1954 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF MIAMI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

 

1954

By Letty Stapp Watt

54.4.4 mdnr "New Pro for Country Club"

Johnie Stapp, former golf pro at the Independence, Kansas Country club, has taken over like duties at the Miami club. He succeeds Ed Miller, who accepted a position at a new course in Tulsa.

The 42-year-old pro played circuit golf three years before entering the Army in 1940 as an enlisted man. Stapp began his career as a pro at the Santa Anita Golf course in Arcadia, California in 1946 after his discharge as a Captain in the Ordinance Department. He moved from there to Independence in 1949.  

Stapp and his wife, Helen, call Wichita their home town. The couple has two daughters, Letty age 6 and Jonya Lee age 2. 

Plans for golf clinics are in the making. Stapp will start tutoring the beginners of the Miami Women's Golfing association at 9 o'clock Wednesday morning before the ladies leave for their rounds on the greens later in the day.

The clinic for members of the entire country club is being scheduled in conjunction with a evening dinner. Basic fundamentals will be the main phase of teaching.  

Stapp will show color films of today's top ranking golfer, including Sam Snead and Ben Hogan, and also many newcomers to the professional circuit.

*Note: Many of these films were created by my father, Johnie Stapp, and others he purchased. Over the years prior to coming to Miami and through his early years in Miami, he took 16 mm movies of many professional golfers. These movies he then used as teaching tools. He also took a series of swing photographs of many of the pros, men and women. Sadly, in the early 60's when he sent in photos to be developed the negatives and photos were never returned.) 

A story my father told me before we moved from Independence: From 1950-1954 when we moved to Miami I grew up outside at the Independence County club. I was only three to five years old. I played with the caddies, who were both black and white young boys, the man who ran the bowling alley, next to our house on the golf course was named Alex. He became my caretaker, and when I went to a nursery school he drove me there and back, often times. Alex as black and I loved that man. The maids who cleaned and cared for the grand clubhouse across from our square framed home were all black. Inez, who often babysat me played in the high school band and became a majorette. We were all family. 

Dad made a trip to Miami to play golf. When he returned he told us the story that Miami did not allow black people to stay after sunset. He and his caddie had played in the tournament and then needed to drive back to Independence that evening. Dad stopped at Otto's Diner on the 300 block of North Main on the West side just south of the NEO rail lined. He explained that our caddy had to stay in the car and could not eat with him, so dad bought the food and they ate together outside. The cook/owner apologized to dad. Later, that cook/owner went to work as the cook at the country club. 

I was greatly disturbed to know how my friend was treated and never forgot dad's story. We often ate at that diner after we moved to town.

54.4.12 mdnr "Snead, Hogan in Playoff Today for Masters Title"

54.4.12 mdnr "Stag Party"

A regular stag night affair will be held at the Miami Country club at 6:30 o'clock Tuesday evening instead of tonight as previously announced by the club spokesman. All members are invited. 

54.4.19 mdnr "Mickey Mantle"

 54.4.25 mdnr "Bridge Luncheon"

The ladies division of the Miami Country club held a month meeting on Thursday at a 1 o'clock luncheon.

The tables were artistically arranged with bowls of spring flowers. Hostesses for the day were Mrs. Charles Stansell, chairman; Mrs. Joseph B. Elizondo, Mrs. M.C. Bagby, and Mrs. W. Brown Stansell.

Bridge prizes for the afternoon were won by Mrs. Bert Wall and Mrs. John Stapp. Mrs. Claud Jones won the canasta prize.   

Attending the luncheon and bridge were the following members:

Mrs. Lee Adkinson, Mrs. Ed Badger, Mrs. Bagby, Mrs. Cobban, Mrs. MA Connell, Mrs. Orville Dahl, Mrs. Spencer Dawson, Mrs. Elizondo, Mrs. F.G. Ernst, Mrs. Robert Haffner, Mrs. Monte Hall, Mrs. L.P.Hetherington, Mrs. Wayman Jackson, Mrs. Elmer Jarrett, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Kenneth Kimmel, Mrs. Bill Lacaff, Mrs. C.W. Letcher, Mrs. Ray McNaughton, Miss Patty McNaughton, Mrs. George Murphy, Mrs. Frank Nesbitt, Mrs. Clarence Niday Mrs. Neil Norton, Mrs. Woodrow Painter, Mrs. Phillip Peacock, Mrs. Irving Propper, Mrs. Joe Ramsay, Mrs. O.A. Rockwell, Mrs. George Russell, Mrs. Richard Russell, Mrs. Vernon Sapp, Mrs. John Schofield, Mrs. T.H. Smith, Mrs. Charles Stansell, Mrs. Brown Stansell, Mrs. John Stapp, Mrs. Robert Temple, Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. D.G. Watters, Mrs. L.A. Wetzel, Mrs. Richard Wright and Mrs. William Wright.

 

54.5.6 mdnr "Hole in One"

Vernon Sapp's clubs 

Vernon Sapp, Miami Insurance man, accomplished Tuesday afternoon what every golfer dreams of. He sank a hole-in-one while carding a fine 38 at the Miami Country club.

Johnie Stapp, club professional reported Sapp teed off on the 151-yard No. 3 hole, his ball dropping into the cup without as much as a single bounce on the green. The ace with a No. 4 iron, even caused slight damage to the cup, Stapp revealed. 

Stapp was playing in the foursome which also included Jack Myers, Dr. Robert Baron, and Phillip Peacock.  

54.5.20 mdnr "Ladies Golf Notes"

Second-round pairing at the Miami Country club, with matches being played today through Saturday, include:

Championship

Mrs. Jack Horner vs Mrs. Elmer Jarrett, Mrs. Claud Jones vs Mrs. Sam Fullerton, Mrs. Bert Wall vs Mrs. Woodrow Painter, Mrs. Tom Smith vs Mrs. Robert Temple.

President's Flight

Mrs. Floyd Newton vs Mrs. Frank Lacaff, Mrs. Vernon Sapp vs. Mrs. Joe Ramsey, Mrs. J.H. Organ vs Mrs. Corbin Shouse, Mrs. Spencer Dawson vs Mrs. Walter Patterson, Jr. 

Class A

Mrs. Orville Dahl vs Mrs. Charles Harvey, Mrs. Richard Wright vs. Mrs. Bill Oliver,

Class B

Mrs. Rex Painter vs Mrs. W.D. Jackson, Mrs. Ed Badger vs Mrs. George Murphy.

Class C

Mrs. George Kroupa vs Mrs. O.R. Westfall, Mrs. John Reese vs Mrs. Lee Adkinson.

54.5.21 mdnr "Civic Center"

 

*Note: One of my favorite memories over is the years is how happy my mother was to be living in a community with an active stage, music, and dance interest. The Junior College put on plays and brought in very famous musicians in those years like Ruth Slenczynska, and Ferrante and Teicher. Mother often wrote letters to her Wichita friends bragging on the plays and musical she had enjoyed in this small town.

54.5.21 mdnr   "Teenagers Dance"

A dance was enjoyed Saturday evening by the teenagers group of the Miami Country club from 7:30 to 10:30 o'clock. Sue Lowry, David Robinson, Linda Peters and Frank Letcher were winners in the prize dance. Refreshments were served to the young people. 

