1975 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF MGCC

 Link to podcast Miami Country club history with Letty Watt

1975 TIMELINE AND STORIES MGCC HISTORY

 

1975 February 2 “1975 Honors for Pioneers of Club”

“Men of the Year’ for the Miami Golf and Club during the 1975 are two Miamians who 55 years ago shared the most prominent roles of the newly organized “Rockdale Country Club” and now are the only active charter members of the club Miami.

At a meeting the past week, the board of directors of the club voted honorary lifetime membership and other 55^th club anniversary recognition for: John A. Robinson, 1910 Lincoln Blvd, and Russell (Russ) Hawk, 309 B. Northwest.

Robinson was the first president of the club and Hawk was the club’s first golf champion, repeating as the title winner in 1921 and 1922.

In his playing days, Robinson performed satisfactorily on the golf course. His son, John F. Robinson, won championships on the local course and still is a strong contender in tournaments and regular play. David Robinson, a third-generation member of the golfing family, has served on the country club board.

John A. Robinson has retired as the board chairman of the Miami’s First National Bank and now is advisor to the board. Robinson now is on a winter visit to Florida.

Hawk, after serving with the U.S. Army in France during World War I, moved to Miami and engaged in area lead and zinc mining activities, including 35 years with DuPont Powder Co., from 1924 until retirement.

The club originally had four holes with sand greens and a two-room club house. Five more holes were added in the first year, 1920. The present club house was built in 1928 and has had extensive improvements and enlargement since then.

Grass greens replaced the sand around the nine holes in the early 1930’s and since then the scenic course of 6,662 yards has drawn high praise from visiting golfers, ranging from youngsters to top professionals.

The name of Rockdale club gave way to Miami Country club in the early 1930’s and next became the Miami Golf and Country club in connection with 1962-63 remodeling of the attractive club house.

Johnie F. Stapp has been the Miami club professional since February 1953. The original pro, Ed Dudley, and Ky Laffoon, the pro here in the early 1930’s, gained fame on the national Professional Golfers Association circuit.

For a complete history of the club click on this link  Rockdale Country Club History 1916-1929

Leonard Ott, now retired in Florida, succeeded Laffoon. Jack Guild was local pro from the late 1930’s until the early 1950’s. He now resides in Shawnee; Ed Miller was the pro a year or so before Stapp took over the duties.

1975 March 23 “Wardogs Rip Memorial’s Golf Team”

The Miami Wardogs, in their first golf competition of the year, smothered the Memorial Eagles, 14 ½ to 1 ½ Friday afternoon on Joplin’s Schifferdecker Municipal course.

Mike Hylton of Coach Archie Loehr’s Wardogs was the medalist with an 86 for the 18 holes. Other scores for the Miamians were Wayne Anderson 90, John Mirjanich 91, Kim King 97, and Chris Adkinson 100.

Mirjanich beat Joe Lanham 3-0; Anderson beat Nick Crim 2 ½ to ½; Hylton beat Don Reynolds 4-0; King blanked Zac Grant 3-0; Adkinson beat Fred Adams,2-1.

The Wardogs will meet golfers from Tulsa Cascia Hall and Baxter Springs in a triangular meet at the Miami Country club, beginning at 2:15 p.m. Monday. They will play at the Parsons, Kansas tournament on Wednesday. 

1975 March 23 “MHS Girls Win in Golf”

The undefeated girls golf team Jenny Landers, Carol McKinney, Chris Hester, Ann Heyburn, Sandy Jackson, and Pam Landers.

Freshman Sandy Jackson was medalist as the Miami junior  high school girls launched their golf schedule by blanking Joplin Memorial, 11-0 in the nine-hole competition Friday at the Miami Country club.

With one point for being medalist, she defeated Jan Harrell, 3-0. All other players for Coach L.D. Bains’ Miami girls won their matches by 2-0 with:

Junior Pam Landers over Shelley Lanham; Freshman Jenny Landers over Becky Yocum; Junior Ann Heyburn over Donna Schmidt; Sophomore Chris Hester over Cheryl Bentlage. 

The 1975 girls golf team was under the direction of Coach L.D. Bains this year. They placed first in the Springfield Invitational. The girls team went undefeated in 1975. Congratulations to our young women.

**Personal note: The Oklahoma Secondary School Association did not recognize girls golf in high school from 1963--1976. All girls who played during those years had no opportunity to play at the state level.  I am most grateful to Miami High school's athletic department for sponsoring girls golf from 1968--76 even when the state did not support it. Title IX finally took affect at the state level in 1977. 

