1976 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF MGCC

 

SAVE THE DATES

JULY 25,26,27 Miami Golf and Country club reunion. Golf is available for play July 25 at Shangri-la, July 26 at Peoria Ridge, while Saturday, July 27 is reserved for time to gather and share our stories at the Dobson Museum on Miami’s Main Street.

1940-1950's Miami Country Club view from the north side golf course.

1976 February 22 by Monty Franks, “Golf Prospects Bright for NEO”

“I think we have six players who could shoot in the 70’s consistently,” explained coach Al Moffatt concerning the prospects of the 1976 NEO golf squad. 

1976 March 7 “Area Golfers Invited to Play Men’s Tourney
The first annual Ottawa County Open golf tournament will be held March 27-28 at the Miami Country club, with men from area points within and outside the county are eligible to participate. Trophies and $600 in merchandise will be awarded.

The entry fee will provide for a practice round on Friday, March 26 and play on the 27, 28. Entry forms are to be delivered to Club Pro Johnie F. Stapp at the pro shop or mailed to Country club, 1915 Cleveland, Miami. The entry deadline is Monday, March 22.

The new event is for the purpose of developing increased interest in local golf activities including membership in the club.

1976 March 25 “Wardog Hylton Among Leaders”

Golfers from 15 high schools competed Wednesday in the annual Parsons, Kansas invitational tournament on the Katy Country club course with Mike Hylton of Miami carding an 82 score to tie for eighth place. Miami’s four-ball total for ninth place was 369 with 82 by Mike Hylton, 92 by Tom Kidd, 75 by Matt Giffhorn, and 100 by John Weitz. Pittsburg won the four-ball trophy with a total of 325.

1976 March 28 “Kent Jeffries Stroke Ahead”

Kent Jeffries of Miami, with a one-over-par 73 on nine-hole rounds of 37 and 36 Saturday at the Miami Country club, led a field of 76 players in the first annual Ottawa County Open golf tournament.

Trailing Jeffries by one stroke with 74 scores are Bob Karlovich, of Tulsa, Harry Gilmore of Miami, and Bob Klein of Shangri-la. Others shooting under 80 were: 75—Miami’s two John Robinsons—senior and junior; 76—Charles Grayson of Tulsa, Charlie Bill Hirsch, Miami, and Tommy Beck of Tulsa, former champion of the Miami Invitational; 80—Jack Doan and Mark Wojcik, Jake Magill; finishing Championship flight with 81—Mike Craig, Dr. W.D. Jackson, Joe Christie; and Bill Harsch, Rick O’Brien with 82’s.

1976 March 29 “Jeffries Winner in County Open”

Almost constant rain Sunday wiped out the final 18-hole rounds of the first annual Ottawa County Open golf tournament at the Miami Country club. The leaders of Saturday’s opening 18-hole were declared winners of the top five places in four flights.

Prize winners in other flights were: First—Stratton Henley, first by coin toss over Al Moffatt, each with an 83. David Gaines, Dick Lillard, and Floyd Auld, with 84 each.

Second flight—Jerry Mustain, first by a coin toss over Joe Womastek, each with 91; Don Wiley, Joe Carey and Willard Gordon, and Tom Martin each with 93.

Third flight—Don Grayson, first by coin toss over Bill Oliver, each with 100; George Couch, Schooner Schmidt and Darrell Williams each with 101.

1976 March 30 “Wardog Golfers Are Winners in Triangular Meet”

Archie Loehr’s Wardog defeated Columbus, Kansas, 8-2 and Baxter Springs, 8 ½ to 7 ½. Baxter defeated Columbus, 10 to 0. Mike Hylton, with a score of 88 on nine-holes defeated Columbus, 2-1, but lost a 3-0 decision to Baxter’s Perry Ogle, the 1975 Kansas Class AA champion. Ogle’s 78 was the best of the meet.

Practice makes perfect for boys and girls golf team members. 

Matt Giffhorn scored an 89 for victories over Hance Van Beber of Columbus and Jody Ewers of Baxter. Tom Kidd with an 89 had two victories or Erick Van Beber of Columbus and Dan Wilson of Baxter. John Weitz 96 beat Mark Metzger 99 and Chris Adkison’s 89 beat Baxter 2 ½ to ½.

Illness prevented Columbus from having more than three players on the team here.

1976 April 1 “Victory, Loss for MHS in Golf at Siloam Springs”

Miami Wardog golfers, coached by Archie Loehr defeated the Tahlequah Tigers 12 – 4, but lost to host Siloam Springs, Arkansas in a triangular competition Wednesday on the Dawn Hill course north of Siloam Springs.

Miami’s Matt Giffhorn and Thompson of Tahlequah were the top shooters with 81 scores each. Mike Hylton with a 90, beat Tahlequah and lost to Siloam Springs. Matt Giffhorn and Thompson of Tahlequah each shot an 81 and tied for 1 ½ each. Giffhorn beat Siloam Springs 2 ½ to 1/2. Tom Kidd with a 93 beat Tahlequah while Wilson of Siloam Springs beat Kidd. John Weitz with an 81 beat Tahlequah 3-0 and tied with Siloam Springs. Chris Adkison with an 88 beat Tahlequah 2 ½ to ½ and lost to Siloam Springs.

1976 April 4 “Miami High Golfers Beat Nowata, Grove”

Archie Loehr’s golfers defeated Nowata 10 ½ to 5 ½ and Grove 10 ½ to 2 ½ in a triangular competition Friday afternoon at the Miami Country club.

1976 April 11 “Ladies Golf Launches 1976 Season”

The LGA 1976 season got off to a good start Wednesday at Miami Country club. A business meeting was held at noon. Winners in the Wednesday play were:

18-holes: Championship flight—Lib Lillard and Pat Platt; A flight—LaVerne Munson; 9-holes: A flight—Rose Pratt; B flight—Mary Robinson.  Next Wednesday, lessons for beginners will begin at 9 a.m. and pairings for play from the red tees, low putts, will be:

9:00 Evelyn Hatfield, Mary VanBeber, Beverly Jackson, Yvonne Temple; LaRue Gaines, Barbara Shouse, Jean Ann Blue, Diedra Schmidt; Karen Jeffries, LaVerne Munson, Billie Pace, Geneva Ramsay; Lib Lillard, Helen Moore, Noma Newman, Pat Platt.

9-holes: Pauline Adkison, Gail Beck, Barbara Blevins, Marylyn Adams; Aileen Bradshaw, Gladys Wetzel, Hattie Wall, Pauline Taylor; Virginia Sapp, Mary Robinson, Caryl Rohwedder, Rosalie Patterson; Rose Pratt, Bernice Ogle, Frances McKinney, Peg Murphy; Bonnie Moody, Judy Long, Dorothy Hester, Juanita Henley; Alice Kidd, Mavis Ford, Sue Enyart, Roma Dahl; Shirley Coker, Mary Chumbley, Dorothy Gibson, Lee Womastek.

Afternoon—Claire Oliver and Marji Grayson.

1976 April 18 “NEO Wins in Shawnee”

NEO golfers, paced by medalist Rod Rist finished first Friday in Bi-State Conference golf competition on the Elks Club in Shawnee, with St. Gregory’s as host team. Rist carded one-over-par 73 on the wind-raked course. Other NEO scores were Mike Magill, 75; Gene Holder, 75; John Harrison, 76; Miles Grove, 81.

1976 April 18 “Cancer Benefit Golf”

The American Cancer Society will receive another big financial boost in the third annual benefit golf tournament Monday on the beautiful Shangri-la course. The event was launched by Max and Jean Ann Blue in cooperation with Charles Davis, Shangri-la owner, along with staff including Don Young, golf professional.

Among those on hand Monday will be the Owens brother of Miami, Steve and Tinker. Other sports figures who will be present are defending men’s champion Herman Weaver, specialist with the Detroit Lions; John Ward, former OSU star lineman who has been with the NFL Minnesota Vikings; Howard Twilley, ace receiver with NFL Miami Dolphins; Mike Livingston, of the NFL Kansas City Chiefs.