 54.5.23 mdnr  "Ladies Golf Notes"

Championship honors in "blind holes" play went to Mrs. J.R. Organ while Mrs. Woodrow Painter and Mrs. John Reese tie for class A honors. Mrs. Rex Painter and Mrs. Glen McCollum tied for the class B flight while Mrs. Orville Dahl won the class C flight at  the Miami Country club last week. The Miami Women's Golfing association will play for low gross next Wednesday. 

HIGHLIGHT: Tournament rounds will be fixed during the first of the week. The tournament highlight is the match between Mrs. Bert Wall and Mrs. Woodrow Painter. After being tied at the end of the scheduled 18 holes the played a nine-hole play off only to be deadlocked again. A second play-off over nine holes was played. But still another play-off is scheduled since the two remained tied after 36 holes. 

54.2.27 MDNR  "Golf Tournament for Ladies Monday"

All lady golfers are invited to play in a holiday "flag tournament" next Monday at Miami Country club. Entries must register before then at the club. A spokesman announced women may make their own pairings or wait to be paired at the tee.

54.5.30 mdnr  "Mantle is Rated with Ruth"

Bill Dickey, a fellow who played with and against some great sluggers, rates Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees with the best of the long-ball hitters.

The ex-Yankee catcher, now a coach with the world champions, says, "Mantle has more talent than any man I've ever seen. As a slugger, from either side, he rates with Ruth, Foxx, Gehrig, Greenberg, Williams, and DiMaggio. 

The switch-hitting Mantle boosting his average in .286 this past week, is "still two or three years away," says Dickey, Mantle has hit seven home runs this spring. 

54.5.30 mdnr "Golfers Reminded to Post Scores"

Members of the Miami Country club who are competing in the 54-hole club handicap play for the president's cup must turn in their scores by Monday evening, pro Johnie Stapp said Saturday. 

1954

NBC first began televising golf events after it was awarded the television rights to the U.S. Open in 1954. The tournament continued to air on NBC through the 1965 event.

54.6.2 mdnr "Winners Named in Women's Fairways Tournament"

Mrs. J.R. Organ took top honors in the ladies Memorial Day flag tournament, followed by Mrs. Woodrow Painter and Mrs. Jack Horner, in second and third place, respectively. 

Mrs. Jack Horner and Mrs. Robert Temple are the finalists in the Miami Country club ladies handicap tourney. They will pair up for the championship some time next week.

At least 27 entries have already been received for the Scotch foursome to be played Sunday on the country club course. Deadline for entries, which are made at the pro shop, is noon Friday. Pairings for the entries received later will be made at the tee box.

A driving and putting contest will also be held Sunday. Johnie Stapp, club pro, will hold a golf clinic and show pictures of the Columbus and Kansas City Open. All club members are invited for the day's activities. 

54.6.7 mdnr  "Mrs. Painter and Stapp Winners of Country Club Event"

Mrs. Woodrow Painter and Johnie Stapp paced the field of 68 Scotch foursome entries to card the lowest gross score Sunday at Miami Country club. They were followed closely by Mrs. Floyd Newton, and Dr. W..D. Jackson. Third low gross placed ended in a tie between Mrs. Claud Jones and George Beck with Mrs. J.R. Organ and Vernon Sapp. 

First place for low net ended in a tie between Mrs. Earl Gaines, Jr., and J.R. Organ and Mrs. Corbin Shouse and John Stansell. Third place low net went to Miss Dena Anders and Woodrow Painter. 

In the putting contest, first place went to Mrs. J.R. Organ and Vernon Sapp. Second place ended in a tie between Miss Joan Taylor and Sam Fullerton and Mrs. Richard Wright and Robert Temple.

First place in ladies driving contest went to Mrs. Joe Ramsey, second to Mrs. Hance VanBeber, and third to Mrs. Walter Patterson, Jr. 

In the men's driving contest Johnie Stapp was first, Jack Myers second, and Rex Painter, third. 

 54.6.8 mdnr "Myers Receives Trophy Tonight"

Jack Myers has won the President's cup tournament at the Miami Country club, finishing 10 strokes under par for the 54-hole event. Myers, one of the district's finest golfers, will receive his trophy this evening at a Stag event at the club. Awards will be presented to other top-ranking participants in the tourney. 

Glenn Scott and G.R. White tied for second place in the tourney with Rex Painter close behind in third. Denver Seals and Harry Dean share fourth place honors. Fifth prizes will go to Jack Horner. 

Johnie Stapp, club pro said that more tournaments are being planned. Match lay for the club championship with classes A,B,C, and D will be held in July. The club handicap will be scheduled sometime in the fall. Additionally, club pros of the Oklahoma PGA section will gather at the club on September 13 for a pro-amateur tournament.

54.6.13 mdnr  "19 Are Entered in Junior Event at Country Club"

Nineteen boys will tee off at the Miami Country club Monday in the annual junior golf tournament, a 36-hole medal affair sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Walter Williams, Jr., tourney chairman, said Saturday the following youths have entered:

Larry Parker, Frank Childers, Dick Lowry, Robert Hill, Dickie Neal, Charles Beck, Pat Temple, Jack Horner,Jr., Bill Bowers, Nelson Shouse, James Emery, Cogie Cowgill, Richard Beck, Roger McCullum, Hooty Gibson, Richard Wright, III, Phillip Fontaine, George Walbert, and Al Rogers. 

Monday morning's opening 18-hole session will start at 9 o'clock. Tuesday's windup action will begin an hour later, at 10 o'clock according to Johnie Stapp, club professional.

The four low scorers will compete in a regional tourney at Bartlesville next month. Driving and putting contests is planned for Tuesday afternoon. An awards buffet dinner will be held at the club that evening.

Williams said merchandise prizes have been made available by the Hub Clothing Co., Millner-Berkey, B&K clothiers, the J.C.Penney store, and Williams Packing Co. 

54.6.16 mdnr  "Nelson Shouse is Winner"

Nelson Shouse emerged as the winner of the Jaycee Junior Golf tournament Tuesday at the Miami Country club and received a trophy during a dinner program last night.  

Shooting a 36-hole total of 177, Shouse beat his nearest opponent, Bill Bowers, by 19 strokes. Those two, Richard Beck and Dick Lowry will represent Miami in a regional junior met at Bartlesville on July 13 and 14.

Shouse shot rounds of 42-43-46-46. Bowers used 194 strokes, Beck 195 and Lowry 196. Dickie Neel, at 10 the youngest of 13 golfers who finished the tourney wound up fifth with 212. 

The top four finishers were presented awards by Johnie Stapp, club professional. The prizes were sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce and local merchants.

Bowers won the putting contest and Lowry finished first in the driving competition. Other scorers: Cogie Cowgill, 214; Robert Hill, 216; Jack Horner, 218; Frank Childers, 221; Charles Beck, 234; Pat Temple, 246; Roger McCollum, 250; Richard Wright, 278.

54.6.16 mdnr "Widen's Club Service"

William George, who is operating the food concession at the Miami Country club, said today he is prepared to serve meals to the club members every night from 6 o'clock until midnight. George said he would appreciate having reservations made with him before members appear for their dinners.  