1975 March 25 “Wardog Golfers Defeat Baxter, Lose to Cascia Hall.” 

The 1975 boys golf team members are: Top row--John Mirjanich, Kim King, Coach Archie Loehr, Matt Giffhorn, John Weitz. Bottom row Chris Atkison, Wayne Anderson, Mike Hylton, and Van Luster (not pictured). 

 

In cold, windy triangular action Monday afternoon, Coach Archie Loehr’s Miami Wardog golfers defeated Baxter Springs, 9 to 7, but lost to Tulsa Cascia Hall, 11 ½ to 4 ½.

Tulsa’s Jay Unruh, with an 83 for the 18 holes, was the medalist in the Miami-Cascia Hall competition while Baxter’s Perry Ogle, with 92, was medalist for Miami-Baxter phase. The results of the Miami Wardogs include:

Mike Hylton 96 lost both matches. John Mirjanich 96, beat Baxter and lost to Cascia Hall. Wayne Anderson, 96 beat Baxter and lost to C.Hall. Chris Adkison 105 beat Baxter and lost to C. Hall. John Weitz 108, beat Baxter and C.Hall.

 

In 1975 the MHS boys golf team placed fourth in the Parsons tournament, and were seventh in the four-ball and second in the two-ball competition in the Miami Tournament. They placed fifth  in the Conference Tournament. 

1975 March 28 “New Assistant Golf Pro”  

Donald H. Atchison, assistant golf professional at the Oaks Country club in Tulsa, the past five years is no on duty at the Miami Country club as the new assistant pro to Johnie F. Stapp. Atchison succeeds Dick Neel, who resigned recently.

Atchinson has been assistant to Larry Crummett at the Oaks Country club, which has 500 family members and probably is the most active club in the Tulsa area. He conducted junior golf and ladies group lesson programs for the last three years plus he assisted with various administrative details.

Born December 27, 1945, in Wichita, Kan., Atchison is a 1963 Wichita South graduate. He attended WSU where he was a member of the college golf team. He served in the Army from 1968-1970 and represented Ft. Sill in the 1969 Fourth Army tournament at Ft. Hood, Texas.

In 1963, Atchison was runner-up to Grier Jones in the Wichita Jaycee tournament and also won the Kansas Jaycee novice division championship that year. As a member of the Wichita State golf team, he competed in the 1965 NCAAA championship tournament at Knoxville, Tennessee.

He finished fourth in the field of 56 PGA Section Assistants’ tournament in 1972. Atchison was president of the PGA’s South Central Section Assistants’ Association 1970-1973. He was an assistant pro at Adams Municipal, Bartlesville and Ft. Sill before going to Tulsa.

Atchison’s wife Judy and their daughter, Sherri Lynn age 6, will join him in Miami at the end of the school year. They are Baptists.

1975 April 2 “Suzy Wickham on OSU Team for Texas Tourney”

(Stillwater) MNR—Oklahoma State women golfers will travel to Denton, Texas to be part of a sprawling 17-team field in the Texas Women’s University Invitational on Thursday and Friday.

Coach Joyce Seward will be without lead player Karen Edwards, who has by passed competition this spring “because of a heavy study load,” Those making the trip for OSU will be Patty Livingston, O.C. John Marshall; Lisa Stone, Tulsa Memorial; Suzy Wickham, Miami; Janie McKee, Edmond; Ranay Roth, Perry; and Cathy Fisher, Tulsa Rogers.

“We’ll be very rusty,” says Coach Seward. “I guess Texas, Odessa College and Tulsa should be the best teams in the field.”

“It is our first outing and despite the horrible weather Patty Livingston has been shooting the high 70’s and Suzy Wickham isn’t too far back.”

The tournament is a 36-hole affair with 18 Thursday and the final round Friday.

1975 April 3 “NEO’s 8-team Golf Tourney Set Tuesday”

Eight teams will participate in the third annual NEO Invitational Golf Tournament at the Miami Country club. Joining host NEO in the tournament will be Bi-State Conference foes Westark of Ft. Smith, Seminole, Oklahoma City Southwestern, and St. Gregory’s of Shawnee. Other colleges participating will be Crowder of Neosho, Missouri, Claremore, and Norther Tonkawa.

Last year Seminole captured first place with a 329-team score. Claremore finished second at 324 followed by NEO 332.

Medalist for the tournament was Hunter Layton of Claremore. He carded a one-under-par with a 34 on the front nine and a 37 on the back.

“Westark and Oklahoma City seem to have the best team entries for the tournament,” commented NEO Coach Al Moffatt. “But the Norse golfers have made steady improvements since the beginning of the season.”

