This is Letty Watt--Oklahoma Golf Legend Podcast

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

1981 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF MGCC

 

 


1981 March 29 "MCC New Nine Opening Date”

After some two years of work, Miami Country Club’s new nine holes will officially open Sunday April 5 with the annual men’s spring scramble.

1981 March 8 “Officers for MLGA”

 


Pictured above : Pauline Taylor, Billie Pace, Ann Chancellor, Sue riley and Beverly Jackson. At the back are Faye Berentz, Pat Plat, Gail Beck, Claire Oliver, Helen Moore and Ruth Heyburn. Not pictured are Evelyn Hatfield and Judy Kemper.

The Ladies Golf association met Wednesday for a spring coffer at the MCC. Hostess were Virginia Kerr, Gail Beck and Virginia Sapp. Ann Chancellor, vice president, presided. Don Atchison, golf pro was the guest speaker. Card games were the diversion of social hour.


Others attending were Becky Quillin, Marian Richards, Rosalie Patterson, Geneva Ramsay, Lottie Mae Russell, Fern Toye, Mary Robinson, Francis Elder, Aileen Bradshaw, Helen Moore, Jean Ann Blue, Judy Long, Courtney Murphy, Helen Stapp, Mavis Ford, Loretta Robinson.

Also, Joyce Rutter, Rose Pratt, LaVerne Munson, Millie Carter, Ruth Heyburn, Jean Phillips, Frances McKinney, Gladys Wetzel, Barbara Shouse, LaVon Young, and Yvonne Temple.


1981 March 23 “MHS golfers”

Wardogs 1981 team

An extra year’s maturity for an already young team should prove beneficial for the Miami High School golf team which was scheduled to open its 1981 season against Joplin Parkwood today at the MCC.

“Things are looking good,” said Coach Steve Scott, who returns four of the five starters from last year’s team which logged a 6-4 dual record. “Our dual record was good, but we struggled in tournaments.”

Back from last year are Scott Collingsworth, Meade Monger, Darren Foster and J.D. Masters. But they don’t have starting jobs locked up.  Collingsworth, Monger and Foster will get starts today but they will be joined by sophomore Sam Dowell, and Steve Becker.

“Sam has been pushing Scott for the No. 1 position,” Scott said. The pair battled during qualifying rounds last week and after five days, the pair were still tied. It took a playoff for Collingsworth to come out on top”

“We really have even people vying for the top five positions. We don’t have any seniors in our top five.”

Other members of the squad include John Looper, Joe Jayroe, Dan McKinney, Al Goforth, Chip Hammons.

1981 March 24 “Wardogs dump Parkwood”

Meade Monger fired an 81 and Darren Foster and Sam Dowell shot 82’s to lead Miami to a 333-367 victory over Joplin Parkwood in the golf season opener at the MCC. The junior varsity match escaped with a 317-320 decision. Parkwood’s Bob Parker was medalist with a 4-over-par 76 but he was the only Bear to crack the 90 plateau.

“We turned in some good scores for the first time out,” said MHS Coach Steve Scott. “This was an excellent start.”

Miami varsity scores: Monger 81; Dowell 82; Foster 82; Collingsworth 88; Becker 91.

Miami B squad: McKinney 92; Goforth 113; Hammons 112.

1981 March 29 “MCC’s New Nine”

 By Jim Ellis, News-Record Sports Editor

Next Sunday will be the opening date for the new nine with the annual men’s spring scramble. The event, which will be the first club event of the year, will begin at 1 p.m.

The new nine, Nos.3 through 6 and 11 through 15, will be incorporated into the old nine holes, according to club pro Don Atchison. “The existing nine holes is a very challenging course, as people have remarked in the past, and the new nine holes blend in really well with the existing nine. That’s what we were striving for all along.”

“We wanted to make it comfortable to play but competitive.” With the extension of the course to a regulation 18 holes, par will remain at 71 for the men and 74 for the women, but the yardage balloons to 6,121 from the regular tees and 6,629 from the championship tees.

