This is Letty Watt--Oklahoma Golf Legend Podcast

Thursday, September 14, 2023

1966 TIMELINE AND STORIES of MGCC

The only picture I have of the North entrance to the Miami Country Club. The blue station wagon to the right of the entrance is my father's car. 

 

 1966 April 11 Miami News Record "Mantle Will Test Hank Aaron's Bat"

Mickey Mantle left Atlanta Sunday with one of Hank Aaron's bats in his bag. "Hank gave it to me," the NY Yankee outfielder said, explaining that he asked the Braves' slugger for the bat.

"I figure if he can hit .329 for ten years with it, I should try it," Mantle said. Hearing Mantle's statement Aaron grinned and quipped, "I'd say he has done all right with his own bat." 

Actually, Mantle wanted the bat for the early season cold weather since the Aaron model has a thicker handle than his regular bat.

1966 February 10  "A True Story" as told by Bob Hill, Jr.

In 1966 Cindy Warren and I, eloped while her parents were in Biloxi, Mississippi with the Jackson’s.

Feb. 10, 1966 these families took a train ride to Biloxi, Mississippi,  and while they were gone we eloped.  Doc and Norma Lou Jackson, Howard and Hazel Warren (Cindy’s parents and members at Southern Hills) Rotten Ralph better known as Bob Klein was between wives, the Whipple's, Joe and Mary Lou, Chi and Earlene Galloway, the Oliver’s Bill, Sundown, and Claire, the Temples, Bob and Yvonne, and Spencer and Florence Dawson. 

Letty's comment: Thank you for sharing the true story. You cannot imagine the kerfuffle the two of you caused around the country club gossip tables. 

Bob: We were married for 48 years before she died of cancer in 2014.   Cindy Warren Hill, Obituary 

1966 April 11 "Ladies Golf is in Full Swing"

Winners in Miami Ladies Golf Association play the past week were: Championship--Mrs. Al White, Mrs Corbin Shouse and Mrs. Bill Hatfield; Class A--Mrs. Johnie Stapp; B--Mrs. Richard Humes; C--Mrs. W.A Giffhorn; beginners--Mrs. Kent Jeffries. Winter ringer winners were: Championship--Evelyn Hatfield; A--Erin Wojcik; B--Maxine Jeffries; C--Helen Post. 

On Wednesday beginners will play only the last four holes: Mrs. Jim Rutter, Mrs. Jack Doan, Mrs. Pat Patterson, and Mrs. Gerald Ketcher; Mrs. Leonard Munson, Mrs. Kent Jeffries, Mrs. Larry Gillespie and Mrs. H.D Robinson.

1966 April 17  "Wardog Golfers"

Left to right: Bobby Gaines, Jim Painter, Charles Grayson, Richard Varley, Woody Painter, Rodney Street, and Mark Wojcik. Absent, senior Tom Robinson. 

1966 April 19  "Hole-in-One for Gerald Ketcher"

 Jerry Ketcher, a B.F. Goodrich employee, fired a hole-in-one in golf play this morning at the Miami Country club. His ace came on the par 3 No. 12 hole. A No. 6 iron was used on the 151 yard shot. Witnesses were Delmer Barnes, his opponent, and two others, including Jack Doan. This was the season's second hole-in-one on No. 12. The first 1966 ace was shot early this month by Joe Thompson, a Miami lawyer. 

1966 April 20 "Young Miamians on Motorcycles Suffer Injuries"
Jimmy Painter, 15-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Painter, 903 Third avenue northwest, suffered a broken left leg at 5:45pm Tuesday in a hit-run accident at the intersection of Third avenue and C southwest. 

Jimmy, a regular on the Miami high school golf team which a day earlier had blanked Tahlequah, 13 to ), was riding home on his Honda motorcycle following golf practice, when a collision with a pickup occurred. 

Another Honda accident at 3:30 Tuesday caused bruises and scratches for Judee Macklin, 16, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O.C. Macklin, 926 I northwest.

