1963 STORIES AND TIMELINE of MGCC

 

 1963 March 10  "Lady Golfers Approaching New Season"

Mrs. Don Johnson hosted the annual lady golfers registration. Among the newcomers present were three who are looking forward to their first golf game: Mrs. Frank McAleer, Mrs. Bill Hirsch, and Mrs. Vern Schwertfeger. The novices' first game is scheduled for April 3. 

 1963 April 7 MNR  "Nowata Defeats Miami's Juniors in Golf Rounds"

*I did not remember that Claire Oliver coached Junior High boys golf during these years. 

Nowata scored a 17-3 victory over Miami in a junior high school golf match Saturday at the Nowata Country club. It was the first outside competition for each team, a new phase of athletic competition for the two schools.

Coach Claire Oliver's Miami juniors were without the services of their No. 1 player, John Robinson, a measles victim.  Mark Wojcik, playing the No 1 spot for Miami, carded an 86 for a 3-0 victory over David Lynn, 110.

Other junior high players were: Woody Painter, Larry LaCaff, Jim Thompson, Jay Reniker, Jim Painter, Richard Varley, and Bob Moody who was called into services when illness forced Robinson's absence. 

1963 April 7 "High School Golfers in Tourney Monday"

Sixteen schools will have teams here Monday for the sixth annual MHS golf tournament held at the Miami Country club. The largest representatives will be from OKC, with defending champion Harding, Capital Hill, Classen, Grant, and Northeast. Nearby, El Reno and Midwest City will attend. Other entries are from Parsons and Coffeyville, Kansas; Sand Springs, Muskogee, Edison, Central, McClain, and Hale from Tulsa, and Miami.  

Golf coach Bill Watkins of MHS will serve as general director of the meet, and is cooperating with Johnie Stapp, local golf pro and other members of the Miami Country club.  

Those who have volunteered to serve as walking scorers are asked to report at the club as follows:

8:30am--Mrs. John F. Robinson, Mrs. Elbert Munson, Mrs. Bud Gaines, Mrs. Loren Williams, Mrs. George Russell, Mrs. Tom Cordell, Mrs. Tom Barton, Mrs. Hance VanBeber, Mrs.  Don Curlee, Mrs. John Schofield and Delmer Barnes.

9:30--Mrs. Paul Wilson, Mrs. Olen Moore, Mrs. Jack Horner, Mrs. Bill Hatfield, Mrs. George Wojcik, Mrs. John Stapp, Mrs. Robert Temple, Mrs. Stanley Ulmer and Glenn Scott.

1963 April 7 MNR "Ladies Golf"

Members of he Miami Ladies Golf association who are beginners were given the first a of series of lesson by Golf Pro Johnie Stapp last Wednesday. A business meeting followed the luncheon in the newly decorated dining room at the club house. Mrs. Claud Jones, president, introduced new members. There were 45 women present. 

Winners of the afternoon low gross competition were: Claire Oliver, championship; Millie Carte and Eva Williams, Class A; Helen Moore, B, and Sue Barnes, class C.  

1963 April 7 "Stag Night"

The Monthly Stag Night at the MCC will begin at 6:30 Tuesday and continue through the fall days. Please call the club for dinner reservations 2-8447. 

*Dad would make the pairings every week by teams. The men could call the golf shop to see who they were playing with or against. Most men confirmed with each other by phone as to when they could be off work to play.  

1963 April 9 "Tulsa Edison Captures Top Honors in Schoolboy Golf Tourney"

*Bill Kelter, a junior from Parsons, Ks. netted a hole-in-one on the par 3 200 yard No.3 hole during the Miami high school tournament. It was the first ace in the history of the six-year old golf meet. 

1963 April 26 "Country Club has Plush New Look"

The newly redecorated lounge at the Miami Country club. Photo by Orrick Sparlin.

Description of the construction & costs click on this link to read the full story of the redecorating and costs.
 

1963 May 3 "4-Ball Tourney Pairings Ready"

First round pairings for the four-ball men's match play tournament at MCC from Sunday until May 13 have been announced by Spencer Dawson, chairman. Handicaps will be used.

1963 May 5 MNR "Miami's Junior Golfers Defeats Nowata"

Miami junior high school golfers, coached by Mrs. Claire Oliver, defeated Nowata juniors 16-14 Saturday at the Miami Country club. The victory avenged a loss at Nowata last month. 

Mark Wojcik of Miami didn't let Saturday's gusty weather bother him. He was medalist with 43-41=84. Other Miami winners were: John Robinson, Jay Reniker, Jim Painter, Jackie Mann.

Splitting their matches were Woody Painter, and Richard Varley. Other players were Jim Thompson, George Parker, and John Riddling.

Front row: Gary West, David Kruitoff, Jim Williams; Back row: Pat Wilson, John Robinson, Phil Ulmer and Bill Oliver.

1963 MHS Wardog Boy's Golf Team: 

 

 

 

 1963 May 19 (Sunday) MDNR  A typical social page reads...Calendar:

 Miami Country club women's division will meet....

Maranatha's begin Tuesday at the First Baptist church....

Chapter EJ members will picnic at the home of Mrs. Bill Follis...

Bellettes will meet 7:30 Tuesday at 1811 C Northeast...

Miami Garden Club is sponsoring a workshop at the home of Mrs. L.P Hetherington, 415 Second Ave. Northwest.

Miami OES (Order of Eastern Star) will meet 8 pm Thursday...

Miami Child club will be hosted by Mrs. Wayland Kelly

Chapter AJ, PEO will meet for a dessert luncheon 1:30 Monday

Historical Society will meet at 2:30 o'clock today in the Dodson building.

Other society events include: 

"Circle Day" for First Methodist; Mrs. Bill Landers Hostess to UCW; Mrs. M.F. Owens is Sorosis Speaker; Amy Schmidt, 4 in "Butterfly" Company; 

Brides and Engagements: the former Judy Ann Eby married Johnie Lee Schoenhals; Miss Carline Owen of Bartlesville will marry Tyron Witzel...The future bride's grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Earl Benton;  Miss Carolyn Sue turner will marry Seaman Jerry Neal Hawk. 

College announcements in the spring and fall often take up two columns: 'Miamian To Get Grinnell Degree' Mary B. Shouse, daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. Corbin E. Shouse will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree at commencement June 7. 

1963 June 17 mnr "Hail Hits Area"

Rainfall that accompanied damaging winds, and hail in Ottawa country shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday put a sizeable dent in the worst spring drought here in years. Miami's rain gauge show 1.63 inches. Golf ball sized hail hit the golf course causing extensive damage to the greens. The course will be closed to golfers until repairs are completed. 

1963 June 20 mdnr 

1963 June 20 mdnr "Friday Rounds for Junior Golfers"

Letty Stapp is the new president of the Miami Junior Golf Association. She was elected at the last meeting, along with John Robinson, vice president, and Janie Berentz, secretary-treasurer.

Pairings for Friday's competition follow: Championship flight--Bobby Ballenger, Woody Painter, Susan Russell and Carol Coburn; Mark Wojcik, Bill Fullerton, Jim Thompson and Letty Stapp; John Robinson, Jim Hutchins, Chuck Smith and Jenee Kenreigh; Richard Varley, Paul Pipes and Janie Berentz; Doug Phillips, George Parker and Cathy Olson. (All players in the championship flight must tee off at 8:30 am or earlier. First players named must contact others in the group.)

A flight--Judy Berentz, David Brodrick, Carol Brown, and Jimmy Painter; Sally Meyer, Jackie Nunn, Geoff Schofield and Lee Dell Snyder.

B flight--Bobby Gains, Mark Cordell and Ray Coburn (Ruth Fullerton, scorer); George Haralson, Bill Housman, and Frank Jacobs (Wanda Jo Brown, scorer), John Reynolds, Pete Whitaker and Bobby Wilson (Mavis Ford, scorer); Jonya Stapp, Clara Searle, Cathy Gilmore and Nancy Cordell (Maxine Jeffries, scorer).

