1962 From Tornadoes to Fall-Out Shelters: Our Story

 

Beginning in mid-1950's my father and our family would drive to the Miami Country club to open the doors for people in the neighborhood seeking shelter from the storm. One year we learned afterwards that the three story dark red brick Fullerton home on East Central and Elm st. had been hit. I knew the Fullerton's were not in the shelter that night, and it worried me that Billy, my classmate, could have been hurt. The news the next day reassured us that no one was injured and that the storm hit the north side of the house. Otherwise, it was an exciting time for the kids because we were allowed to run in and out of the men's and women's basement locker rooms. 

KGLC blared loudly on various radios that people brought with them.  Depending on the length of time in the basement Dad would sometimes sell pop or other snacks to the families. 

 

History changed. After the Civil Defense became active, the club was no longer used as a place of shelter and the talk of our parents centered on building "Fallout Shelters" that could also be tornado shelters. 

1961-63 became a pivotal time in our history, and my parents, along with the Dahl family and others in town, took the Soviet threats seriously. Driving the Muntz, Dad's race car, my father made it an adventure to find a suitable shelter and safety for his family.

The awning covers the bomb shelter entrance.  

By summer of 1962 a "fallout shelter" had been dropped into the ground at 209 H NE.  Mother filled it with the proper foods and toiletries. (We didn't know all the dangers.)   It was my job to remind her to change the foods every six months.  It was a schedule we kept throughout my high school years.  And, yet, I only wished to live to be 16 and legally drive a car. On a personal note, there was a multiple choice question on my driver's test December 26, 1963 that asked how low we should let our gas tanks drop before refilling. The correct answer was refill at a half-a-tank. The logic being that we would need that much gas to drive to the caves in Missouri for safety.

In retrospect our naivety stuns me. I grew up in a culture of families who had survived world wars, early pandemics, and the devastating recession/depression of the 1930's. We planned to survive and live. There was a great future ahead for all who worked.

Our optimism can be seen in our history as the Civil Defense advised schools and communities to build shelters. I don't personally remember the short movies showing how to conduct air-raid drills.

However, I vividly recall hiding under my desk in fifth grade at Roosevelt and looking out the window wondering if I would see the atomic bomb go off before it killed me. In junior high and high school we were instructed to go to the hall ways and duck and cover. As a young girl wearing tight skirts and blouses, I found it difficult to squat properly and remain in position any length of time. I wasn't the least bit worried about dying, I was more concerned with my slip showing. 

This Getty Image is much larger than our reality.

Our bomb shelter was a steel tank dropped into the ground covered with cement, much like our present day tornado shelter buried in the corner of or garage, with a ladder and opening a foot above ground. The square opening and steel top with lock inside to keep strangers out made it challenging to lower food and supplies to the shelter. (During those years girls did not wear jeans. I had summer shorts or dresses.)

Our shelter contained a bathroom at the far end, two pull down bunk beds on each side of the tank, built in storage units under the beds (built by my father). Any wall space left over contained food, water, first aid items, and decks of cards to play. I do not recall how the shelter was lighted, but we did have a battery powered radio. We sat on the beds or the storage unit underneath. Mother put Tang in the shelter instead of Kool-aid because we learned from experience that we would not drink Kool-aid without sugar added, and Tang was ready to mix, sugar, flavors, and water.

Mother kept a list of all items purchased in the construction of the shelter.

 Over the years we made several trips to the shelter when the tornado sirens blared, otherwise, I invited friends over and we spent the night in the deep deep darkness of the shelter, creating memories that we would live to tell about. 

 The heyday of the fallout shelter occurred during the administration of John F. Kennedy, which saw both a rise in international tensions and Kennedy's advocacy of shelters as part of the American response. During the Berlin Crisis of 1961, precipitated by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev's aggressive moves toward West Berlin, Kennedy gave a nationally televised speech explaining the gravity of the situation. He also endorsed the construction of fallout shelters, saying, "In the event of an attack, the lives of those families which are not hit in a nuclear blast and fire can still be saved if they can be warned to take shelter and if that shelter is available." If further inducement for building shelters was needed, it was provided fifteen months later by the Cuban Missile Crisis, in which the world came closer to nuclear war than it ever had before.