54.6.27 mdnr "Country Club Scene of Bridge Luncheon"

The ladies division of the Miami Country club met Thursday for a luncheon at the clubhouse. The hostesses were Mrs. Walter Dumas, chairman; Mrs. Ray McNaughton, Mrs. Tom Bomford, and Mrs. O.A. Rockwell.  The luncheon tables were artistically arranged with bowls of gladioli and foliage.

Bridge prizes for the afternoon were won by Mrs. George Foster and Mrs. George Murphy. The canasta prize was won by Mrs. Claud Jones. Attending were the following members:  Mrs. Spencer Dawson, Mrs. Dumas, Mrs. F.G. Ernst, Mrs. J.B Elizondo, Mrs. George Foster, Mrs. R.O. Gibson, Mrs. Robert Haffner, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. C.W. Letcher, Mrs. Ted Lowry, Mrs. G.W. McCollum, Miss Patty McNaughton, Mrs. Floyd Newton, Mrs. Neil Norton, Mrs J.R. Organ, Mrs. Woodrow Painter, Mrs. Gib Reynolds, Mrs. George Russell, Mrs. Richard Russell, Mrs. Vernon Sapp, Mrs. Bernard Schaff, Mrs. Robert Temple, Mrs. John Schofield, Mrs.L.A. Wetzel, Mrs. Hance VanBeber, Mrs. Marion Zajic. 

54.7.   mdnr   "Local Golf Tournament"

Qualifying rounds of the annual men's golf tournament at the Miami Country club were completed Sunday and 63 players are paired for the first-round matches. John Robinson copped medalist honors with a 75, four strokes under his nearest competitor, Kenneth Childress, with a 79.  First round matches must be completed before July 19, club spokesman Woodrow Painter, said this morning. 

Championship: John Robinson, 75 vs Lloyd Shafer, 82; Walter Williams, 81, vs, Glenn Scott, 83; Sam Fullerton, 80, vs Bob Temple, 82; Jim Moore, 81, vs R.C. Gibson, 84; Kenneth Childress, 79 vs Ted Lowry, 82; Dr. W.D. Jackson, 81, vs Rex Painter, 81; Kenneth Richards, 80 vs. G.R. White, 83; Jack Myers, 81, vs Vernon Sapp 84.

Flight A: Joe Thompson, 85 vs Jack Buzzard, 86; Rodney DeVilliers, 86 vs Harry Dean, 89; C.J. Carselowey, 85 vs Noel Wyatt, 88; W.C. Bullock 86 vs. Hugh Wright 91; Woodrow Painter 85, vs Dr. Robert Baron, 87; George Beck, 86 vs Dick Wright, 89; Dick Neel, 89 vs Bert Wall, 88; Orville Dahl, 89 vs John Burford.

Flight B: Dr. H.C. Ford, 93 vs Paul Wilson, 96; Marion Zajic, 95 vs Spencer Dawson 95; Bill Stout, 94 vs Jack Horner, 97; Frank LaCaff, 96 vs Bob Hill, 100; Tom Bomford, 94 vs J.r. Organ 96; H. Remis, 95 vs Al Spaulding 99; Joe Ramsey, 94 vs. George Russell 98; Walter Patterson, 96, vs Tom Smith, 100. 

Flight C: Hank Garwood, 101, vs Irving Propper, 108; Jack Brown, 105, vs Bill Spaethe, 114; Earl Fisher, 101, vs. Robert Nunn, 111; Ed Badger, 106 vs Ed Spearling, 121; K.C. Jeffries 101, vs Dr. L..P. Hetherington; John Reese, 105, vs George Murphy, 118; Jack Schofield 103 vs Bob Garwood, 112.

54.7.6  "Bill Watkins is Hired Here"

Bill Watkins, former backfield star at Northeastern A&M college, has been employed to fill out Miami High School's athletic staff for 1954-55 school year. After leaving NEO, Watkins attended the University of Denver where he played football under Bob Seymour, former University of Oklahoma and Washington Redskin star from Commerce. Seymour at the time was backfield coach at the Colorado school. 

A three-year service veteran, Watkins last year was assistant football coach at Pryor. He is married and has two children. Hiring Watkins completes Miami's athletic staff which also includes head coach John Lingo and assistants Delbert and Gene Wolf. 

**Note: Mr. and Mrs. Watkins were my teachers going through MHS. I greatly admired them both, especially his wife, our science teacher. Our history opens my eyes to the lives of people who made a difference in my life and the lives of many other young peoples.

54.7.6 mdnr "Holiday Winner at Country Club"

Monday's holiday golf festival at the Miami Country club saw 140 entries competing in two tournaments.

Following two-ball and four-ball tournaments, 400 members and their families were served a buffet dinner, preceding a giant fireworks display.

Winners of the Two-ball tourney--Low Net: Mr. and Mrs. G.R. White, first; Dr. and Mrs. W.D. Jackson, second; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Garwood, third; 

Low Gross winners: George Beck and Billy Ann Green, first; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Wall, second; Mr. and Mrs. Claud Jones, third.

Winners of the Four-ball tourney--Low Net: Mr. and Mrs. Sam Fullerton, first; Mrs. and Mrs. Walter Patterson, second; Mr. and Mrs. Dick Wright, third.

Low Gross: Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Organ, first; Billy Ann Green and Dr. Robert Baron, second; Mr.and Mrs. Jack Horner, third.

Individual low putts: Claud Jones, Orville Dahl, and Rodney DeVilliers, first to third, respectively. Mixed low putts; Mr. and Mrs. Bob Temple, first; Mr. and Mrs. Rex Painter, second; Mr. and Mrs. George Murphy, third. 

Longest drives were by Mrs. Joe Thompson and Walter Patterson; Mrs. Rex Painter took a prize for the shortest drive.

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Oliver held the high score in the two-ball group while Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mallory took the high in the four-ball play.

54.7.18 "Mantle Twins 'Go Pro', Sign Yankee Pacts" 

(Commerce, July 17--Special) Roy and Ray Mantle, brothers of the NY Yankee star, have been signed to minor league contracts by the same club.  The 18-year old twins were signed Friday night by Tom Greenwade, Yankee scout, their mother, Mrs. E.C. Mantle, said today. 

Both boys will report to McAlester to try out with the Rockets of the class D Sooner State league. A cousin, Max Mantle, earlier this year signed with the American league club and played a short time at McAlester before being released. 

Ray and Roy currently are involved in a playoff as members of the Tri-State Miners. They are to go to McAlester after the semi-pro series in Wichita, Kas. The Yankees reportedly plan to use both boys in the outfield at McAlester. Ray is an outfielder but Roy usually plays first base.

54.7.25 mdnr "Ladies Golf Notes"

A two-day tie developed for the championship and flight A honors in Wednesday's play for low gross at the Miami Country club.

Mrs. Bert Wall and Mrs. Jack Horner shared the championship laurels while Mrs. Claude Jones and Mrs. Woodrow Painter tied for class A. Mrs. Hank Garwood and Mrs Lois Cowles took undisputed class B and C honors, respectively. 

 54. 7.26 mdnr  "Winners Reported "

A large number of players took part in the mother-daughter and father-son handicap tournament at the Miami Country club Sunday afternoon. About 52 golfers, young and old, paired up for the contest played in four-hole to 18-hole flights.

