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Miami Country club in the 1930's
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By Letty Stapp Watt
Authors Note: The irony to the depression and Ottawa County is obvious as I read the old newspapers. Thanks to the mining industry Miami and the Tri-State area did not take a devastating blow, like the rest of the nation. In 1933 after the clubhouse was built and the name changed from Rockdale Country Club to the Miami Country Club the economics of the time allowed the club to survive. The reference to the reduced green fees during this time shows that the club survived by being both private and open to the public. The June 1932 Miami News Record reports that with the greens fees cut in half unprecedented throngs of people played the links, and a lot of rusty clubs have made their appearance on the local fairways. The pro hired in 1930 left for another position in 1931, and no reference is made to hiring a pro until we see Buddy Poteet's name in 1936.
*For the sake of the “Timeline of Miami Country Club” I have
chosen to use the exact words from the newspaper writers because they
date the times and the language of golf, and the cultural standards from the
war and depression years.
The shot heard round the world.
Gene Sarazen hit "the shot heard 'round the world" at Augusta National Golf Club on the fifteenth hole in the final round of the Masters Tournament in 1935. He struck a spoon (the loft of the modern four wood) 232 yards into the hole, scoring a double eagle. At the time he was trailing Craig Wood by three shots, and was then tied with him. He parred the 16the, 17th, and 18th holes to preserve the tie. The following day, the pair played a 36-hole playoff, with Sarazen winning by five shots.
The Sarazen Bridge, approaching the left side of the 15th green, was named in 1955 to commemorate the double eagle's twentieth anniversary, which included a contest to duplicate, the closest just over 4 feet away. It remains one of the most famous golf shots in golf history. Wikipedia
1935 Titleist Script history
The Titleist script originated when the
first Titleist-branded golf balls were being produced in 1935. Executives were
looking for a logo and an executive suggested the handwriting of office
secretary Helen Robinson who was considered to have beautiful penmanship. Titleist ball history
Helen was given a sheet of paper and asked to
write the word ‘Titleist.’ The way she wrote the word on the page that
day was used for the original logo and the Titleist script, one of the world’s
most recognized marks, is still based on this initial lettering today - gracing
every piece of Titleist equipment throughout the world.
1935 October 14 MNR Jim Bowers, long-driving Miamian, won the city golf championship Sunday afternoon, defeating Alderson Thompson 2 up on the 17th hole. Bowers, getting tremendous power behind his tee shots, took a commanding 3 up lead at the end of the first five holes. It was not until the 15th hole (No.6) on the nine layout, that Thompson shaved off one of the three to go to the sixteenth two down. Thompson shook Bowers for the second consecutive time by winning the sixteenth hole and as the two teed off for the seventeenth Bowers was only one up.
A brisk wind whipped down the fairway from the seventeenth green to the tee. Thompson's drive was a good distance back of the sand. Bowers put everything he had in his tee shot and a screaming drive was only yards short of the green. He was on in two and down in three while Thompson needed two putts and lost the hole and the match.
1935 October 14 MNR Paul Runyan, the diminutive 27-year-old Arkansas farm boy, who is the National PGA Champion, won the title of Louisville (KY) Open Champion. With his big wallop and the deadly putter he added another one thousand dollars to his bankroll and another title.
1935 July 17 MNR The new greens fee system proves to be popular at the Miami Country club. The Junior Chamber of Commerce reported that anyone may golf at the Miami Country club by paying 25-cent greens fees. Books of five tickets are selling for $1.00 each. Large crowds have appeared on the local course the last few days.
The Junior Chamber of Commerce will host a weekend match play event. The committee intends to match every man who has purchased a golf ticket. The list of players in Sunday's tournament will be published in Thursday edition of this newspaper. Each man will arrange with his opponent the playing time for their match. The introduction of match play has gone a long way toward reviving interest in the sport. O.L. Veirs, President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, said the organization is actively interested in the country club and the revival of golf in Miami.