* https://www.encyclopedia.com/media/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/fallout-shelters

 

 

 

 

1962--1963 Remodel of the Miami Golf and Country club

 

Miami Country club in the 1930's

 

1941 Miami Country club--the North side

When my father arrived in 1954 he, and the board of directors, began a slow expansion of the internal usage of this magnificent Tudor structure, first completed in 1930. On the lower level the covered porch extended from the left (East side) to the front (North side). The first change came with extending the men's locker room in the basement which then enclosed the East side and first two enclosures. The club added the golf shop which took the remaining four enclosures. A few years later the basement ladies locker room was cleaned up, painted, and finally added new carpet. (The snake pit would later be in the basement area to the west of the ladies locker room). The favorite item became the new fan that circulated fresh air from the windows and open doors in the pro shop. The women could relax, have a beer, and cool down.

 

1962-63 shows the enclosures and addition of a larger putting green with light fixtures. The building is facing the north side. There is a driveway that follows the West side past the pool and north to the greens keeper's house and barn. The driveway also turns right (east) past the pool and into the area where the golf carts are shown. This provided easy access for those traveling and needing to pick up their golf clubs.(Lady golfers far back left Yvonne Temple, Florence Dawson, Clara Barton, and far back right Claire Oliver.)

The renovation made many changes to my beloved old hideaways in the second floor of the clubhouse. The stairwell leading to the third floor was locked and children no longer had a playroom upstairs. I think it became a storage room. The railing that allowed us to overlook the dance floor was walled up, so we could no longer spy on adults. There was a door on that third floor room that stayed locked but it was an entrance to the apartment. Now the apartment had an outside entrance from the southeast side (fire escape steps), the main entrance and parking to the club, and the original entrance from the kitchen (three entrances). 

This link will take the reader to the  MGCC floor plan that originally existed. 

Bathrooms were added on the second floor for both men and women. The screened in porches, again a child's paradise for running, hiding, and eating sack lunches was turned into a bar area on the East side over looking hole #9 later to be hole #18. The north side became an extension of the bar with the men's card room, the office for the secretary and club manager, and open space left where kids in bathing suits could enjoy lunch. The far West side of the screened in porches became the women's card room that over looked the swimming pool and the old swing sets. Their room was double the size of the men's card room. Mothers played cards and tapped on the windows relentlessly, to remind their children how to behave. They most generally had a drink and a cigarette in their hand. 

Personal Note: Their behavior portrayed the times, as did our fathers. On a lighter note I vividly recall when women wore 'beehive' hairdos. Oh my, how they stood out when looking out the window at their darling children.  

 

During the renovation period the club officially became known as the Miami Golf and Country Club. At one time the Board of Directors made attempts at restoring the old tennis courts on the West side of the clubhouse, but it never succeeded. Through these years businesses were booming downtown and throughout Ottawa County. The country club remained a privately owned golf course and social club until the 1990's.

 

Dr. Rex Graham and wife Carrie hosted the first party at the new club. I did not find a write up in the paper but the Dobson Museum shared their pictures with me. 

 UPDATE June 22, 2023:  Miami News Record April 26, 1963 (pictures were too dark to copy and share)

A bright new era in the history of the Miami Golf and Country club will be launched this weekend when members celebrate completion of an extensive renovation program at the big brick club house.There will be a dance and buffet Saturday night from 7-9 o'clock.

"Our scenic nine-hole golf course has been recognized as one of the finest to be found anywhere, and now with major improvements that have been made throughout the club house, I firmly believe that no city in Miami's class anywhere in the nation has better country club facilities than our," declared Dr. W.D. Jackson, club president. 

Cost of the improvement program, which was started in January, is approximately $55,000 including about $19,000 for stainless steel equipment and new items for the kitchen.

"Under normal circumstances, the cost would have been much more than $55,00," said Jackson, "but co-operation by members in the various improvement kept expenses at a minimum."

