1970 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF MGCC

1970 April 12 Ladies Golf Notes

Winners of the past week in Miami Ladies Golf Association competition were: Faye Berentz, championship; Melba Cordell, Class A; Helen Moore, class B; Val Dale, class C; Aileen Bradshaw, class D. 

Wednesday's play will be for least fairway shots (subtract putts) from the white tees. The pairings are:

# Hole 1: Lib Lillard, Peg Murphy, Marilyn Adams; Evelyn Hatfield, Noma Newman, Beverly Jackson; Melba Cordell, Helen Jones, Jean Ann Blue; Mary Hoffman, Geneva Ramsay, Helen Moore; Marian Richards, Erin Wojcik, Virginia Sapp; Hattie Wall, Cora Wilson, Faye Berentz; LaRue Gaines, Pat Horner, Lottie Mae Russell; Yvonne Temple, Mae Tate, Martha Campbell; JoAnn Burgess, Grace Burns, Aileen Bradshaw; Virginia Romick, Helen Jo Painter, Vera Elmburg; Mary Robinson, Dorothy Hester, Judy Gwinn.

#Hole 6: Clara Barton, Lavonne Young, Bonnie Moody; Rose Pratt, Roma Dahl, Wanda Doan; Mary Lou Wickham, Delores Renegar, Val Dale; Dollie Humes, Gerry Dunbar; Gladyce Wetzel, Pauline Adkinson, Gladys Hirsch; Pauline Taylor, Mavis Ford, Marie Walters, Grace Painter; Lois Garwood, Hattie White, Helen Stapp, Cindy Lillard. Beginning golfers will meet with club pro Johnie Stapp for a lesson. 

1970 April 28  Miami First-Day Leader in Regional Golf Tourney

Miami’s War Dogs golf team, coached by Jack Leake, posted a four-ball score of 341 and a two-ball score of 161 for leadership in both divisions after the first 18-hole rounds were completed Monday afternoon. Tahlequah followed with 342 and 166.

First-day leader was Jerry Rollins of Jenks with a 78. Miami’s Mark Cordell shot a 79. Both players were the only two contestants to break 80. Stiff gusts added strokes to the scores of most contestants. 

Jerry Rollins of Jenks was the tournament medalist with 155. He was the only contender to break 80 on the 18-hole rounds each day. He shot 38-39 Tuesday and 40-38 on Monday. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1970 April 29 Pryor, Miami Top Teams in Regional Golf

The Pryor Tigers and Miami War Dogs were the top teams in the Class AAA regional. Pryor won the four-ball title with a total score of 689. Miami was runner-up at 693. Medalist Jerry Rollins shot 155. Mike Jones of Catoosa was runner-up in medalist contention with 161. Miami’s Mark Cordell won a three-way sudden-death playoff for third plays. His total 164 alongside Steve Riff or Nowata and James Callison of Pryor. Pryor and Miami teams will be heading to the State finals in Norman. The War Dogs team is Mark Cordell, David Hudson, Bill Giffhorn, Tom Cordell, and Scotty Jackson.

 

 

1970 May 4 Miami High School Girls Defeat Parkwood in Golf in Joplin

 Miami girls golf team, led by Oklahoma’s 1968 champion Jonya Stapp, defeated Joplin Parkwood girls, 3 to 1 at Schifferdecker course in Joplin. 

 

Jonya carded a one-over par 36 on the front side of the course for a victory over Diane Windle. Susie Wickham, the next lowest scorer with a 39, defeated Tersa Gillogly. Rebecca Mirjanich with a 43 won over Shelley Shearer and Cindy Lowe of Parkwood, with a 52, beat Miami’s Sheryl Enyart.

1970 May 3 Ladies Golf Notes

Winners last week were Evelyn Hatfield, championship; Helen Jones, A flight; Geneva Ramsay, B flight; Mary Lou Wickham, C flight; Aileen Bradshaw, D flight. The ladies will hold a monthly meeting at 12:30 Wednesday. 

1970 May 6 Muskogee and Ada Captures Golf Titles

Muskogee swept to its third straight state championship in 4 A, while Ada took an easy victory in Class 3A. Miami War Dogs two-ball team finished fifth in the finals with Mark Cordell and Bill Giffhorn shooting 483.  

