The Independence Years 1950-54

1951 Independence Country club, Independence, Kansas

 

North

                                     West                    East 

South

I somehow managed on the Timeline to skip the Independence years and my father's time as a golf pro, club manager, and professional bowler. As a child from age's three to five, these years were very formative for me. Finding this aerial view lifted my heart and brought joyous memories.

The facts are few but the stories are full.

My parents were in their mid-thirties when I was born in Arcadia, California in 1947, and a long ways from their Kansas roots in Wichita. In those short years in the late forties both of my grandfather's died in Wichita leaving behind two grandmas. My parents made the decision to move back to Kansas and be closer to home. Although my mother always told me that the one earthquake that knocked her baby daughter off the bed was enough for her to decide that Kansas and its tornadoes were where the family needed to be, not California.

1952 The Independence Daily Reporter

 A golf demonstration was given by Johnie Stapp, professional golfer and manager at the Independence Country club, at Friday's weekly noon meeting of the Rotary club at the Booth hotel.

The genial golf teacher climbed to the top of the table with a variety of clubs and showed an appreciative and attentive audience the proper grip, stance, direction and swing to be employed on the links. He pointed out that one of the greatest weaknesses of the average golfers was in the grip and to get out of the duffer class it was necessary to first develop a good and correct golf grip.

Bernard Locke was in charge of the program and President Watt McBrayer, presided. Bud Holliday, Coffeyville and Clarence Oakes were visiting Rotarians at the meeting.  

By 1950 we moved to the small square house, shown above to the right of the water tower and hidden by the trees. Behind and to the right of the house was the working barn for all equipment.  The bowling alley was the long building on the West side, and the golf shop was the building south of the bowling alley.

The clubhouse on the North was magnificent from a child's point of view. The dance floor hosted many a Saturday night dance party. I was never privy to those dances, however, I did spend time in the large kitchen at the back. The staff, mostly black women were the kindest and happiest people I could ever meet.

The clubhouse was my first memory of snowmen made of huge rolls of snow with a carrot nose and eyes made out of coal. At Christmas and Easter the clubhouse was decorated by women members of the club, staff,  and my mother. Icicles hung from the tree inside and tree outside, lights sparkled during the night.  

The Easter bunny not only came to the country club for all of the boys and girls, but he even came into our house. He was larger than life and brought a basket of eggs. I think they were for my new baby sister, Jonya Lea, who had been born December 11, 1951. 

The man who played a large roll in my life was Alex. He was shorter and rounder than my father and could smile larger and laugh louder than anyone I had ever met. His skin was dark which meant nothing to me, as the caddies who played out back of our house and by the golf shop were both black and white boys.

Alex must have been dad's right hand man. When I wanted to learn how to bowl, at age 3-4, Alex set up the bowling alley so that my small body could roll a ball a few yards down the lane. The smell of the bowling alley,  cigarette smoke and chalk powder, has stayed with me all of my life.   When I went to Catholic school at age five, Alex often took me to school in the mornings. I was so proud to ride in his brown car. 

Mother taught me that rolling thunder in the storms was really "the potato man in the clouds is pushing and dropping cart loads of potatoes to the ground." As proof one day, we drove by a downtown grocery store and outside in a bin were fresh potatoes, arriving after a terrible storm the night before. Proof enough for this four year old.  The grocery store was owned by Vivian Vance's father. She is better known as Ethel Mertz on the I Love Lucy Show.  Mother thought that was very special. Even as an adult, I often hear those potatoes pounding the skies and ground as the potato man drops them from above.

The golf course was very busy. One day an ambulance swerved into the big drive way and drove onto the golf course. I was terrified because I knew that no one was allowed to drive a car on the golf course. What I didn't know was that a man had a heart-attack on the course and the ambulance came to save his life. Sadly, he died that day on the golf course and I can remember someone saying that was a great way to die. In these later years of my life, I have thought about that moment and believe that he was a lucky man. 

