1972-1975 APPLAUSE TO SUZY WICKHAM

My apologizes to Suzy Wickham for not publishing this story in sequence. I am most proud of the role that Suzy and her teammates played in competitive golf for young women before Title IX. 

 

 

 

 

Suzy's Story:

I played for OSU from 1972-75, graduating in the spring of 1975.  Joyce Seward was the first coach at OSU, but the University of Tulsa also had a team.  We did not have Title IX enacted during the years I attended OSU.  We traveled in a 9-passenger station wagon to all the tournaments.  It was pretty crowded with the team and golf bags, but we found space wherever we could.  The school issued us an orange carry golf bag and a black windbreaker and we wore jeans to play in most of the time.  We practiced at Lakeside Golf Course in Stillwater and hit our own shag balls in an open space that was a practice area for both the men’s and women’s teams.

Suzy Wickham  on the right.

1973 OSU Yearbook states: 

Oklahoma State’s women golfers displayed a lot of enthusiasm and are providing the leadership and impetus for the Big Eight Conference as well as the state of Oklahoma. OSU’s lady linksters split two matches with Southwest Missouri State and took a second and a third in a tournament at Texas Women’s Golf Tourney held in Ames, Iowa.

Suzy Wickham back row second from the right.

Oklahoma State’s women’s golf team made a fine showing in its 1973 fall competition. In a triangular match with Southwestern Missouri and Stephens, the team won with Patty Livingston as medalist. In October, the team competed in the Stephens Invitational Tournament where Karen Edwards was the medalist.

Spring competition included a ten school meet at Texas Women’s University in April. Although the two seniors of the team, Diane Sumpter and Karen Gravley, are outstanding, the upcoming freshman should make OSU’s future great in women’s golf. 

 

 Suzy's Story: My senior year I was selected to go to the national collegiate competition (called the AIAW).  It was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the University of New Mexico Golf Course. I was the only team member to go and represent OSU, as we did not have money to send the team, so the University of Texas coach looked after me.  It was an honor to be the first woman from OSU to play in the national championship.

 1974 October 3 Miami News Record “Oklahoma State Favored in Women’s Golf Event” (Stillwater special)

 

Karen Edwards, Bartlesville Sooner and Patty Livingston Oklahoma City John Marshall, will anchor O-State’s entry. Both consistently shoot in the high 70’s and are “unhappy when they shoot over 80,” said Coach Joyce Seward. Lisa Stone, Tulsa, Memorial, Suzy Wickham, Miami, Janie McKee, Shidler, round out the O-State squad. Only the top four finishers will score in the event.

  1975 “Pretty Swingers” by Sherri Blackwell for the 1975 OSU Yearbook

The OSU Yearbook began the page with “Pretty Swingers” and this picture with Suzy Wickham putting.

Suzy Wickham is standing next to Coach Seward on the right.

 

 Suzy's Story:

After graduating in the spring of 1975, I decided I wanted to be in the golf business.  My first job was as an Assistant Pro at La Fortune Park Golf Course in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  I started on January 1, 1976, under Jerry Jones who was the Head Golf Professional.  There was one other woman in the state of Oklahoma who was in the golf business in Oklahoma City.  Her name was Jackie Riggs and she worked at Lake Hefner Golf Course. I worked at La Fortune Park for three years and gave group lessons to women from several companies in the Tulsa area. 

 

 In 1979 I moved to Omaha, Nebraska and taught at Omaha Country Club.  During the winter months I traveled on the Asian Golf Tour as a travel consultant to the American golfers who were playing there for twelve weeks.  I got visas for 40 players and organized the hotel and transportation arrangements for aspiring young golfers, many who went on to play on the PGA Tour.  I would go with the group that missed the cut to the next tournament to prepare for that country’s national open.  I traveled to Asia for five years and loved every minute of it.

I married and lived in Omaha for 18 years and played amateur golf in Nebraska and competed in several USGA Mid-Amateur tournaments and eventually the USGA Senior Amateur tournaments.

 

I now spend summers in the Denver area at Castle Pines Golf Club and winters in Indian Wells, California at The Vintage Club.  I still enjoy golf and playing in club competitions and member guest tournaments and love the camaraderie and friendships that golf brings to my life. 

