The Caddy -- 1950's

1950'S THE CADDY by Letty Stapp Watt

It would be impossible to share our history of golf without including the role of the caddies who have perpetuated the game over the last two centuries.

Depiction of Slammin Sammy Snead, who began his career in golf as a caddy.

 

It is important to know that before 1870 caddies carried clubs in their arms with out the benefit of a bag. A retired sail-maker who was the clubhouse attendant at England's Westward Ho! fashioned a strip of canvas to keep the grips from getting wet. Among the wealthier members, this chore of toting the loose clubs was delegated to the caddie.  Because of course conditions (Links-lands and public space for man and beasts) and the caddy's intimate knowledge of the course, they began to advise the player on club selection, distance, direction, and hazards. By the nineteenth century many caddies where known as "professionals." My father, like so many professionals of his era, began his career as  a caddy in Wichita, Kansas.  (THE WORLD OF GOLF by Charles Price, 1962)

1932

1932 June 19 mdnr reports that John Ballard, Custodian of the golf shop will reduce cold drinks by 50 percent. Golfers may now quench their thirst for a nickel. Golf balls are also cheaper this year and caddies made the rounds at considerably reduced fees.

1932 August 2 mdnr  reports that during the club championship between Clarence Gordon and Luther Sheldon, that Sheldon knocked his tee shot into the ditch and rolled under the bridge on hole #4. Caddies who were in a position to watch the ball declared that it bounced back and forth under the bridge before it flopped out and up for several yards on the fairway.

1932 July 11 MNR The annual tournament of caddies of the Rockdale CC is under way this week. The matches being played so far show: McCorkle winning two up and one to play over Breckinridge; Andy Gump winning five up over E. Warner; Glen Heath over Hank Eagle two and one to play; Virgil Pryor winning over Irvin Heath three up and two to play. The semi finals are scheduled to be played the first of this week.(No follow up on the winner.)

In the 1930's the Western Golf Association built a "caddie kit" for golf courses to purchase. 1. Know all 14 clubs;2. Hand player the club he selects; 3. Stand still; 4. Watch the ball; 5. Keep p with the player; 6. Keep quiet; 7. Replace all divots; 8 First n the green takes the flag; 9 Smooth sand in traps; 10. Memorize yardage of each hole; 11. Never swing clubs; 12. If you don't know--ask.  

There were also "Four Things to Do" if you are the player: 1. Know your caddy's name; 2. Cooperate fully with the caddy committee by observing all club caddy rules; 3. Give your caddy constructive advice and suggestions; 4. Help your caddy earn the WGA Honor Caddy badge. 

1942

Linda Neal Reising shares this story about her her father, Leroy Neal. 

My father worked as a caddy at the Miami Country club when he was young. He always told the story about Bing Crosby coming to the course. The boys drew straws to see who would be his caddy. Unfortunately, my father did not win. The boy who received the job to caddy for Bing Crosby was given a fifty dollar tip from Mr. Crosby. That was a fortune. 

To read the story of when Bing Crosby played golf at Miami please click on this link: Bing Crosby

1947 to the early 1950's 

Hermann Childers shared his memories of caddying at the Miami Country club in the early 1947. The pro before your dad came on board after the Scotsman, Jack Guild, left. He was there when I started to caddie in 1947 (Guild 1939-1952). Some of the caddies who worked there were Jack Horner, Larry Warner, Jim and Larry Parker, Ken and Jr. Walker, Ron Edwards, Bob Furnish. There were the Huddleson Brothers, there were five who lived in Commerce worked regularly as caddies. Ernie Warner, and others whose names I don't recall worked as caddies through the late 1940's and early 1950's. 

Those were the good times. We always made good money for hauling those clubs around the course. On Saturdays and Sundays we made $2.00 a day or more. That was great money because we could go to the movies for 10 cents. Ice cream "double dip" was 5 cents and hamburgers were 10 cents at Roy's Lunch and Tucker's Lunch. Those were the days.  

 

James Taylor recalls many stories about the Miami Country club. He writes that the old cement building for caddies stood off to the right of hole #1. It was a block house with benches to offer shade. Caddies would wait until they were called, I believe Ernie, a Sr. Caddy in his thirties, managed them. However, I did caddy and spent a little time in that house. Mostly caddies played poker and gambled while waiting. Conversations were similar to the dialogue in the movie "Caddy Shack." 

James writes, when I was 14, I was going to the CC to practice and observed a dozen or more people grouped around someone hitting golf balls in the range next to hole #1. As I walked over there, I saw Ben Hogan hitting balls and watched him for 60 plus minutes hit seven irons to Ernie. Hogan's forearms were Popeye liked, and those shots were carrying about 155 yards or so. Erie hardly ever had to move other than a step and bend over to pick up the golf balls.

Another treat was when Hogan hit 25 or so shots with just his left arm. Those shots had the same trajectory and were 15-20 yards shorter than his normal shot. Hogan was a good friend with George Coleman, Jr.  George brought Ben to Miami more than once when he visited his mother. George is who also put together the four ball team of Hogan and Nelson that defeated the undefeated team of Ward and Venture as described in the book THE GREATEST MATCH EVER PLAYED by Mark Frost. 

James writes, Johnie Stapp and my father, Gob Taylor, were good friends. Once when I was caddying for John Robinson I overheard John F. and Johnie Stapp discussing activity at the dance at the Miami CC. It must have been a good story.

I also carried double at Southern Hills for Johnie and Doc Baron. Pat Temple and I went double for Johnie, Doc Baron, Jackie Meyers and Doc Jackson at Southern Hills when I was 14 years old and Pat Temple was 15. Southern Hills is hilly and a wonderful challenging course. I only recall I was totally exhausted after the round, going up and down those hills, as was Pat. Johnie took a little pity on us and as did the rest of the foursome and asked after the round if we could go another 18. I almost died at the question as the event was in July and 95 degrees with no wind, but then he just laughed and said, "Just kidding Jimmy" and I thanked the Lord. 

