sunday for Charley Lewis and Jim Moore, Miami Country club linksmen competing in the annual Tulsa World-PGA four ball tourney at Tulsa.  Lewis and Moor were turned back in a quarterfinals match by Sax and Jack Judd, 3 and 2, in a match at the Highlands course.

***

"Miami's Golfers Cop Team Match on Pitt Course"

Miami Country club golfers carved out a 371/2 to 22 1/2 team match victory over Pittsburg, Kansas, linksmen Sunday in an inter-city battle over the nine-hole course at Pittsburg Country club. Twenty Miamians participated in the event and a return match will be held at Miami June 27.

Jess Fronterhouse led the local contingent yesterday, shooting a 39-35--74.John F. Robinson was next low scorer with his 38-39--77. Glenn Scott posted 39-39--78 and Bill Jones and Raymond Warner each scored 80's. 

Pro Jack Guild announced that any local golfers wishing to enter the State Amateur at Muskogee should obtain blanks at the clubhouse. The state tourney opens June 14, with the pro-amateur scheduled on June 13. 

***

"Women Golfers to Play Wednesday"

Play will be for bind holes when women golfers meet Wednesday morning at Miami Country club. Pairings were announced as follows:

Mrs. Bert Wall and Mrs. F.E. Farrier.
Mrs. John King and Mrs. Floyd Newton;

Mrs. Floyd Myers and Mrs. Gayle Pickens;
Mrs. Joe Thompson and Mrs. Dee Watters;

Mrs. Cecil Coop and Mrs. Woodrow Painter;
Mrs. Jack Horner and Mrs. Rex Graham;

Mrs. K.C. Jeffries and Mrs. E.W. McCuskey;
Mrs. Lloyd DeVoe and Mrs. Frank Pauly;

Mrs. R.M. Schlemmer and Mrs. G.W. McCollum;
Mrs. Roger Pfau and Mrs. Robert Lawson;

Mrs. L.R. Bressie and Mrs. Vernon Sapp;
Mrs. J.H. McIntire and Mrs. Phillip Peacock, Jr.,

Mrs. Jack James and Mrs. E.E. Weeks;
Mrs. L.S. Smith and Mrs. M. Sanders;

Mrs. Elven Frye and Mrs. Claude Jones.

Players are asked to register weekly by 9 a.m. Tuesday

Last week, Mrs. Floyd Newton won first pace in the championship class; Mrs. Woodrow Painter copped top honors in Class A; Mrs. Frank Pauly was the winner in Class B play.  

1948 May 24 mdnr "City Golfers Rout Parsons in Matches"

Miami golfers swamped the Katy-Parsons Country club golfing aggregation Sunday afternoon when they copped 111 out of a possible 129  points on the local links. 

In the singles play, local golfers tallied 72 points to 15 for Parsons, while in the foursomes Miami scored 36 to Parson's 3. Bill Jones posted the lowest score of the day with a 73 card for 18 holes 

Jack Guild, country club pro, announced that next Sunday, Memorial day, mixed two-ball foursomes will be played. All country club members wishing to play are requested to sign up for the matches at the golf shop.

 

 

1948 June 6 mdnr "State Women Golfers"

Entries topped over the 200 mark today as Oklahoma's women golfers prepared to converge on Tulsa Country club for the 31st annual women's state amateur tournament beginning Monday. 

1948 June 17 mdnr "Charley Lewis is Still in Running for State Honors" 

C.F. Lewis Jr., knocked out ?? in the first-round championship play in the Oklahoma Amateur golf tourney at Muskogee yesterday with a 2 and 1 verdict over Charles Dwaur, Jr., of Oklahoma City. Four other Miamians were in the initial round match play yesterday. Southpaw Tulsan Bill Smith eliminated Jack Myers by 2 and 1, and Jess Fronterhouse lot to ?? 3 and 2.

1948 June 20 mdnr  "Special Golf Event for Women"

Local Miami golf pro Jack Guild said Saturday the golf match scheduled tomorrow with Parsons has been called off until next month. Guild said the match would conflict with another tourney this week-end in Parsons. 

Meanwhile, the Miami Country club Ladies Golf association has invited women players from Joplin, Missouri, Neosho, Mo., and Pittsburg, Kas., to participate in next Tuesday's weekly match at the local links course.

 

1948 July 25 mdnr  

Jack Guild and his 20-member Miami golf team invade Parsons, Kansas, today in a return team engagement. Miami's swingers walloped the Parsons group by a large margin in their previous meeting. 

1948 July 20 mdnr "Women Golfers"

Contingents of women golfers from five district golf clubs will tee off Wednesday on the Miami fairways. Out-of-town clubs will be Shifferdecker and Twin Hills of Joplin, Elks Country club of Pittsburg, Parsons Golf club, and Neosho, Mo. Golf and Country club. Approximately 50 Miami women simon-pures will act as hostesses for the all-day event. 

Prizes for low gross and low net scores will be given, and an award will be presented for the closest shot to the short No. 3 hole. 

*The pairings were too blurry to read but lasted from 9 a.m. with 5 minutes in between times, until 10:50 a.m. 

1948 August 1 mdnr  "State Women's Four-Ball"

A state women's fourball tournament, believed to the FIRST of its kind in the nation--will be held in Oklahoma City starting Sept. 16 for state women golfers. 

The tourney is sponsored by the Oklahoma City PGA and the Daily Oklahoman. To qualify for the event, a team must have a scoring average of at least 226 strokes, or handicaps ?. The tournament will run six weeks.

1948 September 2 mdnr "Springfield Woman Leads Tri-State Golfing Lists"

Defending champion Mrs. Sayle Benson of Springfield grabbed the lead at the halfway point in the Tri-State Women's Golf tourney at the Miami Country club links Wednesday.

Mrs. Benson carded an 18-hole total of 45-48--93 for a two-stroke edge over Mrs. HA. Lowe, another Springfield Simon-pure. After leading the field on the front nine with a 44, Mrs. Lowe soared to 51 on the back tour for an 18-hole aggregate of 95.

The 98 entrants teed off again at 8 o'clock this morning for the last day's play. Trophies for low gross and low handicap scores will be awarded in each of the four flights after completion of today's round. 