 It all started at Miami Golf and Country Club, playing with my family and anyone else I could get a game with.  I loved growing up there and fondly remember playing junior golf with Jonya, Tammy, Rebecca and many adults who loved the game.  Many thanks to Johnny Stapp who taught me how to play and treat the golf course and other players with respect.  Also, thanks to Helen Stapp who drove us to tournaments and pro-am events so that Jonya and I could chase around and get autographs from the pros and celebrities. Those were fun days!

 

Suzy Wickham Leprino

1978 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF MGCC

 

July 1978

The tournament will be held yearly to honor one of the Miami Ladies Golf Association founding members, Hattie Wall.

1978 March 2 “Ladies Golf”

Miami Ladies Golf Association weekly play will begin Wednesday with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Nine holes will be played from the white tees in a scramble.

All women golfers who are members of the Miami Country club are welcome to join the association. Those who have not joined yet and wish to play or take lessons may come out on Wednesday morning and join either the scramble or the beginners’ lessons, which will begin at 10 a.m. Club pro Don Atchison is holding the lessons.

If entrants cannot play as paired, the Pro Shop or pairings committee should be notified. There will be a business meeting at noon Wednesday following the opening day’s play.

Pairings: Lib Lillard, Marian Richards, Jean Ann Blue, Pauline Atkison; Yvonne Temple, Gail Beck, Courtney Murphy, Mavis Ford; Evelyn Hatfield, Pauline Taylor, Aileen Bradshaw; Faye Berentz, Virginia Sapp, Nadine Hoffman, Rose Pratt; Ruth Heyburn, Dollie Humes, Alice Kidd, Marilyn Adams; Beverly Jackson, Peg Murphy, Mayme Munson, Margaret Hadley; Billie Pace, Noma Newman, Fern Toye, Patty Moore; Rosalie Patterson, Virginia Kerr, Roma Dahl, Jean Phillips; Pat Platt, Elaine Wolfe, Dorothy Hester, Frances McKinney; LaVerne Munson, Karen Jeffries, Mary Robinson, Gladys Wetzel; Geneva Ramsey, Maxine Jeffries, Helen Stapp, Helen Moore; LaVon Young, Mary Van Beber, Barbara Shouse, Ann Chancellor.

1978 March 3 “Robinson Paces County Golf”

John Robinson, Jr., turning in an even-par 36 over the back nine, posted an 18-hole total of 75 to nab the lead in the championship flight in the Ottawa Country Championship golf tournament Saturday at the Miami Country club.

Don Cherry and Pat Wilson shared second place with scores of 79 after the opening round. The final 18 holes of the tournament are being played today, with the first group teeing off at 9 a.m. and the second group teeing off at 1p.m.

1978 March 3 “Norse Golfers Fourth”

The NEO golf team posted a fourth-place finish in the 36-hole Bi-State conference Invitational golf tournament, which concluded a two-day run in Ft. Smith on Friday.

Six teams were entered in the meet, which was played at the Hardscrabble Country club. Westark captured top honors with a team score of 627 while Seminole was second with a 628. Claremore placed third with a 640 while NEO carded a 642. Individual results for the Norse entrants included a 156, for Bob Slagle, Doug Bond a 161, David Shaffer 162, and Terry Trimble 163.

1978 March 4 “Robinson Captures Crown”

Shattering the Ottawa County Golf Championship record by five shots, John Robinson, Jr., walked off with top honors in the third annual tournament which wrapped up a two-day run Sunday at the Miami Country club.

Robinson who paced the field in the opening round on Saturday, carded a one-under par 71 on the final 18 holes to finish with a 146. Robinson recorded four birdies and three bogies in the final round of play.

Kent Jeffries finished second in the championship flight with 156 while Dr. Elvin Davis placed third with 159. Charlie Bill Hirsch wrapped up fourth place honors with a 160.

Nabbing top honors in the A flight was Tom Cordell, who posted a 170. Only one stroke separated the second through fourth place finishers as Brent Rousey carded a 172 while Joe Whipple turned in a 173. Bill Hirsch was next in the field with 174.

Gary West snared top honors in the B flight with a 181 while Don Wylie, Wayland Kelly, and Joe Asebedo tied for second at 182.

Grabbing top spot in the C flight was Jack Stephens, who recorded a 200. He was followed by Schooner Schmidt, who finished the event with a 202. Bob Haney and Ray Baldridge, tied for third place honors with a 206.