Haralson Construction Co. was in charge of the most of the renovation work. Trussler Sheet Metal installed the central air-conditioning and heating system for the various facilities to the richly carpeted main floor.

Jim Tatum, food service director at NEO with wide experience as an authority in his field, was consultant in setting up the club's kitchen and dining room improvements. 

Because of recent increases in club membership to 329 and prospects for further growth, no increase in dues were ordered to pay for the new improvements.

"Membership gains should take care of this," said Jackson

The golf shop and locker rooms on the lower floor have been improved along with the general renovation programs. Assisting Stapp in the operation of the pro shop and other golf facilities is Ed Westfahl, who has been with the club for eight years. 

 

Dr Rex Graham and wife Carrie on the left; Jack and Mary Mann standing.

The walls in the dining room were papered in red flock patterned wallpaper.

 

As members and guests walked climbed the stair to the greeting area English golf scenes covered the walls, not shown but where the photographer stood, where the stairwell entered the main area. The material on the chairs and couches at the time resembled the wallpaper in color and design. (I could not locate a vintage photo of the lovely lazy afternoon golf scene that covered our walls in the greeting area. I could have spent days looking at patterns, so I've selected one that at least presents the idea of a leisurely afternoon of golf.)

The bar, now new on the the East side of the second floor, was decorated in black and white flocked patterned drapes on the East side, dark wooden stools lined the bar.  Those at the bar could face a mirror that showed the men's card room and the dark wood paneling on the walls. Children were strictly forbidden from access to the bar.

 Fred Gallager, our bar tender and Frankie his assistant and waitress, dressed in black  trousers, white shirts, and black bow ties and vests. They kept tabs, literally and figuratively on everyone. When Nasty would get drunk and consequently mean, Fred would give him a straight shot of whiskey. Then they would carry Nasty to the sofa in the greeting area and let him sleep till someone took him home. 

The slot machines that were once in the basement were now moved to the south side of the bar, where a door could be locked at any time to keep people out.  When the sheriff would raid the bars for gambling and slot machines word leaked to the club and strong men would then hide the cast iron old slots in storage rooms or the "snake pit."

Fred and my father became the best of friends. Since they were both off on Monday's they spent time shooting guns at north side of the golf course near old #4 green and #5 tee box.  They always made sure that Fullerton did not have any Angus roaming around the area. Other times they would use hand guns and go down the creeks and shoot turtles and squirrels, as they did in their youth.

Note: Nasty was well known and occupied many discussions in our home. To read the rest of the story please click on this link and go to Literally Letty 

 The Miami Golf and Country club remained active and well kept until the fire in July 1984.

**I would greatly enjoy and appreciate input from those of you, my readers, who would like to share your memories of the interior of the Country club.   

1962 STORIES AND TIMELINE of MGCC

 *My sincere thanks to the Dodson Museum, Orrick Sparlin collection, for sharing these black and white photos of activities at the Miami Golf and Country Club.

62.4.24  Stapp is No.1 in Muskogee Golf 

John F. Stapp of the Miami Country club was the No. 1 shooter Monday in the PGA's sectional pro-amateur tournament at the Muskogee Country club for entries from Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas,

Stapp carded a two-under par 68 on the muddy course following rain of nearly two inches. Next best score was a 73 by a Wichita pro.

Amateur honors went to Dr.W.D. Jackson of Miami, who played in the local foursome that included amateurs G.R. White and Pat Campbell.

Stapp's shooting in combination with Jackson resulted in a low pro-am score of 63. The second low-net was also won by Stapp and G.R. White with a 64. The 67 with Campbell was fourth lowest.

 

  62.4.25  "Miami Girls State Golf Champions"

For the second straight year, Miami high school girls have won the 27 hole State Oklahoma High School Tournament. The four-ball team champions are Letty Stapp 55-53-46=155; Diana Oliver, 53-48-54=155; Carole Luttrell, 58-54-54=166; Pam Smallwood, 60-59-57=176. Sherry Taylor of N.E. High School OKC was the tourney medalist with 47-46-40=133. Miami's Stapp and Oliver placed second and third.   

