1980's-1990's HIS STORIES OF MGCC by Jeff Gullett

 

Miami Golf and Country club facing the sunrise on the east, and watching as players reach their final hole at 18 green.

I grew up playing Jr. Golf in the 80’s and 90’s at MG&CC.  The Golf Professionals during those times were Don Atchison and Steve Becker.  Our golf crew was comprised of Jason Hill, Charles Haney, Michael Rapp, Brett Vaughn, Greg Smith, and me. Most if not all of us worked and played at MG&CC.  There was nothing better than heading to the Club for the day of golf, pool, and golf again.  We spent countless hours and years developing our skills and even more, our friendship.  It started with us playing Junior Golf and as we progressed it led to Junior tournaments and then the Miami High School Wardog Golf Team. 

As many of you already know the Lady Wardogs had just won a couple of State Championships in the late 80’s.  It was now 1991, and we had finally reached the High School Golf Team.  Our leader was Harley Turner, known as HT.  Coach HT was a very kind, smart, and great man. Probably exactly what we needed at the time.  We knew nothing about team golf, we had just spent the last 8 years trying to beat a Snickers and a Coke from each other in our countless individual matches.  We did our best, but our freshman year was a learning experience.  The 1991 team was composed of Steve Simpson (Senior), Jason Hill (Junior), Charles Haney (Freshman), Michael Rapp (Freshman), and me (Freshman).

I struggled a bit, but the most memorable tournament was the Pryor Invitational.  We had a true Oklahoma Spring Day; sunny, cold, rain, snow, and sleet.  I somehow plowed through this day in a solid 79 (probably the best 79 of my life) and tied for 1^st.  Nervous as could be, I somehow found a way to win the playoff for my first tournament win.  To say the least, very memorable!  We played well in many tournaments.  As a team we made it through the Regional Tournament with and were headed to State.  This is what we had been waiting for!  Shawnee Lake, the Grand Daddy of golf tournaments.  It seemed so far from MG&CC.  The one thing I can remember from that tournament was that our booster club (aka parents and club members) had purchased us matching shirts and get this:  matching Ping Hoofer Bags with a stand.  We were maybe the only team in the State with these.  Thank you all!  I think we all had high expectations but did not really know how much pressure was there and how good the rest of the teams in the state were, due to most of our competition being in the Northeastern section of the state.  We grinded through three rounds and finished in third.  Pretty good for our first year with three Freshman.  I am pretty sure if you asked all of us, we felt like we should have won the championship.

The Sophomore season was here, and again we had high expectations.  There was a group of MG&CC members that had been traveling down to Puerto Vallarta for years and had crossed paths with a golf pro and a prominent junior player, named Juan Pablo Alvarez.  The connection was made, and Juan Pablo Alvarez would be coming to live with the Hill’s and would be able to play one year of High School Golf.  Oh boy, we were excited about this.  This kid had played at World Junior and other prominent Junior events and had plenty of experience.  We were going to be good.  Although we thought we were going to be good, it seemed we may have left our game at home on tournament days as we watched Juan Pablo try to carry us as a team.  We finished a lackluster 4^th place at State and moved on to the summer months to grind on the game to make it better for the next season.  Even though we may not have played well, we did learn a lot about the game and culture, playing with a student of the game that did not know very much English when he got to Miami.  Juan was a great addition to the community and school, and I hope to see him again one day. 

         There were some influential people that were in our lives and golf games that helped mold our games and specifically mine since I am writing this piece.  I cannot speak on behalf of the others, so I will tell how it helped me find my game.  Steve Becker was the PGA Professional at MG&CC during this time, and he taught me to teach myself.  He told me what I needed to know, but more than anything taught me to have confidence in myself.  I was a shy kid growing up and never quite felt like I could or would be good enough at the game.  He taught me to be on the good side of cocky, but not arrogant.  Marshall Smith Jr., Steve Hill, Jeff Ramsey, Keith Neal, and Mitch Jones.  There were so many more, but these are ones that I either worked with or had many games within the years preceding and during high school golf.  I have always said that it is not golf course that makes the game, it is the people who you play with that makes the rounds memorable. 

Around 1993, Cotton Montgomery came to the club to be the Golf Course Superintendent.  This man could grow some grass!  The greens had never been better, and the club was in the best shape since I had been there.  He also brought his son into our golf world, Brian Montgomery.  Brian had just finished up college at Oklahoma State and was preparing for the Mini Tours and Professional golf.  This really changed my game for the better.  I was challenged every time I put the peg in the ground.  I was playing Brian one day and he happened to shoot the course record, 63, and I believe I shot 71.  I got blown out of the water on our Nassau!  I learned so much watching him practice the short game and I no longer focused on a perfect swing but perfecting a good swing. 