1936 April 10 MNR The Miami Country club and Junior Chamber of Commerce golf committees are co-operating in the sponsorship of a flag tournament which will open Sunday with qualifying rounds over 18 holes at the country club. Wilton Taylor, chairman of the Junior Chamber committee, and Bert Coleman, head of the club tournament group, have requested that qualifiers "should have friendly witnesses to their scores." Reasons for arranging the tourney were to stimulate interest among many of the new players. The rules are such that some of the inexperienced shotmakers may walk off with awards. More enthusiasm in golf was displayed here recently when 50 persons appeared at the course in one day. Many of them are being urged to play in the coming event. The tournament is open to all local golfers. The only charge will be $.25 for green fees.
1936 August 15 MNR
John Embrey redesigns the current layout and converts the sand to grass
greens. Embrey, who has built lots of golf greens, says the nine-hole
course at Miami CC will be as any of them, when the greens are ready for
use by April of 1937. Johnnie recently completed shaping of the greens
and is engaged now in scattering top dirt. Club officials recently
ordered quantities of fertilizer and seed, together with a carload of
peat moss. With peat on the surface, it will help preserve the greens
without depending solely upon water.
"I
will put the same material in greens here as I have at Tulsa, Shawnee
and other places," he said. "I really think that with the beautiful
clubhouse and the good grass greens, this course will be one of the
finest in the state."
1936 June 8 MDNR H.E. Willim won the "blind bogey" golf tournament at Miami Country Club. His 76 being the closest to the bogey number, 75, Buddy Poteet, club professional, who directed the tournament, said Willim had a handicap of 25. Forty persons toured the course yesterday. Russell James, Hotel Miami manager, posted the lowest score, an 82. Poteet said some kind of tournament will be staged at the club each Sunday.
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1930's leather
golf bag |
1936 July 3 MNR The hole-in-one club might have another member if Wilton Taylor would only come out with a definite statement that he blasted his tee shot in the hole on the No. 1 at the Miami Country club recently.Everything appeared to be "legal" about the stroke's execution. Taylor was paired off with Carl Peck in a foursome with Clarence Carselowey and Jim Campbell.
Incidentally, Glenn Scott, Alderson Thompson, Bud Poteet (local pro), and John Ballart were putting on the No. 1 green when Taylor walked up to touch off the shot. When the surprised group arrived on the green they found the ball in the cup. A light mark was even noticeable on the sand green to indicate the path of the ball. Taylor, at first stunned, then elated, has since been sporadic in descriptions of the rare feat. A detective may be hired to determine whether the ball might have been "deflected" from one of the observers' feet.
1937 July 18 MDNR Social page.
Highlighting the Miami Country club activities for the week will be the "Family picnic" to be given for the club membership and their families at 6:30 o'clock Friday evening. Each family attending the affair is asked to bring a fried chicken, bread and butter sandwiches, and either a salad or a vegetable. Putting contests on the greens will be held for both women and men. Following the picnic there will be featured entertainment. Hosts and hostesses in charge of the arrangements are: Mr. and Mrs. Ray McNaughton, Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Wallace, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Killion, Mr. and Mrs. Evan Just, and Mr. and Mrs O.L. Ramsey.
1937 July 21 MDNR Glenn Scott drove one of three tries up the No.6 fairway at Miami Country club for 223 yards Tuesday evening. He captured the first club long drive contest. (The original hole #6 was along par 5 uphill. Sometime in the 1940's a grass bunker was installed about 200 yards off the men's tee.) Rumor says that my father, Johnie Stapp, had the grass bunker and rolling hill installed so that George Coleman Jr, could not land his plane on the hole, but that is only rumor.)
The length of the drive was even better than the distance would indicate since the wind and soggy condition of the ground prevented the golfers from getting much roll on their efforts.
Melvin Hutts was second with one 210-yard drive. John Robinson, Jr., came in third with a 206-yarder and Kelly Spencer of Picher was fourth with one 205 yard clout.
Thirty club members competed in the special event, arranged by the club's tournament committee. Awards were given to winners of the first four places. Scott received three golf balls, Hutts a golf glove, Robinson a polo shirt, and Spencer two golf balls.