The golf course was only nine holes. The large green to the east of the clubhouse was part of my playground. I was allowed to putt but never to run on the green. A golf club in my hand was how I tramped around the lands. Even though the picture looks flat, the land rolled. Behind our house the hill rolled gently down to a stream of water that fed the lake off to the right of the practice green. 

1952 August 9 

1952 The Independence Daily Reporter

(Winners of the kids golf tournament at Independence Country club under the supervision of Miller Harmon on the left, and Johnie Stapp on the right are: four year old Letty Stapp in the Pee-Wee division, daughter of professional golfer, Johnie Stapp; Kay Cowan in the 8-12 year old girls division, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rex Cowan; Tony Johnson, winner of the boys 8-12 division: and Joe McNeil who won the over 12 division. There were 17 entries in the tourney which climaxed six-weeks of lesson given to the kiddies free at the ICC. Miller Harmon, city recreational director, organized the golf clinic, and Johnie Stapp donated his time to give them lessons. The youngsters were given theater passes by Billy Wagner, Booth Theater, as prizes and also golf balls. The older set received golf merchandise at the club.)

I learned to ride a two-wheeled bicycle behind our house. Dad pushed me off and away I went down the hill. Like my daughter in the 1970's I crashed, busted my knees and jumped back on the blue bicycle. 

My parent's best friends were Paul and Hazel Woods and their two daughters Paula and Barbara. Their daughters were our evening and often daytime babysitters in the summer. Mother helped dad in the bowling alley and kept the books for the club. 

I learned about friendship from the Woods' family. Into the late 1970's I stayed in touch with the girls and their parents. Paul and Hazel moved to Ponca City with Sinclair oil.  My daughter and I visited them one weekend. Hazel played the piano and could cook better than my mother.  Hazel baked homemade brownies and put them by my side on the piano bench, so I wouldn't forget them on the drive home to Norman, Oklahoma. We played duets on the piano that late evening and she showed Katy how to play. Half way home to Norman, we realized that we had left our delicious brownies. I never saw the Woods family again. Nor did I ever iron our sheets and underwear and Hazel tried to teach me!

But I digress...

My father, Johnie Stapp, loved the game of golf. It had saved his life when he was a youngster with burned arms and he wanted to give others the same opportunity. Here is a glimpse of his desire to share the game of golf. His years in Wichita can be read by clicking on this link Johnie Stapp, the Wichita Years.

In 1952 the golfers from Independence Country club and the Elks Club were often in inter club matches with Coffeyville, Pittsburg, and Miami, Oklahoma. The ICC had an ace golfer whom dad proudly took to many local and state golf tournaments. His name was Dave Dennis. 

 

1952   The Independence Daily Reporter 

Professional golfer, Loddie Kemper visited ICC and played an exhibition round of golf. Pictured above is: Stew Stuart, Dave Dennis, Johnie Stapp, and Loddie Kemper.

1953  The Independence Daily Repoter  Women's Professional Golfer, Betty MacKinnon, will be featured in a clinic and 9-hole match Sunday afternoon at the ICC. The clinic and exhibition will be open to the public without charge, Johnie Stapp, pro-manager announced.

Stapp said the free golf clinic which will be conducted by Miss MacKinnon begin at 1:00. Following the clinic, Miss MacKinnon will play a 9-hole round with Mrs. G.C. McClain, Mrs. Joe Moss, and Mrs. Earl Allison. 

The Texas golfer teamed with Sam Snead to win medalist honors with a 64 in the 1952 Orlando, Florida two-ball tournament, and has finished in the top 10 in a number of tournaments across the nation. 

*Notice the 3,175 yardage on this nine hole course. Men and women played the same tees, perhaps a touch up front of the men, but they par changed depending on length. Betty MacKinnon's 40 was only one over par.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My father began to invest interest in the new "golf scooter" produced in Neodesha, Kansas, right up the road from Independence. Dad was a self-trained mechanic and could fix or drive anything.  

1953 June 28  Independence Daily Reporter

 Kids Golf Program Gets Underway.

The kid's golf program being sponsored by the Independence CC, the Elks Club, and the Civic Center began Friday morning with more than 25 youngsters of all ages taking part in the initial session. The Friday session was held at the Elks CC. Johnie Stapp, PGA from Independence Country club show the youngsters how to properly hold a golf club.  