My junior year consisted of teammates:  Charles Haney (Junior), Michael Rapp (Junior), myself (Junior), Brett Vaughn (Sophomore) and Greg Smith (Sophomore).  All of us had been playing together for the past couple of years and we thought we had the chance to finish well.  This was Charles Haney’s year, he played very consistently through the season, but he did not get much help from his team.  It was like all the preparation for the season during the summer went to waste but wait there is another year.  Sometimes what we are preparing for does not come until the right time, not our time.  (Sounds like living life with faith).  What we did get to do was go to Norman for a mid-season tournament.  That was the exposure we needed.  We went to play the bigger schools and statewide schools in the Sooner Classic.  Great tournament experience that HT and Miami High School gave to us that had been lacking the prior two seasons. 

The Senior season finally arrived!  We were missing a teammate by the time the season started, but we forged forward with the four +1 who were ready to play.  We were confident that the four regulars would put the numbers where we needed them.  I had begun practicing earlier than normal due to an ankle injury in December playing for the basketball team.  I had started my golf season about two months earlier.  It showed when we started the season with a team win at Shangri-La and I finished first place individual with 68-70.  A couple of weeks later won the Joplin Invitational at Loma Linda and I won individual with a score of 68.  We rolled this right into Regionals and won at MG&CC and went to State expecting greatness.  We played good golf instead of great, but it was the journey that was memorable.  We ended our Senior season where we began our freshman season, at Shawnee Lake.  We finished a little off the pace in 3^rd place and I put three good rounds together to finish in a tie for 2^nd (70-72-72).  Note:  won in a playoff.  As I am writing this, I don’t think I have ever lost in a playoff since high school.  On the academic side of things, Miami Boys Golf Team did win the Academic State Championship in 1994.

Post High School

I proceeded to walk on the golf team at University of Arkansas, and after a struggle with my game and adapting to college life I walked off the team later that spring in 1995.  I was at a crossroads with my golf game and did not really know what I wanted to do.  I don’t like to look back on my life and ask for a mulligan, but if I were going to go down the golf path for a career, I think I would take a mulligan on that drive.  Anyhow, I took a year off from golf and focused on school, then transferred to the University of Oklahoma and graduated in 1998 with a degree in Business Management.  I decided to go into the golf business, just like any other player, thinking I will be a golf pro and try to make it on tour.  Well, I proceeded to start working 80 hours a week and no longer played to the level that I was accustomed to, and the game fell away. 

My career path started at Bailey Ranch Golf Club, in Owasso and I worked there for 3.5 years where I learned the first part of the business.  What is a PGA Professional?  That was my training ground, and I will never forget it. 

In 2001, I went to Tulsa Country Club to work under Jeff Combe, and later received my PGA Membership in 2005.  The summer of 2005, I made the move to Boca Raton, Fl to Bocaire Country Club to become the First Assistant Golf Professional under Russell Carlson, who was previously the PGA Professional at Bailey Ranch during my time there.  He did not hire me at Bailey Ranch, but he taught me.  I have only worked for two PGA Head Golf Professionals in my career, and both had different approaches to the business, but both helped mold me into the Golf Professional that I am today.  I spent 16 years at Bocaire Country Club (12 as Head Golf Professional).  I am now at Boca Woods Country Club, a 36-hole residential club with 600 Members.  We host 60,000 rounds of golf per year and I am now going through my third golf course renovation as a PGA Member.    

Boca Woods Country club, Boca Raton, Florida

As you can see, the game of golf is a part of me, and the history of Miami Golf & Country Club molded me into who I am.  Many of my lifelong friends along with my parents’ friends were established at that club.  Although the club and course are no longer there, the games and memories I had at that club can never be taken away from me.  They are a part of me, and I still tell the stories today when I speak of the game I so love!

Jeff Gullett

 

        

1984 January - July 15 TIMELINE AND STORIES FROM THE MGCC

 

THESE ARE THE BEST OF TIMES...GIRLS WIN STATE

 

Both boys and girls teams in golf amassed an impressive record during their spring season. In regular matches the boys teams won six while losing four, but the group really shone in the tournament competition. They won the Walnut Creek Invitational with Julie Rieger as the runner-up medalist; the boys copped second place at the Miami Invitational and the Metro Lakes Conference tournaments, with Steve Becker as the Miami runner-up medalist.

The teams practiced diligently and were successful in the post-season tourneys. The boys, led by medalist Steve Becker and runner-up Keith Neel, took first in the 3A Regional Boys tournament. They then went on to an 8^th place at state.

The lady golfers were also amazing. They won first place at the Girls Regional tournament sending them to the state championship and capped off the year by winning the Oklahoma Girls High School State Championship. Julie Rieger led the team as runner-up medalist.

*This year, 1984,  Tom and Julie Rieger both appear on the same MHS golf team. The other young woman playing golf on the boys team is from Vinita, Sheila Luginbuel (Dills).

**from the MHS 1984 Yearbook.

1984 March 20 “Miami Golf Prospects Bright” by Jim Ellis

Four members of last year’s Miami golf team which finished third in the Class 3A state tournament are back, and that gives coach Bill Belger plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the 1984 season.

“We have some good golfers,” said Belger, who takes over the coaching reins this season. “Not only among older ones but the younger ones show some promise. If we can get some good weather, the scores will start coming down.”

