1972 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF THE MGCC

 

Jonya Stapp, Most Beautiful Golfer of the Year, Golf Digest 1972.

1972 March 3 “Dahl Home Setting for Golf Event”

The home of Mrs. Orville Dahl was the setting for Miami Ladies Golf Association’s spring membership coffee Wednesday. Hostess duties were shared by Mrs. L.S. Whitney, Mrs. V.W. Lillard, Mrs. John Elmburg, and Mrs. Jack Adams.

An arrangement of spring flowers centered the refreshment table. Mrs. Don Young, president, poured.

During the business meeting yearbooks were passed out and activities for the season were discussed. Others present were Mrs. George Russell, Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. L.E. Pace, Mrs. Noma Newman, Mrs. Robert Temple, Mrs. Hance Van Beber, Mrs. Raymond McKinney, Mrs. Richard Humes, Mrs. E.L. Bennett, Mrs. William Oliver, Mrs. Dan Mailath, Mrs. Jack Renegar, Mrs. Ray Enyart, Mrs. J.D. Hester, Mrs. Ben Moody, Mrs. George Beck, Mrs. H.D. Robinson, Mrs. Wilton Taylor, Mrs. Hank Garwood, Mrs. Jack Elliott, Mrs. Bill Barker, Mrs. Rose Pratt, Mrs. Max Blue.

Also Mrs. Joe Ramsay, Mrs. Charles Phillips, Mrs. Johnie Stapp, Mrs. Jack Burn, Mrs. Lee Adkison, Mrs. James Couch, Mrs. Robert Rohwedder, Mrs. Tom Barton, Mrs. William Hatfield, Mrs. J. Owen Bradshaw, Mrs. Olen Moore, Mrs. Don Johnson, Mrs. Ervin Pursley, Mrs. L.A. Wetzel, Mrs. Kelso Berentz, and Mrs. Bill Carter.  Lessons for new members will start April 5.

1972 March 24 “Jonya with Top Pro-Am Groups in Florida Golf”

Jonya Stapp, Northeastern A&M sophomore and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnie F. Stapp, Miami, was a member of the team that shared second place among 64 foursomes that competed Thursday in the pro-amateur of Sears Women’s World Golf Classic at Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Each pro-am team had one professional and three amateurs. Marilyn Smith, one of the top players on the women’s pro-circuit, was with the team that included Jonya, 1968 Oklahoma junior girls champion.

The event preceded weekend rounds for the women professionals. Patty Wilson was the pro with the winning team, which scored 60—just a stroke better than the foursomes that tied for second. 

1972 April 2 "Flying Golfers Stop Over"

 

Bill Neel, right, one of three pros from Shangri-la course, poses with world renowned golfer Paul Hahn, beside Hahn's twin engine Piper Axtec, which he flew on 38,000-mile round-the-world trip in 90 days, from Nov.14, 1969 through February 13, 1970, stopping in 24 countries on four continents.

Hahn, who is a pro with the Miami Florida Country club, produces a one-man show of expert golf, comedy and informative PGA golf clinic. Hahn will present his show April 23 at Shangri-la with the public invited to attend. 

Flying into the Miami, Oklahoma airport Hahn noted that he visited Miami and played in exhibition golf at the Miami Country club 21 years ago.

1972 April 5 “Pro-am Slated Monday”

Professional golfers of eastern Oklahoma, southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas will be in Miami for the pro-amateur at the Miami Country club Monday afternoon.

Miami pro Johnie F. Stapp reported today that 21 pros had already entered, and more are expected. They will play with two or more amateurs in the competition that will open at 1:00 Monday. All contestants must be at the club an hour ahead of starting time.

The last pro-am competition here was held two years ago. The 1972 event promises to be one of the biggest here in many years. The local course is in excellent condition, a situation that doesn’t often prevail at this time of year.

1972 April 5 “Miami Golfers Blank Nowata”

Miami high school boys golf team, in their first dual, blanked the Nowata Ironmen, 13-0, in matches Tuesday at the Miami County club.  Bill Giffhorn led Coach Don Overton’s War Dogs and captured medalist honors with an 18-hole score of 80.

Other scores for the Miami foursome were Bob Dow 84, Kenny Gibson 86 and Tom Cordell 87. The Miami golfers will play at Pryor next Monday.

1972 April 12 “Miami Golfers Defeat Pryor”

Miami high school golfers defeated the Pryor Tigers, 13 ½ to 2 ½, in matches Tuesday at the Miami club, avenging a loss at Pryor a day earlier by the score of 10 ½ to 2 ½ .

Coach Don Overton’s War Dogs will be in Pryor on Friday for the annual Six Lakes Conference tournament.

Miami’s Kenny Gibson was the medalist in the windy matches here Tuesday with an 18-hole score of 80. He defeated Randy Ruffin 4 to 0. Other matches Bill Giffhorn beat Rick Grayson, 87. Bob Dow, Miami, 87 beat Tom Ragsdale. Dan Risner, Pryor, 89 beat Rick Adams, 89. John Mirjanich, Miami, 84 beat Addington 93.

**Personal note: I knew the Giffhorn family but because I am older, I never really knew the kids. Luckily, friends and social media have put Bill Giffhorn, the handsome young man in the stripped pants, together. We spent a lovely evening sharing memories of the country club. Here is one of Bill Giffhorn’s memories:

My Mother started me in junior golf in 1964 and I loved it. I must have played or practiced every day in the summers. Doc Jackson would show up every afternoon to play. I began to think that he never worked. Doc was the best golfer out there. I found out he was a dentist and I thought that’s the job I want. Truly, it was the reason I became a dentist. (After 40+ years Bill has now retired from dental practice in OKC.)

Doc Jackson helped me with my swing. Each year I would return to Miami for the Invitational tournament. In 1993 I played the worst game of my life and said, no, to golf. I quit after that tournament and never played again. I could not enjoy the game without being able to play better.

Of course, Bill had a Johnie Stapp story about the pro killing moles on the golf course. Does every young man have that story about dad? Oh, so many funny memoirs we carry.

1972 April 12 “Bob Hope Guest Star for Tulsa Event”

Golfers who play in the annual charity pro-amateur golf tournament here will play alongside Bob Hope. Hope was named Tuesday as the guest star for the annual event to be held May 15 at Southern Hills Country Club.

Each year 50 professionals and 150 amateurs compete in the fundraising affair.

** I have been unable to find the one picture we have of Jonya and mother standing next to Bob Hope.  Jonya did not play in the event, but she was there watching like many of us from the country club. This fund-raiser by a women’s group (perhaps Junior League) in Tulsa brought in the biggest names on the pro circuit year after year, like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player. I am sure many of you reading this will recall the pros you saw during those years.

1972 April 12 “Big Turnout for Pro-Am”

For the first time in two years, the Miami Country club was host Tuesday to professional golfers from eastern Oklahoma and the Tri-State district. There were 24 pros, who teamed with 96 amateurs for the pro-am competition.

Jim Bullard of Tulsa Southern Hills was the pro champion with a one-under-par 71 in the windy matches. Next among the pros were Dick Orr, Tulsa, 73; Bill Parker, Joplin Twin Hills, 74; Roger Banzof, Tulsa 74.

Three teams tied for first in the pro-am competition. They were Jerry Jones, LaFortune pro, with Jerry Ketcher, Miami, Don Wiley, Jay, David Cross, Tulsa, and Dr. W.D. Jackson, Miami.

Bill Neel, Shangri-la pro, with Ree Alsop, Muskogee, Burr Ramsey, Grove and Miamians H.D. Robinson and Lou Mirjanich.

Jack Higgins, Meadowbrook pro, with J.B. Alexander, Tulsa, Gary Preston, Bartlesville, and Miamians Jerry Blevins and Hank Garwood.

