1965 LADIES GOLF ACHIEVEMENTS

These are examples of the Ladies Golf Association yearly handbook.

1965 February 28 "Calendar" 

The Ladies Golf association will hold its annual spring membership coffee at the Miami Country club at 9:30 am Wednesday. 

1965 March 12 "Ladies Golf"

Johnie Stapp, Miami Country club, will continue with free golf lessons for members of the Ladies Golf Association, beginning at 9 a.m. next Wednesday and continuing each Wednesday through March. Association members may play golf after the lessons. Regular weekly competition will begin Wednesday, April 7.

During the 1960's the Miami News Record followed sports throughout Ottawa County and one man, Mac Boswell, associate editor, recognized the value of women in sports.

1965 August 1 MNR "JUST ANOTHER BIG ACHIEVEMENT BY MIAMI LADIES ASSOCIATION'

The Miami Ladies Golf Association, whose achievements have attracted wide attention in golfing circles, more than measured up to its biggest test here Friday. 

1965 members playing

As sponsor of the fifth annual Miami boys’ invitational golf tournament, the
association conducted the huge meet with efficiency that drew praise from adult leaders who accompanied the 155 contestants, ranging from 10-17 years of age. The tournament was the largest in Miami history and the largest junior meet in Oklahoma this year. 

Only the expert handling of scores of tournament details by many members of the association made it possible to complete the meet without a hitch. Mrs. Woodrow Painter, chairman of the event, expressed appreciation for the extensive co-operation from members of the association and other volunteers.

Knowing that the association members would respond to the challenge, Mrs. George G. Russell, LG President, Mrs. Painter and Miami club pro Johnie F. Stapp agreed to increase the tournament limit from 100 to 155 entries. This action was taken because response to invitations sent to clubs in four states exceeded all expectations. More than 75 entries were turned down

In addition to its own program of weekly golf competition and tournaments, the Miami Ladies Association has sponsored and developed one of the most successful junior golf programs to be found anywhere. Ninety-two local boys and girls, ages 7-17 were enrolled in the 1965 youth programs of weekly competition and tournaments. Club pro Stapp provides free instruction for beginners each year. In the eight years the association has conducted your golfing activities, the program has grown to the extent that the enrollment of boys and girls now exceed the membership of 80 or more in the ladies organization.

The ladies also conduct the annual girls invitational tournament, one of the largest in the state. For the Miami High School Invitational tournament each spring, the state’s largest schoolboy golf event the ladies provide volunteer workers making it possible for MHS to sponsor the major event. During they summer they are dedicated to Friday Junior Golf days by scoring for the youngsters, along with being responsible for conducting the monthly summer Scotch Fore-some events. 

 

July 25, 1965

The women provide key personnel in helping the Miami Country club men conduct their own championship and invitational tournaments. On top of these volunteer activities these women play golf rain or shine every Wednesday. (*my notes-- And they promptly hand in the pairings and all golf news to the sports desk before the deadlines.)

The Miami women certainly have furnished an outstanding example of what can be accomplished through eager, efficient and unselfish co-operative efforts. 

 

 

Cathy Olson Bowden (Wardog Class of 1964) shared how golf made a difference in her father's life, and her memories of the Miami Country club:

My father, Oscar Andrew Olson caddied in Kansas City when he was a boy. He walked four miles from home to the nearest golf course. He would then carry double bags and was paid $.25 to $.50 for 18 holes. Then he would walk back home. He learned to play the game of golf with hand-me-down clubs. Caddies were allowed to play golf in the evenings for free. 

In 1956 I was 10 years old and in fourth grade when I began taking golf lessons from Johnie Stapp. I remember old #9 and the long row of Elm trees on the right (North side) and the deep rough. The women who scored for us taught us to use marks to count each shot--l l l l. They (ladies golf association members) were very meticulous at keeping score and teaching us how to count all of those strokes.They also taught us manners and values. Lines like, "Let's go back and count that again," taught us honesty. We learned about courtesy when we realized our shadow cast over a putting line or we learned to hold still and be quiet when others were hitting.

I thought the sand trap on #9 was very intimidating because it was so deep. (My dad, Johnie, decided to put that trap in after playing some of Hillcrest CC in Bartlesville and some of the Tulsa courses. He told the men that the large deep sand trap would make them better players in competition. Some of the men didn't like that idea.)