In the spring of 1954 my father took a position as golf professional in Miami, Oklahoma. We moved leaving behind precious memories of my times playing in sand piles behind our home; learning how to crack black walnuts by driving over them with a car and then gathering them up to piece by piece to dig out the walnut meat; discovering that snakes really do eat golf balls; loving our country club dog; and learning not to ever sit on a pop bottle, even if the big boys can sit on one, because the red juice at the bottom of the empty bottle might just have a bumble bee down there and bumble bees sting right through clothing and hurt little girls pride. 

For other stories about golf history please look through the archive column on the right and click on the various years. 

For other personal stories that I write please click on this link to read the stories of Literally Letty  

 

Sincerely, Letty Stapp Watt

 

1930-1962 MIAMI GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB FLOOR PLAN AND HISTORY

 

Updated 10.16.2022

1930's postcards of the Miami Country club.

 

                                                                                                   

This is the view I saw on a daily basis as a child growing up around the Miami Country club.  The building faced the North side where the pro shop ran a business, two lower outside bathrooms for boys and girls were available. To the left, the open space held benches for shade and golfers could sit on the north or east sides of the club house and watch others playing golf from the shade of the clubhouse.

  

I can't begin to recall the names for us as this picture, captured with my mother's Brownie Kodak camera, must have been about 1957-58. I am on the front row, the girl with two huge pony tails on my picture right is Renicker daughter and her brother is there somewhere. On the second row Joe Thompson is the first,... the last three on the right are Nancy Baron, Patty Lou Gibson,  Sara Lynn Salling.  The third row on the left is Richard Wright, Katy Murphy, Joyce Luttrell, Bob Hill, ?,? Bill Lacaff, Richard Russell.  Fourth row standing ? Sue Lowry ..  sixth from the right is Hoot Gibson. (What fun it has been to correspond with people and refreshing our memories about that time and place. Thank you all for your help)

What is unique about this photo is the emptiness around. On the right side notice the open door under the stairwell. The space under the steps held the push carts for rent. When I worked there from 1960-- the cart handle cost 10 cents in the 50's but went up to a quarter in the '60's. Once paid I retrieved the cart handle from a barrel in the back of the golf shop, attached it to the push cart and set it up for the golfer to walk directly to the first tee, facing north. Once a person walked under the steps and beyond the cart storage, the boys restroom was under the porch and to the right. There were several showers and toilet stalls. It was used by men and boys.

The girls bathroom was raw and open like the boys. The door faced the entrance to the swimming pool. We merely stepped on several slabs of concrete and down one step and underneath the porches above. There were lockers for bathing suits, two toilets with doors, and two showers. The concrete was wet and slippery. During the winter months these doors were locked. It was also used by women golfers and girls swimming.

The golf shop stood on the bottom floor immediately behind the kids in this photograph. It also served as the passage way to the lower floor where the men and women had locker rooms. 

The postcard view (is looking at the southeast corner)shows cars parking in the south oval driveway. There was a large overhang that originally was built for a much smaller car to drive through and let people off at the entrance. (Although one story tells us the Mrs. Coleman did manage to drive her car under it.)   

South side driveway

The sitting room and two locker rooms were considered a basement level, as there were two giant steps going down to them. This is where we went for tornado warnings. Dad would drive out at night if need be and open the south doors for anyone needing shelter. 

The slot machines were hidden in the small area that says storage open to the sitting room for men and women. When the Sheriff would raid the club the slots were hidden underneath a shelf in the storage room. (This is pre 1963 when the club was renovated.)

Also, hidden behind the kids photo would be a screened window area, like our pubic swimming pools had, where kids could order candy bars and pop through the wooden framed screen. The screen lifted up and for fifteen cents kids could boy candy and pop. 

Botts' Wholesale house arrived every Wednesday about 10am to deliver the candies, chips, pop, and cigarettes for the week. I felt so grown up when I first signed for order.