Miss Oliver was the only member of the Miami foursome that swept medalist, two-ball and four-ball honors last year. Other members of that team were Suzanne Stephenson, Phyllis Propper, and Gaye Phillips.  Mrs. Johnie Stapp was in charge of the girls team.

Scores by Miami War Dogs for the two days 54 hole tourney were Phil Ulmer 285;

Charles Dawson 268; Jim Williams 289; and Billy Oliver 286. The team did not place this year. Coach Bill Watkins was in charge of the boys team. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

62.6.1  "Winners Named in Golf Event"

Winners in Scotch foursome golf competition at the Miami Country club on Memorial Day were: Low net--Don Curlee and Pat Horner, First; Bill Carter and Norma Jackson, Second; Bill Oliver and Melba Cordell, third

Low Gross: Corbin Shouse and Helen Jones, first;  Phillip Temple and Leaetta Jackson, second; Ted Vernon and Florence Dawson, third.

Low Putts: Harry Whitaker and Hattie Wall, first; Dick Varley and Lois Cowles, second; Tom Cordell and Claire Oliver, third 

There were 54  contestants in the holiday meet.  

62.6.20 "Junior Girls to Compete in Tournament Here Friday"

Eighty girls have entered the third annual Miami Junior Girls Invitational. Last year's tournament drew 67 contestants, with Kay Van Valkenburgh of Tulsa the trophy winner in the championship fight. The winner of the first meet in 1960 was Jeannie Thompson. She will be here this year in the adult capacity of scorer. 

One of the favorites in the championship fight is Donna Fox of Clinton, Missouri. While residing at Seneca last year, she won runner-up honors in the championship.

Susan Basolo of Muskogee, who reached the semi-finals last week in the women's state amateur tournament in Tulsa, should be one of the strongest contenders here. Another top contender from Tulsa is Suzie Friels. Deanna Jackson of Coffeyville served notice when she carded a 46 in the nine-hole practice round here Wednesday. 

Four Miami girls who won the State High School girls team championships in April with compete. They are Letty Stapp, Diana Oliver, Carole Luttrell, and Pam Smallwood. Another Miami girl due to gain a berth in the championship flight is C.Ann Richards. 

The tournament is sponsored by the Miami Ladies Golf Association. Co-chairmen of the meet are Mrs. Johnie Stapp and Mrs. Woodrow Painter. 

Heading the Tulsa delegation of 49 girls is Mrs. Mabel Hotz. They will arrive by chartered bus. Mrs. Hotz, wife of Dr. Carl Hotz, is heading the State Junior Girls golf program for the 13th straight year. She will yield the leadership at the conclusion of the July 10-13 tournament at Tulsa's Southern Hills and Meadowbrook clubs.  Adult leaders of the Miami tournament said they were inspired by Mrs. Hotz to start the successful local meet. 

Entries by other cities follow: Ann Travis, Bartlesville, Marilyn Mabry and Louise Stokell, Okmulgee; Susan and Nancy Basolo, Muskogee. Miami entries: C.Ann Richards, Karen Jeffries, Jonya Stapp, Patsy Riddling, Kathy Gilmore, June Reniker, Susan Russell, Barbara Bomford, Lee Dell Snyder, Nancy Cordell, Jenee Kenreigh, Janie Berentz, Carole Luttrell, Cathy Olson, Letty Stapp, Sally Meyer, Dianna Oliver, Pam Smallwood, Carole Searle, Clara Searle, and Gayla Dale.

 

 Susan Russell 

I vividly recall young Ellen Robinson as a scorer, smoking and drinking a coke and wearing a very cute pair of  short shorts. Mothers complained about how she looked and the example it set for others. 

In essence, I thought that they were just downright jealous biddies, and I, too, at age 16 even recognized that I'd never be that cute. Women wouldn't look at me like that. 

