The story begins,
"These are the worst of times."
I do believe it was true. We felt so helpless like a boat against the tide.
We wished the winds could bring back our home.
Our memories of yesterday will last a lifetime.
We'll take the best, forget the rest.
And some day we will find that these were "the best of times."
(Lines scrambled from the song by Styx "The Best of Times" with lyrics by Dennis Deyoung.)
1984 July 16 FIRE RAZES MIAMI CC CLUBHOUSE
1986 July 16 "Fire Razes Miami CC Clubhouse"
Weary and grim-faced, Fire Chief Bob Turner and assistant Chief Pete Cooper spent most of the morning sifting through the rubble of what once was the clubhouse of Miami Golf and Country Club. The two men pinpointed a faulty electrical wiring conduit as the probable cause of the fire which completely gutted the stately old landmark early Sunday morning. Cooper said that it was unlikely that the State Fire Marshal's Office would be asked to investigate the fire. "At this time, I don't think there is any reason for them to."
Meanwhile, club officials were huddling to make plans for the building's reconstruction and club manager, Bob Hill Jr., voiced that the calamity would not half the clubs operation. "This has always been a great country club," Hill said this morning. "It was the day before yesterday and it still is today. As if in affirmation of Hill's optimism, golfers (who did not store their clubs at the clubhouse) were seen on the club's 18-hole course late Sunday morning, teeing off as the smoke still rose from the ruins and tiny flames flickered in the rubble.
All the club's 44 battery-operated golf carts, valued at $3,000 a piece, were destroyed in the fire. When not in use the golf carts were stored in the basement connected to the pro shop. The batteries in each had been hooked up to individual chargers that were plugged into a network of extension cords, according to Turner and Cooper.
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View of the blaze in the basement containing the electric golf carts.
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Golf Pro Don Atchison said 200 sets of golf clubs belonging to members also were kept in the basement. They, too, were destroyed. Atchison said the replacement value of the clubs totals $150,000. The pro shop's $25,00 inventory and about $10,000 worth of supplies went up in the flames.
Club officials were arranging the establishment of a temporary pro shop and club office, to be located in a mobile home near the old structure. Replacement golf carts were also being ordered. Because the club's records were destroyed in the fire, the 368 members are being asked to bring their accounts up to date.
The clubhouse was built in 1929 New Rockdale Clubhouse
Onlookers on the north lawn and putting green, sadly survey the skeletal remains of the fire-ravaged clubhouse Sunday morning. *News-Record photos by Ed Howard and Gerald Breeden.
1984 July 16 "Sad Day on MCC Hill"
There were a lot of jokes about the leaky roof, the musty locker rooms, the tiny pro shop. But the old matriarch of the hill had some classic memories. The Miami Golf and Country Club burned early Sunday and the shock of loss was great. You could see that on faces in cars pulling in for lunch Sunday. They hadn't heard. Some tears were shed.
But with the first light Sunday, golfers were trudging past the smoldering remains of at least most of the golf clubs in Miami; they were on their to No. 1 tee. Wouldn't you know it? All members clubs and the carts were in the basement of the clubhouse.
Already plans are underway to replace the huge 19,568-square-foot structure. But Miami and visitors will miss the sentinel on the hill.
1984 July 17
Personal photograph of Johnie Stapp, former Pro Emeritus of the Miami Golf and Country Club.
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| After this photo was taken, Dad drove home and changed into his farm overalls. He then returned to the scene and began sifting through the rubble. I saw tears streaming down his face that afternoon. |
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1984 July 18--23 Adds such as this one appeared daily in the Miami News-Record. The story was covered in detail through the state and four-state area. **Thirteen days later the club began to operate using the new mobile home parked on the practice tree grounds West of the clubhouse circle drive.
**John Finley recalled that he had a set of Hogan irons that he enjoyed hitting and then a brand new-Hogan bag that he won at Baxter Springs, the week before the fire. " I lost it all. It was a sad day for all of us. The replacement clubs came in within a couple of weeks. The new Hogan tour irons were not forgiving. They had a sweet spot the size of a dime."
