Miami Golf and Country club Reunion UPDATE

 

Rockdale Country club about 1935 facing the south.

MIAMI GOLF AND COUNTRY REUNION July 25, 26, 27 in conjunction with Tom Walker’s class reunion, golfers, and friends. Letty has been compiling the history of the Country Club from 1916—1984 when the club burned to the ground. https://mgcchistory.blogspot.com The years from 1985-2010 will follow. Click on this link to see the history.

July 25, 2024 We have 5 tee times reserved starting at noon for those interested in playing golf at Shangri-la Resort, plus a package offer to stay and play. Contact McKayla Rutherford 918-257-7779 to reserve rooms for the Miami Country club event. $77 plus tax for golf.

July 26, 2024 We have 8 tee times starting at 10:00 at Peoria Ridge golf course. $45.00 for golf. We can play in 5’ somes so we have room for 40 golfers. We must have names ASAP…

Letty Stapp Watt must be notified if you plan to play golf at either event. lettywatt65@gmail.com

July 26 evening buffet at Peoria Ridge for MHS “A Gathering of Wardogs.”  *Contact Tom Walker through Facebook “You Know You Are From Miami Ok When….” Or Letty

July 26 and 27 Miami’s Heritage Fest will take place through the two days on Miami’s Main Street. There will be a huge stage for performers, BBQ competition, and food trucks. 

July 27 Jonya and Letty Stapp will host a Meet and Greet at Dobson Museum 10am—4pm. This is to celebrate Miami’s rich history thanks to leadership 100 years ago and for those who knew the golf pros at the club from 1954—2010. Please bring stories and memorabilia to share with all.

July 27 Tom Walker is planning “A Gathering of Wardogs” luncheon at Peoria Ridge community room and an evening buffet at the Peoria Ridge golf course. Donations accepted for the Wardog meals. Please let Letty or Tom know who is planning to attend the luncheon and or the dinner. Also, give your graduation date.

 

 

1976 RETIREMENT PARTY

  THE  PRO

In 1989 Jonya and I and our families faced the death of our parents. Mother, Helen Stapp died in August of 1989 and our father, Johnie F. Stapp, Pro-Emeritus died of a broken heart in October of 1989. We were devastated. I held onto an old picture of mom and dad dancing at the club merely three weeks before "Sepsis" took our mother's life. I cherished that photo and knew that they had enjoyed life down to the last leg of the journey.

The Christmas of 1992 I opened a gift from my sister. Out of the four-foot-long box dropped a doll or a puppet. I couldn’t tell. As I picked up the folded character I looked into those blue eyes and saw my dad. I laughed and we all cried. In my arms that evening I held the figure of our dad in my lap. Thirty years later he sits to my right in my studio and keeps me smiling and persevering. Sometimes he appears on the mantel when we host golf parties.

https://literallyletty.blogspot.com/2011/07/pro.html The Pro’s Story as I wrote 2011 on my personal blog Literally Letty.

Now here I sit February 15, 2024, writing the celebration of his life at the Miami Golf and Country Club retirement party December 1976. Please join me as I reminisce and share the photos.

1976 December 9 ‘Retiring Golf Pro Johnie Stapp Honored”

Some 250 members of the Miami Golf and Country Club were present Wednesday night to honor Johnie F. Stapp, who is retiring at the end of 1976 after serving the past 23 years as the club’s golf professional. The turnout was described as the largest for any social event in the history of the club.

Don Atchison, Johnie Stapp, Doc Jackson

 

Preparatory to Stapp’s retirement as the golf pro, greens-keeper and the man responsible for the golf shop, golf course, golf carts, and swimming pool, Don Atchison served as master of ceremonies. Called on to “roast” the honored guest were Claire Oliver, John F. Robinson, Marion Zajic, Chi Galloway, Bill Hirsch, Pat Campbell and daughter Letty Stapp Rains of Greensburg, Kansas. 

Helen Stapp, Bob Paul, Don Atchison, Flo Ragsdale, Johnie Stapp, John Robinson, Jonya Stapp, and Joe Hankins.

 

Presentations of plaques, certificates and special gifts were made by Florence Ragsdale on behalf of employees at the club; Joe Hankins, 1976 club president; Robbie (H.D.) Robinson; Doc Jackson and Harry Dean.  