Between 1960-62 the shaded deck area on the east and northeast corner were cemented in leaving a twelve inch area for windows. This area extended the men's locker room. The dirt area on the far right will become the space where my father stored the electric golf carts and his workshop area. The golf shop also expanded toward the east side giving dad room for merchandise. 

During this time my father extended the golf club storage to the east by cementing in a corner of space and then opened that area to the dirt. This is time when he once again had cement laid in a large square area giving him a workshop area and place to store the beer that he could sell after 1960. By 1963 they had completely converted the dirt space to an are for the the golf cart storage, and created a small two step down square space where Dad put up a net and in the winter people could go down to the "snake pit" as it was nicknamed and hit golf balls into the net. Once again he was ahead of his time when it came to teaching golf and using only what materials he had available.  

My childhood memories of the upstairs, second floor are very limited as children could use any of the porch areas which ran the length of the building on the north side from east to west. Lunches took place on metal tables or concrete floors. Metal chairs filled the porch for parents and kids. Towels were laid out by our parents if we needed to take naps.  We could order sandwiches from Faye Doty in the dining room if we didn't have a sack lunch. Manners were required and we needed to knock on the double doors to get service. 

There were two large chimneys in the clubhouse. One on the West side that opened to the dinning and dance floor area. The other large chimney stood on an inner wall in the kitchen area. It was actually used for heat through the inner core of the clubhouse until the renovation in 1963. 

I do recall that the women's bathroom on the east side of the entrance steps was decorated with frilly skirts around the sink and table where personal items were stored. Even though I wasn't allowed upstairs I did make time to prowl around and know every square inch of the building without getting caught. 

 

 

When our parents went to the club on weekends for parties and dances they brought the kids and we had a special playroom on the third floor. I recall the Robinson family brought a portable record player, and we played records that kids brought from home. There were game boards set up for us, ping pong table that didn't last long, as I think the older kids made every effort to knock the ping pong balls over the iron railing along the balcony and onto the dance floor below. 

Sometimes the girls brought dolls and trunks of doll clothes from home, while the boys brought cars. Dad often shared his piles of cut wood blocks left over from his woodworking hobbies. We used the blocks to build race tracks or houses. We sometimes had crayons, coloring books, paper cut out dolls, and decks of cards. Depending on the age group, we all found entertainment. Best of all we were allowed to stay up late and watch our parents dance and party.  

The living quarters on the east side of the third floor were once the home to the first few golf professionals and their families. It was a two bedroom apartment with an amazing view of the chat piles. As a child I was a guest in the apartment from time to time. When Faye Doty and her son Johnny lived there we spent many a summer hour playing cards and exploring the upstairs attic areas.  There was also a house for the golf course greens keeper that was built in the 1940's along with a large barn for the equipment. 

Between 1960-63 the clubhouse was renovated the the slot machines moved upstairs to a special room and a bar was built on the Northeast corner where previously it had been a screened in porch. Keep in mind that up until 1959 liquor by the drink did not exist in Oklahoma. Consequently, the state line drive to Seneca/Joplin became an important liquor run for clubs in Northeast Oklahoma that labeled bottles of whiskey with members names on them and sold 3.2% beer.

 ** In 1933 when the Federal government repealed the 18th Amendment, Oklahoma did not ratify the new 21st Amendment and instead approved the sale of beer containing not more than 3.2 alcohol by weight with the Oklahoma Beer Act of 1933. On April 7, 1959, the legislature voted on House Bill 825, which repealed prohibition and created the Alcohol Control Board.

***

This is the original country club that George L. Coleman imagined. In 1963 the interior was redecorated  and rooms moved around. The bar moved to the east side of the second floor and the upstairs kids playroom vanished. 

I have filled in with stories the best I can, but I could really use help from each of you IF you have memories of the inside of this lovely old building.

I will have a 1963 series of pictures taken for the first event held at the opening in 1963.   

Thank you for following, participating in this history, and reading along.

*A note of thanks to my husband, Jack, for helping me design this layout from my memory. I know it is not to size but it is to my memory the best we can show. 