1953 October 7 mdnr  "Pros Women caddies in Paris"

The American Ryder cup golf team confessed to a man today that it is slightly nettled over one aspect of European golf. It is the women caddies.  The American Professionals are here for a match with a European all-star team from six countries. At the suburban St. Cloud golf course they discovered that women were used to carry clubs. Walter Buerkemo's caddy confided in him she's expecting the blessed event in about five months. 

"You know," said the Detroit pro, "I just feel like going up to her and saying, "Ma'am I'll carry that bag".

 

Bob Hill relates his memories of caddying for Ky Laffoon and Jackie Myers, local hustler. It was not uncommon for them to play 18 holes, for which Bob caddied double, then after winning or losing a large amount of money, they would head over to hole #1 and play the hustle game. 

On hole #1 they'd go to a spot on the hole, perhaps a 60 yard pitch or chip shot, throw out a dozen balls each and hit to see who got the closest to the hole. These were of $100+ bets (1950's). Then they'd walk over to hole #2 and perhaps throw down a dozen balls each in the bunker, and again play for who hit the closet shot to the pin. 

During the hustle game Ky would play with his Championship bag of clubs. The special bag contained 5-6 different types of clubs because he was superstitious, and kept only the clubs that he hit the best. In reality they were often the only clubs left in his bag after a round of golf. His temper cost him not only tournaments and money but it cost him many golf clubs (and gave golf historians many outlandish stories to tell.) 

Bob relates that during the hustle round of 9 holes in 3 1/2 hours he was required to keep score 11111,1111.  In the end Jackie Myers owed Ky $9.00

One year when Ky was visiting Miami course, he carried a MacGregor set of irons and copper plated inset on the grooves of each iron. 

Bob Hill retells caddying for Harvey Ward during the 1958 U.S. Open at Southern Hills. Ken Venturi also played in the practice  round group. (This is the same pairing from The Match by Frost.) Mike Souchak and Frank Stranahan were in the foursome with Ward and Venturi. Bob was 16 years old in 1958. *Stranahan was a very wealthy young man, who turned pro just so he could play with the pro's. He liked that level of golf. (read in a golf story.)

In order to learn how to caddy for a pro in the US Open, Bob and other men were required to go to caddy school for 6 weeks on a Monday in Tulsa. Bob's folks took him out of school and drove him to Tulsa to learn the rules that caddy's needed to know.

It seems that Harvey Ward and Ken Venturi were on the rolls as working for Eddie Lowry in his California car dealership, when in essence they never worked a lick, but Eddie paid for their amateur tournaments. Because this was illegal Harvey was forced to turn pro in 1958, Venturi had already turned pro. 

In the 1958 US Open Bob caddied for Ward on the practice round (Wednesday), then 18 on Thursday, 18 on Friday, and 36 on Saturday. $35,000 was the entire purse with the winner Tommy Bolt taking home $8000, and unknown man named Gary Player, placed 2nd.

 

Tommy Bolt, celebrating the win on hole #18. There is a skinny little kid in the background, Bob Hill. (pic posted on Facebook 3/30/22) Tommy Bolt, US Open Champion 1958

In the late 1950's Bob often traveled to Springdale, Arkansas for a big Pro-am with Doc Jackson, Johnie Stapp, Jackie Meyers, who was the gambler.

Charlie Dawson writes I worked in the golf shop with Johnie Stapp in the late 1950's and early 1960's. In my last event, Bob Dickson who went on to play the tour was in my threesome. Johnie arranged for me to caddy for Mickey Mantle and George Coleman, Jr. when they played at Miami CC. When Coleman left Miami to live in California he was connected with the celebrities out there. I think he was an investor in the Ben Hogan company. 

If it weren't for the role of caddying in the 1920's my father, the next professional to come to Miami, would never have learned the game of golf, nor learned a profession other than janitor, as his hands were twisted and scarred from serious burns he received in his early teens, while working on a car.  The doctor and nurse suggested that dad learn to hold a golf club as therapy, which then opened the door to golf courses and caddying. 

On a personal note:

 I recall caddies being regular hands at the golf course in Independence, Kansas when I would have been 3,4,5 (1951, 52, 53).  There were no gasoline golf carts, so the caddies carried one or two bags and perhaps used a push cart if the player requested. They were there from sunup to sundown and many an afternoon I played out back in the sand pile where the caddies sat around when they weren't working. I remember that they each had cigar boxes, some painted, most just labeled. Inside they kept their cash or other belongings. The cigar boxes were stored at the Bowling Alley when the caddy was working.  I watched them play marbles and tried my best to sit on pop bottles like they did.

My most fascinating memory was from the snakes and fishes in the big lake on the golf course, not far from our home or the putting green.  The boys, dad, and some of the members often fished in the lake. One day the caddies raked out a great long black snake and cut it open. In all of their excitement I left my home and ran down to the lake. There I discovered with own my own eyes a number of rotten golf balls in the snake's belly. The balls don't digest, they just lay in the belly and rot! Ack.

*Note: As I finish this story on the role of the caddy, The Master's golf tournament is 'live on television' this week. The role of the caddy is immeasurable as we watch these men walk the six miles daily up and down the lush hills of Georgia. I hope some of our readers have had the opportunity to watch The Master's in person or another women's or men's professional golf tournament. Being in the crowd and watching this game live is incredible. 