1978 March 12 “Golfers Attend Coffee”

The Ladies Golf Association met Wednesday for a spring coffee at Miami Country club. Hostesses were Mary Van Beber and Virginia Kerr. Marian Richards, president presided. Committee reports were heard, and activities for the coming year were discussed. Don Atchison, golf pro, was guest speaker. Card games were the diversion of the social hour.

Others attending were Dorothy Hester, Mary Robinson, Sammy Hoffman, Gail Beck, Jean Ann Blue, Geneva Ramsey, Pauline Adkison, Mayme Munson, Maxine Jeffries, Ruth Heyburn, Virginia Heydt, Marla Heydt, Fern Toye, Aileen Bradshaw, Marylyn Adams.

Also, Rose Pratt, Beverly Goulden, Lottie Mae Russell, Noma Newman, Virginia Sapp, Mary Jane Zajic, Courtney Murphy, Pattye Moore, Margaret Hadley, Peg Murphy, Linda Elmburg, Cindi Lillard, Better Parrott, Kay Condren, Evelyn Hatfield.

And, Terrie West, Beverly Jackson, Helen Moore, Roma Dahl, Yvonne Temple, Rosalie Patterson, Billie Pace, Barbara Shouse, Sharyn Jeffries, Joyce Gilpin, Carolyn Finley, Sue Enyart, Helen Stapp, Mavis Ford, Ann Chancellor, Juanita Henley, Frances McKinney, Dollie Humes, Millie Carter, and Jean Phillips.

1978 March 29 “MHS Golfer Open Season with Win”

L-R: John Heyburn, Robert Reavis, Rob Garwood, James Heyburn, Steve Cherry. back row: Tom Kidd, Sandy Jackson, Bill Jackson, Brad Kemper, and Will Neel.
 

Paced by Will Neel’s medalist score of 72, the Miami High School golfers won two matches and dropped a third in season opening action Tuesday at Heritage Hills Golf Course in Claremore.

The Wardogs, under the direction of Archie Loehr, posted a team total of 339 to beat Wagoner 359 and Vinita 357, but lost by three strokes to host Claremore, which carded a 336.

Neel turned in a par score of 72 on the recently opened course on the campus of Claremore Jr. College. The course is 36-36-72. Results of other Wardog linkster included Brad Kemper, 85; Tom Kidd 88; Billy Jackson 94 and Sandy Jackson 99.

1978 April 4 “Parkwood Golfers Slip Past MHS”

Joplin Parkwood’s Mike Hammond carded a 3-over-par 75 to nab medalist honors and help the Bears to a 328-331 victory over Miami Wardogs in a triangular meet Monday at the Miami Country club. The Wardogs gained a split on the day with a 331-352 win over Baxter Springs. MHS also carded a 369-397 win over Baxter Springs in the B team match. 

Miami’s Will Neel was only one stroke off the pace with a 76. Following Neel in the Miami lineup was Billy Jackson 84, Brad Kemper 85, Sandy Jackson 87 and Tom Kidd 89.

James Heyburn posted the top score for the B team turning in an 87. Rob Garwood was next at 88 while Steve Cherry carded a 95. Rounding out he Wardog efforts were John Heyburn, at 99 and Robert Reavis 101.

1978 April 7 “Wardog Golfer Roll Over Nowata”

Paced by Will Neel and Billy Jackson’s 18-hole scores of 71, the Miami High school golf team rolled to a 304-386 victory over Nowata here Thursday afternoon. Rob Garwood was next with a 77 while Sandy Jackson came in with an 85. Rounding out the Wardog scores was Brad Kemper, in with an 88.

**Please note that girls like Sandy Jackson were expected to play the men’s tees alongside the boys.

1978 April 9 “NEO Golfers Nip Westark”

NEO A&M golfing Norsemen wrapped up their second tournament victory in an many days by rolling to a four-stroke win over Westark Community College in the fourth annual NEO Invitational golf tournament here Friday at the Miami Country club.

The Norsemen, who had won the title of the Claremore Invitational on Thursday posted a team score of 2998 while Westark came in with a team total of 302. Clarem0re and Seminole Jr. College tied for third place in the meet with team scores of 306 while Northern and El Reno were fourth and fifth with 338 and 379 respectively.

Chris Crawford of Claremore won a five-hole playoff with Bob Slagle of NEO and John Williams of Westark for medalist honors. All three finished the regulation competition with 72s. 