1975 April 9 “MHS Golf Units Split Victories”

Miami high school golf teams split honors in Tuesday matches against Fayetteville, Ark., high school golfers at the Fayetteville Country club. The Fayetteville boys beat the Miami Wardogs 13 ½ to 2 ½ while the Miami girls protected their perfect record with a 5-0 victory.

The nine-hole results for the girls were: Sandy Jackson, medalist with a 44 beat Lucy McNair 46; Pam Landers 51 beat Karen Rosso 52; Jenny Landers 49 beat Pam Miencke 62, and Chris Hester 54 beat Susan Cole 63.

Results of the boys’ 18-hole matches at Fayetteville were: John Mirjanich 79 lost to Nick Gyles, 78; Mike Hylton lost to medalist Reed Hudson who shot a 77; Wayne Anderson 84 lost to Marty Williams 78; Kim King 100, lost to Stuart Rosso, 91; Chris Atkison 92 lost to Ricky Turner 90.  

1975 April 13 “Ladies Golf”

Winners of Wednesday’s Miami Ladies Golf association competition were: Championship, Ruth Heyburn; Class A 18 holes LaVerne Munson and Yvonne Temple; Class A-9 holes, Hattie Wall; Class B, Cindy Lillard.

Wednesday’s play this week will be from the white tees, take par on 2 and 6. Free lessons for beginners will begin at 9:30. The pairings are as follows:

9:00 Evelyn Hatfield, Ruth Heyburn, Barbara Shouse, Billie Pace; Faye Berentz, Pat Platt, Beverly Jackson, LaRue Gaines; Lib Lillard, Helen Moore, LaVerne Munson, Noma Newman; Yvonne Temple, Jean Ann Blue, Marion Richards, Geneva Ramsey.

9 holes at 9:28 Mavis Ford, Pauline Taylor, Hattie Wall; Marylyn Adams, Nancy Johnson, Rose Pratt; Mae Farrier, Rosalie Patterson, Aileen Bradshaw, Helen Stapp; Shirley Coker, Dorothy Hester, Mary Robinson, Grace Painter; Cindy Lillard, Juanita King, Ethel Carselowey, Beverly Foster; Sue Enyart, Norma Garwood, Bonnie Moody, Gail Beck; Sue Dorman, Bernice Ogle, Pauline Adkison.

1975 April 13 “18 High School Teams in Golf Event”

One of Oklahoma’s classiest high school golf tournaments of the year will be held Monday at the Miami Country club when 18 teams of four boys each compete in the 17^th annual MHS invitational meet. Back again will be the Edison Eagles of Tulsa, the team champions for the last two years.

Other entries from Tulsa are Rogers, Hale, Mason, and Cascia Hall. Rounding out the field are Broken Arrow, Jenks, Baxter Springs, Coffeyville, and Parsons, Kansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Pryor, Nowata, Owasso, Locust Grove, and Miami.

The MHS Wardog golf Coach Archie Loehr and L.D. Bains will direct the tournament.

1975 April 13 “Crowder Wins Here”

The Crowder Roughriders of Neosho, Missouri captured first place Friday in a six-team junior college golf tournament at the Miami Country club. NEO golf coach Al Moffatt was the director of the event.

Crowder’s total score was 318 with medalist honors going to Crowder’s Bagby with a 74. The NEO team of Mike Magill 77, Mark Rist 80, Fred Lowry 87, Mark Jackson 96 to take fifth place with 340.

1975 April 15 “Edison Top Team”

For the third straight year Edison team won with a 303 for the four-man team title, 145 for the two-ball trophy and men’s par 72 on 18-holes by senior Jamie Cash for the medalist honor.

Chilly weather prevailed throughout the tournament along with occasional mist and drizzle during the morning rounds. Coach Archie Loehr’s Wardogs made a fine showing. They jumped from12th place last year to a seventh-place tie with Fayetteville and gained a second-place tie in the two-ball with Tulsa Madison. The team of John Mirjanich and Wayne Anderson scored 80 each for a 160-team total.

1975 April 20 “Miami Golf Teams Beat Fayetteville”

Ann Heyburn left faces off during a spring match at the Miami Country club.

 

Miami high school girls and boys defeated Fayetteville high school teams in cold and windy golf conditions Friday at the Miami Country club. Light rain preceded the competition. The Wardog boys won matches 9 ½ to 3 ½ in 18 holes. The girls won, 485-454 with total strokes determining the scores.

Coach Archie Loehr’s Wardogs will compete Monday in the annual Six Lakes Conference golf event at Pryor. The Miami girls, coached by L.D. Bains , will carry a perfect 7-0 dual competition record into matches Monday against Joplin Parkwood.