**PERSONAL NOTE: Often times, in the humid heat of the summer, when I bend over and pull weeds from my garden,  I recall pulling grab grass at the country club. In the late 50's and early 60's my dad, and board of officers would host one or two "Crab Grass Picking Parties" at the club during the year.  My most vivid memory was on No.2, one year, when the Sam Fullerton family arrived and sat down on their row with mats, towels, and tools. Mother, dad, Jonya and I also worked that hole. Dad and his team marked off rows on every green and families were assigned a green and could pick any row. In the evening we would all gather, go to our greens, and pick crab grass together.  Most tools were simply pocket knives or pairing knives. The men made sure to show their wives and kids how to dig in around the grass and pull.  

I remember how much I admired Ruth Fullerton. Her face always clean and never sweaty like mine, and her clothes stiffly ironed and proper. That evening she sat down on her towel, tucked her skirt up under her side bottom, leaned over and began to dig and pull. Her grace and beauty left a smiling heartfelt memory with this child. Later, when I was older, she enjoyed playing golf with me, usually just the two of us. She and Florence Dawson were the only two women to play with a full set of "woods" long before we had rescue clubs or hybrids.   

62.7.1 "Girls From Three States Share Top Honors"

Donna Fox, 16, who will be a junior next fall in Tipton, Mo captured top honors Friday in the Third Annual Girls Invitational Tourney. She carded 82, the lowest medal score in three years. Runner-up honors went to Deanna Jackson with an 86 and Susan Basolo, 14 year old from Muskogee with an 89. Miami's C.Ann Richards finished fourth with 94. 

Miamian's placing in the tourney were: Lee Dell Snyder putting in Class B; Barbara Bomford putting in Class C. Sally Meyer driving in Class D. Karen Jeffries Pee Wee division. 

The Miami Ladies Golf Association, sponsor of the tournament, voted to designate
the fourth annual meet next year as the "Mabel Hotz Miami Invitational" Mrs. Hotz had headed the state junior golf program the past 13 years and will retire from the presidency at the conclusion of the July 10-13 state Junior at Southern Hills.

62.7.2  "Fireworks Shows Are Set"

Miami will have "double feature" Independence Day firework shows Wednesday night. The first will be at the MCC just after dark about 8 o'clock. A professional crew will shift from the Country club to the Fairgrounds for the Miami American Legion's fireworks spectacular between 9 and 9:30 

The Legion program at the Fairgrounds will open at 8:30 and will include a Boy Scout flag ceremony and special music preceding the fireworks display. It is free to the public.

62.7.20 "Junior Boys Golf Meet Here Today"

Traffic on the nine-hole course of the Miami Country club was near an all-time high today with 133 boys ages 7-17, competing in the second annual one-day Miami Junior Boys Invitational golf tournament, sponsored by the Miami Ladies Golf Association in co-operation with Johnie Stapp, club pro.

Stapp expressed regret today that it was necessary to turn down more than 40 late applicants during the week. Contestants are here from Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma

One of the favorites for top honors in the championship flight is Dick Orr of Okmulgee, runner-up to champion Mike Norman of Muskogee last year. Among entry rating support in the title race is L.C. Sikes of Fayetteville, Arkansas. His brother Dick Sikes of Springdale, Arkansas won last week's USGA Public Links tournament at Buffalo, NY.

Winners last year other than championship shooters were: President's flight--Mike Scimeca, Caney, Kansas and Mike Bennett, Wichita; A flight--Tom Weeks of Bartlesville and Brad Smallwood, Miami; B flight--John Huron of Ponca City; C flight--Paul Kempa, Okmulgee, and Mike Adkisson, Wichita, and pee-wee flight--Time Schofield and Pat Callahan of Miami.

 

Junior Golfers are Clara Searle, Kathy Gilmore, and Carol Searle

62.7.11 "Miamians in Meet"

Letty Stapp led Miami's delegation in the State Girls Championship but missed the championship flight by just one stroke (that was the story of my life as a junior player). Her 101 was best in the first flight. She was paired today against Ann Masterson, 104 of OKC. C.Ann Richards of Miami, 105 will meet Peggy Gentry, OKC with a 103 in the first flight. 