Your dad was a task master.  He lined us up in rows or circles to learn how to swing. He was quite meticulous about our grips. He worked over and over on how to hold the club properly. His lessons were simple and precise. I think sometimes he felt sorry for me. 

Cathy continues, the scariest thing I recall was the snake hanging down from a tree with four screaming kids.Thank you Claire Oliver and Melba Cordell for your patience. I was an only child and the club offered me friendships, the pool, meals with friends and golf. My friends were Carole Luttrell, Charlie Dawson, Doug Burtrum, Stanley Carson and Marquita Lacy.

The smell of baby oil and iodine comes to mind when I think of women sitting around the swimming pool. I felt pride, ownership, and privileged to go upstairs to the club house. The sack lunches that we ate for Friday golf and tournaments are happy memories. (Story collected January 2012)

As children we were not allowed to tee off before 2:00 on Saturday or Sunday (neither were the women in the 1950's and early '60's.) I especially enjoyed the Fireworks every 4 of July. They set them up in the practice area to the south of #9 fairway and near #8 tee box. We always knew who was at the swimming pool by the car the parents drove. I think we were very protected and naive. Our class of 1964 galvanized in November 1963 after JFK was assassinated. 

1965 August 5  "Ladies Golf Winners"

 

1965 August 8  "Tri-State Ladies Golf Event" 

Regular weekly competition of the Miami Ladies Golf association will be dropped this week because of golf round on that day for some 100 women from 14 clubs in the Tri-State area. The local association will be host to the annual event at the Miami Country club. 

In last week's competition local winners were Pat Horner, championship; Helen Stapp and Mae Farrier (tie) in class A; Louise Curlee, Class B; and Bea Gilmore, Class C. July ringer winners were Beverly Jackson, championship; Inez Buzzard, Class A; Barbara Gust, Class B, and Louise Whitney, Class C.

1965 August 15  "Guest Day"

Regular competition was dropped this past week for the Miami Ladies Golf assoc. because of the annual Guest Day activities. Next week play will be for low gross:

18 holes: Pat Horner, Ruth Heyburn, and Sue Barnes; Ruth Fullerton, Hattie White, and Fay Berentz; Tanya Reese, Yvonne Temple, and Lib Lillard.

Martha Campbell, Virginia Sapp, Melba Cordell, Beverly Jackson, Barbara Shouse, JoAnn Smallwood, Cora Wilson, Mary Varley, and Evelyn Hatfield. 

 9Holes: Virginia Lee Wilson, Helen Jo Painter, and Mary VanBeber; Hattie Wall, Millie Carter and Inez Buzzard; Helen Stapp, LaRue Gaines, and Liz Hansford; Carrie Graham, Mae Farrier, and Lois Cowles.

Lottie Mae Russell, Helen Moore, and Sue Robinson; Gladyce Hirsch, Lois Garwood, Erin Wojcik, and Louise Curlee; Wanda Jo Brown, Val Dale, and Pauline Dykes; Gladys Wetzel, Clara Barton, and Etta Viers. Sarah Mirjanich, Maxine Jeffries and Pauline Adkinson; Marilyn Adams, Barbara Gust, and Mary Lou Wickham; Mavis Ford and Dorothy Schofield; Dollie Humes, Frances Elderand, Texie Parkhill.

Jean Phillips, Pat Parker and Noma Newman; Helen Jo Painter, Rose Pratt, and Louise Whitney; Clara Butcher, Irene White, and Liz Paine; Bea Gilmore, Virginia Romick, and Dorothy Jones; Sue Giffhorn, Lynn Martindale, and Kate McAleer. 

 

**Notice how the female figure changes and the print ability of each year book. 

 

 *Thank you to Janie Berentz and her mother Faye Berentz who saved these year books and sent them to me several years ago.

1951--1953 TIMELINE AND STORIES

1951-1953 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF THE MGCC

by Letty Stapp Watt

The Miami Daily News Record is not available from August 1950--fall of 1953. I am confident the floods and the Korean War had something to do with this. Golf being a world wide sport cannot be written without references to the times and places of the events.

 1951

By Letty Stapp Watt

Rosemary Harvey, standing Left, two seated women, AvonNell Williams, first lady standing next to the seated women. Thank you so much to Carolyn Harvey Monroe for sharing this photograph. I think the photographer is facing the Southeast over what will become the putting green. This appears to be #1, as the Cedar Trees originally defined various tee boxes.