Winners include:

Mother-daughter:  Four Hole--Sara Lynn Salling and Mrs. Vernon Sapp, low gross; Pat Dawson and Mrs. Spencer Dawson, low net; Dorothy Russell and Mrs. Richard Wright, high net; 

Nine-hole: Deborah Lee and Mrs. Bert Wall, low gross; Nancy Baron and Mrs. Claude Jones, low net; Sue Lowry and Mrs. Henry Garwood, high net.

Father-son:  Nine-hole, Richard Wright and Dick Wright, low gross; Bill LaCaff and Ed Spearing, low net; Joe Thompson and Joe, Jr. high net;

18-hole: Dick Lowry and Ted Lowry, low gross; Bill Bowers and Spencer Dawson, low net; Don Rockwell and O.A. Rockwell, high net. 

54.8.1 mdnr  "Meet for Title"

John F. Robinson, defending champion, will meet Jack Myers one week from today for the men's link title at Miami Country club. Both won their semi-final matches last week, Robinson besting Jim Moore, 3 and 2, and Myers defeating Dr. W.D. Jackson, 4 and 3. 

Jackson and Moore will participate in the foursome, bidding for third-place honors. 

54.8.6 mdnr 

Jackie Myers, 1954 champion at the Miami Country club, tees off in winning form as medalist and former champion John F. Robinson, left;Jim Moore, center, and Dr. W.D. Jackson look on. Myers defeated Robinson for the crown 3 and 2, while Jackson won over Moore for third place in the recent club meet.

 54.8.15 mdnr  "Ladies Golf Notes"

In last week's play, Mrs. Jack Horner won the championship flight, class A honors went to Mrs Robert Temple while Mrs. Dick Wright took class B. Mrs. Ed Badger copped the class C flight.

Four feminine linksters from the Miami Country club are paired in the Tri-State golf association's annual 36 hole medal play tournament in Bartlesville, August 17 and 18, at the Hillcrest Country club. Planning to attend are Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. Jack Horner, Mrs. Joe Ramsay, and Miss Joann Taylor. They will vie for individual honors.   

Pairings are shared for 47 women players. New names of ladies who are now playing include: Mrs. Frank LaCaff, Mrs. Orville Dahl, Mrs. Corbin Shouse, Mrs. Lois Cowles, Mrs. Tom Cordell, Mrs. Stuart Powrie, Mrs. Bob Nunn, Mrs. Elmer Jarett, Mrs. Earl Gaines, Jr., Mrs. Douglas Brockie, Mrs. George Kroupa, Mrs. Don Jones, and Mrs. Dorothy Neel. 

54.8.27 mdnr "Dances Slated for Miami Country club"

A series of four dances at the Miami Country club has been announced by Spencer Dawson, chairman of the entertainment committee. The first one will be on Sept. 4 with Eddie Aldridge and his orchestra of Joplin furnishing the music.

Other dances are scheduled for Oct. 9, Nov. 27 and New Year's Eve. Tickets went on sale Wednesday. Contact Dawson for tickets.

 

** As noted before, Miami and Ottawa Country were extremely social during these years. The News Record printed all social club events, officers, and luncheons, which sometimes covered forty to fifty. If you traveled, to Tulsa or Egypt, and called the news they would print the event and why and how you arrived at your destination. If you had surgery, the hospital often gave details and updates of these events with full names. Every PTA had meetings and plays. The fishing scene dominated many sports pages, along with bowling. All high school and college events are covered with pictures of details of the events. The news covered the communities in elaborate fashion. Everyone felt connected. 

54.9.  mdnr  "Polio Event Fund"

An Oklahoma PGA section sweepstakes, for the benefit of the March of Dimes, began Saturday at the Miami Country club. The tournament, for members only, will divide half the proceeds with the March of Dimes and half for prizes. Club pro, Johnie Stapp, said that the tourney would run from Saturday through Monday, Labor Day.

**Note: In the late 1940's--1960's Kansas and Oklahoma played a key role in promoting women's professional golf. I've always been proud of our state's history of promoting women's golf. Keep in mind that high school golf was offered for boys and girls until 1960. It took Title IX to bring girls golf back to high school and colleges.

In light of this Ardmore was dynamic golfing community. After dad moved to Miami, he yearly drove to the Ardmore area for Waco Turner's professional/Calcutta men's tournaments. Doc Jackson, Dr. Baron, John F. Robinson, Jackie Myers and others often accompanied him. The term for Calcutta in golf refers to a betting game, which later became an issue! Each golfer participating in a Calcutta is both a player and an owner, but before anyone can tee off, all golfers must first “buy” another player through an auction. Golfers bid on who they feel will win the event, generally beginning with the lowest handicap player and ending with the highest handicap player. 

54.9.19 mdnr  "Lady Pro Golfers Play in State"

Golfers who will be playing in the first annual Ardmore Women's Open golf tournament starting Thursday, will have to work hard for the bonus money to be offered by Mrs. Opie Turner, who is bankrolling the $5,000-plus event.

Dornick Hills Country club course, scene of the rich men's open the past three years, will play a tough par 74, just four strokes over men's standard. The tournament, patterned by Opie after her husband Waco Turner's bonus plan for the men's event, may become the richest ever sponsored for women.

In addition to the $5000 official prize money, the bonus awards, which include $200 for the day's lowest score, $300 for a hole in one and $250 for eagles, are likely to equal or surpass that amount by windup time Sunday. The total purse may reach $12,000 or more for the professional women.    

The course will have six par five's. This should enable the long-hitters such as Babe Zaharias a chance to grab off birdies on the holes which ordinarily would carry a par four. However, the Babe will not have too much advantage on the tricky, hilly layout because of her distance. 

Although the Babe is a perennial favorite wherever she plays, little Louise Suggs, Patty Berg and Betsy Rawls should do well. Other topnotchers of the Ladies Professional Golfers association competing will include Betty Jameson, Jackie Pung, Beverly Hanson, the Bauer sisters, Alice and Marlene, and other of the field of 50. 

54.9.26 mdnr "Pro-Amateur to Start Monday at Local Golf club"

A pro-Am golf tournament will open Monday at the Miami Country club with golfers from Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas expected. Each of the pros will be accompanied by an amateur and will play with members of the Miami club, according to host professional Johnie Stapp.

Such proficient golfers as Ky Laffoon, former Miamian now from Springfield, Mo, and Jack Shields, Tulsa are expected along with Royand Harper, Wichita, Art Wadkins, Joplin; Marshall Smith Independence, Kas.; Hugh Banoff, Tulsa; Bill Weatherspoon, Tulsa; Eddie Johnson, Miami; Jack Higgins, Tulsa; Marion Askew, Tulsa; Don Wilkie, Bartlesville; Dan Langford, Enid; Lloyd Tate, Joplin; U.C. Ferguson, Oklahoma City; Bill DeMoss, Blackwell; Fred Kareyer, Wichita, and Marion DeLongy, Parson, Kas. 

The matches will start at 11 o'clock Monday morning. There will be about 80 players entered. No gallery fee for spectators will be charged. 

 

54.9.28 mdnr  "Shields' Team Takes Pro-Am"

A team headed by Tulsa professional Jack Shields won first place in the pro-am tournament held Monday.  Shields and three amateurs--Al Moyer, Tulsa, West Bullock and J.C. Taylor, both of Miami--were 18 strokes under par after 18 holes.