1976 May 3 “Golf Scramble for 9 Teams”

Nine teams of four women each competed Sunday afternoon in a golf scramble event at the Miami Country club. Two foursomes tied for first place with scores of 41. In the playoffs, top honors went to LaRue Gaines, Helen Moore, Rose Pratt and Dena Ander. Next were Beverly Jackson, Barbara Shouse, Juanita Henley and Roma Dahl.

Five foursomes tied for third place. The winners in the play-off were Lib Lillard, LaVerne Munson, Mary Robinson, and Pauline Adkison.

1976 May 5 “MHS Wins Again in Girls Golf”

Sandy Jackson, Chris Hester, Ann Heyburn, Jenny Landers, Pam Landers, Laura Rohwedder who played in the spring of 1976.

 

Miami defeated Pittsburg, Kansas, 9-1 Monday afternoon in high school golf matches at the Miami Country club. Sandy Jackson of MHS was medalist for the 18-hole event with a score of 97 and defeated Esterl, 2-0 and gave Miami an extra point for being medalist.

Results of the other matches: Jenny Landers, 112, won 2-0 over Katie Wiegel, 121; Carol McKinney, 119 split with Nettels, 119; Debbie Jackson, 101, won 2-0 over Sheri Paul, 116.

In a nine-hole match, Chris Hester, 62 won 1-0 over Denise Hollowell, 79. Coach Claire Oliver’s Miami girls will compete Thursday in the high school invitational at Springfield, Missouri. **I could not find any results on this event.

1976 May 17 “Golf Horse Race Results”

Bob Thomas of Grove won first place in Miami Country club’s second “horse race” golf event of the season. The one the past weekend was for 10 local club members in the middle-handicap range. In the nine-hole competition, the player with worst score on a hole drops out.

With Thomas as the sole survivor, second place went to Bud May of Joplin and third to Jake Hester of Miami. The next ‘horse race’ will be in June.

1976 June 1 “Winners in Holiday Golf Event”

Sixty-four men and women participated in nine-hole mixed couples’ golf scramble competition Monday at the Miami Country club. The top score of35 was posted by two foursomes, with first place being determined in a pitch off that was won by the team of Jack Doan, Gail Beck, Homer Kemper, and Nancy Johnson.

Second place went to Jim Rutter, Stormy Lewis, V.W. Lillard and Pauline Adkison. Three teams tied for third place with scores of 36. The pitch off positions in the top five teams:

3^rd—Bud Gaines, LaVerne Munson, Georg Beck and Frances Moffatt. 4^th –Bob Hunt, Tammy Romick, Jim Tolbert and Terri West. 5^th—Tom Cordell, Judy Long, Lee Adkison, and Dena Ander.

1976 June 20 “Tulsa Girl’s 85 Best but Not the Winner”

Weather conditions sent scores upward and bad luck plagued last year’s winners in the 17^th annual Mabel Hotz Memorial Invitational girls golf tournament Friday at the Miami Country club. High humidity and greens slowed by the inch of rain overnight created problems for the linksters, according to Mrs. Beverly Jackson, tournament chairman.

Last year’s championship flight winner, Sandy Jackson, fell victim to a two-stoke penalty for touching the sand in her backswing on a trap at the 18^th hole. The penalty left Sandy with a 99 while Lucia Lukken of Tulsa finished 98 and the trophy.

In the age 16-17 event, Holly Pryor of Bartlesville soared to a 102. She was the Oklahoma 1974 junior girls champion. Friday, she took the trophy for longest drive.

The tournament’s best score, 40-45-85, was carded by Janice Burba of Tulsa, winner in the A flight, age 14-15 division. She also won the Mabel Hotz traveling trophy.

**It is only appropriate that Janice Burba won the Mabel Hotz trophy, as they are both in the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame.

Janice played at Oklahoma State from 1979 to 1983.  Janice won twice in her junior year and was part of the Cowgirl team that finished third in the nation.  Janice earned Third Team All-America recognition.  Janice won the Big 8 Championship her senior year.  She graduated in 1984.

After graduating from Oklahoma State, Janice began playing on the Futures Tour.   Janice won twice in 1985.  In 1986, Janice earned her LPGA tour card.   Janice never won a tournament in 228 starts.  Her career best finish was a tie for 5th. She retired after the 1998 season.

In the spring of 2001, Janice became the first Program Director for the new First Tee Program of Tulsa.  Since its inception, more than 9,200 students have enrolled in the program.  Including the outreach programs, more than 15,000 kids have been exposed to golf.  Tulsa’s chapter is one of the largest junior golf programs in the country.

Other Miamians playing the girls tournament were Jenny Landers 94, Ann Dohrmann, Chrissie Neal, Corinne Smith, Kathy Jeffries, Cathy Smith.

1976 June 20 “Jonya Is Medalist”

Firing an 81, Jonya Stapp of Miami took medalist honors in the Tulsa District Women’s Golf Association play at Muskogee Country club Friday. A graduate assistant in Spanish at the University of Oklahoma last year, Jonya is doing directed reading study this summer on her master’s program. She will return too Norman next year to complete the degree and teach part-time at the university.

While sharpening her golf game this summer in Miami, Jonya plans to enter several other tournaments. 

1976 July 9 “Mixed Couples Golf Winners”

Winners in the mixed couples golf scramble competition Monday at the Miami Country club were: First—Ed Schmidt, Marian Richards, Dick Platt, Cindi Lillard with a 34 score for the par 36 on the nine back holes.

2^nd with a 35 went to Tom Cordell, Judy Long, Bill Dohrmann, and Juanita Henley. 3^rd with a 36 was the team of G.R. White, Jonya Stapp, Gary West, Lee Dell Mustain. 4^th went to the team of Bob Rohwedder, Evelyn Hatfield, Chuck Beck, and Judy Kemper.

1976 July 9 “Golfers Named for Youth Meet at Duncan”

Four area teen-age boys are eligible to compete in the state Insurance Youth golf tournament that will be held July 15-16 on the Elks Country club course at Duncan. The quartet consists of David Cresap, Vinita, Tom Kidd of Miami, and two members of the Grove high school team—Will Neel of Shangri-la and John Dick of Grove.

In the recent District Insurance event, held under the sponsorship of Independent Insurance agencies of four counties, Cresap and Kidd scored 84 with Cresap winning in a play-off for medalist honors. One stroke behind at 85 were Neel and Dick.

1976 July 11 “Miami Boys Invitational”

Co-Medalist of the Miami Boys Invitational, Jeff McMillian of Stillwater (left) and Roger Haines of Springfield, Missouri (right) carded d74 scores to become the first to share the brand-new Miami tournament’s traveling medalist trophy that is held by Johnie F. Stapp, who made the presentation. The trophy, named by the tournament sponsors in honor of Stapp, who has served as Miami Country club pro since February 1954, will be awarded to medalist of future years. It will be returned to the club for the annual presentations.

Johnie F. Stapp, center, holds the new traveling trophy for medalist honors, named in his honor for his dedicatoin to young golfers .

 

David Bonham, who will be a senior this year in Greenwood HS, Springfield, Missouri captured the championship of the 16^th annual Miami Boys Invitational golf tournament at the Miami Country club at the maximum age of 17 with a five-over par 77 for the 18-hole competition.

Best scores, however, were carded by a pair of 16-year-olds who tied with 74 and were in President’s flight, one step below. They will be eligible to return next year and shoot for the winner’s position. A 76 was carded by Fred Daniel of Tulsa for second place in the championship and the 77 by Tracy Phillips of Tulsa took third place.  (Tracy Phillips played golf at OSU and turned pro in 1984 https://www.pga.com/story/tracy-phillips-pga-is-happy-that-he-and-golf-have-reunited-in-southwest )

Other Miamians in the event—Tom Dean, 98; Tom Kidd, 84; Brad Kemper, 98; Robb Garwood, 103; Brent Landers, 109. In the 9-hole division were David Robinson and Darren Foster.

1976 July 11 “Ladies Golf Winners”

 

**Personal Note: Having followed the Miami News Record for sixty years of history through the “News Archives” I have only praise for the Miami Ladies Golf Association over these decades. I wonder if they ever missed posting the parings and results from weekly play. My father always gave them praise and credit for his strong junior golf program and the men all understood they could not have pulled off the yearly Men’s Invitational golf tournament without Norma Lou Jackson and her team of women.

