1945-46 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF MGCC

"Reflections of Miami History" states that in early 1945 BFG announced that the tire plant had reached "full production" with a workforce that was one-third female. At that time John L.Collier, Goodrich Company president, also told of plant expansion plans. Walter E. Head assumes the plant manager position. Workers voted to affiliate with the United Rubber Workers.

End of the war was celebrated with the largest parade in Miami's history, and the town's focus shifted to a neglected home front.  Home construction was a major industry of the decade. Wea and Nancy Lee Additions were major construction sites, but the sounds of hammer and saw could be heard in almost every part of town. New retail businesses entered the scene. The college gained a 200-acre farm, and Baptist Hospital expanded. 

Miamians voted overwhelmingly to purchase electricity from the Grand River Dam Authority, and records fell as Aberdeen-Angus breeders paid $151,025 for 15 bulls from the S.C. Fullerton herd.

The Spartan flight training school, which had closed in 1945, made barracks available for use by the college, where enrollment was spiraling with the return of ex-servicemen. Spartan had trained over 2,000 pilots here, most of them Britons.

The Miami Veterans of Foreign Wars honored Pfc. Paul Davis, Fairland, for being the first American to enter Tokyo after the war, and Sgt Clarence Miller, Picher, the first Ottawa Countian to reach Berlin. 

 

Jack Myers, practices a putt at Miami Country club the original hole #9

 1945 January 12 Joplin Globe "Babe Gives Credit to Dudley"

Ed Dudley, President of the PGA, and formerly from Miami, Oklahoma, gave 30 minutes' instruction yesterday to Mrs. George Zaharias and then watched her breeze over the Phoenix Country Club course in a record-breaking 67 while he was taking a 69--two under men's par. 

Mrs. Zaharias, the Mildred (Babe) Didrikson of Olympic renown, carded the lowest score yesterday in the pro-amateur event preceding the start today of the $5000 Phoenix open. 

1945 January 24 mdnr "Country Club Dance"

 Members of the Miami Country club will be entertained with a dance Tuesday evening, January 30, at the club. Music will be by Basil Baker and his band. Dancing will be from 9pm to 12:30am.

1945 January 26 mdnr "Sam Fullerton Tells of Argentine Trip"

Sam C. Fullerton, Jr., Miami Aberdeen-Angus breeder related his recent trip to Argentine and showed a technicolor picture of South American cattle before and audience of approximately 150 Chamber of Commerce members at the Miami Country club.  The Miami cattleman--without use of oratorical phrases-described his airplane trip to Buenos Aires. En-route to the Argentine capital, the speaker recalled his visits to Guatemala, a Central American republic, and Lima, Peru. The cities, Fullerton said, were very beautiful. Fullerton regaled the audience with the story of flying over the Andes Mountains at an altitude of 18,000 to 22,000 feet.

1945 March 9 mdnr "Stag Night"

 The Miami Country club will hold its regular stag party at the clubhouse Tuesday evening, Tony Ming club president, announced Saturday.  Usual games will follow dinner, which will be served at 6:30 pm.

**Note: These announcements appear regularly for the Tuesday night Stag event through December. There is very little other information on golfer, golf games, or women's golf during this year.  

1945 March   Miami News Record Front Page

*Note: This is my short tribute to the front pages I've been reading through the 1940's. It seems only appropriate to give thanks and notice to the men and women who served our country during this time, from the war front to the home front. I, for one, would not be here writing this nor would we be reading this shared history of our hometown without their sacrifices. (These men were from Ottawa County.)

*Pfc. Hill has been taken prisoner by Nazi's.

*Sgt. Quandt has been killed in New Guinea.

*Sgt Kelly dies on Luzon Isle.

*Two Germans escaped Pryor Prison Camp.

*Miamians Staff Sgt. Dawson, one of a daring band of dough-boys earning the distinction of being the first Allied troops to cross the Rhine last Wednesday. 

1945 May 2 mdnr "The Grist"

Charley Lewis and Jack Myers, local golfers, advanced to the fourth round recently of the Tulsa World PGA four ball tourney at Tulsa...Last week the Miami combination defeated Floyd Hoff and Leo Daniel at Mohawk course, 3 and 2...Their fourth round opponents will be met at the Highland layout...Jack Guild and Dr. R.E. Baron, who had been scheduled to play at Tulsa, withdrew because of traveling conditions when the Verdigris river blocked traffic over U.S. 66 at Catoosa a couple of weeks ago. 

1945 May 6 

1945 May 8 

 1945 May 21 "Author Tells of Writing"

Author David Greenhood holds a copy of his novel "The Hill," as he visits the home of Miami artist, Charles Banks Wilson, who illustrated the book.

  **Note: In following with the founding fathers of bringing the world to Miami, Oklahoma I find it fascinating how many people came through our community in these decades. As a librarian at Miami Public Library in the early 1970's Charles and his wife were often in the library researching history and studying pictures. He was frequently willing to share his insights into his subjects. 

1945 June 30 mndr advertisement

 

1945 July 1 mdnr "Local Golfers in Tourney"

Local golfdom's first tourney of the season will be staged Wednesday over Miami Country club's nine-hole course.

Men and women will participate in this competitive event. Pro Jack Guild announced Saturday, with special prizes offered winner in each division. 

The male swingers will play over the 18-hole route in a blind bogey event with each linksman selecting his own handicap. The net score, somewhere between 70 and 80, will be the winning total. There also will be an approaching and putting contest on No. 9 green. A driving contest will be offered on the No. 6 fairway, the best average score for three shots, all of which must be within the fairway, determining the champion.

Women golfers compete in a 9-hole blind bogey event. There will be a special 5-hole contest open to players who have taken up the sport this spring, Guild said. Approaching and putting contests will be offered to all players and one even will be open to "beginner putters."  

All entrance fees will be used for suitable awards in each division of play. Prospective competitors may contact Guild at telephone No. 512 for further details. 

1945 July 5 mdrn  "Four Share Top Honor in City Links Contest"

 Three Miamians and a Picher man split the top award into four parts in the blind bogey contest for 18 holes played yesterday on the Miami Country club golf course.

The winning quartet was comprised of Carl Hilliard, John Burford, Bud May, all of Miami, and Bill Hale, Picher. All but Burford spotted themselves 20-strike handicaps, winding up with totals of 92 a piece. Burford, who shot 90, was 18 strokes off the drawn score of 72. Twenty-six others ended "out of the money."

Charley Lewis, driving a total of 705 yards in three efforts, won the award in the long driving division. Lewis trio of drives on No. 6 fairway traveled 230, 241, and 234 yards in that order.

The merchandise prizes were obtained through the courtesy of local businessmen.  

1945 July 8 mdnr 

George L. Coleman, Sr., prominent Tri-State lead and zinc mine executive and Miami pioneer, died at his family estate here at 5pm Saturday. He was 86 years old.

Moving to Miami in 1895, Mr. Coleman and his brother, the late Alfred E. Coleman, were partners in a water well drilling firm when they discovered lead and zinc ore deposits--the first strike in the Picher and Commerce area--on the Gordon land, west of Commerce, in 1905.

Together with C.M. Harvey, now an El Paso, Texas hotel man and banker and the late J. F. Robinson, then in the real estate business, the Coleman brothers formed the Miami Royalty company in taking up mining leases which brought millions of dollars to the firm within a few years. In 1913, the Commerce Mining and Royalty company with Mr. Robinson as president and George L. Coleman, vice president and secretary-treasurer, took over the holdings of the original enterprise. In 1938--in what was the largest financial transaction in the county involving approximately 10 million dollars--the Commerce Mining and Royalty company was purchased by the Eagle-Picher Mining and Smelting company. 

At the time of his death he was part owner of the Miami News-Record and also owned Miami's three theaters. He was chairman of the board of directors of the First National bank. A member of the First Christian Church, affiliated with the Scottish Rite and Shrine branches of the Masonic order. 

Reputed as one of Miami's most aggressive business men, he was instrumental in the building of the Miami Baptist hospital and Hotel Miami soon after the close of World War I, and the establishment of a modern school system for the city.

Through the efforts of Mr. Coleman and his associates, financial nourishment was given the city in the mid 20's with the value of zinc and lead ore shipments attaining an annual worth of $40,000,000 to $50,000,000. He was one of a group of civic-minded citizens who built the six-story, granite trimmed First National Bank building at a cost of $250,000.  

Today, the $300,000 Coleman theater, one of the most modern show-houses in the Southwest, stands as a monument to his memory.

As one of Miami's most generous philanthropists, Mr. Coleman contributed vast sums to several charities, the American Red Cross and other worthwhile endeavors aimed to improve the lot of his fellowmen.