Some 70 golfers competed in the tourney, including most of the district's professionals who, incidentally, unanimously praised the host club's greens.

Close behind in the team competition--with two best balls counting--were Marion Askew, Tulsa pro with amateurs R.D. Karnes, Tulsa, Clarence Carselowey and Joe Thompson, both of Miami. The quartet finished 17 strokes under par, just one stroke off the lead.

Third place went to Don Wilkie, professional, and Glen Vandyke, Bartlesville, Walter Williams and Glenn Scott of Miami at 16 under par. 

Low individual was professional Jack Higgins of Tulsa, with a 71. Eddie Johnson, Miami, and Shields both posted 73's. Loddie Kempa, national southpaw champion out of Kansas City, and Ky Laffoon, were among the pro's competing.

 

54.10.10 mdnr "Women's Club Champion"

The Ladies Golf association of Miami Country club has announced winners of the Champion tournament held last week. The winners competed in driving, approaching and putting contests.

The Championship went to Mrs. J.R. Organ, runner-up Mrs. Spencer Dawson. 

Class A: Mrs. Claud Jones was the victor and Mrs. Robert Temple, runner-up,

Class B: Mrs. George Murphy, was the winner, and Mrs. Glenn McCullum was the runner-up.

Class C: Mrs. Earl Gaines, Jr, was the victor and the runner-up was Mrs. Corbin Shouse.

Consolations winners were; Championship, Mrs. Jack Horner; class A, Mrs. O.R. Westfall; class B, Mrs. Sam Fullerton; class C, Mrs. Lois Cowles.

The handicap winners were Mrs. Robert Nunn, first, and Mrs. Ed Badger, second.

Approaching and putting winners were Mrs. Claud Jones, first, and Mrs. Jack Horner, second.  

In the driving contest, the title went to Mrs. Organ, Class A winner was Mrs. Joe Ramsay, class B honors went to Mrs. Walter Patterson, Class C was won by Mrs. Hance VanBeber.

"Surprise Winners" were Mrs. George Kroupa and Mrs. Woodrow Painter. 

Next week, lady golfers will play by teams for low net. Pairings to follow.

**PERSONAL STORY: Terry Westfall, son of Mildred Westfall, shared that his mother was so proud of her tournament win that she displayed her trophy on the mantle, and there it stayed for years to come. 

54.10.31 mdnr  "Officers Selected"

The Ladies Golf group of Miami Country club has elected new officers for the Women's Golf Association. The president is Mrs. J.R. Organ. Others are Mrs. Joe Ramsay, vice-president; Mrs. Lois Cowles, secretary, and Mrs. Hance VanBeber, treasurer.

**Note: The ladies group of Miami Country club was extremely active and always efficient at announcing all events in a timely manner. I found entries for Ladies Golf and Ladies Card Games weekly in the newspaper. Time and space did not allow me to write all that is available . The men, however, did not seem interested in posting Stag Night results.

 54.11.7 mdnr  "Ladies Card Party"

The bridge-canasta party, sponsored by the Ladies division of the Miami Country club Thursday evening at the clubhouse, was attended by approximately 175 persons.

Mrs. E.C. Mabon was awarded a set of tires. 

High score for the bridge was won by Mrs. Corbin Shouse, Mrs. Vernon Anderson was the high scorer in the canasta group. 

Other bridge prizes were won by Mrs. Robert Temple, J.W. Hanna, Mrs. Marion Zajic, Mrs. J.A. Coppedge, Mrs. I. M. Helmey, Mrs. Gib Reynolds, Mrs. John Highland, Mrs. Louis Jolley, Mrs. George Murphy, Ann Garman, Mrs. Jack Brown, Mrs. Richard Lacy, Mrs. Richard Wright, Mrs. C.D. Wood, Mrs. Ralph Moore, Mrs. John Reese, Margaret Harned, and Mrs. J.W. Hanna.

Canasta winners were Mrs.M. C. Bagby, Mrs. Earl Fisher, Mrs. G.W. Housley, Blanche Dunn, Mrs. Clarence Niday, Mrs. Claud Jones, Mrs. Robert Peel, and Mrs. J.R. Organ. 

Prizes for the low scores were won by Mrs. Walter Patterson, Jr., and Mrs. Jack Brown. 

 

The Caddy -- 1950's

1950'S THE CADDY by Letty Stapp Watt

It would be impossible to share our history of golf without including the role of the caddies who have perpetuated the game over the last two centuries.

Depiction of Slammin Sammy Snead, who began his career in golf as a caddy.

 

It is important to know that before 1870 caddies carried clubs in their arms with out the benefit of a bag. A retired sail-maker who was the clubhouse attendant at England's Westward Ho! fashioned a strip of canvas to keep the grips from getting wet. Among the wealthier members, this chore of toting the loose clubs was delegated to the caddie.  Because of course conditions (Links-lands and public space for man and beasts) and the caddy's intimate knowledge of the course, they began to advise the player on club selection, distance, direction, and hazards. By the nineteenth century many caddies where known as "professionals." My father, like so many professionals of his era, began his career as  a caddy in Wichita, Kansas.  (THE WORLD OF GOLF by Charles Price, 1962)

1932

1932 June 19 mdnr reports that John Ballard, Custodian of the golf shop will reduce cold drinks by 50 percent. Golfers may now quench their thirst for a nickel. Golf balls are also cheaper this year and caddies made the rounds at considerably reduced fees.

1932 August 2 mdnr  reports that during the club championship between Clarence Gordon and Luther Sheldon, that Sheldon knocked his tee shot into the ditch and rolled under the bridge on hole #4. Caddies who were in a position to watch the ball declared that it bounced back and forth under the bridge before it flopped out and up for several yards on the fairway.

1932 July 11 MNR The annual tournament of caddies of the Rockdale CC is under way this week. The matches being played so far show: McCorkle winning two up and one to play over Breckinridge; Andy Gump winning five up over E. Warner; Glen Heath over Hank Eagle two and one to play; Virgil Pryor winning over Irvin Heath three up and two to play. The semi finals are scheduled to be played the first of this week.(No follow up on the winner.)

In the 1930's the Western Golf Association built a "caddie kit" for golf courses to purchase. 1. Know all 14 clubs;2. Hand player the club he selects; 3. Stand still; 4. Watch the ball; 5. Keep p with the player; 6. Keep quiet; 7. Replace all divots; 8 First n the green takes the flag; 9 Smooth sand in traps; 10. Memorize yardage of each hole; 11. Never swing clubs; 12. If you don't know--ask.  

There were also "Four Things to Do" if you are the player: 1. Know your caddy's name; 2. Cooperate fully with the caddy committee by observing all club caddy rules; 3. Give your caddy constructive advice and suggestions; 4. Help your caddy earn the WGA Honor Caddy badge. 

1942

Linda Neal Reising shares this story about her her father, Leroy Neal. 

My father worked as a caddy at the Miami Country club when he was young. He always told the story about Bing Crosby coming to the course. The boys drew straws to see who would be his caddy. Unfortunately, my father did not win. The boy who received the job to caddy for Bing Crosby was given a fifty dollar tip from Mr. Crosby. That was a fortune. 