 

It has been through their diligence that I have been able to trace much of our history. The search engine must have exact names or locations like “Miami Country club” to locate events. Once I find ladies names who reappear like Hatfield, Oliver, Heyburn or men like Coleman, Stapp, Klein, Neel the search becomes larger and more effective. My continued thanks to the Jackson family for sharing Norma Lou’s scrapbook collection of Doc and kids from 1954-1984 and for future reference 1989-2000.

The picture shown here is the only one of Norma Lou Jackson. It was taken July 1976 at Twin Hills in Joplin when Doc was playing on a winning team at the Twin Hills Invitational. Thank you, Norma Lou Jackson, and the “Ladies Golf” weekly results. 

(Norma Lou died November 29, 2001. Doc died January 7, 2007.)

1976 July 18 “Don Wiley First in Horse Race”

Don Wiley of Grove was Friday’s winner of the “horse race” golf event at the Miami Country club for10 golfers in the 10-14 handicap range.

In this competition, nine holes are played with one golfer being eliminated on each hole until the winner remains. Wiley survived three playoffs in route to first place, sinking a six-foot downhill putt on his final shot.

Rex Painter finished second and Bob Hunt, third. Other participants were Delmer Barnes, Ed Schmidt, David Gaines, Marion Zajic, Cy Elmburg, Bob Temple, and Jerry Ketcher.

1976 July 25 “Junior Golf Winners”

Winners of Friday’s junior golf play at Miami Country club and next Friday’s pairing and scorers have been announced. Winner were:

Two-hole: Mike Platt and Byron Butler; Gretchen Couch, Stacy Corlett and Christy Smith.

Four-hole: Brad Craig; Chrissie Neal and Mary Kidd.

B fight: Corinne Smith.

A flight: Debbie Jackson and Ann Dohrman; Robbie Garwood, James Heyburn.

Championship: Brad Kemper, Tom Dean.

Pairings and scorers for competition beginning at 8:30 a.m. Friday:

Two-hole: Byron Butler, Mike Platt, John Goldenberg, Marshall Smith, scorer Judy Atchison; Stephen Long, Ronnie Coker, Rich Lillard and scorer Wanda Couch. Kathy Jeffries, Sherri Atchison, Misty Painter, Anna Price, and scorer Becky Austin; Stacy Corlett, Sharla Laughlin, Gretchen Couch, Christy Smith and scorer Pat Platt.

Four-hole: Meade Monger, Darren Foster, Bill Fullerton, Danny McKinney, and scorer Corinne Smith; Keith Neel, Brad Craig, Michael Price and scorer Cindy Neel. Chrissie Neal, Mary Weitz, Shelly Craig, Kelly Foster, and scorer Frances McKinney; Connie Dudgeon, Renee Corlett, Cathy Smith, Jane Dohrmann, Mary Kidd and scorer Shirley Coker.

B flight: Raymond McKinney, Rick Price, Bill Jackson, and scorer Pris Fullerton. Missy Wright, Kara Lay, Corinne Smith, Tracey Wright, and scorer Carol Monger.

18-holes A flight: James Heyburn, Mike Weitz, Jay Jackson, Matt Monger and scorer Jan Neal; John Heyburn, Robbie Garwood, John Paul Dick and scorer Sherry Weatherford.

Championship: Brad Kemper, Tom Dean, Kenny Barnes, Sandy Jackson, Tome Kidd and scorer Mike Craig.

1976 July 25 “Ladies Golf”

Winners in Wednesday competition for the Miami Ladies Golf were Championship flight—Jonya Stapp, Billie Pace and Beverly Jackson; A fight—LaVon Young and Yvonne Temple; 9 holes A flight—Juanita Henley; B flight—Aileen Bradshaw.

1976 July 28 “Golfers Finish League Action”

After 13 weeks of stroke play and match play, the Men’s Golf League has concluded at Miami Country club. The first-place team with 58 ½ points included Al White, G.R. White, Clarence Carselowey, and Bernie Schaff. In second place with 55 ½ points was the team of Mike Craig, Ed Schmidt, Mike Schmidt and Schooner Schmidt.

Third place went to Al Moffatt, Wayland Kelly, Tom Holmes and Joe Womastek with 55 points. Fourth place team, with 53 points, was composed of Dr. W.D. Jackson, Bob Temple, Joe Weatherford, and Bill Oliver. In fifth place was the team of George Meyers, Woody Painter, Lloyd Cowgill, and Henry Meyers.

1976 August 1 “Sparkmans Win”

The annual parent-child golf tournament sponsored by the Miami Country club was played on Sunday. A total of 31 twosomes competed under the Calloway handicap system.

First place went to Ron Sparkman and son, Johnny with a 35. Second was the team of John Robinson and son John Robinson, jr. with a 36. A four-way tie for third place with scores of 37 included the teams of Harry Dean and son, Tom, Thomas Dick and son, John Paul, George Foster and son, Darren, and woody Painter with Debbie Jackson.

In seventh place was the twosomes of H.D. Robinson and Bily Jackson with 37 ½. Sharing eighth place were the twosomes of Dan Heyburn and son, John, and Dr. W.D. Neal with daughter, Sally.

1976 August 3 “Local Linksters Compete”

Two Miami women golfers participated in a low-ball pro-am event at LaFortune Golf Course in Tulsa last week.

Evelyn Hatfield and Beverly Jackson also competed in Tulsa at Rolling Hills Country club’s first annual crisscross invitational tournament, winning fourth spot with a low gross score of 170.

In the pro-am event, sponsored by the Tulsa District Ladies Golf Assoc. Mrs. Jackson’s team scored the second lowest total score of 57. On the team also were Bruce Maddux, pro at Indian Springs CC, Betty Riddle and Marjorie Cummins of Tulsa.

1976 August 17 “Finals in Ladies Tourney”

The finals of the annual Miami Ladies Golf association championship tournament will be played Wednesday morning in four flights.

Ruth Heyburn and Tammy Romick will begin their championship flight match at 8:30. At 8:37 it will be Barbara Shouse vs LaVon Young in the 18-hole A flight final. The nine-hole A flight pairs Judy Long vs Carol Rohwedder. Dorothy Hester and Beverly Foster begin their F flight final at 8:51.

The tournament opened last week. Results since then leading to the finals: CHAMPIONSHIP Ruth Heyburn beat Claire Oliver; Fay Berentz beat Melba Cordell; Tammy Romick beat LaRue Gaines, Billie Pace beat Pat Platt. In the semi-finals, Heyburn beat Berentz and Romick defeated Pace.

A FLIGHT Joyce Rutter beat Mary Van Beber; Marian Richards, bye; Pauline Taylor, bye; Barbara Shouse bye. Second round—Rutter beat Richards; Young beat Virginia Kerr; Marji Grayson, bye; Yvonne Temple, bye: Sue Barnes, bye. Second round—Rutter beat Richards, Shouse defeated Taylor; Young beat Grayson; Barnes beat Temple. In the semi-finals, Shouse eliminated Rutter and Young sidelined Barnes.

A FLIGHT, 9 HOLES Dorothy Hester beat Becky Austin and Beverly Foster beat Bernice Ogle to set up the Hester-Foster title final.

1976 August 17 “Sandy Jackson Places 2nd”

Sandy Jackson, 16, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayman Jackson of Miami, won second place Monday in the championship flight of the annual Tulsa District Junior Girls golf tournament.

Sponsored by the Tulsa District Women’s Golf Association, the event was held on the La Fortune course. Linda Brown, 16, of Bartlesville won the championship with an 18-hole score of 83. Sandy was runner-up with an 88.

Suzy Wickham, formerly of Miami and a former member of the OSU women’s golf team, now is an assistant professional at La Fortune and was the leader of three clinic sessions for the 30 girls participating in Monday’s tournament.

She was assisted by Jackie Riggs, OKC teaching professional and Joan Blumenthal, coach of the women’s golf at Oklahoma University.

Girls of ages 9-17 competed in the tournament. The championship flight was for ages 15-17.