“Jerry Broughton, our greens superintendent, has done an outstanding job of finishing up the new nine in order for us to open,” Atchison said. “The board of directors and I have been extremely pleased with the progress we’ve made so far.”



Possibly the most challenging of the new holes will be #14, according to Atchison. The green on the par 4, 351-yard hole is circled by trees, which should make things interesting.

“They all will play tough, though,” he said. "Strategically, it’s the kind of course where the gambler will be punished, and the conservative players will be tested. There will be a premium on accuracy.”

While the new nine holes are almost ready to play, Broughton estimates that it will be at least two years before the fairways and greens are grown up to the same level of the existing nine.”

“We also still have to put in a few low water dams and have a lot of dirt work and sodding to do,” stated Broughton, “Plus, we have work to do on the watering system.” He noted that the emphasis has been placed on getting the new nine ready to open, but once that happens, improvements will be made to the old nine.

The extension of the course is just one of the many improvements which have been recently made at the local club. A new swimming pool and two tennis courts were completed, and plans call for the relocation of the driving range.

1981 March 29 “Lady Wardogs open golf season Monday”



Miami’s first girls golf team in a number of years tees up Monday with the Lady Wardogs (this is new designation) meet Broken Arrow in a dual at the Indian Springs CC in Tulsa. Steve Scott, coach of the MHS boys team, will also be in charge of the girls program.

Heading up the roster is Martha Moore, who qualified for the girls state tournament last year, and Corrine Smith, who has had success in amateur competition.

“All of the girls have been involved in the local junior golf program, so that helps,” said Scott. “In the regional they play two-ball, so that will put us in pretty good shape for that.”

The squad played a qualifying round Friday afternoon at MCC with Condren and Foster turning in 52’s.

1981 March 30  

 "BULLET HITS PRESIDENT REAGAN"

 

1981 March 31 “BA rolls over Miami girls”

Broken Arrow coasted to a 190-230 victory over the Miami girls golf team at Indian Springs, spoiling the Lady Wardogs’ season debut.

Medalist went to Lynn Morse with a 9-hole 43 one stroke off was Patty Lewis at 44.

 

Left--Martha Moore Barker (class of '81), Amber Condren, and Anne Fullerton.

Corrine Smith paced the Lady Wardogs with a 48 while Kelly Foster shot a 57. Rounding out the scores for the other MHS girls were Amber Condren 62; Martha Moore 63 and Chris Neal 66.

“This was a tough course for the us to get started on,” said Miami Coach Steve Scott. “For three of the girls, it was their first high school match ever, so they were pretty nervous at the start.”

1981 April 5 “Glossy field heads up MHS golf tourney”

The Miami Invitational boys golf tournament, sporting one of its glossiest field ever, kicks off with a shotgun start Monday morning at the MCC. The tournament, which begins at 8:30 am shotgun start, will be the second event to utilize the newly completed 18 holes.

Jenks features one of the country’s top high school golfers in Tracy Phillips. Phillips, who was the medalist two years ago and had to settle for second place last year, has played numerous national and international amateur tournaments.

1981 April 5

1981 April 6 “MCC Opens New Nine”

The team of Richard Venus, Dabney Smith Jr., Bob Austin, and Bill Oliver turned in an 11-undere 61 to capture first place honors in the four-man spring scramble Sunday at the Miami Golf and Country Club.

The scramble was the grand opening event for the MGCC’s new nine holes. “Everybody seemed to enjoy playing the new nine holes,” said MGCC pro, Don Atchison.

Taking second, at 63, were the team of George Meyers, Bill Melton, Lloyd Cowgill, and Dan Heyburn. There was a five-way logjam at 64 with a pitchoff used to determine the winners. Finishing third were Brad Smallwood, Gary West, Horace Goodwin, and Dr. Pat Kragt, while Dr. W.D. Jackson, Marion Zajic, Bob Haney, and Harold Hopkins made up the fourth place team.

Fifth place went to the team of Bob Paul, Don Barr, Homer Kemper and Rick Wright; sixth to John Robinson Jr., Joe Weatherford, H.D. Robinson and Gary Shepard, while Dick Lillard, John Doty, Mike Long and Rick Stark, combined to nail down the seventh positions.

