Miami Golf and Country club Reunion UPDATE

 

Rockdale Country club about 1935 facing the south.

MIAMI GOLF AND COUNTRY REUNION July 25, 26, 27 in conjunction with Tom Walker’s class reunion, golfers, and friends. Letty has been compiling the history of the Country Club from 1916—1984 when the club burned to the ground. https://mgcchistory.blogspot.com The years from 1985-2010 will follow. Click on this link to see the history.

July 25, 2024 We have 5 tee times reserved starting at noon for those interested in playing golf at Shangri-la Resort, plus a package offer to stay and play. Contact McKayla Rutherford 918-257-7779 to reserve rooms for the Miami Country club event. $77 plus tax for golf.

July 26, 2024 We have 8 tee times starting at 10:00 at Peoria Ridge golf course. $45.00 for golf. We can play in 5’ somes so we have room for 40 golfers. We must have names ASAP…

Letty Stapp Watt must be notified if you plan to play golf at either event. lettywatt65@gmail.com

July 26 evening buffet at Peoria Ridge for MHS “A Gathering of Wardogs.”  *Contact Tom Walker through Facebook “You Know You Are From Miami Ok When….” Or Letty

July 26 and 27 Miami’s Heritage Fest will take place through the two days on Miami’s Main Street. There will be a huge stage for performers, BBQ competition, and food trucks. 

July 27 Jonya and Letty Stapp will host a Meet and Greet at Dobson Museum 10am—4pm. This is to celebrate Miami’s rich history thanks to leadership 100 years ago and for those who knew the golf pros at the club from 1954—2010. Please bring stories and memorabilia to share with all.

July 27 Tom Walker is planning “A Gathering of Wardogs” luncheon at Peoria Ridge community room and an evening buffet at the Peoria Ridge golf course. Donations accepted for the Wardog meals. Please let Letty or Tom know who is planning to attend the luncheon and or the dinner. Also, give your graduation date.

 

 

1976 RETIREMENT PARTY

  THE  PRO

In 1989 Jonya and I and our families faced the death of our parents. Mother, Helen Stapp died in August of 1989 and our father, Johnie F. Stapp, Pro-Emeritus died of a broken heart in October of 1989. We were devastated. I held onto an old picture of mom and dad dancing at the club merely three weeks before "Sepsis" took our mother's life. I cherished that photo and knew that they had enjoyed life down to the last leg of the journey.

The Christmas of 1992 I opened a gift from my sister. Out of the four-foot-long box dropped a doll or a puppet. I couldn’t tell. As I picked up the folded character I looked into those blue eyes and saw my dad. I laughed and we all cried. In my arms that evening I held the figure of our dad in my lap. Thirty years later he sits to my right in my studio and keeps me smiling and persevering. Sometimes he appears on the mantel when we host golf parties.

https://literallyletty.blogspot.com/2011/07/pro.html The Pro’s Story as I wrote 2011 on my personal blog Literally Letty.

Now here I sit February 15, 2024, writing the celebration of his life at the Miami Golf and Country Club retirement party December 1976. Please join me as I reminisce and share the photos.

1976 December 9 ‘Retiring Golf Pro Johnie Stapp Honored”

Some 250 members of the Miami Golf and Country Club were present Wednesday night to honor Johnie F. Stapp, who is retiring at the end of 1976 after serving the past 23 years as the club’s golf professional. The turnout was described as the largest for any social event in the history of the club.

Don Atchison, Johnie Stapp, Doc Jackson

 

Preparatory to Stapp’s retirement as the golf pro, greens-keeper and the man responsible for the golf shop, golf course, golf carts, and swimming pool, Don Atchison served as master of ceremonies. Called on to “roast” the honored guest were Claire Oliver, John F. Robinson, Marion Zajic, Chi Galloway, Bill Hirsch, Pat Campbell and daughter Letty Stapp Rains of Greensburg, Kansas. 

Helen Stapp, Bob Paul, Don Atchison, Flo Ragsdale, Johnie Stapp, John Robinson, Jonya Stapp, and Joe Hankins.

 

Presentations of plaques, certificates and special gifts were made by Florence Ragsdale on behalf of employees at the club; Joe Hankins, 1976 club president; Robbie (H.D.) Robinson; Doc Jackson and Harry Dean.  

Don Atchison, Johnie Stapp, Judy Atchison, Doc Jackson, Harry Dean reaching across and Dick Lillard on far right.

 A sample of remarks included: “He has made the Miami golf course one of the nicest to be found anywhere.” …” He has saved the club thousands of dollars through hard work beyond his regular duties.”…”Thanks to Johnie Stapp, there is no club I’d rather be a member of than this one.”…”The nicest thing about Johnie is his family, Helen, Letty, and Jonya.”

Don Atchison, Letty Stapp Rains, Rose Pratt, Johnie and Helen Stapp, John Robinson, and Jonya Stapp.

 

 

 Stapp received a standing ovation as he rose to make the final talk. “Thanks to all,” he said, “In 23 years here, there are so many who have helped me in so many ways that I wouldn’t attempt to call individual names. There is absolutely no way for me to express my true appreciation of what you have done. The success of this club belongs to its members and not me,” he declared. 

Jane Trussler, John and Ruth Chambers, Francis and Dail West, Helen Moore, Evelyn and Bill Hatfield.