In failing health for several years, Mr. Coleman returned to his home here about a month ago from Denver, Colorado, where he had been with his wife, Mrs. Jessie Coleman, since July 1944. Mrs. Coleman was to arrive in Miami from Denver by plane Saturday night.

Other survivors include one son, Lieut. (j.g.) George L. Coleman, Jr. with the U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C. and three granddaughters, Elizabeth Ann, Sarah Jane, and Susan Fullerton Coleman. 

Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Cooper Funeral home.

1945 August 19 mdnr "Local Pros"

Fifty-four holes scores of leaders in the Memphis open golf tournament included:

Gib Sellers, Hot Springs, Ark.,  137-74=211

Leonard Ott, Joplin, Mo., 142-72=214

Ky Laffoon, Miami, Ok., 143-71=214

1945 September 3 mdnr 

1945 September 4 mdnr

 

1945 December 30 mdnr  "Holiday Dance on Friday"

Approximately 200 people, including many servicemen and other guests, enjoyed the semi-formal holiday Miami Country club dance, sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the club, Friday evening.

The committee in charge of the party, composed of John L. Burford, chairman, John R. Wallace and Wess J. Renegar, received the guests as they arrived. 

The mantle above the fireplace in the ballroom was decorated appropriately for the season with holly, evergreen, candies and Christmas ornaments. Long tables arranged along the walls of the ballroom, furnished a place to observe the dancers. 

Card tables were available in the living room of the clubhouse for those who were not dancing. Basil Baker and his orchestra played from 9-1 o'clock. 

1946

"Reflections of Miami History" writes that the dreaded polio afflicted 34 Ottawa Country residents in 1946 leaving two dead. 

At the college, newcomer S.A. (Red) Robertson, coach, sounded a call for football players; only 16 showed up on opening day of that first post-war season. In 1946 baseball fans campaigned successfully for a professional baseball team, the result being the Miami Blues of the Class D Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League. The Blues, KOM pennant winners, were managed by Guy Froman, Chief of the Peoria Indians and a former professional players. 

 1946 February 3 mdnr "Miami Country Club Elects New Officers"

The board of directors of the Miami Country club announced Saturday the election of Joe S. Thompson, local attorney, as president of the coming organization year. Other officers include John Burford, vice-president, and Floyd Myers, secretary-treasurer.

In line with a program to widen the scope of family activities, it was announced that a dance will be held at 8:30 o'clock next Thursday night. A Joplin orchestra will furnish the music. Other plans by the directors will be announced later this week. 

1946 February 14 "Grist"

Links enthusiasm was pretty sharp on the Miami Country club layout until the current cold snap came along...Last Sunday, for instance, 40 players toured the nine-hole layout...Pro Jack Guild, getting ready for another season as instructor, says the course has been in splendid condition--that is, up the hour the weather broke. 

Ky Laffoon, this city's major contribution to big-time golf, joins the professional links stars today at New Orleans for a slice of the tournament gold....For two months the former Miamian has been taking it easy at Orlando, Florida, golfing at his leisure over the tricky Dubadread (my guess is that this should read Dubsdread golf course in Orlando) course in that city...Ky has been polishing up his strokes so that he may compete in the circuit this winter and spring with the touring pros...

The Associated Press reported recently that Ky was the No 5 man in winnings among the top shotmakers last year, winning $18,000 in all...

They asked Ky down South how long Byron Nelson would continue to be at the top of the links heap.  Here's the comment he offered:

"Byron should last another six or seven years. He's been playing golf for 16 years and has become consistently better year after year. He keeps on improving and keeps interested in his game. He never gets too good to forget practice and he's wise enough not to burn himself out."

1946 February 25 mdnr "Golf Supplies"

Golf supplies won't be plentiful during 1946. Synthetic rubber will be used in manufacture of balls until at least June 1. Thereafter, the linksmen should begin receiving the livelier pellets again.

In the meantime, Pro Jack Guild is trying to get what balls and clubs he can at Miami Country club. Within the next two to three weeks, Guild expects to receive some synthetic rubber balls from Spaulding, Dunlop, and Acushnet, and some clubs from Wilson and Hillerich & Badsby and a few First Flight woods and irons. 

Links fever is spreading and Guild expects many more players in the Miami district this year. In the clubhouse, for instance, most of the larger lockers already are filled; only a few small ones are still available to rent.

Some 50 tee enthusiasts took a cut at the little white ball Sunday and this turnout was not at all unusual. Much work remains to be done on the course, including top dressing.  

1946 March 31 mdnr "Crowds Keep Coming, Golf Booms Along"

Golf, which is enjoying a big boom along most of the nation's fairways, was largely a Sunday pastime at Miami Country club until this year. Now linksmen are turning out in greater numbers and the regulations often made but rarely enforced, will be brought into action.

It seems that Sunday crowds particularly are jamming the greens and, occasionally o t their dismay, the roughs. Some have been touring the nine-hole grass green layouts in fivesomes, must to large a group for Sundays. So from here on, Pro Jack Guild said yesterday, the Sabbath limit will be a foursome. 

The club links instructor said the course is in splendid condition--greens have been top-dressed and fertilized and the bent grass is growing. The practice putting green is being placed into shape for the series of special contests to be held during the late spring and summer nights. 

Guild is leaving Monday for Tulsa to attend a two-day meeting of a store opening there. D.B. Bell & Sons, which is operating a new branch business in T-Town, is inviting visitors. The local pro will attend a meeting of pros Monday evening and one for greens-keepers Tuesday morning. 

1946 April 1 "Almost In"

 

This is the first photo of the course I have found by Orrick Sparlin.

That's a long putt Bob Hill missed by a narrow margin, but the Safeway stores won't pay their managers for close ones. Neither did his two golfing pals, who appear quite interested as the Miami golfer tried to hit the cup. This scene was taken on the 18th hole. In the background are the sand traps, which plague the best of swingers on their off days. 

1946 April 7 mdnr

 Golfers gave par a sound spanking at Miami Country club last week...Charley Lewis shattered figures by five strokes with a sizzling 7 on Thursday, Club Pro Jack Guild reported....Lewis went out in 34 and came in with a scorching 33...He was playing in a foursome that included Leonard Ott, formerly of Joplin, who is now attached to a Florida club...Ott posted 73 for the 18 holes..John F. Robinson posted a sub par 68 earlier in the week...And Hugh Wright, who never before had accomplished the feat, cracked 90 for the first time....He reported 88 on his round Thursday afternoon...

1946 April 7 mdnr  "Golfers Gather" 

 

 Men and women fairways enthusiasts have begun their annual assault on par at the Miami Country club. Each Sunday sees increasing crowds. This photograph, taken from the second floor of the club house looking toward the est, depicts action at the No. 9 green. Between the trees, strolling toward the clubhouse, is a couple calling it quits for the day. At the upper left hand corner you can see a group, if you look closely, moving up the No. 6 fairway. That gentleman, bare-headed, stretched out at the edge of the green is R.O. (Hoot) Gibson. Shown putting is E.G. Frye and Bob Hill and George McGhee look on. 

Jack Guild, club pro, announced Saturday that more golfers have appeared at the course this spring than at any previous period since 1939. He said women probably would organize shortly for "ladies day" golfing programs, which would be staged once weekly. 

1946 April 21 mdnr "Women Golfers Asked to Organize"

Women golfers are being invited to the Miami Country club Tuesday to discuss organization of an association. Officers will be elected at a later date, Pro Jack Guild announced Saturday.

Guild said the purpose of the 10am gathering is to determine how many women are interested in playing the sport this spring and summer. Miami could send players to the Tulsa district and state association tourneys if enough interest is shown. 

Cards were mailed out to 75 ladies, Guild said, but added he probably missed a number who might like to play. It is planned to have one day set aside at the course as "ladies day" each week. 

"Dance Will Be Held"

A spring dance for members and guests of the Miami Country club is set for Thursday night, John L. Burford, entertainment committee chairman, announced Saturday. The dance from 9 to 12 o'clock will feature music by a Camp Crowder soldier band. Admission will be $1.50 per couple.

1946 June 3 mdnr "Golf Tourney Postponed"

Bad weather forced postponement of the week-end handicap golf tournament at the Miami Country club, Jack Guild, revealed today. Guild said the blind bogey affair for 18 holes will be held "the first warm Sunday."

***

Women golfers at Miami Country club will meet at 9:30 am Wednesday for their regular ladies' day game. Reservations for the 1 o'clock luncheon, which will be served by the new caterer, may be made by calling telephone No. 512.

 

1946 June 13 mdnr  "Country Club Women"

The women of Miami Country club enjoyed a day of golf and luncheon together Wednesday.