Five-hole play--Terry Ford, Gene Feronti Richard Goodwin, and Tommy Cordell (Margaret Coburn, scorer); John Luttrell, Carl Renner, and David Reynolds (Wilma Housman, scorer); Sandy Dale, Karen Jeffries, Carol Kenreigh and Sherri Turner (Elizabeth Hansford, scorer); June Reniker, Forestette Turner, Terry Whitaker and Tammy Romick (LaRue Gaines, scorer)

Two-hole play--Greg Dale, Kenny Gibson and Craig Feronti (Betty Kelly, scorer); Jeff Hansford and Williams Windham (Virginia Wilson, scorer); Rhonda Romick, Kim Feronti, Ann Cordell and Cassie Kelly (Tanya Reese, scorer); Linda Neel, Gala Painter and Nancy Reese (Mary Mann, scorer); Dana Painter, Tanya Reese, Ruth Wills (Virginia Dale, scorer). 

*PERSONAL NOTE: I have no recall of every electing or serving a a Jr. Golf officer, however, I am sure my mother remembered and I added it to my list of accomplishment for college entry. I do recall how busy our mother's were during those years. Often after a round of golf our mothers stayed and went swimming, too. 

**Personal Story:  During the summer of 1963 Billy Fullerton and I played many rounds of golf together.  Since I worked until 2:00 my golf was in the afternoons or evenings when it was the hottest imaginable weather. The movie The Birds by Hitchcock came out in the summer of 1963 and scared many of us across the United States. Billy and I were two of the victims of the birds that summer. 

On hole No. 8 a par 3 going North, there was a tiny creek or drainage area in front of the tee box. Bushes were growing up from the creek water and made it difficult for us to tee off and get the ball up in the air soon enough to miss the trees. One day, one of us lost a ball in the creek or in the bushes. With our golf clubs on our shoulder we took out a club and began to swish through the grass and under the bushes looking for 25-50 cent golf ball. Suddenly, the Red-Winged Blackbirds that had a nest with chicks in the bushes began to attack us. They dive bombed us and one grabbed at my bushy hair. I screamed. Dropping my clubs, I began running toward the clubhouse. Billy came chasing after me. Imagine my father and the adults nearby the clubhouse when two teenagers came running and screaming across the golf course "The Birds"  "The Birds" ...

After receiving our explanation that birds attack people when people get close to a nest with chicks in it, we were humbled and embarrassed. Eventually, dad took us out in a golf cart to pick up our golf clubs and return us to the cool basement of the clubhouse. 

Billy was sent to a private school that summer and I never  played golf with him again.  The next year my good friend and explorer, who did her best to get us grounded, Vicki Newell, was also sent away to private school and I never again played in the pool or parks with her.  The next year C.Ann Richards turned her energies to singing and going to music camps. For me, these were some vivid years.
 

Family fun beside the pool. Jonya, Dad, Letty, Yvonne Temple.

  1963 June 25  MNR "Jackson Medalist in City Golf Meet"

Dr. W.D. Jackson, with a one-over par 73, was medalist as a record field of 91 qualified for the annual club golf tournament for men at the Miami Country Club. Jess Fronterhouse, Picher school Superintendent and 1961 city champion, was next to Jackson with 75. Defending champion Jack Myers did not qualify. 

Matches are to be played at the rate of one per week until champions of the six flights are determined. First round pairings and qualifying scores in the flights follow:

Championship:

Dr. W.D. Jackson 73 vs Ray Coburn, 80: G.R. White, 78 vs Harry Gilmore, 81; Bill Neel, 77, vs Joe Thompson 90: George Windham, 79 bye; Jess Fronterhouse, 75, vs Woodrow Painter 80: Ken Richards, 78 vs Bob Hill, Jr., John F. Robinson, 77 vs Charles Trussler, 81; Bill Ziego, 80, bye.

President's Flight:

 Bob Nunn vs Bill Hatfield; Harry Kenreigh vs Corbin Shouse; Bob Temple vs George Wojick; Al White vs John LaFaller; Buck Bagby vs Tom Barton; Brady Pipes vs Don cherry; Marion Zajic vs Bob Hill Sr; Rex Painter vs. Jack Schofield. 

A Flight:

Bernie Schaff vs John Burford; Loren Williams vs Eldon Smith; Dr. Harry Ford vs Pat Campbell; Ted Vernon vs Dave Wasson; Bill Hirsch vs Bob Goodwin; Dr. Richard Varley vs Kermit Lewis; Harry Whitaker vs Wayland Kelly; Bill Essary, bye.

B Flight:

Don Johnson vs Al Williams; Ronnie Sparkman vs K.C. Jeffries, Frank Hansford vs Art Goettel; Oris Goodwin vs John McLaughlin; George Myers vs W.F. Patterson; Charles Hirsch vs Jack Brown; Dick Neel vs Lee Bearskin; Hank Garwood vs Bob Longacre. 

C Flight:

 John Haralson vs Harold (Delmar) Barnes; V.J. Orcutt Jr. vs Lloyd Cowgill; Dick Wadleigh vs Jim Smallwood; Tony Booth vs Bud Gaines; Bill Oliver vs Dr. Raymond McKinney; Harry Dean vs Kenny Scott; Ed Dudgeon vs E. Scott Myers; Bill Carter vs Norman Gaither.

D Flight

Otto Doty vs Jack Horner; Claude Dale vs Elvin Ridley; Spencer Dawson vs O.A. Rockwell; Alex Hecksher, bye; Roy Enjart vs Gene Feronti; Howard Essary vs George Mayer; Dail West vs Homer Kemper, Tom Wilson, bye.

"Four-ball Finalists"

Championship finals in the men's annual four-ball golf tournament will be played Sunday afternoon with Schofield and Dr. Raymond McKinney vs Spencer Dawson and Dr. W.D. Jackson.

**PERSONAL NOTE: When the Feronti family moved to town I learned about signatures for charges on the club.  I could read the children's names when they signed for their drinks or candy in the golf shop, but Mr. Feronti's name was never, never legible.  Mother, in her wise words, explained that often times men of his status and position did not have to have a signature that a person could read. Me, being a future teacher, had been writing his name correctly above or below his signature so that my mother would know who signed. I honestly wrote names of many of the men who signed for beverages in the golf shop.    

**Personal note from Becky Graham Edwards: My father, DR. Rex Graham, one night went out and cut down the limbs off a tree on the golf course that had been giving him fits.

1963 June 28 "Junior Girls Golf Tourney Here Today"

Some 70 girls from Oklahoma and Missouri were competing today in the fourth annual Miami Junior Girls golf meet-the Mabel Hotz tournament--at the Miami Country Club   Competition is in six flights. Donna Fox of Tipton, Missouri, defending champion, is playing in an 18-hole threesome with Susan Basolo of Muskogee, and Suzy Friels of Tulsa. Each is regarded as a top contender for the 1963 title.

HOLE-IN-ONE! 

Susan White, 17, of Tulsa's Rolling Hills club, scored a hole-in-one this morning on the 125 yard No.3 hole. It was the first ace in the history of Junior Girls tournament.

1963 June 30 mnr "Basolo Takes Honors"

Susan Basolo, 15 year old Muskogee girl who has been making an impressive record in women's golf competition this year, captured the championship of the 4th annual Miami "Mabel Hotz Invitational Tourney". Her score of 43, 39 matched the 82 posted by last year's winner.  2nd place went to Suzy Friels of Tulsa Oaks with an 87. Other Championship scores: Letty Stapp 42-48--90; Susanne Willis, 96; Ann Durand, 97.

Other Miami players:A flight-- Janie Berentz, 2nd; Cathy Olson,Janee Kenreigh; B flight--Susan Russell, Kae Nunn; C flight--Carol Brown, Sally Meyer; D flight--Jonya Stapp, Kathy Gilmore; Pee-Wee flight--Carol Searle 1st, Forrestette Turner, Tammy Romick, Karen Jeffries.