 

Miami opened its season this afternoon against Neosho at the MCC. Heading us the list of returnees are three-year regulars Steve Becker and Keith Neel. While at MHS Becker and Neel have been on the losing side only once in 33 dual matches. Other regulars back from lazy year’s team are seniors Dan McKinney and Tom Rieger. Others vying for positions on the team are seniors Clint Christensen, Dennis Malloy, Hal May, Derek Rougeot and Andy Whitehill; junior Chris Rogers, and freshmen Scott Kreeger, Steve Long, E.J. Mann, and Todd Schnakenberg.

Five talented girls are also out for the team, but Belger is having trouble lining up a schedule. “I’ve called quite a few places but haven’t gotten much of a response,” he said. “Right now, the girls first play will be March 28 in a tournament in Bartlesville. If we don’t get anything worked out, they will qualify with the boys.”

Making up the girls team are senior Cathy Smith, sophomores Sherri Atchison, Kathy Jeffries, and Christy Smith, and freshman Julie Rieger, who has carted off a number of junior girls golf honors. Atchison placed third in the Junior Tournament of Champions.

1984 March 25 “MHS Golfers Roll”

Dennis Malloy

Miami weathered less-than-desirable playing conditions to thump Vinita 167-207 in high school golf. The match was halted after nine holes at the MCC. Steve Becker and Keith Neel shred medalist honors for the Wardogs 40s. Jun one stroke behind was Tom Rieger at 41. Sheila Luginbuel was low scorer for Vinita with a 49.

**Note: the MNR is now reporting the majority of weekly golf events in the Sunday Sports page, consequently, I do not have exact dates on these events. The articles are shortened to initials in some cases, and few if any antidotal paragraphs appear with ladies’ golf.

1984 April 1 “MHS Tops Parkwood”

Miami golf coach Bill Belger can’t wait for the weather to start improving. “I think the scores will be consistently down in the 30’s once we can get some consistent weather and play all the time,” said Belger after watching his Wardogs, playing the best weather conditions yet, coast past Joplin Parkwood 328—335 Friday afternoon in a dual at the MCC.

Steve Becker and Keith Neel shared medalist honors with a pair of 80s while Tom Rieger was right behind with an 81.

1984 April 8 “Ladies Golf Notes”

Wednesday’s Ladies Golf play will be for low score on the par-3 holes.

18 holes 10am—F. Berentz, Liz Follis, E. Hatfield; Jean Ann Blue, M. Cordell, R. Lucas, H. Moore; M. Burford, R. Heyburn, LaVerne Munson, N. Newman; B. Jackson, C. Oliver, R. Patterson, M. Richards; B Pace, Geneva Ramsay; B. Shouse, F. Toye; P. Platt, Sapp, R. Womastek; A. chancellor, L. Young, Jerry Ramsey, Y. Temple.

5:30 p.m.—A. Foster, M. Hill, S. Riley, C. Couch

9 holes 10 am on hole #10—A Bradshaw, D. Hester, B. Robeson, V. Heydt, L. Russell.

Winter Ringer winners included: championship, E. Hatfield; A flight R. Womastek; B flight P. Taylor, and 9-hole, Jerry Ramsey.

Snow-ball Tournament winners were Hatfield in the 18-hole flight and Jerry Ramsey in the 9-hole competition.

 1984 April 11 “Miami Golfers 2^nd in League Tourney”

The Metro Lakes tournament was halted after 27 holes due to rain with the Claremore Zebras shooting a team total of 495. Miami placed second with 513. Rounding out the field were Pryor 534, Tulsa Kelley 545, Owasso 558, Bixby 591 and Tulsa Webster 592.

Miami’s low individual was Tom Rieger with a 43,44,39-126 placing fifth in individuals. Scores for other Miami players included 131 for Neel, and 136 for Brett Wisdom and Dan McKinney. “We just didn’t play very well, Monday or Tuesday,” said Belger. “We can blame it on a lot of things, but the weather didn’t seem to affect Claremore’s scoring.”

1984 April 11 “Lady Wardog Golfers Win OKC Tourney”

Led by Julie Rieger’s 79, Miami’s Lady Wardog golfers romped to the team title of a girls golf tournament at Walnut Creek CC. The Lady Wardogs shot a team score of 381 compared to 410 for the runner-up Edmond. Moore was third with 425 while Bartlesville placed fourth with 437.

Medalist honors went to Christy Knight of Norman with a 77 while Rieger finished as runner-up. She had a 40 on the front side and improved to 39 on the back nine.

Kathy Jeffries was next6 for the Lady Wardogs with a 96 while Sherri Atchison carded 98. Rounding out the scores for Miami were Cathy Smith at 108 and Christy Smith at 109.

1984 April 15 “Claremore Tips Miami”

Rod Standridge captured medalist honors, enabling Claremore to turn-back Miami for the third time within a week Friday afternoon at MCC. All five Zebra’s scores were in the 80s while MHS had only three of five. Standridge, who tied for 11^th in the medalist race at the league tourney, sizzled on the front nine, needing only 39 strokes en route to an 81. Keith Neel was the low man for Miami with a 84 while Steve Becker notched 85. Rounding out the scores for the Wardogs were Brett Wisdom, 86; Tom Rieger, 92, and Dan McKinney 92.