**The story of Pappy Stokes, Grandfather of Caddies explains all of the roles that a caddy carries on his/her shoulders. 

 

MIAMI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB 1947 TIMELINE

photo by Orrick Sparlin, story on June 22, 1947

 

1947 TIMELINE AND STORIES MGCC

BY LETTY STAPP WATT

1947 January 11 mdnr "Miamian Competing in Crosby Tourney"

DEL MONTE, CALIFORNIA, JAN. 10 (AP) Playing in crooner Bing Crosby's $10,000 pro-amateur golf tourney, E. J. Dutch Harrison of Little Rock, Arkansas and his amateur partner, George L. Coleman, Jr. of Miami, Oklahoma. They posted a 36-hole total score of 137 (70-67). Coleman assisting the pro in the scoring for Harrison, in the pro lists alone, tallied 74-70 for 144. 

1947. January 19 mdnr

The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Miami Country Club, Inc, will be held in the office of said corporation at Miami, Ok on January 20, 1947, at 6:30 o'clock p.m. for the election of directors for the ensuing year and the transaction of such other business as may come before this meeting. --Joseph S. Thompson, President. 

1947 February 1  OKLAHOMA PGA TOURNAMENT TO BE HELD HERE IN MAY

Miami Country club with its nine-hole grass greens layout that has withstood par-shattering efforts of many top flight golfers in past years, will be host to the Oklahoma PGA tournament again this year. 

More than 25 professional swingers are expected to participate in the event, Jack Guild, local pro, said Saturday in announcing the selection of Miami. It will be the seventh time since 1929 that the PGA has chosen the course here. 

The dates were set for May 19, 20, 21, and 22 and an event 36-hole match play is observed to determine the new state champ, a fifth day may be added. Marion Askew, pro at the Tulsa Oaks club and chairman of the State PGA tournament committee, conferred with members of his committee before acting. The pros, who will be paired with local simon pures in a special 18-hole affair the second day of the tourney, will be firing for about $850 in cash prizes and the handsome silver trophy now held by Tex Consolver, Wichita, Kas., shotmaker. 

The Oklahoma PGA, with a membership that includes golfers in Arkansas and Wichita, has guaranteed that at least 25 men will participate. That total would assure places for 75 local amateurs in the 18-hole special event.

The nation's various professional districts will schedule qualifying play May 19 to determine which golfers will be eligible to compete in the U.S. tourney, held in early summer. This will be a 36-hole medalist test and perhaps two or three of the lowest scorers here will be eligible for national competition. The low 16 qualifiers here May 19 will collide two days later in the match play event. Besides Consolver, there are several other outstanding players, who never have previously shown their hitting prowess off the local tees.

These include Jimmy Gauntt, pro at Oklahoma City's Twin Hills club, and Mike Murra and Dave Trufelli both of Wichita. Among the old favorites to compete will  be Floyd Farley, who won two of the previous tourneys held in Miami. 

Meanwhile, it was announced that the PGA will hold a number of one-day pro-am meets are various Oklahoma clubs this year. Hugh Bancroft of the Tulsa highland club, president of the state PGA listed these single day affairs for the following cities, each one on the first Monday of the month: Tulsa Indian Hills, May; Ponca City, June; Wichita, July; Oklahoma City, August; Miami, September, and Okmulgee, October. 

In these events, pros will be permitted to take their own club amateurs along with them.

1947 February 9 mdnr "Stag Night"

The new board of the Miami Country club wishes to announce that regular stag night will be held Tuesday, February 11, at 6:30 o'clock. All members are urged to bring a prospective member. An important announcement of interest to the club will be made. 

***

"College Names Music Leader" 

Kenneth Richards, who has come from Waco, Texas where he was director of music in the high school will lead the music department of Northeastern Oklahoma A & M college.  Richards, a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, with a degree in music, and graduate work at Northwestern University, taught several years in Pauls Valley and Durant school systems, prior to entering the service as a first lieutenant in 1941. 

Participating in the Normandy campaign as liaison officer with he second division, 38th Field Artillery, Captain Richards was wounded by mortar fire on the Trevieres route, June 9, 1944. He holds the Purple Heart and Silver Star, and was discharged receiving his majority of December 1946, after a total of five years service. 

Mr. and Mrs. Richards and son, Kenneth, Jr., temporarily reside at the the girls' dormitory with the instructor's mother, Mrs. Dora Richards, matron. (His wife, Marian, taught music in the Miami schools through the 1950's and 1960's. Their son, Kenneth, and daughter, C. Ann, were both graduates of MHS.)

**Kenny is an important figure in golf for the next three decades. He became the first golf coach for NEO and willingly took on one young woman, Letty Stapp,  who had to qualify for the team and for each tournament. In 1965 I qualified for the NEO Men's Golf Team and traveled with them to area tournaments for the next two years. I was at that time the only woman playing golf on a men's golf team, in the Midwest. When the team qualified for Nationals held in Florida, I was not allowed to travel with them nor play on the team. Ironically, they played in gale force winds from an approaching hurricane.

When my sister, Jonya Stapp, qualified for the men's team at NEO, she played one year and was not allowed a second year because Title IX was introduced. No woman's team was created, so Jonya did not play on the team that year. 

1947 March 3 mdnr  "Golf Day"

Wednesday will be ladies' golf day at the Miami Country club. Jack Guild, professional, will give a group golf lesson at 10 a.m.  Luncheon will be served at the clubhouse between noon and 1 o'clock 

1947 April 2 mdnr  "The Grist"

Four Tulsa pros are planning a trip to Miami Thursday to test the local golf course preliminary to the start of the annual Oklahoma PGA tourney, which starts at Miami Country club May 19...The visitors will include: Marion Askew, Oaks club pro and chairman of the State PGA tournament committee: Hugh Bancroft, Highland club, president of Oklahoma PGA; Joe Dahlman, Mohawk club, secretary, and George Whitehead, links instructor at Indian Hills and a former PGA champion...They will meet with the local tourney committee, headed by R.M. Schlemmer, and will stay over for dinner following their round of golf. 

