My Story--The Fire

          It was 4am before the flames were high enough to rouse the neighbors.  Sirens rang as truck after truck sped through the streets to reach the raging fire.  The neighbors stood in nightgowns and thrown together layers of clothes, starring in awe as the 1929 Tudor structured clubhouse burned out of control like an angry lady poking a stick at mad dogs.

          With water hoses surging full blast from all angles, photographers shot pictures of the fire in the night, while word spread throughout Miami, Oklahoma that the club was burning.  Shortly after sunrise it became clear that flames had reached the fifth floor and were screaming through the roof.  Windows had exploded floor by floor, and the town had turned out to see the event, like a circus train unloading lions and tigers.

          It wasn’t known how or when the fire started on if anyone was inside.  The housekeepers from time gone by no longer lived on the fourth floor.  Cars had sometimes been left overnight by members too drunk to drive.  Had the men gone home or stayed behind to win a hand of cards?

          For me, the club was like a home, my touchstone of who I was, who I could be, and eventually who I would become.  We moved to Miami, Oklahoma in 1954 a few years after the flood of ’51.  As a child of five my greatest regret was that we missed the flood, but oh did I ever soak up the stories and seek out proof of flood lines on homes at every outing.

Ladies on the practice green on the north side of the country club.1960's

          My dad was the golf pro at the Miami, Ok. Golf and Country club  and the greatest teacher I would ever know.  In turn, I played golf and loved the fresh air, but it took hours of my life to prepare for tournaments.  Practice was my life as a teen, whereas, my sister was a natural and still has an easy flowing flawless swing. (I must confess we both worked hours on the practice tee. Golf is never easy, even for a person with natural swing.)

 

1967 South-side main entrance with our blue station wagon that would take me to college in 1967 sits to the left of the entrance.

         I went to work in the golf shop at thirteen.  Tuesday through Saturday I opened the shop by sun up in those summer months.  From 2:00 till dinner I played or practiced my golf game. By the time I was a full-fledged teenager I had very little time to drag main, shop with friends, watch “As the World Turns”, or date. What I did have were the friends I made at golf tournaments in those years and the experiences of playing at the highest level of junior golf in 1960's before Title IX.

          Part of me always wanted to be like everyone else, but the other part was willing to stand alone and just be me.  I didn’t know who me was or would become.

          At nineteen, 1967, I left home for college at LSU to complete a teaching degree. Being immature, thinking I was smarter than my professors, I came home in the summer of 1968 married and left home for Ft. Hood, Texas.  Five years later I was a mother of a beautiful child, but divorced, uneducated, and alone. I left home again, and worked my way through college and degrees.  As a librarian, teacher, and mother I began to entertain and teach through storytelling and puppetry.  And we laughed.

          The stories told, laid the next layer of asphalt for the road I would take.  I found those universal truths of stories to be healing for the human spirit.  Listening to the laughter of the crowd rejuvenated me.  Listening to my daughter mimic me as she retold those stories to her dolls and friends, also made me realize how our children watch in detail our every move.

          It was the stories that led me home that weekend the club burned.  On a Sunday July 16, 1984 I drove from Norman, OK in a green Toyota loaded with kids, puppets and books and drove straight to the club.  I needed to feel the soil of my soul and show my children a part of me.  On the horizon I saw only two chimneys.  One four story chimney stood in the center of the broken brick shell, ashes smoldering, people still standing rows deep in the drive way watching. The second chimney stood alone on the west side of the building that connected the dance floor and porches to the main building.  Fire trucks and traffic blocked my entrance.

 

North-side from the putting green.

          I parked on the street and walked quietly cautiously toward the smoldering structure, my broken lady. My children ran ahead. 

 

July 23, 1984 Dad, Johnie Stapp, myself, daughter Katy Rains, and stepson Michael Watt.

     When my father saw me, the tears he had held off since the wee hours of the morning fell down his cheeks in rivulets flowing haphazardly.  The hugs and tears came from all directions.  All any of us could do was stand, stare, until at last we began to share.

          On Monday after teaching summer school at PSU, I returned to the club and parked near the yellow tape on the south side.  I followed the tape around a giant circle to the north-side and the entrance to the pro shop.  No lives had been lost, but, oh, so many memories danced in the clouds.  I stood outside the yellow tape. Then I heard a choking voice coming from the ashes that were heaped where the golf shop once stood, supporting the lofty building. From an angry grumble I heard these words,  “Where are you?  I know you’re here.  You’ve got to be here.”

          Quickly, I crossed the line and hollered, “Who are you?  What have you lost?”

          A deep angry voice returned, “It’s John.”

          “Dad?" I rushed through the door frame,  "I thought you were at home.”  

     Stepping into the ashes of golf shop door, I saw a bent over white-haired man swinging a rake wildly at a pile of ashes.  I thought for a moment his khaki jumpsuit was streaked in blood, but my imagination was vivid and dried red paint had the same effect.   Then I realized it was another man, named John, not my father. 

          “Oh my gosh, John, this is Letty Stapp, the pro’s daughter.  What have you lost?”  I asked fearfully.  He stopped, turned at me, and hollered,  “I’ve lost my putter.  She burned up, but I know I can find the mallet head.  Come here and help me, now.  You know where my bag was stored.”

          With two of us digging, and my clothes already covered in ash, we found the mallet head, no wooden shaft, no grip, nothing else to be retrieved.  With rake and mallet in hand we walked to the outside of the ropes and behind the yellow tape.  No words were spoken as we turned to look at shell.

          At last I said, “You know she was my home, my touchstone.  I can see myself and your children, all of us up there in the attic playing and spying on the world below.”

          “It was my home, too,” he replied.  “My father and George Coleman had her built.  I grew up there.  I know every nook and corner like the back of my hand.”  One by one we shared our stories through tears and laughter that spanned six decades.  Secrets had been shared.

          Then he placed his arm around my waist and said, “I’ve always said a man is just as old as the woman he’s touching.”  I laughed, for he was known to be a fox around women, but I knew that for a few moments in life we were both younger and shared a deep feeling for a burned out building called home.

 

*A true story by Letty Stapp Watt, as told for three decades on storytelling stages throughout the Midwest. 