1966 Spring

Letty  (Letty Stapp Watt) played on the NEO boys golf team Spring of 1966 and 1967. The first year I played I was only allowed to play on my home course in competition if I qualified for the team, no traveling. Thus. when the team qualified for Nationals in Miami Florida I did not attend and neither did one of  their strong players leaving a team of five to play.

George Billows, a player on that team, wrote: In June of 1966 Coach Kenny Richardson, Sophomores Ron Prater and Tony Wilke, Freshman Ron Robinson and myself, George Billows, traveled to Miami, Florida to play in the JC National Golf Tournament. While there hurricane Alma hit. We played a practice round the day before it hit and two rounds were cancelled. We did play the last two rounds but as I recall we did not play very well.

I lettered in golf in 1966 and 1967 and received a sports letter jacket. I also performed in Norse Stars and received a blue/gold woman’s sweater. 


 1966 April 22 "Track, Baseball, and Golf Events in Miami Today"

Six Lakes Conference track and field events, morning and afternoon at Robertson Field. Six Lakes golf tournament at the Miami Country club. NEO Norsemen vs Connors Aggies of Warner, afternoon baseball. 

The Miami War Dogs were to meet the St. Mary's Panthers in a baseball game this afternoon at Pittsburg, Kan.

1966 April 28 "Jaynes Model Wild Hats, Present Memorial Award"

 "My Life's Ambition" was the theme of the Mad Hatters party held in conjunction with Miami Jaycee Jaynes dinner meeting at the Miami Country club.The event, arranged by Mrs. Jim Newton and Mrs. Bill Dunbar, was emceed by Mrs. Homer Kemper and judged by Mrs. Henry Garwood and Mrs. Dick James. 

Mrs. Jim Rutter, who won first place, designed flowers from play money, completely covering her hat adorned with bills. Mrs. Richard Weston won second prize.

Mrs. Ron Gilbert, club president, extended greetings to approximately 40 members and guests including Mrs. Margaret Higgins, president of the Pryor Jaycee-ettes, Mrs. Mary Sue Baker, Mrs. Margie West and Mrs. Jerry Noles, also of Pryor; Ginger Allison, Afton 4-H club member, recipient of this year's Jackie Jordan 4-H Memorial award; Ginger's mother, Mrs. H.J. Allison, Afton, and Mrs. Gladys Jordan of Miami. It was Mrs. Jordan's daughter, Jackie who inspired the Jaynes to establish a 4-H memorial. Miss Jordan, who was graduated from Miami High School in 1951, was an outstanding 4-H club member. She had won first place in a state speech contest, and was scheduled to be Oklahoma's entry in a national contest when she and two other young Miamians were killed in an automobile accident June 10, 1951. 

Mrs. Bob Austin, civic and welfare chairman, presented the award to Miss Allison. Mrs Calvin Hunt, recipient of the Jaycee Jayne award for the month of March, was given her certificate by Mrs. Bob Collins. Mrs. Rutter, Mrs. Carol Bodine and Mrs. Rita Marnell were welcomed as new members.

1966 May 1 "Ladies Golf Notes"

Winners in Ladies Golf Assoc. competition the past week were: Melba Cordell, championship; Lois Cowles, Class A; Louise Curlee, B; Dorothy Jones, C, and Mary Robinson, beginners.

Short hole play is scheduled Wednesday. Players will take par on holes 3 and 8 and then low net from the white tees. There will be a business meeting at 12:30. Pairings;

** Note this is the first time I have read the ladies names in full, not with their husbands names. 

Lottie Mae Russell, Joyce Rutter and Yvonne Temple; Hattie Wall, Mayme Munson, and Beverly Jackson; Val Dale, Sharyn Jeffries and Ruth Heyburn; Hattie White, Sara Mirjanick, and Marcella Rideout.

Melba Cordell, Dorothy Jones, and Pat Horner; Maine Jeffries, Etta Viers and Mavis Ford; Tanya Reese, Louise Whitney, and Helen Moore; Mary Van Beber, Gladys Wetzel, and Betty Ketcher.

Doris Wilson, Sue Giffhorn, and Faye Berentz; Gladyce Hirsch, Rosalee Patterson, and June Woods; LaRue Gaines, Mary Robinson and Helen Jones; Louise Curlee, Bonnie Wible and Claire Butcher. 