1947 May 4 mdnr "City Amateurs Await Pros for Golf Tourney"

Sixteen members of the Oklahoma PGA had notified Jack Guild, Miami Country club pro, Saturday of their intentions to compete May 1922 in the annual state PGA tournament here. They include: Marion Askew, Hugh Bancroft, Tex Consolver, Joe Dahlman, Bob Dunning, Floyd Farley, Frank Higgins, Jack Higgins, Gene O'Brien, Bill Oliver, Georg Whitehead, and Charles Worley. 

Farley is the pro of Meridian golf club in Oklahoma City (now a housing development off NW Ann Arbor and 36th Northwest) while Weisner and Rawlinson are Muskogee golfers. Worley is pro at Okmulgee Country club. Oliver is links instructor at Ponca City Country club. O'Brien teaches golfers at Westlink club, Wichita. 

Guild said there will be more--some 25-30 in all--by the hour of the shotmakers tee off on opening day for at least two places in the national PGA tourney. Several Kansas and Arkansas golfers are members of the Oklahoma PGA and one of them, Tex Consolver of Wichita, is the defending champion at match play. He won last year at Muskogee and will be here to defend his laurels. 

Guild said that greens are "coming along in good shape" and reported that all fairways have been "mowed and rolled." With a break in the weather, he added, the course should be in excellent condition for the coming event. A new tee has been built on No. 9, extending the long par 5 hole approximately 55 yards. 

Members are being reminded that handicaps must be established if they wish to participate in the pro-amateur. These practice scores should be posted with the club pro.

***

Wilbur J. Worley pitched a sizzling display of "off the greens" shots at a a group of links pals the other day. The victims were Russ Hawk, Ivan Fisher and Schlemmer. Worley holed out three shots from off the green in nine holes, an unusual feat on the fairways...He chipped in on Numbers 1, 3, and 8 holes for two birdies and a par. "As far as I'm concerned," Guild said, "I've never heard of anyone holing out three approach shots on nine holes." 

Some of the lowest scores at the club have been turned in recently by George Coleman, Jr, Oklahoma amateur champion in 1946; John F. Robinson, C F (Charley) Lewis, Jr., and Jack Myers. Coleman, who plans to compete in the pro-amateur tournament is 7 under par, it was reported, for all rounds he has played over the nine-hole layout this year.

*** 

The team of Lewis and Bud May, which has reached the quarter-finals of the Tulsa World PGA four-ball tourney, will play today at the Tulsa Mohawk course. Last Sunday Lewis was 6 under regulation figures for the first 14 holes. This dazzling performance knocked out the opposition quickly...Lewis and May have now captured three matches. 

1947 May 11 mdnr 

1947 May 14 mdnr  "Golfers Told to Report"

A large number of Miami Country club amateurs with handicaps of 18 or less will compete May 20 in the Oklahoma PGA pro-amateur here.

 

1947 May 18  mdnr "Ladies Golf Association"

Mrs. Cecil Coop was hostess Wednesday for the activities of the Ladies Golf Association of Miami Country Club. The class lesson was given by Jack Guild, pro, at 10 a.m. Mrs. Woodrow Painter, Mrs. Denver Seals, and Mrs. L.R. Bressie won prizes for the low putts on three holes in the beginners class. The prize for low putts on nine holes was won by Mrs. Bert Wall. 

Others attending the meeting were: Mrs. Clarence Carselowey, Mrs. Gayle Pickens, Mrs. Floyd Newton, Mrs. Gordon Anderson, Mrs. D.E. McIntire, Mrs. Frank Pauly, Mrs. James Campbell, Mrs. Elver Frye, Mrs. Rogert Pfau, Mrs. MG. Morgan, Mrs. Lloyd DeVoe, Mrs. John King, Mrs. N.J. Emery, Mrs. E.W. McCuskey, Miss Diana Ander, Mrs. Rex Graham, Mrs. Stewart Gammon, Mrs. R. M. Schlemmer, Mrs. F.E. Farrier, Mrs. Claud R. Jones, and Mrs. Ted Lowry. 

1947 May 18 mdnr "Stag Party

A stag party for the Miami Country club membership will be held at 7 o'clock Monday night at the clubhouse. At this time, members will meet the visiting professional golfers and make final pans for the club's pro-amateur event, an 18-hole affair scheduled for Tuesday. 

Jack Guild, host pro, said it was urgent that he be notified at once as to how many members will attend. This may be done by mailing in cards recently mailed out or by phoning at the clubhouse. 

1947 May 19 mdnr "Simon Pures Paired with Pros"

(The Merriam Webster dictionary defines as 'simon pure' as one of untainted purity or integrity; also, pretentiously pure. However, it appears from the last twenty years of reading this term that the newspaper writers sometimes use the term to mock the fact that some men don't know how to add properly or perhaps they don't always post the correct scores for handicaps."

A dazzling array of linksmen, who hail from major cities of Oklahoma and parts of Kansas and Arkansas, will tee off at 9am in a battle for the two places allotted to the state association for participation in the National PGA tournament, to be held in June at Plum Hollow course at Detroit.

Pairings for the pro-amateur will be:

Pros and                        Simon Pure amateurs

T.Consolver                    C. Hilliard(16), 

B. Schlemmer,                J. Campbell

R. Dahlman                    D. Matthews, Dr. Alquist, G.L. Coleman(0)

C. Weisner                     B. Wal, Dr. Graham

G. Whitehead                 L. Cowgill, C.J. Carselowey

J. Gauntt                        Fuzz Swanson, W.Bullock, D. West

Frank Higgins                 Jim Moore, MC Bagby

J. Gullane                       C. Trussler, N. Wyatt, F. Pauly

J. Durham                       Dr. Barton, R. Warner, R. Pfau

B. Witherspoon                B. Watts, A. Witzansky, Dr. Connell

J. Guild                          C. Jones, J. Burford, D. Wright

UC Ferguson                   G. Speer, G. Scott, R.D. Painter

Bill Oliver                        Paul Wilson, G.R. White

Tom Manley                    MK Hutts, Gob Taylor, Leo Scott

G. Getchell                     B. Hughes, A. Thompson, I Fisher

Jack Higgins                   JF Robinson, Ted Lowry

Marion Askew                 D. Sandmire, B. Longacre, H. Wright

Gene O'Brien                  Ken Richards, J. Eagle, EW McCuskey

H. Bancroft                    Cecil Coop, Jack Myers, L.R. Bressie

Don Wilkie                     Luther Sheldon, F. Wall

Chuck Worley                 Joe Spencer, M. Caldwell, T. Stith

Morris Gravatt                Dick Neel, C.F. Lewis Jr.(2)