Carolyn writes of her memories: I have many memories of the club, but one specifically was the Pat Chestnut wedding in 1952. My mother and Mrs. Chestnut did the decorations for the receptions--no wedding planners in those day. It was quite an event.  We lived at 205 A. N.W. I believe that house has been torn down to make a parking lot for the Methodist Church. That home was originally owned by the Coleman family. Charley Harvey purchased the house from them, probably about 1925. Charley's father, Charles Milton Harvey, Sr. was one of the "Big 4" in Commerce Mining and Royalty Company.
 

 1952

During the years of 1952--54 Ben Hogan came to Miami to purchase cattle from George Coleman. Ben often came to the golf course during those visits and hit shag ball on west side of the pool area. Bob Hill and James Taylor both recall seeing Ben practicing. 

James recalls that Ernie (Warner) shagged for Ben Hogan during those visits. Ernie may have the only full time caddy who worked at the club during this time. When we moved there in 1954 Ernie worked a few more years. He always treated me with kindness, a smile, and a good word. He smoked heavily and was shoulder bent, as they used to say. I would guess that he was a veteran like so many of the men my dad befriended and hired over the decades of his life.   

 

 (This is one of best early Oklahoma golf history stories I have been able to locate. Readers will recognize some of these names from my earlier posts. The Miami Country club, along with George Coleman, Jr., John F. Robinson, and other golfers played a major role in the early Oklahoma PGA.)

1952 April 13  Ardmore, The Daily Oklahoman  "State Will Add Golf Milestone" by Wilbur Johnson

The $15,000 Ardmore Open, bringing big time professional golf back to Oklahoma after seven years, recalls the "good old day's of knickers and spade mashies.  The June 5-8 tourney at Dornick Hills Country club is heralded as the beginning of a new era for golf in the state. Stars will gather at the historic southern Oklahoma course to provide another milestone in the state's golf history.  

Many golf enthusiasts probably don't realize that Oklahoma was the training ground for some of the game's best players (author's note: who played at the Rockdale/Miami Country club). The vaulted into prominence after appearances in the four Oklahoma City Open tournaments held from 1925--1929. 

Horton Smith, a gangling kid from Joplin, Mo, launched his brilliant career in the Opens here. Now as President of the Professional Golfer's associations, he still makes several tournament appearance each year. (Ed Dudley, Miami Country club's first pro, has gone to be President of the Professional Golfers association during the war years, as well as Head Professional at Augusta National followed by the Broadmore Country club in Colorado Springs.)

After the depression the golf bugs in Oklahoma City blossomed with a prize attractions--the 1935 National PGA tourney at Twin Hills. Two years later the first and only Oklahoma City Four ball Invitational tournament was played at the Oklahoma City Golf an Country club. Both of these events were considered successful even though rain, col and wind brought miserable conditions. 

The 1937 Invitational was the last of the major tournaments until 1945 when Tulsa gave the game a shot in the arm with a $10,000 tournament at Southern hills sponsored by a group calling themselves "Tulsa Golfers for the War Wounded." It was a financial success, some tickets selling for as high as two for $100.  

The 1926 Oklahoma City Open toured old Lakeside course off Western avenue. Strong winds during the November classic blew pants off the line and sent scores mounting. Al Espinosa of Chicago carried off first place prize money of $1000 shooting 79-74 for 153. Willard Hutchinson of Ponca City took second place money of $250. Ed Dudley, who had just taken over as the pro at the Oklahoma City Country club was third. Oklahoman's who picked up $100 were Clarence Clark of Tulsa, and Jack Guild of Miami. 

The 1927 Open saw a sparkling demonstration by"Lighthorse" Harry Cooper who shot round of 72-69 at Lakeside and the following day at the Country club 74-68 for a 283 first place. Smith, then 19, finished third behind Espinosa. The winners bested such stars as Gene Sarazen, Ray Mangrum, and Ky Laffoon. (My father played against Sarazen, Mangrum, Snead, Revolta, Ralph Guldahl, and Zell Eaton between the years of 1946--1959.)