Left, Mary Robinson. Center to front right: Grace and Rex Painter, Gail Beck, Pauline Taylor, Tammy Romick, Paul Parker

Left to right around the table: Mike and Jackie Craig, Dr. Elmer and Bernice Ogle, Billie and Lowell Lay, Jan and David Thomas.

Another 1976 honor for Stapp came in September when he was chosen “Golf Professional of the Year” in the Eastern Oklahoma chapter of the SC section of the PGA.

A Farewell Message from Johnie Stapp

 They say that if you live long enough they'll turn you out to pasture, and that's just what's happening to me. I've been looking forward to it for quite some time with mixed emotions. you would think with 40 acres, 40 cows, 4 ducks, 2 dogs, and 1 cat, and Helen that there would be plenty to do, not to mention a travel trailer to get away from it all. 

There was still something missing, and those of you who have frequented the Pro Shop the past few weeks have no doubt noticed the concerned expression on my face. Well, that has been the trouble, and just last week I discovered the solution to the whole thing right in my own backyard. 

Three pigeons on the putting clock, namely Barton, Kerr, and Carselowey. Of course, there are others too, such as May, Hatfield, Beck, and Shouse. I am not so sure about Shouse; he's back at work part-time. Maybe the first three got too deep into his pocket or could be inflation or too much garden work. But if things come to the worst there's always the C.S. club, I mean the Jolly Boys. I can fall back on them and pick up a few nickels. 

(My father along with Marion Zajic, Charlie Trussler and many more over the years began the C.S. (chicken shit) club about 1957 in the two-car garage attached behind our house on H N.E. The men gathered every Thursday night to play ping-pong for nickels, dimes but mostly to drink, smoke, and have fun. Jonya and I would watch through the window into the smoke-filled room, spying on the men. When the club was redecorated in 1962-63 the C.S. club moved to men's upstairs card room, the bar, and where-ever else there was room. The lights on the putting clock invited many hours of drinks and memories.) 

Now that my problems are worked out, I'll tell you what Helen and I plan to do for Christmas. Instead of sending cards to all of our friends (the entire membership), we thought it would be nice to plant a cluster of four dogwood trees in the rough between #15 tee and #18 green. The slicers will love that location and we will be remembered for a long time.

 We won't say goodbye because you will probably be seeing just as much of us as ever, but we want to thank you each and every one for being so kind, cooperative, and wonderful beyond explanation to a family who has spent 23 of the happiest years of their lives with you.  

Sincerely,

The Stapp Family

 

1976 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF MGCC

 

SAVE THE DATES

JULY 25,26,27 Miami Golf and Country club reunion. Golf is available for play July 25 at Shangri-la, July 26 at Peoria Ridge, while Saturday, July 27 is reserved for time to gather and share our stories at the Dobson Museum on Miami’s Main Street.

1940-1950's Miami Country Club view from the north side golf course.

1976 February 22 by Monty Franks, “Golf Prospects Bright for NEO”

“I think we have six players who could shoot in the 70’s consistently,” explained coach Al Moffatt concerning the prospects of the 1976 NEO golf squad. 

1976 March 7 “Area Golfers Invited to Play Men’s Tourney
The first annual Ottawa County Open golf tournament will be held March 27-28 at the Miami Country club, with men from area points within and outside the county are eligible to participate. Trophies and $600 in merchandise will be awarded.

The entry fee will provide for a practice round on Friday, March 26 and play on the 27, 28. Entry forms are to be delivered to Club Pro Johnie F. Stapp at the pro shop or mailed to Country club, 1915 Cleveland, Miami. The entry deadline is Monday, March 22.

The new event is for the purpose of developing increased interest in local golf activities including membership in the club.

1976 March 25 “Wardog Hylton Among Leaders”

Golfers from 15 high schools competed Wednesday in the annual Parsons, Kansas invitational tournament on the Katy Country club course with Mike Hylton of Miami carding an 82 score to tie for eighth place. Miami’s four-ball total for ninth place was 369 with 82 by Mike Hylton, 92 by Tom Kidd, 75 by Matt Giffhorn, and 100 by John Weitz. Pittsburg won the four-ball trophy with a total of 325.

1976 March 28 “Kent Jeffries Stroke Ahead”

Kent Jeffries of Miami, with a one-over-par 73 on nine-hole rounds of 37 and 36 Saturday at the Miami Country club, led a field of 76 players in the first annual Ottawa County Open golf tournament.

Trailing Jeffries by one stroke with 74 scores are Bob Karlovich, of Tulsa, Harry Gilmore of Miami, and Bob Klein of Shangri-la. Others shooting under 80 were: 75—Miami’s two John Robinsons—senior and junior; 76—Charles Grayson of Tulsa, Charlie Bill Hirsch, Miami, and Tommy Beck of Tulsa, former champion of the Miami Invitational; 80—Jack Doan and Mark Wojcik, Jake Magill; finishing Championship flight with 81—Mike Craig, Dr. W.D. Jackson, Joe Christie; and Bill Harsch, Rick O’Brien with 82’s.

1976 March 29 “Jeffries Winner in County Open”

Almost constant rain Sunday wiped out the final 18-hole rounds of the first annual Ottawa County Open golf tournament at the Miami Country club. The leaders of Saturday’s opening 18-hole were declared winners of the top five places in four flights.

Prize winners in other flights were: First—Stratton Henley, first by coin toss over Al Moffatt, each with an 83. David Gaines, Dick Lillard, and Floyd Auld, with 84 each.