1976 August 22 “Billie Pace Wins”

Billie Pace, with a nine-hole score of 43, was winner Friday of the Miami Country club’s first “horse race” golf event for the women this season. With 10 participants, one player drops out at each hole until two remain for the title showdown on the ninth hole.

Rebecca Mirjanich was the runner-up and next in the top five were Claire Oliver, Ruth Heyburn, and Tammy Romick. Other contestants were Melba Cordell, LaRue Gaines, Joyce Rutter, LaVon Young and Lib Lillard.

1976 August 22 “Miamians First in State Tournament”

John F. Robinson and Dr. W.D. Jackson, who captured top golf honors many years on the Miami Country club course and elsewhere, are Oklahoma’s 1976 Senior Champions. The Miamians qualified with round of even-par 72 at the Meadowbrook Country Club in Tulsa. The team shot a 5-under par Wednesday, one under par on Thursday, and even-par Friday to earn the Championship title.

1976 August 29 “Ladies Golf Announces Yearly Winners
Tammy Romick is the overall championship winner this year.

1976 September 9 “Miami Invitational Begins Saturday”

According to Jim Rutter, general chairman, 128 entries for the 21^st annual MCC Men’s Invitational are registered. A year ago, the championship was won by Barry Franks of Joplin, who will be back to defend his title.

Friday’s practice rounds by contestants will be climaxed with an evening “horse race” in which 10 men will compete in the nine-hole event. One player will drop out of each hole, leaving the lone survivor as the winner.

The 10 listed for the horse race are from the field of former tournament champions and other top contenders. They are Bob Klein, Barry Franks, Romie Holder, Bob Hill, Jr., Doc Jackson, Chi Galloway, Bill De Arman, Bob Karlovich, Jim Walker, and Tommy Beck.

On Chairman Rutter’s tournament staff are Mrs. W.D. Jackson, pairings; Mrs. Claire Oliver, prizes; Col. John Elliott, marshal; Mrs. Bill Carter and Mrs. H.D. Robinson.

1976 September 12 “Jackson Wins Pre-Tourney Horse Race”

In a Friday evening golf “horse race” that preceded Miami’s annual two-day invitational men’s tournament Dr. W.D. Jackson of Miami proved to be No. 1 among the 10 horse race contestants that included pretournament favorites.

Jackson shot even par 36 on the nine holes and was the sole survivor at the finish. Next in the order they finished were Jim Walker 2^nd and city champion from Pittsburg, Kansas; 3^rd won by Bob Hill, Jr., of Parsons, Kansas; 4^th Tom Beck, Tulsa; 5^th Bill De Arman of Norman; followed by Bob Klein, Chi Galloway, Romie Holder, Barry Franks, defending champion and Bob Karlovich, of Tulsa.

1976 September 12 “Scaletty Fires 73”

Top shooters in Saturday’s opening 18-hole rounds at MCC were some of the favorites. Jim Scaletty, Parsons, Kansas, with a one-under par 73, Barry Franks, Joplin, defending champion, and Percy Pipes of Mt. Vernon, Ill. Three-time winner of the tournament, both with 74’s.

Shooting 75’s were Tom Beck, Bob Klein, Mark Wojcik, and Mark Cordell.

1976 September 13 “Pipes Adds Record Title”

Pursie Pipes, an oil well drilling contractor of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, who in 1960 won his first championship of the Miami Country club’s invitational golf tournament, won the 21^st annual event Sunday to boost his total Miami titles to a record of four. His score for the two days was 74-74-148, four over par. He also was the champion here in 1961 and 1968 and came close to winning the other years. is

The runner-up here Sunday was Jim Scaletty with 150. He was the champion here in 1970. There was a three-way tie for third place with Bob Klein, Bill Stewart and Romie Holder at 151. Holder’s one-over-par 73 was Sunday’s best round.

Winners and runners-up in other flights were Chi Galloway 153 and Charles Grayson 155 in President’s flight. In A flight 1^st David Gaines 158 and 2^nd a tie with Bob Karlovich and Bob Coyan at 159. In B flight Bill Ney 163 and Larry Ramsey 158. C fight found Frank Moore in 1^st with a 181, 2^nd place tie went to H.D. Robinson, Dabney Smith Sr., and Bob Bethel shooting 182. D flight David Taylor won with a 188 and Jim Rutter 190.

Other Miamians who played included Mark Cordell 152, Mark Wojcik 155, Marshall Smith 156, Dr. W.D. Jackson 160, Tom Cordell 160, Bob Hill Jr., 161. Chi Galloway 153, Charles Grayson 155, Charlie Bill Hirsch 156, John Robinson, Jr., 157, Kent Jeffries 157, Dr. W.D. Neal 1762, Ron Sparkman 162, Stratton Henley, 163, Pat Wilson 1643, Al Moffatt 164, Tom Forbes 165, Ron Robinson 167, John Kerr 170, Dick Lillard 162,  Scott Jackson 165, Mike Long 165, Jerry Mustain 167, David Robinson 172, Bill Harsch 172, Rex Painter 173, Lou Mirjanich 178, Joe Weatherford 178, Dabney Smith Jr., 179, Max Martin 179, Bud Gaines 180, Al White 181, Joe Hankins 182, Chuck Chumbley 185, Frank Moore 181, Dabney Smith Sr., 182, H.D. Robinson 182, Don Grayson 186, Bill Oliver 188, Bill Hatfield 189, George Foster 189, Tom Holmes190, and V.W. Lillard 191.

**Pursie Pipes continued to be a part of the world and golf until he was 99 years old. He died in 2016. 

*

 1976 September 19 “Ladies Golf”

Ladies Golf Assoc. winners on Wednesday were Ruth Heyburn in championship; Barbara Shouse and Helen Moore in A flight; Caryl Rohwedder and Dorothy Hester in 9-holes.

1976 September 19 “Stapp Golf Pro of the Year”

My father retired in 1976, fifty-two years after burns that nearly crippled him as a teenager in the 1920’s, opened the door for him to become a caddy and eventually a playing and teaching professional golfer. This story will appear in another chapter.

1976 September 21 “MHS Girls Win in Golf”

Miami defeated Carl Junction, Missouri 6-0, Monday in high school girls golf matches at the Miami Country club. Sandy Jackson of the winning quintet was the medalist with a nine-hole score of 46, which was 30 strokes better than the 76 shooter of the visitors.

Debbie Jackson, Jenny Landers, Carol McKinney, Sandy Jackson

 

Other scores for the Miami girls were Jenny Landers 53, Debbie Jackson 56, Carol McKinney 57 and Chris Hester 59.

1976 September 24 “Attend Show by Lynyrd Skynyrd”

Mrs. Bud Gaines, Mr. and Mrs. O.T. Hatfield and Mrs. Holly Lawlis, all of Miami, attended a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert in the Century II theater in Wichita, Kansas on Tuesday. 

Mrs. Gaines is the mother of Cassie and Steve Gaines, members of the rock music group. Lynyrd Skynyrd was presented the public service award for charitable causes during the nationally televised Rock Country Awards show last Saturday from Los Angeles. The plaque the group received was given to Mrs. Gaines to bring back to Miami with her.

Steve Gaines is married to the former Teresa Lawlis, and they are the parents of a daughter, Carrina. Their home is in Orange Park, Florida. Teresa Gaines is the daughter of Mrs. Holly Lawlis. The Hatfield’s are grandparents of Steve and Cassie. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s new album, “One More for the Road,” has just been released. 

1976 September 28 “MHS Girls First”

Miami high school girls, coached by Claire Oliver, have added further victories to their impressive record for the fall golf season. Playing Monday on the Twin Hills course in Joplin, Miami made a clean sweep with blanking of Joplin Memorial 4-0; Joplin Parkwood, 3-0 and Carl Junction,5-0.

 Sandy Jackson of Miami was the medalist of Monday’s play with a 47-scorer for the nine-hole competition. Other Miami scores were 51 by Jenny Landers and Carol McKinney, 56 each by Debbie Jackson and Chris Hester.