 

1978 April 16 “Broken Arrow Bags MHS Golf Title”

Broken Arrow, paced by Chris Peterson 18-hole score of 75, ended Tulsa Memorial’s reign as champion at the Miami High School Invitational golf tournament with a team score of 319.

Broken Arrow rolled past Tulsa Hale, which posted a four-ball score of 325 for the team honors. Jenks placed third in the meet with 328 while host Miami was fourth at 342. Hale’s Jimmy Carter snared medalist honors in the meet with a 74. Carter and Kyle Walker finished third in the two-ball with a 155.

Will Neel and Tom Kidd headed up the Miami efforts with identical 81, which placed them fourth in the two-ball competition. Brad Kemper carded 86 while Billy Jackson rounded out the MHS scored with a 94.

The Miami B team placed eighth in the team competition. John Heyburn was the leader for the second Miami unit with an 82 while Steve Cherry carded an 89. James Heyburn finished with a 97 while Rob Garwood posted a 98.

1978 April 16 “Women’s Golf”

Geneva Ramsay was the championship flight winner in last Wednesday's Ladies’ Golf Association competition at the Miami Country club. Lib Lillard placed second while Noma Newman won Class B, Rose Pratt was the 9 hole Class A winner while Mary Robinson snared top honors in the 9-hole Class B action.

Group lessons are still offered to interested persons at 10a.m. Wednesday mornings with MCC pro Don Atchison.

1978 April 16 “Golf Shot Pro”

Golf’s premier trick shot professional, Paul Hahn Jr., will present an exhibition of his trick golf shots at the Miami Country club April 26 in a 5:30 p.m. show. His show consists of a golf clinic, explaining the fundamentals of the game, and a demonstration of golf trickery involving comic clubs and unusual shots.

1978 April 17 “Men’s Spring Scramble”

The team of Dr. W.D. Jackson, Don Barr, Wayland Kelly and homer Kemper turned in a score of 9-under par 63 and nabbed top honors in the men’s spring scramble Sunday at the Miami Country club.

Taking second in the action with a score of 64 was the team of Rex Painter, Don Wiley, George Foster, and Bob Lollar, while Mike Craig, Bob Paul, John Finley III and Ken Grissom teamed up to place third with a 65.

The team of Dick Lillard, Dabney Smith Jr., and Frank Remis captured fourth place in a seven-way playoff. Nailing down fifth were Gary West, Bob Thomas, Ray Enyart, and Harry Kenreigh while Kent Jeffries, Tom Holmes, Dr. Ray McKinney and Jim Hill placed sixth.

A total of 72 players participated in the tournament. Next action for the men’s association will be four-ball competition on April 29.

 1978 April 23 “Women’s Golf”

Winners in last Wednesday's Ladies golf at the Miami Country club includes—championship tie with Geneva Ramsey and Evelyn Hatfield; Elaine Wolf, 18-hole Class A; 9-hole class A Aileen Bradshaw; 9-hole, Class B-Alice Kidd.

1978 April 30 “MHS Golfers Bop Joplin”

Miami High School’s golf team closed out the regular season on a winning note Friday afternoon with a 510-530 victory over Joplin Memorial in a dual match at the Miami Country club. The Wardogs, under coach Archie Loehr, now head into the 3A state tournament Monday and Tuesday at the University of Oklahoma Golf Course in Norman.

In the Friday dual, Will Neel ran off from the rest of the field while posting medalist honors with a 71. The closest man to him was teammate Rob Garwood, who came in with an 81. Loren Huff headed up the Memorial efforts with an 82. Scores of other MHS players included Tom Kidd 84, Brad Kemper 85, John Heyburn 87 and Steve Cherry 102.

1978 May 2 (Norman special) "Miami Golfers Share Spot in Golf Tourney"

Opening-day problems saw Miami High School's scores balloon during the first 36-holes of the Class 3A state golf tournament at the University of Oklahoma Golf Course on the OU campus. 

The Wardogs were tied with Woodward for 11th place with 698's. Bartlesville Sooner led the pack after the first day with a 622 while Jenks was second at 636.

Will Neel was tied for seventh in the medalist scramble with a 155. Jenks' Tracy Phillips and Gavin Goss are leading the pack with 148's. 

 1978 May 3 "Miami Nabs 10th in golf tourney"

 Sadly, the results were blurred.