**Later that week John Robinson drove to the farm where my parents lived and asked dad to remake his mallet head putter. It took a few weeks before my father found a wooden shaft that would work. 

***Sadly, my mother had finished updating the Miami Ladies Golf Association scrapbooks and delivered them to the ladies locker room a few days before the fire. Without pictures in that scrapbook I thought I had lost a part of me, but the memories floated back easily. In retirement, I took up the mantle (or mallet head) and wrote the history of my club from 1916 to 1984.

****Luckily, the club rebuilt and there are more stories to share.

1982 MGCC Timeline and Stories

1982 March 24 “MHS Linksters Race by Vinita”

 All five golfers shot scores in the 80’s as the Wardogs breezed to 338-369 victory over Vinita. The victory was the second straight for MHS. Keith Neel headed up the Wardog efforts, scoring 41 on the front nine before coming back with a 40 on the back side to finish with an 81, good for medalist honors.

Steve Becker and Sam Dowell were next at 84 and 85, respectively. Scott Collingsworth and Darren Foster carded 88’s.

AS REMEMBERED BY PAT WILSON

 “1982 Snoops Open” also known as the 19^th hole event.

Our team players were George Couch, Eddie Schmidt, Bob Martin, and me. 

Entry fee $5.00 and they gave each of us a pint of Peppermint Snoops that  had to be finished by the end of 9 holes. The smart people didn’t take much of a sip until the last two holes. 

I over drank and slugged the pint on the first two holes.  Luckily, they had rides home.

1982 March 30 “Miami Golfers Breeze Again”

Overcoming blustery conditions, Miami managed to carve out a 366-437 victory over Neosho, Missouri at the dual golf match at the Miami Country club.

MHS also rolled in the junior varsity match taking 383-472 decision.

Steve Becker was the medalist, scoring an 88 for the Wardogs while Sam Dowell and Keith Neel shot 91’s. Darren Foster rounded out the Wardogs with a 96 and Scott Collingsworth carded a 97.

In the junior varsity action, Dan McKinney turned in an 88 to pace the Wardog efforts. Tom Rieger was next at 89, followed by Alan Goforth at 101, Chip Hammons with 105, and Clint Christensen 110.

1982 April 6 “Chargers Nab MHS Golf Invitational Title”

Two of the top four golfers in medalist play helped Tulsa Memorial capture the team title at the wind-blown Miami Invitational golf tournament Monday at the Miami Country club.

Miami turned in its best showing at its own tournament in a number of years, finishing second with a team score of 340 while placed three individuals in the top 10. Tom Rieger tied with three others for third place and Steve Becker and Scott Collingsworth were in another four-way logjam for seventh.

The victory gave Memorial its third MIT title and was the Tulsans’ first since 1977, when the Chargers nailed down back-to-back titles in 1976 and 1977.

Defending champion Jenks had to settle for third place at 342 while Catoosa and Claremore were fourth at 359. Rounding out the field were Tulsa East Central, 375: Bartlesville Sooner, 380; Tahlequah, 394; Vinita, 403; Pryor, 41 and Tulsa Hale, 431.

Senior Dennis Clevenger of Catoosa captured the medalist honors with a 78. Rieger shot a 39 on the front nine and closed at 44 for his 83 while Becker and Collingsworth flip-flopped scores on the front and back nines. Becker logged 43-42 for his 85 while Collingsworth went 42-43. Sam Dowell and Keith Neel shot 87’s.  

1982 April 11 “Ladies Golf Notes”

A clinic for lady golfers will be held at 9 a.m. and 5:30 on April 27, 28, 29. Beginners lessons will be held at 10 a.m. on April 14, 21, 28.

Winter Ringer winners were championship, Beverly Jackson; Class A, Ann Chancellor; Class B, Helen Moore; Class C, Aileen Bradshaw. Play on Wednesday will be a Kicker’s Contest—kick out of the worst hole for total score. Pairings:

9:00--Sue Riley, Geneva Ramsay, Ruth Heyburn, Lavonne Young; Pat Platt, Billie Pace, Beverly Jackson, Joyce Rutter; Evelyn Hatfield, Fay Berentz, Melba Cordell, Yvonne Temple; Jean Ann Blue, Barbara Shouse, Virginia Sapp, Judy Grissom.

9:28—Ann Chancellor, Lib Lillard, Marilyn Hill, Claire Oliver; Helen Moore, Nora Coleman, Virginia Kerr, Noma Newman; Patti Moores, Marylyn Adams, Jan Follis, Liz Follis; Pauline Taylor, Fern Toye, Marian Richards, Nadine Hoffman.

9-hole players 9:56—Mary Robinson, Dorothy Hester, Virginia Heydt; Rose Pratt, Kay Murdock, Lottie Mae Russell, Judy Atchison; Jean Phillips, Rosemary Womastek, Frances McKinney, Aileen Bradshaw.

Evening players—Janice Clay and Judy Kemper.

1982 April 13 “Trio Helps MHS Slip by Bear”

  Clinton Christensen, Alan Goforth, Keith Neel

Keith Neel, Sam Dowell, and Darren Foster carded 43s to lead Miami to a 176-179 victory over Joplin Parkwood at the interstate golf dual at Twin Hill Golf and Country Club in Joplin. Rounding out the scoring for Miami were Tom Rieger at 47 and Steve Becker with a 49.

1982 April 14 “MHS Bags League Golf Title”

Miami breezed to the Six Lakes Conference golf title at Pryor on Tuesday with a surprisingly easy 325-337 advantage.  I wasn’t sure how we would do,” said Miami coach Archie Loehr. “The only experience we’ve had with the other teams was in our tournament. I am sure this will give the guys confidence.”

“Becker had a hot hand,” said Loehr, “this was his best score in competition.” Becker won medalist honors with 38-37-75 with a whopping six strokes ahead of second place finishers Sam Dowell and Grant Griffin who both show 81s.

Tahlequah’s Mike Reavis was fourth at 82 and there was a five-way logjam at 83 between Miami’s Tom Rieger, Jeff Smith, Robbie Overgard, Scott McKissick, and Joe Medlin. Rieger had the third best front-nine score of 39. Darren Foster finished with a 84 while Keith Neel carded a 91.