Susan Basolo: HerStory   Several years ago I found reason to write a full story about this remarkable young woman who beat me in every tournament we played in from the 1960's to qualifying for USGA Mid-Am in 1988.

1963 July 14 MNR "2nd Ace for Ken Richards"

Ken Richards' friendly old No. 4 wood did it again. A member of the Northeastern A&M faculty and choir director at the First Presbyterian church, used No 4 for a Saturday afternoon hole-in-one at the Miami Country club. 

The ace was made on No.8, a 200 yard par 3 hole. The ball hit short of the green and rolled straight to the cup. Richards used the same club for a 1955 hole-in-one, his first ace, on the 150-yard No.3 hole at the local club.   

1963 July 5 MNR  (Front Page News) "Jim Taylor Hurt in Fireworks Accident"

 Jim Taylor, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Gob Taylor, 14 B st Southwest, was seriously injured Thursday night while supervising a fireworks display at Marlow. An aerial bomb reportedly struck him in the face as it left the launching unit. He was taken to a Marlow hospital and was in surgery for two hours. 

Jim, former star athlete at Miami high school has assisted his father in past years in July 4 fireworks shows at the Miami Country club and Fairgrounds. He father, who was in charge of the displays here last night, was notified of the accident about 11pm. He and Mrs. Taylor left for Marlow in the southwest part of the state early this morning.  

BERENTZ AND PAINTER JR. GOLF WINNERS

1963 July 21 MNR "Janie Berentz, Woody Painter, Jr., Take Top Honors in Junior Golf"

Members of the Miami Junior Golf Assoc toured the course during Friday red hot weather for the annual handicap tournament. The winners:Championship flight--Girls: Janie Berentz, first; Jenee Kenreigh, second. Boys--Woody Painter Jr., firstr; John Robinson, Jr., second.

A flight--Girls: Kae Nunn, first; Lee Dell Snyder, second. Boys--Jay Reniker, first Jimmy Painter, second.

B flight--Girls: Jonya Stapp, first; Clara Searle, second.  Boys--Tim Schofield, first and Bobby Gaines, second.

5-hole flight--Girls: Carol Searle, first, and Forrestette Turner, second. Boys--David Reynolds, first and Richard Goodwin, second.

Richard Goodwin's 2nd place trophy. 

 

Pee-Wee, 2-hole--Girls: Tanya Reese, first and Rebeca Mirjanich, second. Boys--William Windham, first and Kenny Gibson, second.

Results by flights:

Championship: Wood Painter won playoff with John Robinson; Bill Fullerton, Richard Varley, Paul Pipes, Chuck Smith, Mark Wojcik, Doug Phillips, Jim Hutchins, George Parker.

A flight (9-holes) Jay Reniker, Jimmy Painter, Geoff Schofield, Frank Jacobs, David Brodrick, Jackie Mann.  Girls--Kae Nunn, Lee Dell Snyder, Nancy Cordell, Judy Berentz, Sally Meyer, Carol Brown.

B flight (9 holes) Tim Schofield, Bobby Gaines, Gary Neel, Bobby Wilson, Ray Coburn, Mark Cordell, Georg Haralson, Pete Whitaker, Scotty Jackson, Wes Munson, Bill Houseman.  Girls: Jonya Stapp, Clara Searle, Cathy Munson.

Five holes: Boys--David Reynolds, Richard Goodwin, Terry Ford, Gene Feronti, Karl Renner.  Girls--Carol Searle, Forrestette Turner, Tammy Romick, Linda Neel, Terri Whitaker, Sherri Turner, Carol Kenreigh. 

Two-holes: William Windham, Kenny Gibson, Greg Dale, Tommy Jackson, Pete Smith, Craig Feronti.  Girls--Tanya Reese, Rebecca Mirjanich, Nancy Reese, Rhonda Romick, Ann Cordell, Ruth Wills, Kim Feronti. 

1963 July 28 MNR "Fischer Captures Junior Boys Golf Invitational"

Forrest Fischer of Tulsa's Edison high school shot a one-over-par 73 for the top honors in medal play. Fischer, who will enroll at OSU in September shot a 35-38.Sponsored and efficiently conducted by the Miami Ladies Golf association, the one-day tournament had a record of 138 entries, including 28 in championship flight.  

Other Miami players: President's flight--Paul Pipes, Jim Hutchins; 2nd place A flight Bill Fullerton, John Robinson, Woody Painter, Mark Wojcik, George Parker; B flight--Richard Varley, Jim Thompson, Bob Ballenger, Doug Phillips, Frank Jacobs, Jimmy Painter; C flight--2nd David Broderick, Scotty Jackson, Jack Mann, Ray Coburn, Fred Ripley, Bobby Gaines, Bobby Wilson, Mark Cordell, Tim Schofield, Billy Houseman, George Haralson, David  Reynolds.   

1963 August 12 MNR "Unusual Golf Event Is Set Here Tuesday"

Teams captained by Harry Whitaker and Bill Hirsch will complete in a novelty golf tournament Tuesday afternoon at the Miami Country Club. The losing team will be host to the winners at dinner Tuesday evening.

On the Whitaker squad are John Stapp, Dr. W.D. Jackson, Bill Neel, G.R White, Bob Temple, Ted Vernon, Hoot Gibson, Loren Williams, Wayland Kelly, George Parker, Harry Kenreigh, Bill Ziego, Dick Neel, Spencer Dawson, Al Williams, Harold Barnes, Hank Garwood, Bill Oliver, Bill Jergens, and John Haralson.

Hirsch's team includes Jim Hatfield, Bob Hill, Jr. Ken Richards, Al White, Bob Hill, Sr., Ray Coburn, Dr. Harry Ford, Kermit Lewis, Bill Hatfield, George Wojcik, G.P. Campbell, Dr. Richard Varley, Frank Hansford, Dr. Raymond McKinney, Lloyd Cowgill, Bill Carter, Jack Horner, C.M. Phillips, Elvin Riding, and Marion Zajic.

Scores for nine holes will be compared to determine the dinner host. Following the dinner, a drawing for the men's fall tournament will be conducted and a film, "Race to Live" will be shown, courtesy of Standard Auto Parts. Men not playing in the golf event will be expected to make reservations for the Stag Night dinner.   

1963 September 3 MNR  ""Winners at Miami Country club Announced"

Winner in Mixed-Twilight league for the past six weeks have been announced as follows: Men--Bill Carter, first with 10 points; Harry Whitaker, Al White and Frank LaCaff (tie) for second with 9 1/2 points.

Women--Louise Curlee, first with 11 points; Helen Moore, 10 1/2 points, Stormy Lewis, 10 points. 

1963 September 5, MNR  "Faye Berentz is Tourney Champ"

Trophies were presented Wednesday to winners of the annual Virginia Campbell memorial tournament for members of the Miami Ladies Golf (*note: Virginia was the wife of G.P. Pat Campbell. She was an avid golfer and bridge player. She was one of the first ladies to die of cancer and have the local club memorialize her. It has been a positive tradition in many clubs since the 1960's.) The trophies were furnished by Pat Campbell.

Front row: Melba Cordell, Louise Curlee, Lavern Munson, first, second and third in A flight--Jean Phillips, second, and Mavis Ford, third in C flight (winner Mary Ann Hecksher was absent). Top row--Faye Berentz, tournament champion, Yvonne Temple, runner-up; Sue Barnes, first and Helen Stapp, second in B flight.

 

1963 September 8, MNR "Miami, Missouri Golfers in Tie for Tournament Lead"

Miami businessman John F. Robinson and Bill Stewart, former Missouri state amateur champion from Springfield shared medalist honors Saturday as a record field of 119 posted qualifying scores in the eight annual invitational golf tournament at the Miami Country club. Each shot even par rounds of 72.

1963 September 9, MNR "Joplin Golfer Champ Here"

Robert Smith of Joplin, a telephone installer for SW Bell, won the championship of the eighth annual Miami CC Invitational. Smith's three-under-par 69 Sunday was the best 18-hole round of the tournament. With a 76 score in Saturday's qualifying rounds, his two-day total was 145.