Atchison, Dabney Smith Sr., Jim Hill, and Pete Foster finished eighth at 65.

**Pat Wilson shared his memories of playing men’s golf in the early 1980’s.

Twilight league on Tuesday nights was my favorite. One evening I played against Bob Hill Jr., who is a great guy and an especially good golfer. That night I played my best nine-hole round ever. I had seven pars and two birdies for a 34. On the last hole I hit my third shot past the hole on old #9 green, that big green. I knew I could miss the putt again and again for a double bogey. My knees were even shaking. God was on my side that night and involved with me paring the last hole with a long one putt. I beat Bob Hill Jr. Bob turned to me and said, “That was fun to watch you play this round, Pat.”

I’ve never shot under par again, but I have shot 36’s. My best 18 holes at the country club was a 74.

1981 April 7 “Phillips, Jenks win Miami Invitational”

Tracy Phillips, defending PGA Junior National Champion, tamed the new 18-hole layout at the MGCC to help Jenks sweep the honors with 39-35--74. Jenks finished with a team score of 332 to outdistance Broken Arrow at 339. Host Miami turned in its best finish in several years by tying for third place with Tulsa Memorial.

The best score turned in by a Miami golfer was an 83 by Sam Dowell. Dowell was one stroke off Phillips’s pace on the front nine with a 40 but ballooned to 43 on the back side to take himself out of the medalist race.

Scott Collingsworth and Darren Foster scored 84s while Meade Monger rounded out the MHS squad with a 90.

1981 April 9 “Miami Girls in Fourth”

Left--Chris Neal Mais, top Anne Fullerton with Coach Scott, bottom middle is Kelly J. Foster Carpenter and bottom is Cathy M. Smith.

 **Kelly J. Foster-Carpenter wrote: Thank you for sharing this on Facebook. Girls golf team was great growing up and MGCC was a huge part of my childhood and family life. Several times I was "the girl golf team" and had to recruit Shelley Tippit to go along with me to have a female there to take me to Girls State with Coach Archie Loehr, or I wouldn't be able to participate. Miss those days and all those people had a huge impact on my and life and my parents, brother Darren Foster and out entire family


 Paced by the medalist Kathy Kramer, posted the low score in a girl golf quadrangular meet on the LaFortune Park golf course. Miami was joined by Broken Arrow and Tulsa Memorial in the two-ball competition.

Corrine Smith was low for the Miami team with a nine-hole score of 50 while Chris Neal carded a 56 to give the Lady Wardogs a net 106. Other scores for the Lady Wardogs were 58 for Kelly Foster, 59 for Kathy Smith and 63 for Martha Moore.

1981 April 12 “MHS golfers prep for tourney”

Coach Steve Scott


Miami warmed up for the Six Lakes Conference golf tournament by capturing win in a triangular with Baxter Springs and Columbus. Sam Dowell captured medalist honors with 82 while Meade Monger and Darren Foster were close behind with 84s. Rounding out the Miami scoring were Dan McKinney at 86 and Scott Collingsworth 94, his worst round of the season.

The win ran Miami’s dual record to 9-0 on the season. “We beat every conference school in the Miami Invitational, so that should put us at the top for Six Lakes.” He noted that Pryor course is a little shorter than the Miami Country Club. “It’s not as tight and kid feel freer to swing away. They like that type of course.”

1981 April 14 “MHS golfers take second”

Tahlequah nudged past Miami for the championship of the Six Lakes Conference tournament. Tahlequah, with two players in the top 10 in the medalist scramble, nabbed team honors with 336 compared to the Wardogs, with four in the top 10, shot a 337. 

“It was a good learning experience for the kids,” said Steve Scott, coach. “You learn the importance of every stroke when you lose by one.”

Steve Becker turned in his best outing of the season with an 83. Sam Dowell was one stroke back with an 84 followed by Meade Monger and Scott Collingsworth at 85. Darren Foster rounded out the Miami team with a 91.