1976 October 1 “Men’s Scramble”

Playoffs were necessary to settle first through sixth place in the men’s fall scramble golf tournament. There were 76 players in 19 foursomes. The order in which they finished after the playoffs follows:

64—Dick Lillard, Don Wiley, Wayland Kelly, Harold Hopkins.

64—Dr. W.D. Neal, Joe Weatherford, Dr. Ray McKinney, Dan Mailath.

66—John Robinson, Jr., Jim Rutter, Dick Wadleigh, Gary Butler.

66—Mike Craig, Jerry Mustain, Paul Davis, David Thomas.

66—Mark Wojcik, Tom Barton, Mike Long, Ken Grissom.

66—Dr. W.D. Jackson, H.D. Robinson, Don Barr, Jim Riley

**add

1976 October 5 “MHS Girls Win Again”

Miami defeated Pittsburg 9-1 Monday at the MCC. Sandy Jackson’s 97 took medalist and won her match. Jenny Landers,112, won 2-0; Carol McKinney, 119 split 1-1; Debbie Jackson,101 won 2-0. In the nine-hole match, Chris Hester’s 62 won 1-0.

1976 October 8 “MHS Girls 3^rd”

 MHS girls coached by Claire Oliver finished third among 13 teams that competed Thursday in the annual SW Missouri State University invitational golf tournament for high school girls on the Horton Smith course in Springfield.

1976 October 12 “From the Clutter”

Miamians Virginia Romick, Tammy Romick and Ruth Lynn Hulett will be shown in a segment of the “Today” show on NBC Wednesday morning, exhibiting and modeling native American fashions designed by Virginia. The four were in OKC Monday for the beginning of Indian Awareness Week and were filmed by a Today Show crew.

1976 October 19 “MHS Girls Win”

The MHS girls golf coached by Claire Oliver closed out their highly successful fall golf schedule by taking first place Tuesday in a four-team competition on the Briarbrook CC. Chilly moist winds prevailed during the afternoon competition.  Miami had a total score of 287. Next were Pittsburg, Kansas 295; Carl Junction 326; Girard, Kansas 333.

Sandy Jackson of Miami was the medalist with a 49 score for the event. Monday scores for other MHS girls were Jenny Landers 55, Carol McKinney 66, Chris Hester 61 and Debbie Jackson 56.

1976 October 26 “Wojcik is Champion”

In Monday finals of the annual Miami CC match-play tournament Mark Wojcik won the championship with a 2-up victory of Doc Jackson. Rounds of 18 holes were played over the past three weeks to determine the finalists. Title winners and results in other final matches were Ron Sparkman defeating Bill Hirsch in Championship flight, Don Barr beating Bill Melton in A flight, Tom Holmes defeated Dr. Raymond McKinney in B flight and John Finley III won C flight over Bob Austin.

1976 November 7 “Officers of the Ladies Golf Association”

1975 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF MGCC

 Link to podcast Miami Country club history with Letty Watt

1975 TIMELINE AND STORIES MGCC HISTORY

 

1975 February 2 “1975 Honors for Pioneers of Club”

“Men of the Year’ for the Miami Golf and Club during the 1975 are two Miamians who 55 years ago shared the most prominent roles of the newly organized “Rockdale Country Club” and now are the only active charter members of the club Miami.

At a meeting the past week, the board of directors of the club voted honorary lifetime membership and other 55^th club anniversary recognition for: John A. Robinson, 1910 Lincoln Blvd, and Russell (Russ) Hawk, 309 B. Northwest.

Robinson was the first president of the club and Hawk was the club’s first golf champion, repeating as the title winner in 1921 and 1922.

In his playing days, Robinson performed satisfactorily on the golf course. His son, John F. Robinson, won championships on the local course and still is a strong contender in tournaments and regular play. David Robinson, a third-generation member of the golfing family, has served on the country club board.

John A. Robinson has retired as the board chairman of the Miami’s First National Bank and now is advisor to the board. Robinson now is on a winter visit to Florida.

Hawk, after serving with the U.S. Army in France during World War I, moved to Miami and engaged in area lead and zinc mining activities, including 35 years with DuPont Powder Co., from 1924 until retirement.

The club originally had four holes with sand greens and a two-room club house. Five more holes were added in the first year, 1920. The present club house was built in 1928 and has had extensive improvements and enlargement since then.

Grass greens replaced the sand around the nine holes in the early 1930’s and since then the scenic course of 6,662 yards has drawn high praise from visiting golfers, ranging from youngsters to top professionals.

The name of Rockdale club gave way to Miami Country club in the early 1930’s and next became the Miami Golf and Country club in connection with 1962-63 remodeling of the attractive club house.

Johnie F. Stapp has been the Miami club professional since February 1953. The original pro, Ed Dudley, and Ky Laffoon, the pro here in the early 1930’s, gained fame on the national Professional Golfers Association circuit.

For a complete history of the club click on this link  Rockdale Country Club History 1916-1929

Leonard Ott, now retired in Florida, succeeded Laffoon. Jack Guild was local pro from the late 1930’s until the early 1950’s. He now resides in Shawnee; Ed Miller was the pro a year or so before Stapp took over the duties.

1975 March 23 “Wardogs Rip Memorial’s Golf Team”

The Miami Wardogs, in their first golf competition of the year, smothered the Memorial Eagles, 14 ½ to 1 ½ Friday afternoon on Joplin’s Schifferdecker Municipal course.

Mike Hylton of Coach Archie Loehr’s Wardogs was the medalist with an 86 for the 18 holes. Other scores for the Miamians were Wayne Anderson 90, John Mirjanich 91, Kim King 97, and Chris Adkinson 100.

Mirjanich beat Joe Lanham 3-0; Anderson beat Nick Crim 2 ½ to ½; Hylton beat Don Reynolds 4-0; King blanked Zac Grant 3-0; Adkinson beat Fred Adams,2-1.

The Wardogs will meet golfers from Tulsa Cascia Hall and Baxter Springs in a triangular meet at the Miami Country club, beginning at 2:15 p.m. Monday. They will play at the Parsons, Kansas tournament on Wednesday. 

1975 March 23 “MHS Girls Win in Golf”

The undefeated girls golf team Jenny Landers, Carol McKinney, Chris Hester, Ann Heyburn, Sandy Jackson, and Pam Landers.

Freshman Sandy Jackson was medalist as the Miami junior  high school girls launched their golf schedule by blanking Joplin Memorial, 11-0 in the nine-hole competition Friday at the Miami Country club.

With one point for being medalist, she defeated Jan Harrell, 3-0. All other players for Coach L.D. Bains’ Miami girls won their matches by 2-0 with:

Junior Pam Landers over Shelley Lanham; Freshman Jenny Landers over Becky Yocum; Junior Ann Heyburn over Donna Schmidt; Sophomore Chris Hester over Cheryl Bentlage. 

The 1975 girls golf team was under the direction of Coach L.D. Bains this year. They placed first in the Springfield Invitational. The girls team went undefeated in 1975. Congratulations to our young women.

**Personal note: The Oklahoma Secondary School Association did not recognize girls golf in high school from 1963--1976. All girls who played during those years had no opportunity to play at the state level.  I am most grateful to Miami High school's athletic department for sponsoring girls golf from 1968--76 even when the state did not support it. Title IX finally took affect at the state level in 1977. 

1975 March 25 “Wardog Golfers Defeat Baxter, Lose to Cascia Hall.” 

The 1975 boys golf team members are: Top row--John Mirjanich, Kim King, Coach Archie Loehr, Matt Giffhorn, John Weitz. Bottom row Chris Atkison, Wayne Anderson, Mike Hylton, and Van Luster (not pictured). 

 

In cold, windy triangular action Monday afternoon, Coach Archie Loehr’s Miami Wardog golfers defeated Baxter Springs, 9 to 7, but lost to Tulsa Cascia Hall, 11 ½ to 4 ½.

Tulsa’s Jay Unruh, with an 83 for the 18 holes, was the medalist in the Miami-Cascia Hall competition while Baxter’s Perry Ogle, with 92, was medalist for Miami-Baxter phase. The results of the Miami Wardogs include:

Mike Hylton 96 lost both matches. John Mirjanich 96, beat Baxter and lost to Cascia Hall. Wayne Anderson, 96 beat Baxter and lost to C.Hall. Chris Adkison 105 beat Baxter and lost to C. Hall. John Weitz 108, beat Baxter and C.Hall.