 

1947 May 20 mdnr "Gravatt's 141 Best Score"

Morrie Gravatt, smooth-swinging Tulsa Country club linksman, proved himself the "best mudder' in the annual State PGA golf tourney held here. Gravatt, who started out with 21 other pros in 36-hole medalist play for three national PGA places, turned in a sparkling 72-69--141, three strokes under par. It was the finest performance ever posted here in seven PGA tourneys and shone even brighter considering weather conditions, including a torrential rain that halted play for 20 minutes.

The Tulsan's sub-par feat gave him the first of three places in the national meet in June, with Jimmy Gauntt of Oklahoma City Twin Hills, taking second honors after recording a 73-71--144, even par. While U.C. Ferguson, Oklahoma City Lincoln Park, registered 75-71--146 with a sizzling 32 on his third nine-hole tour being the lowest for a day single round. 

The day was marked by one heart-breaking incident, the tough luck guy of this meet is Joe Durham, a six-foot-four Ft. Smith shotmaker who was disqualified for playing the wrong ball on the 24th hole. Durham led the field in the morning round, scoring a one-under par 71. Then over a course that was softened by a terrific downpour shortly before noon, he twice stroked a muddy pellet toward the 24th green from the edge of the rough. Later this ball was discovered as that played by George Whitehead in swinging down the adjoining fairway. 

The 16 low scorers qualified for the match play division of the tourney Wednesday and Thursday. This will be held over 18 holes with a new state champion to be decided Thursday. 

1947 May 20 mdnr  "Golf Tourney Rained Out"

Rains totaling nearly 1.5 inches washed out the annual PGA pro-amateur at the Miami Country club today, but the 18-hole play will be held tomorrow starting at noon, if weather allows. 

1. Match play for the 16 low scorers will begin at 9am tomorrow.

2. The pro-amateur will be held tomorrow afternoon. 

3. The second round match play for the pros will begin at 9am Thursday and the third round will be played that afternoon. 

1947 May 21 mdnr "Tournament Visitors Entertained"

The Ladies Golf association of Miami Country club entertained with a dinner party Monday evening at the Green Shutters tea room in honor of the wives of visiting professionals participating in the PGA tournament at the Country club. Guests of honor for the affair were: Mrs. Bob Dunning and Mrs. Hugh Bancroft of Tulsa, Mrs. Gene O'Brien of Wichita, Kas., Mrs. Bill Oliver of Ponca City and Mrs. Floyd Farley of Oklahoma city.

The women played card after dinner. The small tables for four at which the meal was served, were decorated with bouquets of iris. 

Local women who enjoyed the occasion were: Mrs. Ted Lowry, Mrs. M.A. Connell, Mrs. Denver Seals, Mrs. Frank Pauly, Mrs. R.M. Schlemmer, Mrs. M.G. Morgan, Mrs. Woodrow Painter, Mrs. Claud R. Jones, Mrs. L.R. Bessie,  Miss Deana Anders, Mrs. Dee G. Watters, Mrs. Faye Thompson, Mrs. Gordon Anderson, Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. Wylie G. Chesnut and Mrs. Clarence Carselowey.

*This seems to be the first time that women have organized to host guests for their husbands golf events. Their support will help the Miami Country Club become one of the recognized golf clubs in Oklahoma for tournaments. 

1947 May 22  mdnr "Pro-Amateur Crown Goes to Gravatt and Charley Lewis"

While you wouldn't exactly say he dominates such things or that he can't keep his hands out of the melon, Charley Lewis has a way of reaching into the money bags when Miami Country club offers its 18-hole pro-amateur.

Yesterday's victory for the combination of Morrie Gravatt, Tulsa Country club pro who led the 36-hole medalist event Monday, and Lewis, willowy amateur with a sizzling hot putter, came on a lowball 65. It was two strokes better than the nearest competitors in a field of 24 pros and more than 50 simon pures. 

The triumph marked Lewis' second such victory in a like event. Back in 1940 he teamed with the loquacious Gib Sellers, formerly of Hot Springs, Ark., to fire at 63 at the opposition. That score paid off, just as yesterday's did. 

There was quite a scramble for the runner-up honors in the Wednesday play. There were four combinations deadlocked for second, third, fourth and fifth places with 67's and still another group of five, with scores of 68, tied for sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth places. 

Frank Higgins, unattached Tulsa pro and 1940 Oklahoma PGA champion, and two of his simon pure associates Jim Moore, with 8-stroke handicap, and Joe Thompson with a 9-stroke "spot", tallied lowball counts of 67. U.C. Ferguson of OKC Lincoln Park and Raymond Warner, a 7 handicap, and George Whitehead, Tulsa Indian Hills, and Lloyd Cowgill (14) were other combinations posting 67's.  

1947 May 22 mdnr "PGA Matches Run True to Form at Local Golf Club"

Miami Country club's rugged nine-hole layout, together with a stiff south-breeze, made it doubly tough for the quarter-finalist match play of the Oklahoma PGA tourney this morning, with general scores of the eight shotmakers soaring to above-par averages.

No amazing upsets nor any of the established favorites went out via the casualty list in this mornings play as George Whitehead, Jimmy Gaunt and pacesetter among Monday qualifiers, Morrie Gravatt, came through with victories.  