Mrs. Gordon Anderson, women's golf chairman, appointed the following chairmen to assist her: Mrs. Frank B. Pauly, tournament chairman; Mrs. Gayle Pickens, handicap chairman; Mrs. Lloyd DeVoe, publicity chairman; Mrs. Floyd Newton, treasurer.

Mrs. Denver Seals won the "blind bogey" prize; a prize for low putting score was won by Mrs. Bert Wall. Other women who attended were: Mrs. J.H. Simon, Mrs. Peggy Schultze, Mrs. Jayleen Reniker Nobes, Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. Elvert Frye, Mrs. F.E. Farrier, and Mrs. V.O. Freese.

1946 June 14 mdnr "Coleman Low Golf Scorer"

"Miamian Posts 73 in State Qualifying Round--Opposes McAlester Player."

Crazy golf is the order of things for the Oklahoma amateur golf tournament which open championship match play today.

For the second straight qualifying round a hole-in-one has turned up, yet medalist Bo Wininger, Oklahoma City, was the only golfer in the two days to equal par 72 over the rugged Indian Hills Country club course (Indian Hills later became Rolling Hills and is now The Cherokee Hills Golf Course designed by Perry Maxwell.)

High winds plus tricky greens and hilly fairways have sent scores soaring.

1946 June 16 mdnr "Coleman Wins State Amateur"

George Coleman, Jr., Miami sportsman, today captured the Oklahoma amateur golf championship by defeating Joy Cole of Muskogee, 1 up in a see-saw 36-hole battle over Indian Hills Country club course

The Miami sharpshooter took command of the match on the 29th hole when he went 3 up over his veteran opponent From then on in he was never turned, although Cole twice cut the lead to one hole and stood a chance to tie by winning the 36th. Both player halved the 36th hole with par 4's and that was the match. 

The 18-hole morning round ended all-square with both Cole and Coleman carding 77's. So keen was competition that play was still tied after the 25. Coleman stroked a par 3 for the 26 and started his victory march.

Coleman and Cole consistently got long drives off the tees. Cole's iron shots often found the traps, and he staged several remarkable recoveries to recoup. Both men collected for birdies. Coleman's winning card was 77-77--154 to Cole's 77-78--155.

Coleman, plane pilot and a former motorboat enthusiast, was playing in his third state tournament. In previous competition his top achievement was the quarterfinals of the men's Trans-Mississippi in 1941. Cole, a Muskogee business man, has played every tourney since 1929.

George Coleman became the first Miamian ever to win the Oklahoma amateur golf tournament with his triumph at Tulsa. Coleman, four times champion at Miami Country club, always has excelled at match play. While consistently a low scorer in past tourneys here and at Tulsa, the new state titleist has preferred the type of competition under which he participated last week.

1946 July 4 mdnr "Ladies Day Meeting"

Mrs. Rex M. Graham, Mrs. M.K. Hutts and Mrs. Vernon Sapp were hostesses for the ladies' day meeting at Miami Country club Wednesday. Golf and bridge entertained those present after the luncheon was served. One guest, Mrs. C.W. Letcher, and about 15 members enjoyed the meeting.

1946 July 5 mdnr "Fireworks at the Miami Country club"

A gala display of fireworks on the golf links at Miami Country club began with a family dinner. The spacious dining room opened windows allowing breezes from all directions to cool the event for the 90 plus members in attendance.

Sky rockets soared and burst high above the  golf course on the east side for the first time since the war. Many families, who feared exposing their children to the danger of the crowd indoors because of the recent polio scare, watched the whole show from the lawn or comfort of their cars.  

1946 July 5 "Charley Lewis Has 69 on Links Here"

Charley Lewis shot a sub-par 69 to win the Fourth of July match play tournament at Miami Country club. Bob Longacre and Dick Neel finished second and third in that order. 

Playing against par 72, Lewis had a six-up count for his sizzling 18 holes. Longacre, with a 19-stroke handicap, posted an 86 and went five-up as did third place winner Neel, who toured the course in 83.

Other low scoring entries include: Johnnie Robinson, 71; Jack Myers, 73; R.O. (Hoot) Gibson, 73; Glen Scott, 75; Clarence Carselowey, 78; and J.C. (Gob) Taylor, 79.

 1946 July 14 mdnr "Polio Scare"

The polio scare has canceled the scheduled social and dances at the Miami Country club for boys and girls of the members. The activities will resume when the scare of polio is over. 

"Country Club Luncheon" 

Mrs. Robert Longacre and Mrs. Carl Hilliard will be hostesses for the 1 o'clock luncheon Wednesday for women of the Miami Country club. Reservations for the luncheon should be made by Tuesday evening. 

1946 August 1 "Ladies Luncheon"

 Mrs. V.O. Freese and Mrs. Lloyd Devoe were hostesses for the Wednesday luncheon entertaining women of the Miami Country club. A centerpiece of salmon-colored gladioli was used on the luncheon table. Some of the group enjoyed a morning golf game. Bridge and visiting occupied the afternoon hours.

One guest, Mrs. W. L. Oliver, and these other members attended: Mrs. Gordon Anderson, Mrs. J.H. Simons, Mrs. K.C. Jeffries, Mrs. Glenn McCollum, Mrs. Richard Wright, Jr., and Mrs. Ted Lowry. 

1946 September 22 mdnr "Golf Tourney Planned Here"

Miami Country club's annual handicap golf tournament gets under way this week over a nine-hole grass green layout whose greens recently have been top-dressed especially for the competitive event.

Pro Jack Guild said pairings will be made Sunday night at the clubhouse. Any players who have not received official notification of the tourney may call the Country club--not later than 6 p.m. today. 

The tournament will be a match play affair with one match in each flight to be played off within a week. First round events will begin Monday and continue through next Sunday. Pairings will be announced in the News-Record sports section Tuesday. 

Guild said there will be awards for winners and runners-up in each division, with the number of flights contingent upon the total entry list.

1946 October 8 mdnr "Golf Meet Near Completion"

Play in Miami Country club's handicap golf tournament has reached the semi-finals stage in three divisions and the field will be narrowed to the finals with matches not later than Sunday. Pro Jack Guild announced results:

A flight:  G.R. White bested C.J. Carselowey, 5 and 4; C.F. Lewis, Jr., eliminated Lyndon Scott, 3 and 2; Bud May nosed out Jack Myers, 1 up, and Glenn Scott defeated Al White, 4 and 2.

B flight: Dr. Rex Graham won by default from Fred Newton; Augie Witzansky and Bob Longacre, tied at the end of 18 holes, will play nine extra holes to decide the winner; John Burford eliminated W.L. Williams, 5 and 3, and C.E. Trussler downed Bert Wall, 5 and 4. 

C flight: W.C. Bullock bested George Speer, 2 and 1; Elbert Frye, defeated Dick Wright, 5 and 4; Ivan Fisher edged Noel Wyatt, 1 up over 19 holes, and Bob Hill shaded Carl Hilliard, 1 up on 19 holes.

1946 October 16 "Local Linksmen Into Finals"

Finals have been reached in all three divisions of play in the annual golf tourney at Miami Country club.

C.F. Lewis, Jr., who posted a decisive 8 and 6 victory over G.R. White, in the top half of the A flight semi-finals, will meet Glenn Scott, 5 and 4 victor over Bud May, in the final round. 

B flight: Augie Witzansky eliminated Dr. Rex Graham, 5 and 4, and John Burford downed C.E. Trussler, 5 and 3.

C flight: Ivan Fisher bested Bob Hill, 4 and 2, and W.C. Bullock downed Elvert Frye 3 and 2. 

1946 October 30 "Winners in Links Tourney"

Finals in all three divisions of the Miami Country club handicap tourney will be determined soon for both winners and runners-up. In the A flight, Glenn Scott defeated C.F. Lewis, Jr., 3 and 2. John Burford won the B flight with a 6 and 5 decision over Augie Witzansky and W.C. Bullock captured the C class title from Ivan Fisher, 4 and 2. 

1946 December 19 mdnr "Shelton Heads Medical Setup"

Dr. B. Wright Shelton, Miami physician and surgeon, was elected president of the Ottawa County Medical Society at a business session following the organization's annual Christmas dinner party at the Miami Country club Wednesday night.

Other officers elected for the 1947 term include:

Dr. L.P. Hetherington, Miami, first vice-president; Dr. J. Sherwood Jacoby, Commerce, second vice-president; Dr. J.R. Barry, Picher, third vice-president; Dr. William Jackson Sayles, Miami, secretary-treasurer.

Dr. W. G. Chesnut, Dr. Benjamin W. Ralston and Dr. John E. Highland, Miami physicians, were named as members of the board of censors.

Dr. A. H. Wasson, superintendent of Miami Baptist hospital, and Mrs. Wasson furnished the dinner. Wives of the county's physicians and surgeons attended the function.  