Fourth place went to pro Dean Adkisson of Southern Hills, with Mel Ipock, Joplin, Dee Naylor, Tulsa, and Miamians Harry Dean and Dr. Raymond McKinney.

1972 April 12 “Tinker Owens Top Star in Joplin Invitational Contests”

Miami’s Tinker Owens, an outstanding player in football and basketball, continued his sparkling track performances here Tuesday as the outstanding individual of the third annual Joplin Invitational meet.

1972 April 18 “Tulsa Hale Sweeps Top Honors”

Paced by the record shooting of Craig Minnich, the Tulsa Hale Rangers swept all honors in the Monday’s 14^th annual Miami high school invitational golf tournament at the Miami Country club.

Coach Walter Knapp’s Rangers, all-senior foursome, totaled 301 on Minich’s four-under-par 68.a 74 by John Stout gave them the two-ball victory, followed by Steve Dodson 77 and an 82 by Randy Spaulding. Minnich was three under the previous mark of 71 by Joey Dills of Muskogee in 1970.

Seventeen teams from three states competed in the meet which was played in excellent weather.

Next in the top five were Tulsa Edison 319, Miami 327, and Pryor 328. The Miami team members turned in scores of 79 by Bill Giffhorn, 80 by Bob Dow, 84 by Tom Cordell and 84 by Kenny Gibson.

Tuesday’s tourney was under the direction of Don Overton, MHS golf coach; L.D. Bains, MHS athletic director, and Mrs. Claire Oliver, faculty member.

1972 April 28 "MHS Racketeers Honor School Athletes" 

I could not find any photos of the War Dogs girls golf team for spring of 1972.  The newspaper carried only this note about War Dogs golf--Girls golf, is recognized for a good record in interstate competition. Boys golf is honored for the top Six Lakes Conference that included medalist and two-ball and a tie for first in four-ball.

1972 April 30 “Ladies Golf Notes”

The Miami Ladies Golf Association will have a business meeting Wednesday in connection with the regular weekly competition. Winners the past week were Championship, Evelyn Hatfield; Class A, LaVon Young; Class B, Marian Richards; Class D, Aileen Bradshaw; and Class D, Caryl Rohwedder.

Pairings this week will be from the red tees. The first player on the green will decide which pin will be played. The pairings: Tee #1 9:00—Marian Richards, Caryl Rohwedder, Beverly Jackson, and Virginia Sapp; Peg Murphy, Mae Tate, Ruth Chambers; Ruth Heyburn, Vera Elmburg, Marylyn Adams, and Opal Goettel; Martha Elliott, Yvonne Temple and Francis McKinney; Lib Lillard, Pat Horner, Gladys Wetzel, and Mabel Pursley; LaRue Gaines, Barbara Bennett, Mary Van Beber, Dorothy Hester; Dollie Humes, Lorella Weitz, Fae Berentz, and Barbara Shouse; Noma Newman, Helen Stapp, Sue Enyart and Gail Beck; Mary Robinson, Roma Dahl, and Doris Wilson.

Tee #6—Jean Barker, Bonnie Moody, Jean Phillips, and Sue Barnes; Clara Barton, Lois Garwood, Pauline Adkison, and Grace Burns; Cora Wilson, Louise Whitney and Wanda Couch; Claire Oliver, Joanne Smallwood, Millie Carter, Suzy Wickham and Ethel Mailath.

1972 May 1 “Miss Grand Lake Pageant”

Jonya Stapp, a dark-haired beauty from Miami, wears the crown of Miss Grand Lake and will compete June 4 for the Miss Oklahoma title in Tulsa. Miss Stapp emerged as the winner from a field of 12 girls in the lake pageant finals here Saturday before a standing-room-only audience.

The new Miss Grand Lake is an outstanding golfer, and her comic golf routine was her talent contribution in the annual contest sponsored by Miss Grand Lake Pageant Committee. She won scholarships and gifts valued at $1,200.

 

 

 

 

1972 May 3 “Giffhorn Ties for Regional Golf Medalist”

Bill Giffhorn of Miami and Rick Grayson of Pryor tied for medalist honors in the regional Class AAA golf tournament that was held Tuesday on the Adams course in Bartlesville. Each totaled 155 strokes for 36 holes. Kenny Gibson of the Miami team finishes in a three-way tie for third place with Steve Elliott of Tahlequah, and Randy Ruffin of Pryor, each with 158.

Bartlesville Sooner won the four-ball teams title with a total score of 651. Next were Pryor 655, Miami 656, Tulsa Kelley 666, Tahlequah 676, Claremore 703. The Miami scoring: Giffhorn 155, Kenny Gibson 158, Tom Cordell 171, Bob Dow 172, and John Mirjanich 178. Qualifying for the state tournament were the top three: Sooner, Pryor, and Miami, plus individual low scores from other teams.

1972 May 8 “John F. Robinson Jr. Takes Top Honor in Schlitz Tourney” 

John Robinson, Jr., won the championship of the third annual Schlitz golf tournament that ended Sunday afternoon at the Miami Country club. Dr. W.D. Jackson was runner-up in the championship flight.

Winners in the other flights with players from Miami unless designated otherwise:

First flight—John F. Robinson Sr., Dick Allred, second.

Second flight—Bill Powers, Tulsa, and Bill Rainey, Joplin second.

Third flight—H.D. Robinson, and Vernon Allen, second.

Also winning awards for the coming closest each day on the drives toward hold number 12 (150-yard, par 3) were Al Williams of Seneca, who was perfectly on target with a Saturday hole-in-one, and Jerry Blevins, who came within four feet, three inches of duplicating the performance on Sunday. 

Other players in the Schlitz tourney are Jerry Blevins, Sam Fullerton,  Lou Mirjanich, Al Williams, Dick Wadleigh, Max Martin (Thank you Rebecca Mirjanich Davis for sharing the names with me. 

Jim Rutter, local Schlitz distributor, was director of the meet and presented the awards.

1972 May 10 “State AAA Golf Championship”

Miami high golfers finished 10^th among 24 high schools that were represented in the Class AAA tournament that ended Tuesday on the University in Norman. The 54-hole tournament opened with 36-holes on Monday and ended with 18-hole rounds on Tuesday.

Chickasha won the four-man team title and Kirk Goss of Chickasha repeated as the state AAA individual champion with 22 total, one stroke under Ricky Neal, 222 of Ada, whose Harry Turner shot 320 to give Ada the two-ball title.

The Miami Wardog team placed in the top 10 with the following scores: Bill Giffhorn 244, Kenny Gibson 248, Tom Cordell 253, Bob Dow 262, and John Mirjanich with 252.

1972 May 21 “Ladies Golf Notes”

Winners in Miami Ladies Golf Association competition the past week were: Championship, Evelyn Hatfield and Faye Berentz; Class A, Helen Moore; Class B, Val Dale; Class C, Roma Dahl and Jean Ann Blue; and Class D, Caryl Rohwedder.

1972 May 26 “Holiday Golf Program Set”

Scotch foursomes are scheduled as a holiday feature Monday at the Miami Country club, beginning at 4:30 p.m. A family night buffet will be served. Entertainment after the golf competition will be furnished by Jonya Stapp and David Blazer. Co-chairmen for the holiday activities are Corbin and Barbara Shouse and Bill and Claire Oliver.

1972 May 28 “Area Boys to Compete June 19 in Insurance Golf Classic Here”

Any boy residing within Ottawa, Craig, Delaware, and Mayes counties who will not be 18 of age before August 1 is eligible to compete on any level of tournament play in the Insurance Youth Classic that will be conducted June 19 at the Miami Country club as part of a national program of 400 similar tournaments.

Independent Insurance agents of Ottawa county are sponsors of the local event with James Couch as chairman. June 14 is the deadline for entries. Forms may be picked up at the pro shop from Johnie Stapp or Dick Neel. There is an entry fee of $2 for each contestant. Lunch will follow for all contestants on tournament day.