1982 April 18 “Robinson Sets Pace in County Golf”

After going two over on the front nine, John Robinson Jr. toured the back nine in even par 36 to take a two-stroke lead Saturday during the first round of play in the 1982 Ottawa County Golf Championship. Robinson, who shared fifth in the Championship a year ago, finished with a 74 to set the early pace.

For the third year in a row, a new champion will be crowned. Last year the tournament was won by Charlie Bill Hirsch, who is no a resident of Alvin, Texas and the year before Quapaw native Doug Bond, now trying his hand at the pro circuit.

1982 April 19   "Robinson Nips Craig for Country Golf Title”

 

 John Robinson Jr. considered himself a very lucky golfer. He survived a late charge by Mike Craig to capture the title of the 1982 Ottawa County Championship golf tournament at the Miami County Club.

Robinson opened with a 74 but ran into trouble and finished with an 80 on Sunday in cold and rainy conditions. Craig shot a 77 on Saturday, with a bogey on #18 Sunday to card a 78 and lose by one stroke. “I can’t blame the weather for my Sunday round as much as I blame myself. I may not have ever made it if there had been a playoff.” Robinson stated.

Other flight winners were Tom Rogers in President’s, Oris Goodwin in A and Mike Smith in B flight. Bob Hill Jr. and Joe Whipple shared the No.3 position, while Lillard and Dr. W.D. Jackson shared fifth place. In President’s flight Rogers notched a 168 and a 4-stroke victory of Picher High School athletic director Bob Thompson who shot a 179. Sharing third were Kenneth Young 172, Joe Asebedo 172, Don Barr 172, Phil Trussler 175, and Robb Garwood 175 for sixth place.

Goodwin shaved 10 shots off his first day’s score to finish with a 92,82-174 and nail down first in the A flight. Second place went to Bill Melton, who also shaved 10 shots off his score for 93,83-176. Gene Ragsdale placed third with 178, Bob Haney at 179, Bill Daugherty at 190 and Leon Stepp at 181.

Mike Smith nosed out Frank Remis for top honors in the B Flight. Smith turned in a 194, one shot better than Remis at 195. Third place went to Ron Patterson 196, while Leroy Collins and Mark Riley shared fourth at 198.

1982 April 30 “Foster Captures Spot in State Golf Tourney”

**Kelly is the only girl on the girls team in 1982.

Sophomore Kelly Foster qualified for the girls high school state golf tournament during regional play Thursday on the Woodbine course at Tulsa’s Mohawk Park.

The 38 low scorers advanced to the 36-hole state tournament which will be played next Wednesday and Thursday at Lake Hefner in OKC. It took a score of 121 or better to qualify.

Foster tied for 30^th. She notched a 671 on the front and shaved nine strokes off her score on the back nine for a 52, finishing with a 113. Paced by Melissa McNamara, medalist with an 80, Jenks girls captured the regional team title.

1982 May 2 “Burford Wins Horse Race”

John Burford won a pitchoff on the ninth hole to claim first place in the season’s first men’s horserace Friday night at the Miami Country club. Taking second was James Scott while Jim Green was third.

Rounding out the field were Taylor Boy, Rick Bryant, Rick Stark, Bill Follis, Ronnie Schliep, John Ratliff, John Longaberger. Next event at MCC will be a nine-hole missed couples scramble Friday night. There will be a 5:30 shotgun start.

1982 May 2 “Wardog Golfers Prep for Regional”

Turning in the “worst” showing of the season, Miami wound up sixth in the Bartlesville Sooner golf tournament here Friday with a 36-hole team score of 671. Sam Dowell had the best round for the Wardogs with 161. Dowell was followed by Scott Collingsworth, who fired a 166, Darren Foster finished at 169. Steve Becker scored 175, while Keith Neel scored 190.

“The tournament was played on a pretty tough course and the guys are probably not real satisfied with their scores,” said Archie Loehr, coach, “but this was a good test leading up to the regional.”

1982 May 3 “Hill, Harsch Nab Title”

The team of Bob Hill Jr. and Bill Harsch captured top honors in a two-man scramble Sunday at the Miami CC. They logged a score of 5-under 67. Sharing second with 68s were the teams of Mike Craig and Jack Doan, and John Doty and George Foster.

Winning the President’s flight were Don Barr and Dabney Smith Jr. They carded a 67. Second at 70 were Ed Schmidt and Pat Wilson while Steve Sly and Jerry Crawford and George Meyers and Bob Hunt tied for third.

John Doty and Oris Goodwin won the A flight with a 70 while Brad Kemper and Homer Kemper, and Rex Painter and Joe Womastek tied for second with 71.

B flight honors went to Kenny Grissom and Gary Shepard with a 70. Woody Painter and Lloyd Cowgill were second at 75 while the teams of John Becker Jr and John Becker Sr and Don Coppedge and Dr. Pat Kragt logged 76s to share third.

Nailing down first in the C flight were John Ratliff and Taylor Boyd with a 78 followed by the team of John Longaberger and Steve Reneger at 80.

The men’s four-ball championship begins May 11. Players should sign up in the pro shop.

1982 May 5 “Miami Golfers Qualify for State Tournament”

Sam Dowell shaved two strokes off his first day’s score and pulled into second place in the medalist race at the Class 3A regional golf tournament in Claremore. That helped Miami nail down third place and a berth in next week’s state tournament at Seminole. Dowell finished with a 156 followed by teammates Keith Neel at 164, Darren Foster at 169, Steve Becker and Scott Collingsworth at 182. Former Wardog Meade Monger of Sallisaw finished with a 174.

1982 May 11 “Wardog Golfers Eighth”

(Day 1) A 159 by Keith Neel helped Miami pull into eighth place following the first day of action in the Class 3A state golf tournament at Jim Austin Golf course in Seminole. Neel carded an 82 on his first 18 holes then came back with a 77 in the afternoon to finish with a 159. That was good for a share of eighth in the individual standings.

Darren Foster shot the second-best score for the Wardogs with an 165 while Steve Becker posted a 172. Sam Dowell struggled to a 96 on his first 18 but shaved 17 strokes off that in the afternoon to card a 175.