 

In 1975 the MHS boys golf team placed fourth in the Parsons tournament, and were seventh in the four-ball and second in the two-ball competition in the Miami Tournament. They placed fifth  in the Conference Tournament. 

1975 March 28 “New Assistant Golf Pro”  

Donald H. Atchison, assistant golf professional at the Oaks Country club in Tulsa, the past five years is no on duty at the Miami Country club as the new assistant pro to Johnie F. Stapp. Atchison succeeds Dick Neel, who resigned recently.

Atchinson has been assistant to Larry Crummett at the Oaks Country club, which has 500 family members and probably is the most active club in the Tulsa area. He conducted junior golf and ladies group lesson programs for the last three years plus he assisted with various administrative details.

Born December 27, 1945, in Wichita, Kan., Atchison is a 1963 Wichita South graduate. He attended WSU where he was a member of the college golf team. He served in the Army from 1968-1970 and represented Ft. Sill in the 1969 Fourth Army tournament at Ft. Hood, Texas.

In 1963, Atchison was runner-up to Grier Jones in the Wichita Jaycee tournament and also won the Kansas Jaycee novice division championship that year. As a member of the Wichita State golf team, he competed in the 1965 NCAAA championship tournament at Knoxville, Tennessee.

He finished fourth in the field of 56 PGA Section Assistants’ tournament in 1972. Atchison was president of the PGA’s South Central Section Assistants’ Association 1970-1973. He was an assistant pro at Adams Municipal, Bartlesville and Ft. Sill before going to Tulsa.

Atchison’s wife Judy and their daughter, Sherri Lynn age 6, will join him in Miami at the end of the school year. They are Baptists.

1975 April 2 “Suzy Wickham on OSU Team for Texas Tourney”

(Stillwater) MNR—Oklahoma State women golfers will travel to Denton, Texas to be part of a sprawling 17-team field in the Texas Women’s University Invitational on Thursday and Friday.

Coach Joyce Seward will be without lead player Karen Edwards, who has by passed competition this spring “because of a heavy study load,” Those making the trip for OSU will be Patty Livingston, O.C. John Marshall; Lisa Stone, Tulsa Memorial; Suzy Wickham, Miami; Janie McKee, Edmond; Ranay Roth, Perry; and Cathy Fisher, Tulsa Rogers.

“We’ll be very rusty,” says Coach Seward. “I guess Texas, Odessa College and Tulsa should be the best teams in the field.”

“It is our first outing and despite the horrible weather Patty Livingston has been shooting the high 70’s and Suzy Wickham isn’t too far back.”

The tournament is a 36-hole affair with 18 Thursday and the final round Friday.

1975 April 3 “NEO’s 8-team Golf Tourney Set Tuesday”

Eight teams will participate in the third annual NEO Invitational Golf Tournament at the Miami Country club. Joining host NEO in the tournament will be Bi-State Conference foes Westark of Ft. Smith, Seminole, Oklahoma City Southwestern, and St. Gregory’s of Shawnee. Other colleges participating will be Crowder of Neosho, Missouri, Claremore, and Norther Tonkawa.

Last year Seminole captured first place with a 329-team score. Claremore finished second at 324 followed by NEO 332.

Medalist for the tournament was Hunter Layton of Claremore. He carded a one-under-par with a 34 on the front nine and a 37 on the back.

“Westark and Oklahoma City seem to have the best team entries for the tournament,” commented NEO Coach Al Moffatt. “But the Norse golfers have made steady improvements since the beginning of the season.”

1975 April 9 “MHS Golf Units Split Victories”

Miami high school golf teams split honors in Tuesday matches against Fayetteville, Ark., high school golfers at the Fayetteville Country club. The Fayetteville boys beat the Miami Wardogs 13 ½ to 2 ½ while the Miami girls protected their perfect record with a 5-0 victory.

The nine-hole results for the girls were: Sandy Jackson, medalist with a 44 beat Lucy McNair 46; Pam Landers 51 beat Karen Rosso 52; Jenny Landers 49 beat Pam Miencke 62, and Chris Hester 54 beat Susan Cole 63.

Results of the boys’ 18-hole matches at Fayetteville were: John Mirjanich 79 lost to Nick Gyles, 78; Mike Hylton lost to medalist Reed Hudson who shot a 77; Wayne Anderson 84 lost to Marty Williams 78; Kim King 100, lost to Stuart Rosso, 91; Chris Atkison 92 lost to Ricky Turner 90.  

1975 April 13 “Ladies Golf”

Winners of Wednesday’s Miami Ladies Golf association competition were: Championship, Ruth Heyburn; Class A 18 holes LaVerne Munson and Yvonne Temple; Class A-9 holes, Hattie Wall; Class B, Cindy Lillard.

Wednesday’s play this week will be from the white tees, take par on 2 and 6. Free lessons for beginners will begin at 9:30. The pairings are as follows:

9:00 Evelyn Hatfield, Ruth Heyburn, Barbara Shouse, Billie Pace; Faye Berentz, Pat Platt, Beverly Jackson, LaRue Gaines; Lib Lillard, Helen Moore, LaVerne Munson, Noma Newman; Yvonne Temple, Jean Ann Blue, Marion Richards, Geneva Ramsey.

9 holes at 9:28 Mavis Ford, Pauline Taylor, Hattie Wall; Marylyn Adams, Nancy Johnson, Rose Pratt; Mae Farrier, Rosalie Patterson, Aileen Bradshaw, Helen Stapp; Shirley Coker, Dorothy Hester, Mary Robinson, Grace Painter; Cindy Lillard, Juanita King, Ethel Carselowey, Beverly Foster; Sue Enyart, Norma Garwood, Bonnie Moody, Gail Beck; Sue Dorman, Bernice Ogle, Pauline Adkison.

1975 April 13 “18 High School Teams in Golf Event”

One of Oklahoma’s classiest high school golf tournaments of the year will be held Monday at the Miami Country club when 18 teams of four boys each compete in the 17^th annual MHS invitational meet. Back again will be the Edison Eagles of Tulsa, the team champions for the last two years.

Other entries from Tulsa are Rogers, Hale, Mason, and Cascia Hall. Rounding out the field are Broken Arrow, Jenks, Baxter Springs, Coffeyville, and Parsons, Kansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Pryor, Nowata, Owasso, Locust Grove, and Miami.

The MHS Wardog golf Coach Archie Loehr and L.D. Bains will direct the tournament.

1975 April 13 “Crowder Wins Here”

The Crowder Roughriders of Neosho, Missouri captured first place Friday in a six-team junior college golf tournament at the Miami Country club. NEO golf coach Al Moffatt was the director of the event.

Crowder’s total score was 318 with medalist honors going to Crowder’s Bagby with a 74. The NEO team of Mike Magill 77, Mark Rist 80, Fred Lowry 87, Mark Jackson 96 to take fifth place with 340.

1975 April 15 “Edison Top Team”

For the third straight year Edison team won with a 303 for the four-man team title, 145 for the two-ball trophy and men’s par 72 on 18-holes by senior Jamie Cash for the medalist honor.

Chilly weather prevailed throughout the tournament along with occasional mist and drizzle during the morning rounds. Coach Archie Loehr’s Wardogs made a fine showing. They jumped from12th place last year to a seventh-place tie with Fayetteville and gained a second-place tie in the two-ball with Tulsa Madison. The team of John Mirjanich and Wayne Anderson scored 80 each for a 160-team total.

1975 April 20 “Miami Golf Teams Beat Fayetteville”

Ann Heyburn left faces off during a spring match at the Miami Country club.

 

Miami high school girls and boys defeated Fayetteville high school teams in cold and windy golf conditions Friday at the Miami Country club. Light rain preceded the competition. The Wardog boys won matches 9 ½ to 3 ½ in 18 holes. The girls won, 485-454 with total strokes determining the scores.