However, soft-spoken Bill Oliver of Ponca City pulled a mild surprise with a 1-up verdict over U.C. Ferguson of Oklahoma City Lincoln Park. Ferguson and Oliver matched shot for shot until the 17th when Ferguson's tee shot was trapped and he took a bogey 4 while the steady playing Oliver rammed home a par 3. Both halved the 18th with par 5's to give Oliver the 1-up decision. Oliver's 18-hole morning tour was a four over 76. 

Whitehead, of Tulsa Indian Hills and four-time PGA winner, staged a fine comeback after trailing George Getchell 1 up at the turn to coast to a 3-1 triumph. 

This afternoon the four semi-finalists collided, in 18-hole match play, Whitehead meeting Gauntt and Gravatt tangling with Oliver. The finalist will tee off tomorrow.  

1947 May 25 mdnr "Gauntt's Sparkling Approaches Decide Golf Titular Play" 

Thirty-three year old Jimmy Gauntt of Oklahoma City Twin Hills becomes the 1947 Oklahoma PGA titlist at Miami Country club links Friday as he decisively trimmed dark-horse Bill Oliver of Ponca City, 4 and 3, in the abbreviated 18-hole match play finals.

The rangy Gauntt was even par over the rain-soaked, lengthy Miami course as he annexed the championship by eliminating Oliver on the 565-yard No. 15. He halved the hole with a part 5 to close out the match. The former three-time Texas PGA champ held the upper hand throughout with his faultless putting and deadly, almost uncanny short approaches. Gauntt one-putted seven of the 15 holes and never had a three-putt green during the contest.

A former Longview, Texas, professional who saw service in the air forces, Gauntt held only a 1-up lead at the 9-hole turn, as the Ponca Citian doggedly clung to within striking distance of the Twin Hill artist, but Gauntt finally shook the determined Oliver off on the 131-yard No. 12 by laying his tee shot within six feet of the flag and sinking for a birdie 2. At that point Oliver suddenly broke and Gauntt captured the 13th and 14th with par 4's to go dormie off the 15th tee.

The visiting pros lauded Jack Guild, Miami pro, whose untiring efforts as host and tourney director made the PGA meet one of the most successful in recent years.

1947 May 29 mdnr "Golf Program for Juniors"

To promote golfing interest among local junior links enthusiasts, Miami Country club professional, Jack Guild, announced today the opening of a six-week summer links instruction period for children and local club members. The free lessons, beginning Saturday, May 31, will run concurrently on successive Saturdays 9:30 to 10:30 am for six weeks.

1947 June 16 mdnr "Flag Tourney"

 Wednesday's weekly women's golf play at the Miami Country club layout will be in a flag tournament with the tee-off starting at 9am.

Prize-winners in last week's low new play were Mrs. Claud Jones, Mrs. John King and Mrs. Denver Seals, while awards in the May ringer tournament went to Mrs. Gayle Pickens in Class !; Mrs. John King in Class B; and Mrs. Denver Seals in Class C.

Pairings announced for Wednesday's-flag meet are:

Mrs. Lloyd DeVoe, Mrs. S.E. Hamilton, Mrs. Woodrow Painter, Mrs. Denver Seals, Mrs. M.A. Connell, Mrs. F.E. Farrier, Mrs. G.W. McCollum, Mrs. M.C. Morgan, Mrs. Gordon Anderson, Mrs. Rex Graham, Mrs. Cecil Coop, Mrs. Clarence Carselowey, Mrs. Roger Pfau, Mrs. Bob Lawson, Mrs. R.M. Schlemmer.

Mrs. Jack Horner, Mrs. Claud Jones, Miss Diana Anders, Mrs. Ted Lowry, Mrs. Nat Emery, Mrs. Floyd Newton, Mrs. D.E. McIntire, Mrs. J.S. gammon, Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. E.W. McCuskey, Mrs Frank Pauly, Mrs. K.C. Jeffries, Mrs. John King, Mrs. Jimmy Campbell, Mrs. L.R. Bressie, Mrs. Gayle Pickens.  

1947 June 16 mdnr "Snead Blows Short Putt"

The up-and-comer golf folks have been talking about for several years --Lew Worsham of Washington, DC--thunderously has arrived, with the National open crown perched jauntily on  a fast-thinking head. Some say it was Sam Snead's school boyish putting on the 18th green of their title playoff at St. Louis County club yesterday that gave the 29-year-old Worsham a dramatic one-stroke victory and a ticket into golfdom's big money bracket.

Lew, a newly appointed professional at Oakmont, Pa., collected $2,500 for his triumph and figures to grab some $20,000 more in testimonials and attendant rewards lured by an open titlist.

But when Sammy from Hot Springs, Va., blew a 30 1/2 inch putt for his losing 70, it was second after Worsham pulled a psychological swifty--demanding that U.S.G.A. officials measure both balls to see who had the outside lie in the payoff taps for both. 

Snead had judged he was a fraction outside of where Worsham's ball had squirted after nicking the cup in a magnificent chip shot from the rim of the green; and stepped up to address the ball.

Worsham coolly interrupted him and waved in the officials, armed with a tape measure, who took several minutes to confirm what Snead had guessed--he was a half inch outside Worsham's ball on the opposite side of the cup and had the first play. 

But the interruption obviously nettled already-harassed Snead, who was anxious to follow up his failing first putt from 15 feet, a straggly short tap that left him the fatal 30 1/2 inches shy. Like Worsham, he was anxious to get his putt in first and put the pressure on the last player. 

 

1947 June 22 mdnr  "Coleman Defends State Championship"

Defending the Oklahoma amateur golf championship he won last summer at Tulsa, George Coleman, Jr., of Miami will compete this week at Oklahoma City Twin Hills Country club in the annual state tourney.