Invitational Champion Robert Smith shakes hands with runner-up Jim Hatfield with John F. Robinson in the middle taking 3rd place in the Invitational Tournament.

1963   Match Between Men and Women

The LPGA first gained national television coverage during the 1963 U.S. Women’s Open Championship final round, won by 23 year-old Mary Mills. That same championship retired tennis pro, Althea Gibson, age 35, became the first African American to play in a U.S. Women's Open.

1963 Golf Shop Employees:

Ed and Cora Westfahl, Bobby Ballenger, and Letty Stapp (June, July, August 7am--2:00 unless at a golf tournament.)We also had full time afternoon help, but I could not find a record of who worked those shifts

I have found of record of some of the sales from the golf shop. In 1963 the shop sold on average 43 cartoons of cigarettes a month. A single cartoon from Botts Wholesale costs $2.70  Beer and liquor, now legal in Oklahoma, was purchased from Brown/Stansell which later became Wilson/Stansell.

**The resources I use call the Miami News-Record the Miami Daily News. Since the newspaper title reads Miami New-Record, I will use MNR in the future for my source. 

1961 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF MGCC

1961 Golf Shop Employees:

Westfall's a husband and wife team who opened the shop Tuesday-Saturday with Letty Stapp. Roger Scruggs, Brad Smallwood,and Roger Rollins worked from noon or 2:00 until dark.  Other boys worked off and on and some were caddies.

1961 January 22 "Country Club News"

A joint meeting of the Ladies Golf association and the Ladies Divison of the Miami Country Club will begin with a 1:00 luncheon Wednesday, followed by bridge and canasta. For reservations phone 2-4429.  

1961 March 12 "Stag Night Tuesday"

The monthly stag night program (for men) at the Miami Country club will begin 6:30 Tuesday. (This was a monthly dinner and weekly team play. The men did not post pairings or results in the newspaper as the women did.)

1961 April 10 Prep Golfers View for Awards Here

The return of sunshine after a bleak weekend was greeted at Miami Country club this morning as members of 12 high school golf teams began play in the annual MHS Invitational tournament. Miami Pro Johnie Stapp is the starter for the 27-hole meet. Miami coach Jack Rusher is directing the tournament. 

61 Boys MHS Golf Team: Charles Dawson, Stephen Moore, Charlie Bill Hirsch, and Dick Neel. 

 

Other schools are Seminole, Midwest City, Del City, Coffeyville, Kansas, Capitol Hill, Harding, Grant, Southeast and Northeast in Oklahoma City. The host Wardogs are also competing. 

1961 April 11 "Muskogee Scores Golf Meet Sweep"

At the end of the 18-hole play the Roughers had cinched the four-ball and two-ball championships and Jim Buchanan was tied with David Rappe of OKC U.S. Grant for medalist honors. 

Host Miami wound up eighth in two-ball scoring and in a tie for sixth with Seminole in four-ball. Coach Jack Rusher said the Wardogs "should have shot several strokes better." Leading Miami scorer was Dick Neel with an 81, followed by Charles Hirsch with a 90. 

GIRLS GOLF: Rusher announced that the Miami High school girls' golf team would compete in a Tri-angular meet in Springfield, Mo. today. Miami's opponents will be Hillcrest and Central high schools, both of Springfield. 

1961 April 12 mdnr "Miami's Fem Foursome is Golf Winner"

Miami High School girls, playing in their first competitive golf rounds of the season, won a Tri-angular met at Springfield, Missouri Tuesday again the hometown Central and Parkview high school teams.

 

The meet ended after 9 holes due to rains. Miami 210, Parkview 226, and Central 230. Freshman Susan Stephenson of Miami was medalist with 50 strokes. Scores by the other Miamians were: Bobbi Baron, junior,52; Phyllis Propper, senior, 53, and Diana Oliver, sophomore, 55. Gaye Phillips, another member of the Miami team, did not make the trip because of last night's participation in the senior play. 

High school girls golf coach, Jack Rusher, hailed the victory as a tribute to the junior golf program that was inaugurate at the Miami Country club a few seasons ago by Professional Johnie Stapp. 

A return match will be held here Monday.   

1961 April 16 "Miami Ladies Will Play for Suggs Trophy"

Members of the Miami LGA will compete Wednesday in a "Louise Suggs" tournament at the Country club. A style show featuring Suggs designs will be held a week later following the association's luncheon at the club. Ramsay's of Miami is sponsoring the Suggs activities in co-operation with the association. 

Mrs. Dan Heyburn is chairman of the tournament and Mrs. Clarence Carselowey will be in charge of the style show. The highlight of the style show will come with presentation of the Louise Suggs trophy to the champion of the nine-hole handicap tournament. 

Miss Suggs has earned a niche in the golf Hall of Fame with numerous honors, including USGA Women's Amateur champion; winner of the British Women's tournament, and twice winner of the Women's National Open Championship. As a founding member of the Women's Professional Golf association (now the LPGA) she was elected President in 1955 of WPGA. 

Wednesday pairings will be from the white tees. 

Mrs. George Wojcik, Mrs. Bill Oliver, Mrs. Bob Temple, Mrs. Bill Hatfield; Mrs. Kelso Berentz, Mrs. Pat Callahan, Mrs. Georg Russell, Mrs. R.W. Varley; Mrs. Ray Coburn, Mrs. Tom Barton, Mrs. W.D. Jackson, Mrs. Bert Wall; Mrs. Claud Jones, Mrs. Lois Cowles, Mrs. Spencer Dawson; Mrs. George Lusk, Mrs. Ted Vernon, Mrs. Johnie Stapp; Mrs. Jack Schofield and Mrs. Loren Williams;  Mrs. Olin Moore, Mrs. Hazel Johnson, Mrs. Charles Trussler, Mrs. Bill Medcalf; Mrs. George Walbert, Mrs. Wayman Jackson, Mrs. Corbin Shouse, Mrs. L.A. Wetzel; Mrs. Don Johnson, Mrs. Rodney Boaz, Mrs. Al White; Mrs. Bill Carter, Mrs. Jim Smallwood, and Mrs. G.R. White. 

New comers this year include Mrs. Wayman (Beverly) Jackson, Mrs. Tom Wilson, Mrs. Sam Fullerton III,Mrs. George Windham, Mrs. Loren Williams, and Mrs. Rodney Boaz.

1961 April 17 mdnr  "Miami's Champion Girls Competing in Norman Meet"

The Miami high school girls golf team, winner of the three top honor in their division of the high school tournament Tuesday at Oklahoma City, are competing today in an invitational meet at Norman.

Members of the team are Suzanne Stephenson, Phyllis Propper, Diana Oliver, and Gaye Phillips. 

 

1961 April 28 mdnr "4 Miami Girls in Top 5 at Norman Meet"

Miami high school's girls golf team, winner of the state championship  in their division at Oklahoma City on Tuesday, were leaders again Thursday in an invitational girls meet at Norman. The four Miami girls were in the top five in medal play. At the end of the 18 holes, Suzanne Stephenson and Sherry Taylor of Oklahoma City Northeast were tied for medal honors with 95 totals. 

In the state meet Miss Stephenson edged Miss Taylor by one stroke for medalist honors!  (For several years our Wardog, Miami High school, girl golfers won state medalist and team trophies, then the state athletic association ended girls high school golf beginning in 1963 my Sophomore year in high school.)

In a playoff, Miss Taylor won by a stroke on the first extra hole. The 18-hole scores by the Miamians were: Stephenson, 52-43=95;Gaye Phillips, 49-42-101; Phyllis Propper, 52-50=102; Diana Oliver 55-50=105. 

Personal Note: Johnie Stapp taught the golf swing rhythmically with junior golfers and beginners, as if he were keeping time to a 4/ 4 beat. When I turned 13 I began helping my father with junior golf lessons each week. He began teaching us in a circle facing outward and we counted to a rhythm of back 1,2, through 3, 4.  Dad would change the tempo by the speed of his count, allowing us to swing slowly or with dynamite speed.  **To this very day, I swing and sing with a very rhythmical beat. In order to keep my head focused on "one shot at a time" (thank you Harvey Penick), I sing quietly to myself. It keeps my head clear of all other thoughts.