 

 

* The book Miami Forever in our Hearts is available for purchase if you click on the blue link. 

** If you are interested in pictures of Miami in the 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's consider purchasing one of Ron Enderland's Hand Drawn Miami, Ok. Calendars.  2022 Historic Miami, Ok. Calendar

The Miami Daily News Record (mdnr) is my major source of information.  For the sake of the "Timeline of the Miami Golf and Country Club" I have chosen to use the exact words from the newspaper writers because of the times, and language of golf, and the cultural standards of the decades.

 

1943-1944 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF MGCC

Miami came out of the Great Depression a growing city of 8,375 in a county of 35,736 inhabitants. The start of the decade saw a mighty lake, Grand Lake of the Cherokee's, forming behind the longest multiple-arch dam in the world.

Celebrations included an "America on Parade" pageant sponsored by the American Legion. In 1941 a plethora of hoop-la marking of the golden anniversary of Miami's birth. That also was the year the first parking meters were planted along Main street.

Even before the nation's entry into WWII, work had begun to convert Miami's airport into a training school for British flight cadets. Area mines flourished as wartime created a greatly increased demand for lead and zinc.  Many young Miamians went off to war, while on the home front citizens moved from peacetime jobs to jobs related to production for the war effort. Northeastern Junior College gave top priority to training for war-related jobs, and conducted a nursery for children of working war moms. 

The college in 1943 received a new name, Northeastern Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, and a new president, Bruce G. Carter.  (Information from Reflections, the Centennial Collection of Miami's history.)  

 

1943 January 24 mdnr

Directors of the Miami Country Club, meeting Saturday for election of officers, re-elected all current officials to their present positions for the ensuing year. Club officials for this period will include: G.C. Niday, president; M.C. Bagby, vice president, and Wilbur Worley, secretary-treasurer. R.O. (Hoot) Gibson will head the entertainment committee and Frank E. Spencer will be chairman of the house committee.  

Niday, Spencer, Bagby, and Gibson, along with Charles M. Harvey, Jr. and George L. Coleman, Jr., make up the club's board of directors.  

1943 February 1 mdnr "The Grist"

 Pvt. John R. (Jack) Guild, the former Miami Country club professional, is now stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. The links expert arrived there last Tuesday, he said in a card..."Am feeling fine with the exception of a slight cold, " he wrote. Jack, who had been in training for approximately six weeks at Camp Robinson, Georgia, may be reached by writing to Company K, 300 infantry, Fort Benning, Georgia...His number is 38323339. 

1943 March 7 mdnr 

A stag party for members of the Miami Country club is scheduled for 7 0'clock Tuesday night, Chairman Bert Wall said Saturday. The stag session is a regular monthly event at the club.  

1943 March 17 mdnr 

Chili will be the prize plate tonight when the Junior Chamber of Commerce hold a meeting at the Miami Country club, President Charles Chesnut. "Mutt" Farrier and John Burford will serve chefs.

1943 April 4  "The Grist"

Pvt. Jack Guild, former Miami golf pro, back on a 15 day furlough from Ft. Benning, GA was a tired soldier Saturday. He arrived in town at 2 a.m. after a journey that required almost two days and two nights.  

The waistline didn't look the same and inquiry revealed that Jack had trimmed off something like 15 pounds since he entered the Army last Dec. 2...

Jack hasn't touched a golf club since he left Miami...He plans to spend a couple of days here and then go to Tulsa on business.

1943 June 8 "The Grist"

Jack Guild, the former Miami Country golf pro, returned to the city for a brief visit yesterday. Recently discharged by the Army, Jack went to work two weeks ago at the Tulsa Douglas bomber plant's assembly line...With him here were Joe Dahlman, professional at Tulsa's Mohawk club, and Jimmy Gullane, the popular little Scotsman and links tutor from the Bartlesville Hill Crest club. 

1943 August 4 mdnr 

Newest member of the hole-in-one fraternity at Miami Country club is George Archer, who fired his perfect shot on the 120 yard No. 3 hole last Sunday..Archer was playing with Bert Wall at the time. 

1943 August 19 mdnr 

*Through out the year The Grist wrote stories about professional athletes who had joined the war effort, much like the article above on Jack Guild. The Miami Daily News Record weekly ran articles and list of soldiers going to war. 

Here and there with the service men:

Burrell McGraw, former Miami high school and Northeastern Junior college football and basketball star, i splaying baseball with a hospital unit in North Africa...Burrell's brother, Chick, back here on a furlough from Mississippi, said the Miamian is in the same service league with which Zeke Bonura, the one-time White Sox first sacker, is identified. 

George Jenkins, who has seen foreign service with the Marines, hopes to complete training for his commission soon at Quantico, Virginia....In the Marines for more than a year, the former Miami athlete hasn't been back on furlough yet.

Radio Operator Roy Klahr, serving in the engineers' corps, has completed most of his training and is now stationed at San Luis Obispo, California, awaiting further orders...Roy used to be assistant pro at Miami Country Club.

1943 August 22 mdnr "Ky Laffoon Near Leader"

(Chicago, August 21 AP) The ex-Yankee outfield, 35-year-old Sam Byrd, hit a home run in golf today--a sharp sub-par 33-34--67 which pushed him into the halfway lead of Chicago's Victory National Championship with a 36-hole aggregate of 135, nine strokes under standard figures.

A 33-37--70 played by Ky Laffoon of Miami, Oklahoma is in fifth position with a 141.  

1943 October 3 mdnr  "Social Page"

The dance of the Newcomers' Club of Miami is being held Saturday night at the Miami Country club. It will be combination harvest dance, old clothes party, and square dance, according to the committee in charge. Originally planned as a Halloween fancy dress party, the date was postponed to avoid conflicting plans. Rather than have folk go to the expense of buying, hiring or making costumes, it was changed to an old clothes party and the more ragged your raiment the better your chances of winning on of several prizes being offered for the most appropriately dressed.  

 1943 October 11 "The Grist"

Glen Scott and John F. Robinson have seen only two holes-in-one during the course of golf matches and both have been scored against them...The local linksmen were in a threesomes at Springfield, Missouri in 1934 when a golfer made a perfect shot at their expense...Yesterday at Miami Country club "it happened again."  This time it was M.C. (Buck) Bagby who fired an ace--on the 210 yard No. 3...They hunted for the ball several minutes before they trudged over to the cup to find it there...

This was Bagby's second hole-in-one, the other coming back in 1933 while he was playing a course in the Salt Lake City area for the first time.  Using a borrowed club, the Miamian registered an ace on a 247 yard long hole...News has been received that Mrs. Frisbie, long time cateress for the Miami Country club will return after spending time in WAC. She will be serving at tomorrow night's stag dinner.  Members are urged to bring a guest.

1943 October  13 mdnr 

Jack, Guild, the former Miami Country club pro who's now working at the Tulsa bomber plant in town to help with some improvements at the golf course...Jack has been employed at the bomber plant since last May, when he received his honorable discharge from the Army. 

1943 December 12 mdnr
 

 1944 

 1944 January 23 mdnr  "Tony Ming Head the Country Club"

A.J. (Tony) Ming, director of the Spartan School of Aeronautics here, was elected president of the Miami Country club when its board of directors met recently for the purpose of selecting officers for the ensuing year.

H.B. Cobban, general manager of the Northeast Oklahoma railroad, was named vice president. A new secretary-treasurer and various committees will be chosen when the country club's directors meet next month. 

1944 February 13  "The Grist"

Former county athletes may be found anywhere on the globe these days...Two of 'em...Lieut. Beverly Morton of Commerce and Lieut. Red Moore of Miami, enjoy a long talk in China about one month ago today...Beverly, serving with the 14th Air Force wrote his parents about the incident..He talked with Lieut. Tom Harmon just before the former Michigan All-American returned to the United States after his second narrow escape from death on foreign soil...

Tee Shots...Tony Ming is undertaking a new job with unlimited enthusiasm...He is the president of Miami Country club and, in his new capacity, already has begun steps to put golfing and other club activities one the sports calendar...I'm going to try my best to do this job," Tony told 85 members and prospective members at the clubhouse last week..."We're going to put this program over, if we can, with the help of the entire membership."

The club's board of directors, which met Friday, was notified of these appointments for club projects: Russ Hawk, chairman of the general entertainment committee; Frank Spencer, chairman of the house committee; Melvin K. Hutts, greens, and Bert Wall, membership...There will be a club party February 23 for members and their wives. a buffet dinner will be served. 

Other activities Tony has under consideration include the construction of one or more tennis courts...Himself active at one time in the racquet-swinging game, the club prexy said he had learned a great number of others also had participated at one time or another in the sport, which is rated as one of the top conditioners.  