1970 May 17  Sunrise League

Sunrise League of the Miami Ladies Golf Association will begin play Tuesday with six teams. The competition each Tuesday morning will be for five weeks. Co-chairs of the event are Beverly Jackson and Mary Robinson. The Tuesday pairings and tee-off times follow:

9:00--Evelyn Hatfield vs Beverly Jackson; Joyce Rutter vs LaVon Young 9:08--Yvonne Temple vs Lib Lillard; Helen Jones vs Barbara Shouse;  9:16--Faye Berentz vs LaRue Gaines; Hattie Wall vs Erin Wojcik; 9:24--Mary Lou Wickham vs Helen Moore: Rose Pratt vs Louise Whitney; 9:32--Noma Newman vs Lottie Mae Russell; Pauline Taylor vs Aileen Bradshaw; 9:40--Liz Hansford vs Peg Murphy; Mavis Ford vs Val Dale.

1970 May 31 Pro Am and Junior Golf

There are openings for a few more men at the Miami Country club to sign up for the pro-amateur golf competition that will be conducted Monday, June 8 at the club under the sponsorship of the Eastern chapter of the South-Central PGA. Pros from eastern Oklahoma and Joplin will be paired with local members.  (I could not find results of this event.)

Registration for the 1970 youth golf program at the Miami Country club will begin at 8:00 a.m. Friday for boys and girls of ages 7 through 17 whose families are club members. Lessons by the club pro, Johnie Stapp, will follow the signup session. Mrs. Melba Cordell is youth golf chairman for the Ladies Golf Association. Mrs. Robert Anderson is co-chairman.

** Please note that the men did not put much emphasis on newsworthy information. I do know that Twilight League continued on Tuesday evenings for years to come. During the 1970's Thursday night was known as "Family Night" at the club. The chef (Chef Wendell) would serve fried chicken, roast beef, and a array of vegetables, salads, and desserts. 

Often times, (according to John Mirjanich) families would arrive early evening for the meal, afterwards the kids would swim or play around the club. The men would gather on the putting green and put a quarter in the box to turn the lights on.  They would then challenge each other to putting contests throughout the evening. I am sure there are stories to be told about these Thursday night gatherings around the putting green.

Dana Painter Meyer shared this thoughtful memory: The friendships that were more about family which were formed during those years at the club are invaluable. I believe I was in college (or maybe not) when the old clubhouse burned. I returned frequently to play golf with my dad, lunch with Mom and enjoy the pool where Betty Schwertfeger always welcomed me home. I don't know how it felt to those who lived there, but things just never seemed the same. Sure the building was new and the locker rooms greatly improved (I often thought the building had to burn to finally get rid of the smell and mildew of the junior locker rooms), but the vibe just wasn't the same. Perhaps, it was just me as I was no longer that carefree kid splashing all day. Looking back on it, it was simply the very best and I cherish every round of golf, every game of Marco Polo in the pool, every sunburn, every bottle of Dr. Pepper and most of all every person who contributed to making the Miami Golf and Country Club a special place.

1970  June 7  Miami Junior Golf Winners

The summer program for junior golfers at the Miami Country club was launched Friday under the sponsorship of the Miami Ladies Golf Association. Nearly 80 boys and girls of ages 7-17 signed up for the weekly competition. Friday winners by division: Championship-- Bill Giffhorn, low gross and Kenny Gibson low putts; Rebecca Mirjanich, low gross and Ann Cordell, low putts.  Class A-- Tommy Jackson, low gross and low putts; Melissa Landers, low gross and low putts. Class B- John Mirjanich, low gross and low putts; Debbie Austin, low gross, Sonya Austin, low putts. Four-hole--Doug Smith and Sandy Jackson. Two-hole--Billy Jackson, John Dick and Debbie Jackson. 

Pairings next Friday, with scorers:

Championship--Bill Giffhorn, Tom Cordell, Kenny Gibson, and Tommy Jackson. Sheryl Enyart, Ann Cordell and Rebecca Mirjanich.

Class A--Melissa Landers, Dana Painter, Janey Adams, Barbara Prewitt; Renee Barnes, Kathy Mountford, Brenda Brown, Debbie Hankins.

Class B--Sammy Cherry, John Mirjanich, Matt Giffhorn, Jack Brown; John Henley; Robert Gee, Mike Hylton, Kim King Charles Wilmoth, Kelvyn Cullimore, Tony Henley, Chris Atkinson, John Prewitt. Kathy Brockie, Mary Beth Kissee, Theresa McKinney; Debbie Austin, Mary Beth Rasor, Christine Adkinson, Christy Hester; Cathy Gee, Linda Wickham, Sonya Austin, Pam Landers. 