The Golf Gypsy and The Sound of Silence 

1961 May 2 mdnr "Country Club's 4-Ball Tourney List Announced"

Match play pairings for the Men's 4-Ball has been announced. First matches must be played on or before Sunday each week. The pairings are:

Ed Olvey-Jess Fronterhouse vx. Ray Coburn-Kermit Lewis.

Marion Zajic-Charles Trussler vs Jack Schofield-Ray McKinney.

Brady Pipes-Glenn Scott vs O.W. Fox-Pat Callihan.

Harry Ford-Paul Wilson bye

Bob Hill Sr.-Bob Hill Jr. vs Bill Hatfield-Jerry Zeis.

Harry Gilmore-Tom Barton, bye.

G.R. White-Al White vx K.C. Jeffries-Hank Garwood

Harry Kenreigh-Grank Hansford, bye.

Bill Neel-P.J Stephenson vs Bernie Schaff-Dail West.

Rex Painter-George Beck vs Burton--Ralph Fulk.

Clarence Carselowey-Joe Thompson vs Bill Carter-Johnny Haralson.

W.D. Jackson-Spencer Dawson  bye.

Ken Richards-Ted Vernon vs Richard Varley-Stanley Ulmer.

W.C. Campbell-Woodrow Painter  vs George Wojcik-Bill Oliver.

Harry Whitaker-Dick Neel, bye. 

 

1961 May 7 mdnr "Miami Product to Aid Golfers"

A tiny Miami publication should help produce better scores on golf courses across the nation.

Entitled "Johnie Stapp's (P.G.A.) Stroke Saver" the first editions are just off the press at the Gosney Printing Company. They are being distributed to country club pro shops in a wide area and will be publicized nationally in golf magazines. 

Mrs. Smai Lusk of 832 B. Street Northwest, a member of the Miami Ladies Golf association, started compiling information for the pocket-sized publication last August and put it in final draft form through collaboration with Stapp, professional at the Miami Country club. 

Printed in ready-reference form are 15 cards that are stapled together like a small note book. with printing on both sides, there are 30 pages of facts in two divisions--trouble shots (and what to
do about them) and definitions.

Advice is given on sand traps, rough shots, wind shots, downhill-uphill-sidehill lies, the slice, the hook, topping and shanking.  

**Dad and Smai sold these pocket sized Stroke Savers through the 1960's.

1961 July 10 mdnr "Rolling Hills Golfers Win"

Rolling Hills golfers of Tulsa defeated Miami Country club linksmen, 105 to 63, in matches played Sunday on the local course. Eight-four men took part in the event, with 14 teams of three men each from the clubs.

Miami's No. 1 trios won their matches. Pro Johnie Stapp, Jack Myers and Bob Hill Jr., were winners over Pro Al Kozell, Bob Dirch, and J.D. Phillips.

Maimians W. D. Jackson, Jesse Fronterhouse and Ed Olvey smothered George Hines, Ray Southerland, and Don Eley, 11 to 1. Handicaps were used in the matches.The only other Miami trios that won consisted of Rex Painter, Joe Thompson, and Clarence Carselowey and Harry Dean, Al White, and David Robinson.

1961 June 15 Pairings Announced for Miami Golf Tournament

Bob Hill Jr., 1960 schoolboy golf champion of Oklahoma and a freshman the past year at the University of Tulsa, shot a two-under-par 70 to capture medalist honors in qualifying rounds for the annual Men's club tournament.  Sixty-four men will fill the field of this championship for the men. 

1961 June 15 Snead Favorite as Open Begins

Snead has to beat defending champion Arnold Palmer, leading PGA money-winner Gary Player, four-tie Open champion Ben Hogan, but most of all he has to whip the Open whammy against himself.  

1961 June 15  Twilight Golf Pairings

Winners in the latest mixed twilight golf competition at the Miami Country club were: Lillian White and Bob Temple, low net; Claire Oliver and Charles Trussler, low gross; Hattie White and Tom Barton, low putts; Erin Wojcik and Bill Medcalf, high net. 

Wilma Medcalf-Bob Nunn vs Joan Smallwood-Bob Temple; Melba Cordell-Bill Oliver vs Dorothy Schofield-Claud Jones; Mary Varley-Don Johnson vs Mar VanBeber-Jack Schofield; Gladyce Hirsch-Bill Carter vs Jan Trussler-Don Curlee; Claire Oliver-Bob Hill Sr vs Nancy Johnson-Bob Hill, Jr.; Florence Dawson-Dr. Jackson vs Phyllis Propper-George Wojcik; Hattie White-Dr. Varley vs Marian Richards-Charles Turssler; Evelyn Hatfiled-Wayland Kelly vs Smai Lusk-Kenneth Richards; Hattie Wall-Bill Medcalf vs Louise Curlee-Bill Hatfield; Millie Carter-Jim Smallwood vs Erin Wojcik-Bert Wall; Norma Nunn-Tom Cordell vs Virginia Sapp-Al White; Norma Lous Jackson-Spencer Dawson vs Yvonne Temple-Hance VanBeber; Gay Phillips-Bill Hirsch vs Helen Jones-George Lusk. 

**Personal Note: 1961 was my first year to work at the country club. My father set my hours for Tuesday-Saturday sunrise (6:30-7:00 am) until 2:00 each day. In the beginning I worked with other adults who opened the shop. In 1961 I worked with Mr. and Mrs. Westfall, an older couple. Mr. Westfall and I did all of the heavy lifting of golf bags. Lunch was NOT provided by the club, so we all took turns eating lunch from our sacks or metal containers. We brought our own drinks or snacks.

Tuesday began at sunrise as the women made the earliest tee times (Hattie Wall and Evelyn Hatfield come to mind.) Following them were the men getting off the midnight shift from Goodrich and other plants. Twilight league didn't begin until 5pm but it was my job to answer the phone calls and keep track of all changes in pairings. I also called various members who put their names on the substitute list to show up when needed. 

Wednesday was extremely busy with ladies day. They began play at 9:00 or earlier. Most all of the women walked and pushed their golf bags in rented carts from my father. It costs $.25 to rent a handle. My young hands were needed to help put handles on the golf carts. Dad arrived before the ladies teed-off and then often drove to the post office and bank about 10 o'clock each morning. 

Thursday afternoon originally was called a professional men's  afternoon referring to doctors, lawyers, BFG management, Eagle-Picher management, etc. By about 1962 that title was no longer used and the men formed regular golfing groups that were nicknamed "the C.S. Club" by Frankie, our bartender. Most of the men relaxed over lunch at the club, changed into their golf clothes and played golf until dark. Some stayed over and gambled or played cards till late into the night.

On long winter days one group of 8-16 men came to our house after dinner for ping pong. Their cigarette smoked filled our garage with a heavy haze. Over the years the evening activity changed from ping-pong to dad's fascination with trains. 

Fridays were Junior Golf days and by age thirteen I was helping Dad teach the youngsters how to swing the club and putt. I joined in and played with everyone and mother's and dad's helped with the junior program by walking with a group of golfers and keeping score. This taught us the rules and reinforced over and over the penalty for having temper tantrums on the golf course. (Refer to Woody Painter for more elaborate stories on this.) Yes, my father would kick the club members off the course for several weeks at a time for their behavior. Every parent appreciated this discipline.  

Saturday's were extremely busy if the weather allowed. Our tee sheet was full from sunrise until dark. Many an evening I spent back at the club chipping golf balls up the signs for dad to pick up easier with the hand held ball retriever bags--one ball at a time. It was a long slow process but probably my most favorite memory of all because nature surrounded me and I was helping my dad. To this day chipping (or short game) is my strongest ability and in my heart I would much rather play a round of golf near sunset. 