1978 May 4 “MHS Sixth in Golf”

Miami High School was in sixth place after the opening round action in the girls’ State high school championship Wednesday on the Lincoln Park East Course. MHS carded a team score of 407 while Tulsa Memorial heads up the field with 357. Guthrie is in second with 358, followed by Ardmore 370, Guymon 393, Duncan 404, Miami, Edmond 413 and Perry 474.

Sandy Jackson is the leader for Miami with an opening round of 83. Janice Burba of Tulsa Hale and Linda Brown of Bartlesville Sooner shared in the lead with 77s after the first 18-holes. The tournament wraps up today with an additional 18-holes. 

1978 May 5 "Miami Girls Fourth in State Golf Meet"

Paced by Sandy Jackson's 36-hole score of 164, the Miami High School girls golf team finished fourth in the state girls golf tournament at Lincoln Park East. 

Tulsa Memorial ran off with the team honors of 718 ahead of Ardmore 744, Guymon 796, Miami 797 and Duncan 799. Linda Brown of Bartlesville Sooner and Janice Burba of Tulsa Hale finished in a tie for the first place medalist but Brown won in four-hole sudden death play-off.  Patty McGraw of Ponca City was third with 156.

Jackson finished fifth in the medalist race with 83-81-164. Scores for other Miami players include Jenny Landers 195; Ann Dohrmann 209 and Sally Neal 229.  

1978 May 5 “Limousin Group Dines at Club”

**The Miami Country club was the place for dining and parties since it was built in the 1930’s. At this point in history, it continues to be a drawing card for county wide social gatherings, and a vital role in our history and times.

The Miami Limousin club met for its first get-together at the Miami County club. The newly formed club is made up of area Limousin breeders for the purpose of visiting, dinner, and programs.

The 1978 Oklahoma Limousin Queen, Debbie Jackson of Miami, gave a slide presentation on “Limousin, the Carcass Breed.”

1978 May 7 “Horse Race Winner”

Bob Paul turned in a nine-hole score of 44 to nab top honors in the first “horse race” of golf competition of the season at the Miami Country club. Following Paul were Dabney Smith, Jr., Dr. Ray McKinney, Schooner Schmidt, Jim Rutter, Mike Sexton, Cliff Gust, Don Barr, John Doty, and Ed Dudgeon.

**Sherri Atchison Whyte shares her memories of the “horse race’ club family gatherings. My father, Don Atchison, began the monthly ‘horse races’ at the club when he became the head pro in 1977. The horse race involved a group of ten men, who signed up to play. All of them started on the same hole and as each hole was played one man dropped out due to the highest score. The other lower scorers played on until one by one there were only two men left. On the last hole the lowest scorer won.

The club members rallied around this event for many reasons. My favorite memory reenacted over and over was following the players, and as they left a hole the members would rush to that green and first fix the ball marks and then sit down and pull crabgrass. Once that was completed, we raced on foot if you were young or drove carts to follow the horse race. This went on until a winner was announced and all nine greens had been repaired and cleaned of crabgrass.

After the crabgrass picking and the “horse race” we all gathered around to eat and share stories. Of course, if the pool was opened the kids went swimming, otherwise we played around the clubhouse or putted under the lights, while our parents went upstairs to the 19^th hole to celebrate the winners and the losers.

1978 May 7 “Women’s Golf”

A ladies golf clinic will be held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the Miami Country club by MCC pro Don Atchison. There will be no pairings for Wednesday competition due to the clinic. Tuesday morning’s session will begin at 11 o’clock while the Wednesday and Thursday sessions will kick off at 10 a.m.

The Tuesday morning Ladies’ Sunrise League will have a shotgun start at 9 o’clock so they will be finished by 11 a.m. for the first clinic.

1978 May 10 “AAUW Installs Mrs. Wilkins”

Mrs. Clifton Wilkins was installed as president of the Miami branch, American Association of University Women, for the 1978-80 biennium. The luncheon meeting was held at the Miami Country club with Mrs. Sonny Booth and Mrs. Jess Heck serving as hostesses.

1978 May 15 “Hawk Services Here Today”

Russell Hawk, 88, 309 B Northwest, died at 6:35 p.m. Saturday in the Miami Baptist Hospital after a lengthy illness. Mr. Hawk, born on Sept 15, 1889, in Huntington, West Virginia moved to Miami in 1918 from McAlester, Oklahoma.