The two top winners from the Miami event will be eligible to compete July 17 in the state tournament to be held at the Oaks Country club in Tulsa.

1972 May 30 “Junior Golfers Open Season Friday”

First activities of the season in the Miami Junior golf programs for the 1972 season will begin Friday. Free lessons for beginners will be provided by professionals Johnie Stapp and Dick Neel. Parents of participants will be asked to serve at least once in a scoring capacity.

1972 June 6 “From the Clutter”

Talent presentations for the 17 hopefuls in the Miss Oklahoma Pageant in Tulsa will be conducted Thursday and Friday nights, with the Friday night program holding top interest for Miamian and others in this area.

Jonya Stapp of Miami will present her clever golf skit—an appropriate choice by the personable Miami beauty who won the Oklahoma Junior Girls golf championship in 1968. The winner of the pageant will represent Oklahoma in the Miss America pageant at Atlantic City, N.J.

 

1972 June 9 “Local Spotlight on 1-Under Par Score by Suzy Wickham”

Suzy Wickham of Miami is the owner of a rare under-par score for nine holes of the women's Miami Country club golf course. She carded a one-under par 37 on the back nine in connection with Wednesday's round for the ladies golf. Coupled with a 44 on the first nine, the total score of 81 gave her first place in the championship division of the day's golf. 

Miss Wickham, who will be a 1972-73 sophomore at Oklahoma State University, won second place in the 1970 State Junior Girls tournament. 

The only other sub-par shooter for nine holes on the Miami course, is Jonya Stapp. She also set a record for 18 hole with rounds of 39-37-77 when she won the 1970 Tri-State Ladies Golf championship.

1972 June 12 “New Miss Oklahoma Also Speaks Greek”

Debbie Giannopoulos, Miss Warr Acres, was selected to represent Oklahoma from 34 beauties Saturday night. Miss Northeastern State, Andrea Hanson was first runner-up. Jonya Stapp, Miami, Miss Grand Lake, placed in the top 10 finalists.

1972 June 14 “Co-Favorites Advance in Women’s State Golf Meet”

Dale McNamara of Tulsa and Mrs. Dena Dills of Muskogee shared the role of co-favorites going into the quarterfinals of the Women’s State Amateur Golf Tournament being held at the Oaks Country club in Tulsa.

Jonya Stapp, only Miamian in the championship flight defeated Lois Stuart of Oklahoma City, 5 and 4 and was paired against Louise Stekoll of Okmulgee today.

Miami women lost in other flights Tuesday: Mrs. L.E. Pace in B flight; Mrs. V.W. Lillard in B flight; Mr. Robert Temple in F flight, and Mrs. William Oliver, also in F flight.

1972 June 15 “Stekoll’s Putt on 18^th Hole Defeats Jonya”

Miss Stekoll rallied and put down Jonya Stapp with a clutch putt on the 18^th hole. Miss Stapp defeated Miss Stekoll on the same Oaks Country club course three years ago in route to the state junior crown. Miss Stekoll will face Mrs. Dena Dills today. (Mrs. Dills defeated Louise in match play. Louise went on to win the Women’s State Amateur in 1973 at Quail Creek, Oklahoma City.)

*Five decades have passed since these memories, but lucky for us the friendships still remain. Louise, Jonya, and I continue our friendship through golf to this very day.

 

1972 June 20 “John Mirjanich Champion in Insurance Youth Golf”

John Mirjanich, who will be a sophomore at Miami high school in 1972-73 won first place Monday in the annual district Insurance youth Classic at the Miami Country club. He won the championship with an 18-hole score of 82 over players from Ottawa, Craig, Delaware, and Mayes counties.

Bob Dow of Miami was runner-up with a score of 83. A stroke behind Dow as Miami’s Kenny Gibson. They are eligible to compete in the July 17 state tournament.

Other Miami players were Mike Hylton, 88; John Wallace, 89; Wayne Anderson, 90; Chris Adkison, 94; Dan Giffhorn, 99; Kim King, 100; Charles Wilmoth, 100; Thomas Jackson, 111; and John Weitz, 115.

Independent Insurance agencies sponsoring the event were Wayne Anderson Agency, Bomford-Sapp & Associates, Bowers Insurance, Box-Hallock Insurance Agency, Garwood Agency, Lee Agency, and the Smith Agency.

1972 June 22 “Girls Invitational Tourney Here Friday”

Karen Edwards of Bartlesville will defend her title of the 13 annual Miami Invitational girls’ golf tournament that opens with Friday at 8 a.m.

Three of the four first-place winners from a year ago are back. They are Miss Edwards, the 1972 championship winner; Sandy Jackson of Miami, Class B winner; Sandy McDowell of Tulsa, Class C winner.

1972 June 25 “Best in Tournament”

Karen Edwards, 17, of Bartlesville, who hopes to gain a position on the University of Kansas men’s golf team next season, repeated as champion of the Miami girls invitational with a score of 39-39-78. In 1970 she and Leslie Peck of Springfield, Missouri finished the regular 18 holes in a tie at 85. Miss Peck won the championship in a playoff. Last year shot an 86 to win the championship. This year her 78 set a tournament low gross score.

 

Miamians playing in the tournament were Linda Wickham, Pam Landers, Ann Heyburn, Sonya Austin, Sandy Jackson, Jenny Landers, Debbie Jackson, and Tracie Enyart.

Trophies for winners, runners-up, driving and putting were presented at the conclusion of the meet by Dick Neel, assistant pro of the Miami Country club.

1972 June 28 “Rotarian's Hear Johnie F. Stapp”

Johnie Stapp, golf pro at the Miami Country club, furnished the program at the Rotary club luncheon Tuesday in the Carter Student Union. He talked about golf and showed a film of big-name golfers in action recently at Tulsa.

Gary Golden, who presided, presented a past-president’s wall plaque and lapel pin to outgoing president S.A. (Red) Robertson, who in turn presented Golden with president’s gavel.

1972 July "Ladies Golf Association Winners"

 

 1972 July 6 “Golf Tourney for 115 Boys Here Friday”

Entries total 115 for the 12^th annual Miami boys invitational golf tournament that will begin at 8:30 a.m. Friday at the Miami Country club. The Miami Ladies Golf Association, in cooperation with Johnie F. Stapp, club pro are sponsoring the tournament. Co-chairs are Loretta Weitz and Melba Cordell. Tourney assignments include breakfast—Rose Pratt and Bonnie Moody; lunch-Alice Kidd, Pauline Taylor, and Barbara Anderson; packets—Sara Mirjanich; scoreboard—Ruth Heyburn and Opal Goettel; driving contest—Jack Elliott and Tom Cordell; name tags—Ina Harrison. Pairings followed.

1972 July 14 “Debbie Jackson State Pee-Wee Golf Title”

Miami has another state champion, Debbie Jackson, the 11-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayman Jackson. She won the championship of Pee-Wee flight in the State Junior Girls golf tournament that ended Thursday after a three-day run at the Rolling Hills Country club in Tulsa.

Debbie’s sister, Sandy, 12, won second place in the Class A flight nine-hole competition. Debbie had a total score of 64 on three-hole rounds of 24,28,22. Sandy scored 55,47, 51 on her nine-hole rounds for a total of 153. The winner shot a 150.

Other Miami girls competing in the tournament were Melissa Landers, 18-hole A flight; Pam Landers and Ann Heyburn nine-hole A flight and Jenny Landers, nine-hole B flight.

1972 July 23 “Two Miami Girls Among Players in Women’s Western”

Suzy Wickham and Jonya Stapp each competed the past week in the Women’s Western golf tournament on the Blue Hills course in Kansas City, Mo.

Suzy Wickham finished as runner-up in the third flight consolation. Jonya Stapp lost in match play for the first round of the second flight then lost her match in consolation. She was among a large group who qualified at 88, with a draw determining players for the first and second flights.