In another event, Mrs. Rex Graham headed the field in a shortened 18-hole meet, nine-holes played Wednesday and nine-holes played today. Mrs. Graham shot a 60 for a one-stroke margin over another Miamian, Mrs. Joe S. Thompson. 

Results shown in paper for all 98 players. The leaders in the 18-hole meet, results of the first day play:

Championship: Mrs. Rex Graham, 60, Mrs. Joe Thompson 61, Mrs. Ruth Watters, 66. and Mrs. Woodrow Painter, 66. 

Class A: Mrs. Burns Griffith, Pittsburg, 68; Mrs. Joe Michella, Pittsburg, 69; Mrs. Paul Nelson, Pittsburg, 69; and Mrs. F.G. Reid, Miami, 71.

Class B: Mrs. R.M. Schlemmer, Miami, 71; Mrs. Richard Wright, Miami, 71; Mrs. Wallace Dunn, Miami 74; Mrs. Frank Pauly, Miami 76; and Loma Woodward, Pittsburg, 74.

Class C: Mrs. Cecil Coop, Miami, 77; Mrs. Claud Jones, Miami, 78; Mrs. K.C. Jeffries, Miami, 79; Mrs. Glenn McCollum, Miami, 76; and Mrs. Cecil Veatch, Webb City, 86.

1948 September 3 mdnr "Women's Title Goes to Springfield Swinger"

Mrs. H.A. Lowe of Springfield walked off with top honors Thursday in the championship flight of the two-day Tri-State women's golf meet at the Miami Country club. Mrs. Lowe's 36-hole total of 95-89--184 bested defending champion Mrs. Gayle Benson, another Springfield swinger, by one stroke .

The team-match play, Joplin Twin Hills was awarded the Tri-State trophy with a 676 net while Springfield's ace quartet wrapped up the Miami Country club cup with a 794 gross count. No Miami ladies played in the 36-hole event, however, they did play and place in the 18-hole event.

Championship: Low gross Mrs. Joe Thompson, Miami, 117; low net Mrs. Rex Graham, Miami, 128.

Class A: Low gross Mrs. Joe Michella of Pittsburg, 133; low net, Mrs. Barnes Griffith of Pittsburg, 84.

Class B: Low gross Mrs. Frank Pauley of Miami, 148; low net, Mrs. R.M Schlemmer of Miami, 85.

Class C: Low gross Mrs. Loma Woodward of Pittsburg, 145; low net Mrs. Glenn McCollum of Miami, 96.  

 

1948 September 20 mdnr "Golf Meet in Second Round" 

The large field of golfers competing in the annual Miami Country club tournament now in progress was narrowed considerably following completion of the first week of activity. Second round matches in the tourney will be held throughout the week. Results of the first round:   **many names are too blurred to read.

C.F. Lewis, Jr., defeated Bob Hughes; L.T. Sheldon def. Paul Wilson; Ed Olivey def. C Caskey; M.C. Bagby def. C.L. Grayson; Joe Thompson def. G. R. White, Jr.; Ted Lowery def. C.J. Carselowey; Jess Fronterhouse def. J.C. ?:  John F. Robinson def. Phillip Peacock.

Walker Williams, Jr., def. Bud May; R. O. ?  def. W.L. Williams; Walter Dunn def. C.E. Trussler;  Claud Jones def. H. M Schlemmer; James Moore def. W.P. Bullock; Lyndon Scott def. Glenn Scott; and Jack Myers def. John L. Burford. 

Hottest rally in the Championship flight was cared by Jess Fronterhouse, who was 4 down at the turn and carded a 34 on the nine to defeat J.C. Taylor one up.  

Class A: E.K. Scott def. Dr. Rex Graham; Noel Wyatt def. Cecil Coop; Bob Nesbitt def. Glenn ? ; W.J. Worley def. Bert Wall; Augie W., Dick Wright, H. E. W. M.L. Caldwell won by default. 

Class B: Vernon Sapp def. Frank Spencer; Denver Seals def. Byron Jenkins; Bradley Watts def. Frank ?; Bob Hill def. K.C. Jeffries; Gene Wagoner def. Harry Dean; George McGhee, D. E. McIntire won by default. 

Class C: Bernie Schaff def. Jim Campbell; Marion Zajic def. Carl Peck; Elbert Frye def. A.J. Reed; Jack Horner def. Dr. L.F. Hetherington; M. Hall def ?; Jack C. Brown def. Curley Albers; Winners by default were Jack Reynolds and Ivan Estes. 

Class D: Louis Stone def. Jack D.; Steward P. def Tom Bomford; Earl Faber def. A. W. Pattisson; Jim Hatfield def. Bob S.; Clyde Booth, Charles Burnes, and Lee A. won by default.

1948 September 29 mdnr "Golf List is Reduced Here"

The number of golfers still in the annual tournament was narrowed considerably last week. Third round matches in the tourney, which is scheduled to end sometime in October, will be held during this week, Jack Guild club pro announced.

 

 

1948 October 8 mdnr "Mickey Mantle"

Commerce, The Picher Gorillas unleashed their ever-potent ground attack last night when they defeated the Commerce Tigers, 7-6 for their first Lucky Sven conference victory. In the third quart the Tigers seemed to have a touchdown of their own when Mickey Mantle, who bore the brunt of Commerce's running attack, broke into the clear and scampered 65 yards to cross the goal-line, only to have the play called back. 

Click on this link for more on Mickey Mantle: The Mick

1948 October 11 mdnr "Golf Tourney Ends in Knot"

Jack Myers and Charley Lewis played to an 18-hole deadlock Sunday in the finals for the Miami Country club Championship, necessitating a nine-hole playoff which was to begin this afternoon. 

Lewis shot a 75 to Myers'76, but they wound up even in the match play event. 

In the President's flight, Glenn Scott defeated C.J. Carselowey 1 up, while E.K. Scott captured the class A prize by walloping Dick Wright, 8 and 7.  Other final results: B flight--George McGhee defeated Harry Ives, 5 and 4; C flight--Bernard Schaff won 2 70 from Jack Brewer, and D flight--Earl Fisher defeated Stuart ? 5 and 4.