1959 TIMELINE AND STORIES

1959 TIMELINE and STORIES

 

 

Our nation was still growing and school children were memorizing 49 states and capitols.

 1959 April 5 mdnr "Spaulding's Ace, Features Local Golf"

A hole-in-one by Al Spaulding Friday afternoon climaxed golf activities during the week at the Miami Country club. Playing in a threesome with his wife and daughter, Suzy, the manager of the Miami B.F. Goodrich plant scored his ace on the 151 yard No. 12 hole. He used a 5 iron.

Mrs. Spencer Dawson also gained the spotlight during the week with an eagle on the 328 yard No. 1 hole. She used a 3 wood to sink her second shot from a distance of 150 or more yards. Mrs. Dawson was playing with Mrs. Bill Oliver, Mrs. Pat Campbell, and Mrs. Smae Lusk when she made her sensational shot. 

Regular competition for members of the Miami Ladies Golf Assn, was rained out Wednesday, but they went ahead with the morning lessons in the weekly clinic conducted by Johnie Stapp, club pro. 

The men's Twilight league will begin its regular schedule on May 5, according to Wayland Kelly, tournament chair.

  

1959 April 12 mdnr "Golfers from 18 High Schools to Compete in Tourney Here Monday"

Outstanding schoolboy golfers from Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma will be among the four-man teams from 18 high schools competing here Monday i the second annual invitational tournament sponsored by Miami High School in cooperation with the Miami Country club. Teams will be arriving from Ardmore; six OKC high schools; three from Tulsa; Muskogee; Midwest City, Miami; three high schools from Springfield,Missouri; Joplin, Mo; Coffeyville and Parsons, Kansas. 

Members of the Ladies Golf Assn will tabulate scores and assist with other details. The Miami high Student Council will provide hospitality service by serving sandwiches and milk to the players. 

Miami players finished second last year with a four-man score of 323. Harding won with 318. The Miami players were: Bob Hills, 77; Phil Temple, 79; James Emery, 79; and Dickie Neel 88. 

1959 April 14  "Miami's 2nd Annual High School Golf Meet"

Top honors were captured by Tulsa Edison and Ardmore entries Monday a the Miami Country club as 72 schoolboy golfers from three states competed in the highly successful invitational second annual tournament sponsored by Miami high school.Each school was represented by a four-man team in 18-hole medal play.

Ronnie Brown an all-around senior athlete at Ardmore, carded a 37-39+76 to take medalist honors.  

4-Man team scores: Tulsa Edison 321, Ardmore 326, O.C. Grant 332, Muskogee Central 336, O.C. Northeast 336, Miami 343, Coffeyville 345, Joplin 347, Cascia Hall 352, O.C. Hardin 358, Parkview, Springfield 368.

1959 April 19 mdnr "War Dog Golf Matches

Miami high school golfers played on the Grandview course at Springfield, Mo. Friday afternoon in competition with three Springfield high schools. 

Coach Jack Rucker's War Dogs won over Hillcrest 10 1/2 to 7 1/2; but lost to Central and Parkview. Scores posted by the Miamians: Dickie Neel, 37-40=77; Bob hill, 37-41=78; Mike Wilson, 48-45=93; Charles Hirsch 49-45=94; Stephen Moore, 46-50=96; Brad Smallwood, 49-55=104. 

 ***

Ladies Golf Notes:

Winners in competition for the past week for members of the Miami Ladies Golf Association were: Florence Dawson and Ruth Heyburn, championship; Millie Carter, Class A; Lois Cowles, B; Mildred Reniker, C: Susie Kemp and Helen Shafer, class D. 

 

1959 The Masters Golf Championship was televised and the world of golf began to change. 

 

 

1959 April 29 "Plant to Open at Commerce"

Ottawa county's newest factory will be open for public inspection Friday afternoon. It plans to begin full production next Monday...While Commerce baseball star Mickey Mantle is belting out hits for the New York Yankees, the Glenn Berry Manufacturers each day will be belting out about 1,000 pair of denims carrying Mantle's endorsement.

"We will carry a full line of Mickey Mantle work clothes," said Rose. The Yankee star has signed a "100 percent contract," meaning he will permit the use of his name and picture in promoting sales of the clothing."   