1981 “April 24 “Lady Wardogs qualify five”

Although Miami finished 10th in the two-ball competition, the Lady Wardogs qualified all five players for the girls state golf tournament. Corrine Smith, Kelly Foster, Cathy Smith, Chris Neal, and Amber Condren captured berth’s in the state championship to be held in OKC at Lake Hefner.

Corrine Smith turned in the best 18-hole round for the Lady Wardogs, shooting a 96. Foster shot 111, Cathy Smith logged a 117.

1981 April 29 “Wardog golfers head for state”

Miami pared three strokes off its opening day regional tournament score and the result was a berth in the Class 3A golf tournament. Sooner, at 658, ran off with the team title. The Wardogs finished with 685 followed by 690 for Tahlequah and Claremore.

Heading up the Wardogs team was Scott Collingsworth who fired a 39 on the front side to finish with an 82 for the day. Scott’s two day total 168 placed him fifth in the medalist race.  Also bolstering the Miami scoring was Sam Dowell with a 175, Meade Monger 170. Scores for other Miami players were an 176 for Darren Foster and 181 for Steve Becker.

“The kids were really nervous,” said Scott. “They were glad to get it over with.”

1981 May 7 “Monger led Dogs in final round at state”

MHS golf team from left: Sam Dowell, Darren Foster, Scott Collingsworth, Steve Becker, and Meade Monger.

Meade Monger was the individual leader for Miami during the final round of play in the Class 3A state golf tournament held at the University of Oklahoma golf course in Norman.

Sam Dowell was low man for the Wardogs. He fired a 45-42-87 on the final day to finish at 246.  Monger logged a 43-40 on the final 18 holes to finish at 251 while Scott Collingsworth finished with 43-42—85 for a 247 total. Rounding out the scores of the Wardogs were Darren Foster 264, Steve Becker 276.

1981 May 10 “Mixed scramble title claimed”

The team of Jim Riley, DeDe Martin, John Finley and Becky Quillin captured top honors in a mixed scramble Friday night at the Miami Country club. The winners scored 33. Second at 34 were Jim Hill, Sue Riley, Jim Moore, and Terry West while the team of Gary West, Marilyn Hill, Bill Oliver and Carolyn Finley were third at 35.

1981 May 10 “Ladies golf notes”

Winners for the April ringer were Championship, Beverly Jackson; class A, Sue Riley; Class B, Virginia Kerr, and 9-hole flight, Aileen Bradshaw.

1981 May 17 “Hirsch sets pace”

Charlie Bill Hirsch overcame gusty winds to tame MCC’s new 18-hole layout Saturday and grabbed the lead of the Ottawa County Championship with 72. One stroke behind was Neel, who recorded a 73. Three strokes behind Hirsch was last year’s co-runner-up Dick Lillard at 75 while Steve Ragsdale turned in a four-over 76. Doug Bond, last year’s champion, did not defend his title since he turned pro.

1981 May 18 “Hirsch nets championship”

1981 May 24 “Ladies golf notes”

Winners for last Wednesday’s Ladies Golf Association play, which was a points event, include: championship, Geneva Ramsey and Beverly Jackson; Class A, Jean Ann Blue; class B, Pattye Moores, and 9-hjole, Fern Toye.

Due to cold weather last week, the Tuesday Sunrise League play was cancelled. The group will play 18 holes this week.

1981 June 7 “Youth golf winners”

Winners in Friday’s youth golf play at MCC include:

2-hjole: Jason Hill, Chris Mhoon; Lauri Schmidt, Renee Kreeger.

4-hole: Kim Reese, Heather Schmidt and Jamie Garrett; Kevin Collingsworth, Steve Hill.

9-hole: Kathy Jeffries, Sherri Atchison, Kim McCubbins; Kevin Mills, Todd Willard and Ronnie Coker.

18-holes A flight: Sam Dowell, Keith Neel and Marshall Smith; B flight—Danny McKinney, George Murphy;

18-holes girls: Julie Rieger, Kelly Foster.