Results of the boys matches here Friday with Fayetteville: John Mirjanich 86 beat Reed Hudson 89, 2-1. Wayne Anderson 90, beat Nick Gyles 91, 2-1. Mike Hylton, 81 beat Marty Williams 91 4-0 with an extra point for being medalist of the meet.

Girls scoring shows Pam Landers 107, Jenny Landers 112, Sandy Jackson 114, and Ann Heyburn 121.

1975 April 24 “Pro-Am Golf Play Here on Monday”

Miami’s annual pro-am golf competition for the Eastern chapter, South Central Section of the PGA will be held Monday. Some 20 professionals from Missouri and Oklahoma will be paired with an equal number of amateurs from the Miami Country club for the 18-hole afternoon play that will follow a luncheon. There will be a shotgun start at 1 p.m.

“We still have a few openings for amateurs, and they may sign up at the pro shop,” said Johnie F. Stapp.

1975 April 29 “Golf Event Leaders”   

This group captured top honors Monday at the Miami Country club as 21 professionals and 41 amateur golfers of Oklahoma and Missouri participated in the annual pro-am.

From left to right are amateurs Butch Garrett, Miami, and Toby Sanders, Tulsa, and pro Ross Elder of Tulsa Mohawk, the trio of the winning team; Jack Higgins of Tulsa Meadowbrook, the low pro with a 74 score; assistant pro Jay Friedman of Tulsa Meadowbrook, and amateur Harold Fisher, Tulsa, and David Gaines, Miami, the three members of the second-place team.

The top four scorers in addition to Higgins were Dennis Allan, of McAlester 75; Elder, 76, and Dick Orr, Tulsa Indian Springs 76. (Allan and Orr are not in the picture.)

1975 April 29 “Patty Berg Golf Clinic”

Patty Berg, a Minnesota girl who became the winner of more women’s golf titles than anyone else in U.S. history, will conduct a 30-minute golf clinic Wednesday at the Schifferdecker Park golf course in Joplin, beginning at 1 p.m.

The event, sponsored by Wilson Sporting Goods Co. in cooperation with Schifferdecker officials, is open to anyone interested. There is no charge for admission.

At the conclusion of the clinic session, Miss Berg will play nine holes of golf with a foursome that will include Jonya Stapp of Miami, Gingy Laas and Charlene Cunningham both of Joplin. Mrs. Cunningham is a daughter of the late Mrs. Mabel Hotz of Tulsa, one of the founders of the girls youth golf programs in Tulsa, and Miami. (Mabel Hotz is now in the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame.)  

1975 May 11 “Ladies Golf”

Winners of Wednesday’s scrabble competition were: Faye Berentz, Helen Moore, Karen Jeffries, and Dorothy Hester. Wednesday’s play this week will be point play—3 par, 2 bogey, 1 double bogey, from the red tees.

1975 May 25 “Lifeguard Needed” 

 

1975 June 8 “Miami Junior Golf”

Winners of the Miami Junior golf competition Friday were:

Two-holes: Keith Neel and Aaron Cusher; Kelly Foster and Jane Dohrmann.

Four-holes: Darin Foster, Meade Monger; Corinne Smith, low gross, and Mary Kidd and Donna Weitz; Shelly Craig, low putts.

B flight: Debbie Jackson, Shelly Weatherford and Ann Dohrmann; Billy Jackson and Mike Weitz.

A flight: Jenny Landers, Lora Rodhwedder; Brent Landers and Matthew Monger.

Championship: Sandy Jackson; Tom Kidd, Mike Richardson, Tom Dean.

1975 June 12 “Guest Day”

Left to right: Nancy Ann Johnson, president of the Miami Ladies Golf Association; Pauline Taylor, Claire Oliver and LaRue Gaines.

1975 June 18 “State Champion To Compete Here”

Holly Pryor, 16, of Bartlesville, the 1974 Oklahoma Junior Girls Golf Champion is among the 32 girls from four states who will compete Friday at the Miami Country club in the 16 annual Miami Girls Invitational tournament.

Contestants may exercise the privilege of moving up to a high flight. Miami’s 15-year-old Sandy Jackson has declared up to the top flight of the tournament, the 16-17 age group.

Defending state champion, Holly Pryor, will defend her title July 12-25 in the state junior girls championship at Meadowbrook Country club in Tulsa. The Miami event has been named the Mabel Hotz Memorial tournament by the Miami Ladies Golf Association, sponsor of the tourney. Mrs. Hotz of Tulsa, who died the pat year, is credited with starting the Miami junior golf program through the co-operation of the local ladies association.