1959 May 1 mdnr "High School Boys Championship"

Oklahoma City Harding high school golfer George Hixon blistered the Lincoln Park course in two rounds to the win the boys high school golf tournament with a 54 hole total of 225. Other top individual scores are: Spike Goff, Duncan, 225; Terry Wilkerson, Duncan, 229; Robert Hill, Miami, 231. 

 

Teaching Lessons by the Pro:

Dad loved to create toys and personal methods for teaching golf swings. His use of the 8mm camera and side by side photos helped many of us in those years. He would hold ladies golf meetings and show them some of the swings he had recorded and then give lessons from that reference.

This old club converted to an early day "orange whip" to help us create speed at impact.

 

 

 

 

1959 June 15 mdnr TWO BERTHS IN NATIONAL PGA AT STAKE IN MIAMI TODAY by Mack Boswell

Big-name golfers toured the beautiful Miami Country club course today in 36-hole qualifying tests that will determine the two men who will represent the Oklahoma-Kansas-Arkansas section of the national tournament of the PGA at Minneapolis on Jule 29-August 2.

John Langford, municipal course pro at Enid and Loddie Kemper, former OSU golfing ace who is now pro at Okmulgee, shared top honors Sunday with three-under par 69's.

Langford lowered the course's nine-hole record with a seven-under recorded of 29. The old nine-hole course record of 30 belonged to John F. Robinson. Langford finished with a 40 for a 69.

John F. Robinson's 18-hole record in 1947 still stands at 64.

Doug Smith, asst. pro at Southern Hills and his foursomes of amateurs consisted of Bob Klein of Tulsa, and John F. Robinson and son, David, captured low-ball team honors with a score of  36.

"Side Notes"

Loddie Kempa of Okmulgee, who tied John Langford for medalist declared: "I have played on many golf courses, but I've never seen finer greens than these at this Miami club,"

Along with the delegation from Arkansas came a recent illustrated clipping from the Little Rock Arkansas Gazette with a feature about the reunion of the three Charles Lewises.

Charles Lewis Sr., 71 is a former Miami Country club pro, now of Battle Creek, Michigan. Charles Lewis Jr., who grew up in various pro shops operated by his father (and won numerous events while living in Miami, Ok) holds forth at the Little Rock Country club. Charles Lewis III is a top amateur golfer at 18 and is awaiting a call to military service. 

Lewis Sr., a native of England, came to the United States in 1913 after serving a golfing apprenticeship of six years. In a picture with his sons, he was holding the putter he delivered to America 46 years ago.  (The Lewis's kept their ties with Miami friends and the country club through the years when Johnie Stapp served as pro.)

1959 June 16  "OSU Coach Harris and Langford Gain PGA Spots" by Mack Boswell

Labron Harris of Stillwater provided an expert lesson on the Miami Country club course Monday while taking top honors in the three-state sectional qualifying for the National PGA in Minneapolis, July 29--Aug. 2.

           Personal notes from Jody (Joanne) LaCaff Lasky:

Letty, I remember a conversation that I overheard between your dad and mine. It seems at the club dances couples were meeting at the green closest to the pool for a little whoops. Your dad said the women's heels were leaving holes in the green. Then one of them said laughingly maybe he should put up a sign that read…..

 "Ladies, no high heels on the green."

That is the gist of the conversation… I just happen to over hear them.

Some of the best times we had as a family was being at the Fourth of July celebration. We would swim all day, change for dinner and fireworks. Dad would also assist with the fireworks. It was something we looked forward to each year.

Of course you know how many of the teens growing up would sneak into the pool and swim late at night…. Mostly in our underwear. I do remember seeing a few skinny dippers one time, but didn’t know them as they were older.

Dorothy Ann Horner explained the facts of life to me when I was in the seventh grade on the steps going up to the porches, on the north side by the swimming pool.

1959 June 23  "Hill, Neel Win Berths"

Bob HIll, Jr. and Dickie Neel, aces of the Miami High golf team the last two seasons, will represent Miami on July 6-8 in the Oklahoma Junior Chamber of Commerce tournament in Lawton.