 1948 October 12 mdnr "Charley Lewis Golf Champion" 

After finding himself 2-down at the end of three holes, Charley Lewis rallied strongly Monday afternoon to defeat his playoff opponent, Jack Myers, and win the 1948 Miami Country club golf championship, 2-up.

In total strokes Lewis carded a sizzling, sub-par 34 to Myer's commendable 37 in the 9-hole match necessitated when they finished all-even in Sunday's 18-hole finals round.

Club Pro Jack Guild said prizes will be awarded winners in all flights at a stag affair at 6:30 o'clock tonight. 

1948 October 24 mdnr "Zaharias vs. Berg"

Fort Smith, Ark. Two of the nation's outstanding professional women golfers, Mrs. Mildred (Babe) Zaharias, and Miss Patty Bert, meet here in the finals of the Hardscrabble women's open golf tournament. 

HIT BY A BUS--HOW BEN HOGAN HIT BACK 

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/hit-by-a-bus-how-ben-hogan-hit-back-24870580/ BY Gilbert King, Jan. 20, 2012

This is the best short article I've read on Ben Hogan's comeback. It mentions a young golfer by the name of Arnold Palmer. 

"Sam Snead, Cary Middlecoff and a young golfer named Arnold Palmer battled for headlines in the summer of 1949, while Hogan shuffled around his house. He was named non-playing captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team and traveled to England for the matches, where he delighted fans by putting on the practice green. It was the most he could do, seven months after the accident. Reporters described him as “crippled.” But returning to the States, Hogan began to regain some strength. Then he began to practice.

By June of 1950, 16 months after the accident, Bantam Ben was back on the course, this time trying to reclaim his place as golf’s greatest competitor in American golf’s biggest tournament—the U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club in Pennsylvania. He had played several tournaments leading up to the Open, but on the third and final day of grueling competition, he began to wilt under 36 holes of golf in the heat, and his lead began to evaporate on the final few holes."

 

 1949

 **Note: I have found the 1949 newspaper to be very blurry and difficult to read at times. When I cannot make out a name I will do my best to give initials or a ? mark.

1949 January 9  mdnr (Commerce) A perfect one-handed push shot by Bobby Thomas that went swishing through the nets with less than eight seconds remaining gave the Fairland Owls a breath-taking 23-22 victory over the Commerce Tigers Friday night. 

John Lingo's Tigers led all the way until med-way in the final quarter when a last-ditch effort by the Owls, who are coached by Ed Olivey, provided the Fairlanders a 21-18 lead with a minute and half left. At half-time the Bengals were ahead 14-10. Moseley and Mickey Mantle took care of most of the Commerce scoring, with both sinking three field goals and two charity tosses for eight points.

1949 February 27 mdnr  "Women's Golf Season Outline"

Women golfers met last week at the Miami Country club for 1 o'clock luncheon. Jack Guild, pro, outlined the golf program for the coming season and announced that class lessons would begin March 15. The next meeting of the group will be at 1 p.m. next Wednesday, and reservations must be made by Tuesday at the Country club. 

Those present were Mrs. Robert E. Nesbitt, Mrs. Stansell, Miss Billie Ann ?, Mrs. Tom Bomford, Mrs. Gib Reynolds, Mrs. Vernon Martin, ...15 more names I could not read due to blurry images. 

 

1949 March 11 mdnr Daily 5 cents--Sunday 10 cents

"Note from Your Town"

While skies cleared today to let the sun through at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon, Miami golf enthusiasts looked forward to a pleasant week-end at the Country club. Indications point to favorable weather for the next few days as the mercury climbed from 24-degree to an amazing 41 shortly after the lunch hour.  

Fishermen, too, hoped for sunny skies and balmy temperatures over the week-end, but withheld angling expeditions pending further weather reports. 

1949 April 27 mdnr  "Women Golfers"

Last week's golf prizes were awarded at a luncheon this week at Miami Country club: Mrs. Floyd Newton, championship; Mrs. Glenn McCollum, class A; Mrs. D.E. McIntyre, class B.

Because of bad weather the association members did not play golf following the luncheon. Prizes awarded by a drawing, went to Mrs. Bert Wall, championship; Mrs. Frank Pauly, class A; Mrs. Jack Gallaway, class C. 

Others present were Mrs. Wallace Dunn, Mrs. John E. King, Mrs. Claude Jones, Mrs. Jack Horner, Mrs. Robert Stoner, Mrs. Louis Stone, Mrs. James W. Gibson, Mrs. Gibb Reynolds, Mrs. Glenn McCollum, and Mrs. John Stansell. 

1949 May 29 mdnr  (Commerce) "Seniors Honored"

Three top-ranking Commerce high school seniors occupied the spotlight in the closing commencement services at the high school last Friday night, when 34 seniors received their diplomas. Mickey Mantle was applauded when it was announced that he was absent and was playing baseball at Coffeyville. 

1949 June 2 mdnr "State Women's Championship Plays Host to Patty Berg"

Two Enid links ladies--Patti Blanton and Margaret Williford--are top contenders for the state women's golf tournament starting Monday at Muskogee Country club. The 31st annual meeting will be played over the par 75 Muskogee Country club's course, a tough 6,210 yard layout. Par set for women is five above that of men.

Pat Grant of Cushing, former perennial threat to Mrs. Blanton's supremacy, has been taken out of competition by Army service. Talk this year has Mrs. Williford, a close friend, as the tournament's darkhorse. 

She's the wife of the Enid Country club professional, Hack Williford, and will appear in an exhibition match Sunday preceding the tourney with Mrs. Blanton.

They will tour the course against Patty Berg, professional star, and Betty McKinnon of Mount Pleasant, Texas. 

Mrs. Blanton's title--won in 1947 and 1948 and four times straight from 1939-1942--will be contested by at last other former state champions. They are Mrs. Lucy Wallace, Sapulpa, 1930, 1933, 1938 winner; and Oklahoma City's Miss Jenny Grout, 1937 titleholder. 