Pairings for next Friday’s play’

2-holes 8:30 am: Corbin West, Jason Hill, Chris Mhoon, scorer Sharyn Jeffries; Lauri Schmidt, Jennifer Gatewood, scorer—Jackie Kreeger; Renee Kreeger, Julie Jeffries, scorer Marilyn Hill.

4-holes 8:00 am: Heather Schmidt, Shawna Fitzgibbon, Kim Reese, scorer—Janice Gatewood; Jamie Garrett, Paige Parrott, Lori Lillard, scorer—Jeannie Reese; Melissa Molinar, Jan Haney, Tina Moore, scorer—Jamie Belger.

4-holes boys, A flight 8:00: Robert Elmburg, Michael Fitzgibbon, Jimmy Rutter, scorer—Terry West; Howard Condren, Matt Brady, Gary Collins, scorer-Amber Condren; Brad Jacobs, Jeff Ramsay, scorer—LeRoy Collins.

4-holes boys, B flight 8:00: Damon Mills, Eric Elmburg, Kevin Collingsworth, scorer—Geneva Ramsay; Steve Hill, John West, Brandon Ferris, Bobby Seybolt, scorer-Linda Elmburg.

9-hole girls (9:30 am) Leighan hill, Gretchen Couch, Sherri Atchison, scorer-Cindi Lillard; Missy Reese, Kathy Jeffries, Kim McCubbin, scorer-Wanda Couch. Todd Willard, Steve Long, Ronnie Coker, James Rhodes, scorer-Joyce Rutter; Kevin Mills, Mitch Jones, Scott Kreeger, Billy Seybolt, scorer—Jim Moore.

18-holes boys, B flight 9:00: George Murphy, John Ratliff, Richie Lillard, Derek Rougeot, Danny McKinney, Brad Craig.

18-holes boys, A flight 9:00: Tommy Rieger, Steve Becker, Keith Neel, Scott Collingsworth, Sam Dowell, Meade Monger, Marshall Smith, Chip Hammons. Girls: Julie Rieger, Kelly Foster, and Mary Ann Kidd.

1981 June 10 “Twilight golf”

The team of Tom Cordell, Dick Lillard, John Doty and Rob Garwood took first team low net with a 140 in twilight league play at the MGCC. Taking second place honors with a 142 was the team of Mike Sexton, George Couch, Leroy Collins, and Larry Gatewood.

Ties in individual honors went to Ed Schmidt and John Kerr with a low gross of 40. Lot net honors went to Couch and Dr. Pat Kragt with a 31. A three-way tie resulted in low putts with 13 between Dr. Kragt, Jim Hill, and Ken Grissom.

1981 June 28 “Youth golf results”

Winners in Friday’s youth golfer play at MCC were:

2-holes: Chris Mhoon, Jason Hill; Jennifer Gatewood, Lauri Schmidt.

4-holes: Jeff Ramsey, Michael Fitzgibbon, Howard Condren; Steve Hill, Kevin Collingsworth, Damon Hill: Girls—Kimm Reese, Paige Parrott.

9-holes: Kevin Mills, Mitch Jones; Sheri Atchison, Kathy Jeffries.

18-holes: Steve Becker, Chip Hammons; Danny McKinney, Todd Willard; Kelly Foster, Julie Rieger.

1981 July 1 “Twilight golf”

The team of Bill McClain, Jerry Crawford, Jim Green and Corbin Shouse shot a 138 to take first team low net in the twilight league at the MCC. Second place went to the group containing Mike Sexton, George Couch, Robert Reavis and Larry Gatewood with a 139.

In individual honors, Charlie Bill Hirsch took low gross with 36 and Couch grabbed the low net title with 29. In a three-way tie for low putts with 13 were Bill Oliver, John Becker Sr., and Carselowey.