Second flight—Jerry Mustain, first by a coin toss over Joe Womastek, each with 91; Don Wiley, Joe Carey and Willard Gordon, and Tom Martin each with 93.

Third flight—Don Grayson, first by coin toss over Bill Oliver, each with 100; George Couch, Schooner Schmidt and Darrell Williams each with 101.

1976 March 30 “Wardog Golfers Are Winners in Triangular Meet”

Archie Loehr’s Wardog defeated Columbus, Kansas, 8-2 and Baxter Springs, 8 ½ to 7 ½. Baxter defeated Columbus, 10 to 0. Mike Hylton, with a score of 88 on nine-holes defeated Columbus, 2-1, but lost a 3-0 decision to Baxter’s Perry Ogle, the 1975 Kansas Class AA champion. Ogle’s 78 was the best of the meet.

Practice makes perfect for boys and girls golf team members. 

Matt Giffhorn scored an 89 for victories over Hance Van Beber of Columbus and Jody Ewers of Baxter. Tom Kidd with an 89 had two victories or Erick Van Beber of Columbus and Dan Wilson of Baxter. John Weitz 96 beat Mark Metzger 99 and Chris Adkison’s 89 beat Baxter 2 ½ to ½.

Illness prevented Columbus from having more than three players on the team here.

1976 April 1 “Victory, Loss for MHS in Golf at Siloam Springs”

Miami Wardog golfers, coached by Archie Loehr defeated the Tahlequah Tigers 12 – 4, but lost to host Siloam Springs, Arkansas in a triangular competition Wednesday on the Dawn Hill course north of Siloam Springs.

Miami’s Matt Giffhorn and Thompson of Tahlequah were the top shooters with 81 scores each. Mike Hylton with a 90, beat Tahlequah and lost to Siloam Springs. Matt Giffhorn and Thompson of Tahlequah each shot an 81 and tied for 1 ½ each. Giffhorn beat Siloam Springs 2 ½ to 1/2. Tom Kidd with a 93 beat Tahlequah while Wilson of Siloam Springs beat Kidd. John Weitz with an 81 beat Tahlequah 3-0 and tied with Siloam Springs. Chris Adkison with an 88 beat Tahlequah 2 ½ to ½ and lost to Siloam Springs.

1976 April 4 “Miami High Golfers Beat Nowata, Grove”

Archie Loehr’s golfers defeated Nowata 10 ½ to 5 ½ and Grove 10 ½ to 2 ½ in a triangular competition Friday afternoon at the Miami Country club.

1976 April 11 “Ladies Golf Launches 1976 Season”

The LGA 1976 season got off to a good start Wednesday at Miami Country club. A business meeting was held at noon. Winners in the Wednesday play were:

18-holes: Championship flight—Lib Lillard and Pat Platt; A flight—LaVerne Munson; 9-holes: A flight—Rose Pratt; B flight—Mary Robinson.  Next Wednesday, lessons for beginners will begin at 9 a.m. and pairings for play from the red tees, low putts, will be:

9:00 Evelyn Hatfield, Mary VanBeber, Beverly Jackson, Yvonne Temple; LaRue Gaines, Barbara Shouse, Jean Ann Blue, Diedra Schmidt; Karen Jeffries, LaVerne Munson, Billie Pace, Geneva Ramsay; Lib Lillard, Helen Moore, Noma Newman, Pat Platt.

9-holes: Pauline Adkison, Gail Beck, Barbara Blevins, Marylyn Adams; Aileen Bradshaw, Gladys Wetzel, Hattie Wall, Pauline Taylor; Virginia Sapp, Mary Robinson, Caryl Rohwedder, Rosalie Patterson; Rose Pratt, Bernice Ogle, Frances McKinney, Peg Murphy; Bonnie Moody, Judy Long, Dorothy Hester, Juanita Henley; Alice Kidd, Mavis Ford, Sue Enyart, Roma Dahl; Shirley Coker, Mary Chumbley, Dorothy Gibson, Lee Womastek.

Afternoon—Claire Oliver and Marji Grayson.

1976 April 18 “NEO Wins in Shawnee”

NEO golfers, paced by medalist Rod Rist finished first Friday in Bi-State Conference golf competition on the Elks Club in Shawnee, with St. Gregory’s as host team. Rist carded one-over-par 73 on the wind-raked course. Other NEO scores were Mike Magill, 75; Gene Holder, 75; John Harrison, 76; Miles Grove, 81.

1976 April 18 “Cancer Benefit Golf”

The American Cancer Society will receive another big financial boost in the third annual benefit golf tournament Monday on the beautiful Shangri-la course. The event was launched by Max and Jean Ann Blue in cooperation with Charles Davis, Shangri-la owner, along with staff including Don Young, golf professional.

Among those on hand Monday will be the Owens brother of Miami, Steve and Tinker. Other sports figures who will be present are defending men’s champion Herman Weaver, specialist with the Detroit Lions; John Ward, former OSU star lineman who has been with the NFL Minnesota Vikings; Howard Twilley, ace receiver with NFL Miami Dolphins; Mike Livingston, of the NFL Kansas City Chiefs.

1976 May 3 “Golf Scramble for 9 Teams”

Nine teams of four women each competed Sunday afternoon in a golf scramble event at the Miami Country club. Two foursomes tied for first place with scores of 41. In the playoffs, top honors went to LaRue Gaines, Helen Moore, Rose Pratt and Dena Ander. Next were Beverly Jackson, Barbara Shouse, Juanita Henley and Roma Dahl.