Sunday morning mother, Jonya and I often attended church. From the late 1950's through the 1960's my parents went to Grand Lake all day Monday, Dad's only day off, to get away. For a half-dozen years or more we shared a house-boat with the Jackson's, Dahl's, and Temple's.  We all loved to fish and a house-boat offered a heated room with a fishing hole in the middle of winter. 

 

1961 mdnr July 2 "Tri-State Results"

1961 mdnr July 7  "Tulsa Girl Takes Junior Golf Title"

Kay Van Valkenburgh, 17, of Tulsa won the Championship of the second annual Miami Invitational Jr. Girls Golf Tournament. Miss Van Valkenburgh who will be a senior this year at Edison High School, carded an 18-hole total of 93 on rounds of 43-50. Donna Fox of Seneca, Mo, a member of Miami's junior golf organization, was runner-up this year with a score of 44-50=94. 

The tournament sponsored by the Miami Ladies Golf association drew 68 contestants. Mrs. Stanley Ulmer was tournament chairman.  

The champions and runner-up in the five other flights were:

A flight, Nancy Shelby, Tulsa, and Sally Ulmer, Miami.  

B flight, Letty Stapp, Miami, and Debbie Kinkade, Broken Arrow.

C flight, Missy Lowe, Springfield, Mo., and Sandy Stephenson, Miami.

Pee Wees, Sharon Sumpter, Tulsa, and Jonya Stapp Miami.

 **Personal humorous observation: Every-time I see myself in an old newspaper photo all I can think is "look at that hair." At this time in my life, I am now most grateful that I had a thick head of hair, what little I have left of it. 

 

1961 July 

 

Junior Golfers end season with trophies: L-R Tommy Cordell, Tim Scholfield, Danny Kruithof, Billy Oliver; Karen Jeffries, Lee Dell Snyder, Kathy Olson, Susie Stephenson, miss from photo Brad Smallwood.

 1961 September 8  "Propper Takes Top Title in Ladies Golf Tournament"

Admiring trophies presented Thursday to the Ladies Club Championship: Mrs. Spencer Dawson (18 hole medalist); Mrs. George Wojcik (from right) medalist and winner of the 9 hole championship; Phyllis Propper, Club Champion 18 holes, Mrs. Richard Varley, 18 hole A Flight Champion, Mrs. Olin Moore, 9 hole A flight winner.

1961 "Shell's Wonderful World of Golf

In 1961 Shell produced it's first World of Golf one hour show with a match between Billy Casper and Mario Gonzales. In 1962 they produced 10 matches world wide, from Hong Kong to London, and Melbourne to St. Andrews. 

Television was now playing a bigger role in the game of golf and it's promotion At the same time the top players were Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Lee Trevino.

1961 September "Ladies' Golf Notes"

Winners in the week's regular play for the Miami Ladies Golf Assoc. were: Phyllis Propper, Championship; Mrs. Loren Williams, Class A; Mrs. Lillian White, B; Pauline Dykes and Dorothy Schofield, C.  

Forty four women have signed up to play this Wednesday. 

1961 September 17  "Todd Takes Lead in Miami Golf Tourney"

 Dave Todd, veteran golfer from Nevada, Mo., was the only entry from a field of 107 in Miami's sixth annual invitational golf tournament to break even with par in 18-hole qualifying rounds Saturday n the beautiful but difficult course at the Miami Country club. The tournament will end late this afternoon with champions in five flights being determined on 36-hole scores-including the qualifying round

Todd carded a 36-36 for medalist honors. Runner-up was Jim Hatfield of Neosho, Missouri, 38-35=73. Defending champion Pursie Pipes of Mt. Vernon, Illinois was third with a 37-37=74.

Others who made the championship flight were: Bob Smith and Joe McKenzie of Joplin, 75; Ed Olvey, Afton, 76; Max Marsh, Webb City, 77; Dr. W.D. Jackson of Miami, tournament chair, 78; Roger Kelly, Kansas City, 78; John F. Robinson, Miami, 79; 80's by Jess Fronterhouse of Picher, Marshall Smith of Quapaw, Merlin Kirk, Pittsburgh, and Walter Williams, Bristow; 81's by Dick Clary of Tulsa and Ted Vernon and Harry Gilmore, Miami

Rounds were to begin at 7:30 am today, with players in the championship flight due to begin their tours about 1 pm. Presentation of trophies probably will take place between 6 and 6:30 pm. 

The tournament list, larger than ever before, consists of golfers from 27 cities in five states. There are 73 out-of-town entries.

 1961 September 18 "Pipes Repeats as Golf Champion" by Mack Boswell

Pursie Pipes of Mt. Vernon, Ill., repeated Sunday as champion of the Miami Invitational Golf Tournament. He carded a 2-over par 74 in Saturday round and a 76 on Sunday. Only one stroke behind for runner-up was Ed Olvey, superintendent of Afton schools, with a 76-75=151.

Tied for third were two Miamians--Dr. W.D. Jackson winner of the 1959 tourney, 78-76=154, and John F. Robinson 79-75-154. Darkness prevented a playoff to break the third-place tie. 

Other Miamians who placed in the tourney were:

B flight: G.R. White, 87-82=169

D flight: Bill Hirsch, 95-92=187

 1961 October 26 mdnr  "Turkey Shoot Winner"

Mrs. Wayman Jackson is shown with the 'turkey' she won Wednesday in the Miami Ladies Golf association in the October "turkey shoot." She netted 35 in the nine-hole golf event with a score of 53, less 18 handicap. Mrs. Robert Temple, was runner-up a net of 39.

 

 1961 December 10 mdnr "Notice! notice!"

Stockholders of the Miami Country club are reminded that the annual stockholder's meeting will be held December 12, 1961 for the purpose of acting on a plan of reorganization. If members are unable to be present, the officers request proxy be filed with the secretary.  G.P. Campbell, President

 

 Tidbits:

April 1961 at The Miami Theater

 

1961-62 Candy store across from MHS on A st NE and 2nd NE 

 

October 1961

 Miami Quarter Horse breeder, L.K. Newell, has purchased a half-interest  (with Rowland Stanfield nationally prominent Broken Arrow breeder) in one of the nation's most distinguished stallions. Newell predicts the horse, Johnny Dial, will prove an important contributor to the Quarter Horse industry in Oklahoma as well as to development of his own breeding program at Sky Farm, east of Miami,

 

1959 TIMELINE AND STORIES

1959 TIMELINE and STORIES

 

 

Our nation was still growing and school children were memorizing 49 states and capitols.

 1959 April 5 mdnr "Spaulding's Ace, Features Local Golf"

A hole-in-one by Al Spaulding Friday afternoon climaxed golf activities during the week at the Miami Country club. Playing in a threesome with his wife and daughter, Suzy, the manager of the Miami B.F. Goodrich plant scored his ace on the 151 yard No. 12 hole. He used a 5 iron.

Mrs. Spencer Dawson also gained the spotlight during the week with an eagle on the 328 yard No. 1 hole. She used a 3 wood to sink her second shot from a distance of 150 or more yards. Mrs. Dawson was playing with Mrs. Bill Oliver, Mrs. Pat Campbell, and Mrs. Smae Lusk when she made her sensational shot. 

Regular competition for members of the Miami Ladies Golf Assn, was rained out Wednesday, but they went ahead with the morning lessons in the weekly clinic conducted by Johnie Stapp, club pro. 

The men's Twilight league will begin its regular schedule on May 5, according to Wayland Kelly, tournament chair.

  

1959 April 12 mdnr "Golfers from 18 High Schools to Compete in Tourney Here Monday"

Outstanding schoolboy golfers from Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma will be among the four-man teams from 18 high schools competing here Monday i the second annual invitational tournament sponsored by Miami High School in cooperation with the Miami Country club. Teams will be arriving from Ardmore; six OKC high schools; three from Tulsa; Muskogee; Midwest City, Miami; three high schools from Springfield,Missouri; Joplin, Mo; Coffeyville and Parsons, Kansas. 