1972 July 30 “Ladies Golf Notes”

The winners last week at Miami were Championship, Hattie White; Class B, Lottie Mae Russell; Class C, Jean Phillips; class D, Frances McKinney. Play this week will be from the white tees—Bingo, Bango, Bongo.

1972 August 4 “Fared Well in Play Springfield”

Miami women golfers who consistently score well in the annual Tri-State Women’s Amateur tournament did so again this year.

Besides fielding a low net team which took the J.L. Treadway Trophy, the Miamians placed well in the other flights of the tournament.

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Evelyn Hatfield placed fourth in the championship flight and won the Senior Women’s division of play, while Jonya Stapp finished in a five-way tie for eighth place in the Championship flight.

Other Miami placings were A Flight-Ruth Heyburn, first; and Suzie Wickham, fourth; B Flight—Beverly Jackson, second; C Flight—LaRue Gaines, second; D Flight—Claire Oliver, first; F Flight—Melba Cordell, first, Helen Moore, fifth; G Flight—Jean Ann Blue, eighth, and Geneva Ramsay, ninth. Stormy Lewis placed in F Flight and Pauline Taylor placed in H flight.

1972 August 4 “Jonya’s in A Flight of Trans Miss”

Jonya Stapp, Miami, is playing in the A flight of the Trans Mississippi Women’s Golf tournament, which has been in progress since Monday at the Omaha Golf and Country club course. She was defeated Tuesday in her first round and won matches Wednesday and Thursday. She posted a 78 in Wednesday’s play and won on the 18^th hole in Thursday’s play.

The tournament is the second largest women’s amateur tournament in the nation and draws players from across the United States and seven foreign countries. Next week Jonya plans to be in St. Louis for the Women’s U.S. National amateur tournament, the last big tournament of the season and the largest women’s amateur championship competition.

1972 August 17 “Jonya Selected as Top Beauty in Golf”

America’s most beautiful golfer of 1972 is Miss Jonya Stapp, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnie F. Stapp of Miami, according to a vote of U.S. golf writers and announcers who were polled by “Golf Digest,” national magazine.

A representative of the magazine, in a call to the Stapp home this morning, said Jonya was the “overwhelming choice” for the honor. An interview with the winner was not immediately available because Jonya was in Tulsa this morning to enroll as a junior at the University of Tulsa.

Jonya, whose father is the golf professional at the Miami Country club, was nominated in the national contest by Miamian Pat Campbell earlier this year. Rules require that contestants must be at least 16 years of age and have a golf handicap of 10 or less.  Jonya, who stands 5-4 and weighs 115, has achieved numerous golf and beauty honors in recent years.

Her consistency in winning over male golfers with other colleges probably led to the NJCAA rule against girl participants in the NJCAA golf program. This prevented Jonya from being a member of the NEO team the past season. *The reality is that Title IX became the standard, and the college would or could not support her on a men’s team. They did not offer a woman’s golf team.

Jonya was among the leaders in the early phase of 36-hole qualifying rounds for the National Women’s Amateur Golf tournament at the St. Louis Country club, when she was disqualified because of the “Titleist” brand ball she was using.

The tournament officials had listed 44 brands of balls that could be used, including two from the Titleist company—one with red and black imprint and the other with all-black imprint. Jonya’s white ball had red imprint and was not on the list, reportedly through oversight.

Jonya assumed blame for not checking the list more carefully. Seeing the Titleist brands on the list, she assumed her ball was included. She had used that brand recently in winning A-flight runner-up honors at the Trans-Mississippi tourney in Omaha, Neb. The manufacturer of the ball in New Bedford, Mass., has criticized the disqualification, declaring the ball has measured up to all tests required of the U.S. Golf Association for competition sanctioned by this organization. 

1972 September 3 “Invitational Golf Begins Saturday”

The Miami Country club’s 17 annual invitational golf tournament will draw some 140 golfers from the several states for its two-day run. Defending champion, Dwight Collins of Springdale, Arkansas will be in the field.

1972 September 10 “Cordell, Stewart Share Lead Here”

Mark Cordell of Miami and Bill Stewart of Springfield, Missouri (Payne Stewart’s father) led the field of 142 golfers in the Miami Country club’s 17^th annual invitational golf tournament with even par rounds of 72s in Saturday’s first 18-hole rounds.

Chi Galloway and Marvin Porter of Joplin stroked 73’s. Next at 74 were John Robinson, Jr., Dave Cross, Tulsa, and Frank Jacobs, Joplin.

Jim Scaletty of Parsons, Ks, the 1970 Miami champion became the second player to card a double eagle since Johnie Stapp became pro here 19 years ago. Bill Neel scored the other about six years ago. Scaletty, who total a 78 Saturday, go his double eagle by shooting a two on the par 5 ninth hole. 

1972 September 11

 Bill Stewart of Springfield, Missouri, third place winner last year and runner-up two other years captured the championship of the 17^th annual event here late Sunday afternoon with a total of 144 on even-par 72 scores for the two-day event. Stewart was Missouri’s state amateur champion in 1953, 1957 and runner-up in 1966.

Second place went to Marvin Porter, Cadillac-Buick dealer at Joplin, with 73-73-146. Winning third place with a 74-74-148 was Frank Jacobs of Joplin, night club operator.

Mark Cordell of Miami, a junior at Oklahoma State University who tied champion Stewart for medalist honors with a 72, shot 77 for a total of 149 and shared fourth place with Bob James of Tulsa and Chi Galloway of Joplin. 

 

Doc Jackson, a two-time champion shot 77-77-154; John Robinson, Jr., 74-82-158; Tom Forbes, Tulsa, 78-78-156; Charles Bill Hirsch,159.

Dick Allred of Miami, won first in President’s flight with 79-74-153. Other Miamians playing were Bob Hill, jr., 154, Tom Cordell, 159; Bob Klein 160; John Robinson, Jr., 162; Jack Doan 162; Scotty Jackson, 168; Kent Jeffries, 169; Lou Mirjanich, 170.

In A flight Dr. W.D. Neal of Miami shot 87-77-161 for first. Other Miamians were Bill Harsch, 172; Hank Garwood, 180; Bill Hatfield, 180.

B flight players were Straton Henley, 169, Dick Lowry 170, Mark Wojcik, 172, Delmer Barnes, 173; Pat Wilson, 181; Ray Enyart, 182.

C flight B. Ames, Joplin won in a playoff with H.D. Robinson, Miami, each with 91-87-178. Lloyd Tate, 183; Odes Rodecape, 185, Bud Gaines, 187; Bill Oliver, 188; David Robinson, 188; John Elmburg, 189; Jack Burns, 190, George Wojcik, 191; Bob Garwood, 192.

D flight was won by Joe Tooley with 180. Next were Ted Lowry, 188; Cy Elmburg, 189; Harry Dean, 197; Bob Hill, Sr., 203, Sam Fullerton, 205.

Excellent weather prevailed for the tournament, which was under the direction of Jack Doan and club pro Johnie F. Stapp, club officials and members of the Miami Ladies Golf Association.

1972 September 24 “Ladies Club Champion”

1972 September 24 "Ladies Golf Notes"

Play this week will be the Pro vs. Members, from the red tees. The pairings:

No. 1 hole: Marian Richards, Barbara Gust, Billie Pace, and Evelyn Hatfield. Cora Wilson, Marylyn Adams, Louise Whitney, Barbara Shouse. Peg Murphy, LaVon Young, Helen Moore, and Val Dale. Hattie White, Geneva Ramsey, Mary VanBeber, Erin Wojcik. Jean Ann Blue, Yvonne Temple, Ruth Heyburn, Clara Barton. Beverly Jackson, Dollie Humes, Faye Berentz, Sue Barnes. Hattie Wall, Noma Newman, LaRue Gaines, Virginia Sapp, Lib Lillard. 