We rented a trailer and turned the back bedroom into a card room for and a bar for the men. It was a 15x60 foot trailer with inside bathrooms and air-conditioning.
1984 July 29 "Ladies Golf Notes"
Wednesday's Ladies Golf Association will resume play with an 8:00 shotgun start. They will play for points.
Tee #: 1--Faye Berentz, Jean Ann Blue, Gail Beck, Millie Burford; 2--Melba Cordell, Neeta Couch, Ruth Heyburn, Marian Richards; 3--Geneva Ramsay, Janie Clay, Ruie Lucas, Virginia Sapp; 4-- Beverly Jackson, Noma Newman, Pattye Moores, Jerry Ramsey; 5--Claire Oliver, Carla Roller, Penny Ramsey, Rosie Womastek; 6--Billie Pace, Fern Toye, Pat Platt, Ann Chancellor; 7-Lavon Young, Yvonne Temple, Laverne Munson, Pauline Taylor; 8--Aileen Bradshaw, Lottie Mae Russell, Dorothy Hester; 9--Carol Jones, Virginia Heydt, Joanie Jones.
Afternoon pairings will be made at the tee. Those players include Candy Couch, Dede Martin, Ann Foster, Marji Grayson, Judy Grissom, Marilyn Hill, Judy Kemper, Sue Riley, Coweta Scoggins, Carolyn Anderson, Liz Follis, and Nadine Paul.
A business meeting will be held at 1:00 at the Continental Restaurant.
1984 August 5 "Youth Golf"
The Miami Country club Junior Championship will be held Friday beginning at 8:00 with the 18-hole players:
18-holers--Steve Becker, Matt Brady, Marshall Smith; Richie Lillard, Steve Hill; Ron Coker, Robert Elmburg, Scott Kreeger; Steven Long, B.J. Mann, Howard Condren; Jeff Goodrich, John Molinar, Sherri Atchison, Christy Smith.
9-holers (9:00am) Kevin Collingsworth, Michael Fitzgibbon, Richard Stewart; Jimmy Rutter, Allen Douthitt, Eric Elmburg; Brandon Farris, Erin Fitzgibbon, Jimmy Green; Daryle Gee, John West, Bobby Homer; Chad Davis, Scott Mann, Donald Wilson; Bobby Seybolt, Chris Bourne, Robin Orcutt, Paige Parrott, Lori Lillard, Melissa Molinar; Kari Swogger, Shauna Fitzgibbon, Peggy Shelton.
2-holers (9:30)--Shawn Delmer, Aaron Sedberry, Charlie Haney; Shadd Delmer, Tony Atchison, Greg Smith; Shane Fitzgibbon, Ryan Gatewood, Bobby Green; Drew Austin, Jeff Gullett; Shane Delmez, Haley Finley, Chelsea Levo, Meagan Winters; Mary Rutter, Angela Barr; Linda Gray, Leslie Harmon, Shannon Kerr.
4-holers (10:00) Scott Spetich, Jason Winters, Adam Jones; Ray Shelton, Alex Edwards; Chris Paul, Greg Painter, Ben Brady; Evan Eatman, Greg Fitzgibbon, Larry Heard; Jason Hill, Frank Spetich, Corbin West; Gavin Finley, Tom Wilson, Cindy Shelton, Kasie Sly, Amanda Long; Jennifer Gatewood, Julie Jeffries; Jera Wyrick, Amy Smith, Michele Jones.
Persons unable to play should call Connie Swogger, 540-1667 or Sandy Hunt, 542-6270. Scorers will be notified by phone.
1984 August 8 "Lietzke to Hold Clinic Saturday"
Professional golfer Bruce Lietzke will present an exhibition and golf clinic Saturday at the Miami Country club, 1915 Cleveland, as a fund-raising benefit for a new clubhouse.