He was a DuPont powder sales representative in this district for several years before his retirement, and he formerly represented Winchester Co. as a professional trap shooting champion for several years.

A charter member of Miami Country club, Mr. Hawk was also a 50-year member of the VFW and the American Legion.

1978 May 23 “Robinson's Bag Golf Meet”

Carding a score of 66, the team of John Robinson, Sr. and John Robinson, Jr., nabbed top honors in the championship flight of a two-man scramble Sunday at the MCC

The team of Jack Doan and Mike Craig won a playoff with Will Neel and Stratton Henley for second place honors. Each team finished at 67.

In the A flight, Scott Jackson and Tom Jackson carded a 73 to slip past the teams of Gary West-Pat Wilson and Don Wiley-Bob Thomas. The West-Wilson team won a playoff to nab second place with a 74. Jerry Mustain and Brad Smallwood turned in a 75 to nail down fourth place.

Mike Sexton and Joe Womastek teamed up to fire a 76 and capture top honors in the B flight. The team of Woody Painter and Lloyd Cowgill won a playoff over Mike Long and George Couch. The two teams finished at 81, forcing the playoff.

In the C flight, Bob Austin and Jeff Parrott pocketed top honors in the C flight with an 83. Dan Mailath and Richard Humes were second at 86. A total of 31 teams participated. Next action will be June 5 with the annual Pro-Am tournament. 

1978 May 30 “Mixed Couples Golf”

The foursome of David May, Carol Robinson, George Beck and Carolyn Finley nabbed top honors in a mixed couples scramble Monday at the Miami Country club. The winners carded a 5-under par 67 while the second place team—Ron Robinson, Virginia Kerr, Bill Dohrmann and Candy Couch, came in at 69.

The team of Ed Schmidt, Elaine Wolfe, Jeff Parrott and Judy Long won a pitch-off with the team of Bill Hatfield, Lib Lillard, George Couch and Mary Robinson. Both teams finished with 70’s. A total of 26 couples took part in the 18-hole event.

1978 May 31 “Junior Golf Kicks off Friday”

Junior golf competition will start Friday at the MCC for all junior golfers. All entry fees of $5. Must be paid by then. Lessons will begin at 8 a.m. and play will start at 8:30. All scorers are urged to be present. Additional information can be obtained from MCC pro Don Atchison at 542-2512.

1978 June 2 “Lady Golfers Win Guest Day”

 

1

Sandy Jackson wins low gross in Women's Guest Day.

1978 June 4 “Junior Golf Winners”

Winners in junior golf competition last week included: Championship, Tom Kidd, James Heyburn, and Matt Monger; Debbie Jackson.

A flight, Billy Jackson, Kary Cooper; Corrine Smith and Tracy Enyart.

B flight, Meade Monger, Scott Collingsworth, Keith Neel; Cathy Smith.

4-holes Marshall Smith, Byron Butler; Julie Rieger and Gretchen Couch.

2-holes Richie Lillard and Ronnie Coker; Laurie Adams and Lori Lillard.

Pairings and scorers for play week of June 9 includes:

1978 June 6 “Pro-Am Winners”

1978 June 6 “Trio Cops Local Pro-Am”

The threesome of Toby Sanders, Tom Cordell, and pro Ross Elder of Tulsa Mohawk Golf Course slipped to a 1-stroke margin of victory with a 58 Monday during the annual Miami Country club pro-am golf tournament. The team of Phil Smith, Mike Craig and pro Jim Awtrey of Heritage Hills in Claremore were next with a 59. Nailing down third place, another stroke back, was the team of Terry Evans, Hank Garwood, and pro Mike Adkisson of the new Page Belcher Golf Course in Tulsa.

Bruce Maddux of Indian Springs in Tulsa and Bill Parker of Twin Hills CC in Joplin tied for top honors in the pro competition with 69’s. Host Don Atchison and Awtrey deadlocked for third place honors with 72’s while Elder and Adkison shared the fifth position with 73’s. 

1978 Fashion Game

Whether you're almost a pro, or just a duffer, you won't be handicapped if you look smart on the golf course.  At left, cotton-blend color coordinates with a heart motif will guarantee a good score--at least in the fashion department. This sporty looks shows the new "skirtlottes" which combine the look of a skirt and the practicability of culottes. (Fashions by Dalton's Hadley Active Sportswear.) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1978 June 18 “Hattie Wall Handicap Tournament”

The first annual Hattie Wall Handicap golf tournament will be held Monday at the Miami Country club with action beginning at 8:30.