Four-hole--Doug Smith, Peter Brockie, Roy Ober--Mrs. Wayman Jackson, scorer; Rob Garwood, Jay Jackson, Kenny Barnes, Richard Lollar--Mrs. Roy Ober, scorer; David Weitz, Kevin Wadleigh, Brian Humes--Mrs. Jerry Blevins, scorer; Myra Monger, Leslie Gwinn, Tracie Lawrence--Mrs. Ray McKinney, scorer; Sandy Jackson, Mary Ober, K Parker, Carol McKinney--Mrs. J.O. Bradshaw, scorer; Mary Burgess, Jana Reagar, Kathleen McKinney--Mrs. Bill Giffhorn, scorer; Jenny Landers, Lisa Giffhorn, Elizabethe Gee, Mrs. Bob Garwood, scorer. 

1970 Junior Golfers

Two-holes: Billy Jackson, Brent Landers, Will Ramond, John Dick--Mrs. Bill Neal, scorer; John Ober, Jerry Lee Holden, Matthew Monger--Mrs. John Weitz, scorer; Kenneth Gee, Mike Weitz, Raymond McKinney--Mrs. Tom Prewitt; Sally Neal and Tracy Enyart--Mrs. Harold Hylon, scorer; Wendy Humes, Debbie Jackson, Shelly Blevins--Mrs. Robert Gee, scorer.  

**Note: Even though my father, Johnie Stapp, is given the credit for developing one of the best junior programs in the state, he always gave credit to the mothers and fathers who helped in every junior event. We could not have enjoyed those moments and learning experiences about keeping score without full participation of our parents. 

1970 June 10 Golf Loss for Miami Entry in State Tourney

 In the second round of the 52^nd Women’s State Golf Association Championship Jonya Stapp of Miami was defeated by Ann Watkins 2 and 1. This eliminates her from contention for the finals. 

 

 

 

 

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Cathy Weatherford shared her memories from 1964-1972.

The best times of my youth were spent at the Country Club.  Your dad made my first set of clubs from old clubs.  He cut them down from old or found clubs.   I was 8 years old and thought they were the cat’s meow.  I finally got a real new set when I was 12.  I spent every day all summer long on the golf course, driving range, or putting green.  When I wasn’t there I was in the pool.  We got to charge our lunch every day on “my Dad’s ticket”.  Hell to pay if you splurged too much. 

My very best golfing buddies were Janey Adams, Melissa Landers, and Gail Painter.  The very best memories!

Letty's reply: These are wonderful memories. Thank you so much for sharing them. I hope you were planning to attend the reunion July 25, 26,27 of 2024. If you don’t want to come and play golf, please come for the Saturday at the Dobson Museum, I hope to fill the city in every hotel motel room in it with people from the times for the Miami country club.

 1970 June 28 Girls Invitational Winners

1970 July 5 "Boys Share Golf Honors"

 

Tommy Cordell and Kenny Gibson shared championship honors in Friday's junior golf play at Miami Country club. Cordell captured low gross honors, while Gibson took low putts.

In A flight girls competition, Melissa Landers walked off with a double victory by winning in both categories. John Mirjanich claimed low gross kudos, and Mike Hylton won low putts in B flight boy's contest. 

There was a tie on both classes of play in the B flight girls action. Debbie Austin tied with Kathy Brockie for low gross and with Sonja Austin in low putts.  

Brian Humes and Tommy Kidd shared victory in the boy's four-hole play, while K Parker took the title in the girls' division. 

In the two-hole competition, boy's division, John Ober took a top berth, as did Tracy Enyart in the girls competition. Junior Golf concludes July 17 with a local tournament. Pairings will be announced later.

  1970 July 12 "Coatney of Ponca City Junior Golf Champ"

C Chuck Coatney, 17, who will be a senior at Ponca City high school, won the championship of the 10th annual Miami Junior Boys Invitational golf tournament at the Miami Country Club.

With the hottest shooting in the history of Miami junior golf competition, Coatney and Steve Thompson of Bartlesville tied with identical 34-37-71 rounds, one under men's par of 72 for the regular 18 holes of the 6,682 yard layout. 

 

In the sudden death play off the pair parred the No. 1 hole on No. 2 Coatney parred the hole to win after Thompson bogeyed the hole. 

Miami boys playing in the event were Bill Giffhorn, 16 who was runner-up in President's flight with 39-34-73. Tommy Cordell shot an 81. In A flight John Mirjanich shot a 96; Wayne Anderson 104; Kim King, 118; Tom Jackson 132. In B flight Jamie Cash, 12-year-old Edison junior high student performed like a veteran golf star carding a par 36 to win the nine hole flight. Chris Adkison carded 52; Mike Hylton, 54; John Prewitt, 55;Jack Brown 119, Brian Humes 72, Keith Holmes, 83. Miamians in C flight were Doug Smith, 63; Robbie Garwood, 77; Kevin Wadleigh, 99.