Mrs. Carlene Cunningham of Joplin, daughter of Mrs. Hotz, will present trophy to the winners. The Miami girls tournament is the ONLY ONE held in Oklahoma and the four-state area in addition to the state tournament and the Tulsa district junior girls event. 

Miami merchants have donated favors for the girls. Free pizza will be awarded to the girl closest to the No.3 pin with her drive. Several surprise prizes have been arranged. Mrs. Virginia Hubbell of Bartlesville, longtime friend of Mabel Hotz, has made a monetary contribution to the support of the Miami tournament in memory of Mrs. Hotz or as the girls all called her “Mabel.”

 **Mabel was the only woman in my childhood who told the young girls to call her by her first name. That was quite unheard of in the 1950’s, 1960’s and into the 1970’s. I didn’t even know some of the first names of the ladies at the club because I was taught to use the proper names. LaRue Gaines, was the exception at the country club. She often reminded me when I called her Mrs. Gaines, “I am not my husband. Call me LaRue.”

Beverly Jackson is the tournament chairman. Committee leaders include Karen Jeffries, favors; Fay Berentz, scorers; Evelyn Hatfield, driving contest; Sue Enyart, breakfast; Yvonne Temple and Virginia Sapp, registration; Joyce Rutter and Linda Elmburg, lunch; Geneva Ramsey, bag tags.

1975 June 22 “Tournament Leaders”

Sandy Jackson age 15, is the 1975 Champion of the 16^th annual Miami Invitational Girls tournament.  She won the championship with an 18-hole score of 90 on rounds of 46 and 44. The runner-up was Holly Pryor who carded 49-50-99. The tournament’s best score was carded by 14-year-old Linda Brown of Bartlesville, the A flight winner with 42-44-86.

Sharp 94 scores in this flight were posted by Miami’s Jenny Landers and Adelle Lukken, Tulsa, with Miss Landers taking the runner-p trophy in the playoff. Miss Landers won with a par on the first hole of play off.

Debbie Jackson, sister of the champion, won the nine-hole B flight with a 55. Tracy Enyart provided Miami with another title by winning first in the four-hole C flight with a score of 37. Chrissie Neal of Miami was second with a 40.

Plaques of appreciation for their many years of cooperation in the Miami Junior golf program were presented to club pro Johnie Stapp and Mack Boswell of the News-Record.

1975 July 6 “Ladies Golf”

Winners of Wednesday’s scrabble play at the Miami Country club were Ruth Heyburn, Yvonne Temple, Bonnie Moody, Linda Cox, and Dorothy Hester.

Wednesday’s play this week will be from the red tees, poker play. Pairings follow: 8:00am Evelyn Hatfield, LaRue Gaines, Faye Berentz; Barbara Shouse, Yvonne Temple, Beverly Jackson; Ruth Heyburn, Noma Newman, Lib Lillard; Melba Cordell, Geneva Ramsey, Pat Platt; Billie Pace, Joyce Rutter, Claire Oliver, Marian Richards.

9 holes: Marylyn Adams, Mary garret, Juanita King; Cindi Lillard, Bonnie Moody, Gail Beck; Hattie Wall, Pauline Adkison, Val Dale; Sue Enyart Nancy Johnson Alice Kidd; Peggy Robinson, Aileen Bradshaw, Pauline Taylor; Mavis Ford, Beverly Foster, Dorothy Hester; Nadine Hoffman, Maxine Hutchins, Helen Moore; Peg Murphy, Bernice Ogle, Helen Jo Painter; Rosalie Patterson, Rose Pratt, Mae Farrier; Shirley Coker, Ethyl Carselowey, Ethyl Mailath, Lee Womastek.

Afternoon—Millie Carter, Marj Grayson.

1975 July 13 “Boy’s Invitational Golf Tourney Results”

Rob Johnson, Chanute, Kansas wins the 15th annual Miami Boys Invitational Golf title by carding 36-37-73. Seventy five boys from  five states competed in the one-day event, sponsored by the Ladies Golf Association in cooperation with club pro Johnie F. Stapp and assistant Don Atchinson. Co-directors were Mrs. Frances McKinney and Mrs. Alice Kidd. 

Runner-up to champion Johnson was Ted Osgood of Tulsa, 37-38-75. Other Miamians playing were Will Neel, 82; Tom Dean, 93; David Weitz, 94; Brad Kemper, 101; Tom Kidd, 96; Steve Cherry, 96. Nine-hole division: Billy Jackson, 49; Brent Landers, 52; David Robinson, 66; Raymond McKinney, 69; Meade Monger, 77; and Danny McKinney, 85.

1975 July 15 “From the Clutter”

Anyone who picked up last Friday’s New-Record is bound to have seen the full-page birthday tributes, coupled with “roastings” of Miamian Wilhelm Lorraine (Bill) Oliver.