1984 April 17  “Lady Wardog Golfers Win”

Sherri Atchison and Kathy Jeffries bundle up for a cold day of golf.

 

 

 

 Miami High School girls golf team won a three-way match with Owasso and Bartlesville in Tulsa Monday. Julie Rieger shot the low score for the Lady Wardogs with a 39 while Sherri Atchison fired a 42. Scores for other Miami players included Kathy Jeffries 47, Christy Smith 51 and Kathy Smith 57.

1984 April 18 “B’ville Repeats as Tourney Champs”

Bolstered by a four-over par score of 76 carded by medalist Ashley Roeder, Bartlesville walked off with the team title in the rain-delayed Miami HS Invitational at the MCC.

The Bruins finished with 317 to outdistance host Miami, which scored a 328. This was the third straight year for the Wardogs to finish as runner-up. Claremore took third with 333 while Pryor was a distant fourth at 360.

Steve Becker placed second in the medalist race with a 77. Keith Neel shot an 83 and tied for seventh. Tom Rieger and Brett Wisdom both shot rounds of 84. Sister, Julie Rieger, moving over to the boys’ team for the tournament, shot a 42-44-86.

**This is the 26th year for MHS and the Miami Country club to host this boys high school golf tournament.

1984 April 29 “Wardog Golfers Win Finale”

Dan McKinney, Brett Wisdom, Steve Becker, Tom Rieger, Keith Neel

Miami warmed up for Tuesday’s regional golf tournament when the Wardogs claimed a 330-338 victory over Neosho in a prep match that wrapped up the regular season in Neosho.

Miami’s Dan McKinney and Lance Allen of Neosho shared medalist honors, both shooting 78s. Other Wardog scores show Tom Rieger 83, Keith Neel 84, and Steve Becker 85, Brett Wisdom a 91.

1984 April 26 “MHS Girls Win Golf Regional”

Lady Wardogs capture Regional Golf title. front row--Cathy and Christy Smith. back--Sherri Atchison, Julie Rieger, and Kathy Jeffries, coached by Bill Belger.

Miami, with four girls shooting under 100, captured the four-ball team title during regional golf play Wednesday at Mohawk Park’s Woodbine Course and qualified for the state tournament.

The Lady Wardogs shot a four-ball total of 376, compared to 378 for Broken Arrow and Jenks, both 4A entries, while Miami is a 3A school.

Julie Rieger headed up the charge for Miami with an 88, good for fifth in medalist race with Vinita’s Sheila Luginbuel. Sherri Atchison tied for eighth with 95 while Kathy Jeffries and Christi Smith finished in ties for tenth and thirteenth, respectively.

“When the girls rounded out the front nine, they were disappointed with themselves,” said coach Bill Belger. “The scores were higher than we wanted, but I told them what with the wind gusting over 30mph they shouldn’t worry.”

“When they played the first nine, they didn’t realize how much the wind was going to be a factor,” he said. "But they stayed in there and kept making the shots.”

1984 April 30 “3 Share First in MCC Event”

Three teams shared the title at the Spring Four-Man scramble, Sunday the Miami Country club. Jammed together at 5-under 67 were the teams of Dick Neel, Monk Campbell, John Finley, and Ralph Whitesell; Doc Jackson, Lou Mirjanich, George Beck and Glen Conway; and Bob Hill, Schooner Schmidt, Jim Riley, and Jerry Wyrick.

Four teams tied for fourth at 68. They included Floyd Auld, Mark Riley, Phil Follis, and John Ratliff; Jack Smith, Tom House, Jim Green, and Wood Painter; John Robinson Jr., Les Farris, Ed Hammons, and Adam Jones; Jim Halderman, Bill Melton, Calvin Hunt and Cary Stevens.

A total of 116 golfers participated in the weather-plagued event.

1984 May 2 “MHS Golfers Win Regional”

Miami Wardogs completed a rare sweep of golf regional championships Tuesday when the Wardogs squeezed past Claremore in the 3A tournament at Page Belcher Golf Course. Miami’s girls team earlier had captured regional honors and were scheduled to tee off in the state tournament this morning at Lake Hefner in OKC.

  The MHS boys golf team will attempt to join the Lady Wardog counterparts as the Oklahoma State Golf Champions when they compete in the Class 3A tournament in Norman. Members of the team include from front left Brett Wisdom and Keith Neel. At back are Tom Rieger, Dan McKinney and coach Bill Belger. Not pictured is Steve Becker.

Winning the regional golf tournament means that the Wardogs advance to the state tournament for the fourth straight year. They finished third last year with the same squad.

At the end of the first 18 holes, Claremore held a five-stroke lead over Miami. Steve Becker and Keith Neel turned in rounds of 78 and 74 to lead the charge. Becker shot a 75 on the first 18, and Neel an 81.

Scores of other Miami players during the final round included Tom Rieger 80,87; Dan McKinney 81, 88, and Brett Wisdom 91, 85.