Lib Lillard, Erin Wojcik, and Helen Post; Lois Cowles, Wanda Doan and Pauline Adkinson; Lois Garwood, Maxine Gillespie and Virginia Romick; Martha Campbell, Noma Newman, and Rose Pratt; Barbara Shouse, Roma Dahl, and Marge Smith; Sue Barnes, Ethel Carselowey, Mary Lou Wickham and Helen Stapp; Cora Wilson, Dollie Humes, Mae Farrier and Nancy Garrett; Pauline Dykes, Letty Stapp, and Joan Smallwood.

1966 May 3 "Palmer-Nicklaus Tickets available at Club in Miami"

As a public service, the Miami Country club will help conduct advance sales of tickets to the exhibition match for the May 17 golf clinic and match that will find Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, the world's greatest pro pair, in a foursome with Charley Coe and Bob Dickson, two all-time Oklahoma amateur greats.

The match will be played at the Southern Hills CC following a noon hour clinic. Tickets at the gate will cost $7.00, but may be purchased now at the Miami Country club for $5.00. Arrangement for the advanced sales were made by local club pro, Johnie F. Stapp, in co-operation with the Ladies Junior League of Tulsa, sponsor of the golf classic  

1966 May 8 "Twilight League Golf Play Begins Tuesday" 

Miami's Twilight Golf league will open a 13-week season with nine-hole rounds from 3 to 5:30p.m. Tuesday at the Miami Country club. Play will be at the same hours each Tuesday until the champions are determined.

Pairings for the opening play follow:

Team 1--John Garrett, Clifford Gust, Tom Rogers and C.Hunt  vs Team 2--Dan Heyburn, Tom Wilson, Dan Mailath, O.Douglas. 

Team 14--Dail West, Robert Jones, Ivan Estes, and W.J. Worley  vs  Team 3--George Romick, Louis Mirjanich, Bob Wickham and Bill Giffhorn.

Team 13 -- Kent Jeffries, R.W. Varley, K. C. Jeffries, and Dick Wadleigh  vs Team 4--Harry Kenreigh, Frank Hansford, Jerry Ketcher, and frank Remis.

Team 12--W.D. Jackson, Bob Temple, Harry Whitaker, and Bill Oliver  vs Team 5--Dan Sheaffer, George Myers, Eldon Smith and Scott Myers.

Team 11--Tom Forbes, R.O. Gibson, Tom Cordell, and L. Bearskin  vs Team 6--G.R. White, Al White, Bernie Schaff and Bill Hirsch.

Team 10--Dr. Bill Neel, Wayland Kelly, Joe Thompson, and Clarence Carselowey  vs Team 7--Ray Coburn, Kermit Lewis, Delmer Barnes and Harry Ford.

Team 9--George Parker, Pat Campbell, Al Williams, and Raymond McKinney  vs. Team 8--Woodrow Painter, A.K. Nikkel, W.C. Campbell, and Lloyd Cowgill. 

1966 May 15  "Norse Golfers 14-1 for Season: Will Compete in National Meet"

Northeastern A&M golfers concluded their season with a 14-1 record after posting a 9-7 victory over Oral Roberts University on Friday afternoon at Tulsa. The only match lost by the Norsemen during the 1966 season was to Independence, Kansas. 

All five NEO golfers shot in the 70's on the very tough LaFortune course in Tulsa on Friday. Norse sophomore Ron Prater of Tulsa fired a 75 to capture meadlist honors. Norse sophomore Jim Nolan of Henryetta was one stroke behind with 76.  The medal scores by othere Norsemen: Ron Robinson, 77; Tony Wilkie, 79, George Billows, 79. 

As a result of their fine record, the Norse golfers will be sent to the National Juco Tournament at Miami Lakes Country club, Miami, Florida. 

Norse Golf coach, Kenneth Richards, declared, "This year's team is the best in our college's golf history. I am really proud of the performances by our golfers and feel confident they will make a fine record in the national tournament. 