1982 May 12 “Miami Golfers Ninth at State Tournament”

Duncan carded off the top two honors Tuesday as play wrapped us for the class 3A state golf tournament. Miami bouncing back from a dismal first round turned in a 332 during Tuesday’s final 18 holes to compile a 36-hole score of 997.

Keith Neel finished as Wardogs low individual with a 242. Scott Collingsworth had the best round for the Wardogs Tuesday, carding an 81. That gave him a 36-hole total of 262. Darren Foster and Steve Becker posted 84s and Dowell turned in an 85 during the final round. Foster finished the tournament at 249, Becker at 256, and Dowell at 260.

“It was really windy both days,” said Miami coach Archie Loehr. “I think we would have been in the race if it hadn’t bee for that high first round on Monday.”

This was the best finish in recent years for the MHS golfers. The Wardogs finished 10^th in 1977 and 1978 for the previous best.  They were 11^th a year ago. Duncan’s Kevin Whipple won the individual title in leading the Demons to the team title.

1982 May 25 “Neel Reaches Open Sectional”

Former Miami High School golfer Will Neel tied for third during the U.S. Open local qualification play Monday at Hillcrest CC in Bartlesville. Neel, who has been a member of the OCU golf team carded rounds of 75, 72 to finish with a 147, the same score as Thomas Simmons of Casper, Wyoming.

Neel, qualifying for the second straight year, advances to sectional play in Fort Worth, Texas.

1982 May 30 “Junior Golf”

Pairings for the first Junior Golf event of the season on Friday will be:

2-holes at 8:30 am: Derek Farris, Tony Atchison, scorer Carolyn Finley; Ryan Gatewood, Jason Hill, Charlie Haney, scorer Marty Gullett; Jeff Gullett, Gavin Finlay, scorer Marilyn Hill. Lori Schmidt, Kasie Sly, scorer Barbara Newman; Debbie Newman, Mary Rutter, scorer Steve Sly.

4-hole boys at 9:00am: Jimmy Rutter, Steve Hill, Bobby Seybolt, scorer Pat Collingsworth; John West, Kevin Collingsworth, Chris Gainer, Bricen Grisby, scorer Bob Hill; Brandon Farris, Alan Douthitt, Eric Elmburg, scorer Kay Grigsby. Jennifer Gatewood, Laurie Newman, Jan Haney, scorer Sandy Hunt; Renee Kreeger, Lori Lillard, Paige Parrot, scorer Connie Swogger; Cindi Ray, Michelle Sly, scorer Cindy Lillard; Kari Swogger, Julie Jeffries, Missy Molinar, scorer Flo Ray.

9-hole at 8:00 am: Steve Long, Ronnie Coker, scorer Linda Goodrich; Jeff Goodrich, Howard Condren, scorer Arlene Seybolt; David Douthitt, Robert Elmburg, Matt Brady, scorer Shirley Coker; Billy Seybolt, Scott Kreeger, Jeffrey Parrot, scorer Sharon Douthitt. Tina Moore, Leighan Hill, scorer Amber Condren; Heather Schmidt, Kendra Goodrich, scorer Linda Elmburg.

18-holes 8:00 am: Tommy Rieger, Richie Lillard, Steve Becker, Chip Hammons; Julie Rieger, Sherri Atchison.

1982 June 9 “Twilight League Lead”

The Men’s Twilight League leaders, Team number 14, continued to set the pace following the sixth week of action Tuesday night. Team 14, composed of Don Barr, Brad Kemper, C.J. Carselowey, and John Kerr, was low with 141 strokes.

They have 33 points while Team No. 10 moved up to second from fourth with 29 ½ points. Team No. 1 has 29 points compared to 28 for Team No. 7.

No. 6 (Ed Schmidt, Dabney Smith Jr., Pat Wilson, and Tim Thompson) was low in putts with 61. There was a tie for individual low gross between Bob Paul, Jim Riley, and Dick Lillard. All three had 38s.

Riley had a 29 for low net while Wilson was low in putts with 13. Jim Green carded an 11 for high score on the blind hole, No.11.

A mixed horserace will be held Friday at 5pm. The annual pro-am will be held Monday at the MCC.

1982 June 13 “Four-ball, Horserace Wins at MCC”

Title in the men’s four-ball and a mixed horserace were claimed during the action this weekend at the MCC. In the Friday night mixed horserace, Faye Berentz and Mike Long captured first place via a pitchoff against Evelyn Hatfield and Jim Weatherford. Judy Kemper and tom Cordell were third.

Bob Hill Jr. and Dr. W.D. Jackson defeated Dick Neel and Dick Lillard 1-up in the championship flight of the four-ball tournament. The president’s flight honors went to Don Barr and Dabney Smith Jr., who beat Jerry Crawford and Jack Smith, 6 and 5.

Jim Hill and Jim Riley topped Ken Young and Joe Gorley, 2 and 1 in A flight: Tim Williams and Monk Campbell defeated Hank Garwood and Jeff Parrott, t and 4 in B flight and in C flight, Jim Couch and Bill Follis beat Taylor Boyd and Jon Ratliff, 5 and 4.

1982 June 15 “MCC Pro-Am Title Claimed”

 

Miami CC pro, Don Atchison, and his team of Dick Lillard, Dr. W.D. Neal, and Gary Shepherd nailed down first place Monday at the MCC pro-am golf tournament. The winners, all from Miami, had an 18-under 54 score in the best-ball tournament.

George Glenn, from Page Belcher CC in Tulsa, was the low pro with 35,35-70. Garth Wellshear of Shangri-la was second with a 72. There was a tie for third at 73 between Paul Ridings of LaFortune Park, and Jim Hatfield of Elk River CC.

In team standings there was a three-way tie for second at 55 between the teams of Glenn, Joe Boydston, Robb Garwood, and Jim Moore; Hatfield, Walter Melton, Junior Fine and Jim Green, and Todd Casey (Paige Belcher), Chris Benge, Tom Cordell Jr., and Stan Ballew.

MCC assistant pro Larry clay and former assistant Richard Venus helped their respective teams to a four-way tie for sixth at 58. Clay was joined by Marshall Smith, Dabney Smith Jr., and Bill Melton, while Venus, now at Ponca City CC, combined with Jim Reese, Leroy Collins, and Glen Wolfe.