No. 6 hole: Grace Burns, Jean Phillips, Aileen Bradshaw. Rose Pratt, Doris Wilson, Helen Jo Painter and Frances McKinney. Martha Elliott, Mabel Pursley, Pauline Adkison, Dorothy Hester. Sue Enyart, Gail Beck, Mary Robinson. Wanda Couch, Helen Stapp, Roma Dahl, Gladys Wetzel. Bonnie Moody, Barbara Bennett, and Caryl Rohwedder. 

1972 October 13 “Jonya Featured in Current Issue of Golf Digest”

Two full pages of the November issue of Golf Digest magazine, which has pages twice the size of most “digest” publications, are devoted to Jonya Stapp, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnie F. Stapp of Miami.

A sub-heading on one of the Golf Digest’s pages reads, “Beauty Queen Jonya Stapp is Miss Grand Lake and One Grand Golfer.” Achievements of the 5-4, 115-pound beauty are reviewed, along with a putting picture on a Miami Country club green.

 

 

One page is devoted entirely to a color picture showing Jonya at the top of a swing. A Golf Digest photographer flew to Miami, Oklahoma from the metropolitan New York area to take pictures. Two years ago, a French girl won the beauty honor. A California golfer was the winner last year.

1972 October 15 “Ladies Golf Notes”

Winners in Miami Ladies Golf competition this past week were Championship, Evelyn Hatfield; Class A, Mae Tate; Class B, Peg Murphy; Class C, Rose Pratt; and Class D, Bonnie Moody.

1972 November 3 “Lady Golfers Meet, Have New Officers”

The Miami Ladies Golf Association held its annual fall coffee Wednesday at the Country club. The table was beautifully decorated with an arrangement of fall flowers, which was given to Marylyn Adams as winner of the door prize.

The new president is Aileen Bradshaw. Serving with her will be Gail Beck, Vice President; Caryl Rohwedder, secretary; Mary Robinson, treasurer, and Erin Wojcik, representative.

Hostesses for the coffee were Pauline Taylor, Pauline Adkison, Gail Beck and Mary Robinson. Other attending were Hattie Wall, Cora Wilson, Frances McKinney, Peg Murphy, LaRue Gaines, Jean Phillips, Dorothy Hester, Billie Pace, Helen Stapp, Sue Enyart, Caryl Rohwedder, Evelyn Hatfield, Rose Pratt, Rosalie Patterson, Bonnie Moody, Mavis For, Faye Berentz, Gladys Wetzel, Clara Barton, Ruth Heyburn, Virginia Sapp, Lottie Mae Russell, Sue Barnes, Lib Lillard, Mary Van Beber, Yvonne Temple, Lois Garwood, Marian Richards, Joyce Rutter, Noma Newman, Millie Carter, Jean Ann Blue, Geneva Ramsey, Barbara Shouse, LaVon Young and one new member, Judy Weld.

1971 TIMELINE AND STORIES of the MGCC

 1971 Spring—Ladies Golf Event Held

The home of Mrs. R.O. Gibson, 602 Second avenue northwest, was the setting for the Miami Ladies Golf Association’s spring membership coffee. Hostess duties were shared by Mrs. Byron Hoffman, Mrs. Vernon Sapp, Mrs. Dick Lillard, and Mrs. Rose Pratt. An arrangement of spring flowers centered the refreshment table. Mrs. George Newman, association president, poured coffee.

During the business session, yearbooks were passed out and activities for the season were discussed. Several tournaments will be scheduled.

Also present were Mrs. Johnie Stapp, Mrs. Ben Moody, Mrs. Hance VanBeber, Mrs. Dan Heyburn, Mrs. William Hatfield, Mrs. Olen Moore, Mrs. Orville Dahl, Mrs. Kelso Berentz, Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. Jack Adams, Mrs. Don Johnson, Mrs. Harry Ford, Mrs. Vernon Lillard, Mrs. Claud Jones, Mrs. Henry Garwood, Mrs. Paul Wilson, Mrs. George Romick, Mrs. Richard Humes, Mrs. Jack Doan, Mrs. Charles Phillips, Mrs. Jack Burns, Mrs. Rex Painter, Mrs. L.A. Wetzel, Mrs. George Wojcik, Mrs. Doyle Monger, Mrs. Billy F Wilson, Mrs. Jack Elliott, Mrs. Wilton Taylor, Mrs. J. Owen Bradshaw, Mrs. Robert Rohwedder, Mrs. Jim Couch, Mrs. James Grant, Mrs. William Bennett, Mrs. L.C. Pace, Mrs. Kirby Martin, Mrs. John Weitz, Mrs. Max Blue, Mrs. Joe Ramsey, and Mrs. Ray Enyart.  Lessons for new members will start April 7.

1971 March 31 “Norse Golfers Trim Pirates”

NEO golfers opened their season with a smashing victory over the Independence, Kansas Pirates. The Norse golfers, coached by Al Moffat, will see their next competition against OMA Cadets of Claremore at April 8. All of the golfers are Freshman, including the sole girl on the team—Jonya Stapp of Miami, who is the 1968 Jr. Girls Champion. Four of the seven Norse golfers are 1970 graduates of Pryor High School.

The medalist of the meet was Brad Pullen of Bartlesville with a three-over par card of 75. He was entered as the Norse No. 3. Coach Moffat’s players were No.1. Mark Cullison, Pryor; 2. Sid Rieser, Pryor; 3. Medalist Pullen; 4. Miss Stapp; 5. Jack Wood, Pryor, and 7. Ben Martin, Pryor. 

 This is the second time for a girl to be a member of the NEO golf squad. A few years ago, Jonya’s sister, Letty, was a valuable member of the Norse team. Their father, Johnie F. Stapp, is the pro at the Miami Country club.

1971 April 2 (NEO Student Writer—Gayla Crosby) “Fem Charm With NEO 6-Man Golf Team”

Although signs of Women’s Lib may be present on Northeastern A&M’s six-man golf team, the single girl member claims she is not swinging for equality. Jonya Stapp simply enjoys outdoor sport with its five-to-one odds.

“The competition and exceptional skill of my teammates has definitely improved my score, “she told us.” And perhaps I haven’t hurt their game either.”

Holding Miami’s women course record with a 77, the dark-eyed miss has participated in both state and national junior girls’ tournament, the girl’s Western, the US Open, and Tri-State meet. Her excellence was rewarded when she won first place in the 1968 Jr. Girls State Championship and last August when she won the Tri-State Tournament.

Following in her dad’s footsteps, Jonya takes lessons from her father, Johnie Stapp. Describing his help as “invaluable,” Jonya gleefully commented. “I’m so lucky to have a father who can give tips on improving my game.”

Even though devoted to golf with four hours daily practice, Jonya displays talent in several campus activities. Majoring in music, she has participated in NEO’s chorus, and two stage productions. Other activities include gymnastics, Dean’s honor roll, and Phi Theta Kappa. She is currently entered Oklahoma’s Miss Grand Lake Pageant.

Thoughts of a pro-golf career do not appeal to Jonya. When watching the next NEO golf meet, notice the delightful young lady with an excellent swing—that’s Jonya.

1971 Spring--Jonya and the Muntz

In the spring of 1971 Jonya was driving the Muntz home to the country house.  She hit a hole in the road too hard and something big and heavy fell out and she couldn't drive the car.

She found an old country house with two people quietly living alone. Called dad and he came to the rescue but of course, couldn't drive the car.  I think that is called an engine block that fell out. 

After that last episode with the Muntz, dad bought Jonya a used red Ford Mustang.

1971 April 13 “Four Miami Girls Entered in Preliminary Grove Event”

A preliminary judging of the 17 entrants in the seventh annual Miss Grand Lake pageant will be held Saturday at 7 p.m. Four Miami girls, Denis Robinson, who sings and imitates Barbra Streisand; Becky Wilson and Jonya Stapp, vocalists, and Tammy Romick, who gives a monologue and dances are entered in the pageant sponsored by the Grand Lake Association.