To read the story of when Bing Crosby played golf at Miami please click on this link: Bing Crosby

1947 to the early 1950's 

Hermann Childers shared his memories of caddying at the Miami Country club in the early 1947. The pro before your dad came on board after the Scotsman, Jack Guild, left. He was there when I started to caddie in 1947 (Guild 1939-1952). Some of the caddies who worked there were Jack Horner, Larry Warner, Jim and Larry Parker, Ken and Jr. Walker, Ron Edwards, Bob Furnish. There were the Huddleson Brothers, there were five who lived in Commerce worked regularly as caddies. Ernie Warner, and others whose names I don't recall worked as caddies through the late 1940's and early 1950's. 

Those were the good times. We always made good money for hauling those clubs around the course. On Saturdays and Sundays we made $2.00 a day or more. That was great money because we could go to the movies for 10 cents. Ice cream "double dip" was 5 cents and hamburgers were 10 cents at Roy's Lunch and Tucker's Lunch. Those were the days.  

 

James Taylor recalls many stories about the Miami Country club. He writes that the old cement building for caddies stood off to the right of hole #1. It was a block house with benches to offer shade. Caddies would wait until they were called, I believe Ernie, a Sr. Caddy in his thirties, managed them. However, I did caddy and spent a little time in that house. Mostly caddies played poker and gambled while waiting. Conversations were similar to the dialogue in the movie "Caddy Shack." 

James writes, when I was 14, I was going to the CC to practice and observed a dozen or more people grouped around someone hitting golf balls in the range next to hole #1. As I walked over there, I saw Ben Hogan hitting balls and watched him for 60 plus minutes hit seven irons to Ernie. Hogan's forearms were Popeye liked, and those shots were carrying about 155 yards or so. Erie hardly ever had to move other than a step and bend over to pick up the golf balls.

Another treat was when Hogan hit 25 or so shots with just his left arm. Those shots had the same trajectory and were 15-20 yards shorter than his normal shot. Hogan was a good friend with George Coleman, Jr.  George brought Ben to Miami more than once when he visited his mother. George is who also put together the four ball team of Hogan and Nelson that defeated the undefeated team of Ward and Venture as described in the book THE GREATEST MATCH EVER PLAYED by Mark Frost. 

James writes, Johnie Stapp and my father, Gob Taylor, were good friends. Once when I was caddying for John Robinson I overheard John F. and Johnie Stapp discussing activity at the dance at the Miami CC. It must have been a good story.

I also carried double at Southern Hills for Johnie and Doc Baron. Pat Temple and I went double for Johnie, Doc Baron, Jackie Meyers and Doc Jackson at Southern Hills when I was 14 years old and Pat Temple was 15. Southern Hills is hilly and a wonderful challenging course. I only recall I was totally exhausted after the round, going up and down those hills, as was Pat. Johnie took a little pity on us and as did the rest of the foursome and asked after the round if we could go another 18. I almost died at the question as the event was in July and 95 degrees with no wind, but then he just laughed and said, "Just kidding Jimmy" and I thanked the Lord. 

1953 October 7 mdnr  "Pros Women caddies in Paris"

The American Ryder cup golf team confessed to a man today that it is slightly nettled over one aspect of European golf. It is the women caddies.  The American Professionals are here for a match with a European all-star team from six countries. At the suburban St. Cloud golf course they discovered that women were used to carry clubs. Walter Buerkemo's caddy confided in him she's expecting the blessed event in about five months. 

"You know," said the Detroit pro, "I just feel like going up to her and saying, "Ma'am I'll carry that bag".

 

Bob Hill relates his memories of caddying for Ky Laffoon and Jackie Myers, local hustler. It was not uncommon for them to play 18 holes, for which Bob caddied double, then after winning or losing a large amount of money, they would head over to hole #1 and play the hustle game. 

On hole #1 they'd go to a spot on the hole, perhaps a 60 yard pitch or chip shot, throw out a dozen balls each and hit to see who got the closest to the hole. These were of $100+ bets (1950's). Then they'd walk over to hole #2 and perhaps throw down a dozen balls each in the bunker, and again play for who hit the closet shot to the pin. 

During the hustle game Ky would play with his Championship bag of clubs. The special bag contained 5-6 different types of clubs because he was superstitious, and kept only the clubs that he hit the best. In reality they were often the only clubs left in his bag after a round of golf. His temper cost him not only tournaments and money but it cost him many golf clubs (and gave golf historians many outlandish stories to tell.) 

Bob relates that during the hustle round of 9 holes in 3 1/2 hours he was required to keep score 11111,1111.  In the end Jackie Myers owed Ky $9.00

One year when Ky was visiting Miami course, he carried a MacGregor set of irons and copper plated inset on the grooves of each iron. 

Bob Hill retells caddying for Harvey Ward during the 1958 U.S. Open at Southern Hills. Ken Venturi also played in the practice  round group. (This is the same pairing from The Match by Frost.) Mike Souchak and Frank Stranahan were in the foursome with Ward and Venturi. Bob was 16 years old in 1958. *Stranahan was a very wealthy young man, who turned pro just so he could play with the pro's. He liked that level of golf. (read in a golf story.)

In order to learn how to caddy for a pro in the US Open, Bob and other men were required to go to caddy school for 6 weeks on a Monday in Tulsa. Bob's folks took him out of school and drove him to Tulsa to learn the rules that caddy's needed to know.

It seems that Harvey Ward and Ken Venturi were on the rolls as working for Eddie Lowry in his California car dealership, when in essence they never worked a lick, but Eddie paid for their amateur tournaments. Because this was illegal Harvey was forced to turn pro in 1958, Venturi had already turned pro. 

In the 1958 US Open Bob caddied for Ward on the practice round (Wednesday), then 18 on Thursday, 18 on Friday, and 36 on Saturday. $35,000 was the entire purse with the winner Tommy Bolt taking home $8000, and unknown man named Gary Player, placed 2nd.

 

Tommy Bolt, celebrating the win on hole #18. There is a skinny little kid in the background, Bob Hill. (pic posted on Facebook 3/30/22) Tommy Bolt, US Open Champion 1958

In the late 1950's Bob often traveled to Springdale, Arkansas for a big Pro-am with Doc Jackson, Johnie Stapp, Jackie Meyers, who was the gambler.

Charlie Dawson writes I worked in the golf shop with Johnie Stapp in the late 1950's and early 1960's. In my last event, Bob Dickson who went on to play the tour was in my threesome. Johnie arranged for me to caddy for Mickey Mantle and George Coleman, Jr. when they played at Miami CC. When Coleman left Miami to live in California he was connected with the celebrities out there. I think he was an investor in the Ben Hogan company. 

If it weren't for the role of caddying in the 1920's my father, the next professional to come to Miami, would never have learned the game of golf, nor learned a profession other than janitor, as his hands were twisted and scarred from serious burns he received in his early teens, while working on a car.  The doctor and nurse suggested that dad learn to hold a golf club as therapy, which then opened the door to golf courses and caddying. 

On a personal note:

 I recall caddies being regular hands at the golf course in Independence, Kansas when I would have been 3,4,5 (1951, 52, 53).  There were no gasoline golf carts, so the caddies carried one or two bags and perhaps used a push cart if the player requested. They were there from sunup to sundown and many an afternoon I played out back in the sand pile where the caddies sat around when they weren't working. I remember that they each had cigar boxes, some painted, most just labeled. Inside they kept their cash or other belongings. The cigar boxes were stored at the Bowling Alley when the caddy was working.  I watched them play marbles and tried my best to sit on pop bottles like they did.