Members of the Ladies Golf Assn will tabulate scores and assist with other details. The Miami high Student Council will provide hospitality service by serving sandwiches and milk to the players. 

Miami players finished second last year with a four-man score of 323. Harding won with 318. The Miami players were: Bob Hills, 77; Phil Temple, 79; James Emery, 79; and Dickie Neel 88. 

1959 April 14  "Miami's 2nd Annual High School Golf Meet"

Top honors were captured by Tulsa Edison and Ardmore entries Monday a the Miami Country club as 72 schoolboy golfers from three states competed in the highly successful invitational second annual tournament sponsored by Miami high school.Each school was represented by a four-man team in 18-hole medal play.

Ronnie Brown an all-around senior athlete at Ardmore, carded a 37-39+76 to take medalist honors.  

4-Man team scores: Tulsa Edison 321, Ardmore 326, O.C. Grant 332, Muskogee Central 336, O.C. Northeast 336, Miami 343, Coffeyville 345, Joplin 347, Cascia Hall 352, O.C. Hardin 358, Parkview, Springfield 368.

1959 April 19 mdnr "War Dog Golf Matches

Miami high school golfers played on the Grandview course at Springfield, Mo. Friday afternoon in competition with three Springfield high schools. 

Coach Jack Rucker's War Dogs won over Hillcrest 10 1/2 to 7 1/2; but lost to Central and Parkview. Scores posted by the Miamians: Dickie Neel, 37-40=77; Bob hill, 37-41=78; Mike Wilson, 48-45=93; Charles Hirsch 49-45=94; Stephen Moore, 46-50=96; Brad Smallwood, 49-55=104. 

 ***

Ladies Golf Notes:

Winners in competition for the past week for members of the Miami Ladies Golf Association were: Florence Dawson and Ruth Heyburn, championship; Millie Carter, Class A; Lois Cowles, B; Mildred Reniker, C: Susie Kemp and Helen Shafer, class D. 

 

1959 The Masters Golf Championship was televised and the world of golf began to change. 

 

 

1959 April 29 "Plant to Open at Commerce"

Ottawa county's newest factory will be open for public inspection Friday afternoon. It plans to begin full production next Monday...While Commerce baseball star Mickey Mantle is belting out hits for the New York Yankees, the Glenn Berry Manufacturers each day will be belting out about 1,000 pair of denims carrying Mantle's endorsement.

"We will carry a full line of Mickey Mantle work clothes," said Rose. The Yankee star has signed a "100 percent contract," meaning he will permit the use of his name and picture in promoting sales of the clothing."   

1959 May 1 mdnr "High School Boys Championship"

Oklahoma City Harding high school golfer George Hixon blistered the Lincoln Park course in two rounds to the win the boys high school golf tournament with a 54 hole total of 225. Other top individual scores are: Spike Goff, Duncan, 225; Terry Wilkerson, Duncan, 229; Robert Hill, Miami, 231. 

 

Teaching Lessons by the Pro:

Dad loved to create toys and personal methods for teaching golf swings. His use of the 8mm camera and side by side photos helped many of us in those years. He would hold ladies golf meetings and show them some of the swings he had recorded and then give lessons from that reference.

This old club converted to an early day "orange whip" to help us create speed at impact.

 

 

 

 

1959 June 15 mdnr TWO BERTHS IN NATIONAL PGA AT STAKE IN MIAMI TODAY by Mack Boswell

Big-name golfers toured the beautiful Miami Country club course today in 36-hole qualifying tests that will determine the two men who will represent the Oklahoma-Kansas-Arkansas section of the national tournament of the PGA at Minneapolis on Jule 29-August 2.

John Langford, municipal course pro at Enid and Loddie Kemper, former OSU golfing ace who is now pro at Okmulgee, shared top honors Sunday with three-under par 69's.

Langford lowered the course's nine-hole record with a seven-under recorded of 29. The old nine-hole course record of 30 belonged to John F. Robinson. Langford finished with a 40 for a 69.

John F. Robinson's 18-hole record in 1947 still stands at 64.

Doug Smith, asst. pro at Southern Hills and his foursomes of amateurs consisted of Bob Klein of Tulsa, and John F. Robinson and son, David, captured low-ball team honors with a score of  36.

"Side Notes"

Loddie Kempa of Okmulgee, who tied John Langford for medalist declared: "I have played on many golf courses, but I've never seen finer greens than these at this Miami club,"

Along with the delegation from Arkansas came a recent illustrated clipping from the Little Rock Arkansas Gazette with a feature about the reunion of the three Charles Lewises.

Charles Lewis Sr., 71 is a former Miami Country club pro, now of Battle Creek, Michigan. Charles Lewis Jr., who grew up in various pro shops operated by his father (and won numerous events while living in Miami, Ok) holds forth at the Little Rock Country club. Charles Lewis III is a top amateur golfer at 18 and is awaiting a call to military service. 

Lewis Sr., a native of England, came to the United States in 1913 after serving a golfing apprenticeship of six years. In a picture with his sons, he was holding the putter he delivered to America 46 years ago.  (The Lewis's kept their ties with Miami friends and the country club through the years when Johnie Stapp served as pro.)

1959 June 16  "OSU Coach Harris and Langford Gain PGA Spots" by Mack Boswell

Labron Harris of Stillwater provided an expert lesson on the Miami Country club course Monday while taking top honors in the three-state sectional qualifying for the National PGA in Minneapolis, July 29--Aug. 2.

           Personal notes from Jody (Joanne) LaCaff Lasky:

Letty, I remember a conversation that I overheard between your dad and mine. It seems at the club dances couples were meeting at the green closest to the pool for a little whoops. Your dad said the women's heels were leaving holes in the green. Then one of them said laughingly maybe he should put up a sign that read…..

 "Ladies, no high heels on the green."

That is the gist of the conversation… I just happen to over hear them.

Some of the best times we had as a family was being at the Fourth of July celebration. We would swim all day, change for dinner and fireworks. Dad would also assist with the fireworks. It was something we looked forward to each year.

Of course you know how many of the teens growing up would sneak into the pool and swim late at night…. Mostly in our underwear. I do remember seeing a few skinny dippers one time, but didn’t know them as they were older.

Dorothy Ann Horner explained the facts of life to me when I was in the seventh grade on the steps going up to the porches, on the north side by the swimming pool.

1959 June 23  "Hill, Neel Win Berths"

Bob HIll, Jr. and Dickie Neel, aces of the Miami High golf team the last two seasons, will represent Miami on July 6-8 in the Oklahoma Junior Chamber of Commerce tournament in Lawton.

Hill was the leader among five local youths who competed for the two state berths. Hill carded a one-over par 100 for 27 holes. Neel wasn't up to his usual sharpness, but gained the other ticket to Lawton with a total score of 122. Jim Taylor, all-state scholboy football tackle last fall, was third with a 126. Next were Charles Hirsch with a 151 and Roger Scruggs, a 153.  The local sponsors were the Miami Junior champber of Commerce with Earl Hahn and Raymond Gibson, Jr. in charge.  

1959 July 6 mdnr "Miami Girls in Tournament Spotlight"

Miami girls made the finest record of any single club competing in the annual state junior girls' golf tournament that will be completed today at Tulsa's Southern Hills Course. (During our three rounds of golf each of us stayed in family homes in Tulsa. I stayed with a family whose last name was McGraw. My host family had a daughter who played golf and consequently her parents were in charge of transportation and meals. 

Results match play:

Diana Oliver lost in B flight consolation semi-finals to Terry Townsend, Tulsa 4 and 3.

Nine hole divisions:

Letty Stapp won the championship of G flight with a score of 70-73-73=216.

Janie Berentz won the H flight championship with 76-77-78=231.

Susie Stephenson won third place in D flight with 66-61-74=201. 

Bobbi Sue Baron won fourth in C flight with 66,61,74=194

Barbara Dahl posted a 247 total in C flight and Mary Dahl carded a 270 in G flight. Sandra Stephenson shot a 74 to finish sixth in the peewee division. Five of the Miami entries also won medals for taking first places in special driving and putting contests. 