***

 "Tulsa Golfers Here"

A team match between a Miami Country club golf team and a squad from Mohawk golf club of Tulsa will be played Sunday afternoon at the local club. Tee-off time for the two 20-man teams will be at 1 o'clock, Guild said. 

1949 June 5 mdnr (Commerce)  "Yankees Sign Mickey Mantle, Versatile Commerce Athlete" 

Mickey Mantle, 17-year-old Commerce high school and Baxter Spring Whiz Kids baseball star, has signed a contract to play professionally in the New York Yankee chain, it was announced here Saturday.

Mantle, who drew the attention of pro scouts while playing shortstop for the Whiz Kids of the Junior Card League, was signed by Tom G., spotter for the Yanks from Willard, Missouri. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

The youth, who graduated from high school here (Commerce) last month, was an all-around athlete. He was selected for the all-district high school football team last fall. He was the second highest scorer on the Tiger basketball team last winter. His parents are Mr. Mrs. Mutt Mantle.  

1949 June 6 mdnr "Women Golfers"

Women golfers will enter a two-ball tournament with mixed classes at Miami Country club Wednesday. The first foursome will tee off at 9 a.m. and following foursomes will be off at 15-minute intervals. Lunch will be served at the end of play. Prizes will be awarded to winners in each class.

Pairings are as follows:

Mrs. H. F. Myers, Mrs. H. S....., Miss Billye Anne Greene, and Mrs. Richard Wright; Mrs. Robert Nesbitt, Mrs. Dee Watters, Mrs. John E. King, and Mrs. Jack Gallaway; Mrs. Jack Horner, Mrs. Vernon Martin, Miss Jean Taylor, and Mrs. Roger Pfau; Mrs. Floyd Newton, Mrs. Fred DeMier, Jr., Mrs. Lewis K. Stoss, and Mrs. Wallace Dunn; Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. William Martin,Jr., Mrs. Rex Graham, and Mrs. Gilbert Reynolds; Mrs. John Sanders, Mrs. Glenn McCollum, and Miss Susan Stansell; Mrs. Frank Pauly, Mrs. John Stansell, Mrs. Robert Schlemmer, and Mrs. L.E. Smith.

1949 July 5 mdnr "July Fireworks"

The July fireworks at the Miami Country club were attended by 550 people, who enjoyed a barbeque meal. Wallace Dunn and C.H. Mullendore oversaw the arrangements.    

1949 September 8 mdnr  "Club Championship Pairings"

Pairings in the A,B,C, D, and E flights of the Miami Country club championship golf tournament, have been announced by Jack Guild, club pro. According to Guild no handicaps have been given for these flights, and one week has been allowed for these matches to be played. (Sadly, the names are so blurred that I could not figure them out, but I think there are at least 75 players in these flights.)

1949 October 2 mdnr  "Golf Tournament Postponed"

The mixed foursome play regularly scheduled for today at the Country club will be postponed until next Sunday, October 9, in order that the club championship matches may be played. 

1949 October 5 mdnr  "Lewis, Moore vie for Title"

Charles F. Lewis and Jim Moore have advanced to the finals in the annual Miami Country club golf tournament. Lewis defeated John F. Robinson, and Moore outstretched Ed Olivey to reach the championship round. Pro Jack Guild has announced that all finals matches must be completed by Sunday night. 

Class A: Bradley Watts def Earl Fisher 2 up; Dr. R.W Graham def. J. L. Burford, 1up on the 19th hole.

Class B: Jack Brown def. J.W. Gibson 2 up; H.E. Woods def. Jack Horner, 7 and 6.

Class C: Estes def. Tom Bomford, 7 and 6; D. Clark and Jack James, yet to play. 

Class D: Vernon Martin def M.W. Hall, 2 and 1; L.E. Stone def. Nate Emery, 1up.

1949 November 11 mdnr "Dance to be Held"

The Miami Country club dance will be held Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Music will be provided by Basil Baker. This is the first dance of the fall season. 

 

* 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

MIAMI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB 1945--1946 TIMELINE

1945-46 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF MGCC

By Letty Stapp Watt

"Reflections of Miami History" states that in early 1945 BFG announced that the tire plant had reached "full production" with a workforce that was one-third female. At that time John L.Collier, Goodrich Company president, also told of plant expansion plans. Walter E. Head assumes the plant manager position. Workers voted to affiliate with the United Rubber Workers.

End of the war was celebrated with the largest parade in Miami's history, and the town's focus shifted to a neglected home front.  Home construction was a major industry of the decade. Wea and Nancy Lee Additions were major construction sites, but the sounds of hammer and saw could be heard in almost every part of town. New retail businesses entered the scene. The college gained a 200-acre farm, and Baptist Hospital expanded. 

Miamians voted overwhelmingly to purchase electricity from the Grand River Dam Authority, and records fell as Aberdeen-Angus breeders paid $151,025 for 15 bulls from the S.C. Fullerton herd.

The Spartan flight training school, which had closed in 1945, made barracks available for use by the college, where enrollment was spiraling with the return of ex-servicemen. Spartan had trained over 2,000 pilots here, most of them Britons.

The Miami Veterans of Foreign Wars honored Pfc. Paul Davis, Fairland, for being the first American to enter Tokyo after the war, and Sgt Clarence Miller, Picher, the first Ottawa Countian to reach Berlin. 

 

Jack Myers, practices a putt at Miami Country club the original hole #9

 1945 January 12 Joplin Globe "Babe Gives Credit to Dudley"

Ed Dudley, President of the PGA, and formerly from Miami, Oklahoma, gave 30 minutes' instruction yesterday to Mrs. George Zaharias and then watched her breeze over the Phoenix Country Club course in a record-breaking 67 while he was taking a 69--two under men's par. 

Mrs. Zaharias, the Mildred (Babe) Didrikson of Olympic renown, carded the lowest score yesterday in the pro-amateur event preceding the start today of the $5000 Phoenix open. 

1945 January 24 mdnr "Country Club Dance"

 Members of the Miami Country club will be entertained with a dance Tuesday evening, January 30, at the club. Music will be by Basil Baker and his band. Dancing will be from 9pm to 12:30am.