Five foursomes tied for third place. The winners in the play-off were Lib Lillard, LaVerne Munson, Mary Robinson, and Pauline Adkison.

1976 May 5 “MHS Wins Again in Girls Golf”

Sandy Jackson, Chris Hester, Ann Heyburn, Jenny Landers, Pam Landers, Laura Rohwedder who played in the spring of 1976.

 

Miami defeated Pittsburg, Kansas, 9-1 Monday afternoon in high school golf matches at the Miami Country club. Sandy Jackson of MHS was medalist for the 18-hole event with a score of 97 and defeated Esterl, 2-0 and gave Miami an extra point for being medalist.

Results of the other matches: Jenny Landers, 112, won 2-0 over Katie Wiegel, 121; Carol McKinney, 119 split with Nettels, 119; Debbie Jackson, 101, won 2-0 over Sheri Paul, 116.

In a nine-hole match, Chris Hester, 62 won 1-0 over Denise Hollowell, 79. Coach Claire Oliver’s Miami girls will compete Thursday in the high school invitational at Springfield, Missouri. **I could not find any results on this event.

1976 May 17 “Golf Horse Race Results”

Bob Thomas of Grove won first place in Miami Country club’s second “horse race” golf event of the season. The one the past weekend was for 10 local club members in the middle-handicap range. In the nine-hole competition, the player with worst score on a hole drops out.

With Thomas as the sole survivor, second place went to Bud May of Joplin and third to Jake Hester of Miami. The next ‘horse race’ will be in June.

1976 June 1 “Winners in Holiday Golf Event”

Sixty-four men and women participated in nine-hole mixed couples’ golf scramble competition Monday at the Miami Country club. The top score of35 was posted by two foursomes, with first place being determined in a pitch off that was won by the team of Jack Doan, Gail Beck, Homer Kemper, and Nancy Johnson.

Second place went to Jim Rutter, Stormy Lewis, V.W. Lillard and Pauline Adkison. Three teams tied for third place with scores of 36. The pitch off positions in the top five teams:

3^rd—Bud Gaines, LaVerne Munson, Georg Beck and Frances Moffatt. 4^th –Bob Hunt, Tammy Romick, Jim Tolbert and Terri West. 5^th—Tom Cordell, Judy Long, Lee Adkison, and Dena Ander.

1976 June 20 “Tulsa Girl’s 85 Best but Not the Winner”

Weather conditions sent scores upward and bad luck plagued last year’s winners in the 17^th annual Mabel Hotz Memorial Invitational girls golf tournament Friday at the Miami Country club. High humidity and greens slowed by the inch of rain overnight created problems for the linksters, according to Mrs. Beverly Jackson, tournament chairman.

Last year’s championship flight winner, Sandy Jackson, fell victim to a two-stoke penalty for touching the sand in her backswing on a trap at the 18^th hole. The penalty left Sandy with a 99 while Lucia Lukken of Tulsa finished 98 and the trophy.

In the age 16-17 event, Holly Pryor of Bartlesville soared to a 102. She was the Oklahoma 1974 junior girls champion. Friday, she took the trophy for longest drive.

The tournament’s best score, 40-45-85, was carded by Janice Burba of Tulsa, winner in the A flight, age 14-15 division. She also won the Mabel Hotz traveling trophy.

**It is only appropriate that Janice Burba won the Mabel Hotz trophy, as they are both in the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame.

Janice played at Oklahoma State from 1979 to 1983.  Janice won twice in her junior year and was part of the Cowgirl team that finished third in the nation.  Janice earned Third Team All-America recognition.  Janice won the Big 8 Championship her senior year.  She graduated in 1984.

After graduating from Oklahoma State, Janice began playing on the Futures Tour.   Janice won twice in 1985.  In 1986, Janice earned her LPGA tour card.   Janice never won a tournament in 228 starts.  Her career best finish was a tie for 5th. She retired after the 1998 season.

In the spring of 2001, Janice became the first Program Director for the new First Tee Program of Tulsa.  Since its inception, more than 9,200 students have enrolled in the program.  Including the outreach programs, more than 15,000 kids have been exposed to golf.  Tulsa’s chapter is one of the largest junior golf programs in the country.

Other Miamians playing the girls tournament were Jenny Landers 94, Ann Dohrmann, Chrissie Neal, Corinne Smith, Kathy Jeffries, Cathy Smith.

1976 June 20 “Jonya Is Medalist”

Firing an 81, Jonya Stapp of Miami took medalist honors in the Tulsa District Women’s Golf Association play at Muskogee Country club Friday. A graduate assistant in Spanish at the University of Oklahoma last year, Jonya is doing directed reading study this summer on her master’s program. She will return too Norman next year to complete the degree and teach part-time at the university.

While sharpening her golf game this summer in Miami, Jonya plans to enter several other tournaments. 

1976 July 9 “Mixed Couples Golf Winners”

Winners in the mixed couples golf scramble competition Monday at the Miami Country club were: First—Ed Schmidt, Marian Richards, Dick Platt, Cindi Lillard with a 34 score for the par 36 on the nine back holes.

2^nd with a 35 went to Tom Cordell, Judy Long, Bill Dohrmann, and Juanita Henley. 3^rd with a 36 was the team of G.R. White, Jonya Stapp, Gary West, Lee Dell Mustain. 4^th went to the team of Bob Rohwedder, Evelyn Hatfield, Chuck Beck, and Judy Kemper.