 1970 July 17 Suzy Plays for State Crown

  Suzy Wickham of Miami and Pam Hiti of Oklahoma City were playing today on the Meadowbrook Country club for the State Junior Girls Championship. The winner will succeed Teresa Weinshilboum of Ponca City, who won the tourney a year ago. In Thursday's semi-finals Miss Wickham eliminated Claudia Lukken of Tulsa 3 and 1 and Miss Hiti sidelined LuLu Goodwin 3 and 2. 

Eleven girls from Miami competed in the state tournament. After barely qualifying for the group of eight in the title flight with an 89 score, Suzy won her Wednesday and Thursday matches to become the second Miami girl in three years to play in the final match for the state junior girls. Miami's Jonya Stapp was the 1968 Oklahoma Junior Girls Champion. 

Rebecca Mirjanich of Miami withdrew from the current tournament after scoring 97 to qualify for A flight. Other player results are Melissa Landers lost to Devereaux Biddick, 6 and 5, in Thursday's semi-finals. Ann Cordell will meet Valinda Cook today for the first place in C flight consolation.

 Pam Landers, at the Wednesday night banquet received a "Most Improved" trophy. Eleven-year-old Pam competed in the nine-hole A flight. Pam shot a 40-stroke improvement in this year's meet over her score last year. Debbie Austin also  totaled 133 in the same flight. Linda Wickham won the nine-hole B flight with a 94, and Sonya Austin totaled 244 in this flight. 

S

Sandy Jackson, with a 65, won third in pee-wee flight; Debbie Jackson, with 82 finished sixth, and Jenny Landers, with 87, finished seventh. 

1970 July 19 Pam Hiti Beats Miami's Suzy for Golf Title

Pam Hiti of Oklahoma City defeated Suzy Wickham of Miami 4 and 3 Friday on the Meadowbrook course to capture the Oklahoma Junior Girls Championship. Suzy managed to win two holes on the back side to prolong the contest but illness and robbed her of the stamina necessary to match stroke with the long hitting Pam. 

Ann Cordell of Miami won the C flight consolation trophy defeating Valinda Cook 1 up on the 20th hole.

    

1970 July 19 Junior Golf Final 

 

1970 July 26  Twilight Golf Champs Named 

 Miami Men's Twlight League golf competition which started April 28, came to an end the past week at the Miami Country club with George Myers, Woodrow Painter, Lloyd Cowgill, and Scott Myers as the champion team. They totaled 61 points during the 13 weeks in which each fourman team competed against all other foursomes in the 14-team competition.

Second place went to Dickie Neel, Bill Hirsch, Bob Hunt, and David Robinson with 67 points. Finishing third with 59 1/2 points were Harry Kenreigh, A.E. Nikkel, Jerry Ketcher, and Frank Hansford. 

Jerry Ketcher, with the assistance of the club pro Johnie F. Stapp, conducted the competition.

 

1970 August 9 Ladies Handicap Golf Tournament Open Monday

The first rounds will be played Monday at the Miami Country club in the annual handicap golf tournament for the ladies. The tournament committee is headed by Noma Newman and Jean Phillips, with Evelyn Hatfield and Hattie Wall in charge of rules.

Pairings for Monday beginning at 8:00 a.m. Faye Berentz and Mary Van Beber; Ruth Heyburn and Mavis Ford; Cora Wilson and Dollie Humes; Martha Campbell and Gerry Dunbar; Evelyn Hatfield and Geneva Ramsey; Louise Whitney and Sue Enyart; Pauline Taylor and Dorothy Hester. Drawing byes in Monday’s play were Melba Cordell, Marylyn Adams, LaRue Gaines, Lib Lillard, LaVon Young, Beverly Jackson, Yvonne Temple, Barbara Smallwood, Erin Wojcik, Claire Oliver, Noma Newman, Mae Tate, and Aileen Bradshaw.  

1970 August 23  Klein First-Day Leader in Miami Golf Tourney

Defending champion Bob Klein led the field in Saturday's first round of the annual Miami Country club championship. He managed even par 72 over the water-soaked course. The 18-hole rounds were to have started Saturday morning but were delayed until mid-afternoon by rainfall which officially measured 2.26 inches before stopping.