1945 January 26 mdnr "Sam Fullerton Tells of Argentine Trip"

Sam C. Fullerton, Jr., Miami Aberdeen-Angus breeder related his recent trip to Argentine and showed a technicolor picture of South American cattle before and audience of approximately 150 Chamber of Commerce members at the Miami Country club.  The Miami cattleman--without use of oratorical phrases-described his airplane trip to Buenos Aires. En-route to the Argentine capital, the speaker recalled his visits to Guatemala, a Central American republic, and Lima, Peru. The cities, Fullerton said, were very beautiful. Fullerton regaled the audience with the story of flying over the Andes Mountains at an altitude of 18,000 to 22,000 feet.

1945 March 9 mdnr "Stag Night"

 The Miami Country club will hold its regular stag party at the clubhouse Tuesday evening, Tony Ming club president, announced Saturday.  Usual games will follow dinner, which will be served at 6:30 pm.

**Note: These announcements appear regularly for the Tuesday night Stag event through December. There is very little other information on golfer, golf games, or women's golf during this year.  

1945 March   Miami News Record Front Page

*Note: This is my short tribute to the front pages I've been reading through the 1940's. It seems only appropriate to give thanks and notice to the men and women who served our country during this time, from the war front to the home front. I, for one, would not be here writing this nor would we be reading this shared history of our hometown without their sacrifices. (These men were from Ottawa County.)

*Pfc. Hill has been taken prisoner by Nazi's.

*Sgt. Quandt has been killed in New Guinea.

*Sgt Kelly dies on Luzon Isle.

*Two Germans escaped Pryor Prison Camp.

*Miamians Staff Sgt. Dawson, one of a daring band of dough-boys earning the distinction of being the first Allied troops to cross the Rhine last Wednesday. 

1945 May 2 mdnr "The Grist"

Charley Lewis and Jack Myers, local golfers, advanced to the fourth round recently of the Tulsa World PGA four ball tourney at Tulsa...Last week the Miami combination defeated Floyd Hoff and Leo Daniel at Mohawk course, 3 and 2...Their fourth round opponents will be met at the Highland layout...Jack Guild and Dr. R.E. Baron, who had been scheduled to play at Tulsa, withdrew because of traveling conditions when the Verdigris river blocked traffic over U.S. 66 at Catoosa a couple of weeks ago. 

1945 May 6 

1945 May 8 

 1945 May 21 "Author Tells of Writing"

Author David Greenhood holds a copy of his novel "The Hill," as he visits the home of Miami artist, Charles Banks Wilson, who illustrated the book.

  **Note: In following with the founding fathers of bringing the world to Miami, Oklahoma I find it fascinating how many people came through our community in these decades. As a librarian at Miami Public Library in the early 1970's Charles and his wife were often in the library researching history and studying pictures. He was frequently willing to share his insights into his subjects. 

1945 June 30 mndr advertisement

 

1945 July 1 mdnr "Local Golfers in Tourney"

Local golfdom's first tourney of the season will be staged Wednesday over Miami Country club's nine-hole course.

Men and women will participate in this competitive event. Pro Jack Guild announced Saturday, with special prizes offered winner in each division. 

The male swingers will play over the 18-hole route in a blind bogey event with each linksman selecting his own handicap. The net score, somewhere between 70 and 80, will be the winning total. There also will be an approaching and putting contest on No. 9 green. A driving contest will be offered on the No. 6 fairway, the best average score for three shots, all of which must be within the fairway, determining the champion.

Women golfers compete in a 9-hole blind bogey event. There will be a special 5-hole contest open to players who have taken up the sport this spring, Guild said. Approaching and putting contests will be offered to all players and one even will be open to "beginner putters."  

All entrance fees will be used for suitable awards in each division of play. Prospective competitors may contact Guild at telephone No. 512 for further details. 

1945 July 5 mdrn  "Four Share Top Honor in City Links Contest"

 Three Miamians and a Picher man split the top award into four parts in the blind bogey contest for 18 holes played yesterday on the Miami Country club golf course.

The winning quartet was comprised of Carl Hilliard, John Burford, Bud May, all of Miami, and Bill Hale, Picher. All but Burford spotted themselves 20-strike handicaps, winding up with totals of 92 a piece. Burford, who shot 90, was 18 strokes off the drawn score of 72. Twenty-six others ended "out of the money."

Charley Lewis, driving a total of 705 yards in three efforts, won the award in the long driving division. Lewis trio of drives on No. 6 fairway traveled 230, 241, and 234 yards in that order.

The merchandise prizes were obtained through the courtesy of local businessmen.  

1945 July 8 mdnr 

George L. Coleman, Sr., prominent Tri-State lead and zinc mine executive and Miami pioneer, died at his family estate here at 5pm Saturday. He was 86 years old.

Moving to Miami in 1895, Mr. Coleman and his brother, the late Alfred E. Coleman, were partners in a water well drilling firm when they discovered lead and zinc ore deposits--the first strike in the Picher and Commerce area--on the Gordon land, west of Commerce, in 1905.

Together with C.M. Harvey, now an El Paso, Texas hotel man and banker and the late J. F. Robinson, then in the real estate business, the Coleman brothers formed the Miami Royalty company in taking up mining leases which brought millions of dollars to the firm within a few years. In 1913, the Commerce Mining and Royalty company with Mr. Robinson as president and George L. Coleman, vice president and secretary-treasurer, took over the holdings of the original enterprise. In 1938--in what was the largest financial transaction in the county involving approximately 10 million dollars--the Commerce Mining and Royalty company was purchased by the Eagle-Picher Mining and Smelting company. 

At the time of his death he was part owner of the Miami News-Record and also owned Miami's three theaters. He was chairman of the board of directors of the First National bank. A member of the First Christian Church, affiliated with the Scottish Rite and Shrine branches of the Masonic order. 

Reputed as one of Miami's most aggressive business men, he was instrumental in the building of the Miami Baptist hospital and Hotel Miami soon after the close of World War I, and the establishment of a modern school system for the city.