My most fascinating memory was from the snakes and fishes in the big lake on the golf course, not far from our home or the putting green.  The boys, dad, and some of the members often fished in the lake. One day the caddies raked out a great long black snake and cut it open. In all of their excitement I left my home and ran down to the lake. There I discovered with my own eyes a number of rotten golf balls in the snake's belly. The balls don't digest, they just lay in the belly and rot!

*Note: As I finish this story on the role of the caddy, The Master's golf tournament is 'live on television' this week. The role of the caddy is immeasurable as we watch these men walk the six miles daily up and down the lush hills of Georgia. I hope some of our readers have had the opportunity to watch The Master's in person or another women's or men's professional golf tournament. Being in the crowd and watching this game live is incredible. 

**The story of Pappy Stokes, Grandfather of Caddies explains all of the roles that a caddy carries on his/her shoulders. 

 

1951--1953 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF THE MIAMI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

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 who dad befriended and hired over the decades of his life.   

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.  

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

1950 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF THE MIAMI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

 1950 TIMELINE AND STORIES

By Letty Stapp Watt

 

Jack Guild, polishing the clubs.

 

1950 January 1 mdnr  "Stockholders Meeting"

The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Miami Country Club of Miami, Oklahoma, for the election of two directors and the transaction of other business that may come before the meeting will be held at the clubhouse on January 10, 1950 between the hours of 6 and 10 p.m.

1950 January 25 mdnr  "In Miami, Local News Briefs"

Clay Potts, director of short courses and supervisor of dining rooms at Oklahoma A &M college at Stillwater, has returned after a visit in Miami during which he directed the barbecuing of food for 350 people at the Fullerton banquet at Miami Country club Sunday. Potts has been featured in a magazine of national circulation as the "Barbecue King." Recently in Colorado he supervised a barbecue for 10,000 people.

1950 February 19 mdnr  "Commerce Star" 

Mickey Mantle, 1950

The New York Yankees appear to have a "comer" in Mickey Mantle, who at 18 will enter his second year of professional baseball this spring. With whom the former Commerce high school athlete will be playing is not definitely known as diamond fever starts settling in. Mickey made the first team in a post-season all-star balloting last year after hitting .314 with Independence's pennant playoffs winners. The agile shortstop has considerable power at the plate and attracted lots of attention at a Yankee baseball school in Phoenix, Arizona earlier this year.

1950 April 2 mdnr "Hog Varsity Golfers Beat Vikings Here"

The Northeaster A&M golf team was blanked by the strong Arkansas university varsity Saturday afternoon on the Miami Country club course. All four Arkansas golfers shot in the 70's with Randy Warner, the No. 3 man, carding the lowest total of 75.

Max Peacock led the Miamian totally 80 over the course. 

Friday, the Norsemen golfers were beaten by the Joplin junior college squad, 9 1/2 --2 1/2 points on the Schifferdecker layout in Joplin. 

Following are the scores in the two matches with Miami players named first:

Miami vs. Arkansas

Dale Smith, 81 J. Mosley,77
Max Peacock, 80  M. Marks,78
Thomas Witte, 83, Randy Warner, 75
Wayne Mason, 84, J. Eisermann, 77

Miami vs. Joplin

Dale Smith, 79, Jim Thomas, 74                                                            Max Peacock, 77 Fritz Kauffman, 79                                                      Thomas Witte, 89, Dick Shaw, 76                                                          Wayne Mason, 98, Dale Hawkins 91.                                                                 

1950 April 5 mdnr  "Young Ed Johnson Wins Florida Golf Title"

Eddie Johnson, a former Miami high school athlete, added another trophy to his collection recently when he captured the Florida state high school golfing championship.

Johnson, who lived in Miami until two years ago, had already bagged the Georgia high school championship in 1949 and his victories this year rate him as one of the better young golfers in the south. 

He is the grandson of Mrs. Carl Pulford, 219 D southwest, Miami, and is a nephew of Ky Laffoon, a prominent member of the professional golf fraternity for years. Eddie's parents are Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Johnson of Tallahassee, Florida. 

1950 April 9 "Women Golfers"

The Women's Golf association met Wednesday for a luncheon at the Miami Country club. Those present were: Mrs. Henry Garwood, Mrs. Bob Hughes, Mrs. Harry Ford, Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. Floyd Myers, Mrs. Bus Williams, Mrs. Frank Pauly, Mrs. Jack Horner, Mrs. Gib Reynolds, Miss Susan Stansell and Miss JoAnn Taylor.

1950 April 16 mdnr  "Golf in the Air" 

Even before spring arrives officially, Jack Guild, Country club pro, begins to polish the clubs. The likeable 50-year-old bachelor has been with the club 12 years. During that time he has witnessed development of the local course into one of the finest nine-hole layouts in this part of the country. 

This is the best editing I can do on this old photo. Since the carrying of the golf clubs and old cart showed up, along with the club in the background, I decided to add it to the story.

 

The attractive foursome turned to the fairways last week to absorb some spring weather. All members of the Women's Golf association at the Country club, they are, from left to right--JoAnn Taylor, Mrs. Bob Hughes, Billye Ann Green, and Susan Stansell.

 ***

Promotion of the Northeastern Oklahoma recreation area has been given a boost through the arrival of 75,000 Grand-Spavinaw lake maps. The maps, which depict the high points of interest in the sporting territory, are published jointly by the Chamber of Commerce and the Northeastern Oklahoma Lakes association. Besides Miami, included in the NOLA are Afton, Disney, Jay, Pryor, Tulsa, Bernice, Fairland, Ketchum, Spavinaw, Wyandotte, Cleora, Grove, Langley, and Vinita. 

***

"Miami Census"

Will the census records show that Miami has doubled it population in the last decade? That was the $64 million dollar question going around here Saturday while Uncle Sam's nose counters entered the final lap in the 1950 business and residential tabulation.

Jack C. Brown, Miami attorney and district census supervisor for Ottawa and six other counties, said Saturday he'll probably break the big news late next week immediately following completion of the census in Miami.

1950 May 8 mdnr "Stag Night"

A regular Stag night meeting will be held at the Miami Country club Tuesday evening. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.  All members are urged to attend. 

1950 May 19 mdnr  "Country club Women Meet"

At a Wednesday luncheon of the Women's Golf association at the Miami country club, prizes on blind holes were awarded to Mrs. Floyd Newton, championship class; Mrs. Frank Pauly, class A; Mrs. Richard Wright, class B; and Mrs. Elmer Gaines, class C.

Those present for the luncheon were: Mrs. Frank Pauly, Mrs. Harry Ford, Mrs. G.W. McCollum, Miss Susan Stansell, Mrs. Richard Wright, Mrs. Wallace Dunn, Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. Jack Galloway, Mrs. Claud Jones, Mrs. John E. King, Mrs. Floyd Newton, Mrs. Jack Horner, Miss JoAn Taylor, Mrs. Gib Reynolds, Mrs. Robert Temple, and Mrs. Elmer Gaines.