“We built our confidence up and knew that the team to beat was Claremore. When we made the turn at 18, we not only had to worry about beating Claremore but had to worry about Pryor breathing down our necks.”

The 54-hole state tournament will be held Monday and Tuesday at the University of Oklahoma course with 36 holes played the first day.

1984 May 3 “Rieger, Lady Wardogs State Golf Tourney Leaders”

Miami's Julie Rieger fired a one-over par 76 to take the lead for medal honors at the state high school golf championship. Rieger, who is one shot up on two-time defending champion Melissa McNamara (Luellen) helped the Lady Wardogs claim a four-stroke lead over Broken Arrow in the four-ball competition at the 5,413-yard Lake Hefner course. 

Lady Wardog teammate Sherri Atchison is tied for seventh with an 82. Kathy Jeffries notched a 93 while Cathy and Christi Smith carded 99s.

“I was kinda nervous starting out,” said Rieger. “But I parred the first two holes and I felt like I was going to do good. Then I started having three-putts.” Through the first 10 holes of Wednesday’s play, Rieger was four-over against a par on Lake Hefner’s South course. That’s when the 14-year-old Will Rogers Jr. High freshman launched her comeback. She played the rest of the way at 3-under par, highlighted by an eagle on the par 5, 400-yard #14. She also eagled the 336-yard ninth hole.

“This tournament means more to me than anybody believes,” Rieger said. “Coming down here, I wanted to finish in the top three. I wanted to show the high schoolers that a freshman can do good.”

“I like playing with Melissa because she helps me,” said Rieger who lost to McNamara in the finals of the state Junior Championship in 1982. “She’s very nice, not stuck-up like high schoolers could be. I think an awful lot of her.”

 1984 May 4 “MHS Girls State Golf Champs” 

State-ly Trophy--Miami's Lady Wardog golfers proudly show off the hardware they collected after wining the girls state high school championship. Members of the team include from left: Cathy Smith, Julie Rieger, Christy Smith, Sherri Atchison, and Kathy Jeffries. Bill Belger coach. 

Miami’s “pups”, playing against more experienced competition, came through the clutch and wrapped up the only third State High School Golf championship. (The first two being in 1961, 1962)

1961 Girls Golf State Champs 

1962 Girls Golf State Champs 

Miami, the only 3A school in the four-ball field, counted the scores of a ninth grader and three sophomores for a 711 total. That was 11 strokes better than runner-up Jenks leaving Broken Arrow in third with 723.

“The girls played exceptionally well considering the pressures of a state tournament. They not only played tough but took the challenge and won big.”

Medalist honors fell to Melissa McNamara who trailed Rieger by one stroke after Wednesday’s play. It was no contest on Thursday. McNamara fired a five-under par 70 over the Lake Hefner South course and breezed to a seven-stroke victory.

“Melissa was incredible,” said Rieger. “She was sinking birdie putts right and left on the back nine. I’d say the better player won today.”

“Julie put on quite a show considering she was going against someone with more experience,” said Belger. “You don’t go out and shoot eagles every day.”

Sophomore Sherri Atchison finished ninth in the medalist race closing with a 174. The other two sophomores on the team—Kathy Jeffries and Christy Smith—finished at 188 and 195 respectively. Miami’s “old-timer”—senior Cathy Smith, finished with a 212 total.

Norman won the two-ball portion of the tournament with 355.

1984 May 7 “Jeffries Nabs Third County Golf Crown” by Jim Ellis

After running into some trouble on the front nine, Kent Jeffries completed the back side in one-under-par style and breezed to the title of the Ottawa County Championship. Jeffries carded a two-over 72 on the final 18 holes and finished with a 144. That was a whopping nine strokes better than Kenny Gibson’s 153, and Dick Lillard’s 156.

Jeffries admitted that Sunday’s final round would be tougher since play was off the blue tees, stretching the course from 6,121 yards to 6,641. “Stretching the yardage changes the shots you normally play. It makes club selection much more important,” said Jeffries.

Other flight winners were Cy Elmburg in President’s, Tom Cordell Jr., in A and Jim Moore in B flight.

1984 May 9 “Wardogs Struggle at State Tourney”

“We picked the state tournament to play the worst golf we’ve ever played,” lamented coach Belger after watching the Wardogs slump to ninth place in the conclusion of the Class 3A state golf tournament in Norman. Miami, which finished third a year ago, never was in contention shooting a 342 and 333 in the final round.

Ardmore, with only two individuals in the top 10, breezed to the team title with a total score of 953, which was 18 strokes better than runner-up Duncan.

Tom Rieger was Miami’s best individual, placing 19^th with rounds of 84,82, and 81 for a 247. Brett Wisdom was next with 85,85,84-254, while Steve Becker shot 89,80,79—256. Keith Neel struggled with rounds of 84.96, 85 to finish at 263. Dan McKinney rounded out the group with 90,86, 90-266.

1984 May 13 “Ladies Golf Notes”

Miami Country Club pro Don Atchison will conduct a clinic for the ladies Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 9:00 and 5:30. Sunrise league will start Tuesday immediately after the golf clinic.