Don Atchison, Johnie Stapp, Judy Atchison, Doc Jackson, Harry Dean reaching across and Dick Lillard on far right.

 A sample of remarks included: “He has made the Miami golf course one of the nicest to be found anywhere.” …” He has saved the club thousands of dollars through hard work beyond his regular duties.”…”Thanks to Johnie Stapp, there is no club I’d rather be a member of than this one.”…”The nicest thing about Johnie is his family, Helen, Letty, and Jonya.”

Don Atchison, Letty Stapp Rains, Rose Pratt, Johnie and Helen Stapp, John Robinson, and Jonya Stapp.

 

 

 Stapp received a standing ovation as he rose to make the final talk. “Thanks to all,” he said, “In 23 years here, there are so many who have helped me in so many ways that I wouldn’t attempt to call individual names. There is absolutely no way for me to express my true appreciation of what you have done. The success of this club belongs to its members and not me,” he declared. 

Jane Trussler, John and Ruth Chambers, Francis and Dail West, Helen Moore, Evelyn and Bill Hatfield.

Left, Mary Robinson. Center to front right: Grace and Rex Painter, Gail Beck, Pauline Taylor, Tammy Romick, Paul Parker

Left to right around the table: Mike and Jackie Craig, Dr. Elmer and Bernice Ogle, Billie and Lowell Lay, Jan and David Thomas.

Another 1976 honor for Stapp came in September when he was chosen “Golf Professional of the Year” in the Eastern Oklahoma chapter of the SC section of the PGA.

A Farewell Message from Johnie Stapp

 They say that if you live long enough they'll turn you out to pasture, and that's just what's happening to me. I've been looking forward to it for quite some time with mixed emotions. you would think with 40 acres, 40 cows, 4 ducks, 2 dogs, and 1 cat, and Helen that there would be plenty to do, not to mention a travel trailer to get away from it all. 

There was still something missing, and those of you who have frequented the Pro Shop the past few weeks have no doubt noticed the concerned expression on my face. Well, that has been the trouble, and just last week I discovered the solution to the whole thing right in my own backyard. 

Three pigeons on the putting clock, namely Barton, Kerr, and Carselowey. Of course, there are others too, such as May, Hatfield, Beck, and Shouse. I am not so sure about Shouse; he's back at work part-time. Maybe the first three got too deep into his pocket or could be inflation or too much garden work. But if things come to the worst there's always the C.S. club, I mean the Jolly Boys. I can fall back on them and pick up a few nickels. 

(My father along with Marion Zajic, Charlie Trussler and many more over the years began the C.S. (chicken shit) club about 1957 in the two-car garage attached behind our house on H N.E. The men gathered every Thursday night to play ping-pong for nickels, dimes but mostly to drink, smoke, and have fun. Jonya and I would watch through the window into the smoke-filled room, spying on the men. When the club was redecorated in 1962-63 the C.S. club moved to men's upstairs card room, the bar, and where-ever else there was room. The lights on the putting clock invited many hours of drinks and memories.) 

Now that my problems are worked out, I'll tell you what Helen and I plan to do for Christmas. Instead of sending cards to all of our friends (the entire membership), we thought it would be nice to plant a cluster of four dogwood trees in the rough between #15 tee and #18 green. The slicers will love that location and we will be remembered for a long time.

 We won't say goodbye because you will probably be seeing just as much of us as ever, but we want to thank you each and every one for being so kind, cooperative, and wonderful beyond explanation to a family who has spent 23 of the happiest years of their lives with you.  

Sincerely,

The Stapp Family

 

1960's The Golf Carts and The Snake Pit

 

If there was trouble to be found Dad and Doc Jackson were the pair. They were also great teammates in Pro-Am's around the Tri-state area, plus a few trips to California. The funny stories also came from the lips of Ky Laffoon, Dr. Harry Ford, Charlie Trussler, Marion Zajic and a friend of Dad's from California, Dale Stokes. 

*Dale was a traveling licensed electrician, plumber, all around fix it man. He and his wife, Elsie, lived in an AirStream travel trailer, never owning a home. When Dale did not have work he and Elsie sometimes came to see the pro and help dad with electrical and other handy man repairs for several weeks. 