1950 May 28  mdnr "Holiday Tourney"

A mixed foursome golf tournament will be held at the Miami Country club on Decoration day, Tuesday, beginning at 1:30 p.m.

All members have been asked to register their names with Jack Guild at the club house either Sunday or Monday. Pairings will be announced Tuesday morning. 

The match originally scheduled between the Miami and Pittsburg clubs for June 4 has been postponed until June 11.

 

 

1950 June 5  "Letters from the PGA Championship Office"  

While my father was the pro at Independence, Kansas Country Club he qualified for the 1950 PGA held in Columbus, Ohio.  These are copies of his original letters from the PGA. This little piece of history is quite captivating. 

Please note the signature of Horton Smith, who was an outstanding amateur and professional from Joplin, Missouri.

1950 June 23 mdnr "Women Golfers"

The Women's Golf association of the Miami Country club met Wednesday noon for a luncheon at the clubhouse. Those attending were: Mrs. Elmer Gaines, Mrs. Bus Williams, Mrs. Jack Galloway, Mrs. Frank Pauly, Mrs. Richard Wright, Mrs. Bill Blackwell, Miss JoAnn Taylor, Mrs. D.E. McIntire, Mrs. G.W. McCollum, Mrs. Rex Graham, Mrs. Dee WAtters, Mrs. Henry Garwood, Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. Floyd Newton, Mrs. John King, Mrs. Claud Jones, Mrs. Wallace Dunn, Mrs. Gib Reynolds, Mrs. Harry Ford, and Mrs. Robert Temple. 

Prizes for last week's low gross were won by Mrs. Floyd Newton, championship; Miss JoAnn Taylor, class A; Mrs. Frank Pauly, class B; and Mrs. Bill Blackwell, class C.

***

"Junior Group" night at Miami Country club will be observed Friday from 7:30 until 10 pm. Folk dancing and other entertainment will be furnished. 

1950 June 30 mdnr  "Mixed Foursomes"

Jack Guild, Miami Country club pro, announced today that mixed foursomes will be played Sunday at the club course. Play will start at 1 o'clock. Pairings will be made Saturday and published in Sunday's New-Record.

1950 July 2 mdnr  "Pairings Made for Local Golf Play"

Miami Country club Pro Jack Guild announced Saturday that pairings for today's mixed foursomes, originally slated to be made yesterday, will be paired this morning at the country club.

Members may learn the pairings by contacting Guild. He said that an 18-hole flag tournament with handicap has been scheduled for the Fourth of July. Members may play in the tourney any time during the day. 

In the low-ball Calcutta tournament, Charles F. Lewis carded a low gross score of 70 strokes for top honors, while Jess Fronterhouse and Walter Williams, Jr, tied for low net honors with 67. 

Winners in the play were: Dr. R. Baron and Jack C. Brown, with a 56 net score; Bill Jones and Noel Wyatt, 60 net; Dr. R.E. Baron and W.C. Bullock, 60 net; Jack Myers and Max Peacock, 60; Charles F. Lewis and Claude Jones, 61; Charles F. Lewis and George Beck, 61; Charles F. Lewis and Jack James 62; and Jack Guild and Rex Painter, 62. 

1950 July 5 mdnr  "Notes  from Your Town"  

The area of his left hip painfully, though not seriously seared, when eight fuses went off in his pocket at Miami Country club last night, Charley Trussler, 23 C st. Southeast, was sittin' carefully if not pretty today. 

The injury, which cost Charley a pair of almost new trousers, occurred while he was setting off fireworks display for the club members and their families. According to Charley, he had just touched off a "motor rocket" when sparks flew into his pocket and set off the fuses he was keeping handy there. His wallet also was seared but no currency was destroyed--he wasn't carrying any, he said.

1950 July 6 mdnr  "Dunn Wins Golf Tourney" 

Results of the Miami Country club Fourth of July golf flag tournament were released yesterday by club pro, Jack Guild. 

In the tourney Wally Dunn won first place honors with a 74 minus 10 stroke handicap for a 64 net. Second place was won by W.L. Williams, with a 78 minus 12 for net 66, while M.K. Hutts came in third with an 81-12, 69 net. Others with 69 nets, were Dale Mabon, 96-27, and Harry Dean, 87-18. Deadlocked with 70 nets were M.W. Hall, 94-24, Jack C. Brown 55-15, G.R. White, Jr., 80-10 and M.C. Bagby, 80-10. 

Guild also announced the winners of the mixed foursomes tourney held last Sunday. Low net honors went to Mrs. Claud Jones and C.F. Lewis, Jr., with a 40-11, 29 low net, while Mrs. Frank Pauly and Glenn Scott carded second low net of 46-15, 31. Low gross cards were turned in by Joann Taylor and Jack Meyers with a 40, while Mrs. George Anderson and C.E. Trussler had second low gross with 44. 

All prizes for the winners may be picked up at the golf shop.

In other Sunday links action C.F. Lewis, Jr., aced the No. 3 hole. Using a No. 6 iron Lewis made his hole-in-one on the 150-yard drive while playing with Dee Watters, Max Peacock and Phillip Peacock, Jr.

1950 July 23  mdnr "The Grist"   -- Mickey Mantle

The answer to the New York Yankee's pennant prayers is stuck deep in Joplin, Missouri--and his name is Mickey Mantle. Who sez, you say?

Well, these words come from no less an authority than ol' Casey Stengel himself. And he ought to know, for he's the guy whose managing the Yanks in their pennant climb.

Stengel is really sold on the Commerce flash, now going like a house afire for the Miners in the class C Western association, according to a recent news release. 

"I've seen great baseball prospects in my lifetime," Stengel said, "but no one to compare with this kid Mickey Mantle at Joplin I saw this Mantle at the Yankees in Phoenix winter camp and he really made my eyes pop."

The Yank mentor was sold all the way around on Mickey, who performed so superbly for Commerce on the athletic field. Stengel likes his hustle, his size and especially gets a gleam in his eye when Mickey's prodigious batting feats were mentioned, the report said. Right now the husky Miner shortstop is hitting a robust .391 leading the league in runs batted in, triples, and total bases. 

And Stengel would love to have him up there now. But if Mickey was the parcut Yanks he'd play on third, Stengel said, for "with his natural ability, he'd go good anywhere." 

But Casey isn't planning on getting him for awhile, because of the Yankees system of leaving a youngster in the minors for a few years. Stengel doesn't go along with that theory--that a player must serve a long apprenticeship in the minors before he is ready to play in the bi time. He thinks that if a kid's good enough and ready, bring him up. 

 

1950 July 30 mdnr "Golfers to Oppose Pittsburg"

A golf match between the Miami Country club and the Pittsburg Country club will be played this afternoon on the local links. club pro Jack Guild announced. 

Matches between the two squads, each composed of 20 players will start at 1 o'clock. Members who played in a previous meet at Pittsburg, won by the Kansas golfers were requested to sign up for the match this morning at the golf shop. 

 

 

1950 August 4 mdnr   "Mixed Tourney Set"

It will be  mixed foursomes at the Miami Country club Sunday afternoon, club pro Jack Guild announced today.  Pairings for the tourney will be decided Sunday. Any local golfers interested in playing need to call the golf shop.

**NOTE:  There are no copies of the Miami Daily News Record available from August through December 1950.

 

 

* 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