Through the efforts of Mr. Coleman and his associates, financial nourishment was given the city in the mid 20's with the value of zinc and lead ore shipments attaining an annual worth of $40,000,000 to $50,000,000. He was one of a group of civic-minded citizens who built the six-story, granite trimmed First National Bank building at a cost of $250,000.  

Today, the $300,000 Coleman theater, one of the most modern show-houses in the Southwest, stands as a monument to his memory.

As one of Miami's most generous philanthropists, Mr. Coleman contributed vast sums to several charities, the American Red Cross and other worthwhile endeavors aimed to improve the lot of his fellowmen.

In failing health for several years, Mr. Coleman returned to his home here about a month ago from Denver, Colorado, where he had been with his wife, Mrs. Jessie Coleman, since July 1944. Mrs. Coleman was to arrive in Miami from Denver by plane Saturday night.

Other survivors include one son, Lieut. (j.g.) George L. Coleman, Jr. with the U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C. and three granddaughters, Elizabeth Ann, Sarah Jane, and Susan Fullerton Coleman. 

Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Cooper Funeral home.

1945 August 19 mdnr "Local Pros"

Fifty-four holes scores of leaders in the Memphis open golf tournament included:

Gib Sellers, Hot Springs, Ark.,  137-74=211

Leonard Ott, Joplin, Mo., 142-72=214

Ky Laffoon, Miami, Ok., 143-71=214

1945 September 3 mdnr 

1945 September 4 mdnr

 

1945 December 30 mdnr  "Holiday Dance on Friday"

Approximately 200 people, including many servicemen and other guests, enjoyed the semi-formal holiday Miami Country club dance, sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the club, Friday evening.

The committee in charge of the party, composed of John L. Burford, chairman, John R. Wallace and Wess J. Renegar, received the guests as they arrived. 

The mantle above the fireplace in the ballroom was decorated appropriately for the season with holly, evergreen, candies and Christmas ornaments. Long tables arranged along the walls of the ballroom, furnished a place to observe the dancers. 

Card tables were available in the living room of the clubhouse for those who were not dancing. Basil Baker and his orchestra played from 9-1 o'clock. 

1946

"Reflections of Miami History" writes that the dreaded polio afflicted 34 Ottawa Country residents in 1946 leaving two dead. 

At the college, newcomer S.A. (Red) Robertson, coach, sounded a call for football players; only 16 showed up on opening day of that first post-war season. In 1946 baseball fans campaigned successfully for a professional baseball team, the result being the Miami Blues of the Class D Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League. The Blues, KOM pennant winners, were managed by Guy Froman, Chief of the Peoria Indians and a former professional players. 

 1946 February 3 mdnr "Miami Country Club Elects New Officers"

The board of directors of the Miami Country club announced Saturday the election of Joe S. Thompson, local attorney, as president of the coming organization year. Other officers include John Burford, vice-president, and Floyd Myers, secretary-treasurer.

In line with a program to widen the scope of family activities, it was announced that a dance will be held at 8:30 o'clock next Thursday night. A Joplin orchestra will furnish the music. Other plans by the directors will be announced later this week. 

1946 February 14 "Grist"

Links enthusiasm was pretty sharp on the Miami Country club layout until the current cold snap came along...Last Sunday, for instance, 40 players toured the nine-hole layout...Pro Jack Guild, getting ready for another season as instructor, says the course has been in splendid condition--that is, up the hour the weather broke. 

Ky Laffoon, this city's major contribution to big-time golf, joins the professional links stars today at New Orleans for a slice of the tournament gold....For two months the former Miamian has been taking it easy at Orlando, Florida, golfing at his leisure over the tricky Dubadread (my guess is that this should read Dubsdread golf course in Orlando) course in that city...Ky has been polishing up his strokes so that he may compete in the circuit this winter and spring with the touring pros...

The Associated Press reported recently that Ky was the No 5 man in winnings among the top shotmakers last year, winning $18,000 in all...

They asked Ky down South how long Byron Nelson would continue to be at the top of the links heap.  Here's the comment he offered:

"Byron should last another six or seven years. He's been playing golf for 16 years and has become consistently better year after year. He keeps on improving and keeps interested in his game. He never gets too good to forget practice and he's wise enough not to burn himself out."

1946 February 25 mdnr "Golf Supplies"

Golf supplies won't be plentiful during 1946. Synthetic rubber will be used in manufacture of balls until at least June 1. Thereafter, the linksmen should begin receiving the livelier pellets again.

In the meantime, Pro Jack Guild is trying to get what balls and clubs he can at Miami Country club. Within the next two to three weeks, Guild expects to receive some synthetic rubber balls from Spaulding, Dunlop, and Acushnet, and some clubs from Wilson and Hillerich & Badsby and a few First Flight woods and irons. 

Links fever is spreading and Guild expects many more players in the Miami district this year. In the clubhouse, for instance, most of the larger lockers already are filled; only a few small ones are still available to rent.

Some 50 tee enthusiasts took a cut at the little white ball Sunday and this turnout was not at all unusual. Much work remains to be done on the course, including top dressing.  

1946 March 31 mdnr "Crowds Keep Coming, Golf Booms Along"

Golf, which is enjoying a big boom along most of the nation's fairways, was largely a Sunday pastime at Miami Country club until this year. Now linksmen are turning out in greater numbers and the regulations often made but rarely enforced, will be brought into action.

It seems that Sunday crowds particularly are jamming the greens and, occasionally o t their dismay, the roughs. Some have been touring the nine-hole grass green layouts in fivesomes, must to large a group for Sundays. So from here on, Pro Jack Guild said yesterday, the Sabbath limit will be a foursome. 

The club links instructor said the course is in splendid condition--greens have been top-dressed and fertilized and the bent grass is growing. The practice putting green is being placed into shape for the series of special contests to be held during the late spring and summer nights. 

Guild is leaving Monday for Tulsa to attend a two-day meeting of a store opening there. D.B. Bell & Sons, which is operating a new branch business in T-Town, is inviting visitors. The local pro will attend a meeting of pros Monday evening and one for greens-keepers Tuesday morning. 

1946 April 1 "Almost In"

 

This is the first photo of the course I have found by Orrick Sparlin.