The pairings: 18-holes—R. Womastek, G. Beck, E. Hatfield, L. Munson; F. Berentz, B. Jackson, Y. Temple, B. Pace; M. Richards, N. Couch, R. Patterson, P. Moores; P. Platt, G. Ramsey, N. Newman, V. Sapp; C. Oliver, R. Lucas, F. Toye; H. Moore, P. Taylor, M. Carter, B. Shouse; and L. Young, J. Ramsey, A. Chancellor.

9-hole play front 9—L. Follis, C. Jones, V. Heydt, A Bradshaw; B. Barnes, L. Russell, D. Hester, J. Jones.

Evening play—Dede Martin, J. Grissom, M. Grayson, A. Foster; S. Riley, C. Couch, J. Kemper, M. Hill.

1984 May 22 “Neel, Bizik Open Qualifiers”

Former Miamian Will Neel and Grove’s Vince Bizik were among 17 professional and amateur golfers who qualified in the first round of tournaments leading to next month’s U.S. Open. Bizik turned in rounds of 76 and 74 to finish with 150 while Neel and four others were grouped together at 151.

Neel, now living in Guthrie, shot a 75 and 76. Miami Country club assistant pro, Larry Clay, missed the cut by four strokes.

1984 June 3 “Miamians Place at Pryor Tourney”

Sherri Atchison, daughter of Don Atchison, pro at MCC won the girls 14-15 division during a youth golf tournament in Pryor on Friday. John Bizik of Grove won the boys 14-15 division with Miamian Marshall Smith placing fifth.

Christi Smith, also from Miami, was fourth in the girls 16-17 division. Sheila Luginbuel of Vinita won the division and Beth Brown of Muldrow took second,

1984 June 3 “Youth Golf”

Winners in Friday’s youth golf competition at MCC:

2-holes: Angela Barr and Mary Rutter; Jeff Gullett and Tony Atchison.

4-holes: Jennifer Gatewood, Laurie Schmidt; Jason Hill, Greg Painter, and Chris Paul.

9-holes A flight: Kim McCubbin, Heather Schmidt; B flight—Paige Parrott, Kari Swogger.

9-holes boys: Kevin Collingsworth, Jimmy Green.

18-holes: Sherri Atchison and Christy Smith.

18-holes A flight boys: Steve Becker, Marshall Smith; B flight—B.J. Mann, Steve Hill.

This week’s pairings: 2 holes—Leslie Harmon, Shannon Kerr, Chelsea Levo, Claudette Mercer, scorer. Haley Finley, Meagan Winters, Angela Barr, Sherri Atchison scorer. Mary Rutter, Heather McGinty, Brenda Wilson, scorer. Steven Renegar, Aaron Sedberry, Marianne Heard, scorer; Bobby Green, Greg Smith, Becky Austin, scorer; Tony Atchison, Derek Fowler, Drew Austin, Carol Smith, scorer; Charlie Haney, Michael Rapp, Shane Fitzgibbon, Keith Sedberry, scorer.

4-holes: Amy Davis, Kasie Sly, Jennifer Gatewood, Jerry Wyrick, scorer; Amy Smith Renee Kreeger, Julie Jeffries, Shirley Shelton scorer; Michele Jones, Amanda Long, George Payton scorer; Laurie Schmidt, Cindy Shelton, Marilyn Hill, scorer. Evan Eatman, Corbin West, Gavin Finley, Mary Ellen Rapp, scorer; Adam Jones, Ben Brady, Jason Winters, Carolyn Finley scorer; Frank Spetich, Jason Hill, Greg Painter, Patti Paul scorer; Greg Fitzgibbon, Scott Spetich, Larry Heard, Scott Kreeger scorer; Chris Paul, Ryan Shelton, Jim Rutter scorer.

9-holes: Shawna Fitzgibbon, Kari Swogger, Peggy Shelton, Ruth Ann Farris scorer; Lori Lillard, Melissa Molinar, Kendra Goodrich scorer; Carrie Sedberry, Paige Parrott, Sharon Douthitt, scorer; Scott Mann, Jimmy Rutter, Erin Fitzgibbon, Marshal Smith scorer; Jimmy Green, Bobby Seybolt, Daryle Gee, B.J. Mann scorer; Eric Elmburg, Brandon Farris, John Molinar scorer; Richard Stewart, Damon Mills, Russell Hutt, Richie Lillard scorer; Kevin Collingsworth, Chad David, Alan Douthitt, Jack Bourne scorer; John West, Michael Fitzgibbon, Chris Bourne, Billy Seybolt, scorer.

18-hole players should report to the pro shop for pairings. Play will begin at 9:00am Thursday.

1984 June 10 “Ladies Guest Day”

Miamian Melba Cordell captured medalist honors with an 89 during Ladies’ Guest Day activities. Cordell won Championship flight while Wilma Buckner of Muskogee was low net with a 70.

Winners in A flight were Claire Oliver, gross of 94 and Betty Dixon, Muskogee, for allow net of 69. B flight honors went to Lorene West, Muskogee, with a 96 gross and Leah Dukes with a net 66.