And now we learn that on Saturday, a day after the super birthday, Bill responded with a rare hole-in-one on the Miami Country club golf course.

Using a No.7 iron, he aced the No. 12 par three, 151-yard hole. The ball bounced twice and right into the cup. The achievement was confirmed by Mike Schmidt, Eddie Schmidt, Orval Qualls, and John Doty who were playing with Oliver.

1975 August 3 “Miami Boy in OKC Meet”

In a golf tournament at Lake Hefner Golf Course in Oklahoma City, Billy Jackson, 12 of Miami, finished fourth among 54 entrants. Jackson, who participated in the 12-13 age group, qualified at the beginning of the week in the first flight, shooting a round of 45. In match play we won his quarter-final and semi-final matches, advancing him to the finals.

1975 August 15 “Ladies Champions”

 

The top players in the 1975 club championship for the Miami Ladies Golf Association were, front row, from left, Evelyn Hatfield, medalist and first in championship flight: Yvonne Temple, first in Class A flight, and Rosalee Patterson, first in nine-hole flight. Top row, Marylyn Adams, tournament chairman; Ruth Heyburn, runner-up championship flight, Beverly Jackson, Class A runner-up, and Hattie Wall, nine-hole flight runner-up.

The unanimous “darling” of the tournament was Mrs. Hattie Wall, who at the age of 80 continues to be one of the most active competitors since the association was organized many years ago. In taking second place in her flight, she prevailed in two extra holes after finishing regular play in a tie with Juanita King.

Special event winners in the tournament were: Pat Platt, first in driving, and Faye Berentz, first in putting for championship flight.

Val Dale, first in driving, and Nancy Ann Johnson, first in putting for nine-hole flight.

Stormy Lewis, first in chipping and putting, the “never -say-die” phase of the annual tournament.

The committee in charge of the tournament consisted of Marylyn Adams, chairman, Roma Dahl and Joyce Rutter, assistants.

1975 August 17 “Miami Golfer in Tulsa Event”

Sandy Jackson of Miami, competing in the 167-17 age division, was runner-up Friday in the Tulsa District girls golf tournament at Meadowbrook Country club.

Sherri Price of Tulsa was the winner among girls of 16-17 age group with 93 score in the soggy 18-hole round which followed a three-inch rainstorm. Sandy was only one stroke back with 94. Linda Brown, Tulsa, of the 14-15 age group also carded a 93 score.

Two other Miami girls, Jenny Landers and Debbie Jackson, were among the 14-15 age contestants.

1975 August 24 “Ladies Golf”

Winners of Wednesday’s play at the Miami Country club. Championship, LaRue Gaines; Class A,  Marian Richards; Class A 9 hole Juanita King.

1975 August 27 “Labor Day Golf”

A Labor Day golf tournament will be held Monday at the Miami Country club, beginning at 4:30 p.m. with mixed scrabble competition. A buffet supper will be served at the conclusion of the event. Members wishing to participate should sign up as soon as possible on a chart in the pro shop, or by calling Mrs. Don Grayson, 542-4411 during business hours, or 542-4361 at home, after 5 p.m.

1975 September 7   "Men's Invitational Finals"

 
Barry Franks of Joplin, holding the trophy, won the championship of the 20th annual MCC invitational tournament with 146 total on rounds of 70 and 76. Pictured with him are other title flight leaders, Stan Weld of Stow, Ohio, 149; Jim Scallety, Parsons, 149;  champion Franks; Kent Jeffries 149, one of the three sharing second place, Bill Williams, Jr., 150. 

President's flight--Charles Grayson and Larry Laswell, tied for first with 158; A flight--Pepper Martin, 163; B flight--Paul Rose, 178; C flight--Ron Robinson 178; D flight--Three-way tie for first: H.B. Howell, Butch Garrette, Robert Ewing at 193.

1975 September 10 “NEO Golfers in Crowder Event”

Mike Magill, Tulsa, and Rod Rist, Tulsa, both returning letter-men, top the list of seven NEO varsity golf hopefuls as the Golden Norsemen prepare to open the fall season, September 18, at the Crowder Invitational, Neosho, Missouri.

Last year Magill won the No. 1 rating in Region 11 of the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association with a 75 stroke average. NEO will host an eight-team tournament, October 31, at the Miami Country club to close out the fall portion of the schedule.

1975 September 23 “Deadline Monday for NEO Golf Tournament”

A reminder was issued today by NEO Alumni and college officials that Monday is the deadline to register for the “scramble” golf tournament that will be held Saturday, October 4 in connection with NEO homecoming activities.