The driving contest preceded a stag party attended by approximately 100 members of the club.
1937 August 1 MNR "Miami Women Golfers Show Progress"
Jerre McKellops, Carthage golf professional, said Saturday night that Miss Ruth Peacock of Miami, young golfer, has "one of the most natural swings for a woman I've ever seen."
The professional commented on a series of golf lessons at the Miami Country Club. He said the local girl is now shooting in the 50's, but predicted she will progress rapidly in her game.
McKellops, who will be at the course today to give lessons to women or men players, said he is "particularly anxious" to get local feminine golfers interested in matches with neighboring city teams. He instructed eight women players on Saturday.
The Carthage instructor invited local women to witness the inter-city women's meet at Schifferdecker course in Joplin at 9AM Thursday. He said he hoped that Miami players would join later in the competition, which includes women from Joplin, Carthage, Neosho, and Webb City. McKellops said the women who travel to a rival city are entertained at lunch, explaining that no one club is host to the delegations more than three times a season.
The links teacher commended the progress being made on the grass greens at the local country club. He said the grading has virtually be completed on all nine holes.
John Embrey, greens architect, said the greens would likely be seeded in early September. They will be ready for play by next April.
1937 September 9 MNR McKellops Curtails Golf Lessons
Jerre McKellops, Neosho golf pro, said Saturday that he will come to Miami only on Saturdays hereafter to give golfing lessons. The Missourian, who has been coming here each Saturday and Sunday, said he is planning to assist Bill Burns, Joplin pro, in instructing the Joplin Y.M.C.A. women to play golf.
McKellops said a large trophy being offered by a Carthage business man for the best women's golf team in the Tri-State district will be at stake for the first time on October 13-14. Five 18-hole scores will be required for women seeking to qualify. The trophy is being displayed at the Men's Shop in Miami.
1937 September 19 MDNR Cleveland, Ohio
A "picture shot" on the fifteenth "hill hole" at Canterbury gave "Slammin Sam" Snead, the mountaineer from White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. a one-stroke edge over the filed at the half way mark in the 37th annual Western Open Golf Championship today as he tacked a 74, two over par, to his 68 of yesterday for a 142 total.
On the heels of Snead was Horton Smith who turned in 71 today for a 143 total. Knotted at 145 were Ralph Guldahl and Ky Laffoon, the Oklahoma linksman. Both turned in scores of 73 today after matching par with 72's in the first round. 1937 October 24 MNR "Ky to West Coast Golf Wars after Vacation in Miami (OK)"
Ky Laffoon is going to do a little hunting, maybe play a few rounds of golf and then he'll head for the west coast and the winter professional tournaments in California.
The Chicago pro, who played his first golf in Miami, is modest about his own game. Winner of the Radix trophy, emblematic of the lowest average for major tournaments in 1934, the Miamian has won a place in the top flight of professional golfdom. Yes, he obviously does not care to elaborate on his achievements.
1937 October 10 MDNR Columbus Golfers play here
Miami Country club golfers will entertain Columbus, Kas. shotmakers at the country club layout this afternoon. Twenty-five players are expected to come here from Columbus, W.B. Grisham, president of the Miami club, said.
Two weeks ago the Miami linksmen nosed out the Kansans, 32 to 30 in a team match at Columbus. The visiting delegation, anxious for revenge, said they will have "full strength" for the match, it was learned here today. Each player will compete over the 18-hole route.
1937 November 3 MDNR "Miami Links Attract Golfer from South Africa, Visitor in District, Who Praises American Hospitality"
The English are noted for being good sports--no matter what the nature of the game or the nature of the informal chat may be. Miami Country club attracted one yesterday, an Australian-born Englishman from Rhodesia, South Africa.
W.J. Mitchell, mining representative of the Ingersoll-Rand gold field interests centered around Bulawayo, Rhodesia, toured the local golf course and thoroughly enjoyed the layout despite the fact that it is more difficult now to play around with new grass greens being constructed.