1944 March 5 mdnr  "Stag Party

Tony Ming, president of the Miami Country Club, announced Saturday that the regular monthly meeting scheduled for Tuesday night, March 14, will be a stag party. a most successful party for members and guests was held recently when about 175 enjoyed dancing, bingo, and other kids of games. 

Ming says the party's success was due to the over-all cooperation of the membership who helped put it across. The club has an active program of events ahead, including it s next dance for all members and guests on Friday, March 31.  

1944 March 12 mdnr

The former Miami Country club pro, Jack Guild, is still working at the Douglas aircraft assembly plant in Tulsa...He's staying out at the Mohawk Country club, but probably has little time to practice his golf shots...

1944 March 29 mdnr  "Party at Country Club"

The membership of Miami Country club will have a "party night" affair Friday, March 31, at the clubhouse. A complete buffet supper will be served at 6:30 o'clock, followed by an evening of dancing and games. Music for dancing will be furnished by Seigers Orchestra of Joplin. Admission for the affair will be 75 cents per person. If members plan to bring guest, reservations are to be made by calling No. 1620.

1944 April 9 "For Sale"

Ladies golf club s, man's bicycle, riding, boots size 8. Phone 918.  

 1944 May 21 mdnr "Jack Guild Returns as Pro"

1944 May 21 mdnr  "Country club Seeks Number of Caddies"

 Want to work as a caddy, boy? Pro Jack Guild, of the Miami Country club said Saturday he was looking for applicants, between the ages of 12 and 16, to lug golf balls for Miami's fairway swingers.

"We don't want boys too small or too large," Guild said. "We need quite a few and the quicker boys apply the better."

1944 May 26 mdnr 

Miami Country club's offering a blind bogey golf tourney, Tuesday, Memorial Day...Participants take their own handicaps, Pro Jack Guild said, and then start on their quest for a prize...Linksmen will be permitted to post scores anytime during the day. 

1944 May 31 mdnr "Four Tie for Golf Honors"

 Ideal weather conditions lured a large turnout of golfers to Miami Country club Tuesday for the annual Memorial day blind bogey tournament. Four swingers scrambled to a four-way deadlock for first place with 74, the winning number. Sharing first honors were George Archer, W.J. Worley, W.C. Bullock, and DeAtley Hampton. Dr. Robert E. baron and Frank Kiple tied for second with their 70's. 

Low gross score of the day was posted by John F Robinson, who toured the par 72 layout in 76. Low net score was bob Shortess' 67. He had a 15-stroke handicap. Bud May won the approach prize, driving one onto No.9 green, that stopped only six inches from the cup. 

The ladies' prize went to Mr. Al Scariata with a net 75. Forty-one golfers competed in the blind bogey event, and about 30 other toured the course during the day.  

1944 June 20 mdnr "At least 12 to seek PGA Golf Title"

A field of 12 or more of Oklahoma's professional shotmakers, including George Whitehead of Tulsa, thrice champion, will seek the State PGA golf championship over Miami's rolling nine-holes layout June 20. The Miami course, selected for the fifth time in six yeas as the site for  either the 36-hole championship test or the National PGA qualifying, is in excellent condititon.

Defending Champion Floyd Farley of Oklahoma City, who captured the crown in 1942 in a 36-hole playoff with Whitehead, will be unable to compete since he is in Army training at Camp Robinson, Arkansas. There was no tourney held in 1943.  

In packing all their action into one day, the pros will play 18 holes in the morning and then will pair with local simon pures in the annual pro-amateur event in the afternoon. Low scorer at the end of the two rounds will win Farley's trophy, and the lions share of the cash.  

1944 June 21 mdnr "State PGA Golf Title Claimed by Ponca City Man"

Modes Bill Oliver, Ponca City professional who divides his time between golf course and a war plant job, wore the 1944 Oklahoma PGA links crown today. The victory didn't seem to be of outstanding significance to Bill, ye the Ponca Citian kept his consistent game intact through the closing drive that gave him a 151, a two-stroke edge over his closest rival and tournament favorite, George Whitehead, of Tulsa. 

"I guess I won by default," Bill offered, "Many of the pros are gone, you know." The smooth-swinging Poncan grabbed first honor, a lion's share of the war bonds which went with the triumph and the big silver trophy that Floyd Farley had captured in 1942.

Whitehead played with a recalcitrant putter that has bothered the Tulsan for years. He carded a one-over-par four on No. 8 and then, as a fair-sized gallery looked on in amazement, required seven shots to get down on No.9 giving Oliver the title by two strokes. Whitehead three-putted from four feet away on the last hole. 

Meanwhile, Jack Guild the home club pro, and Ed Lentz, his local amateur partner with a 20-stroke handicap, waltzed off with the pro-amateur title and a sizeable chunk of war bonds with their low net score of 64, eight under par. 

Tied for second and third place were the medalist Bill Oliver and Luther Sheldon, local amateur, and Chuck Worley, Tulsa pro, and Claud Jones, Miami club member. Both combinations had low nets of 66. 

For Sheldon it was his second finish in the "top money." In 1929, the year the first of six PGA meets to be staged here, the local simon pure and Johnny Gatherum, then club pro, scored a fine 65 for first honors. Sheldon played yesterday with a 12 stroke handicap, but 15 years ago he had none, shooting from "scratch." That day, he recalled this morning, he fired a 69 over the ten sand greens layout. 

1944 July 23 mdnr "Tee Shots" by John N. Simpson

  One of the oldest golfing foursomes on record around here was seen in action again the other day. This foursome includes Mayor F. E. Millner, E.C. Fitzgerald, city attorney, Moody Tidwell, Red Cross official, and George Cunningham, of the Cunningham Oil Company. 

According to the information this column received this same foursome has played golf together for 15-20 years. Another unusual feature of the match play is they have always had the same partners with Mayor Millner and Moody Tidwell pairing off against Fitzgerald and Cunningham.  

Golf activity has improved by leaps and bounds during the last few days with the recent cooler spell. Not many except the braver linksmen faced the hot days. 

Picked up at random around the course during the last few days:  Dr. Rex graham took the prize the other day when he laid into his tee shot on No. 1 and it wound up on the green. This is a 328-yard hole and not many of the better golfers drive to the green on this hole...George Stein must have really buckled down and played one for the boys, as he wound up with a 49 for the best round he has ever shot. Mayor Ed Millner came in for his share of the best when he played nine holes in a 49 for the first time he has broken 50...It seems that some of the old timers are coming out again with Russ Hawk's beaming countenance being seen on the links for the first time in years...We wonder if Bert Wall and Cecil Coop and their partners ever got together in the big match that was being talked about some time ago.

** On the author's note, it appears to me that returning golf pro, Jack Guild, is the glue that has led this country club and kept it in the weekly newspapers.

1944 September 10 mdnr "First County Men Entering Berlin, Tokyo to win Prizes"

Tow Ottawa county servicemen--the first to enter Berlin and likewise the first man to arrive in Tokyo--do not know it now but they are going to share equally in a rich award for their distinctive experience.

Growing out of a recent action by the Miami post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the "Ottawa County Berlin-Toko Award" took root when that organization of overseas fighting men deposited a $100 in the Security Bank and Trust company here Saturday.  

"Nelson Four Strokes Out in Front of Jug"

Lord Byron's 208  tops the field in the Texas Open. Ky Laffoon shoot a 219 to count. 

1944 September 20 mdnr  "Ringer Tournament"

Miami Country club's women golfers are invited to participate in a ringer tournament which probably will continue until late October, Jack Guild, club pro said today.  Women wishing to participate should post scores for the three rounds so that handicaps may be determined. Most of the play will be on Monday and Saturday afternoons.  

**Note: Even until I was a teen in the 1960's women and junior golfers were not allowed to play until after 2:00 on Saturday and Sunday. Women had their day on Wednesday in the late 1950's and 1960's. I don't recall any other restrictions.  

1944 December 10 "In Society"

C.H. Mullendor, vice-president and cashier of the First National Bank of Miami, was host to the bank's personnel Friday night with a 7 o'clock Christmas turnkey dinner at the Miami Country club. During the evening motion pictures of local interest were shown by Dick Wills. 

Those present were Charles S. Fox, W.M. Williams, C.V. Ayers, H.S. Maupin, J.B Lehmer, J.W. Hanna, Lyndon Wagnon, Hess Taulman, Theda Barron, Constance Clark, Betty Jane Moon, Audrey Hunter, Evelyn Whetstine, Betty Woods, Mary Lou James, Dorothy Sue Lunday and Virginia O'Bryne.

Special guests were Mrs. J. F. Robinson and Dick Wills. 

1944 December 21 mdnr advertisements 

 :

* The book Miami Forever in our Hearts is available for purchase if you click on the blue link. 