1976 July 9 “Golfers Named for Youth Meet at Duncan”

Four area teen-age boys are eligible to compete in the state Insurance Youth golf tournament that will be held July 15-16 on the Elks Country club course at Duncan. The quartet consists of David Cresap, Vinita, Tom Kidd of Miami, and two members of the Grove high school team—Will Neel of Shangri-la and John Dick of Grove.

In the recent District Insurance event, held under the sponsorship of Independent Insurance agencies of four counties, Cresap and Kidd scored 84 with Cresap winning in a play-off for medalist honors. One stroke behind at 85 were Neel and Dick.

1976 July 11 “Miami Boys Invitational”

Co-Medalist of the Miami Boys Invitational, Jeff McMillian of Stillwater (left) and Roger Haines of Springfield, Missouri (right) carded d74 scores to become the first to share the brand-new Miami tournament’s traveling medalist trophy that is held by Johnie F. Stapp, who made the presentation. The trophy, named by the tournament sponsors in honor of Stapp, who has served as Miami Country club pro since February 1954, will be awarded to medalist of future years. It will be returned to the club for the annual presentations.

Johnie F. Stapp, center, holds the new traveling trophy for medalist honors, named in his honor for his dedicatoin to young golfers .

 

David Bonham, who will be a senior this year in Greenwood HS, Springfield, Missouri captured the championship of the 16^th annual Miami Boys Invitational golf tournament at the Miami Country club at the maximum age of 17 with a five-over par 77 for the 18-hole competition.

Best scores, however, were carded by a pair of 16-year-olds who tied with 74 and were in President’s flight, one step below. They will be eligible to return next year and shoot for the winner’s position. A 76 was carded by Fred Daniel of Tulsa for second place in the championship and the 77 by Tracy Phillips of Tulsa took third place.  (Tracy Phillips played golf at OSU and turned pro in 1984 https://www.pga.com/story/tracy-phillips-pga-is-happy-that-he-and-golf-have-reunited-in-southwest )

Other Miamians in the event—Tom Dean, 98; Tom Kidd, 84; Brad Kemper, 98; Robb Garwood, 103; Brent Landers, 109. In the 9-hole division were David Robinson and Darren Foster.

1976 July 11 “Ladies Golf Winners”

 

**Personal Note: Having followed the Miami News Record for sixty years of history through the “News Archives” I have only praise for the Miami Ladies Golf Association over these decades. I wonder if they ever missed posting the parings and results from weekly play. My father always gave them praise and credit for his strong junior golf program and the men all understood they could not have pulled off the yearly Men’s Invitational golf tournament without Norma Lou Jackson and her team of women.

 

It has been through their diligence that I have been able to trace much of our history. The search engine must have exact names or locations like “Miami Country club” to locate events. Once I find ladies names who reappear like Hatfield, Oliver, Heyburn or men like Coleman, Stapp, Klein, Neel the search becomes larger and more effective. My continued thanks to the Jackson family for sharing Norma Lou’s scrapbook collection of Doc and kids from 1954-1984 and for future reference 1989-2000.

The picture shown here is the only one of Norma Lou Jackson. It was taken July 1976 at Twin Hills in Joplin when Doc was playing on a winning team at the Twin Hills Invitational. Thank you, Norma Lou Jackson, and the “Ladies Golf” weekly results. 

(Norma Lou died November 29, 2001. Doc died January 7, 2007.)

1976 July 18 “Don Wiley First in Horse Race”

Don Wiley of Grove was Friday’s winner of the “horse race” golf event at the Miami Country club for10 golfers in the 10-14 handicap range.

In this competition, nine holes are played with one golfer being eliminated on each hole until the winner remains. Wiley survived three playoffs in route to first place, sinking a six-foot downhill putt on his final shot.

Rex Painter finished second and Bob Hunt, third. Other participants were Delmer Barnes, Ed Schmidt, David Gaines, Marion Zajic, Cy Elmburg, Bob Temple, and Jerry Ketcher.

1976 July 25 “Junior Golf Winners”

Winners of Friday’s junior golf play at Miami Country club and next Friday’s pairing and scorers have been announced. Winner were:

Two-hole: Mike Platt and Byron Butler; Gretchen Couch, Stacy Corlett and Christy Smith.

Four-hole: Brad Craig; Chrissie Neal and Mary Kidd.

B fight: Corinne Smith.

A flight: Debbie Jackson and Ann Dohrman; Robbie Garwood, James Heyburn.

Championship: Brad Kemper, Tom Dean.

Pairings and scorers for competition beginning at 8:30 a.m. Friday:

Two-hole: Byron Butler, Mike Platt, John Goldenberg, Marshall Smith, scorer Judy Atchison; Stephen Long, Ronnie Coker, Rich Lillard and scorer Wanda Couch. Kathy Jeffries, Sherri Atchison, Misty Painter, Anna Price, and scorer Becky Austin; Stacy Corlett, Sharla Laughlin, Gretchen Couch, Christy Smith and scorer Pat Platt.

Four-hole: Meade Monger, Darren Foster, Bill Fullerton, Danny McKinney, and scorer Corinne Smith; Keith Neel, Brad Craig, Michael Price and scorer Cindy Neel. Chrissie Neal, Mary Weitz, Shelly Craig, Kelly Foster, and scorer Frances McKinney; Connie Dudgeon, Renee Corlett, Cathy Smith, Jane Dohrmann, Mary Kidd and scorer Shirley Coker.