1982 June 24 “Youth Golf”

Results of Tuesday's junior golf play at MCC:

2 holes: Jason Hill, low score, and low putts. Lauri Schmidt low score and low putts.

4 holes: Steve Hill low score and low putts. Lori Lillard tied with Shawn Fitzgibbon for low score and Shawna Fitzgibbon won low putts.

9 holes: Steve Long low score, Matt Brady, low putts. Kendra Goodrich low score, Leighan Hill low putts.

18 holes: Steve Becker low score, Tom Rieger low putts. Julie Rieger low score, Sherri Atchison low putts.

1982 June 27 “Ladies Golf Notes”

Winners in last Wednesday evenings’ Ladies Golf Association play were: championship, Sue Riley; A flight, Ann Foster; B flight, Nadine Paul.

Pairings for Wednesday’s two-ball tournament:

8:00—Ann Chancellor, Janie Clay, Lib Lillard, Noma Newman; Billie Pace, Virginia Kerr, Helen Moore, Nora Coleman; Pat Platt, Sammie Hoffman, Virginia Sapp, Marian Richards; Ruth Heyburn, Marylyn Adams, Claire Oliver, Mary Helen Hunt.

8:26—Beverly Jackson, Liz Follis, Faye Berentz, Pauline Taylor; Melba Cordell, Jan Follis, Evelyn Hatfield, Rosemary Womastek; Aileen Bradshaw, Virginia Heydt, Dorothy Hester, and Lottie Mae Russell.

Players not participating in the tournament will be playing for low gross.

1982 June 27 “Berentz, Clay Win Horserace”

Faye Berentz and Janie Clay captured first place honors in a ladies’ scotch horserace Friday night at Miami Country club. Second went to Melba Cordell and Noma Newman while LaVon Young and Judy Kemper finished third.

Rounding out the field were Claire Oliver and Ann Foster, fourth; Evelynn Hatfield and Nadine Paul, fifth; Candy Couch and Judy Long, sixth; Ruth Heyburn and Gail Beck, seventh; Cindi Hill and Lib Lillard, eighth; Pat Platt and Virginia Sapp, ninth, and Sue Riley and DeDe Martin, tenth.

1982 June 30 “Neel Nabs Golf Title”

Keith Neel, a member of the Miami High school team, nosed out teammate Steve Becker for top honors Tuesday in the 1982 Insurance Youth Classic at the MCC. Kent Bacon was third in the Championship flight with an 82 while Tom Rieger finished at 86.

Neel was the medalist with a 75 while Becker finished at 79. Keven Mills was first in Youth flight carding a 91. Sherri Atchison was second and was also the low girl competing.

Following Mills and Atchison in Youth flight was Matthew Brady at 96. Richie Lillard was fourth at 102 with Mitch Jones taking fifth with a 103. Neel, Becker, Rieger and Bacon all qualified for the state tournament to be held July 12 and 13 at Lincoln Park West in OKC.

1982 July 4 “Robinson Wins Race”

John Robinson Jr. defeated Cy Elmburg Friday night in a low handicap horse race at MCC. Third out of the competition was Don Atchison while Bob Hill Jr. finished fourth.

Rounding out the field were Dick Lillard, fifth; Mike Craig, sixth; Kent Jeffries, seventh; John Daugherty, eighth; Dr. W.D. Neal, ninth, and Dr. W.D. Jackson, tenth.

1982 July 4 “Youth Golf”

Pairings for the Junior Golf Tournament, to be held Friday are:

2-hole girls 9am: Debbie Newman, Mary Rutter, Heather McGinty, scorer Steve Sly; Lauri Schmidt, Kassie Sly, scorer Barbara Newman.

2-hole boys 9 am: Derek Farris, Ryan Gatewood, Jason Hill, scorer Carolyn Finley; Charlie Haney, Jeff Gullett, scorer Ruth Ann Farris; Gavin Finley, Greg Fitzgibbon, scorer Jerry Gullett.

4-hole girls 9am: Kari Swogger, Melissa Molinar, Cyndi Ray, scorer Jackie Kreeger; Jennifer Gatewood, Jan Haney, Laurie Newman, scorer Connie Swogger; Michelle Sly, Paige Parrott, scorer Nancy Goldenberg; Lori Lillard, Katie Burford, Shawna Fitzgibbon, scorer Vicki Wisdom.

4-hole boys 9am: Brandon Farris, Johnny Burford, Eric Elmburg, scorer Flo Ray; Bobby Seybolt, Jimmy Rutter, Chris Mhoon, scorer George Payton; John West, Kevin Collingsworth, Alan Douthitt, scorer Sandy Hunt; Steve Hill, Bo Reese, scorer Linda Elmburg; Erin Fitzgibbon, Michelle Fitzgibbon, scorer Chris Neal.

9-hole girls 8 am: Tina Moore, Missy Reese, Christy Smith, Jamie Garrett, scorer Bob Hill; Heather Schmidt, Kendra Goodrich, Leighan Hill scorer Geneva Ramsey.

9-hole boys 8 am: Stephen Long, Ronnie Coker, scorer Sharon Douthitt; Matt Brady, Billy Seabolt, scorer Linda Goodrich; Howard Condren, Jeff Goodrich, scorer Cindi Lillard; Jeff Ramsey, Trey Pendergrass, scorer Kay Condren.

18 holes girls 8am: Sherri Atchison, Kelly Foster, Julie Rieger, scorer Bob Eifling.

18 holes boys 8am: A flight—Tom Rieger, Steve Becker, Keith Neel, scorer Courtney Murphy; Marshall Smith, Darren Foster, Scott Collingsworth, scorer Jean Hammons.

B flight—Richie Lillard, Chip Hammons, John Ratliff, scorer Gary Shepherd; Darren Shepherd, George Murphy, scorer Jim Reese.

 1982 July 6 “Scramble Title Taken”

John Kerr celebrated his birthday Monday by helping his team capture top honors in a firecracker mixed scramble at the Miami Country club. Kerr Joined Geneva Ramsey, Tim Eastman, and Linda Moffett to record a 10-under 62.