Miami players claimed both C flight titles. Jerry Ramsey had a low gross of 103 while Carolyn Anderson’s 72 nailed down low net.

1984 June 14 “Atchison Heads for PGA Meet”

Sherri Atchison captured the girls 15-17 competition in the South-Central Section PGA Jr. tournament in Norman at Westwood Golf course shooting an 80-77 for a 157 and gained a berth in the national competition.

“I was pretty happy with my round, and I knew most of the girls and how they played, so that helped,” said Atchison. “A couple of holes got me down but that just made me want to work harder on the next one.” With the victory, Atchison will compete with other junior golfers from across the nation on August 23-26 in Palm Beach Gardens in Palm Beach, Florida.

Rieger won the girls 13-14 division with 85-73—158. Three other Miami youths, Steve Becker, Marshall Smith, and Christy Smith all placed in the competition.

1984 June 17 “Trio Face Busy Day Thursday”

Bob Hill Jr., Don Atchison, and Larry Clay

It will be a race against the clock Thursday, as Miami Country club pro Don Atchison, assistant pro Larry Clay, and MCC manager Bob Hill Jr., participate in a marathon golf game as part of the local National Golf Day activities.

The “golf-a-thon” will start at daylight Thursday with Hill playing as many holes as he can until 11 a.m. when Clay takes over. He will play until 4 p.m. when Atchison grabs the clubs and make the rounds until dark.

“We anticipate playing between 150-300 holes,” said Atchison. All pledge money collected will go to the MHS golf program. Persons wishing to make a pledge should contact the MCC pro shop at 542-2512.

Larry Clay, asst. Pro

 **”Mcc golf-a-thon Labeled a Success” 

Don Atchison, club pro at MCC, assistant pro Larry Clay and MCC manager Bob Hill Jr., got 216 holes of golf in during a 14 hours day. The total raised was $2,364.

1984 June 19 “Rieger, Atchison Advance at Jr. Girls State”

Miamians Julie Rieger and Sherri Atchison received byes to the second round of the state junior girls golf championship being held at The Oaks CC in Tulsa. Rieger, the tournament’s defending champion, was second in Monday’s qualifying round with an 83 while Atchison was fourth with 86.

1984 June 21 “Miamians Square Off”

It was Julie Rieger, defending champion, against fellow high school teammate, Sherri Atchison in the semi-final round of the State Jr. Girls Championship.

Atchison and Rieger advanced with quarterfinal wins. Rieger topped Stace LeVan of Broken Arrow, 4 and 3, while Atchison beat Tracy Brogden of Tulsa 9 and 8.

1984 June 22 “Rieger in State Finals”

Julie Rieger birdied the tough #10 hole at Tulsa Oaks CC en route to a 6 and 4 semifinal victory over Sherri Atchison. Rieger was three over par through 14 holes. This marks the third straight year for Rieger, only 14, to reach the finals. She won the title a year ago.

“My putter was really working today,” said Rieger. “I was so happy with the birdie on 10. This just made my day. I knew after that I would win the match.”

The win will propel Rieger into the championship match tomorrow against Vinita’s Sheila Luginbuel.

1984 May 24 “Luginbuel Trips Rieger”

Miami’s Julie Rieger was derailed in her bid for a second Women’s Oklahoma Junior Golf Championship, but not without a fight.

Sheila Luginbuel of Vinita needed two extra holes and a 30-foot birdie putt to squeeze past Rieger and win the title. Luginbuel, 16, pulled even with 14-year-old Rieger with a 25-foot downhill birdie at the 18^th hole. She had dodged elimination at #17 with a 10-foot par putt.

The first extra hole was halved with bogeys, but Luginbuel ended the match by ramming home her long birdie putt on hole 2.

1984 June 29 “160 Enter MCC Invitational”

A new champion will be crowned during the annual MCC Invitational golf tournament that tees off here Saturday, July 1. Four-time winner Will Neel will not be back to defend his title, having turned professional one day after his 1983 victory.

Defending champions entered this year include two-time champ Dr. W.D. Jackson, the winner in 1959 and 1973. Romie Holder of Tulsa (1980) and Terry Key of Joplin (1979) and Dick Neel of Miami (1965) will be playing this year.

1984 July 1 “Horserace Honors”

Bill Harsch and H.B. Warren teamed up to take first place in a two-man horserace Friday night at the MCC held in conjunction with the Invitational. Second place went to Mike Craig and Romie Holder, while Dick Lillard and Charlie Wear placed third.

Rounding out the field were Doc Jackson and Barry Cheek; Ed Schmidt and Bob Karlovich; John Robinson Jr., and David Robinson; Kent Jeffries and Terry Key; Marshall Smith and Frank Shaggets; Kenney Gibson and Dean Orem, and Cy Elmburg and Mark Cordell. 

1984 July 2 “Holder Wins MCC Tourney”

Romie Holder’s second Miami Country club Invitational golf title came a lot easier than his first. Despite seeing his score balloon by seven strokes over Saturday’s sparkling round, Holder still coasted to victory by three shots over Kenney Gibson.

