Our Shared Reality

 One late toasty-warm August afternoon when pancakes baked on the sidewalk, I stood in line at the post office, enjoying the cool air while waiting to mail a large stack of my Miami Golf and Country Club History books that I self-published. I was weary that afternoon but still my adrenaline flowed from the excitement of selling nearly 100 books. 

I only printed 30 to begin with and never expected more. It took two more printings to have 102 copies. Stepping up to the counter I plopped down the packages of books to be mailed with relief. With a tired but proud smile, I looked at the lady in white and blue and stated, "I'd like to mail these books in media rate, please."

She returned the smile, placed one on the weight machine, checked the location and zip code and while placing the stickers on the the package she asked, "Are you an author?"

The question caught me off guard. Two book signings, one in Miami, Oklahoma and the other in Tulsa, were most successful for me and for the people who dropped by to purchase the book, but I never thought of myself as an author. I was a writer, yes, but an author is well-known, has books in the public libraries, and makes money. 

After watching her weigh the second book and checking the address I finally replied, "Yes, I am an author and this is the history book I wrote about my hometown, the golf course where I grew up, and the people who were a part of my life."

Letty Stapp Watt, Vicki Martin Reynolds, Jonya Stapp Pry, Dobson Museum, Miami, Oklahoma

 

In full conversation by now she replied, "Oh, I wish I could write the story of the mountain in Washington state where I grew up skiing every winter and the lodge we called home." 

I saw her name "Cori" on the top left shelf of her post office station. It was a painted brick with her name engraved in stylish lettering. No one else could claim that station and her name. I liked her creative and individual taste. As she finished weighing and marking each package the doors to the post office locked, but we continued to talk about our shared histories and how people had come and gone in our lives. 

Even though we were separated in age by twenty years and 2,000 miles growing up in Washington state and Oklahoma, we found a common bond. 

Judy Woodruff said after a story she shared on PBS, 

"The need for a shared reality is one-way stories and history bring us together."

Authors, writers, journalists, storytellers, teachers, parents, ministers, historians, civic leaders......all possess the power of words to bring us together. We often look for stories that touch us inwardly, that connect us to others or another time and place.

I found this to be true, when a few days later I asked for help in the Hallmark store. I explained that I needed thank you notes for the many people who helped me publish the book and who encouraged and challenged me to finish it. The ladies looked at the various boxes that I had picked out and we talked our way through the best choice (I bought two boxes of Thank You notes.) 

One lady asked what I had written. I replied, "I've collected stories and created a timeline of the last seventy years of the people who built my town and the golf course where I grew up."

She lite up, "Are you a golfer?" 

I laughed, "Yes, I am and have been since the time I could walk."

"Oh, you lucky girl," she pipped. "I have always wanted to play golf, but never found the time. I watch it on television on the weekends and once went to a championship in Tulsa."  We chatted a few more minutes and then she asked, "May I buy one of your books?"

"Let me bring one in for you to see," I suggested. A few minutes later, she sat down with the book and thumbed through the pages. "Where are you in this story?" 

"Starting in the early sixties," I said, then turned a few pages until we reached a decade she recalled. "I want to buy your book. How much?" 

I was stunned. This lady didn't play golf nor had any connection to it, like I might have thought. "The book costs $35."

She took $35.00 out of her purse and asked, "Would you autograph it me."

As I was leaving the store, she said, "Thank you. I want to read about others who have lived during my time and understand what it was like." 

I beamed with gratitude and felt tears well up in my heart with her kindness and soft spoken words. 

I became a storyteller decades ago, thanks to a job at the Miami Public Library, because I saw people laugh and connect with the personal stories that I heard at the Miami Golf and Country Club, the stories my parents shared about the depression, the war, and the people who had come and gone in their early lives. (Some of the stories might be called "fishing for a good line or lie." I was never sure as a child how to take that.)

George Haralson and Thursday

One of my favorite memories to share is of an English bulldog named Thursday, who roamed the club in the late 1950's. His official home was on Yale Street and his backyard became the golf course and the clubhouse. One July 4, I witnessed Thursday run with his short legs and full body to catch an M-80 thrown by one of the club members. Oh, my... 