Next at 74 were Dick Neel and Bob Hill, Jr., former Miamian who now resides at Parsons, Kansas. Hill and Neel were Miami high school teammates in winning the state two-ball championship. Other contenders in the club tourney scored in this order:

76 Jack Doan; 77 John Robinson, Jr.;78 Mark Cordell, Stratton Henley, Bill Harsch and Dr. W.D. Neal; 79 Charles Hirsch, Chi Galloway, Bob Snook, Dr. W.D. Jackson, and Kent Jeffries. Scoring 80 were Lloyd Tate, John Robinson, Sr, and Brad Smallwood; 82 Joe Whipple, 85 Don Cherry. The final 18 holes will tee off today.

1970 August 24  Dick Neel Miami Club Champion

In a sudden death playoff Sunday afternoon, Neel birdied the par-four hole one to edge defending champion Bob Klein for the crown. Both were on the green after two shots. Klein missed a 19 foot putt, Neel sank his seven-footer. They tied for the championship with 145. Third place went to Bob hill, Jr. with a 149.

 

Other scores were John Robinson, Jr. 152, Dr. W.D. Jackson, 153, Jack Doan, 155, Charles Hirsch, 155, Kent Jeffries, 156, Stratton Henley, 157, Chi Galloway, 157, Dr. W.D. Neal 158, Brad Smallwood 158, Bob Snook, 158, Bill Harsch, 159, Mark Cordell, 160, Don cherry, 161, John Robinson, Sr., 184 and Lloyd Tate165. 

 

 

1970 August 30 Jonya Stapp Wins Tri-State Ladies Golf Championship

Climaxed by Jonya Stapp's championship performance Miami swept all major honors in the 39th Tri-State Ladies Golf tournament at the Miami Country club. Miss Stapp, 18, who is the 1968 Oklahoma Junior Girls Golf Champion, achieved the second greatest honor of her links career by winning championship and medalist honors in this 1970 tournament with a 27-hole score of 119, including a one-over 77 on the final 18 holes Wednesday. Mrs. Joan Thomas was runner-up with a 123 total. Mrs. Thomas of Joplin Schifferdecker club won the Tri-State in 1957, 1962, 1964, 1966, and 1968. She has also been Tri-State medalist for five years.  

Jonya, daughter of Miami club pro Johnie Stapp and wife Helen, won medalist honors with a 77 on the Wednesday round, believed to be the best 18-hole shooting for a woman in the history of the Miami club. Jonya birdied the difficult hole 2 and hole 4. She also won the long drive contest for the tournament. Jonya was medalist in last year's Tri-State with an 81 but finished sixth with Pam Lloyd of Carthage winning the event.  

Evelyn Hatfield was honored in the award ceremony as Senior Medalist and Senior Winner of the tournament. The Miami foursome of Jonya Stapp, Ruth Heyburn, Faye Berentz and Evelyn Hatfield won the traveling trophy for the lowest gross team score. The permanent "Treadway" trophy for the team with the lowest net score of 498 was won by Miami's Lib Lillard, Stormy Lewis, Beverly Jackson, and LaVon Young. Joplin Schifferdecker was second with 513 and Bartlesville Sunset third. Other Miami players in the field were: Mary Louise Klein, Joyce Rutter, Cora Wilson, Marylyn Adams, Rose Pratt, LaRue Gaines, and Noma Newman.

 1970 September 9 Ladies Handicap Winner Announced 

 

1970 September 9 Full Field for Miami’s Invitational Golf Meet

Practice rounds for the 15^th annual invitational golf tournament are scheduled Friday, with the 36-hole competition of two days to begin Saturday. The field has been limited to 140 and this total has been filled with entrants from several states, with former Miamian Charles Post, coming the greatest distance. He resides in Pasadena, Texas.

Back to defend the title he won a year ago will be Dwight Collins of Springdale, Arkansas. Other former champions who will compete include Tommy Beck of Tulsa, and Dick Neel and Dr. W. D. Jackson. Other top contenders will be Bill Stewart of Springfield, Bob Klein, Chris Strahan of Pittsburg, Kansas, champion of the Kansas Amateur, Charles Talley and Jim Scaletty.

Dr. Robert Kamn, president of Oklahoma State University will be a guest of Dail West of Miami for the tournament. Missing from the meet for the first time in a number of years will be Pursie Pipes of Mt. Vernon, Ill., champion in 1960, 1961, and 1968.

1970 September 13 Parsons Golfer Miami Medalist

Jim Scaletty, talented golfer from Parsons, Kansas won medalist honors in the 15^th annual Invitational Tournament. He carded a one-under 71 in the 18 hole opening round. Scores made in today’s 18-hole competition will be added to the Sunday round to determine a winner.

A stroke behind Scaletty with 72 was Robert Klein of Miami, Charles Tally of Springfield, Missouri with 73. Tied at 75 were Bob Hill, Jr, Jim Conatser, Bill Stewart. 