Play for the “fun” event at the Miami Country club, which is open to former NEO students, and any others interested, will begin at 8 a.m. Prizes will be awarded. The entry fee is $10. Kent Jeffries is the tournament chairman.

Entry may be made by contacting Don Atchinson at the Miami club’s pro shop (542-2512) or NEO golf coach Al Moffatt (542-2389).

1975 October 6 “Homecoming Winners”

A foursome consisting of three Miami men and a Tulsa golfer, Miles Grove who plays with NEO won first place in the NEO “Florida Scramble” golf tournament at the Miami Country club. The Miamians in the group that posted a winning 66 score were Clarence Carselowey, Bob Paul, and Gale Black. Second place with a 67 score went to Mike Magill, Al Moffat, Orvall Qualis and Jack Elliott all of Miami.

1975 November 2 “Ladies Golf”

The Ladies Golf Association of the Miami Country club will have its annual fall coffee in the home of Mrs. Don Johnson, 2107 East Rockdale Rd, Wednesday at 10 a.m. The coffee will honor the association’s new officers. A short business meeting will follow.

1916-2010 Professional Golfers through the History of the Miami Golf and Country Club

 1924--Ed Dudley  (to read more about Ed Dudley's career click on this link Ed Dudley's Career

1925  Forbes Thornton, arrived from Scotland

1926--Ky Laffoon, local boy

1928--29--Leonard Ott

 1930 to 1931--Johnny Gatherum

 1932 to 1934--John Gavin

1936 to 1937--Buddy Poteet, former caddy master at Rockdale who turned pro at age 19 and worked at McFarland CC in Tulsa until returning to Miami.   Buddy Poteet story

1937--John Emery, professional golfer and greens-keeper who built the new greens.

1938, January to 1939 February--Frank  Lewis,father of Charley Lewis, who became a dominate amateur golfer.

1939 March--1952--Jack Guild

1952-1953--Ed  Miller

1954-1977--Johnie Stapp, 1974-75 assisted by Dickie Neel and later by Don Atchinson

1977-- 1984 Don Atchinson

Bob HiIl, Jr., General Manager from 1981-90 put up the double wide trailer that served as the clubhouse after the  fire in 1984.

1985-- 1986  Dickie Neel Dick Neel From a Friends Point of View

1987--1999  Steve Becker

2000--2007  Larry Clay

2008--2010 Keith Neel

 

1960's--1977 Herstory--Jonya Stapp

 

Jonya Stapp crouches behind her ball to determine the line on the ninth hole of the Women's Oklahoma Golf Championship in a match with Lois Stuart at the Oaks CC. With a win over Stuart Jonya advanced to the semi-finals (1972)

1973.4.22   EDITED FOR BLOG Tulsa Tribune article (73.4.20) by Genelle Richards of the Tulsa Tribune Women’s Staff. edited by Letty Watt 1/10/2024.

For Jonya Stapp, golf is a way of life. "I started playing at such a young age, I'm not really sure whether I like it or I am used to it. I have played all of my life, so now I want to do something different."

She is currently attending the University of Tulsa where she is majoring in Spanish. Jonya, age 21, competed in the Miss Tulsa contest Saturday night finishing first runner-up. In 1972, she was named "Most Beautiful Golfer of the Year" by Golf Digest. She feels the honor meant more to her than being crowned Miss Oklahoma. 

Jonya spent January studying Spanish in Mexico and received four hours credit for her efforts. While visiting there she learned a flamenco dance which she performed as her talent requirement in the Miss Tulsa pageant. 

Because school is taking up so much of her time, she has not been able to participate on the TU golf team. She has not worked on her golf game this year because of her involvement in the pageant. 

She did assist in a one-day golf clinic at Southern Hills Country club recently. In June she will serve as queen of the NCAA golf tournament. 

Joining the LPGA circuit doesn't interest Jonya now. "It costs a lot of money to play on the pro tour. Since the prize money is not as much as the men's, you must stay on top all of the time or go into debt." "The tour is not too glamorous unless you stay on top and the great amount of travel is hard on a woman. Bonnie Bryant, my partner in the Sears Classic in March 1972, would get up in the morning and hit dozens of golf balls out of the sand trap. The sand would blow in her face, and I thought to myself, do I really want that?"

Jonya's advice for women who want to improve their golf game. "First of all, consult a professional golfer. If you don't have time to practice, stay in shape by doing pushups or swinging a club in your front yard. Concentration is the most important part of the game. Mental attitude is 90 per cent of the game."

Although she hasn't missed a women's state tournament since she was eight, Jonya hasn't decided whether she will participate in this year's event in Oklahoma City. The important part of her life now is receiving her education.