The rest of the story can be found on my history blog Thursday's story

My personal blog is "Literally Letty" where I often write as the 'Golf Gypsy'.  To read those stories go to <www.https://literallyletty.blogspot.com>  In the search bar type in Golf Gypsy or Miami Memories.

The homepage for my history blog is: 

<https://mgcchistory.blogspot.com/>

Miami, Oklahoma Golf and Country Club History

If you enjoy my stories please copy and share this website address with your friends. Blogging is becoming a thing of the past and I could certainly use help for my readers in sharing these stories with your friends and family.  

A Collection of Personal Stories --Part 1

 

PERSONAL STORIES FROM the MIAMI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

 

 

1957 Tom Pat Wilson—I remember great times at the dances in the ballroom. One time my cousin and I were supposed to babysit my little brother, Bobby, during the dance and party. Being a ornery older brother I decided to teach him how to scratch his butt and stick his finger up his nose. The idea was that he would do that in front of adults and make them laugh.

Needless to say, we were in serious trouble when my parents discovered Bobby’s new trick.

My favorite memory of those times at the club was when Dad would use the “pull my finger and fart” joke on the kids. We laughed ourselves silly and then I taught my daughter how to do it.  Dad joke

 

1960s-80’s Gary West recalls his personal stories as twofold.

 

The early days playing four to nine holes depending upon my age and the later years when I moved back from San Francisco to Miami of playing after work and coming down the 18th hole when it was almost dark and still finding our balls.

 

I have really enjoyed reading your stories and seeing pictures from high school days, my parents’ friends and how lucky we were to have grown up in such a great place.

 

 

1960-1970’s Mark Cordell shares his reflections.

 

Thank you for the note.  I have enjoyed reading your writings on Miami Country Club history.  I think we were all very fortunate to have had an opportunity to grow up at MGCC. 

My Mother and Father were both a big influence in my golf.  Mom and Dad both played and made sure my brother and two sisters had an opportunity to learn and play golf.  In other words, we were a “Golfing Family”.  I still remember the Sunday afternoon nine-hole Family golf games. They were always there to help guide us with the golf game and how to act on the course.  One thing I am not  proud of happened during the summer.  We played a lot of golf.  As a kid playing golf, I thought the thing to do was to hit a club against something when you missed a shot.  (Not the thing to do but probably was trying to act big as I had seen some of the older guys do it.)

 Well, on (the original) #6 I  pushed my drive into the right rough close to a tree.  I missed the next shot and hit my 3 iron against a tree.  It snapped!!  After some careful thought, I told my dad that night that my ball was up against a tree and when I tried to hit it, I hit the tree on the follow through and it snapped.  Little did I know, my dad had come out to play in the evening and from the putting green saw the whole thing.  So, in the middle of the summer I was banned from the golf course for a week and never had a 3 iron until I was I high school!  He told me that if golf made me that mad then I shouldn’t be playing.  Lesson Learned!!!

Another big influence on my golf was your father.  We were very fortunate to have a Pro who had time for kids.  During the Summer your dad would give us Juniors Friday morning golf clinics before Junior Golf. 

As you probably remember, your dad was a BIG believer in the grip!!  He was a “thumb of your left hand straight down the shaft and your right-hand V covering the left hand”.  We all tended to stray from this allowing the left hand to become stronger but whenever he was around, we quickly moved it back.  He would ride up on us when we were on the course and ask to see our grip.  Of course, it was always correct when he did this. 

What really threw us off was when he watched us without us knowing it and he would see that our grip was out of position. We would get a little lecture on the correct grip every time!!  I have played a lot of golf over the past 65 years. (we could not start playing golf until we were 6 at MGCC).  Today, when I take a lesson and the teacher says your grip is too weak and you need to get that left hand in a much stronger position, I can’t help but think about what your father would be saying!

I currently live in Houston.  I am a member of the Champions Golf Club.  The Club was founded by Jackie Burke Jr. and Jimmy Demaret.  Mr. Demaret passed away many years ago, but Mr. Burke passed away last January just a few days before his 101^st Birthday.  He was at the club most days and loved to talk to whomever about golf. I visited with him one day about your father.  I asked him if he had ever heard of Johnie Stapp.  He said “yes, I think I remember him”.  I told him about the time he spent with us as Juniors teaching us not only the swing/grip but how to act on a golf course.  He said consider yourself very fortunate to have had someone like that helping guide you.