Second at 63 were Ed Schmidt, Marilyn Hill, Chris Roller and Gail Beck. Taking third in a pitchoff were Phil Trussler, Judy Kemper, Jim Green and Jan Follis. Fourth were Brad Kemper, Chriss Neal, Bill Follis, and Mary Haney while Al Moffatt, Marji Grayson, John Ratliff, and Coetta Scoggins were fifth. All three had 64s.In at 65 to take sixth were Jim Hill, Janie Clay, Marty Walker, and Kay Condren.

1982 July 9 “Field Day Winners”

 

Taking honors in the Miami Ladies Golf Association Field Day Wednesday were, from left, Pat Barnett, Pittsburg, Kan., third low net; Janie Clay, second low net; Bimi Hick, Nowata first low net; Ruth Heyburn, medalist; Evelyn Hatfield first low gross; Jean Woodhead, Pittsburg, Kan., second low gross and Billie Pace, third low gross.

1982 July 11 “Youth Golf”

Results from Friday’s MCC Jr. Golf tournament are as follows:

2 holes: Jason Hill, first; Jeff Gullett, second; Gavin Finley, low putts, Greg Fitzgibbon, driving.

2 holes: Lauri Schmidt, first; Kasie Sly, second; Mary Rutter, putts; Debbie Newman, driving.

4 holes: Lori Lillard, first; Kari Swogger, second; Melissa Molinar, putts; Paige Parrott, driving.

4 holes: Steve Hill, first; Michael Fitzgibbon, second; Keven Collingsworth, putts; Eric Elmburg, driving.

9 holes: Kathy Jeffries, first; Christy Smith, second; Leighan Hill, putts; Christy Smith, driving; Leighan Hill, points.

9 holes: Steve Long, first; Matt Brady, second; Jeff Ramsey, second; Matt Brady, driving; Matt Brady, points.

18 holes: Julie Rieger, first; Sherri Atchison, second; Julie Rieger, putts and driving; Sherri Atchison, points.

18 holes A flight: Marshall Smith, first; Keith Neel, second; Darren Foster, putts, Tom Rieger, driving; Keith Neel, points.

18 holes B flight: Chip Hammons, first; George Murphy, second; Richie Lillard, putts; John Ratliff, driving; George Murphy, points.

1982 July 15 “Rieger in Junior Girls Semis”

Julie Rieger found out that 18-hole match play in golf wasn’t that bad after all. Rieger, who will be 13 on August 7, advanced to the semifinals of the 33^rd annual Oklahoma Jr. Girls Golf Tournament with a 1-up victory over Peggy Tobin of OKC. This was Julie’s first try at an 18-hole match play.

Rieger faced Beth Brown of Sallisaw this morning in played at Cedar Ridge CC in Tulsa. Two other Miami girls—Christy Smith and Kathy Jeffries, were running one-two in the nine-hole flight.

This is the third state tournament for Rieger, who had won the nine-hole flight the last two years.

“I was two down after the first two holes,” said Rieger. “After that the match went back and forth. I was one up after the 16^th hole, but Peggy won the 17^th.

Then on 18, Rieger sank a 10-foot putt for the winning par and leaped high in the air in celebration. During the day her putter nearly let her down and she three putted four greens. Rieger shot an 87 during qualifying play on Tuesday.

Miamian Christy Smith fired a 57 Wednesday to retain her lead in a nine-hole stroke play. She had a 51 Tuesday to give her a 108.

Jeffries has had carbon-copy round of 57-57 for a 114 to pull into second.

Brown scored a 1-up decision over Patty Lewis of Broken Arrow. Other quarterfinal matches saw defending champion Melissa McNamara of Jenks top Sheila Luginbuel of Vinita, 1-up, while Jodi Ness of Muskogee won 3/2 over Karen Smith of Jenks.

Rieger had to sink a short putt for par on the 18^th green to post a victory over Beth Brown, a 15-year-old ninth grader. 

**A personal note: Golf creates a world of friends, memories, travels and opportunities over the decades to connect the past with the present. In 2014 when we moved to Norman from Hutchinson, Kansas we joined The Trails Golf Course. That summer I saw a young woman putting and practicing and knew I wanted to play golf with her. We connected immediately. She was working at the First Tee program in Florida and still called Oklahoma home.  Little did I know that ten years later we would be close friends in life and golf and writing. Her name is Dr. Beth Brown, who went on to finish Ed.Doctorate in Sports Psychology at the University of Oklahoma after playing on the OU women’s golf team alongside Miami’s own Julie Rieger.They both remember the event described in the 1982 Jr. Girls championship when Julie at age 13 took on the 15 year-old-Beth and beat her. 

1982 July 16 “Rieger Reaches Finals”

Julie Rieger of Miami became the youngest player ever to reach the state junior golf finals Thursday when she scored a 1-up victory over 15-year-old Beth Brown, of Sallisaw.

The 13-year-old Rieger faced defending champion Melissa McNamara this morning in the 18-hole finals. Previously the youngest girl ever to reach the state finals was Adele Lukken of Tulsa, who at 13 finished as runner-up in 1976.

As had been the case on Wednesday, Rieger had to sink a short putt for par on the 18^th green to post her victory over Brown, a 15-year-old ninth grader. Rieger, who will be an eighth grader at Will Rogers Jr. High this fall, had a 14-over par 86 for the round, one shot better than her qualifying round.

“I got hold of some of my tee shots, but only some of them,” she said. Only three of the 18 holes Rierg and Brown player were halved. Brown had gone two up with a 20-foot birdie on the long fifth, but Rieger was one up at the turn.

McNamara, a 16-year-old junior at Jenks and daughter of UT’s golf coach Dale McNamara, reached the finals by beating Jodi Ness of Muskogee 7 and 6.

Christy Smith won the 27-hole stroke play flight. She had led the younger entries from the start, firing a 50 on Thursday to go along with round of 51 and 57.

Kathy Jeffries was 10 strokes off the pace at 168. She had rounds of 57, 57 the first two days, then pared three strokes off that on Thursday for a 54.  

1982 July 17 “McNamara Defeats Rieger to Grab the Junior Girls Title” by Tom Lobaugh of the Tulsa World.

Melissa McNamara’s putter ran hot and cold Friday at Cedar Ridge CC, but the rest of her game was practically flawless, as she took her second straight Oklahoma Junior Girls Golf Championship, turning back Julie Rieger, 5 and 3 in the finals.