1981 July 6 “MCC Golf Notes”

The team of Ed Schmidt, Barbara Shouse, Rick Wright and Judy Kemper shot a 66 to take the championship of the “Firecracker Mixed Scramble”. In second place with a 67 was the team of Bill McClain, Millie Carter, George Couch, and Dede Martin. Breaking a three-way tie with a chip-off for third place was Charlie Bill Hirsch, Jean Ann Blue, Jim Green, and Helen Moore. Fourth place finishers were Don Young, Margaret Hadley, Candy Couch, and Bob Haney. In fifth were Bob Hunt, Janie Clay, V.W. Lillard, and Sue Riley.

1981 July 8 “Youth Winners in Insurance Golf Event”

Scott Collingsworth took top honors in the championship flight and Richie Lillard took first in the youth flight during the Insurance Youth Classic Golf Tournament sponsored by the Independent Insurance Agents of the four-county area.

Taking trophies during the Insurance Youth Classic are LR:   
Matthew Brady and Richie Lillard. Back: Chris Neal, Scott Collingsworth, and Keith Neel.

 
Collingsworth shot a 78 to take the win. The low girl championship went to Chris Neal with 114. Keith Neal took the second-place championship with an 80. Other finishers were Kent Bacon from Vinita 84, Steve Becker 85, Tommy Rieger and Dan McKinney 86, Chip Hammons 95, Kevin Mills 99 and Todd Willard 101.

The top players from this tournament are now eligible to compete in the state tournament which will be held at the Indian Springs Golf Course in Tulsa.

1981 July 9 “Miamians Take High Golf Places”


Winners Left to right: Julie Rieger, coach Janie Clay, Sherri Atchison.

Miami golfers breezed to first and second place finishes in the nine-hole flight at the State Junior Girls Championship held at Quail Creek Golf Course in Oklahoma City.

Julie Rieger fired a two-day score of 49-46—95 to capture firest place in the 10–11-year-old division. This marked the second straight year she had taken top honors in her age group. She also had the longest drive, a 225-yard shot, and was first low putts, was the youngest player in the group and was named the most improved player from last year.

Sherri Atchison, who had placed third in the competition last year, nailed down the #2 position in the nine-hole flight with 54-56—104.

 1981 July 9


 

1981 July 12 “Ladies Golf Notes”

Winners in Wednesday’s ladies two-ball golf tournament at MCC were:


Two-ball winners: Ruth Heyburn and Billie Pace; Ann Chancellor A flight; and Aileen Bradshaw, 9-hole. Not pictured are Janie Clay and Dorothy Hester.

 

Championship—Ruth Heyburn and Billie Pace; A flight—Ann Chancellor and Janie Clay; 9-hole flight: Aileen Bradshaw and Dorothy Hester; Evening team—Candy Couch and Dede Martin.

1981 July 12 “MLGA Holds Guest Day”

Members of the Miami Ladies Golf Association held a guest day luau with 115 ladies from 16 clubs in attendance. Serving as co-chairwomen for the event were Beverly Jackson and Rosalie Patterson. Decorations for the luau were loaned by Shriver’s Shoes and Lynn’s Dress Shop. Prizes were donated by Garwood Agency, Duff’s Floral, Susan’s Package Store and Ander’s shoes. 

Taking top honors in the Luau Guest Day are: Virginia Croddy, Pat Platt, Alma Chancy, Chris Craig, Jean Ann Blue, Patty Horton, Peggy Sue Ogle, Alvina Beckworth. At back: Beverly Jackson, Bessie DePlama, Colleen Stark, Bonnie Rhodes, Gayle Norfleet, Jeanne Barnett and Rosalie Patterson.

 

1981 July 13 “Golfers Place in Tournament”

Charlie Bill Hirsch led the charge for Miami golfers with a third-place finish in the 23rd annual Ozark Amateur golf tournament at Schifferdecker golf course. The winner of the two-day event was Bob Smith of Joplin with a four-under par 138. Finishing seventh place was John Robinson Jr. with a 142 and first round leader Mike Craig with a 143.