 

1970 November 8 Ruth Heyburn Champion of Golf Tourney

Winners in various divisions of the annual championship tournament of the Miami Ladies Golf association have been announced. Ruth Heyburn won first place in the championship flight with medalist Faye Berentz finishing second.

LaRue Gains won first in A flight; Mavis Ford, in B flight; Pauline Taylor in C flight; Aileen Bradshaw, in D flight.

Driving distance winners in each flight—Ruth Heyburn, Sue Barnes, Mavis Ford, Mae Tate and Aileen Bradshaw.  Chip and putt winners were Lib Lillard, Erin Wojcik, Mary Van Beber, Mary Lou Wickham and Glady Wetzel. 

1970 December 20 Assistant Pro Added to Staff of Miami Club

Frank Jacobs of Joplin, who was reared at Seneca, has joined the staff of the Miami Country as golf pro assistant to Johnie F. Stapp, who has served as the local golf pro for the past 17 years.

Jacobs was a golfer at Oklahoma Military Academy, Claremore, and at Missouri Southern College, Joplin, while a student there in 1968-69. He recently completed active duty in the Army.

This is the first time for the Miami club to have an assistant. Since Johnie Stapp became pro there has been a 200 percent increase in club membership and the golf program has expanded greatly, particularly in the youth field.

Staff members at the golf shop include Bill Viles, with seven years of service and Wes Bullock, two years.

 

1962- 1984 The Dining Room

Jim Tatum, Food and Beverage Manager in the 1960's-1970's

 

 As a young girl growing up at the Miami Country Club, I must admit that I have very few memories of the newly remodeled upstairs dining area, because I was a kid, who ate on the porch area, or enjoyed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a baloney sandwich on days when I worked till 2:00. What I do remember are all of the trips I made upstairs from the golf shop to grab a glass of fresh brewed "Iced Tea," still my favorite morning drink to this day.

Just as many trips were made to talk with the secretary. I recall the first secretary's last name was Hatfield, no relation to Bill and Evelyn. I seem to recall that she was related to Bill Carter or perhaps LaRue Gaines' mother. After Mrs. Hatfield left the Board of Directors hired Juanita Edgar. She smoked a very long cigarette and always made me laugh with a story.  She and I could confide in each other about the personalities of the members. She attempted to show me how to keep the books and be a good secretary, but I had no interest in learning that field.

On occasions I could walk in the upstairs bar and talk with Fred Gallagher, the bartender and Frankie, who was our all around best waitress. Fred and my father became best of friends during the 1960's. Fred's death on the operating table was a terrible shock to my parents and the club members.  Frankie later married Bob Klein. I had an opportunity to chat with her a decade ago, but sadly I have no notes, only fond memories. 

 

Luckily many of you have sent me memories of the importance of the dining room at the country club. Thank you.

Randy James wrote:  The clubhouse always seemed to big to me and I loved the cheeseburgers.

 Barbara Smith shared how much they loved eating Sunday after church as the Country club. I liked to look out over the golf course as we dined. Besides Sunday lunches, there were midweek ladies meetings, special events--dinners and dances--my husband and his golf clubs. Plus my speech team banquets, also in the very old two story original building! I loved playing cards by the hour, special "afternoon tea" events, etc.

Willie really liked the golf tournaments, a great group of men bonding over their golf clubs out on the course while wives were having their own special events. Such great memories! Today's Miami citizens are missing something special.  I am glad we were able to enjoy those days.

Dana Painter Meyer shared these memories: The dining room of the old club house was very special. I may be wrong, but I think the best burgers I have ever eaten were from there. During grade school, Linda Wickham and I would go have lunch there about once a month, as Rockdale School (which was new at the time) was just a few blocks away. It made us feel so special and grown up. We dined in the main dining room with all the business men and women golfers before their afternoon bridge games. Sometime later, or perhaps when we had been swimming, the kids were banished to the side porch, however, the burgers were just as good.  

Bill Oliver wrote:  My memory of the MCC is the Christmas Dance at the old country club building.  Would have been the Virginia Lee Dance Class.  So would have been in the 7^th grade.  May have all the date/event wrong.  Best I can remember it was a gala affair with spectacular decorations, so assume it was Christmas. 

(My guess is the late 1950's when we performed for the Christmas dance. I believe other groups of her dancers entertained through out the early 1960's.)

I followed this memory by Bill Oliver with times when C.Ann Richards sang for various ladies groups who met at the club. This would have been between 1960-65.