1966 Chevrolet Impala Sedan

 

1966 June 26 "Winners in the Miami Girls Invitational Golf Tournament"




 


1966 July 3  "4-Ball Tourney Title Won by Doan, Hester"

Jake Hester and Jack Doan won the championship of the annual four-ball tournament at the Miami Country club by defeating Dick Lillard and Ray Enyart, 3 and 1, on Saturday.

Trailing by two strokes at the nine-hole turn, Lillard and Enyart were down four with five holes to play. Each managed a birdie as they won two holes in a row. The 17th hole was halved, giving Hester and Doan the victory; 3 up and one hole to go.

The tournament was played on a handicap basis, which made the difference Saturday. Medal scores were Lillard 82, Doan 86, Enyart 93, and Hester 98. Last year's champions were Woodrow Painter and Lloyd Cowgill. 

1966 July 6  "Miami Junior Golf"

Pairings for Miami's junior golf competition this week follow:

THURSDAY: Boys, 5 holes--Craig Feronti, John Mirjanick, Dan Giffhorn; Matt Giffhorn, John Doan, Mark Heyburn; Tommy Jackson, David Reese, Jim Arndt, and Victor Wible.

Girls, 5-holes--Gail Painter, Tanya Reese and Teresa McKinney; Janie Adams, Rene Barnes and Dana Painter; Debbie Neal, Christy Dudgeon and Melissa Landers; Linda Wickham and Ann Cordell.

Boys, 2-holes--Dan Heyburn, Tommy Anderson, Brian Humes and Wayne Anderson; Tommy Renegar, Tommy Dean, and Jimmy Dean.

Girls, 2-holes--Ann Heyburn and Dawn Feronti; Tomie Feronti and Chandy Garrett.

FRIDAY: Boys, championship: Richard Varley, Charles Grayson, Bob Gaines, and Mark Wojcik.

Girls, championship--Sara James, Nancy Nesbitt and Nancy Adams; Billie Bennett and Nancy Cordell; Barbara Bomford and Susan Russell. 

Boys, Class A: Steven Renegar, Mark Cordell and Bill Giffhorn; Scotty Jackson, David Adams, and Jeff Butcher; Steve Hester and Randy James.

Girls, Class A: Carol Kenreigh and Karen Jeffries, Jonya Stapp and Tammy Romick.

Boys, Class B: Lewis Price, Bob Wilson and Chuck Chesnut; Kenny Gibson, Tommy Cordell, Gene Feronti, and Gregg Dale; Ricky Adams, Eddie Hester, and William Windham.

Girls, Class B: Lyn Bishop, Cheryl Enyart and Rebecca Mirjanick, Stephanie Munson, Elaine Butcher, and Nancy Reese; Jan Henley, Diane Dean, and Becky Nesbitt:   Barbie James, Suzy Wickham, and Kim Feronti.



1966 July 18  "Local Golf Results"

Results by flights in the Miami Country club golf tournament follow:

Championship--Second round, Bob Klein def. Kent Jeffries; Wayland Kelly def. Dick Lillard; Dr. W.D. Jackson def. Tom Cordell.

Third round, Ron Robinson def John Robinson, Jr., Klein def. Bill Hirsch; Jackson def. Jack Doan.

President's flight--First round, Kermit Lewis def. Harold Barnes; A.E. Nikkel def. Ed Dudgeon; Scott Myers def Lee Bearskin; Bill Hatfield def. Bill Carter.  Second round, Lewis def. Harry Kenreigh, Nikkel def. George Parker; Don Wiley def. Scott Myers, George Wojcik def Hatfield.  Semi-final round, Wojcik def Wiley.

A Flight--Second round, Ray Enyart def Bill Giffhorn. Semi-final round, Al Williams def. C. Dahl; Enyart def. Henry Garwood. 

1966 July 24 "Awards to Top Golfer Here"

The Miami Country club's summer junior golf program wound up Friday with presentation of trophies and medals following the annual junior handicap tournament. Winners are as follows:

CHAMPIONSHIP (16-17) Mark Wojcik, first; Richard Varley, second; Bob Gaines, long drive; Charlie Grayson, low putts.