1971 April 16 “Baxter Springs Captures 3 Top Trophies in High School Golf Meet"

Baxter Springs high school golfers surprised nearly everyone except their coach by sweeping all top honors Monday in the 13^th annual Miami high school Invitational Golf Tournament at the Miami Country club.

16 teams entered Baxter won with 328 Tulsa Edison 332; Parkwood 344; Columbus, Kan. 345; Tulsa Cassia Hall, 350; Sand Springs 353, Miami 363. Other teams were Clinton, Nowata, Joplin Memorial, Claremore, Coffeyville, Pryor, Wagoner, and Sequoyah Tahlequah.

Columbus, Kansas was second in the two-ball with a 79 by Mark Winter and 82 by Vic Winter. Miami players were Bill Giffhorn, 363; Tom Cordell, 87; Kenny Gibson, 95; John Mills, 100.

1971 April 18 “War Dogs Take Medalist, 2-Ball Trophies in Six Lakes Tourney”

(story too faded for me to read and type)

1971 April 22 “Regional Golf Meet Set at Bartlesville”

Miami high school golfers, coached by Don Overton, will compete Tuesday in the Class AAA regional tournament on the Adams State Park course in Bartlesville.

Foursomes from 10 other northeast Oklahoma high schools will participate in the 36-hole rounds, beginning at 8 a.m.

1971 April 28 "Miami 3rd in Regional Golf"

Bill Giffhorn of Miami high school was among the top five golfers in regional competition Tuesday on the Adams golf course in Bartlesville. He carded 82-83-165 for the 36 holes. Team totals were Sooner 644, Tulsa Kelly 691, Wardogs 692, Tahlequah 695, and Pryor 715. 

Scores for Don Overton's Miamians, in addition to Giffhorn, were: Tom Cordell, Jr., 173; Kenny Gibson, 175; John Mills 179, and Rick Adams, 184.

1971 May “Schlitz Golf Tournament Winners”

L-R bottom row: Al Williams, unknown, unknown. Row 2: George Meyers,  Straton Henley, Doc Jackson, John Robinson, Jr., Mark Wojcik. Row 3 L-R: unknown, Joe Whipple, unknown, Charles Trussler, and Lou Mirjanich.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following two pictures are of the Schlitz Golf event which was held beginning in May of 1970 through 1974. I could not find newspaper articles on 1970 and 1971. However, Joyce Rutter sent these photographs she had saved from those years. The dates will be determined when someone recalls who won which year.

1971 May 4 “MHS Is Winner in Girls Golf”

Miami high school girls remained undefeated in golf competition by blanking Joplin Memorial, 5-0 in matches Monday at the Miami Country club. Mrs. Mary Louise Klein is the Miami girls golf coach.

Rebecca Mirjanich of Miami gave her team an extra point by winning medalist honor with a score of 51 for the nine-hole competition. She defeated Garoutte who scored 64. The other Miami victories were: Suzy Wickham, 52 over Kasab, 64; Ann Cordell, 64 over Eberhard, 85; Melissa Landers, 63, over Browne, 83.

·11971 May 23 “Jonya Medalist in Golf Event at Muskogee”

Miami’s Jonya Stapp, who will be on NEO’s “five-man” team in the NJCAA tournament June 8-11 at Flint, Michigan was No. 1 Friday among 97 contestants in the Tulsa District Women’s Golf association at the Muskogee Country Club.

Miss Stapp won medalist honors with a score of 78 on the par 73 golf course. Mrs. Bill Hatfield of Miami competed in another flight and carded a 91.

Jonya and other members of the NEO golf team will participate in regular practice for the National Junior College Athletic Association tournament beginning June 8 in Flint, Michigan.

She will then compete June 14 in the Oklahoma Women’s State Championship at Quail Creek in Oklahoma City.

1971 June 3 “Mason City Globe by Tom Murray—One Gal, 124 Boys in JC Golf”

 

Jonya Stapp, well-tanned and sporting yellow golf shoes and glove, is about to cross a threshold never approached by a girl…and probably never again.

“I am really excited about playing in the Junior College Athletic Assoc. Golf Championship in Flint,” she concedes rather boldly. The NCJAA has passed a rule, effective in September 1971 which would prohibit girls from competing alongside boys in sanctioned sports. (What it doesn’t mention is that Title IX goes into effect. That change took Jonya off the 1971-72 NEO Golf Team.)

Jonya will be the only girl among the 125 golfers. Such a situation might make a lot of girls uneasy, but Jonya likely won’t be. She has played in every match for the Golden Norsemen this spring and always against boys.

“Gee,” says Jonya, “I hope I am the only girl at Flint. I’d hate to have another girl there beat me.” She can relax. Don Jarrard, director of the tourney to be played over the Warwick Hills layout confirms that Jonya is definitely the only girl in the field.

Jonya is no newcomer to the golfing world. She first picked up a club when she was 3 or 4, but really didn’t take it seriously until a few years ago. She now shoots in the 70’s. Her father is the golf pro at the Miami Country club and her older sister, Letty, carved quite a name for herself in the amateur ranks.

Jonya played on the boys’ high school team her junior year before a girl’s program was started her senior year. (This is important because the Secondary Athletic Assoc. of Oklahoma withdrew girls golf from the state association after our high school team of 1960 won the last State High School Girls title. If you attend the reunion July 27 Miami, Ok at the Dobson Museum, I will share a story of three strong women who beat two proud men one day in a challenge match.)

1971 June 9 “Norse Golfers Led by Martin”

Flint, Mich—Ben Martin led the NEO golf team competing in the NJCAA tournament with a 79 for the first-round of play Tuesday.

Brad Pullin was second with an 81, Ron Bishop turned in an 85, Jim Callison 87 and Jonya Stapp shot a 90 for the day.  The team teed off at 10 a.m. today at the 7,200-yard Warwick Hills golf course (where Jonya played the men’s tees.)

1971 June 10 “NEO Golfers Climb to 15^th”

The Northeastern A&M golf team was ranked 15 in a field of 32 going int the third round of the National Junior College Athletic Association golf tournament today in Flint, Michigan.

The Oklahoma players jumped from 28^th after the first round to their present standing with Jim Callison shooting 81 to lead the team Wednesday. Ben Martin fired an 84, Brad Pullin carded an 85, Ron Bishop an 87 and Jonya Stapp shaved two strokes off her first-round score by totaling 89 for the day.

The team was three strokes over its first-round effort with a 426, bringing the two-round total to 850. Steve Mancino of the Oklahoma Military academy at Claremore was three strokes behind the leader for the individual medalist honors.

Jonya Stapp was given the key to the city by Flint Mayor Limmer in honor of her being the first girl to compete in the NJCAA tournament.

1971 June 15 “Jonya Shares Medal”

Miami’s Jonya Stapp tied with Lucy Beeler of Oklahoma City for the medalist honors in qualifying for the 53^rd Women’s State Championship on Monday. Both women shots 80. Jonya teed off this morning against Mrs. Bert Creeps of Oklahoma City, in match play with 16 players in Championship flight.

1971 June 20 “Junior Golf”

Winners of the boy’s championship flight in junior golf competition Friday at the Miami Country club were Bill Giffhorn, low gross; Kenny Gibson, second low gross and low putts. Play to determine the girl’s outcome was not completed.

There will be no regular junior golf play next Friday. The Girl’s Invitational Golf Tournament will be held. Mrs. Wayman Jackson and Mrs. Mel Landers oversee the arrangements.