 Grand Opening of the Dining Room This link will take you to the story of the 1962-63 remodeling of the entire upstairs to the country club. *Thanks to the Dobson Museum for sharing their Orick Sparlin collection.

 Facebook responses to memories of the dining room:

Mark Stewart: Sunday lunch was the best. 

Mandy Michelle Cousins: Sunday lunch was the best. Friend chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans. My mom made us put on church clothes to go eat even though we hadn't been to church. I had to cut the chicken off the bone with my knife, couldn't use my hands.  Manners were important. I also remember the creaky floor and the huge floor furnace. 

I also remember how sore the old pool made your toes after swimming all day. It was the rough concrete. 

Heather Davis: I remember Friday and Saturday nights in the lobby of the bar, watching TV on the couch while we were waiting on our parents who were having a good time.  

Neva DaVee Barker: I remember the first nine, lunch and then the second nine.  Fun times. 

Kenna Harkins: I remember sitting at the bar drinking a Shirley Temple while my dad played cards!  Many, many memories there. 

Aliesha Willard Bright: I remember going to lunch over there during school. The best cold salads, ever. 

Carolyn Cook Sweeney: My first date with my now husband of 48 years was dinner and drinks there with some of his friends. Great times.

Karen Walters Chapel: Love that place! I remember hanging out, playing cars, and eating snacks. 

Bill Newman: I remember so many things about the old clubhouse. Sunday after church going to the Club, walking up those stairs, going through the line at the smörgåsbord, huge beef.  The chef dressed in his whites with his big chef hat. I watched him carve the meat and then adding the broth, then walking across the creaky wooden floors to our table.  I especially remember golf lessons by Johnie Stapp.  The swimming pool was always so much fun and the boys locker room. Well we won't go there. 

+Personal note: I remember vividly how hard it was to play hole No 9 or No. 18 when the course became an 18 hole course, because as we walked toward the clubhouse, there would always be someone in the bar looking down and watching.  Most often if we made a putt or a good shot people tapped vigorously on the windows to cheer for you. If we didn't play the hole well they might laugh or shake their heads in sorrow or disgust. I personally thought it was a lot of pressure on me to perform well. 

Bill Newman: I thought it was cool coming into 9 green late in the evening knowing full well the whole bar was watching the whole thing!!!!  AS for the boys locker room, yes there was a pull cart storage in the entrance. There may have been a Playboy or two storied in more than one locker.  I didn't know what man cave was back then, but now I know!!!

Susie Goettel--Barnett: Since we lived across the street, quite often we had golfers knock on our door. They always said the same thing, "Pepper stole my golf ball!" Pepper was our dog.  

Katrina White Graydon: Johnie Stapp and MGCC were so important to my family. My Daddy, Al White, loved the game. He and my Uncle G.R. taught me the game by sawing off a wooden putter, then playing holes 1 and  over to 3 green on the south side of the creek. I still have the putter and all of the great memories. Gretchen and I played in the Jr. Golf league where one of our mother's would walk the 9 holes with us, teaching the game and the etiquette. They kept score, too. My mother, Hattie White, loved the game and shared that love with Al all of their lives. 

Playing in the swimming pool was wonderful and acted like a baby-sitter for our parents when they could slip away for a game of golf. Pure joy and happy memories of a free, carefree childhood. It is heartwarming to see so many familiar names. It's Billy JOE Newman to me.  Good luck with the history, Letty. 

Jim and Holli Eppler shared: "Had a job there playing the piano/dinner music, Friday and Saturday evenings during my 2nd semester year at NEO in 1965. If I remember correctly, it paid 2 bucks an hour, which was double what I made at Millner-Berkey delivering furniture. 

Joyce Rutter recalls the many times she and her bridge group met in the ladies club room on the North side. She played bridge once a week with Linda Elmburg, Barbara Robinson, Sarah Mirjanich and several other dedicated ladies. They thoroughly enjoyed their bridge club afternoons.

One time time she remembered when a giant black snake crawled up the building somehow and slithered across the outside windowsill overlooking the swimming pool. After the ladies quit screaming and calmed down they called "Johnie" to get the snake. Dad did not kill it and very carefully used a ladder and saved the snake and the women. He liked to have the snakes around to kill the mice in the cart storage area. (Mice could eat the wires on the golf carts.)

**I remember the various groups of lady bridge players, who spent hours smoking cigarettes and finishing off tasty drinks in the afternoons while the kids went swimming.

1968 November 27 "Mineliyis Plan Christmas Party"

Members of the Mineliyis Child Study club will have their husbands as guests at a Christmas dinner party at the Miami Country club at 7 p.m. December 13. Plans for the holiday event were made during a recent meeting at the home of Mrs. David Shelton, 2328 A. N.E. The women also planned to deliver a food basket to an underprivileged family at Christmastime.