Billie Bennett, first; Nancy Cordell, second; Nancy Nesbitt, long drive; Nancy Adams, low putts. 

A flight (14-15)  Jeff Butcher, first; Bill Giffhorn, second; Scott Jackson, long drive; Mark Cordell, low putts.

Karen Jeffries, first; Tammy Romick, second; Jonya Stapp, low putts.

B Flight (12-13) Billy Newman, first; Tommy Cordell, second, Bob Paine, long drive, Louis Price, low putts.

Suzy Wickham, first; Nancy Reece, second; Rebecca Mirjanick, low putts.  

Five Holes (9-11) Matt Giffhorn, first; Dan Giffhorn, second, Mark Heyburn, long drive; David Reese, low putts.

Melissa Landers, first; Ann Cordell, second; Linda Wickham, long drive; Tanya Reese, low putts. 

Two Holes (7-8) Tommy Anderson, first; Tommy Renegar, second; Wayne Anderson, long drive; Jimmy Doan, low putts.

Ann Heyburn, first; Tami Feronti, second; Dawn Feronti, long drive.

Trophies were presented to the upper division boys and girls for the most participation points for the season: Richard Varley and Billie Bennett for Championship; Mark Cordell and Jonya Stapp in A flight; Tommy Cordell and Suzy Wickham in B Flight.

1966 July 31  "Tulsa Boy Fires 73 for Top Honor Here"

A Tulsa boy's 73 was the best score as 134 golfers from the Tri-State area competed in the sixth annual boys' invitational tournament at the Miami Country club. Competing in President's flight for ages 13-14 entrants, Dana DeWitt fired a 73, best 18 hole score of the day. 

Two sudden death playoff's highlighted Championship flight with Tom Lloyd of Carthage, defeating Vic Benson, of Tulsa on the second hole of sudden death playoff. 

Miamians placing were: Charles Grayson,long drive;  Bill Giffhorn, second in B flight;  John Mirjanich, third in C flight. 


1966 August 1  "Dick Wadleigh Top Winner in Golf Play Here"

Dick Wadleigh was the winner Sunday of the low net trophy and a portable television set in the Thunderbird golf tournament. Wadleigh won the low net honor with a 144 in the 36-hole event. Eight-one golfers participated in the two-day tournament. Kissee Motor Co, in cooperation with the national sponsor, Ford Motor Co., was sponsor. 

Second place honors in low-net handicap competition went to Mrs. Martha Campbell,with a 145. She received a trophy and a portable radio. R.O. Hoot Gibson won a drawing for third place after he tied with two other players with a 146. He receive a coffee maker in addition to his trophy. Other trophy winner in the low net competition were Bill Wilson, fourth and Rex Painter, fifth, both with a 146. 

Trophies were also awarded in the men's and women's low gross competition. Dr. W.D. Jackson won the men's low gross with a 147. Dr. William Neal was runner up with a 158. 

Winner of the women's low gross was Letty Stapp, with a 179. Mrs. V.W. Lillard shot a 191 for runner-up honors. It was the first time for women to play on an equal basis with men in a local tournament

No hole-in-one was recorded in the 36-hole tournament, but Robert Hill, Sr. was named honorary winner of the contest after his ball landed only four feet from the hole. He received an umbrella.

 1966 August 7 "Ladies Golf Notes"

July ringer winners of the Ladies Golf Assoc. were Letty Stapp, championship;Lottie Mae Russell and Bonnie Wible, Class A; Dolly Humes, Class B, and Betty Ketcher, Class C. 

Winners the past week were Lib Lillard, championship; Lottie Mae Russell, class A; Marge Smith, B; Dorothy Jones, C.

Guest day will be observed Wednesday. Pairings will be made at the club. Coffee will be served at 8am with shotgun tee-off at 8:30. 

1966 August 18 "Springfield Gal Wins Tri-State"

A Springfield golfer fired a par five on an extra hole Wednesday to take the Women's Tri-state Golf Association Championship. Mrs. James Morris had tied with Barbara Gench, of Ft. Scott, Kan., with 165's after two days of play and 36 holes. On the first extra hole, Mrs. Morris dropped in her par while Miss Gench carded a bogey.