Other junior golf winners follow: Class A boys and girls—Low gross, Bob Wallace; second, Charles Wilmoth; Low gross, Linda Wickham, second low gross, Kathy Brockie and Debbie Austin.  Class B boys and girls—Low gross, Mike Hylton; second, Jim Arndt; Low gross Sonya Austin, second low gross, Pam Landers. Four-hole boys and girls—David Wells and K. Parker and Debbie Jackson, tied. Two-hole low gross Steve Raymond and Cathy Harsch.

1971 June 21 “Jonya Earns 2 State Trophies”

Miss Stapp, who won the 1968 Junior Girls State Championship shared medalist honors with Lucy Beeler in the qualifying round, but both lost in the first round of match play. They met in the finals of the championship consolation flight with Jonya beating Mrs. Beeler 3 and 1 in the final match.

Mrs. Mary Alice Hines of Okc won the state championship by edging Linda Morse 1-up on the 38 holes. This equaled the longest championship match in the 53-year history of the championship. The other 38-hole match as when Mrs. Beeler won the 1967 championship in Enid.

1971 June 27 “Bartlesville Girl is Champ of Miami Junior Meet”

Karen Edwards, 16, won the championship of the 12^th annual Miami junior girls invitational golf tournament Friday at the Miami Country club. Miss Edwards was runner-up a year ago to Leslie Peck of Springfield. Miss Edwards scored an 86. Miami’s Suzy Wickham was the runner-up with an 89. Suzy, competing at the maximum age of 17, is a 1971 graduate of Miami high school. Fifty girls competed in four flights of Friday’s tournament. Other Miami girls playing were Sandy Jackson, winner of Class B, Sonya Austin 2^nd place; Debbie Jackson Pee-Wee playoff winner; Ann Cordell, Linda Wickham, Debbie Austin, Jenny Landers, Tracie Bradshaw.

1971 June 27 “Ladies Golf Notes”

Winners the past week in Miami Ladies Golf Association competition were: Championship—Ruth Heyburn; Class A—Helen Jones; Class B—Helen Moore; Class C—Aileen Bradshaw; Class D—Rose Pratt.

1971 June 29 “From the Clutter”

Jonya Stapp, recovering from a wrist fracture that will keep her out of the national amateur women’s golf tournament in Atlanta, George is ready to give up one-half of her dual role in sports and will part company with Sadie, her registered Quarter horse.  “Sadie simply was too much of a horse for a greenhorn to ride,” commented Mrs. Helen Stapp, mother of the attractive young golfer, who hopefully will continue to represent Miami in future golf competitions.

1971 July 11 “Gray of Bartlesville Golf Champ”

Tom Gray of Bartlesville, one of the few who have competed two straight years in the championship flight captured the top trophy Friday in the 11^th annual meet at the Miami Country club with a score of 74, just two above men’s par on the 6.682-yard nine-hole course. Record 71s for the local meet were scored a year ago by Chuck Coatney of Ponca City and Steve Thompson of Bartlesville. Coatney took top honors in a sudden-death playoff.

Miami’s Bill Giffhorn and Tommy Cordell finished second and third in the championship flight here. Giffhorn carded 76 and Cordell 77. Another Miamian Kenny Gibson shot a 78 third place for President’s flight (ages 15-16). 

 Other Miamian scores follow: John Wallace, John Weitz, Jim Arndt, Mike Hylton, Jack Brown, Chris Adkison, John Prewitt, Dan Heyburn, Tom Dean, David Weitz, Tom Kidd, John Paul Dick, Matthew Monger, Steve Cherry, Kevin Matthews.

1971 July 15, “Miamians Lose in Title Play of State Golf”

Miami’s Suzy Wickham, who a year ago won second place in the Oklahoma junior girls golf tournament, was eliminated for the championship in Wednesday’s opening rounds of match play on Hillcrest Country club in Oklahoma City. She was beaten by Brenda Moyers of Tulsa, 4 and 3. Karen Edwards of Bartlesville, who won the recent Miami junior girls’ tournament and was a favorite for the state crown, lost to Joanie Gardner, also of Bartlesville, 3 and 1.

In A flight, Mary Beth Frampton, Tulsa, defeated Ann Cordell of Miami, 6 and 3.

Linda Wickham, of Miami, playing in the nine-hole A flight carded a 56 for a two-day total of 114 and 8^th in the standings. Debbie Austin of Miami ranks 4^th in C flight with 71-62-133. Sandra Jackson is first in the three-hole flight with 17-17-34. Sandra, 11, was featured in a picture in Wednesday’s Daily Oklahoman, showing a dramatic follow-through on a drive.  

1971 July 16 “Good Day for Miami Girls in State Golf”

Sandra Jackson, 11, won the state title in the three-hole flight with a three-day score of 51 with rounds of 17 each day. She was 13 strokes ahead of runner up Adelle Lukken of Tulsa. Suzy Wickham of Miami reached today’s title final in the championship consolation with a 1-up victory on19 holes over Jonni Koppitz of Alva. She will play Friday for the Consolation flight winner. Ann Cordell lost her consolation flight match to Liz Suggs of Midwest City, 3 and 1.

1971 July 18 “Junior Golf Trophies Awarded”

Miami’s junior golf program for the summer was concluded with the weekend city tournament at the Miami Country club. Competition in all flights, except the boys championship, was conducted Friday. The older boys of the program were to compete here this afternoon. Earlier rounds were prevented because some of them were in the state Insurance meet.

Results in other division: Championship—Melissa Landers, first; Cheryl Enyart, driving; Ann Cordell, putting.

Class A—Charles Wilmoth, first; Sammy Cherry, second; Tom Jackson, driving; Kim King, putting. Linda Wickham, first; Deb Austin, driving; Janey Adams, putting.

 

 Class B—Mike Hylton, first, after sudden-death playoff with Matt Giffhorn; Chris Adkison, driving; Jim Arndt, putting. Pam Landers, first; Sonya Austin, putting.

Four-Hole—David Weitz, first; Tom Kidd, second; David Bennett, third; John Paul Dick, driving; Brian Humes, putting. Sandy Jackson, first; Jenny Landers, second; Debbie Jackson, driving; Lisa Giffhorn, putting.

Two-Hole—Billy Jackson, first; David Robinson, driving; Steve Raymond, putting. Tracy Enyart, first; Jenny Landers, second, Terri Garwood, driving; Cathy Harsch, putting.

1971 July 18 “Miami’s Suzy is Lose in State Finals”

Patting Livingston of Oklahoma City defeated Suzy Wickham of Miami, 3 and 2 for the championship consolation flight on the Hillcrest course in Oklahoma City.

1971 July 19 “Giffhorn is Boys’ Champ”

Bill Giffhorn won the boys championship in the annual city junior golf tournament that ended Sunday at the Miami Country club. Giffhorn scored 40-39-79. Tommy Cordell won the runner up trophy with 40-41-81. Kenny Gibson was third with 41-44-85.

Rick Adams won the putting trophy and Cordell took the driving trophy. All four leaders in the boys’ championship flight played on the Miami high school golf team last spring and will be back for the 1972 MHS competition.

 

 

 

 

1971 July 21 “Miamians Gain Golf Awards in Tulsa Meet”

Miami girls made a fine record in the Tulsa District Golf Junior Girls tournament Tuesday at Tulsa’s Oaks Country club. Sandy Jackson, age 11, won first place in the nine-hole competition. Suzy Wickham, competing in her last time to play junior golf finished second to Joannie Gardner, who won the state girls championship last week.

Other players from Miami: Ann Cordell, 110 and Janey Adams and Melissa Landers, 115 each for 18 holes. In the nine-hole flight Sandy Jackson scored an 84.

 

 

1971 July 25 “Joplin Twin Hills Host Women’s Tri-State”

Miami ladies planning to compete in this annual event are Helen Moore, the local club’s Tri-State representative; Marylyn Adams, Faye Berentz, Melba Cordell, LaRue Gaines, Evelyn Hatfield, Ruth Heyburn, Beverly Jackson, Lib Lillard, Claire Oliver, Billie Pace, Marian Richards, Joyce Rutter, Barbara Shouse, Mae Tate, Yvonne Temple, LaVon Young and Rose Pratt.