** If you are interested in pictures of Miami in the 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's consider purchasing one of Ron Enderland's Hand Drawn Miami, Ok. Calendars.  2022 Historic Miami, Ok. Calendar

1942 TIMELINE AND STORIES OF MGCC

1942 Miami Golf and Country club history

by Letty Stapp Watt

The Miami Daily News Record (mdnr) is my major source of information. When I cannot locate area golf news I may also use the Joplin Herald (jh)  as a source.  For the sake of the "Timeline of the Miami Golf and Country Club" I have chosen to use the exact words from the newspaper writers because of the times, and language of golf, and the cultural standards from the war and depression years. 

When war came for the British in 1939, sports were immediately and completely abandoned. The British dug deep pits the breadth of their fairways to destroy their value as possible landing strips for German gliders, and unless they were in uniform, few Britishers of sound body and military age ventured on the links. After the Battle of Britain, however, and the removal of the immediate threat of invasion, the British perspective on total war altered and it began to be realized that proper relaxation was the best insurance that men and women, working harder than ever before in their lives, could continue to back the men behind the guns. The English, the Scots, and the Welsh returned to their golf courses and absolved from the fear of condemnation, benefited from their golf and almost as much from the anticipations of a pleasant round on their day off from the factory. 

In the United States people went through a somewhat similar cycle. The threat of an enemy landing being much smaller. As threats passed most consciences were clear when War Manpower Commissioner McNutt told the nation's golfers, officially, to get out and play--golf was not an unpatriotic diversion. Three quarters of the clubs in the United States remained open throughout the war.  (pb. 301,302 from The Story of American Golf)

1942 January 14 mdnr  ...snippets of news...

The Oklahoma Professional Golfers associating, meeting in Tulsa yesterday, voted to purchase a $500 defense bond...A very fine gesture by the professional men...Jack Guild, Miami Country club pro, attended the session at which the action was taken...George L. Coleman, Jr., and John F. Robinson, Miami amateur golfers, were elected honorary members of the PGA for their efforts in stimulating interest in the sport....

What about the golfer needing a new supply of little white pellets? They ought to be easy to get--except for the fact they're made of rubber and the government already has restricted their sale...

1942 February 8 mdnr  ...snippets...

A stag dinner will be observed at the Miami Country club Tuesday night for the first time since new club officers were elected.  Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm, Frank Spencer, chairman of the house committee, said.

A 1 o'clock covered-dish luncheon will entertain members of the Ladies division of the Miami Country club on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the clubhouse. A large attendance of membership is desired as the annual election of officers will be held at this time.   

1942 February 23 mdnr    "The Grist" by Mac Bartlett 

First break of the weather is expected to lure a flock of golfers to the nine-hole Miami Country club layout.....The state PGA's coming to the city again, for the fourth consecutive year, but while the event probably will be held sometime in May no definite days have been set...Henry Picard, the great shotmaker from Oklahoma City, and Ky Laffoon of Miami both have to qualify for the National PGA this year and they may try to do so here...Their entry would give the local event some national attention. 

 

1942 March 2 mdnr "Allies Strike to Drive Japs Off Java"

1942 March 9 mdnr  "The Grist" by Mac Bartlett"

It may be that Ky Laffoon is rounding into his best form at just the right time...Yesterday, the Miamian and Johnny Revolta, shooting eight strokes under regulation figures, ousted Sammy Snead and Ralph Guldahl from the international four ball tourney at Miami, Fla...John F. Robinson, tourney committee chair said that he Oklahoma PGA meet, which will be played here for the fourth straight year with a five-day bombardment will open May 20... Preceding all the state meets here, like the one at the clubhouse Tuesday night, are stag night affairs in which the visiting pros renew friendships with local amateurs....

1942 April 5 mdnr  "war snippet"

The news often reports on athletes being called to war. Lieut.-Col. John C. Butner, Jr., welcomes Maj. Wallace Wade to Field Artillery Replacement Center at Ft. Bragg, N.C. Major Wade left athletic directorship and head foot ball coach's position at Duke University to return to active service. Lieut.-Col. Butner was his teammate on the Brown football team which lost to Washington State in the Pasadena Rose Bowl, January 1, 1916. 

1942 April 12 mdnr  "Ky Laffoon Back From Golf Wars: Miamian Shot Sub-Par 67, Despite Cold Putter, in Asheville Event.

Ky Laffoon, Miami's No. 1 golfer, has returned from the professional tournament trail for a much needed rest. The local shotmaker, who reached his best form in his last rough at Asheville, N.C., during the Land of the Sky open last Sunday, said he had made no plans to qualify for the National PGA tourney. This event will be held May 15-31 in Atlantic City, N.J.

Laffoon said the 67 he fired in his closing round as Asheville was "one of my finest in a long time" He turned in the par-shattering performance despite a recalcitrant putter.

"I missed eight putts on the round that ranged from two to six feet," Ky said Saturday. "Otherwise my shots were clicking and in the round I played some of my best golf in alone time." His remarkable finish enabled the Miamian to finish in a tie with Ralph Guldahl and Jimmy Demaret for fourth, fifth, and sixth place money. His total for the 72 holes was 253. 

Laffoon and his wife arrived his Friday and will stay for several days. The Miamian, who is still listed as a PGA member from Chicago district, cold transfer his membership to Oklahoma and thus become eligible to participate in the state meet in Miami next month. However, he did not indicate he would try to qualify anywhere this year. 

 

1942 April 14 mdnr  "Lyndon Scott Scores Year's First Ace"

The year's first hole-in-one member out at Miami Country club is Lyndon Scott, Picher business man. Playing in a threesome Sunday with Sam Fullerton and Tony Ming, Lyndon used a No 4 iron on the 151-yard No. 3 hole to score his ace. 

A stiff wind was blowing at the time the ball plopped into the cup. In fact, Lyndon's drive struck about two inches past the hole, but with the aid of the wind and backspin bounded in the "back door" for his ace.  "Whew!" the linksman exclaimed after the perfect shot finally dawned on him. "That's my first ace and I'm just waiting here to see that it fell into that hole."

More  than 20 other pellet swatters toured the nine-hole layout, now in splendid condition, Sunday afternoon...Perhaps the best round--it was the lowest reported anyhow---was the 37-37--74 turned in my John F Robinson. Playing with Robinson, MC. (Buck) Bagby had a pretty fair last nine, requiring 39 strokes after goin out in 42...

Others who got in some swings over the course yesterday, included: Dr. L.P. Hetherington, W.C. Lueders, Dr. R.E. Baron, Wesley Bullock, Alderson Thompson, R. O. Gibson, S.E. Long, F. E. Millner, Jack Myers, Bill Neel, Kenneth Neal, G.C. Niday, D.E. Reitz, Glenn Scott, Ted Stith, G. R. White, Bob Dixon, Dr. F.K. Kirkpatrick, and DeAtley Hampton. 

***

Jack Guild has been notified by the national association that sectional qualifying rounds must be played by May 8. Guild said he would contact Floyd Farley at Oklahoma City today to clear up the tournament-getting problems...

1942 May 3 mdnr  "Professional Golfers to Play Over Miami Course this Week"

Although five of the "old guard" won't be here, this week's annual Oklahoma PGA golf tournament is churning up lots of interest locally in the links sport. Miami Country club's rolling nine-hole course is ready to give the play-for-keeps boys another severe test. Par's seldom been broken, not over the 36-hole stretch at least, and there's no visible evidence the layout is going to be easier this time.

U.C. Ferguson, assistant pro at Lincoln Park in Oklahoma City, is joining the army Tuesday. He's the fifth PGA member who'll not be back for this year's show, which starts with the 18-hole pro-amateur next Thursday and runs through Sunday with the finals in the match play.

Others who will not be on hand are Harold Nenhinger of Tulsa and Howard Estep of Fort Smith, Ark., both in the army, and Buddy Poteet and Frank Higgins, both of Tulsa, who have accepted national defense jobs. 

Pro Jack Guild announced Saturday night that 35 local "simon pures" have signed up to participate with the visitors in the pro-amateur Thursday. 

Guild said Joe Dahlman of Tulsa, a veteran professional links instructor and former president of the Oklahoma PGA will make his fourth consecutive appearance in the event on the Miami layout. George Whitehead of Tulsa Indian Hills is the defending match play titlist. Last year Floyd Farley of Oklahoma City won the 36-hole qualifying test here (which will be played next Friday). He will return to defend his honors. 

On Saturday, the eight low scorers in the qualifying will be bracketed for the start of 18-hole match play. The two survivors in morning and afternoon competition that day will meet for the big trophy now in Whitehead's hands. 