Paired today in the championship flight final match were medalist Jeannie Thompson and defending state champion Patty David, both of Tulsa.

 

This is the marble based trophy that I won in 1959. I have kept this trophy all of my life, while the others have gone away. 

 1959 July 10 mdnr "Miss Propper Wins Tulsa Golf Trophy"

Phyllis Propper of Miami won the A flight championship of the state junior girls golf tournament at Southern Hills Country club in Tulsa this morning by defeating Sally Perrine of Tulsa, 4 and 3. Phyllis, who will be a Miami High school Junior this year, led most of the way. She carded a 51 on the front nine. Sally shot a 56. The match ended on the 15 hole  

Nine Miami girls competed in the state meet, giving Miami Country club the best record of any club in the tournament. 

1959 July 12 mdnr "Joplin Golfers Compete Here"

Traffic on the Miami Country club golf course should be heavier today than at any time this year with inter-city matches between members of the local club and a 48-man delegation from Twin Hills, Joplin. Pat Campbell, chairman of the event, said boys wishing employment as caddies should report to the club by 9:30 a.m. 

1959 "Women's Tri-state Champions"

Faye Berentz, Claire Oliver, Hattie Wall, and Lois Garwood, winner of the overall team low-net for the 1959 Women's Tri-State  *Orrick Sparlin collection at the Dobson Museum.

 

1959 August 2 mdnr "Finals Near in Men's Tourney"

Final matches may be completed this week in most flights of the annual men's golf tournament at the Miami Country club. Players who have already qualified to play in championship matches includes: Joe Thompson vs Kelso Berentz in President's flight; Bob Nunn vs George Beck in A flight.

Quarter-final results follow:

Championship flight:  John F. Robinson won over Dr. W.D. Jackson; Jess Fronterhouse defeated George Windham; Ed Olivey beat Dick Lowry; P.J. Stephenson dropped Phillip Temple.

President's flight: Joe Thompson eliminated Ted Lowry; Bill Hirsch beat Bill Carter; Kelso Berentz won over Charlie Trussler; Rex Painter defeated Tom Barton.

A Flight: Bob Nunn beat Marion Zajic; Clarence Carselowey downed Dr. Harry Ford; George Beck beat Pat Campbell; Harry Whitaker won over buck Bagby.

B Flight: Ted Vernon defeated Jack Schofield; John Burford beat Wayland Kelly; Crab Grayson downed Frank Hansford; Paul McIntosh won over Noel Wyatt.

C Flight: Bill Oliver--Spencer to be played; Bob Hill beat Henry Garwood; Bill Harper ousted Don Curlee; Don Lockard advanced over Vernon Cray.

Semi-Finals: Thompson beat Hirsch and Berentz won over Painter in president's flight; Nunn beat Carselowey and Beck defeated Whitaker in A flight; Harper won over Lockard in C flight.

***

 "Golf Tourney Monday for Miami's Juniors"

Monday will be the final event of the season for Miami Junior Golfers. A picnic lunch will be served at noon on the porch of the club house. Trophies will be awarded to the tournament winners and new club officers will be elected. 

Winners by grade groups in last week's competition were: 7-8 Carole Luttrell and Bill Fullerton; 5-6 Jonny Highland and Lee Dell Snyder; 2-4 Jonya Stapp and Jimmy Painter. 

Pairings are as follows for Monday's play:  TWO HOLES, 6 AND 9

8:30--Gayla Brown, Judy Berentz, Jonya Stapp; Mrs. Clarence Carselowey; 8:40 Jimmy Painter, Judd Nafziger, Scotty Jackson; Mrs. P. J. Stephenson.  

NINE HOLES

No. 1 tee at 8:30--Bobbi Baron, Phyllis Propper, Diana Oliver; Mrs. Bill Plumlee; 8:40--Judy Fullerton, Barbara Dahl, Bethanne Badger; Mrs. Bill Medcalf. 8:30 Katrina White, Glenda Highland, Penny Zeis; Mrs. Dale Nafziger;  9:00--Stephen Moore, Tom Pat Wilson; Mrs. Olin Moore; 9:10--Dickie Badger, Charles Dawson, Jeff Reanger,: Kenneth Richards.

 From No. 6 at 9:00--Cathy Olson, Jenee Kenreigh, Julie Lockard; 9:10 Peggy Sapp, Sue Nunn, Carole Luttrell; Mrs. Ed Badger; 9:20 Bobby Zeis, Pat Wilson, Billy Oliver, Mrs. George Wojcik. 

From No. 1 at 9:20--Letty Stapp, Mary Dahl, C.Anne Richards; Mrs. Don Lockard; 9:30--Suzanne Stephenson, Janie Berentz, Mike Juergens; Mrs. Orville Dahl; 9:40--Johnny Stansell, John Badger, Billy Fullerton; Mrs. George Russell. 

  FIVE HOLES:

From No. 1 at 9:50 -- Kae Nunn, Sandra Stephenson; Mrs. Bert Wall; 10:00 Lee Dell Snyder, Susan Russell; Mrs. Bob Temple. 10:10 Butch Jenkins, Woody Painter, Johnny Robinson; Mrs. Kelso Berentz; 10:20--Mark Wojcik, Jim Thompson, Johnny Highland; Mrs. John Robinson.  

 

            Personal note:

Roger McCollum shares a painful story of swimming at the old pool at the country club:  One day when my mom was playing in a Women's club event left me at the swimming pool for the day. I fell asleep on the hard concrete after some swimming and woke hours later. The next morning when I awoke my entire back was blistered. It was pretty painful and I recall that it took 5-7 days before I could move without pain.

 

1959 August 2 mdnr "Playground Parade Day Contest Winners"

The parade in downtown Miami and the Rotary club's city-wide picnic Friday more than 700 youngsters  climaxed supervised activities in the 1959 municipal program, the larges ever held here. The photo page spread was shot by Orrick Sparlin.

More than 500 boys and girls participate in the parade, a new record here. The playground and parade is under the supervision of S.A. Red Robertson, general director of the summer program and Mrs. Lawrence Zane, supervisor of tournaments and special contests at parks.

1959 August 5  "Second Annual Sidewalk Sale"

1959 August 8  "Club Champion"

 

John F. Robinson, 1960 Club Champion **Orrick Sparlin Collection at the Dobson Museum.

 

1959 September 16 "8 Teams in Fall Tourney at Miami Country Club"

Tournament Chairman, Harry Whitaker asks players to complete their first round by Sunday. In playing for qualifying scores, each entry must play with another member of his team. Two players from each team, who post the lowest qualifying scores, will compete in match play with the lowest scorers from other teams. One match is to be played each week. 

Team members who do not have the two best qualifying scores will continue consolation medal play rounds each week. 

 

 

 

Lady golfers decorating for Christmas: ...., Yvonne Temple, Lottie Mae Russell, Hattie Wall, Florence Dawson, .... Johnson, Erin Wojick *photo from Orrick Sparlin collection, Dobson Museum.

 1959 December 10  "Country club Slate Chosen"

Miami Country club members re-elected Pat Campbell as President at their annual meeting Tuesday night. also re-elected were Dr. W.D. Jackson, vice-president, and H.F. Myers, secretary-treasurer.

Elected to the board of directors were: O.A. Rockwell, Corbin Shouse, Vernon Sapp, Orville Dahl, Wayland Kelly, Jerry Zeis, and Myron Jenkins. Club improvements will be considered when officers and directors meet in January.

 

**In 1958 Mrs. Jack Horner and Mrs. Bert Wall both held the title for the lowest score posted on nine holes, a 39.  Hattie (Mrs. Bert) Wall would go on to set the women's course record with a par round of 38. I matched that round while playing college golf at NEO and my sister, Jonya matched the par round in the 1970's.  All records and trophies burned in the fire in 1984.  

 

Sometimes we just need to reflect and laugh at our memories and the times.

Playground parade pictures by Orrick Sparlin