McNamara was three over par for the 15 holes played, turning the front nine in an even-par 36. Rieger, 13-year-old Miami eighth grader, carded a 39 on the front but was five over par at the finish.

McNamara had the longer tee shot on only five of the nine driving holes, with Rieger outdistancing her older opponent on the other four. McNamara’s parents were enthusiastic supporters in a small gallery. Mrs. McNamara is the assistant athletic director and girls’ golf coach at the University of Tulsa. Rieger wasn’t forgetting that face at all. The last remark of the young eighth-grader, was they walked off the final green, was “See you in five years, coach.”

McNamara was impressed with Rieger’s play. “I was happy with the way I was hitting the ball,” said McNamara, who had a four-year age advantage over Rieger. “But Julie was just phenomenal. I wish I could have played that well when I was 12. She kept her drives right up with mine.” 

 

1982 July 21 “Twilight Results”

Team 14 won the team low net in the 11^th week of the Twilight Golf League at the MCC. Members Don Barr, Brad Kemper, C.J. Carselowey, and Joe Thompson turned in a score of 130 for the win.

Team 8 took the team low putts competition with a 56. Schooner Schmidt, Ken Young, George Payton, and Vern Schwertfeger make up the squad.

Bob Hill Jr. shot a 37 for individual low gross and Rob Kimbrough’s 31 was low net. Low putts of 13 were turned in by Phil Trussler, Kimbrough, Bob Haney, John Becker, sr., Bob Austin, and Vern Schwertfeger. High blind hole of 7 was taken on hole one by Steve Reneger and Taylor Boyd.

Standings to date: Team 14, 62 ½; Team 3, 56 ½; Team 1, 49 ½; Teams 2, 46 points, and team 10, 45 ½ points.

 1982 July 21 “Neel Shoots 66”

Will Neel shot a 66 from the championship tees, bettering the old record of 70 held by Mike Craig, Dick Neel, and George Glenn. On Sunday Neel shot a 66 from the men’s tees to better the old record of 67 by Bob Hill Jr., earlier this month.

In ladies golf news, Evelyn Hatfield shot a 79 to break the old record of 81 held by Beverly Jackson.

1982 August 1 “Wojcik Top Drivers”

Mark Wojcik was the winner Friday night of the MGCC annual long-drive contest. Wojcik hit his golf ball 271 yards. Placing second was Don Atchison, who drove 259 yards. Bob Hill Jr. placed third with 256 yards. James Heyburn was fourth with 253 yards and Ed Schmidt was fifth with 250 yards.

Placing first in the women’s division was Dede Martin, with a 200-yard drive.

Wojcik also placed first in the country club’s nine-hole “call back horse race” golf competitions. Placing second was Ed Schmidt while Don Barr and Brad Kemper tied for third.

Mark Riley took first place in the club-throwing competition, with John Becker Jr. and Mike Long finishing second and third, respectively.

1982 August 8 “Ladies Golf Notes”

There was a tie between the team of Evelyn Hatfield, Pattye Moores, and Lottie Mae Russell, and the team of Melba Cordell, Connie Swogger and Aileen Bradshaw in last Wednesday’s three-ladies scramble.

The highlight of last week’s play was a hole-in-one by Billie Pace. She used a 7 wood on No. 13 for her ace. She was playing with Yvonne Temple, LaVon Young, and Rosie Womastek.

July Ringer winners include a tie between Faye Berentz and Dede Martin for Championship; Janie Clay for class A; Pauline Taylor in class B and Mary Haney in the 9-hole flight.

The ladies will have the club championship tournament with three days of medal play on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. A picnic will follow Thursday’s play.

Pairings for Tuesday play:

No. 1 Tee 8:00am: Evelyn Hatfield, Faye Berentz, Melba Cordell, Billie Pace; followed by Pat Platt, Janie Clay, Claire Oliver; Noma Newman, Yvonne Temple, Helen Moore, Marian Richards; Barbara Shouse, Connie Swogger, Pattye Moores; Pauling Taylor, Marylyn Adams, Fern Toye, Rosie Womastek.

No. 10 tee 8:00 am: Aileen Bradshaw, Jean Phillips, Dorothy Hester: followed by Mary Haney, Nadine Paul, DeDe Martin, Candy Couch, Judy Kemper, Judy Long, Sue Riley.

1982 August 8 “Neel Makes Cut”

(Benton Harbor, Mich, AP) Firing a pair of 68s, Rick Fehr took the 72-hole medalist honors in the Western Amateur golf championship, finishing the stroke play part at a record 12-under-par 272.

Former Miamian, Will Neel, finished ninth in the medalist race with a 1-under par 283. He shot a 69 on Friday to go along with the rounds of 67,74, 73.

Fehr, who plays for Brigham Young University beat out second-round leader Willie Wood of Stillwater, Oklahoma for the 72-hole medalist title. Andrew Magee of Dallas was third at 277. Tommy Moore of New Orleans at 278 and Corey Pavin of Oxnard, California finished fifth at 279. 

1982 August 9 “Neel Falls in Western”

Rick Fehr, after out shooting all qualifiers with a record breaking 272, won the Western Am in the match play final. Fehr advanced to the championship match by downing Will Neel of OKC 4 and 3 and Corey Pavin of Oxnard, Ca., 7and 5 and on Saturday beating Brad Faxon of Somerset, Mass. 7 and 6 in Sunday’s semifinals.

1982 August 15 “Hatfield Wins Ladies Club Championship”

 

Evelyn Hatfield captured the Ladies Club Championship at MCC with an 87-84-171. The tournament was shortened to a two-day medal play due to the rain-out of Wednesday’s play.

DeDe Martin was the medalist with a score of 85. Co-medalists in the 9-hole flight were Aileen Bradshaw and Jean Phillips with 60’s.

Other winners in the championship flight were Chandy Couch with a 174 for second place and Claire Oliver, a 179 for third.

Sue Riley won low putts for the first day of play and Evelyn Hatfield won low putts for the second day of play. Driving honors were won by Martin.

The A flight winner was Judy Long with a 93-96. Second place went to Marian Richards and Pattye Moores took third. Noma Newman swept the putting honors, winning both the first and second days. The driving contest was won by Richards.