Hill was the leader among five local youths who competed for the two state berths. Hill carded a one-over par 100 for 27 holes. Neel wasn't up to his usual sharpness, but gained the other ticket to Lawton with a total score of 122. Jim Taylor, all-state scholboy football tackle last fall, was third with a 126. Next were Charles Hirsch with a 151 and Roger Scruggs, a 153.  The local sponsors were the Miami Junior champber of Commerce with Earl Hahn and Raymond Gibson, Jr. in charge.  

1959 July 6 mdnr "Miami Girls in Tournament Spotlight"

Miami girls made the finest record of any single club competing in the annual state junior girls' golf tournament that will be completed today at Tulsa's Southern Hills Course. (During our three rounds of golf each of us stayed in family homes in Tulsa. I stayed with a family whose last name was McGraw. My host family had a daughter who played golf and consequently her parents were in charge of transportation and meals. 

Results match play:

Diana Oliver lost in B flight consolation semi-finals to Terry Townsend, Tulsa 4 and 3.

Nine hole divisions:

Letty Stapp won the championship of G flight with a score of 70-73-73=216.

Janie Berentz won the H flight championship with 76-77-78=231.

Susie Stephenson won third place in D flight with 66-61-74=201. 

Bobbi Sue Baron won fourth in C flight with 66,61,74=194

Barbara Dahl posted a 247 total in C flight and Mary Dahl carded a 270 in G flight. Sandra Stephenson shot a 74 to finish sixth in the peewee division. Five of the Miami entries also won medals for taking first places in special driving and putting contests. 

Paired today in the championship flight final match were medalist Jeannie Thompson and defending state champion Patty David, both of Tulsa.

 

This is the marble based trophy that I won in 1959. I have kept this trophy all of my life, while the others have gone away. 

 1959 July 10 mdnr "Miss Propper Wins Tulsa Golf Trophy"

Phyllis Propper of Miami won the A flight championship of the state junior girls golf tournament at Southern Hills Country club in Tulsa this morning by defeating Sally Perrine of Tulsa, 4 and 3. Phyllis, who will be a Miami High school Junior this year, led most of the way. She carded a 51 on the front nine. Sally shot a 56. The match ended on the 15 hole  

Nine Miami girls competed in the state meet, giving Miami Country club the best record of any club in the tournament. 

1959 July 12 mdnr "Joplin Golfers Compete Here"

Traffic on the Miami Country club golf course should be heavier today than at any time this year with inter-city matches between members of the local club and a 48-man delegation from Twin Hills, Joplin. Pat Campbell, chairman of the event, said boys wishing employment as caddies should report to the club by 9:30 a.m. 

1959 "Women's Tri-state Champions"

Faye Berentz, Claire Oliver, Hattie Wall, and Lois Garwood, winner of the overall team low-net for the 1959 Women's Tri-State  *Orrick Sparlin collection at the Dobson Museum.

1959 August 2 "Finals Near in Men's Tourney"

Final matches may be completed this week in most flights of the annual men's golf tournament at the Miami Country club. Players who have already qualified to play in championship matches includes: Joe Thompson vs Kelso Berentz in President's flight; Bob Nunn vs George Beck in A flight.

Quarter-final results follow:

Championship flight:  John F. Robinson won over Dr. W.D. Jackson; Jess Fronterhouse defeated George Windham; Ed Olivey beat Dick Lowry; P.J. Stephenson dropped Phillip Temple.

President's flight: Joe Thompson eliminated Ted Lowry; Bill Hirsch beat Bill Carter; Kelso Berentz won over Charlie Trussler; Rex Painter defeated Tom Barton.

A Flight: Bob Nunn beat Marion Zajic; Clarence Carselowey downed Dr. Harry Ford; George Beck beat Pat Campbell; Harry Whitaker won over buck Bagby.

B Flight: Ted Vernon defeated Jack Schofield; John Burford beat Wayland Kelly; Crab Grayson downed Frank Hansford; Paul McIntosh won over Noel Wyatt.