Coleman, who has won the Miami Country club title several times, will be one of 32 golfers eligible to battle it out for the state crown. Qualifying play will be held Monday and Tuesday and the match play will begin Wednesday. By virtue of being the 1946 winner Coleman is not required to qualify. A large field is anticipated in the scramble for the 31 open places. The Miamian will go to the capital links today to participate in a pro-amateur tourney. (For the story on his winning please refer to 1946 post. This is new information 1/31/2022)

***

Ky Laffoon Into the Quarterfinals of the PGA

Lew Worsham of Pittsburgh, Pa., today was a definite threat to become the first man in a quarter-century to capture both the National open and PGA golf championships the same year. Back in 1922 as a 20-year-old, Gene Sarazen won both the open and the PGA, but he's the only one who ever turned the trick. That same Sarazen, his putter refusing to work, bowed out of the running today, ending his quest for a fourth PGA championship. 

Ky Laffoon of St. Andrews, Ill., and former Miami, Okla., golfer, put an end to Sarazen's bid. Sarazen had a three-hole edge at the end of nine, but faded over the rest of the long route as he missed five club-length putts which would have won holes. Laffoon won it, 4 and 3. Laffoon reach the third round Friday by eliminating Tony Penna, conqueror of Ben Hogan, 1 up. 

1947 

First Tournament on TV: 1947 U.S. Open

In 1947, St. Louis, Mo., television station KSD-TV broadcast the U.S. Open, played at St. Louis Country Club. But the broadcast was only within the station's local area. The tournament winner was Lew Worsham, who defeated Sam Snead in a playoff. First Televised Golf Match

 

1947 July 8 mdnr "Women's Fairways Tourney"

Common scene at MGCC

The weekly women's golf tourney at the Miami Country club Wednesday morning, will be for low score on No.'s 1, 6,and 9 holes in three divisions, Class A, B, and C.

Awards last week in low net meet were Mrs. Gayle Pickens, Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. E.W. McCuskey, and Mrs. Gordon Anderson.

June's Ringer Tournament winners were Mrs. Gordon Anderson, Mrs. John King and Mrs. Woodrow Painter.

Tee off will be at 9am followed by a covered -dish luncheon. Pairing for Wednesday's play are as follows:

Mrs. Gordon Anderson, Mrs. Robert Schlemmer, Mrs. Clarence Carselowey.

Mrs Floyd Newton, Mrs. James Campbell and Mrs. Cecil Coop.
Mrs John King, Mrs. L.R. Bressie and Mrs. F.E. Farrier.
Mrs. Gayle Pickens, Mrs. Elbert Frye and Mrs. Nate Emery.
Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. Kenneth Jeffries and Mrs. D.E. McIntire.
Mrs. Lloyd Devee, Mrs. E.W. McCuskey, and Mrs. Rex Graham.
Mrs. Jack Horner, Mrs. MA Connell, Mrs. Claud Jones.

1947 July 14 mdnr "Women Paired in Golf Joust" 

The weekly women's golf tournament at the Miami Country club on Wednesday morning will be for low net play on nine holes in all three divisions. 

Awards last week went to Mrs Bert Wall and Mrs. Floyd Newton in Class A, Mrs Joe Thompson in Class B, and Mrs. Roger Pfau in the Class C bracket. 

1947 July 21 mdnr "Women Golfers in Tilts at Country Club"

Tee off for the weekly women's golf tournament at the Miami Country club links is set for Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock. This week's event will be for low putts play in three divisions. 

Winner of the low net meet held last week were Mrs. Nate Emery, Mrs. Jack Horner, and Mrs. Joe Thompson.  Pairings follow:

Mrs. Floyd Newton, Mrs. Joe Thompson, and Mrs. James Campbell.

Mrs Elvert Frye, Mrs. Vernon Sapp, and Mrs F.E. Farrier.

Mrs. D.E. McIntire, Mrs. Gayle Pickens, and Mrs. Jack Horner.

Mrs. Woodrow Painter, Mrs. Bob Lawson, and Mrs. Cecil Coop.

Mrs. R.M. Schlemmer, Mrs. K. C. Jeffries, and Mrs. H.F. Myers.

Mrs. L.R. Bressie, Mrs. Claud Jones, and Mrs. Gordon Anderson.

Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. E.W. McCuskey, and Mrs. Lloyd Devoe.

Mrs. Denver Seals, Mrs. John King, and Mrs. G.W. McCollum.

Mrs Nate Emery, Mrs. Clarence Carselowey, and Miss Diana Anders. 

**The women continue to play regular Wednesday golf through late Fall.

**The men continue to Stag Night every Tuesday nearly year round. 

1947 July 30 "personal papers"

My father, Johnie Stapp, kept only the papers that truly mattered in his life; newspaper clippings in the form of complete scrapbooks that his mother and sister made for him were among his most cherished; he managed to keep a several scrapbooks of his time in New Guinea and the Philippines; most important was his early correspondence with the PGA.

He a applied for PGA status in the late 1930's, but the war changed his plans. After the war he stayed in Santa Anita, California and became the pro at the Santa Anita Golf Course, near the racetrack. (I will write a new story about his early golf career at another time.)

Click on this link to read his story posted in Literally Letty The Pro.

1947 August 29 mdnr "300 at Traffic Club Meet--Golf Prizes Awarded"

In his address, entitled "Alone on a Honeymoon," R.Elmo Thompson, vice-president of the First National Bank of Tulsa, appealed for serious thinking on our present day economic situation at a dinner attended by more than 300 members of the Tri-State Traffic club at Miami Country club last night.  

 

Attending the session were representatives
of some of the nation's largest railroad and transportation men and shippers from the Tri-State area and other points. In the afternoon, members toured the B.F.Goodrich company's tire manufacturing plant.

 

The golf events staged through the day at Miami Country club the visiting rail men and shippers competed for a series of prizes. 