That's a long putt Bob Hill missed by a narrow margin, but the Safeway stores won't pay their managers for close ones. Neither did his two golfing pals, who appear quite interested as the Miami golfer tried to hit the cup. This scene was taken on the 18th hole. In the background are the sand traps, which plague the best of swingers on their off days. 

1946 April 7 mdnr

 Golfers gave par a sound spanking at Miami Country club last week...Charley Lewis shattered figures by five strokes with a sizzling 7 on Thursday, Club Pro Jack Guild reported....Lewis went out in 34 and came in with a scorching 33...He was playing in a foursome that included Leonard Ott, formerly of Joplin, who is now attached to a Florida club...Ott posted 73 for the 18 holes..John F. Robinson posted a sub par 68 earlier in the week...And Hugh Wright, who never before had accomplished the feat, cracked 90 for the first time....He reported 88 on his round Thursday afternoon...

1946 April 7 mdnr  "Golfers Gather" 

 

 Men and women fairways enthusiasts have begun their annual assault on par at the Miami Country club. Each Sunday sees increasing crowds. This photograph, taken from the second floor of the club house looking toward the est, depicts action at the No. 9 green. Between the trees, strolling toward the clubhouse, is a couple calling it quits for the day. At the upper left hand corner you can see a group, if you look closely, moving up the No. 6 fairway. That gentleman, bare-headed, stretched out at the edge of the green is R.O. (Hoot) Gibson. Shown putting is E.G. Frye and Bob Hill and George McGhee look on. 

Jack Guild, club pro, announced Saturday that more golfers have appeared at the course this spring than at any previous period since 1939. He said women probably would organize shortly for "ladies day" golfing programs, which would be staged once weekly. 

1946 April 21 mdnr "Women Golfers Asked to Organize"

Women golfers are being invited to the Miami Country club Tuesday to discuss organization of an association. Officers will be elected at a later date, Pro Jack Guild announced Saturday.

Guild said the purpose of the 10am gathering is to determine how many women are interested in playing the sport this spring and summer. Miami could send players to the Tulsa district and state association tourneys if enough interest is shown. 

Cards were mailed out to 75 ladies, Guild said, but added he probably missed a number who might like to play. It is planned to have one day set aside at the course as "ladies day" each week. 

"Dance Will Be Held"

A spring dance for members and guests of the Miami Country club is set for Thursday night, John L. Burford, entertainment committee chairman, announced Saturday. The dance from 9 to 12 o'clock will feature music by a Camp Crowder soldier band. Admission will be $1.50 per couple.

1946 June 3 mdnr "Golf Tourney Postponed"

Bad weather forced postponement of the week-end handicap golf tournament at the Miami Country club, Jack Guild, revealed today. Guild said the blind bogey affair for 18 holes will be held "the first warm Sunday."

***

Women golfers at Miami Country club will meet at 9:30 am Wednesday for their regular ladies' day game. Reservations for the 1 o'clock luncheon, which will be served by the new caterer, may be made by calling telephone No. 512.

 

1946 June 13 mdnr  "Country Club Women"

The women of Miami Country club enjoyed a day of golf and luncheon together Wednesday.

Mrs. Gordon Anderson, women's golf chairman, appointed the following chairmen to assist her: Mrs. Frank B. Pauly, tournament chairman; Mrs. Gayle Pickens, handicap chairman; Mrs. Lloyd DeVoe, publicity chairman; Mrs. Floyd Newton, treasurer.

Mrs. Denver Seals won the "blind bogey" prize; a prize for low putting score was won by Mrs. Bert Wall. Other women who attended were: Mrs. J.H. Simon, Mrs. Peggy Schultze, Mrs. Jayleen Reniker Nobes, Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. Elvert Frye, Mrs. F.E. Farrier, and Mrs. V.O. Freese.

1946 June 14 mdnr "Coleman Low Golf Scorer"

"Miamian Posts 73 in State Qualifying Round--Opposes McAlester Player."

Crazy golf is the order of things for the Oklahoma amateur golf tournament which open championship match play today.

For the second straight qualifying round a hole-in-one has turned up, yet medalist Bo Wininger, Oklahoma City, was the only golfer in the two days to equal par 72 over the rugged Indian Hills Country club course (Indian Hills later became Rolling Hills and is now The Cherokee Hills Golf Course designed by Perry Maxwell.)

High winds plus tricky greens and hilly fairways have sent scores soaring.

1946 June 16 mdnr "Coleman Wins State Amateur"

George Coleman, Jr., Miami sportsman, today captured the Oklahoma amateur golf championship by defeating Joy Cole of Muskogee, 1 up in a see-saw 36-hole battle over Indian Hills Country club course

The Miami sharpshooter took command of the match on the 29th hole when he went 3 up over his veteran opponent From then on in he was never turned, although Cole twice cut the lead to one hole and stood a chance to tie by winning the 36th. Both player halved the 36th hole with par 4's and that was the match. 

The 18-hole morning round ended all-square with both Cole and Coleman carding 77's. So keen was competition that play was still tied after the 25. Coleman stroked a par 3 for the 26 and started his victory march.

Coleman and Cole consistently got long drives off the tees. Cole's iron shots often found the traps, and he staged several remarkable recoveries to recoup. Both men collected for birdies. Coleman's winning card was 77-77--154 to Cole's 77-78--155.

Coleman, plane pilot and a former motorboat enthusiast, was playing in his third state tournament. In previous competition his top achievement was the quarterfinals of the men's Trans-Mississippi in 1941. Cole, a Muskogee business man, has played every tourney since 1929.

George Coleman became the first Miamian ever to win the Oklahoma amateur golf tournament with his triumph at Tulsa. Coleman, four times champion at Miami Country club, always has excelled at match play. While consistently a low scorer in past tourneys here and at Tulsa, the new state titleist has preferred the type of competition under which he participated last week.

1946 July 4 mdnr "Ladies Day Meeting"

Mrs. Rex M. Graham, Mrs. M.K. Hutts and Mrs. Vernon Sapp were hostesses for the ladies' day meeting at Miami Country club Wednesday. Golf and bridge entertained those present after the luncheon was served. One guest, Mrs. C.W. Letcher, and about 15 members enjoyed the meeting.