B flight: Raymond McKinney, Rick Price, Bill Jackson, and scorer Pris Fullerton. Missy Wright, Kara Lay, Corinne Smith, Tracey Wright, and scorer Carol Monger.

18-holes A flight: James Heyburn, Mike Weitz, Jay Jackson, Matt Monger and scorer Jan Neal; John Heyburn, Robbie Garwood, John Paul Dick and scorer Sherry Weatherford.

Championship: Brad Kemper, Tom Dean, Kenny Barnes, Sandy Jackson, Tome Kidd and scorer Mike Craig.

1976 July 25 “Ladies Golf”

Winners in Wednesday competition for the Miami Ladies Golf were Championship flight—Jonya Stapp, Billie Pace and Beverly Jackson; A fight—LaVon Young and Yvonne Temple; 9 holes A flight—Juanita Henley; B flight—Aileen Bradshaw.

1976 July 28 “Golfers Finish League Action”

After 13 weeks of stroke play and match play, the Men’s Golf League has concluded at Miami Country club. The first-place team with 58 ½ points included Al White, G.R. White, Clarence Carselowey, and Bernie Schaff. In second place with 55 ½ points was the team of Mike Craig, Ed Schmidt, Mike Schmidt and Schooner Schmidt.

Third place went to Al Moffatt, Wayland Kelly, Tom Holmes and Joe Womastek with 55 points. Fourth place team, with 53 points, was composed of Dr. W.D. Jackson, Bob Temple, Joe Weatherford, and Bill Oliver. In fifth place was the team of George Meyers, Woody Painter, Lloyd Cowgill, and Henry Meyers.

1976 August 1 “Sparkmans Win”

The annual parent-child golf tournament sponsored by the Miami Country club was played on Sunday. A total of 31 twosomes competed under the Calloway handicap system.

First place went to Ron Sparkman and son, Johnny with a 35. Second was the team of John Robinson and son John Robinson, jr. with a 36. A four-way tie for third place with scores of 37 included the teams of Harry Dean and son, Tom, Thomas Dick and son, John Paul, George Foster and son, Darren, and woody Painter with Debbie Jackson.

In seventh place was the twosomes of H.D. Robinson and Bily Jackson with 37 ½. Sharing eighth place were the twosomes of Dan Heyburn and son, John, and Dr. W.D. Neal with daughter, Sally.

1976 August 3 “Local Linksters Compete”

Two Miami women golfers participated in a low-ball pro-am event at LaFortune Golf Course in Tulsa last week.

Evelyn Hatfield and Beverly Jackson also competed in Tulsa at Rolling Hills Country club’s first annual crisscross invitational tournament, winning fourth spot with a low gross score of 170.

In the pro-am event, sponsored by the Tulsa District Ladies Golf Assoc. Mrs. Jackson’s team scored the second lowest total score of 57. On the team also were Bruce Maddux, pro at Indian Springs CC, Betty Riddle and Marjorie Cummins of Tulsa.

1976 August 17 “Finals in Ladies Tourney”

The finals of the annual Miami Ladies Golf association championship tournament will be played Wednesday morning in four flights.

Ruth Heyburn and Tammy Romick will begin their championship flight match at 8:30. At 8:37 it will be Barbara Shouse vs LaVon Young in the 18-hole A flight final. The nine-hole A flight pairs Judy Long vs Carol Rohwedder. Dorothy Hester and Beverly Foster begin their F flight final at 8:51.

The tournament opened last week. Results since then leading to the finals: CHAMPIONSHIP Ruth Heyburn beat Claire Oliver; Fay Berentz beat Melba Cordell; Tammy Romick beat LaRue Gaines, Billie Pace beat Pat Platt. In the semi-finals, Heyburn beat Berentz and Romick defeated Pace.

A FLIGHT Joyce Rutter beat Mary Van Beber; Marian Richards, bye; Pauline Taylor, bye; Barbara Shouse bye. Second round—Rutter beat Richards; Young beat Virginia Kerr; Marji Grayson, bye; Yvonne Temple, bye: Sue Barnes, bye. Second round—Rutter beat Richards, Shouse defeated Taylor; Young beat Grayson; Barnes beat Temple. In the semi-finals, Shouse eliminated Rutter and Young sidelined Barnes.

A FLIGHT, 9 HOLES Dorothy Hester beat Becky Austin and Beverly Foster beat Bernice Ogle to set up the Hester-Foster title final.

1976 August 17 “Sandy Jackson Places 2nd”

Sandy Jackson, 16, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayman Jackson of Miami, won second place Monday in the championship flight of the annual Tulsa District Junior Girls golf tournament.

Sponsored by the Tulsa District Women’s Golf Association, the event was held on the La Fortune course. Linda Brown, 16, of Bartlesville won the championship with an 18-hole score of 83. Sandy was runner-up with an 88.

Suzy Wickham, formerly of Miami and a former member of the OSU women’s golf team, now is an assistant professional at La Fortune and was the leader of three clinic sessions for the 30 girls participating in Monday’s tournament.

She was assisted by Jackie Riggs, OKC teaching professional and Joan Blumenthal, coach of the women’s golf at Oklahoma University.

Girls of ages 9-17 competed in the tournament. The championship flight was for ages 15-17.