The tournament honors a long-time promoter of the Miami Ladies Golf Association. Mrs. Wall, who died this past winter, was the first woman player to par the Miami Golf and Country Club course. (Her trophy plaque hung on the basement wall between the giant fan and the entrance to the ladies locker room. I tied her record in 1967 and added my name to the trophy. When my sister, Jonya, and Suzie Wickham pared the course a new trophy plaque was hung. That item, like so many others burned to the ground in 1984.)

The tournament will be four-day, medal play competition with contestants playing in handicap flights. The days of play will be June 19, 21, 26 and 28. Pairings are listed in the MCC pro shop.

The tournament is under the direction of the Ladies Golf Association with Billie Pace and Claire Oliver serving as tournament directors along with club pro Don Atchison.

1978 June 18 “Mixed Scramble Results”

The team of Bill Hatfield, Sara Holmes, John Finley and Marji Grayson won a playoff over Ed Schmidt, Carolyn Finley, Jim Hill and Candi Couch during a mixed scramble Friday night at the MCC. The top two-teams carded a 4-under score of 32, while the team of Dr. Howard Condren, Bette Parrot, Mike Sexton, and Juanita Henley captured third place in a playoff. The finished with a team score of 33.

1978 June 22 “Citations Awarded”

During the decades of the Miami Country Club it became the hub of business meetings/ awards, women's social clubs, parties, and a variety of organizations through out Ottawa County and the Tri-State region. 

1978 June 25 "Doan Bags Honors"

Jack Doan captured top honors in the weekly "horserace" golf competition Friday night at the Miami Country club. Following Doan were Mike Craig in second place, John Robinson, Jr., in third followed by Kent Jeffries, Brad Smallwood, Dick Lillard, Bill Harsch, Marshall Smith, Ron Sparkman, and Stratton Henley. 

1978 June 25 "Ladies Golf Notes"

Beverly Jackson heads up the field in the 18-hole flight at the midway point of the Hattie Wall Handicap golf tournament. Yvonne Temple is in second place while Margaret Hadley leads in the 9-hole flight with Marylyn Adams holding down second.  

1978 June 28 “Vinita Boy Bags Golf Title”

Blitzing past his nearest foe for a 7-stroke margin of victory, Vinita’s Dave Cresap bagged medalist honors in the championship flight of the 10^th annual Insurance Youth Golf Classic (Big I) Tuesday at the MCC. Cresap posted an 18-hole score of 77 to outdistance Tom Kidd at 84.

Debbie Jackson, Miami, was the low girl in the championship flight with a 106 while David Robinson of Norman copped top honors in the youth flight with a score of 85. Kary Cooper, Miami, was second with a 96 while Chrissie Neal captured low girl honors with 126. 

1978 June 29 “Wall Tourney Winners”

 1978 June 29 “Jackson Takes Title"

Winners in five flights were decided Wednesday during the final round of the Hattie Wall Memorial Handicap golf tournament. Beverly Jackson captured top honors in the Championship flight with a four-round score of 290.

Elaine Wolfe took first in the A flight with a score of 314 while Yvonne Temple garnered top honors in B flight. Marylyn Adams snared first place in the 9-hole A flight with 147 while Frances McKinney was first in the B flight with 170.

Other players in the tournament in championship flight: Faye Berentz 301; Pat Platt 306; Sandy Jackson 315; Billie Pace 316; Claire Oliver 318; Routh Heyburn 320;Evelyn Hatfield 322; Rebecca Mirjanich 323.

A flight 18 holes results show Elaine Wolfe 314;  Rosalie Patterson 324; Helen Moore 326; Juanita Henley 332.

B flight 18 holes: Yvonne Temple 304; Ann Chancellor 343; Pauline Taylor 343; Mary Van Beber 344; Gail Beck 351.

A flight 9 holes: Marylyn Adams 147; Margaret Hadley 151; Rose Pratt 166; Aileen Bradshaw 168; Maxine Jeffries 169.

B flight 9 holes: Frances McKinney 170; Mary Robinson 174; Gladys Wetzel 187; C. Murphy 189.