 

1947 September 2 mdnr "New Caterers at Miami Country club"

With today's announcement that Ira Frisbie and his wife, Lena, have been assigned as caterers at Miami Country club, Ted Lowry, and officer of the social and sports center, said it is no possible to take care of banquets and other activities which include the serving of food. Arrangements for meals at the club may be made by calling Mr. and Mrs. Frisbie or Lowry. 

The Frisbies for several years have operated the Sailboat Inn at Groveport. 

1947 September 7 mdnr "Pairing for Golfing Test"

A two ball mixed foursome tournament will get underway at the Miami Country club this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Any player not entered will be paired at the first tee before the start of the tournament. Pairings are as follows:

Mrs. Joe Thompson and John F. Robinson.

Mrs. H.F. Myers and Bert Wall.

Mrs. Gordan Anderson and Joe Thompson.  

Mrs. Gayle Pickens and Dr. Robert E. Baron

Mrs. Bert Wall and Bob Hill.

Mrs. E.W. McCuskey and C.F. Lewis, Jr.

Mrs. K.C. Jeffries and Carl Hilliard.

Mrs. Dick Wright and Bob Lawson.

1947  September 21 mdnr "Radio Station for Miami Sanctioned"

Barring unforeseen obstacles, Miami will have a radio broadcasting station in operation sometime next spring. Present plans call for location of the station on the mezzanine floor of hotel Miami. The transmitting tower is to be located on a hill, four miles east of the city. Work on installation of equipment is expected to begin immediately. 

Officers of the Miami Broadcasting company include: C.M. Barlett, general manager of the Miami News Record, vice-president; M.K. Hutts, secretary and treasurer.

Besides the Miami New-Record Publishing company, stock holders include George L. Coleman, Jr., and John F. Robinson, both of Miami, and Kenyon Brown and C.B. Akers, both of Oklahoma City. 

1947 October 10 mdnr "Coleman's Return Home"

Mr. and Mrs. George L. Coleman, Jr., and daughter, Ann, have returned to Miami from Pebble Beach, California, where they spent the summer. 

**George's long time friendship with Bing Crosby will continue to thrive with their home in California. George will become one of the celebrities of the "Clam Bake" Golf Tournaments, a friendly tournament begun in 1937 to help out the struggling professional tour. To learn more about this celebrity event read THE MATCH: THE DAY THE GAME OF GOLF CHANGE FOREVER by Mark Frost. It is the story of millionaire, Eddie Lowery's bet to fellow millionaire, George Coleman, that two amateurs he employed could beat any two professionals of Coleman's choice. 

1947 October 26 mdnr "Country Club Golf Tourney Planned" 

Jack Guild, pro at Miami Country club, announced Saturday that a match play tournament with handicap is scheduled to get underway at the Country club soon. All players will be bracketed in flights according to their handicaps.A meeting will be held at the Country club Monday night, to make the pairings. First round  matches will be completed by November 2. 

1947 November 9 mdnr "Stag Party

The regular monthly stag party will be held at Miami Country club at 6:30 o'clock Tuesday evening, Ted Lowry, club official, announced Saturday.

1947 November 11 mdnr "Harrison Leading Pro Swingers in Honolulu"

Dutch Harrison still was the man to beat today as some of the country's best professional and amateur golfers teed off in the final round of the $10,000 Hawaiian Open. Harrison was three strokes ahead of the pack with a 206 for 54 hole--10 strokes under par as he finished up yesterday's round of 71. 

Over the weekend Harrison paired with George L. Coleman,Jr., of Miami, Oklahoma, to capture the pro-amateur event with a scorching 63 round.

1947 November 11 mdnr "Women Set to Play Wednesday"

Last week's ladies golf tournament for low putts held at Miami Country club ended up in one big deadlock, with a tie for first in every class except one. In the championship flight, Mrs. Floyd Myers, Mrs. John King, and Mrs. Gayle Pickens ended n a three-way tie for top spot, which Mrs. Jack Horner and Mrs. Cecil Coop were deadlocked in A class. Only in B class was there a clear-cut winner, Mrs. G.W. McCullum.

Play for this Wednesday's meeting will be for low net score on No. 3 and No. 8 holes Pairings for the play, which will start at 9am are as follows:

Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. Gordon Anderson, and Mrs. Gayle Pickens.

Mrs. Lloyd Newton, Mrs. Floyd Myers, and Mrs. Mutt Farrier.

Mrs. John King, Mrs. Joe Thompson, and Mrs. Nate Emery.

Mrs. Cecil Coop, Mrs. Woodrow Painter, and Mrs. Clarence Carselowey.

Mrs. Jack Horner, Mrs. K.C. Jeffries, and Mrs. Claud Jones.

Mrs. M.J McIntire, Mrs. Roger Pfau, and Mrs. N. Berger.

Mrs. Robert N. Lawson, Mrs. Lloyd DeVoe, and Mrs G.W. McCullum.

Mrs. L.R. Bressie, Mrs. R.M. Schlemmer, and Mrs. E.W. McCuskey. 

*It was announced that the last event for the year will be held December 9. 

1947 December 30 mdnr "Young People Enjoy Holiday Dance"

Approximately 150 young people of high school and college age enjoyed a holiday dance Saturday evening at Miami Country club for which Miss Betty Wagoner and Miss Jean and Miss Joan Newton were hostesses. The three who entertained are cousins, all granddaughters of Mrs. S.C. Fullerton

Basil Baker and his orchestra provided music for dancing. Punch was served throughout the evening. Attractive yuletide decorations trimmed the lounge and ballroom of the clubhouse.

Chaperoning the party were Mrs. John Newton and Mr and Mrs. Gene Wagoner, parents of the hostesses. Many parents and older friends dropped in during the evening to watch the dancing and to visit with students home for Christmas. 

 

* 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