1976 August 22 “Billie Pace Wins”

Billie Pace, with a nine-hole score of 43, was winner Friday of the Miami Country club’s first “horse race” golf event for the women this season. With 10 participants, one player drops out at each hole until two remain for the title showdown on the ninth hole.

Rebecca Mirjanich was the runner-up and next in the top five were Claire Oliver, Ruth Heyburn, and Tammy Romick. Other contestants were Melba Cordell, LaRue Gaines, Joyce Rutter, LaVon Young and Lib Lillard.

1976 August 22 “Miamians First in State Tournament”

John F. Robinson and Dr. W.D. Jackson, who captured top golf honors many years on the Miami Country club course and elsewhere, are Oklahoma’s 1976 Senior Champions. The Miamians qualified with round of even-par 72 at the Meadowbrook Country Club in Tulsa. The team shot a 5-under par Wednesday, one under par on Thursday, and even-par Friday to earn the Championship title.

1976 August 29 “Ladies Golf Announces Yearly Winners
Tammy Romick is the overall championship winner this year.

1976 September 9 “Miami Invitational Begins Saturday”

According to Jim Rutter, general chairman, 128 entries for the 21^st annual MCC Men’s Invitational are registered. A year ago, the championship was won by Barry Franks of Joplin, who will be back to defend his title.

Friday’s practice rounds by contestants will be climaxed with an evening “horse race” in which 10 men will compete in the nine-hole event. One player will drop out of each hole, leaving the lone survivor as the winner.

The 10 listed for the horse race are from the field of former tournament champions and other top contenders. They are Bob Klein, Barry Franks, Romie Holder, Bob Hill, Jr., Doc Jackson, Chi Galloway, Bill De Arman, Bob Karlovich, Jim Walker, and Tommy Beck.

On Chairman Rutter’s tournament staff are Mrs. W.D. Jackson, pairings; Mrs. Claire Oliver, prizes; Col. John Elliott, marshal; Mrs. Bill Carter and Mrs. H.D. Robinson.

1976 September 12 “Jackson Wins Pre-Tourney Horse Race”

In a Friday evening golf “horse race” that preceded Miami’s annual two-day invitational men’s tournament Dr. W.D. Jackson of Miami proved to be No. 1 among the 10 horse race contestants that included pretournament favorites.

Jackson shot even par 36 on the nine holes and was the sole survivor at the finish. Next in the order they finished were Jim Walker 2^nd and city champion from Pittsburg, Kansas; 3^rd won by Bob Hill, Jr., of Parsons, Kansas; 4^th Tom Beck, Tulsa; 5^th Bill De Arman of Norman; followed by Bob Klein, Chi Galloway, Romie Holder, Barry Franks, defending champion and Bob Karlovich, of Tulsa.

1976 September 12 “Scaletty Fires 73”

Top shooters in Saturday’s opening 18-hole rounds at MCC were some of the favorites. Jim Scaletty, Parsons, Kansas, with a one-under par 73, Barry Franks, Joplin, defending champion, and Percy Pipes of Mt. Vernon, Ill. Three-time winner of the tournament, both with 74’s.

Shooting 75’s were Tom Beck, Bob Klein, Mark Wojcik, and Mark Cordell.

1976 September 13 “Pipes Adds Record Title”

Pursie Pipes, an oil well drilling contractor of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, who in 1960 won his first championship of the Miami Country club’s invitational golf tournament, won the 21^st annual event Sunday to boost his total Miami titles to a record of four. His score for the two days was 74-74-148, four over par. He also was the champion here in 1961 and 1968 and came close to winning the other years. is

The runner-up here Sunday was Jim Scaletty with 150. He was the champion here in 1970. There was a three-way tie for third place with Bob Klein, Bill Stewart and Romie Holder at 151. Holder’s one-over-par 73 was Sunday’s best round.

Winners and runners-up in other flights were Chi Galloway 153 and Charles Grayson 155 in President’s flight. In A flight 1^st David Gaines 158 and 2^nd a tie with Bob Karlovich and Bob Coyan at 159. In B flight Bill Ney 163 and Larry Ramsey 158. C fight found Frank Moore in 1^st with a 181, 2^nd place tie went to H.D. Robinson, Dabney Smith Sr., and Bob Bethel shooting 182. D flight David Taylor won with a 188 and Jim Rutter 190.

Other Miamians who played included Mark Cordell 152, Mark Wojcik 155, Marshall Smith 156, Dr. W.D. Jackson 160, Tom Cordell 160, Bob Hill Jr., 161. Chi Galloway 153, Charles Grayson 155, Charlie Bill Hirsch 156, John Robinson, Jr., 157, Kent Jeffries 157, Dr. W.D. Neal 1762, Ron Sparkman 162, Stratton Henley, 163, Pat Wilson 1643, Al Moffatt 164, Tom Forbes 165, Ron Robinson 167, John Kerr 170, Dick Lillard 162,  Scott Jackson 165, Mike Long 165, Jerry Mustain 167, David Robinson 172, Bill Harsch 172, Rex Painter 173, Lou Mirjanich 178, Joe Weatherford 178, Dabney Smith Jr., 179, Max Martin 179, Bud Gaines 180, Al White 181, Joe Hankins 182, Chuck Chumbley 185, Frank Moore 181, Dabney Smith Sr., 182, H.D. Robinson 182, Don Grayson 186, Bill Oliver 188, Bill Hatfield 189, George Foster 189, Tom Holmes190, and V.W. Lillard 191.