Coach Archie Loehr’s Wardogs will compete Monday in the annual Six Lakes Conference golf event at Pryor. The Miami girls, coached by L.D. Bains , will carry a perfect 7-0 dual competition record into matches Monday against Joplin Parkwood.

Results of the boys matches here Friday with Fayetteville: John Mirjanich 86 beat Reed Hudson 89, 2-1. Wayne Anderson 90, beat Nick Gyles 91, 2-1. Mike Hylton, 81 beat Marty Williams 91 4-0 with an extra point for being medalist of the meet.

Girls scoring shows Pam Landers 107, Jenny Landers 112, Sandy Jackson 114, and Ann Heyburn 121.

1975 April 24 “Pro-Am Golf Play Here on Monday”

Miami’s annual pro-am golf competition for the Eastern chapter, South Central Section of the PGA will be held Monday. Some 20 professionals from Missouri and Oklahoma will be paired with an equal number of amateurs from the Miami Country club for the 18-hole afternoon play that will follow a luncheon. There will be a shotgun start at 1 p.m.

“We still have a few openings for amateurs, and they may sign up at the pro shop,” said Johnie F. Stapp.

1975 April 29 “Golf Event Leaders”   

This group captured top honors Monday at the Miami Country club as 21 professionals and 41 amateur golfers of Oklahoma and Missouri participated in the annual pro-am.

From left to right are amateurs Butch Garrett, Miami, and Toby Sanders, Tulsa, and pro Ross Elder of Tulsa Mohawk, the trio of the winning team; Jack Higgins of Tulsa Meadowbrook, the low pro with a 74 score; assistant pro Jay Friedman of Tulsa Meadowbrook, and amateur Harold Fisher, Tulsa, and David Gaines, Miami, the three members of the second-place team.

The top four scorers in addition to Higgins were Dennis Allan, of McAlester 75; Elder, 76, and Dick Orr, Tulsa Indian Springs 76. (Allan and Orr are not in the picture.)

1975 April 29 “Patty Berg Golf Clinic”

Patty Berg, a Minnesota girl who became the winner of more women’s golf titles than anyone else in U.S. history, will conduct a 30-minute golf clinic Wednesday at the Schifferdecker Park golf course in Joplin, beginning at 1 p.m.

The event, sponsored by Wilson Sporting Goods Co. in cooperation with Schifferdecker officials, is open to anyone interested. There is no charge for admission.

At the conclusion of the clinic session, Miss Berg will play nine holes of golf with a foursome that will include Jonya Stapp of Miami, Gingy Laas and Charlene Cunningham both of Joplin. Mrs. Cunningham is a daughter of the late Mrs. Mabel Hotz of Tulsa, one of the founders of the girls youth golf programs in Tulsa, and Miami. (Mabel Hotz is now in the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame.)  

1975 May 11 “Ladies Golf”

Winners of Wednesday’s scrabble competition were: Faye Berentz, Helen Moore, Karen Jeffries, and Dorothy Hester. Wednesday’s play this week will be point play—3 par, 2 bogey, 1 double bogey, from the red tees.

1975 May 25 “Lifeguard Needed” 

 

1975 June 8 “Miami Junior Golf”

Winners of the Miami Junior golf competition Friday were:

Two-holes: Keith Neel and Aaron Cusher; Kelly Foster and Jane Dohrmann.

Four-holes: Darin Foster, Meade Monger; Corinne Smith, low gross, and Mary Kidd and Donna Weitz; Shelly Craig, low putts.

B flight: Debbie Jackson, Shelly Weatherford and Ann Dohrmann; Billy Jackson and Mike Weitz.

A flight: Jenny Landers, Lora Rodhwedder; Brent Landers and Matthew Monger.

Championship: Sandy Jackson; Tom Kidd, Mike Richardson, Tom Dean.

1975 June 12 “Guest Day”

Left to right: Nancy Ann Johnson, president of the Miami Ladies Golf Association; Pauline Taylor, Claire Oliver and LaRue Gaines.

1975 June 18 “State Champion To Compete Here”

Holly Pryor, 16, of Bartlesville, the 1974 Oklahoma Junior Girls Golf Champion is among the 32 girls from four states who will compete Friday at the Miami Country club in the 16 annual Miami Girls Invitational tournament.

Contestants may exercise the privilege of moving up to a high flight. Miami’s 15-year-old Sandy Jackson has declared up to the top flight of the tournament, the 16-17 age group.

Defending state champion, Holly Pryor, will defend her title July 12-25 in the state junior girls championship at Meadowbrook Country club in Tulsa. The Miami event has been named the Mabel Hotz Memorial tournament by the Miami Ladies Golf Association, sponsor of the tourney. Mrs. Hotz of Tulsa, who died the pat year, is credited with starting the Miami junior golf program through the co-operation of the local ladies association.

Mrs. Carlene Cunningham of Joplin, daughter of Mrs. Hotz, will present trophy to the winners. The Miami girls tournament is the ONLY ONE held in Oklahoma and the four-state area in addition to the state tournament and the Tulsa district junior girls event. 

Miami merchants have donated favors for the girls. Free pizza will be awarded to the girl closest to the No.3 pin with her drive. Several surprise prizes have been arranged. Mrs. Virginia Hubbell of Bartlesville, longtime friend of Mabel Hotz, has made a monetary contribution to the support of the Miami tournament in memory of Mrs. Hotz or as the girls all called her “Mabel.”

 **Mabel was the only woman in my childhood who told the young girls to call her by her first name. That was quite unheard of in the 1950’s, 1960’s and into the 1970’s. I didn’t even know some of the first names of the ladies at the club because I was taught to use the proper names. LaRue Gaines, was the exception at the country club. She often reminded me when I called her Mrs. Gaines, “I am not my husband. Call me LaRue.”

Beverly Jackson is the tournament chairman. Committee leaders include Karen Jeffries, favors; Fay Berentz, scorers; Evelyn Hatfield, driving contest; Sue Enyart, breakfast; Yvonne Temple and Virginia Sapp, registration; Joyce Rutter and Linda Elmburg, lunch; Geneva Ramsey, bag tags.

1975 June 22 “Tournament Leaders”

Sandy Jackson age 15, is the 1975 Champion of the 16^th annual Miami Invitational Girls tournament.  She won the championship with an 18-hole score of 90 on rounds of 46 and 44. The runner-up was Holly Pryor who carded 49-50-99. The tournament’s best score was carded by 14-year-old Linda Brown of Bartlesville, the A flight winner with 42-44-86.

Sharp 94 scores in this flight were posted by Miami’s Jenny Landers and Adelle Lukken, Tulsa, with Miss Landers taking the runner-p trophy in the playoff. Miss Landers won with a par on the first hole of play off.

Debbie Jackson, sister of the champion, won the nine-hole B flight with a 55. Tracy Enyart provided Miami with another title by winning first in the four-hole C flight with a score of 37. Chrissie Neal of Miami was second with a 40.

Plaques of appreciation for their many years of cooperation in the Miami Junior golf program were presented to club pro Johnie Stapp and Mack Boswell of the News-Record.

1975 July 6 “Ladies Golf”

Winners of Wednesday’s scrabble play at the Miami Country club were Ruth Heyburn, Yvonne Temple, Bonnie Moody, Linda Cox, and Dorothy Hester.

Wednesday’s play this week will be from the red tees, poker play. Pairings follow: 8:00am Evelyn Hatfield, LaRue Gaines, Faye Berentz; Barbara Shouse, Yvonne Temple, Beverly Jackson; Ruth Heyburn, Noma Newman, Lib Lillard; Melba Cordell, Geneva Ramsey, Pat Platt; Billie Pace, Joyce Rutter, Claire Oliver, Marian Richards.

9 holes: Marylyn Adams, Mary garret, Juanita King; Cindi Lillard, Bonnie Moody, Gail Beck; Hattie Wall, Pauline Adkison, Val Dale; Sue Enyart Nancy Johnson Alice Kidd; Peggy Robinson, Aileen Bradshaw, Pauline Taylor; Mavis Ford, Beverly Foster, Dorothy Hester; Nadine Hoffman, Maxine Hutchins, Helen Moore; Peg Murphy, Bernice Ogle, Helen Jo Painter; Rosalie Patterson, Rose Pratt, Mae Farrier; Shirley Coker, Ethyl Carselowey, Ethyl Mailath, Lee Womastek.