 

*** Beginning in July of 1978  new management took over the Miami News-Record and local sports news took a backseat to national news. The are no records of the paper in July, August, and September. I am lucky to have Doc and Norma Lou Jackson’s scrapbook and stories from Dickie Neel’s family scrapbooks to share some information. Thanks also to the Miami Public Library for sharing photos of the high school golf teams in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

From this point on the research will be conducted at the Oklahoma Historical Society using Microfilm. I am sorry to report but the results will be few. 

  **I do not know if the MHS girls golf team played in the fall of 1978. There are no newspaper records to show results. 

The following results appear in Doc W.D. Jackson's scrapebooks:

1978 September “Neel Snares Invitational Honors”

Miamian Will Neel captured top honors in the annual Miami Country Club Invitational Golf Tournament Sunday with a two-day score of 79-69—145. Neel outdistanced Romie Holder of Tulsa, who carded a 146 and Terry Key of Joplin, 148. There was a four-way logjam at fourth place between Charlie Bill Hirsch, Marshall Smith, and Mike Craig, all of Miami, and Hickory Morton of Springdale, Arkansas each posting 149’s.

Dick Lillard, Dr. Elvin Davis and Perry Perriman finished in a three-way tie for President’s flight with 154’s en-route to their one stroke advantage over David Gaines of Miami at 155.

Robert Klein charged a two-stroke victory at 157 over John Robinson, Sr. and Steve Conatser in the A Flight shooting 159’s. There was a fourth place tie with Brad Smallwood, Tom Cordell and Jim Conatser at 160.

Tom Forbes of Tulsa with a 163, nosed out Ron Sparkman of Miami with a 164 in B Flight. Capturing third place honors was Jerry Mustain with a165 while Cy Elmburg posted a 166. Miamian Jim Rutter captured fifth place with a 167.

C flight first place went to Swede Tilberg, of Shawnee Mission, Ks. and North Wood, Jr. of Afton each shooting a 167. In a tie for third place between Bob Neptune at 177 and Bill Hatfield 177. George Foster finished fifth with 179.

Bill Carter snared first place honors in the D flight with a 184 to cruise to a two-stroke victory over John Sohosky Jr., at 186. Phil Phillips finished third with a 187 while John Holiman was fourth at 190. Fifth place went to Mike Mauskie with 194.

1978 October 3 “Miami Country Club Plans 9 More Holes”

Far-reaching decisions were made Monday night by the Miami Country Club as members approved an $850,000 package to purchase land for the development of an additional 9-hole golf course, construct a new clubhouse and a new swimming pool. A packed clubhouse approved the expansion plans presented by officers of the club.

Sixty acres of land adjacent north and east of the present golf course were approved for purchase from Sam Fullerton. Additional acreage will be developed to expand MCC into a full 18-hole golf course.

The new clubhouse presented in sketches to members Monday night is modernistic in design with reflective paneling across the back facing the golf course. The two-story structure was estimated to have 12,000 square feet of floor space with a ballroom area with could be sub-divided. Jack Mann and Larry Edmondson of Miami are architects for the new structure.

A near Olympic-sized swimming pool would be constructed just north of the present tennis courts. The NO. 1 tee box will have to be moved north, making the number one fairway a dogleg.

Golf course architect Don Sechrest of Broken Arrow estimated it would take a year to construct the second nine. Some of the larger earth moving operations could start immediately and continue through the fall and early winter, he said. Greens would be planted in April and May with fairways going in June and July. The earliest completion date was estimated by Sechrest as next Labor Day.

We don’t have an actual timetable for all of the construction, but we are going to try to have the course through so that we can host our annual 1979 Fall Invitational on it,” noted MCC president George Couch.

Included in the course expansion is an irrigation system for the entire 18-hole course. A well will be dug on the new property and the water will be stored in an enlarged lake area in the new nine.

The present nine holes will remain intact. However, the new nine will be merged with the old as far as numbering is concerned. Beginning and finishing holes will remain the same, Sechrest said.

Construction of the swimming pool also includes a patio area. The parking lot is also slated for paving. The present clubhouse, about 50 years old, will be razed. Plans were drawn up for the new building due to the rapid deterioration of the present structure. “We’re elated that the proposal passed,” said MCC golf professional Don Atchison.

“This is a really big step,” Couch noted. “It’s the biggest thing that we have ever undertaken. We will have a very attractive course with the addition of the nine-holes and the new clubhouse will be a very nice design.”

 

April 1, 1978

MGCC Authorized Capital $40,000 valued at $50 each.