Johnie F. Stapp, the Wichita Years, 1926-1940

1926-1940 Johnie F. Stapp

The Wichita Years

by Letty Stapp Watt

 

The great Ken Venturi once said, " My father taught me that the easiest thing to do was to quit. He'd say, 'It doesn't take any talent to do that.'"

Luckily, for my sister and me our father, Johnie Stapp, believed this mantra and took it to heart. When his arms were severely burned in his teenage years it was a doctor and nurse at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas who taught him to first hold a golf club, and then to swing a golf club. Without that form of physical therapy my father was destined to be a janitor, for his hands were twisted and curled from the burns.

The bandaged burns and several surgeries left both of his forearms drawn at forty-five degree angles, and his finger tightly curled inwards. It left him unable to hold a pencil, handle tools in the garage, or do much more than rake leaves. One of his doctors was a golfer and took an interest in his young patient. In the beginning, the golf was prescribed for therapy. The doctor taught him how to grip the club properly, which meant painful gripping and twisting to his hands and wrists. While still in the hospital dad practiced how to grip a club, giving his hands and arms the muscles needed to once again become useful. When he was released from the hospital he would meet his doctor on weekends at a nearby golf course. Eventually, he learned to swing the club. While the recovery was painful, it also proved a new playground for the then sixteen year old. The pro at Sims Parks suggested that Johnie become a caddy, which would give him an opportunity to make money, and play golf one day a week.

 For the full story on his recovery please click on my "Literally Letty" blog site: 

<https://literallyletty.blogspot.com/2011/07/pro.html>

Johnie Stapp, the Caddy:

Young curly headed Johnie Stapp is the middle back caddy. 

Johnie became a caddy in 1925 at Sims Park, Wichita Country Club, Crestview Country club, and several other courses as events needed caddies. By 1928 he was playing in the area caddy tournaments. In this 1929 photo Tully Meyers, top left defeated dad 3 and 2 in a 36 hole match play for the City Caddy Championship.

1926

 

During the "dust bowl" years Johnie drove to Hutchinson, Kansas to play at Carey Park. He was considered one of the straightest shooters in the
field. In 1933 he won the Fiesta Golf Tournament at Carey Park. The newspaper wrote that Johnie Stapp, a turf cutter from Wichita, excelled in putting, giving him more birdies than the other players.

One of his favorite stories told of the time that he and his sister drove to Hutchinson from Wichita in a dust storm. "The wind and dirt blew so terribly that Sis had to get out of the car and walk along side of it, pounding with signals on the hood of the car to keep me on the road." His mother and sister, agreed that the story was true, although possibly exaggerated. 

In 1933 Johnie, playing at Crestview in the Caddy Championship, Johnie shot a 77, which gave him medalist honors and a birth in the Kansas State Amateur Championship.

In 1934 Johnie, playing in the Wichita City Championship was medalist with a 70, but was beat in match play. In 1934 he set the course record at Westlink Golf Course with a 67. 

He continued to play in all caddy and area amateur events in Kansas until 1936. From 1936-1939 Johnie earned a living by repairing golf clubs, selling golf clubs for a company during those years, and as a mechanic at a local service station.

1940 June 20 Wichita Eagle

Stapp turned out to be the darkhorse candidate for the Kansas State Amateur. Stapp is a former well-known city and state tourney player. Just 28 now, he has been out of golf for four years, but has hit a 68 and 69 in rounds of golf at Sim Park regularly in practice. He may be the one to watch. 

In the early Pro-Am a Kansas City pair of R.N. Bumps Barnes, professional from Quivira CC and his partner Woody Owens, won with a net 65, beating out the next lowest pair of W.L. Myers and Johnie Stapp of Wichita.  This pair furnished a 66 in style as hot shooting amateur, Johnie Stapp turned in a 69, two under par. (The team won $69.)

...As the newspaper went to press with scores from the morning round of Thursday's qualifying the afternoon round sees Billy Jones just off the pace of the morning's lowest score. John Stapp, another amateur who shot in the sixties Wednesday, is scoring low now and may set the qualifying pace. 

1940 June 21 Wichita Eagle

In the first round of match play in the Kansas State Amateur at Sims Park in Wichita, local man Johnie Stapp defeated Ed Beard 4 and 3. 

*Stapp was defeated in the third round by Bob Kellogg. 

1940 June 30 Wichita Eagle "Sports notes...

Watching Bob Kellogg one-iron Johnie Stapp out of the recent state tourney, Doc Lampkin says he got a good lesson on the one-iron. 

It looks as though Johnie Stapp will have his hands full when the one-day invitation tournament at Echo Hills get underway July 14. A number of hotshots, local and out-of-town have made reservations already. Prizes totaling almost $300 will be given.

1940 Fall notes from scrapbook

Athletes to camp. Wichita will see more and more of its sports figures going to military duty. Johnie Stapp well known golfer reports to Camp Robinson, Monday. Johnie will take his golf sticks along however, and hopes to get in some rounds. He's in the medical unit. 

Pvt. John Stapp of Wichita, Kansas is a member of the 137 Infantry at Camp Robinson, Little Rock, Arkansas.

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.