In the B flight, there was a tie between Pauline Taylor and Marylyn Adams, 222. Putts for the first day was won by Fern Toye while the second day there was a tie between Adams and Toye. The driving was won by Adams. Aileen Bradshaw was the winner in the 9-hole flight. Putts won by Jean Phillips on day one and Bradshaw on day two. Dorothy Hester won the driving contest.

1982 August 16 “Eatman, Daugherty, Craig Pace Tourney”

Tim Eatman led the handicap players and John Daugherty and Mikek Craig set the pace in the scratch competition following the first weekend of action in MGCC club championship.

Eatman, with an 18 handicap, was the winner in that phase of the competition with a two-day total of 131. Placing second was Al Moffatt with 133 and an 11 handicap.

Scratch play continues next weekend.  Other scores follow: James Heyburn (10) at 134; a three-way tie with Jeff Campbell (21) at 135, Bob Elfing (20) at 135 and Mark Wojcik (8) at 135. Bill Melton placed seventh followed by Marshall Smith, Ed Schmidt, Dick Neel, Dick Lillard, Mike Craig, George Couch, and Steve Sly.

One shot back of the leaders is John Robinson Jr, who shot a 148 followed by Bob Hill Jr, Dr. W.D. Jackson, Mark Wojcik, Dick Neel, Dick Lillard, Ed Schmidt and Al Moffatt.

1982 August 24 “Craig Wins MCC Crown”

Mike Craig used a round of 76 on Saturday and 75 on Sunday to capture the Miami Country club championship. Craig combined his final 36 holes with a 77 and 70 to pull out a victory. His stroke total was 298. John Daugherty, the leader the first week, had to settle for fourth with a 312.

John Robinson Jr moved up to second with a 301 while Dick Neel claimed third with a 307. Mark Wojcik finished fifth with 315. Dr. W.D. Jackson was the defending champion.

1982 August 30 “Jackson, Klein Win Horserace in Pitchoff”

Dr. W.D. Jackson and Bob Klein won a pitchoff with Terry Key and Frank Shagets during a two-man horserace at MCC. Taking third was the team of Dr. W.D. Neal and Romie Holder while John Robinson Jr. and Charles Grayson were fourth.

Rounding out the field were Dick and Ross Lillard, fifth; Tom and Mark Cordell, sixth; Mike Craig and Will Neel, seventh; Ed Schmidt and John Everitt, eighth; Kent Jeffries and Charlie Bill Hirsch, ninth, and H.B. Warren and Frank Jacobs, tenth.

1982 August 30 “Neel Wins MCC Invitational”

Despite seeing his final round score balloon to 77, Will Neel managed to hang on and capture his second straight MGCC Invitational Golf Title. Both Neel and former champion Romie Holder carded final round 77s, but the 71 Neel logged on Saturday provided the margin of difference, 148-149. This was the second year in a row that Neel scored a one-0stroke victory, last year nipping Mike Craig 147-148.

Ed Schmidt, who had been tied with Holder for second on Saturday at 72, saw his score balloon to 80 to finish third. Gary Witten was fourth and Bill Giffhorn fifth.

Robinson finished with 154 in the President’s flight. Bill Harsch and Bob Coyan tied for second at 155. Placing third was H.B. Warren II with 156; Bill Neel and Charlie Bill Hirsch at 157.

Jackson, Craig, and Crank all posted 158’s to head up the A flight. All alone in fourth was Bob Johnson at 160 followed by Bob Klein, Tom Mayfield, and Hickory Moron tied at 161s.

Dr. Jack Mann wrapped up B flight honors with a 161 while H.D. Wall took second with 165. Dick Lowery placed third at 168 while George Foster claimed fourth with 169. Ken Lewallen and Dabney Smith Sr. tied for fifth at 170.

Tom Forbes and Mark Cambell shared first in C flight with 170s. Tom Cordell Sr. nailed down third shooting a 171 followed by Jack Burson at 173 and Bill Melton at 174.

1982 September 14 “MCC Fall Festival Title Taken”

John Robinson Jr., John Doty, John Kerr, and Rick Stark combined for 292 points en route to the title of the MCC Fall Festival. Nailing down second place were Marshall Smith, Bud May, Schooner Schmidt, and James Scott with 284 points.

The team of Brad Smallwood, Jake Hester, Mark Riley, and Gary Sehpher earned 280 points to place third while Bob Hill Jr., John Finley, Gene Ragsdale and Leroy Collins combined to capture fourth place with 276 points.

The fifth-place team, with 272 points, was Tom Cordell Sr., George Meyers, Mike Long, and George Couch.

1982 October 12 “Jackson’s Ace Helps Win Scramble”

A hole-in-one by Dr. W.D. Jackson helped boost his team to the title in the Fall four-man scramble Sunday at MCC. Jackson, playing with Kenny Young, Rick Stark and Vern Schwertfeger, aced the par 3, 180-yard #5 hole using a 4 wood.

The winners finished with a 62. Taking second in a pitchoff at 63 were Phil Trussler, Bob Haney, Charlie Trussler, and Rick Wright. Third went to Mike Craig, Robbin Robinson, George Beck and Phil Follis.

The team of J.P. Williams, Jim Hill, Tom Barton and Hank Garwood won fourth in a pitchoff with Ed Schmidt, Pat Wilson, Oris Goodwin, and Jim Moore taking fifth. Both teams shot 64s.

1982 October 18 “Robinsons Capture Two-Man Scramble”

John Robinson Jr. and John Robinson Sr. fired a 66 to nab first place in the championship Flight in a two-man scramble Sunday at MCC. The Robinsons nosed past runner-up Dick Nee and Dick Lillard, who carded a 68. Phil Trussler and Bob Haney were third at 69.

Winning the A flight were Dabney Smith Sr. and Dabney Smith Jr with a 69. Jim Rutter and George Foster posted a 73 to take second place. John Kerr and Jim Green won the B flight with a 70. Taking honors in the C flight were Don Coppedge and John Becker Sr with a 74. James Scott and Ray Baldridge placed second at 75. D flight winners were Vernie Walker and Ronnie Schliep with an 82.