Mrs. Ted Speaker, of Lebanon, Mo., was third with a 166, and Letty Stapp, of Miami, Oklahoma, was fourth at 168.  **Personal note: One of the sports writers in Springfield or Joplin wrote a sentence saying, "Miss Stapp might have won the tournament had she not three-putted the last hole for a 165."  I don't think I ever three putted the last hole again in tournament play!

Other Miami women competing in Tri-State were: Mrs. Robert Temple who qualified for championship flight. Mrs. Kelso Berentz, Mrs. William Hatfield, Mrs. Earl Gaines, Jr., Mrs. George Russell, Mrs. Don Curlee, and Mrs. Booth Smith. 

1966 August 18 "Men's Golf Results"

Results by flight in the Miami Country club golf tournament follow:

Championship, Second round: Bob Klein def. Kent Jeffries; Wayland Kelly def Dick Lillard; Dr. W.D. Jackson def. Tom Cordell.

Third round: Ron Robinson def. Bill Hirsch; Jackson def. Jack Doan.

President's flight, First round: Kermit Lewis def. Harold Barnes; A.E. Nikkel def Ed Dudgeon; Scott Myers def. Lee Bearskin; Bill Hatfield def. Bill Carter.

Second round: Lewis def. Harry Kenreigh, Nikkel def. George Parker; Don Wiley def,Scott Myers; George Wojcik def. Hatfield.

Semi-final round: Wojcik def. Wiley.

A flight, Second round: Ray Enyart def. Bill Giffhorn. Semi-final round: Al Williams def. C.Dahl; Enyart def. Henry Garwood

1966 September 4 "Miami Invitational Golf Tourney Next Weekend"

 The 11th annual Miami Country Club invitational golf tournament will be conducted next weekend. The entry list has been filled and closed with 136 players. This is the largest and best field of entries in the history of the Invitational, including players from five states.

The tournament was won last year by Dick Neel of Miami, now a golf pro in Joplin. Other top contenders are Ed McKay, Joplin; Bob Klein, Miami; Gene Witzel and Jim Conatser, Bartlesville; Max Buchanan, Quapaw; Warren Shireman, Kansas City; Bob Hill, Jr., Wichita; Chi Galloway, Springfield; and John Robinson of Miami.

**I could not locate any results on the Men's Invitational nor on the boy's invitational that might have been held in July.  

1966 October 9 "Women's Championship Tournament Results"

Championship Tournament: Holding trophies they won in the annual championship tournament of the Miami Ladies Golf Association are: front row--Evelyn Hatfield and Pat Horner, tied for Medalist; middle row--Faye Berentz, championship winner; Beverly Jackson, First in President's flight; Joyce Rutter, First in A flight; Mary Lou Wickham, First in B flight, and Helen Post, First in C flight:  back row, Lib Lillard, runner-up in championship flight; Melba Cordell, second in President's flight; Mary Van Beber, second in A flight, Mrs. Don Curlee, second in B flight.

 1966 November 1 "Car Stolen Here"

John L. Burford, 20 D Northwest, told police that sometime between 9pm Tuesday and 9am today, someone took his 1966 model car while it was parked in the driveway of his home.

1966 November 2  "Club's Board Elects Dean"

Harry Dean is the new president of the Miami Country club. He was elected Tuesday by the board of directors to succeed Corbin Shouse.

The board election followed the annual stockholders meting. Other officers for the ensuing year are Dick Wadleigh, vice-president, and Ray Enyart, secretary-treasurer. The retiring directors are Dr. Bill Neal, Darrell Kissee, and John L. Burford.  Other directors are Shouse, Dean, Dr. Raymond McKinney, Dr. W.D. Jackson, Tom Barton, and Harry Whitaker. 

1966 November 4  "Pro-Am Tourney in Miami Today"

Eleven golf professionals, representing the South Central section of the PGA, and 33 amateurs of the Miami Country club were grouped at 11 four-man teams for the pro-am competition this afternoon.