In the time between 1955--1961 dad cleared out the remaining space under the ballroom to make room for his growing cart business. It took quite a bit of time and expertise from electricians and other laborers to set the beams and post for electricity, so we could later charge cart batteries. Concrete was laid at the inside entrance from the golf shop, more or less a back door out of the shop that went through the cart storage. This space gave Johnie a work area for tinkering on all golf clubs, all machinery, and especially his golf carts. I have searched high and low for Johnie's record book of the golf carts and not found it. I can promise you he was extremely meticulous in keeping track of every gallon of gas; the times he changed batteries; which one was or was not charging properly; each time a tire needed repair; every penny spent and every trip to Wichita or Joplin for parts recorded. He kept the same meticulous records in every car he owned.

The golf cart business boomed beginning in 1955. Our timing in the golf industry was perfect for bringing in golf carts and push carts.  President Dwight D. Eisenhower and other celebrities of the time brought attention to the golf carts and their usefulness to the game. 

The golf cart behind Mickey Wright is the type that dad bought in the beginning.

The first carts were three wheeled gasoline engines, and continued to be used until 1974. The steering mechanism on gasoline carts was known as tiller steering, which was a triangular bar with rounded edges.

 

In the beginning, I think Dad used E-Z Go Golf Carts and then switched to Cushman for gasoline and electric. I know that we did not have covers for them to protect us from the blazing sun, nor were they comfortable, but they were the style and classy looking.

Speaking from experience the gasoline cart went fast and turned quickly. This also meant it was quite dangerous and from time to time people were tossed out of the golf carts. I, for one, tossed my mother out on hole #2 after we hit our drives. I was driving the golf cart and passed mother's tee shot, I turned the cart to the left and mother flew to the right and rolled on the ground. I did not laugh, nor did Johnie Stapp! He and Jonya were driving behind us and saw what happened. That was one more time (of the many) that I was scolded severely and grounded. No wonder I didn't go to Mutt Hutt or Teen Town, as often as my friends.

Battery powered carts began to show up two by two during my teenage years. Dad paid for most of the carts with cash when he could, rather than take out a loan. 

Fun Fact: gas golf carts were originally promoted for elderly, seriously ill, and disabled people who still wanted to enjoy the sport of golf.  

Golf Cart History in Pictures This is the best website I have found for photos of the old golf carts. Certainly many memories in those old beauties. 

 

The Snake Pit

 

Once the cart room storage was complete Dad and his team of the "C.S. Club" Trussler, Zajic, Painter brothers, Wild Bill Hirsch, Doc Jackson, and others, not to mention the men who worked as grounds keepers, spent many a winter Thursday night digging out the "Snake Pit." It was in the Southeast corner of the cart storage. It had two big steps down to the lower level, no concrete, just dirt. It was a square shape about three foot deep (20' by 20' or larger). Dad bought a large net that hung in the back from the beams and was bolted down the ground. A tarp hung behind it.

The "snake pit" was built so the men could hit golf balls down there on cold days and nights.  It remained busy during my time there in the '60's.  Behind the netting and tarp Dad would sometimes hide liquor or store beer. On nights when there might be a raid on the bar upstairs this became a secret hiding place for the slot machines.

Range balls (practice golf balls) in a bucket remained in the pit throughout the year. When it rained outside, the mud and clay became slick, but Johnie had a solution. We stood on rubber mats like the ones used outside at Driving Range facilities 

It also became a new secret place for kissing couples who didn't want to be seen or caught by the pro.

There were numerous kissing places hidden to the public in that old building. I found them all, and on a few occasions I found them occupied. I was like a church mouse roaming the clubhouse from the time we moved there until I moved away. 

Once when I was way too young to find the attic, I shared a baloney sandwich with JD, whose mother was the cook and ran the dining room services. They lived in the apartment upstairs and it was through their door that two little children learned how to walk on beams and look out the window facing the north toward the practice green. I am surprised I didn't walk away with splinters buried in my hands. The attic was raw hot and dark and dangerous.   Architectural Layout of the Country Club

Years later, when I read THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE I knew that I had been there myself. No, I hadn't gone through a magical wardrobe, but I had found a magical kingdom at the top of the Miami Country club. It remained my special hidden place. As long as Fay Doty lived there I found refuge in the attic, alone sometimes with a toy and my imagination.