1981 July 15 “Atchison into Semis”

Miami Country club pro, Don Atchison, charged into the consolation semifinals of the South Central PGA sectional match play championship with a sizzling 5-under par round. Atchison, who has won three straight matches after losing in the first round, beat Mario Renteria of Wichita, 5 and 3. He was scheduled to play Steve Kimmel of OKC in one semifinal match while Ron DeGraff of Tulsa faced Enid’s Ken Mendenhall in the other. (no results)

1981 July 19 “Junior Golf Winners” 


Putting & Driving Champs: front L-R--Tina Moore, Paige Parrott, Corbin West, Kevin Collingsworth, Brandon Farris and Gary Collins. Second row: Missy Reese, Sherri Atchison, Matrt Brady and Julie Rieger. Back row: Scott Collingsworth, Todd Willard, Danny McKinney, Kelly Foster, Steven Long, and James Rhodes.

 Results were announced in Friday's MCC Junior Golf Tournament. The winners include: 

2-holes-- Jason Hill, first, Chris Mhoon, second; Jennifer Gatewood, first, Renee Kreeger, second. 

4-holes B flight-- Steve Hill, first, Eric Elmburg, second; A flight--Jeff Ramsey, first, Howard Condren, second; Girls--Kim Reese, first, Jamie Garrett, second.

9-holes-- Mitch Jones, points; James Rhodes, first. Girls--Sherri Atchison, points, first place Kathy Jeffries. 

 18-holes B flight--Danny McKinney, points,and first place, Todd Willard, second. A flight--Scott Collingsworth, points and first place, Keith Neel, second. Girls--Julie Rieger points and first place, Kelly Foster, second. 

 

1981 July 19 “MCC Golf Notes”

Bill McClain, posting a four on the final hole, nosed out Pat Wilson for the first place in a men’s horse race Friday night at the Miami Country club. Dabney Smith Jr. finished third while Bob Temple and Dr. Howard Condren, placed fourth and fifth respectively.

Rounding out the field were Bob Paul, sixth; Tom Quillin, seventh; Bill Melton, eighth; Wayland Kelly, ninth; and Robb Garwood, 10th.

The nine-hole parent-junior scotch foursome will be held today, beginning at 4:30 with a mixed scramble scheduled for Friday.

1981 August 16 “Ladies Golf Notes”

Winning the team trophy for Women's Tri-State are Pat Platt, Billie Pace, LaVon Young and Claire Oliver. The tournament was recently held in Bartlesville at Adams Golf Course.

1981 August 16 “Mixed Scramble Title”

The team of Bob Haney, Evelyn Hatfield, Jim Riley, and Cindy Adler captured the fourth mixed scramble of the season. The winners turned in a 4-under par 32 while the team of Phil Trussler, Marji Grayson, George Beck, and Virginia Kerr were second at 33. Taking third at 34 were Jim Haldeman, Marian Richards, Don Adler, and Jean Ann Blue.

1981 August 17 “Jackson Nabs Championship”

Dr. W.D. Jackson captured his fifth Miami Country club championship Sunday with a 7-stroke victory over John Robinson Jr.

The victory was Jackson’s fist since 1975 and had to put up with a driving rain in the final three holes to finish with a 74-79-73-77—303. Robinson carded a 76-77-78-79—310 while Jim Haldeman was third at 313. Bill Harsch placed fourth with 319.

Brad Smallwood defeated Bob Hunt in match play for the President’s flight title while Leroy Collins defeated J.D. Masters for the C flight crown. The A and B flights are still in progress.

1981 August 21 “Big Field Eyes MCC Title”

A field of over 129 golfers including defending champion Romie Holder, will be gunning for top honors in the 26th MCC Invitational. Past champions in the field will be Terry Key, John Robinson Jr., Dr. W.D. Jackson, Dick Neel, and Bob Klein.

This will be the first time that the MCC Invitational has been able to utilize the full 18 hole course.  “People will be surprised with the new nine,” said Robinson, who is the tournament chairman. “It’s in good shape. The first day should have good scores but on Sunday, the championship will go back to the blue tees. I think some scores will go upwards.”