1946 July 5 mdnr "Fireworks at the Miami Country club"

A gala display of fireworks on the golf links at Miami Country club began with a family dinner. The spacious dining room opened windows allowing breezes from all directions to cool the event for the 90 plus members in attendance.

Sky rockets soared and burst high above the  golf course on the east side for the first time since the war. Many families, who feared exposing their children to the danger of the crowd indoors because of the recent polio scare, watched the whole show from the lawn or comfort of their cars.  

1946 July 5 "Charley Lewis Has 69 on Links Here"

Charley Lewis shot a sub-par 69 to win the Fourth of July match play tournament at Miami Country club. Bob Longacre and Dick Neel finished second and third in that order. 

Playing against par 72, Lewis had a six-up count for his sizzling 18 holes. Longacre, with a 19-stroke handicap, posted an 86 and went five-up as did third place winner Neel, who toured the course in 83.

Other low scoring entries include: Johnnie Robinson, 71; Jack Myers, 73; R.O. (Hoot) Gibson, 73; Glen Scott, 75; Clarence Carselowey, 78; and J.C. (Gob) Taylor, 79.

 1946 July 14 mdnr "Polio Scare"

The polio scare has canceled the scheduled social and dances at the Miami Country club for boys and girls of the members. The activities will resume when the scare of polio is over. 

"Country Club Luncheon" 

Mrs. Robert Longacre and Mrs. Carl Hilliard will be hostesses for the 1 o'clock luncheon Wednesday for women of the Miami Country club. Reservations for the luncheon should be made by Tuesday evening. 

1946 August 1 "Ladies Luncheon"

 Mrs. V.O. Freese and Mrs. Lloyd Devoe were hostesses for the Wednesday luncheon entertaining women of the Miami Country club. A centerpiece of salmon-colored gladioli was used on the luncheon table. Some of the group enjoyed a morning golf game. Bridge and visiting occupied the afternoon hours.

One guest, Mrs. W. L. Oliver, and these other members attended: Mrs. Gordon Anderson, Mrs. J.H. Simons, Mrs. K.C. Jeffries, Mrs. Glenn McCollum, Mrs. Richard Wright, Jr., and Mrs. Ted Lowry. 

1946 September 22 mdnr "Golf Tourney Planned Here"

Miami Country club's annual handicap golf tournament gets under way this week over a nine-hole grass green layout whose greens recently have been top-dressed especially for the competitive event.

Pro Jack Guild said pairings will be made Sunday night at the clubhouse. Any players who have not received official notification of the tourney may call the Country club--not later than 6 p.m. today. 

The tournament will be a match play affair with one match in each flight to be played off within a week. First round events will begin Monday and continue through next Sunday. Pairings will be announced in the News-Record sports section Tuesday. 

Guild said there will be awards for winners and runners-up in each division, with the number of flights contingent upon the total entry list.

1946 October 8 mdnr "Golf Meet Near Completion"

Play in Miami Country club's handicap golf tournament has reached the semi-finals stage in three divisions and the field will be narrowed to the finals with matches not later than Sunday. Pro Jack Guild announced results:

A flight:  G.R. White bested C.J. Carselowey, 5 and 4; C.F. Lewis, Jr., eliminated Lyndon Scott, 3 and 2; Bud May nosed out Jack Myers, 1 up, and Glenn Scott defeated Al White, 4 and 2.

B flight: Dr. Rex Graham won by default from Fred Newton; Augie Witzansky and Bob Longacre, tied at the end of 18 holes, will play nine extra holes to decide the winner; John Burford eliminated W.L. Williams, 5 and 3, and C.E. Trussler downed Bert Wall, 5 and 4. 

C flight: W.C. Bullock bested George Speer, 2 and 1; Elbert Frye, defeated Dick Wright, 5 and 4; Ivan Fisher edged Noel Wyatt, 1 up over 19 holes, and Bob Hill shaded Carl Hilliard, 1 up on 19 holes.

1946 October 16 "Local Linksmen Into Finals"

Finals have been reached in all three divisions of play in the annual golf tourney at Miami Country club.

C.F. Lewis, Jr., who posted a decisive 8 and 6 victory over G.R. White, in the top half of the A flight semi-finals, will meet Glenn Scott, 5 and 4 victor over Bud May, in the final round. 

B flight: Augie Witzansky eliminated Dr. Rex Graham, 5 and 4, and John Burford downed C.E. Trussler, 5 and 3.

C flight: Ivan Fisher bested Bob Hill, 4 and 2, and W.C. Bullock downed Elvert Frye 3 and 2. 

1946 October 30 "Winners in Links Tourney"

Finals in all three divisions of the Miami Country club handicap tourney will be determined soon for both winners and runners-up. In the A flight, Glenn Scott defeated C.F. Lewis, Jr., 3 and 2. John Burford won the B flight with a 6 and 5 decision over Augie Witzansky and W.C. Bullock captured the C class title from Ivan Fisher, 4 and 2. 

1946 December 19 mdnr "Shelton Heads Medical Setup"

Dr. B. Wright Shelton, Miami physician and surgeon, was elected president of the Ottawa County Medical Society at a business session following the organization's annual Christmas dinner party at the Miami Country club Wednesday night.

Other officers elected for the 1947 term include:

Dr. L.P. Hetherington, Miami, first vice-president; Dr. J. Sherwood Jacoby, Commerce, second vice-president; Dr. J.R. Barry, Picher, third vice-president; Dr. William Jackson Sayles, Miami, secretary-treasurer.

Dr. W. G. Chesnut, Dr. Benjamin W. Ralston and Dr. John E. Highland, Miami physicians, were named as members of the board of censors.

Dr. A. H. Wasson, superintendent of Miami Baptist hospital, and Mrs. Wasson furnished the dinner. Wives of the county's physicians and surgeons attended the function.  

 

 

* 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

The Miami Daily News Record (mdnr) is my major source of information.  For the sake of the "Timeline of the Miami Golf and Country Club" I have chosen to use the exact words from the newspaper writers because of the times, and language of golf, and the cultural standards of the decades.