C Flight: Bill Oliver--Spencer to be played; Bob Hill beat Henry Garwood; Bill Harper ousted Don Curlee; Don Lockard advanced over Vernon Cray.

Semi-Finals: Thompson beat Hirsch and Berentz won over Painter in president's flight; Nunn beat Carselowey and Beck defeated Whitaker in A flight; Harper won over Lockard in C flight.

***

1959 August 4 “Miami Junior Golfers End Season” Tournament winners were by grade group: 3-4^th—Judy Berentz, low gross, putts; Gayla Brown, driving; Jimmy Painter, low gross; Scotty Jackson, putts; Judd Nafziger, driving. 5-6^th grads: Sandra Stephenson, low gross, Susan Russell, driving; Kae Nunn, putts. Johnie Robinson, low gross; Butch Jenkins, driving, Jim Thompson, putts. Grades 7-8—Suzanne Stephenson, low gross; Janie Berentz, second; Carole Luttrell, driving; Julie Lockhard, putts. Bobby Zeis, low gross; Bill Fullerton, second; Johnny Stansell, driving; Pat Wilson, putts. Grades 9-12—Phyllis Propper, low gross; Barbara Dahl, low net; Bethanne Badger, driving; Katrina White, putting. Charles Dawson, low gross and driving; Dickie Badger, low net and putts.

 

            Personal note:

Roger McCollum shares a painful story of swimming at the old pool at the country club:  One day when my mom was playing in a Women's club event left me at the swimming pool for the day. I fell asleep on the hard concrete after some swimming and woke hours later. The next morning when I awoke my entire back was blistered. It was pretty painful and I recall that it took 5-7 days before I could move without pain.

 

1959 August 2 "Playground Parade Day Contest Winners"

The parade in downtown Miami and the Rotary club's city-wide picnic Friday more than 700 youngsters  climaxed supervised activities in the 1959 municipal program, the larges ever held here. The photo page spread was shot by Orrick Sparlin.

More than 500 boys and girls participate in the parade, a new record here. The playground and parade is under the supervision of S.A. Red Robertson, general director of the summer program and Mrs. Lawrence Zane, supervisor of tournaments and special contests at parks.

1959 August 5  "Second Annual Sidewalk Sale"

1959 August 8  "Club Champion"

 

John F. Robinson, 1960 Club Champion **Orrick Sparlin Collection at the Dobson Museum.

 

1959 September 16 "8 Teams in Fall Tourney at Miami Country Club"

Tournament Chairman, Harry Whitaker asks players to complete their first round by Sunday. In playing for qualifying scores, each entry must play with another member of his team. Two players from each team, who post the lowest qualifying scores, will compete in match play with the lowest scorers from other teams. One match is to be played each week. 

Team members who do not have the two best qualifying scores will continue consolation medal play rounds each week. 

 

 

 

Lady golfers decorating for Christmas: ...., Yvonne Temple, Lottie Mae Russell, Hattie Wall, Florence Dawson, .... Johnson, Erin Wojick *photo from Orrick Sparlin collection, Dobson Museum.

 1959 December 10  "Country club Slate Chosen"

Miami Country club members re-elected Pat Campbell as President at their annual meeting Tuesday night. also re-elected were Dr. W.D. Jackson, vice-president, and H.F. Myers, secretary-treasurer.

Elected to the board of directors were: O.A. Rockwell, Corbin Shouse, Vernon Sapp, Orville Dahl, Wayland Kelly, Jerry Zeis, and Myron Jenkins. Club improvements will be considered when officers and directors meet in January.

 

**In 1958 Mrs. Jack Horner and Mrs. Bert Wall both held the title for the lowest score posted on nine holes, a 39.  Hattie (Mrs. Bert) Wall would go on to set the women's course record with a par round of 38. I matched that round while playing college golf at NEO and my sister, Jonya matched the par round in the 1970's.  All records and trophies burned in the fire in 1984.  

 

Sometimes we just need to reflect and laugh at our memories and the times.

Playground parade pictures by Orrick Sparlin