Winners in other flight included John Heyburn in President’s flight; Dr. W.D. Jackson in A flight; Dr. Jerry McCan in B flight; Keith Dowell in C flight and Jim Rutter in D.

Holder and Bill Lee, also from Tulsa, had been tied for the lead after each turned in sizzling 69s, but Lee was forced to withdraw from the event. Gibson, a former Miamian now living in OKC, who had been in seventh following Saturday’s round, fired a 75 to finish with a 148 but was still well off the pace.

Miamian, Bill Harsch, was third with 148. Dr. Bill Giffhorn, another ex-Miamian living in OKC, wound up in fourth place with a 149. Heyburn was an easy winner in the President’s flight, shooting rounds of 77 and 72 to finish with a 149, five shots better than Marshall Smith’s 77-77-154.

Jackson, Kent Jeffries and Don Cherry, all of Miami, finished one-two-three in A flight. McCan, from OKC, won B flight. In C flight Dowell was one shot better than James Heyburn. Bob Haney nailed down third place. MCC members ran one-two in the D flight with Jim Rutter topping John Finley by two shots.

1984 July 4 “Becker Wins Youth Golf Tournament” **pic of winners

 

Taking honors in the Insurance Youth Classic golf tournament, from left--Paige Parrot, Chris Paul, Erin Fitzgibbon; At back Eric Davis, John Hayes, Steve Becker, medalist.

Steve Becker, shooting a 1-over-par 73, captured medalist honors during the annual Insurance Youth Classic golf tournament at MCC. Becker stormed to Championship flight title by a whopping six strokes 37, 36 to beat John Hayes of Edmond, who shot 43,36.

Also, qualifying for the state meet, to be held next Monday and Tuesday in Seminole, were Marshall Smith, who shot an 81 and two-time champion Keith Neel in with an 82.

Erin Fitzgibbon took honors in the Championship Youth flight with an 86. Paige Parrott was the low girl with 65, 59=124. There were 13 entered in the Championship flight and 12 entered in the Youth flight.

1984 July 15 “Junior Golfers to Compete”

Starting times have been announced for the MCC Jr. Golf Championship next Friday, July 21.

18 holes, 8am--Steve Becker, Matt Brady, and Richie Lillard; Jeff Ramsey, Steve Hill; Ron Coker, Robert Elmburg, Scott Kreeger; Stephen Long, B.J. Mann, Howard Condren; Jeff Goodrich, John Molinar and Keith Sedberry. Sherri Atchison and Christy Smith.

9 holes 9am—Kevin Collingsworth, Michael Fitzgibbon, and Richard Stewart; Jimmy Rutter, Allen Douthitt, Eric Elmburg; Brandon Farris, Erin Fitzgibbon and Jimmy Green; Daryle Gee, John West, Bobby Horner; Chad Davis Scott Mann, and Donal Wilson; Bobby Seybolt, Chris Bourne and Robin Orcutt; Paige Parrott, Shauna Fitzgibbon, and Lori Lillard; Carrie Sedberry and Peggy Shelton; Kari Swogger and Melissa Molinar.

2 holes, 9:30 am—Derek Farris, Ryan Gatewood, and Bobby Green; Drew Austin, Jeff Gullett, and Shane Delmez; Shawn Delmez, Aaron Sedberry and Steven Renegar; Shadd Delmez, Tony Atchison, and Gregg Smith; Charley Haney, and Shane Fitzgibbon; Haley Finley, Chelsea Levo, Meagan Winters; Heather McGinty, Mary Rutter, and Angela Barr; Linda Gray, Leslee Harmon, and Shannon Kerr.

4 holes, 10:00 am—Scott Spetich, Jason Winters and Adam Jones; Ryan Shelton, Alex Edwards and Tom Wilson; Chris Paul, Greg Painter, and Ben Brady; Evan Eatman, Greg Fitzgibbon and Larry Heard; Jason hill, Frank Spetich and Corbin West; Cindy Shelton and Kasie Sly. Amanda Long and Lauri Schmidt; Jennifer Gatewood, Julie Jeffries, and Renee Kreeger; Jera Wyrick and Amy Smith.

1984 July 15 “Ladies Golf”

The winning teams of the Ladies Golf Scramble at MCC consisted of LaVon Young, LaVerne Munson, Fern Toye, and Melba Cordell.

 ***CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHIES BY MHS GOLFERS:

The 1984 MHS Yearbook pointed out (incorrectly) that this was only the second athletic state championship earned by MHS students. (The fact is that MHS boys won: 1956 Class AA State 4-ball Championship; State 2-ball Championship; the Class AA Medalist on “sand greens”. 1956 Golf team records

They also won the Class A State Two-ball in 1960 with Bob Hill Jr., and Dickie Neel. 1960 Bragging rights The girls golf team won the Oklahoma State High School championship in 1961 and 1962.1961 Girls State 1962 Girls State)

 The third team to win a state championship went to the 1972 Boys Basketball team. More golf championships by the girls followed in 1989-90. **It appears that in 1956 Miami won the State Championship Driving (automobile safety) with a trophy awarded.