The visiting professionals are from eastern Oklahoma, most from the Tulsa and Bartlesville area. Johnie Stapp of Miami is the host pro in charge of arrangement. 

1966 November 15 "Golf Pros Tie for Top Honors"


1966 November 6 "Ladies Golf Officers Presented"

Mrs. Wayman Jackson, newly elected president of the Miami Ladies Golf association presided during a business meeting which followed a coffee Wednesday morning at the home of Mrs. Jack Brown. Other officers present were Mrs. Louis Mirjanich, vice-president; Mrs. George Newman, secretary; and Mrs. Jim Rutter, treasurer.

Coffee was served from a beautifully appointed table, using a pink theme. Mrs. Harold Barnes, the retiring president poured. The social committee  consisted of Mrs. Brown, Mrs. George Romick, and Mrs Robert Wickham,

Also present were Mrs. Lee Adkinson, Mrs. H.D. Robinson, Mrs. Johnie Stapp, Mrs. Bill Hirsch, Mrs. Rose Pratt, Mrs. Ben Moody, Mrs. Hance Van Beber, Mrs. Dan Heyburn, Mrs. William Hatfield, Mrs. Don Curlee, Mrs. Olen Moore, Mrs. Orville Dahl, Mrs. Robert Temple, Mrs. Lois Cowles, Mrs. Tom Cordell, Mrs. Kelso Berentz, Mrs. George Russell, Mrs. Robert Klein, Mrs. Robert Jones, Mrs. John Garrett, Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. Jack Adams, Mrs Don Johnson, Mrs, Tom Barton, Mrs. Harry Ford and Mrs Vernon Lillard.

Monday, September 4, 2023

1955-1963 Crab Grass Picking Parties

 



Often times, in the humid heat of the summer, when I bend over and pull weeds from my garden,  I recall pulling grab grass at the country club. In the late 50's and early 60's my dad, and the board of officers would host one or two "Crab Grass Picking Parties" at the club during the year. 

*To read the "bag worm" story click on this link:Bag Worms, Really!

Dad and his team marked off rows on every green and families were assigned a green and could pick any row. Every hole on the golf course was worked by at least two to four families on these nights.  In the evening we would all gather near the clubhouse, go to our greens, and pick crab grass together.  Most tools were simply pocket knives or pairing knives. The men made sure to show their wives and kids how to dig in around the grass and pull.  Rebecca Mirjanick recalled that her family sat on hole #4 green and they brought their white handled serrated steak knives from home to cut out the crab grass. When the wind blew out of the south it certainly made our evenings more enjoyable. Grilled hamburgers were served either before or after the party.

fresh crab grass  

My most vivid memory occurred on hole #2 a dogleg right over a creek and around trees. One sweltering summer evening I remember my family sitting on green #2 on our paper folded pads (thank you Girl Scouts), knives, cans in which to toss the weeds.  The Sam Fullerton family arrived and sat down on their row with mats, towels, and tools. The Fullerton's were very wealthy and owned a large cattle ranch, and the land north and east of the golf course. Besides being well-known in town for the wealth and power, Sam was a Judge. They had a son, Billy, my age who was my secret boyfriend. We were in grade together at Roosevelt elementary.

I admired Ruth Fullerton with my child's heart and soul. Her face covered in cosmetics and face powder, never sweaty and oily like mine. Her clothes stiffly ironed and proper. Her voice soft, nearly whisper soft. That evening she sat down on her towel, tucked her skirt up under her side bottom, leaned over and began to dig and pull. Her grace and beauty left a smiling heartfelt memory with me. Later, when I was a teenager, she enjoyed playing golf with me, usually just the two of us.

Ruth once told me that I was lucky to have oily skin. (Imagine my mind spinning with that thought, when I thought I suffered through pimples because of the oily skin.) She went on to point out that I would not have to deal with wrinkled skin when I was older, whereas, she covered her wrinkles with layers of make-up. (Fifty plus years later, I am often reminded of her words when I look in the mirror after a round of golf. She may have been correct.)  

Ruth and Florence Dawson were the only two women at the country club to play with a full set of "woods" long before we had rescue clubs or hybrids.