Lietzke's clinic is scheduled from 4:30-5:15. A nine-hole exhibition is scheduled from 5:35 to 7:30pm. Playing with him will be his brother, Brian Lietzke, club pro Don Atchison, and club champion Mike Craig.
Tickets are $5 per person.
1984 August 8 "MCC Handicap Title Claimed by Jim Riley"
Firing rounds of 63 and 62, Jim Riley captured the MCC handicap championship. Riley's two-round score of 125 was seven strokes better than second place finisher Mike Glasman, who had rounds of 63-69.
There was a three-way tie for third between John Robinson Sr., Bob Haney and John Daugherty, all with scores of 133.
The men's scratch championship phase of the tournament continues this weekend. The current leader is John Daugherty with gross rounds of 70-73. Dr. W.D. Jackson is second with 144, John Robinson Jr. holds down third with 147.
The men's horserace is scheduled for Friday at 5pm. The MCC long drive contest and club throwing contest will be held following the horserace.
1984 August 12 "Youth Golfers Claim Honors"
Winners in nine divisions of play were decided Friday during the youth club championship at MCC. Claiming honors in each division were:
18-hole girls--1st Sherri Atchison; 2nd Christy Smith.
18-hole boys A Flight--1st Marshall Smith; 2nd Richie Lillard.
18-hole boys B Flight--1st Steven Long; 2nd Howard Condren.
9-hole girls--1st Kari Swogger; 2nd, Paige Parrott.
9-hole boys--1st Michael Fitzgibbon, 2nd Kevin Collingsworth.
4-hole girls--1st Jennifer Gatewood; 2nd, Cindy Shelton.
4-hole boys--1st Chris Paul; 2nd Jason Hill.
2-hole girls--1st Angela Barr; 2nd Mary Rutter.
2-hole boys--1st Shane Delmez; 2nd Jeff Gullett.
1984 August 13 "Lietzke Fires 33 in Exhibition Here"
Bruce Lietzke capped off an outstanding evening of swing demonstration, close-up personal information and playing ability by firing a 3-under-par 33 at the back nine during a fundraising event for the Miami Country Club's new clubhouse.
Throughout the evening and especially during the swing demonstration, the personable 10-time tour winner furnished the crowd with interesting information regarding his tournament preparations, playing philosophy, future plans, favorite events and coping on the tour.
Lietzke, the playing pro from Shangri-la Resort, donated his time, for which he normally receives $3,000, to help raise money for the new clubhouse.
1984 August 15 "Craig Captures 3rd MCC Championship"
Mike Craig parred the fourth hole of a sudden death playoff against John Robinson Jr. and captured his third straight MCC Championship. Craig shot rounds of 73,79, 77 and 73 while Robinson turned in scores of 73, 75, 75, 79.
Third place went to John Daugherty with a 363 total. Ed Schmidt was fourth with a 308. There was a tie for fifth between Bill Harsch and Dr. W.D. Jackson, both finishing with 310s.
1984 August 19 "Hattie Wall Handicap Tourney"
The annual Hattie Wall handicap tournament will be held Wednesday and Friday at the MCC. Twenty-two women have signed up to play.
1984 August 19 "Foursome Captures Horserace"
Marshall Smith, Jim Rutter, George Couch, and Lloyd Cowgill combined to capture top honors in a four-man horserace in conjunction with the men's Fall Festival.
George Foster, Pat Wilson, Jim Hill, and Dick Seybolt were second while Bob Thompson, Don Barr, Jim Thompson, and Jeff Smith placed-third.
1984 August 20 "Team No. 9 Uses Rally to Claim Fall Festival"
Team No. 9 consisting of Bill Harsch, George Myers, Frank Remiss and Ken Grissom, rallied to finish with 313 points on Sunday to capture the honors of the annual Fall Festival at MCC. Team #17 finished in second with 301 points. That team consisted of George Foster, Pat Wilson, Jim Hill and Dick Seybolt.