Afternoon—Millie Carter, Marj Grayson.

1975 July 13 “Boy’s Invitational Golf Tourney Results”

Rob Johnson, Chanute, Kansas wins the 15th annual Miami Boys Invitational Golf title by carding 36-37-73. Seventy five boys from  five states competed in the one-day event, sponsored by the Ladies Golf Association in cooperation with club pro Johnie F. Stapp and assistant Don Atchinson. Co-directors were Mrs. Frances McKinney and Mrs. Alice Kidd. 

Runner-up to champion Johnson was Ted Osgood of Tulsa, 37-38-75. Other Miamians playing were Will Neel, 82; Tom Dean, 93; David Weitz, 94; Brad Kemper, 101; Tom Kidd, 96; Steve Cherry, 96. Nine-hole division: Billy Jackson, 49; Brent Landers, 52; David Robinson, 66; Raymond McKinney, 69; Meade Monger, 77; and Danny McKinney, 85.

1975 July 15 “From the Clutter”

Anyone who picked up last Friday’s New-Record is bound to have seen the full-page birthday tributes, coupled with “roastings” of Miamian Wilhelm Lorraine (Bill) Oliver.

And now we learn that on Saturday, a day after the super birthday, Bill responded with a rare hole-in-one on the Miami Country club golf course.

Using a No.7 iron, he aced the No. 12 par three, 151-yard hole. The ball bounced twice and right into the cup. The achievement was confirmed by Mike Schmidt, Eddie Schmidt, Orval Qualls, and John Doty who were playing with Oliver.

1975 August 3 “Miami Boy in OKC Meet”

In a golf tournament at Lake Hefner Golf Course in Oklahoma City, Billy Jackson, 12 of Miami, finished fourth among 54 entrants. Jackson, who participated in the 12-13 age group, qualified at the beginning of the week in the first flight, shooting a round of 45. In match play we won his quarter-final and semi-final matches, advancing him to the finals.

1975 August 15 “Ladies Champions”

 

The top players in the 1975 club championship for the Miami Ladies Golf Association were, front row, from left, Evelyn Hatfield, medalist and first in championship flight: Yvonne Temple, first in Class A flight, and Rosalee Patterson, first in nine-hole flight. Top row, Marylyn Adams, tournament chairman; Ruth Heyburn, runner-up championship flight, Beverly Jackson, Class A runner-up, and Hattie Wall, nine-hole flight runner-up.

The unanimous “darling” of the tournament was Mrs. Hattie Wall, who at the age of 80 continues to be one of the most active competitors since the association was organized many years ago. In taking second place in her flight, she prevailed in two extra holes after finishing regular play in a tie with Juanita King.

Special event winners in the tournament were: Pat Platt, first in driving, and Faye Berentz, first in putting for championship flight.

Val Dale, first in driving, and Nancy Ann Johnson, first in putting for nine-hole flight.

Stormy Lewis, first in chipping and putting, the “never -say-die” phase of the annual tournament.

The committee in charge of the tournament consisted of Marylyn Adams, chairman, Roma Dahl and Joyce Rutter, assistants.

1975 August 17 “Miami Golfer in Tulsa Event”

Sandy Jackson of Miami, competing in the 167-17 age division, was runner-up Friday in the Tulsa District girls golf tournament at Meadowbrook Country club.

Sherri Price of Tulsa was the winner among girls of 16-17 age group with 93 score in the soggy 18-hole round which followed a three-inch rainstorm. Sandy was only one stroke back with 94. Linda Brown, Tulsa, of the 14-15 age group also carded a 93 score.

Two other Miami girls, Jenny Landers and Debbie Jackson, were among the 14-15 age contestants.

1975 August 24 “Ladies Golf”

Winners of Wednesday’s play at the Miami Country club. Championship, LaRue Gaines; Class A,  Marian Richards; Class A 9 hole Juanita King.

1975 August 27 “Labor Day Golf”

A Labor Day golf tournament will be held Monday at the Miami Country club, beginning at 4:30 p.m. with mixed scrabble competition. A buffet supper will be served at the conclusion of the event. Members wishing to participate should sign up as soon as possible on a chart in the pro shop, or by calling Mrs. Don Grayson, 542-4411 during business hours, or 542-4361 at home, after 5 p.m.

1975 September 7   "Men's Invitational Finals"

 
Barry Franks of Joplin, holding the trophy, won the championship of the 20th annual MCC invitational tournament with 146 total on rounds of 70 and 76. Pictured with him are other title flight leaders, Stan Weld of Stow, Ohio, 149; Jim Scallety, Parsons, 149;  champion Franks; Kent Jeffries 149, one of the three sharing second place, Bill Williams, Jr., 150. 

President's flight--Charles Grayson and Larry Laswell, tied for first with 158; A flight--Pepper Martin, 163; B flight--Paul Rose, 178; C flight--Ron Robinson 178; D flight--Three-way tie for first: H.B. Howell, Butch Garrette, Robert Ewing at 193.

1975 September 10 “NEO Golfers in Crowder Event”

Mike Magill, Tulsa, and Rod Rist, Tulsa, both returning letter-men, top the list of seven NEO varsity golf hopefuls as the Golden Norsemen prepare to open the fall season, September 18, at the Crowder Invitational, Neosho, Missouri.

Last year Magill won the No. 1 rating in Region 11 of the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association with a 75 stroke average. NEO will host an eight-team tournament, October 31, at the Miami Country club to close out the fall portion of the schedule.

1975 September 23 “Deadline Monday for NEO Golf Tournament”

A reminder was issued today by NEO Alumni and college officials that Monday is the deadline to register for the “scramble” golf tournament that will be held Saturday, October 4 in connection with NEO homecoming activities.

Play for the “fun” event at the Miami Country club, which is open to former NEO students, and any others interested, will begin at 8 a.m. Prizes will be awarded. The entry fee is $10. Kent Jeffries is the tournament chairman.

Entry may be made by contacting Don Atchinson at the Miami club’s pro shop (542-2512) or NEO golf coach Al Moffatt (542-2389).

1975 October 6 “Homecoming Winners”

A foursome consisting of three Miami men and a Tulsa golfer, Miles Grove who plays with NEO won first place in the NEO “Florida Scramble” golf tournament at the Miami Country club. The Miamians in the group that posted a winning 66 score were Clarence Carselowey, Bob Paul, and Gale Black. Second place with a 67 score went to Mike Magill, Al Moffat, Orvall Qualis and Jack Elliott all of Miami.

1975 November 2 “Ladies Golf”

The Ladies Golf Association of the Miami Country club will have its annual fall coffee in the home of Mrs. Don Johnson, 2107 East Rockdale Rd, Wednesday at 10 a.m. The coffee will honor the association’s new officers. A short business meeting will follow.

1916-2010 Professional Golfers through the History of the Miami Golf and Country Club

 1924--Ed Dudley  (to read more about Ed Dudley's career click on this link Ed Dudley's Career

1925  Forbes Thornton, arrived from Scotland

1926--Ky Laffoon, local boy

1928--29--Leonard Ott

 1930 to 1931--Johnny Gatherum

 1932 to 1934--John Gavin

1936 to 1937--Buddy Poteet, former caddy master at Rockdale who turned pro at age 19 and worked at McFarland CC in Tulsa until returning to Miami.   Buddy Poteet story

1937--John Emery, professional golfer and greens-keeper who built the new greens.

1938, January to 1939 February--Frank  Lewis,father of Charley Lewis, who became a dominate amateur golfer.

1939 March--1952--Jack Guild

1952-1953--Ed  Miller

1954-1977--Johnie Stapp, 1974-75 assisted by Dickie Neel and later by Don Atchinson

1977-- 1984 Don Atchinson

Bob HiIl, Jr., General Manager from 1981-90 put up the double wide trailer that served as the clubhouse after the  fire in 1984.

1985-- 1986  Dickie Neel Dick Neel From a Friends Point of View

1987--1999  Steve Becker

2000--2007  Larry Clay

2008--2010 Keith Neel