**Pursie Pipes continued to be a part of the world and golf until he was 99 years old. He died in 2016. 

*

 1976 September 19 “Ladies Golf”

Ladies Golf Assoc. winners on Wednesday were Ruth Heyburn in championship; Barbara Shouse and Helen Moore in A flight; Caryl Rohwedder and Dorothy Hester in 9-holes.

1976 September 19 “Stapp Golf Pro of the Year”

My father retired in 1976, fifty-two years after burns that nearly crippled him as a teenager in the 1920’s, opened the door for him to become a caddy and eventually a playing and teaching professional golfer. This story will appear in another chapter.

1976 September 21 “MHS Girls Win in Golf”

Miami defeated Carl Junction, Missouri 6-0, Monday in high school girls golf matches at the Miami Country club. Sandy Jackson of the winning quintet was the medalist with a nine-hole score of 46, which was 30 strokes better than the 76 shooter of the visitors.

Debbie Jackson, Jenny Landers, Carol McKinney, Sandy Jackson

 

Other scores for the Miami girls were Jenny Landers 53, Debbie Jackson 56, Carol McKinney 57 and Chris Hester 59.

1976 September 24 “Attend Show by Lynyrd Skynyrd”

Mrs. Bud Gaines, Mr. and Mrs. O.T. Hatfield and Mrs. Holly Lawlis, all of Miami, attended a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert in the Century II theater in Wichita, Kansas on Tuesday. 

Mrs. Gaines is the mother of Cassie and Steve Gaines, members of the rock music group. Lynyrd Skynyrd was presented the public service award for charitable causes during the nationally televised Rock Country Awards show last Saturday from Los Angeles. The plaque the group received was given to Mrs. Gaines to bring back to Miami with her.

Steve Gaines is married to the former Teresa Lawlis, and they are the parents of a daughter, Carrina. Their home is in Orange Park, Florida. Teresa Gaines is the daughter of Mrs. Holly Lawlis. The Hatfield’s are grandparents of Steve and Cassie. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s new album, “One More for the Road,” has just been released. 

1976 September 28 “MHS Girls First”

Miami high school girls, coached by Claire Oliver, have added further victories to their impressive record for the fall golf season. Playing Monday on the Twin Hills course in Joplin, Miami made a clean sweep with blanking of Joplin Memorial 4-0; Joplin Parkwood, 3-0 and Carl Junction,5-0.

 Sandy Jackson of Miami was the medalist of Monday’s play with a 47-scorer for the nine-hole competition. Other Miami scores were 51 by Jenny Landers and Carol McKinney, 56 each by Debbie Jackson and Chris Hester.

1976 October 1 “Men’s Scramble”

Playoffs were necessary to settle first through sixth place in the men’s fall scramble golf tournament. There were 76 players in 19 foursomes. The order in which they finished after the playoffs follows:

64—Dick Lillard, Don Wiley, Wayland Kelly, Harold Hopkins.

64—Dr. W.D. Neal, Joe Weatherford, Dr. Ray McKinney, Dan Mailath.

66—John Robinson, Jr., Jim Rutter, Dick Wadleigh, Gary Butler.

66—Mike Craig, Jerry Mustain, Paul Davis, David Thomas.

66—Mark Wojcik, Tom Barton, Mike Long, Ken Grissom.

66—Dr. W.D. Jackson, H.D. Robinson, Don Barr, Jim Riley

**add

1976 October 5 “MHS Girls Win Again”

Miami defeated Pittsburg 9-1 Monday at the MCC. Sandy Jackson’s 97 took medalist and won her match. Jenny Landers,112, won 2-0; Carol McKinney, 119 split 1-1; Debbie Jackson,101 won 2-0. In the nine-hole match, Chris Hester’s 62 won 1-0.

1976 October 8 “MHS Girls 3^rd”

 MHS girls coached by Claire Oliver finished third among 13 teams that competed Thursday in the annual SW Missouri State University invitational golf tournament for high school girls on the Horton Smith course in Springfield.

1976 October 12 “From the Clutter”

Miamians Virginia Romick, Tammy Romick and Ruth Lynn Hulett will be shown in a segment of the “Today” show on NBC Wednesday morning, exhibiting and modeling native American fashions designed by Virginia. The four were in OKC Monday for the beginning of Indian Awareness Week and were filmed by a Today Show crew.

1976 October 19 “MHS Girls Win”

The MHS girls golf coached by Claire Oliver closed out their highly successful fall golf schedule by taking first place Tuesday in a four-team competition on the Briarbrook CC. Chilly moist winds prevailed during the afternoon competition.  Miami had a total score of 287. Next were Pittsburg, Kansas 295; Carl Junction 326; Girard, Kansas 333.

Sandy Jackson of Miami was the medalist with a 49 score for the event. Monday scores for other MHS girls were Jenny Landers 55, Carol McKinney 66, Chris Hester 61 and Debbie Jackson 56.

1976 October 26 “Wojcik is Champion”

In Monday finals of the annual Miami CC match-play tournament Mark Wojcik won the championship with a 2-up victory of Doc Jackson. Rounds of 18 holes were played over the past three weeks to determine the finalists. Title winners and results in other final matches were Ron Sparkman defeating Bill Hirsch in Championship flight, Don Barr beating Bill Melton in A flight, Tom Holmes defeated Dr. Raymond McKinney in B flight and John Finley III won C flight over Bob Austin.

1976 November 7 “Officers of the Ladies Golf Association”