With his wife and 11-year-old son, Peter, accompanying him, Mitchell paused while approaching the #2 green and talked with Johnny Embrey, greens architect, and a reporter. Mitchell said he is visiting Charles Larson, representative of the Ingersoll-Rand company of Picher. He came here for a little exercise and a chance to brush up on his links game. The conversation drifted from golf.
"This is your first trip to the United States?" he was asked.
"Yes," the mining official replied, "its my first trip and i have really enjoyed the hospitality of people I have met in America. I have enjoyed all the sights."
A graduate of Johannesburg School of Mines in Africa, Mitchell said he has lived in Rhodesia about ten years. He said the Miami country club course reminded him of the links on which he plays at his African home.
Something was mentioned about depressions in the economy. "Why, you know, it was really unusual but Rhodesia never had a depression a few years ago. While all of the other countries, practically all over the world suffered economically we got along just fine."
"You see we mined for gold, the thing that all the other countries wanted. There were no hard times at home with our gold standard."
Mitchell remarked that South Africa also has lead and zinc deposits, "quite a lot of mines being in my section."
The Englishman said he and his family will leave the district in a few days. He plans to sail for Africa about December 31.
1937 December 5 MDNR The social news of the day brings the revived country club into the news with social gatherings for women's clubs.
The P E O Sisterhood Chapter will host it's Christmas gathering at 1:00 Monday, December 6 at the Country Club. They will be entertaining members of the chapter A.J. P E O Sisterhood.
The Christmas party and luncheon meeting of the Willard class of the First Methodist Church will be given on Thursday at the country club. Mrs. Henry Hoffman will be hostess for the affair
1937 December 26 MDNR Mrs. George E. Bomford and daughters, Doris Wright and Muriel, entertained informally 100 children at a Christmas party at the country club last Thursday evening. The young group assembled at 7:00 Thursday evening to find two gleaming Christmas trees awaiting them. After a merry exchange of gifts and singing of Christmas Carols, the group was entertained by a group of Bomford School of Dance young girls.
Golf Clubs: Clubs used by golfers at Miami Country Club varied from the newest and best available to make overs, repair jobs by the local professional and rusty old hand made clubs. When my father became pro at Miami he brought his extension collection of "old" and a few "antique" clubs with him. His relationship with pros and George Coleman, Jr. put him in a position to repair and trade clubs often.
This club show, A "Sally Hagen Sandy Andy" is based on the original niblick club, future sand wedge, but without the concave face. Through photographic measures it was discovered that the niblick concave face gave the club a double bounce, in other words the ball struck the club twice. Consequently, the R&A and the USGA banned all concave irons from the beginning of the 1931 season.
The following year, 1932, while a professional in Florida, Gene Sarazen
produced his version of a sand iron, supposedly spending hours in his
garage with 9-irons and the entire stock of solder of the local hardware
store. The result was what he called the New Port Richey Wedge (after
the town where he was living and working) and which the Wilson Company
sold as the R-90 sand wedge. The companies who made the concave face
wedges simply adapted their designs to have flat faces and, so, L A
Young sold the Walter Hagen Iron Man model and the Sandy Andy and the Sally Hagen Sandy Andy.
Reference: Antique Clubs of Scotland
Authors Note: My
interest in this history is sincere and simple. My father, Johnie F.
Stapp, became the PGA head pro at Miami Golf and Country Club in the
spring 1954. I was six years old and already playing golf. Now at age 73
I find as much passion and fun in the game as I did in the 1950's.
Because of my parents, I have a great deal of love and respect for
the game of golf and its history from Scotland to the wind swept
prairies of the plains state. My plan is to preserve that history and some of those stories.
*This
is a work in progress outline. For the purpose of this blog TIMELINES
are being used to collect and share archival information. As these
timelines become near completion stories will appear in single blogs. My
sources have been the Archives of the Miami New Record, Miami Daily News Record, Joplin Globe,
"Golf in the Ozarks" by Monte McNew, "The Story of Golf in Oklahoma" by
Del Lemon.
For other stories about golf and Miami, Oklahoma please read my personal blog Literally Letty