**Yes, my father and Jackie Burke met in California after the war, most likely at the Bing Crosby Clam Bake.  He kept a picture of Jackie on the wall of the pro shop for decades.

You asked about the people I played with.  Scotty Jackson was a very close friend.  We remain close to his wife Leah who is coming to visit in a couple weeks. Scotty, Jackie Mann, Tim Schofield, Charlie Grayson, Steve Reneger, Jonya Stapp, Susie Wickham were people I remember playing with.  Mark Wojcik, the Painters, John Robinson Jr. were all older.

I lost contact with many people.  After college I spent time in Tulsa, transferred to Los Angeles, back to Tulsa and then ended up in Houston.  Had the opportunity to play golf along the way. I retired about 5 years ago.  Spent a lot of time traveling internationally with my job.  Today I try to play 3-4 times a week, and have 5 grand kids (10, 7, 5,4,2). Three of the grand kids like to play golf, so I am never too far from the game!!

Mom just turned 99!!  What a remarkable Lady!!  I try to get to OKC every couple of months to visit.  She played golf until a few years ago.  She would always tell me she was losing distance and there was one hole at the Greens where she could just not get her tee ball over the pond, but she was going to keep trying!!!

 

**Dear Readers, if you have stories to share please send them to me by June 15, 2024.  Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.  Letty

 

 

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

 

1960's--1977 Herstory--Jonya Stapp

 

Jonya Stapp crouches behind her ball to determine the line on the ninth hole of the Women's Oklahoma Golf Championship in a match with Lois Stuart at the Oaks CC. With a win over Stuart Jonya advanced to the semi-finals (1972)

1973.4.22   EDITED FOR BLOG Tulsa Tribune article (73.4.20) by Genelle Richards of the Tulsa Tribune Women’s Staff. edited by Letty Watt 1/10/2024.

For Jonya Stapp, golf is a way of life. "I started playing at such a young age, I'm not really sure whether I like it or I am used to it. I have played all of my life, so now I want to do something different."

She is currently attending the University of Tulsa where she is majoring in Spanish. Jonya, age 21, competed in the Miss Tulsa contest Saturday night finishing first runner-up. In 1972, she was named "Most Beautiful Golfer of the Year" by Golf Digest. She feels the honor meant more to her than being crowned Miss Oklahoma. 

Jonya spent January studying Spanish in Mexico and received four hours credit for her efforts. While visiting there she learned a flamenco dance which she performed as her talent requirement in the Miss Tulsa pageant. 

Because school is taking up so much of her time, she has not been able to participate on the TU golf team. She has not worked on her golf game this year because of her involvement in the pageant. 

She did assist in a one-day golf clinic at Southern Hills Country club recently. In June she will serve as queen of the NCAA golf tournament. 

Joining the LPGA circuit doesn't interest Jonya now. "It costs a lot of money to play on the pro tour. Since the prize money is not as much as the men's, you must stay on top all of the time or go into debt." "The tour is not too glamorous unless you stay on top and the great amount of travel is hard on a woman. Bonnie Bryant, my partner in the Sears Classic in March 1972, would get up in the morning and hit dozens of golf balls out of the sand trap. The sand would blow in her face, and I thought to myself, do I really want that?"

Jonya's advice for women who want to improve their golf game. "First of all, consult a professional golfer. If you don't have time to practice, stay in shape by doing pushups or swinging a club in your front yard. Concentration is the most important part of the game. Mental attitude is 90 per cent of the game."

Although she hasn't missed a women's state tournament since she was eight, Jonya hasn't decided whether she will participate in this year's event in Oklahoma City. The important part of her life now is receiving her education.

Jonya and mother, Helen Stapp. 1976 retirement party for Johnie F. Stapp. 

"I am going to slack off my golf until I receive my degree. After that I will have more time for golf." Since Jonya is not decided on the pro circuit, she has the considered working in a pro shop. In that capacity she would like to teach women golfers, or she might mix golf with her knowledge of Spanish. Jonya has also given thought to teaching golf in Mexico, such as Acapulco.