Miamians in the other flights are:  Second flight Janie Berenz vs Rinda Kopptiz,of Alva; Third flight Diana Oliver vs Karen Pappen, Ponca City; Jenee Kenreigh vs Jan Goss of Tulsa; Pam Smallwood  vs Jane Snodgrass of OKC. 

Karen Jeffries of Miami was NO. 1 scorer among the pee-wees and top the A flight list with 41 for five holes. Also in A flight are Jonya Stapp, Clara Searle, Carol Searle. 

62.7.13  "Miamians in Finals at State Tournament"

Two Miami girls played in today's finals of the Junior Girls State Golf Championsip at Tulsa, and Karen Jeffries won the pee-wee flight. 

C.Ann Richards of Miami played Susan Willis today for First Flight championship. Diana Oliver of Miami played against Ann Sheets of Muskogee for the third flight trophy. 

In other results Miamians Letty Stapp lost to Suzanne Willis; Janie Berentz lost to Katherine McGraw; Jenee Kenreigh lost to Terry Yetman; Pam Smallwood lost to Becky Cooley.

In the pee-wee division, Clara Searle scored a 60-62-65=187 in A Flight and Carol Searle of Be flight finished with 58-52-56=166. 

62.7.15  "Annual Junior Boys Invitational Golf Tournament"

 A new champion will be crowned this year as Mike Norman, of Muskogee last year's champion, has aged out. The entry list has been filled with a total of 121 including 23 from Springfield, 25 from Bartlesville Sunset, 5 from Bartlesville Hillcrest, 2 from Pryor, 10 from Neosho, 15 from Fayetteville, 3 from Wichita, 6 from Okmulgee, and 32 Miamians. Last year's tournament had 77 entries. 

Co-chairs are Mrs. Woodrow Painter and Mrs. Johnie Stapp. Other members of the committee are Mrs. John Scholfield, Mrs. John F. Robinson, Mrs. Tom Cordell, Mrs. Al White, and Mrs. Vernon Sapp. Tournament assignments follow: Pat Campbell and Stapp, trophy awards; Stapp rules and pairings; starters Campbell and Bill Hirsch; scoring posters, Mrs. Bert Wall, Mrs. Claude Jones, and Mrs. John F. Robinson. 

Other positions include: Jim Smallwood driving contest; Mrs. Harry Gilmore, Mrs. Bill Hirsch and Mrs. John Burford food; Mrs. W.D. Jackson, handicaps; Mrs. Henry Garwood scorers; Mrs. Scholfield, Mrs. Al White, Mrs. Tom Cordell and Mrs. John Robinson registration; Mrs. Clancy Pollock, entertainment in case of rains; Sally Meyer and Lee Dell Snyder, ball spotters, Mrs. Charles Trussler, Mrs. George Russell, and Mrs. John Meyer, club house. 

62.7.15  "Ladies Golf Notes"

Winners in competition of the past week for the Ladies Golf association were Claire Oliver, Championship, Millie Carter, Class A; Helen Jo Painter and Lottie Mae Russell in Flight B; and Sue Barnes in C. 

NOTE: This is the first time I have seen the ladies addressed by their first names.

Pairings for next Wednesday follow: 

Hattie Wall, Beverly Jackson, and Helen Jo Painter; Yvonne Temple, Eva Williams, and Pat Horner; Mary Varley, Claire Oliver and Barbara Shouse; Faye Berentz, Evelyn Hatfield, Florence Dawson and Beverly Smith.

Hattie White, Helen Moore, and Lois Cowles; Clara Barton, Ollie Longacre, Erin Wojcik; Sue Mason, Lottie Mae Russell, and Dottie Ridling; Carol Pollock, Louise Curlee, and Gladys Wetzel.

Ethel Carselowery, Helen Stapp, and Melba Cordell; Norma Lou Jackson, Inez Buzzard, Nancy Johnson; Elizabeth Hansford, Virginia Sapp and Glenna Vernon; Irne White, Jessie Walbert, and Sue Robinson.

Mary VanBeber, Dorothy Scholfield and Virginia Lee Wilson; Helen Jo Painter, Betty Kelly, and Lois Garwood, Ruth Fullerton, Margaret Coburn and Sue Barnes; Lillian White, Pauline Dykes, Milly Carter, and Opel Goettel.