Miami Golf and Country club--Thank you to the Dickie Neel family for sharing their photographs with me.




 **I find this story slightly ironic. By using our hands, knees, and knives we did not have the need or use for chemicals. I have no memory of having bug spray to kill mosquitoes, either. Mother treated our bug bites with "pink stuff."



Only a few years later, synthetic herbicides became popular for killing weeds. Even with the banning of some herbicides and chemicals like DDT, the shelves are still full of chemicals for killing weeds and insects.

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

1965 Summer--A Father/Daughter Story

Letty Stapp, Miami, Ok Country club

 

As I write on this hot summer day (103 in the shade), I am reminded of my childhood years at Miami Country club teeing off at 2:00 in the heat of the day, after I finished working in the golf shop. I believe we called those days "scorching hot," rather than suffering the effects of the "heat dome." There was no air conditioning downstairs in the golf shop, but we did have a huge wall fan that pulled in the fresh air through the golf shop and kept the downstairs locker rooms cool and dry.  Old Bill and I would take turns, when no one was in the shop, and go stand in front of the blowing air to cool down our bodies. 

Occasionally, on Thursday afternoon's Dad would ask me to join his group of Kenny Richards, Marion Zajic, and Charlie Trussler, Doc Jackson and others. By 1965, after graduating from Miami High school, my handicap stayed in the low single digits. Playing golf with the men and having to hand over a 50 cent piece if I lost a bet made me a better competitor. Having a low handicap, also, opened the door for me to play in the USGA Jr. Girls Championship at Hiwan Golf Course in Evergreen, Colorado.  

Dad and I drove through Wichita, Kansas to pick up his sister, Della, and drove on to Evergreen, Colorado that day (without AC in the station wagon). Imagine our delight when we arrived in the cool mountain air. I played one practice round at Hiwan with dad and took copious notes along with the handout from the pro shop.

The two days of qualifying were the greatest eye openers of my short life. My tee shot could not reach the fairway. The fairway began 100 yards off the tee box. Dad and I had practiced it and so I knew to use my MacGregor 5 wood to hit out of the rough. Because I had been chipping golf balls in the evenings to clean up the driving range I was, and still am, very good at hitting the golf ball close to the pin.  I one putted many greens in those two days, but often finished the holes with bogies, not  pars.  Even though I did not make the cut line, I met some of the most dynamic young girls from all over the country, including Canada.

 

We played the golf course at 3,544 yards on the front nine, 3,568 yards on the back nine for 7,112 dynamic massive yards.

That last day I watched as my dad allowed tears to trickle down his face when I posted my score. They were tears of pride not disgust. Discovering how proud my father and his sister were of my game of golf and fortitude that day made me feel like I could climb a mountain. I had never won a championship in our Oklahoma Junior events. My dream was to make people at the club proud of me. Attaching dreams to goals is not easy for a teenager. 

On a humorous note, I realize that my short game became my strength because the temperatures in July and August soared to the high 90's and 100's regularly, making it, too, miserable to hit hundreds of golf balls in the afternoon.  Salt tablets and gallons of water from water spigots on the golf course kept us going. Mother learned about serving Tang in the mornings to her active family, and that helped us better survive the heat. 

Golf Gypsy: My Mother's Words explains how much my mother suffered through those growing years with Jonya and me. 

During the summers of 1966 and 1967 I traveled with friends to Colorado Springs to play in the Broadmoor Ladies Invitational tournament. We never had the money to stay at the hotel, but we did manage quite well in a nearby stucco cottage motel sitting by a fast flowing stream from the mountains. During those summers my game was strong and solid, but the head game didn't develop until I was well into my fifties. I missed qualifying for Championship flight over and over. However, I learned that the other women in "President's Flight" or "A flight" with me were just as discouraged at their plight as I, and so the competition remained strong.

*Instagram: @golfgypsyok  

**Humorous errors arise when I read my stories after I hit publish and the story arrives in my mailbox the next day. For instance, I wrote that the fairway began 150 yards off the tee box. Wow! It did begin 100 yards off the tee box, but I think in my mind's eye if felt like a 150 yards. That's how you become a storyteller.