Over the next four years Jonya graduated from TU and finished a master's degree in Spanish from the University of Oklahoma.

1977 June THE GOLF REPORTER magazine special issue on the U.S. Open, “Jonya Stapp Drives for the Green” by Elven Lindblad

*edited by Letty Watt 1/10/24

 

After playing golf for Northeastern A&M as a freshman in the NJCAA championship, Jonya went to a self-imposed exile to pursue academic excellence. The path led down Interstate 44 from Miami to the University of Tulsa, then on to Oklahoma City and the southbound swing to Norman for her current graduate work in Spanish at the University of Oklahoma.

Jonya lacks only three hours to earn her master’s degree in Spanish from OU. She teaches two hours a day, but preparation for those classes while carrying a 14-hour class load is a task of Herculean proportions.

With the ability to play with the big girls, there is no doubt, will she use her musical and theatrical talents, or will she use her graduate work to teach Spanish or work in a golf shop? Motivation is the secret word.

“Since I was 17, there have been so many roads before me,” Jonya said. “I was able to sing and dance, I was a good golfer to a lot of people, I loved Spanish music and culture, and I was in gymnastics.”

Jonya believes her game matches favorably with many current LPGA players. Currently, time will be required for improving her physical condition, and an old wrist injury still bothers her, but Jonya’s main concerns is the intense, almost fanatical concentration that pro golf demands.

Why does Jonya like golf? “Golf is not a rugged sport. You can be as skillful or as delicate as you want to be.”

In the grand athletic tradition, the sport can’t be taken from her heart and mind. When friends suggest spending time at the park for a picnic or flying a kite, something inside Jonya urges her not to go to the park, but to go to the practice range and hit golf balls. She admits that she feels relieved after hitting a couple of buckets of golf balls.

Jonya has been playing tournament golf since the age of eight when she played in the Women’s Oklahoma Girls Jr. Golf championship in the Pee-Wee division, a title she later won in 1967.  Titles and trophies followed her for the next decade. Her game is now accented by a marked maturity in her golf and outlook on life.

“I would go out and swing without thinking about the course when I was younger. Now, I analyze the course before playing. Golf is more of a challenge when you are hitting the ball for placement instead of as hard as you can,” she explained.

Jonya was not lucky enough to catch the train known as the growth of women’s intercollegiate athletics and golf (Title IX). The year after Jonya graduated from TU, Dale McNamara was hired as women’s coach and started the program on the road to the illustrious loft it now enjoys.

“I could have benefited from playing college golf because of the frequency of practice and competitions. I am glad the interest is growing because I could wind up a as a golf coach if I ever had to double up while teaching school.”

So, Jonya Stapp has arrived at her crossroads. One beckoning path will produce folding green from a putting green. Another path where she might share her golf insight with others. A third path involves utilization of her affection and knowledge of the Spanish culture.

“I have so many directions that I could go. I am worried about choosing the wrong one, but I will leave this in God’s hands and let Him show me what He wants me to do. Things always work out better that way.” 

Jonya is now retired after teaching Spanish in public and private schools over the last forty years. Her passion for Spanish has only increased as she has traveled to Spain and carries a special place in her heart for the people and culture of Antigua, Guatemala. Even now in retirement she finds time to teach Spanish online at various Oklahoma City college campuses.

When asked, would she like to return to golf?  “Absolutely, it’s my second home,” she replied, “While my husband and I travel the United States in our RV, hopefully we will take time to play golf.”  (January 10, 2024).

 

 

 Reading these two stories along with the bundles of newspaper clippings of my sister, Jonya, has been a joy for me and an eye opener about her young life. In 2014 Jack and I moved back to Norman and Jonya was living in Oklahoma City with her husband Bill.  Since then Jonya and I have found time to travel back and forth to Miami, to Dallas to see friends, and elsewhere to meet up with family. How lucky we are to have each other and this wonderful history we share with other Miamians.  We were truly raised by a village, or perhaps an entire gallery of golfers who came and went in our lives.Hope to see you all July 27 at the Dobson Museum. 

Jonya and Letty on the road 2019. 

 This is the link to a podcast I was invited to do about the history of the Miami Golf and Country Club.

Miami Country club history by Letty Watt