1981 August 23 “Tourney Winners”

Taking honors in the Miami Country Club women’s championship tournament were Mavis Ford, winner 9-hole B flight; Aileen Bradshaw, runner-up 9-hole B flight; Pat Platt, “Never Say Die” winner; Marian Richards, A flight winner; Helen Moore, runner-up, A flight; Evelyn Hatfield, winner, Consolation flight; Claire Oliver, runner-up Consolation flight; Faye Berentz, co-medalist; Billie Pace, runner-up Championship flight; and Beverly Jackson, winner and co-medalist for the championship.

 

1981 August 24 “Neel Captures Second Crown”

John Robinson Jr, chairman of Invitational hands Will Neel the Champions Trophy.

Maybe a trip home did Oklahoma City University senior Will Neel more good than he thought. Neel, who admittedly has been struggling since the U.S. Open qualifying competition in May, got his game back in time to win his second MCC Invitational Tournament.

Neel nosed out Mike Craig by a single stroke for the title 147-148, while Buddy Hamilton shot a 149.

“I came back home and uncle Dick got me straightened out,” said Neel. “He worked on my putting. I think that’s where I’ve had the most of my problems. I thought I drove the ball well during the tournament.”

Taking honors in the other divisions were Jeff Jones in President’s flight; Dr. Bill Neal in A Flight; Everett Perriman in the B flight; Chuck DeBoere in C flight and Rick Lowry in the D flight.

David Cresap of Vinita blistered the MGCC layout Sunday, carding a 3-under 69 following a rocky first round (79) on Saturday.

  **This may have been the course record on the new 18. Input is welcome.

 

1981 September 13 “MCC fall Festival”

The team of Brad Smallwood, Bob Hunt, Oris Goodwin and Homer Kemper held onto first place following the first day of action in the men’s fall festival at the Miami Country club.

The first-place team held a one-point lead over the team of Kent Jeffries, Lou Mirjanich, John Becker Jr., and Jake Fuller. In third were Doc Jackson, Bob Haney, Bill Hatfield, and Dan Mailath.

Saturday, April 13, 2024

1980 The NEW Swimming Pool

Pardon my humor but I can't help but think of all the stories I have collected about swimming NUDE in the country club pool during the 1950's by persons of all ages and genders.  I wanted the title to story "SWIMMING NUDE IN THE POOL."  Imagine the hits we would have received on that line.

By the late 1970's the board of the Miami Country Club made the decision to buy the extension of land from Sam Fullerton for a new nine holes and in this expansion a new swimming would be constructed. 

A view of what's to come with the new nine holes.


Bill Harsch, President of the club during this time, shared his notes on this construction and the goals of the country club.

The main objective of constructing the swimming and new nine holes is to provide recreation and social facilities for the people of Miami. A new swimming pool is under construction and will be ready for use the first of June.

The pool will be 30 feet wide and 82 1/2 feet long (25 meters).  The depth will go from 3 feet to an 8 1/2  feet deep pool with a separate 18 inch deep wading pool. 

There will be a 30 foot long sunning deck at one end and fully lighted both around and under the water. 

We plan to use this pool as the hub of our youth program.  The pool will provide 25 meters long (official length) with five racing lanes. This will allow for swim team competitions. The 30 foot sundeck and lighting will give children a place for pool parties and dances. 

Coupled with tennis and golf will be the best equipped and outstanding children's recreation center in the area.  

 

 With the expansion of the new nine, which we plan to open in 1981, there will be a complete fairway, tee and green watering system installed. This will allow us to get water to the playing area of the course through the hot summer months that normally burn and kill our greens. Currently, the watering system is being checked out on our old nine holes and is being installed on the new nine with the construction. 

Don Sechrest, a notable golf architect from Tulsa, has designed and is supervising the construction of the golf course. This course, when complete next spring will provide the finest golfing in the four-state area. 

With the children and the golfers satisfied, we turned our attention to our social members, who use the club as the center of their social life, as well as an entertainment facility for business associates. The social membership provides playing tennis, swimming, dining, and meeting friends for social gatherings. 

To provide a more adequate facility for them we have employed Jack Mann and Larry Edmondson and Associates to design a new clubhouse for the future. Our intent is to provide comfortable surroundings for our members, adequate working space for our employee and room for a growing membership.