Jonya and mother, Helen Stapp. 1976 retirement party for Johnie F. Stapp. 

"I am going to slack off my golf until I receive my degree. After that I will have more time for golf." Since Jonya is not decided on the pro circuit, she has the considered working in a pro shop. In that capacity she would like to teach women golfers, or she might mix golf with her knowledge of Spanish. Jonya has also given thought to teaching golf in Mexico, such as Acapulco.

Over the next four years Jonya graduated from TU and finished a master's degree in Spanish from the University of Oklahoma.

1977 June THE GOLF REPORTER magazine special issue on the U.S. Open, “Jonya Stapp Drives for the Green” by Elven Lindblad

*edited by Letty Watt 1/10/24

 

After playing golf for Northeastern A&M as a freshman in the NJCAA championship, Jonya went to a self-imposed exile to pursue academic excellence. The path led down Interstate 44 from Miami to the University of Tulsa, then on to Oklahoma City and the southbound swing to Norman for her current graduate work in Spanish at the University of Oklahoma.

Jonya lacks only three hours to earn her master’s degree in Spanish from OU. She teaches two hours a day, but preparation for those classes while carrying a 14-hour class load is a task of Herculean proportions.

With the ability to play with the big girls, there is no doubt, will she use her musical and theatrical talents, or will she use her graduate work to teach Spanish or work in a golf shop? Motivation is the secret word.

“Since I was 17, there have been so many roads before me,” Jonya said. “I was able to sing and dance, I was a good golfer to a lot of people, I loved Spanish music and culture, and I was in gymnastics.”

Jonya believes her game matches favorably with many current LPGA players. Currently, time will be required for improving her physical condition, and an old wrist injury still bothers her, but Jonya’s main concerns is the intense, almost fanatical concentration that pro golf demands.

Why does Jonya like golf? “Golf is not a rugged sport. You can be as skillful or as delicate as you want to be.”

In the grand athletic tradition, the sport can’t be taken from her heart and mind. When friends suggest spending time at the park for a picnic or flying a kite, something inside Jonya urges her not to go to the park, but to go to the practice range and hit golf balls. She admits that she feels relieved after hitting a couple of buckets of golf balls.

Jonya has been playing tournament golf since the age of eight when she played in the Women’s Oklahoma Girls Jr. Golf championship in the Pee-Wee division, a title she later won in 1967.  Titles and trophies followed her for the next decade. Her game is now accented by a marked maturity in her golf and outlook on life.

“I would go out and swing without thinking about the course when I was younger. Now, I analyze the course before playing. Golf is more of a challenge when you are hitting the ball for placement instead of as hard as you can,” she explained.

Jonya was not lucky enough to catch the train known as the growth of women’s intercollegiate athletics and golf (Title IX). The year after Jonya graduated from TU, Dale McNamara was hired as women’s coach and started the program on the road to the illustrious loft it now enjoys.

“I could have benefited from playing college golf because of the frequency of practice and competitions. I am glad the interest is growing because I could wind up a as a golf coach if I ever had to double up while teaching school.”

So, Jonya Stapp has arrived at her crossroads. One beckoning path will produce folding green from a putting green. Another path where she might share her golf insight with others. A third path involves utilization of her affection and knowledge of the Spanish culture.

“I have so many directions that I could go. I am worried about choosing the wrong one, but I will leave this in God’s hands and let Him show me what He wants me to do. Things always work out better that way.” 

Jonya is now retired after teaching Spanish in public and private schools over the last forty years. Her passion for Spanish has only increased as she has traveled to Spain and carries a special place in her heart for the people and culture of Antigua, Guatemala. Even now in retirement she finds time to teach Spanish online at various Oklahoma City college campuses.

When asked, would she like to return to golf?  “Absolutely, it’s my second home,” she replied, “While my husband and I travel the United States in our RV, hopefully we will take time to play golf.”  (January 10, 2024).

 

 

 Reading these two stories along with the bundles of newspaper clippings of my sister, Jonya, has been a joy for me and an eye opener about her young life. In 2014 Jack and I moved back to Norman and Jonya was living in Oklahoma City with her husband Bill.  Since then Jonya and I have found time to travel back and forth to Miami, to Dallas to see friends, and elsewhere to meet up with family. How lucky we are to have each other and this wonderful history we share with other Miamians.  We were truly raised by a village, or perhaps an entire gallery of golfers who came and went in our lives.Hope to see you all July 27 at the Dobson Museum. 

Jonya and Letty on the road 2019. 

 This is the link to a podcast I was invited to do about the history of the Miami Golf and Country Club.

Miami Country club history by Letty Watt