The 1928 Open brought out a new champion--the 20-year-old putter Smith. Overcoming November winds and rain the "Joplin Ghost" nosed out Ed Dudley by a stroke 268-269. Smith's victory was due in large part to a hole-in-one on the 119 yard No. 2 at the Country club on the final round. 

The Open prize money was increased to $5,000 in 1929 and the scene shifted to the new Nichols Hills course, now the Country club. Craig Wood won with a score of 298 over Tommy Armour, the venerable Scot from Edinburgh, and Dick Grout, then pro at Okmulgee who tied for second.  

With rain pouring down, Wood pitched his third shot neatly over a sandtrap 18 inches from the hole. He tapped the ball into the water-filled cup for his par, the championship and $1,200. Weather plagued the event but thousands flocked the fairways to watch their favorites. Other famous professional who played in the Open were Walter Hagen, Johnny Revolta, Lawson Little, Paul Runyan, Dick Metz, Ralph Guldahl, and Zell Eaton, hometown boy (who moved to California after the war and competed against my father.)

Back to Ardmore, the best of today's tournament travelers will be here to protect the laurels they have cornered with their deadly assault on par. Their glory, however, will be reflected in the fortitude and exploits of their predecessors--those who braved uncertainties to blaze the trail of tournament golf. 

 1953

Between August of 1950 and fall of 1953 Jack Guild, Golf Professional at the Miami Country Club resigns and moves to Shawnee, Oklahoma to become the pro at Shawnee Country Club. I could not find any information about hiring a new pro until my father is hired in spring of 1954. One source, Herman Childers, gave me the name of Miller who was acting pro during this time. 

 1953 October 11 mdnr  "Ladies Golf Notes"

The Miami Women's Golf association concluded their low medalist tournament for the year with honors going to Mrs. Jack Horner. (Club Champion)

The low gross winners in last Wednesday's play were: championship, Mrs. J. R. Organ; flight A, Mrs. Joe Ramsey, flight B, Mrs. Hance Van Beber.

Next week a partnership low net tourney will be held on Wednesday at the Miami Country club. Pairings are as follows:

Mrs. Al Spaulding, Mrs. G.W. McCollum, Mrs. Tom Cordell and Mrs. Hance Van Beber.    Mrs. William Oliver, Mrs. S.A. Powrie, Mrs. Elmer Jarrett, and Mrs. Charles Harvey.    Mrs. Claud Jones, Miss JoAnn Taylor, Mrs. Woodrow Painter and Mrs. Harold Ramey.    Mrs. Stan Moldander, Mrs. Dick Wright, Mrs. Spencer Dawson, and Mrs. Jack Horner.    Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. Lee Adkinson, Mrs. Robert Temple and Mrs. Arch Fisher.   Mrs. Vernon Sapp, Mrs. Rex Graham, Mrs. Don Jones, and Mrs. Rex Painter.   Mrs. Wayman Jackson, Mrs. Kelso Berentz, Mrs. O.E. Westfall and Mrs. Gib Reynolds.

**Note: Mrs. G.W. McCollum, whose name appears regularly in the Ladies Notes from 1947--early 1950's is the mother of Roger McCollum.  Roger writes this about his mother: Yes that is my mother, Henrietta (aka Henri to her friends/family).  She was very active in the Women’s Club plus the Club’s bridge group.  My dad, Glen, was a dentist in Miami, but was not much of a golfer (read for fun only!). With emails flying right now between Emery, Gibson, Temple & myself (we all were in the same HS class & junior golfers), I’ve come up with some recollections; 1 specifically about your dad. I will email them later. 

 "Family Night"

The Miami Country club has slated a family night for Wednesday with dinner being served at 6:30. 

1953 October 11 mdnr  "Babe's Golf Game Sharp"

Babe Didrikson Zaharias, whose sports career was feared at an end six months ago when she underwent an operation for cancer, is recovering perfectly and will return to golf on a full-time basis.  

The famous woman athlete is in Fort Worth to play in the Texas Women's Open, of which she is defending champion, and it will be the only tournament for her until next year. The Babe now weighs 160 pounds, but is dieting and will cut down  to 145. "I feel wonderful and I am playing well," she said, "The only trouble is that I get tired on the back nine of a round."

In January she will make the woman's golf tour starting at Tampa, Florida, where she lives and owns a golf course. 