  

62.6.21  "Trophy Winners"

Completion of the annual Miami Women's handicap golf tournament was climaxed Wednesday when Faye Berentz presented trophies to Clara Barton, (2nd from left), 18-hole flight champion and Louise Curlee, runner-up; Helen Moore, 9-hole champion, and Hattie White, runner-up.

62.7.22  "Okmulgee's Dick Orr is Champion"

 

Dick Orr, 17, Okmulgee, who has accepted a golf scholarship to the University of Oklahoma, captured top honors in Friday's second annuals Miami Junior boys invitational at the Miami Country club. 

Orr carded 36-37-71, one-over par score, for the 18-hole medal play. Tying for second place in the championship flight were David Hines, of Tulsa and Dan Holt of Bartlesville.

Miami boys who won are: Charles Dawson, Championship driving; Pat Wilson, A flight driving; Woody Painter, C flight putting. The tournament was sponsored by the Miami Ladies Golf association and club pro John Stapp.  

62.7.29 "Junior Golfers End Season"

L-R: Jonya Stapp, Johnny Doty, Pat Wilson, Steve Moore, Jenee Kenreigh, Judy Berentz, ?, Bobby Wilson,? 2nd row:?, Jimmy Painter, John Robinson, Diana Oliver, Susan Russell, Jackie Mann, ?,  Tommy Cordell, Ann Cordell 

 

 

 Diana Oliver and John Robinson captured honors Friday in the annual Miami Junior handicap golf tournament by winning their respective divisions of the championship flight. John's 18-hole card showed a score of 44-45=89. With a 22 handicap his net score was 67. Stephen Moore won the runner-up trophy after a playoff with Pat Wilson. Each netted a 77. 

Diana's winning card showed 49-46=95 and an 18 handicap for a 77 net. Jenee Kenreigh was runner-up with a net 81. 

Woody Painter

A flight boys: Jimmy Painter, first with net 36; John Doty 2nd.

B flight boys: Jackie Mann first in playoff with Ray Coburn, both shot a net 37.

5 hole boys: Pete Whitaker, first; Bobby Wilson, 2nd

Pee-Wee boys: Tom Cordell, firs; Kenney Gibson, 2nd.

 

 

 

 

 

Susan Russell

A flight girls: Susan Russell, first; Judy Berentz 2nd

5-hole girls: Patsy Ridling, first; Jonya Stapp, 2nd.

2-hole girls: Ann Cordell, first. 

 

 

 

 

 

62. 8. 6 "Miami Golfers win in the Finale"

Miami Country club golfers handily outscored opponents from Joplin and Springfield here Sunday, 94 but the rally was not sufficient to bring the Miamians from the cellar position they've held in the triangular inter-club tournament begun last spring.

Miamians tallied 84 points Sunday while golfers from Joplin's Twin Hills and Springfield's Twin Oaks gathered 38. The tourney winner was Springfield with a total of 184, Joplin 181, Miami 175. 

Two Miamians took low score honors Sunday, John F. Robinson and Bob Hill, Jr., both shot 76.

62.8.12  "Ladies Golf Notes"

Last weeks winners at the MGCC were Championship: Faye Berentz; Class A. Hattie Wall; Class B Clara Barton; Class C Gladys Wetzel.

 Photo on the left: Pat Horner, Helen Moore, Clara Barton, Claire Oliver (who later became the Jr. High School golf coach).

Personal notes from Jody (Joanne) LaCaff Lasky:

I  had my wedding reception there in 1962. I gave Patti Gibson a bridesmaid luncheon there in 1965 and Mavis Ford gave me a party there as a graduation present in 1960.

62.9.2 "Karen Kay Williams Bride"

Miss Karen Kay Williams daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Loren Williams, 919 B NW and William C. Harsch Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. William Harsch Sr, C Harsch of Catasauqua, Pa. were united in marriage in a double-ring ceremony Friday, August 17, at 3 p.m.  NOTE: Sunday upon Sunday the newspaper is filled with wedding pictures of brides from all over the county. Most often the decorations take paragraphs to describe. "The altar was decorated with bouquets of white gladioli and pink asters entwined with greenery and white satin bows. Pews were marked by white satin bows......