Third went to team #13 which consisted of John Heyburn, Bob Temple, Lynn Davis, and Max Dull with 299 points.
Individual point winners were George Myers and Jerry Mustain who tied with 85 points. Don Cherry took third with 84 points while fourth went to Schooner Schmidt at 83 points and Jim Hill was fifth with 82 points.
Winning the Lame Duck consolation flight open to the bottom 10 teams was Team #14 of Jack Doan, Steve Cherry, Lou Mirjanich and Rick Wright with a one-day score of 153 points.
1984 August 22 "Twilight League Title Claimed"
The foursome Jim Riley, Jim Hill, George Couch, and Larry Gatewood finished with 23 point to nose past the team of Tim Eatman, Mike Sexton, John Finley, and Leroy Collins for first place.
Pat Wilson took individual low gross honors with 37. He and Jerry Gullett shared low net kudos with 36 strokes. Low putts went to Gary West. Highest score on a hole went to Al Goforth, who scored an eight on #1.
1984 August 30 "Grayson Third in Golf Tourney"
Marj Grayson competed in a statewide golf tournament for employees of the Oklahoma State Employment Service. The tournament, which was for both men and women, was held last weened in Shawnee, Ok.
Mrs. Grayson placed third in her flight and was awarded a trophy. Mrs. Grayson is an interviewer in the Miami office.
1984 September 2 "Ladies Golf Notes"
Claire Oliver breezed to the title of the Hattie Wall Handicap golf tournament which wrapped up earlier this week. Oliver had a 54-hole score of 297 to outdistance runner-up Faye Berentz who carded a 212.
Placing third was Ruie Lucas, Melba Cordell claimed fourth and Millie Carter was fifth. Aileen Bradshaw was first in the nine-hole division. Wednesday's play will be an 18-hole "Upside Down Clubs" scramble. Tee time will be at 8 a.m. with pairings made at 7:45.
The monthly MLGA meeting will be held at the home of Mrs. George Newman. All morning and afternoon players are encouraged to attend.
Winners of last week's play for low gross were Faye Berentz, championship flight; Ann Chancellor, A flight; Ruie Lucas, B flight; and Carol Jones, 9-hole flight.
1984 September 11 "2-Man, 4-Man Best Ball Competition"
Mark and Greg Riley won two-man honors and there was a tie for first for the four-man honors Sunday during the competition at the MCC. The Riley's shot a 19-under 53 (net) to win the title over John and James Heyburn with a 55. There was a tie for third at 56 between Phil Follis and Tim Eatman, and Greg Riley with Steve Sly. Sharing fifth at 57 were the teams of Don Barr-Al Moffatt, John Heyburn-Steve Cherry, James Heyburn-Don Cherry.
In the 4-man best ball the teams of Eatman, Renegar, Follis and Schliep tied with Greg Riley, Mark Riley, Dull, and Sly by shooting 51s. Dull won the horserace Friday night at MCC. Renegar was second while Bill Sommerfield claimed third.
1984 September 19 "A Proper Grip"
A proper grip on the golf club is vital, MCC pro Don Atchison tells Miami High School Shelly Kraus. Atchison is volunteering his time and talents to teach golfing fundamentals to members of Kris Morgan's P.E. classes. Morgan said that Atchison's participation is on of the multi-faceted concept designed to give students an insight to so-called "lifetime sports." Classes in archery and rifle shooting will be taught by other experienced volunteers, Mrs. Morgan said.
1984 September 23 "Ladies Club Championship
Taking honors in the MCC women's club championship were from left, Ruth Heyburn, second in the championship flight; Pat Platt Championship Flight winner; Rosemary Womastek, first in A flight; Ruie Lucas, first in B flight, and Carol Jones, 9-hole flight winner. Not shown are Laverne Munson, second in A flight, and Neeta Couch, second in B flight.
Our Tribute to those who loved the game.
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