1953 October 12 mdnr  "Free Dinner for Top Golfers Here"

Some lucky golfers will get free dinners at the Miami Country club next Tuesday night. Teams captained by Dick Wright and Bert Wall will play matches Tuesday afternoon, beginning at 2:30 o'clock. The winners will receive their dinners at the stag even in the clubhouse that night at the expense of the losers. 

1953 November 1 mdnr  "Ladies Golf Notes"

Members of the Miami Women's Golf association will hold a flag tournament Wednesday a the the Miami club. Pairings will be made at the tee. 

Mrs. J.R. Organ took championship honors in last week's rounds on the fairways. Mrs. O.R. Westfall won class A while Mrs. G.W. McCollum copped class B laurels. Low scores for October: Mrs. J.R. Organ, a 44; Mrs. Bert Wall, 45; Mrs. Floyd Newton, 46, and Mrs. Woodrow Painter, 48. 

 1953 November 2 mdnr "Mantle Undergoes Knife Today"

Springfield, Mo. Mickey Mantle awaited the operation on his knee today with hopes that he could be out of the hospital by Friday. The New York Yankee center-fielder wants to see his twin brothers, Ray and Roy, play football for the Commerce High School Friday night. 

But Dr. Dan Yancey has his doubts. He thinks Mantle will be in the hospital for a week or 10 days. Mantle who re-injured the right knee in which he pulled a cartilage in the 1951 World Series, finished the 1953 season wearing a brace on the leg. Mantle asked Dr. Yancey if he would be given a local anesthetic so he could watch the operation, scheduled in about an hour. But the physician said Mickey would be given a general anesthetic.  

(I could not resist sharing this colorful description of a football player.)

"Gritty Jack Ging"

Plucky little Jack Ging, Oklahoma's buggy whip halfback whose grit and devotion to football make him seem nine feet tall and 75 pounds heavier to Saturday opponents, has made good on a promise, when he pledged through pain-paled lips, "Ill be back out there in three weeks. You just watch. My shoulder's going to knit. I heal fast."  Saturday in Manhattan, Kansas, four weeks to the day of his shoulder separation in the Pitt game, he was playing against Kansas State as fiercely as ever. 

1953 November 22 mdnr "Ladies Golf Notes"

Last Wednesday's play on the Miami Country club golf course ended outings for the Women's Golf association for this year. 

Annual ringer prizes were awarded three feminine clubbers in the championship class. Mrs. Claud Jones, Mrs. Jack Horner, and Mrs. J.R. Organ received the honors. Class A prize went to Mrs. Rex Painter, class B went to Mrs. Elmer Jarrett, and class C to Mrs. Hance VanBeber.

The November ringer winners were: Mrs. Jr.R. Organ, championship; Mrs. G.W. McCullum, Class A; Mrs. Dick Wright, Class B, and Mrs. Stanley Molander, class C. 

Mrs. J.R. Organ copped first place honors in last week's play for low net, followed by Mrs. Jack Horner in second place. 

Ottawa Country thrived even with the floods and the Korean War. The Airport News read more like Facebook socially. Reports were given weekly of peoples flying in and out of the airport with description of the planes they were flying and destinations. That is how I caught up with comings and goings of George Coleman, Jr. and his family.

For example: 1953 October 11

 

The big football game in Dallas Saturday drew several from Miami. Flying down were Wayne Pack and family in a Cessna 176; and George Coleman, his daughter Ann; and Mr. and Mrs. Sam Fullerton, Jr., in Coleman's Beech Bonanza. 

Airport personal, Nelson Malocsay took Elmer Isern to Kansas City in a Cessna 180. Dr. Glenn Cosby flew to Bartlesville in a Cessna 140..... (This would make a great research project for someone.)

Movies regaled us with action, love, and comedy. Home appliances were busting through the market along with boxed television
sets, which often needed repairs. 

Bob Wills' brother.

First National U.S. Broadcast: 1953 World Championship

It took until 1953 before any golf tournament was broadcast nationally in the United States. That tournament was the World Championship of Golf (sometimes referred to as the Tam O'Shanter World Championship).

The event was played just outside Chicago and televised for one hour per day by the ABC Network

 

* The book Miami Forever in our Hearts is available for purchase if you click on the blue link. 

** If you are interested in pictures of Miami in the 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's consider purchasing one of Ron Enderland's Hand Drawn Miami, Ok. Calendars.  2022 Historic Miami, Ok. Calendar