1942 May 4 mdnr  "The Grist" by Mac Bartlett"

Charley Lewis and Lyndon Scott, Miami Country club golfers, ousted Fred Rauch and Harold Stiles, Tulsa swingers, by a 2-up margin Sunday in the first round of the Tulsa World PGA four-ball tourney....It was Scott's fine play that gave the Miami combination an early lead...

Scott toured the first six holes of the Mohawk course in par figures to give the local combination a three-hole edge in the match play affair...Lewis and Scott will compete in the second round next Sunday...

Jack Guild, local professional, and his amateur partner, Dr. R.E. Baron, were eliminated by a couple of fine golfers, Clyde King, Jr., and Harold Lahar, former University of Oklahoma football star...The margin was 6 and 5...

***

While at Tulsa, Miamians learned that there'll be a representative field of pro golfers here Thursday through Sunday for the annual PGA...Among them will be: Bill Witherspoon, Tulsa Southern Hills who hasn't competed here previously in the PGA; Jess Stuttle, Marion Askew, John Dahlman, C.J. Worley, Hugh Bancroft and Sandy Francisco, all of Tulsa; Jimmy Gullane and Harland Hicks, both of Bartlesville; Charley Weisner of Muskogee and Floyd Farley of Oklahoma City...There'll be several other from Oklahoma City and Bill Oliver of Ponca City also is expected....

Worley and Bancroft are newcomers to PGA circles...Both have served out the necessary five years of links instruction to qualify for membership...

***

Saturday night's storm brought some damage to the local links....Both No 7 and No 9 greens were damaged by flying pieces of wind-swept wood...A table on the south porch of the clubhouse was smashed against the roof of the "drive-under" to the clubhouse and then was carried onto and over the No. 9 green, tearing up the sod in several places...The greens will be smoothed out and limbs blown down from many of the trees will be removed from the fairways today....

***

While the pro-amateur event, slated for Thursday, is really the first bit of fairway fireworks, in the fourth annual meet in Miami, the club members and pros will gather at the dinner table Wednesday evening to lay their plans...

1942 May 5 mdnr "P.G.A. Thursday"

From the reports already received from the shotmakers, Jack Guild Miami Country club pro, estimated today there would be 15-18 professional golfers here Thursday through Sunday for the Oklahoma PGA tourney.

A surprise entry came Monday with the arrival of Bill Laffoon, granted a week's furlough from Fort Sill. 

There are 37 club members signed up for play in Thursday's pro-amateur. They include:

G.R. White, Buddy May, Mil Caldwell, Jack James, E.K Scott, Glenn Scott, Dr. R.E. Baron, George Windham, Joe Thompson, Bert Wall, Fred Newton, Myron Jenkins, John F. Robinson, Dr. M.A. Connell, Kelly Spencer, Joe Spencer, Jack Myers, Lyndon Scott, L.J. Bowers, W.J. Worley, LeRoy Heath, Claude Jones, R.O. (Hoot) Gibson, Bob Dixon, M.C. (Buck) Bagby, M.K. Hutts, W.C. Bullock, Jim Campbell, Wilton Taylor, Al white, 

__________________________________________________

Fried chicken and strawberry shortcake, gentlemen, will be the main dishes on the menu. Wednesday night when the Country club dinner is served at 6:30 o'clock in the clubhouse. At this time, pairings for the Thursday's 18-hole pro-amateur will be announced. Club members also will met the pros with whom they are to play.

__________________________________________________

C.J. Carselowery, G. C. Niday, Sonny Peacock, Alderson Thompson, Luther Sheldon, Dr. L.P Hetherington, and Sam Fullerton.

Handicaps will be figured out for the 'simon pures' by Wednesday morning and their pairings with the visiting golfers will be announced at the stag dinner. 

 

1942 May 5 mdnr  "Ky Laffoon Is Low Scorer at Chicago"

Ky Laffoon of Miami Okla, a free-lance pro who holds a membership in the Illinois section of the PGA, yesterday posted a 73-75--148, on Glen Oaks' par 72 course to pace the seven qualifiers for the PGA golf championship in Atlantic City the week of May 25.  It was the tenth straight time Laffoon qualified for the tourney. 

1942 May 8 mdnr  "Three Way Tie as PGA Meet Begins"

Jess Stuttle of Tulsa and George Windham; Bill Oliver of Ponca City and Al White; and Bill Witherspoon of Tulsa and Dr. M.A. Connell have low ball scores of 64.

The professional shotmakers got away on their 36-hole test in threesomes. After today's eight low scorers are named, pairing will be made for two rounds of match play Saturday morning and afternoon. Then the finals will be held Sunday over the 36-hole route. 

The best round of the day was Whitehead's even par 72. The Tulsa Indian Hills pro went out in 37, but came in with a sparkling 35. Outstanding shot and the most timely as well was amateur Al White's hole out on No. 18 when he took a sand wedge to blast out of the trap. It enabled him to tie for highest honors.

1942 May 10 mdnr  "Tulsa Pro to Meet O.C. Player Today for PGA Trophy"

Defending champion George Whitehead of Tulsa will meet dapper Floyd Farley of Oklahoma City at Miami Country club today in the 36-hole finals of the annual Oklahoma PGA match play tournament. The finalists will be firing away for about $75 cash today, with the lion's share, 50 going to the winner. 

If he's victorious in the finals Farley will have made a clean sweep of the annual tourney. For he led the field Friday with a 36-hole total of 149 to qualify for the National PGA meet in Absecon, N.J. May 25 to 31.

1942 May 11 mdnr  "Floyd Farley Lifts Oklahoma PGA Trophy"

 Handsome Floyd Farley of Oklahoma City had a handsome golf trophy today to show for his links consistency. Driving just a bit more accurately into and with a stiff southwest wind that swept across the local course throughout the day, the Oklahoma Citian combined this slight edge with an enormous advantage on the greens to rout George Whitehead 5 and 4, Sunday afternoon. 

The conquest came in the 36-hole finals. Whitehead, the defending champion, simply didn't have enough to hold on. Terminating the match on hole No. 32, after lifting his game to near par levels in the afternoon, Farley was decidedly the better of the two in the Sabbath struggle. During the morning round, both faltered in the stiff wind that swept the layout. They staggered in for lunch with seven-over-par 79's for the first 18 holes. 

1942 June 16 mdnr  ...snippets from The Grist...

About 60 golfers, playing under ideal weather conditions tested the Miami County club layout Sunday...Some unusual shots and several good scores...Phillip (Skinny) Peacock ran down a 35-foot putt on No 9 and, a few moments later, Paul Campbell, a member of a different foursome pitched into the cup from a short distance off the carpet...Those are the kid of shots that chill the boys standing around to wait for a six-footer...Miami Golfers will be doing their part for the Red Cross war fun on July 4 and Labor Day links events...All proceeds from the entry fees will go to the Red Cross. 

Since the days of clubs and rocks, fighting
men have had their mascots...WARDOG.

 

 

 

 

1942 July 26 mdnr  ....snippets from "The Grist"

Seven Miamians are  competing in the Tri-State meet at Joplin today....Charley Lewis qualified last week with a 71 and will play 36 holes in the championship class...Others from Miami who were slated to compete in various brackets include Dave Coats, Dr. R.E. Baron, George Windham, Clarence Carselowey, Joe Thompson and G.R. White...

 

1942 August 16 mdnr  ...snippets from "The Grist"

 

The WPB's (War Production Board) latest order concerning sports good may affect golf more than any other...Jack Guild, pro at Miami Country club, said Saturday he received a letter from the L.A. Young company stating that WPB will permit no more covering of old golf balls...The process by which the old pellets were covered had been looked upon as a method of saving certain vital materials....

1942 September 25mdnr "Bing Crosby and Golfer Ed Dudley, Who Visited Miamians Thursday, to Play Benefit Golf Match at Tulsa Today."

Ed Dudley, the pro golf star and Bing Crosby, the movie crooner, played one unscheduled match in the state when they stopped in Miami to see their friends Mr. and Mrs. George L. Coleman, Jr., on their recent bond-selling tour. That was over the Miami Country club course, where Big Ed served as professional 22 years ago.

Dudley and Bing stopped at Miami on their way to Tulsa. Dudley wanted to pay a call on his old friend, Jack Guild, now pro at the Miami layout. Big Ed recalled that when he was at Miami the club had sand greens back in 1920—the year he started his meteoric rise in the golfing world that has carried him to the present rank as one of the nation’s best and President of the Professional Golf Association.

"I don't see how he holds up under the strain of meeting hundreds of persons everywhere he goes--but he does," said the congenial Dudley. "At Kansas City yesterday, 400 to 500 persons swooped down upon him when we got off the train at the Union station. There's nothing he can do, except meet them, and he does a good job of it" 

Bing, who is really on a vacation but spending it selling war bonds on the golf links of the nation, dresses for comfort and appears nonchalant, while playing golf although he's in there consistently with the 70's.  The film-star and Dudley, played 13 holes over the local course late in the afternoon. A gallery that numbered only a few at the start swelled to unexpected proportions before they called it a day, swinging back to the No. 5 green from the short No. 3.