Mrs. Robert Hunt, vice present, who conducted the meeting, led devotions appropriate to the Thanksgiving season and a round table discussion on the theme "Children and Sharing." Refreshments were served by Mrs. Shelton and her co-hostess Mrs. Delmer Pugh.

** This is a common occurrence for ladies clubs, sororities, professional clubs, homemaking clubs, high school and college teams, to celebrate a meal for various holidays and occasions at the Miami Golf and Country Club. 

REUNION--JULY 25, 26, 27 OF 2024

 

In conjunction with Tom Walker’s "Gathering of Wardogs" we are hosting a Miami Golf and Country Club gathering. In July of 2024 it will have been 40 years since our old club burned to the ground. I plan to have the history collected from 1916--1984.

Please join the Stapp family and all former members, staff, and friends of the Miami Golf and Country Club for our Reunion all day July 27 at the Dobson Museum. 

Plans shown below: 

Miami Golf and Country club about 1967.

July 25, 2024, Thursday: We have 5 tee times reserved to play golf (that is only 20 people) at Shangri-la, plus a package offer to stay and play. The package will be under the name of the Miami Country Club. Tee Times will begin at 12:00 noon. Please let me know by spring who plans to play golf. **See note at the bottom of page.

Rooms at Shangri-la will be $199 plus tax for July 24,25,26,27. Golf will cost $77 plus tax.

Lunch will be available for purchase at Shangri la or wherever you choose.

After our round of golf on July 25, we have arranged for a gathering of players, friends, and family for appetizers. A cash bar will be available.

To book rooms at Shangri-la contact McKayla Rutherford 918-257-7779 at <mckayla.rutherford@shangrilaok.com>

*You do not need to stay at Shangri-la to play golf. All MGCC people, friends, and family are welcome to join us. Rooms at various Miami area hotels and VRBO/ARBNB lodges are available. BOOK NOW BOOK NOW BOOK NOW BOOK NOW

July 26, 2024, FRIDAY: John Finley has made 8 tee times for us to play golf at Peoria Ridge beginning at 10:00am. The cost will be $35.00. You must provide your own equipment.

THE DOBSON MUSEUM will have an exhibit set up sharing the memorabilia collected and donated about MGCC history. The MGCC display will be open July 9—September 28, 2024, as one of their “Special Exhibits.”

The Coleman Theater will plan for tours during these reunion days.

All of these MGCC events will tie into “A Gathering of Wardogs” that Tom Walker has organized for July 25 and 26. He will post reminders on Facebook “You Know You Are From Miami Ok When…..”

FRIDAY night, July 26, graduating classes of 1950-1980 are invited to attend “The Gathering of Wardogs” evening event (buffet) at the Peoria Ridge Golf Course. Donations for the cost of the food will be accepted.

July 26-27 Miami's Heritage Fest (link) will be held on Main Street with a huge stage for performers, BBQ competition, food trucks.

July 27, SATURDAY  DOBSON MUSEUM: Jonya and I plan to be at the Dobson Museum throughout the day to host a “meet and greet”. This will be time for everyone to share their golf stories and more. Please plan to visit and stay as long as you like. Tables will be set up for sharing stories and memorabilia.

Jordan Boyd and staff will be hosting us at the Museum temporarily located on 23 North Main. 918-542-5388 or <jboyd@dobsonmuseum.com>

“A Gathering of Wardogs” luncheon buffet at the Peoria Community room, located on the old golf course land hosted by Tom Walker. Donations accepted for the meal. Time to be announced.

“A Gathering of Wardogs” dinner Saturday evening at the Peoria Ridge Golf Course.  Donations accepted for the meal with time to be announced.

Please reply to Letty Stapp Watt in Messenger unless you have my email.  

 *The golf course plans are crucial for signing up. We have only so many spaces. If we fill up by April we will ask for more tee time slots, but after that I cannot guarantee there will be more tee times available. Yes, all classmates and/or spouses are invited to play golf or simply enjoy being there. It is a reunion.    

NAME, ADDRESS, EMAIL, PHONE #

1.   July 25 golf at Shangri-la 12:00 tee time and late afternoon gathering. Yes--Your Name and how many players?

 

2.   July 26 golf at Peoria Ridge 10:00 tee time. Yes--Your name and how many players?

 

3.   July 27 Gathering from 10:00—4:00 Dobson Museum. Please plan to share memories and any memorabilia you might want to donate or share.