1971 July 25 “Ladies Golf Notes”

Winners the past week in Miami Ladies Golf are championship—Evelyn Hatfield; Class A—Barbara Shouse; Class B—Peg Murphy; Class C—Louise Whitney; Class D—Gladys Wetzel.

1971 August 9 “Hollowell Takes Title in Joplin Golf”

Bruce Hollowell of “Springfield, Mo., barely beat Bob Klein of Miami for the championship of the Twin Hills Country club’s19th annual invitational golf tournament held Sunday. Each carded a three-under par 69 for the final 18-holes. Hollowell’s total for 54 holes was 207, one stroke better than Klein’s 108.

Other Miamians playing were Kermit Lewis first in Fourth flight with a 244, and Lou Mirjanich fourth with a 251. Henry Garwood won Sixth flight with 269.

1971 September 7 “Bob Klein Wins City Golf Title”

Bob Klein regained the Miami Country club’s golf championship for the men Monday afternoon when he carded even par 72 to go with rounds of 76 and 73 for a total score of 221 during the Labor Day weekend.

Klein was runner-up a year ago, losing to Dick Neel in a sudden-death playoff. Neel was runner-up this time with a three-day score of 227.

Klein was city champion in 1969, the first year for the title to be determined by medal play, instead of match play competition. It took a playoff to settle the 1969 crown. Klein birdied the first hole of the playoff with Dr. W.D. Jackson, who had won the 1968 city championship in the last of the match-play series.

John F. Robinson and son John F. Jr., tied for third place in the competition that ended Monday with totals of 232. They were followed by Kent Jeffries 235, Dr. W.D. Jackson 239, Bill Harsch 241, Tom Cordell 242, Bob Temple 243, Dr. W.D. Neal 244, Dick Lillard 245, Stratton Henley 246, Brad Smallwood 250, Bob Snook 253, George Myers 255, Earl Crews 256.

Four-man team competition coincided with the individual team. The winning foursome was composed of Klein, Jeffries, Temple, and Lillard. Their total was 944. Second with 964 were the two Robinson’s, Neal, and Crews. Next were Neel, Snook, Harsch, and Myers with 976 and Jackson, Smallwood, Henley and Cordell with 977.

Dr. Jackson (and his wife Norma Lou) served a chairman of the meet.

1971 September 10 “Golf Meet Will Open Saturday”

Out-of-towners started signing up at the Miami Country club this morning for practice preparatory to the 16^th annual Miami invitational golf tournament that opens a two-day run Saturday morning. The field of 140, including 94 visitors, is described by tournament chairman, Kent Jeffries and Johnie F. Stapp, club pro, as the strongest in the history of the meet.

Contenders include defending champion Jim Scaletty of Parsons; Pursie Pipes of Mt. Vernon, Ill, the only three-time champ; Tommy Beck of Tulsa an Dr. W.D. Jackson, the two-time champions; Miami’s Dick Neel, whose winning score of 136 in 1965 was the best of the 15 previous meets.

Chairman Jeffries’ tournament assignments include Jack Elliott, coordinator; Mrs. George Wojcik, registration; Mrs. Bill Carter, composite scoring results; Mrs. W.D. Jackson, pairings; Mrs. Henry Garwood, hospitality, and Mrs. Rex Painter, breakfast.

1971 September 13 “Arkansas’ Collins Golf Champ Here”

Dwight Collins, clothing merchant of Springdale, Ark., won the championship of the 16^th annual Miami Country club invitational. After sharing medalist honors Saturday at one-under-par 71 with 1970 Kansas Amateur champion Chris Strahan of Pittsburg, Collins blistered the course Sunday with a 66, six under par.

This was the best 18-hole round in the history of the club invitational, but left Collins one stroke short of matching the 36-hole record of 136 that was carded by Miami’s Dick Neel when he won the tournament in 1965. Collins won the Miami tournament in 1969.

Bob Klein won second place, with a two-day score of 72-69=141. Bill Stewart of Springfield, Mo., who has never won the Miami meet but has finished in the top three several times, took third this time with 74-70-144.Tied for fourth were Pittsburg’s Chris Strahan, 71-74-145, and Skip Talley of Springfield, Mo.,72-73-145.

Next in the16-man championship flight from the field of 140 golfers were: Dick Neel, 147; Jim Scaletty of Parsons, Kansas, defending champion, 147; John Robinson, Sr., 148; Pursie Pipes, 149; Bob Hill, Jr., 151, John Robinson, Jr., 152; Jim Walker, 152; Dr. W.D. Jackson, 153; Gordon Elliott, 157; Bill Cowan, 159; George Goetz, 161.

 Miamians in other flights:

President’s flight: Bill Harsch 156 (fourth); Dick Lowry, Vinita 157;Kent Jeffries, 159; Charles (Charlie Bill) Hirsch, 160; Al White, 165; Tom Cordell, 166. Miami’s Al White carded the best individual hole of the tournament. He shot an eagle three on the par-five No. 14 hole (old #5) while scoring a 79 in Saturday’s round.

A flight: Straton Henley, 160 (tied for second place), Delmer Barnes, Lloyd Tate, Bill Hatfield, Dr. W.D. Neal.

B flight: Joe Whipple (first), Wayland Kelly, Billl Hirsch, George Russell, Jr.

C flight: Lou Mirjanich (fourth), George Wojcik, John Elmburg, Bud Gaines, Bill Wilson, H.D. Robinson, Harry Dean, Jack Brown.

D flight: Bill Oliver, Hans Lutjens, K.C. Jeffries, Cy Elmburg, Jack Burns.

1971 September 19 “Ladies Golf Notes”

Winners the past week in Miami Ladies Golf competition were: Championship— Beverly Jackson; Class A—Helen Moore; Class B—Noma Newman; Class C—Aileen Bradshaw; Class D—Grace Burns.

The fourth and last round in the Ladies championship medal play tournament will be on Wednesday. Members not playing in the tournament will make their own pairings for the least hazards (sand traps and ditches) from the white tees. All players are eligible for the pitch, putt and driving contest after Wednesday’s play.

1071 September 22 “From the Clutter”

Kenneth E. Richards, head of the music department at NEO is Miami’s hole-in-one golf champion. He carded his third ace on the Miami Country club Tuesday afternoon while playing with Marion Zajic, Charlie Trussler, Rex Painter, Phil Thompson and Bud May.

Using a No.6 iron, Richards aced the par-three No. 12 hole, 151 yards from the point of his drive. His first ace was made on the same hole in 1952 and his second on No. 8 in 1963.

1971 October 1 “Ruth Heyburn Sweeps Honors in Ladies Golf”

Mrs. Dan (Ruth) Heyburn swept all honors in the championship flight of the annual championship golf tournament that ended this Friday. Rainy September weather had caused delays in the tournament, which consisted of four rounds.

In addition to winning first in the championship flight, she was the tournament medalist and first-place winner in the driving, chipping/putting contest in her flight. Evelyn Hatfield was runner-up.

Winners in other flights:

A—Sue Barnes, first; Helen Moore, runner-up.

B—Mae Pate, first; LaVon Young, runner-up

C—Aileen Bradshaw, first; Roma Dahl, runner-up.

D—Jean Phillips, first; Loretta Weitz, runner-up.

Driving winners included: Helen Moore, A; Val Dale, B; Aileen Bradshaw,C, and Gracie Burns, D.

Chipping/putting winners included: Sue Barnes, A; LaVon Young, B; Roma Dahl, C and Dorothy Hester, D.

The tournament was under the direction of Yvonne Temple and Louise Whitney.

 

 **Times were different in September 10, 1971