Mrs. George Coleman, Jr., and Miss Patty Fullerton  joined them in  a foursome. "I don't know exactly what I have shot," the singer admitted toward the end of his play. He said, he enjoyed shooting over the course, which he said was in "fine" condition. 

Bing's drives carried considerable depth for a man who weights 145-150 pounds. Rather short, heavily-tanned, he wore a yellow sport shirt, brown trousers, white shoes and a gray, striped cap. 

Before tuning up their golf shots for today's appearance at Tulsa's Southern Hills club, Bing and Dudley visited Judge S.C. Fullerton's Sunbeam farm. There they saw Prince Sunbeam, 29 grand champion at the Fort Worth livestock show. Sam Fullerton escorted them through the barn, housing the prize animals.

Bing made a number of friendly wagers on the outcome of today's matches. He lost one yesterday when he said he could tour the par 36 country club layout in 38. Whatever his score was, it was a bit above that number. However, he shot par figures on a few holes, and made a remarkable approach on the long No.6 hole, over 500 yards in length. 

Before leaving the clubhouse, a large group of teen-age girls swarmed about Bing, pleading for him to sing. "I really couldn't do it," he told them seriously, "I don't have any music with me"

But they all "nailed" him for his autograph, which he gave graciously and with a frequent smile.

He will be back "on the job" October 1 when he resumes his radio (Kraft music hall) and film work. After Tulsa, they will go to Oklahoma City, then on to Houston where they will conclude their bond-selling tour. 

Note the signature of Crosby across the bottom of the tee top.

* The small red tee, only one inch and a half long, is a true souvenir from a thirteen year old golfer and Crosby fan, Sarah Hilliard Mirjanick, who received it from Bing Crosby on the day he played golf in Miami. The picture of the tee was shared by Sarah's daughter,  Rebecca Mirjanick Davis. 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1942 September 27 mdnr "Nation-wide Gas Rationing Slated to Start Nov. 22"

1942 October 11 mdnr  "Golfers Swing for Fat Prizes"

Miami Country club officers announced Saturday a lucrative prize list for the golfers who emerge victorious in the current tournament, which will reach completion of the second round in all flight by Sunday night. 

The championship field already has been narrowed down to four players, but there were only six placed in the select class this year. M.C. Bagby, who drew a bye, will oppose Glenn Scott, a 4 and 3 victor over Alderson Thompson. M.K. Hutts, who eliminated Paul Wilson 2 and 1, will meet Dr. R.E. Baron, who drew a bye, in the other. 

 

Class A--Al White defeated Luther Sheldon, 2 and 1; Ted Stith ousted Virgil Fichter, 3 and 2; R.O. (Hoot) Gibson, bye; Lyndon Scott, bye; G.R. White bested George Windham, 4 and 3; JOe Thompson trimmed Dr. W. B. Sanger, 4 and 3; Kenneth Neal, bye.

 

Class B--DeWitt Watters won by default; G.C. Niday eliminated Gene Reitz, 5 and 4; Frank Spencer, bye; C.R. Jones downed Bob Dixon, 7 and 6; Bud May, bye; W.J. Worley defeated Noel Wyatt, 7 and 6, and Philip Peacock and Bert Wall both advanced by defaults.

Class C--W.C. Bullock won by default; Leroy Heath, bye; Carl Hilliard, won by default; A.J. Poleete, won by default; H.C. Hampton, bye; Sonny Peacock, won by default; Sam Long, bye; E.K. Scott, won by default.

Class D--Georg J. Stein, Dr. J.B. Hampton, and Dr. F.K. Kirkpatrick each won by default; Myron Jenkins, nosed out Dr. L.P Hetherington, 1 up in 19 holes.

 

Following are prizes:

Championship flight--Silver cup, donated by Williams Jewelry, first prize; one-half dozen golf balls, Oklahoma Tire & Supply, second prize.

Flight A--Hair brush and comb set, Simon Jewelry, first; shaving set, Miami Coca-Cola Bottling company, second.

Flight B--Billfold, Dr. R.E. Baron, optometrist, first; three golf balls, Ed Millner hardware, second. 

Flight C--Eversharp pencil, Dawson Jewelry, first; sweater, Hub clothing, second. 

Flight D--Shaving set, Coleman-Hutts, first; tie, B&K clothing, second.

 

For the first contestant scoring a 91 a fountain pen will be awarded by the Dixon Printing company. 

 

**Final results of the 1942 Club Championship were not found in the Miami Daily NewsRecord. The reasoning may be the massive numbers of men called to war, including Pro Jack Guild. 

 

 

 1942 October 20 mdnr  ...snippets from The Grist

 

 Paul Smith, former Miamian now stationed at Tulsa, paced the floors of Tulsa's St. John's Hospital the other day with Buddy Poteet, formerly of Commerce and one-time an assistant pro at Miami Country club...Smith became the father of a girl, while Buddy beamed at the arrival of a boy..Another golfer, no doubt, who'll knock those clothesline drives down the fairways like his daddy, who won the Oklahoma PGA Open here several years ago.

1942 November 29 mdnr  "The Grist" 

For the second time in his life, affable Jack Guild, golf professional at Miami Country club is marching off to war. He'll be fighting again for the Allies, but under the American flag instead of British colors. When 17, he made his first trip to war, joining the Royal Marines with whom he saw two years of service, eight months of which were spent in campaigns in France, at the Rivers Meuse-Argoone offensive, the battle of Somme River, and the Soissons River.

The Miamian will leave here Wednesday for Fort Sill and assignment in the regular army.

Jack Guild, professional, called to war.

Jack Guild, a native of Troon, Scotland, the links professional began World War duty after residing at Newcastle, in Northern England. His brother and sister presumably are in England (he hasn't heard from either of them for more than a year) and the former, who has served with the British fleet's air arm, was stationed at last reports, at an airdrome. 

Jack took out his first U.S. citizenship papers a number of years ago and is no awaiting his second. After four years of links apprenticeship in Newcastle, England and at Troon, the Scotsman became eligible for professional work. He came to this nation in 1924, serving  his first club at Bonham, Texas. 

During succeeding years, the Miamian has been a golf instructor at Louisville, Ky., Muskogee and at Tulsa's Oakhurst club (now the Oaks Country Club, Tulsa redesigned by Perry Maxwell), from which he came t this city in March of 1939. 

***

Golf has enjoyed a noticeable growth here--until wartime conditions affected it--under Guild's direction. "I like it fine here," he said Saturday, "and would like to return after the war. But I may not get back into the golf business when this is over."

The Scot is proud of his many good golfers developed in this city and is of the opinion they could "hold their own" with those of "practically any other club in the state."

***

In 1929, Jack finished in second place in the annual Oklahoma PGA golf tourney, which was played, incidentally, at the old grass greens course here. With the new grass greens layout, golf membership steadily has increased and a marked interest was shown until the tie war broke out. 

The golf expert, who also is well qualified in caring for grass greens, is single. No successor has been named to his position by the Country club.

1942 December 7 mdnr "Athletics Help In War Effort" by Harold Classen

A year ago today...Pearl Harbor.

Despite the early-death rumors for sports immediately after the Japs' unannounced visit to Hawaii, the nation-wide interest in athletics continues today and the sports world--remodeled in spots and revamped in others--goes on in its three-fold war purpose of (1) furnishing entertainment and holstering morale, (2) raising relief funds, and (3) conditioning prospective fighters. 

So let's make a brief check to see what has happened to sports and what sports has made happen in the past 12 months.

Sports described: Boxing, Racing, Baseball, Football and Golf.

Golf: The ruling body gave up its national championship program but sent its professionals out for relief exhibitions and its amateurs to digging divots for the same cause...Relinquished such players as Bob Jones and Bud Ward to the Air Force, Sam Snead to the Navy, Dick Chapman, Pat Abbott, Ed Oliver, and Jim Turnesa to the Army.

 

All other branches of sport contributed--both in cash and manpower--in proportion. Virtually the only outright casualties were the Pan American games, automobile and boat racing. And they were dropped only because they consumed gasoline which Uncle Sam needs for his fighting nephews.  

 

 

1942 December 9 mdnr  ...snippets from The Grist...Jack Guild, the former Miami Country club pro, writes from Fort Sill, where he is temporarily stationed with the army, that "things are going all right so far"...He says he's been outfitted and had his shots, but doesn't know yet where he'll be assigned..."All the Miami boys are doing fine," the veteran of World War I added...