62.9.2  "Record Field Due Next Weekend for 7th Annuals Miami Golf Invitational"

A record field of 72 out-of-towners from 20 cities in four states and 28 local contestants will begin the tournament this Saturday. Percy Pipes previous winner is expected to defend his title this year.

1956 Jack Myers, Miami

1957 Jack Myers, Miami

1958 Podge Ferguson, Kansas City

1959  Dr. W.D. Jackson, Miami

1960 Percy Pipes, Mt. Vernon, Illinois

1961 Percy Pipes, Mt. Vernon, Illinois

1962  7th annual  up for bid

W.D. Jackson (and his wife Norma Lou, who goes on to chair this tournament for decades) is the general chairman of the event. Robinson is in charge of invitations and finance Pairings will be supervised by Robert Temple, Harry Whitaker; Vernon Sapp will be starter; Club  pro Johnie Stapp, will be in charge of rules.  

NOTE: This tournament brought in a lot of money to Miami over the years since men drove to Miami to get in practice rounds through out the summer months. The course was consider fair but extremely difficult and placement of the tee shot mattered. The women came on Friday with their husbands and shopped downtown. The unmentionable is that this tournament was considered a Calcutta during which men could place bets on their team or others to see who won. This form of gambling took place nationwide until the 1980's, but all along it was considered against the law, so people did not speak openly of the dealings.  Women in Oklahoma had their own tournaments during the 1960's, 70's, and 80's that were Calcuttas, again the unmentionable, but most certainly gambling payoffs.   

62.9.10  "Hatfield Wins Tourney Title"

Missouri golfers dominated  top honors in the seventh annuals Miami Country club invitational tourney which ended a two-day run Sunday evening in cold, rainy weather. Jim Hatfield of Neosho, a Rocketdyne machinist, captured the crown with a 36-hole score of 146. His one-under par 71 on Saturday took medalist honors. He scored 75 on Sunday.

Runner-up with 74-74=148 was Bill Stewart of Springfield, winner of the Missouri state amateur championship 1953 and 1957 (father of the PGA pro Payne Stewart, who also played golf at the country club before turning pro.) Miami banker John F. Robinson won third place with a 150 total. This marks the fifth straight year that Robinson has finished in the top four of the invitational. 

Jim Hatfield, champion, Bill Stewart, 2nd

The championship flight was limited to the 13 who scored 79 or under on Saturday. Those included Jack Myers, Miami 79-80=159 and Marshall Smith, Quapaw, 78-84=162. 

Of the 109 golfers from four states who had signed up for the tournament, 104 posted qualifying scores on Saturday despite heavy rains throughout the area early in the day. Rainfall here for the two tournament days totaled 2.41 inches. 

62.10.4 "Ladies Trophy Winners"

The Ladies Golf association voted to name its annual fall golf event the "Virginia Campbell Memorial Tournament" in honor of the late Mrs. Pat Campbell, an enthusiastic golfer and member of the association. Trophies, donated by Country club President Pat Campbell, were present to the medalist, Claire Oliver; championship Faye Berentz, Class A Hattie Wall, Class B Helen Stapp, and Class C Helen Moore. 

62.11.11 The annual meeting of the Miami Golf and Country club stockholders will be held on a regular Stagg night this Tuesday. Dinner will be served beginning at 7 o'clock prior to the meeting.

1962 Golf Shop Employees:

Ed and Cora Westfahl, Bobby Ballenger, Warren Harkins.

Figuring Handicaps: I made $15.00 a month when I helped mom compute all of the handicaps for the members. We used an ancient black adding machine to put in the numbers. When I had a total, I then used a slide rule designed for golf handicaps and figured an average score, and then a handicap. Mom and I took turns with this job until I was older and put in charge.  Jonya and I both agree that the fun part was using the old adding machine and pulling down the handle. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teaching tips from the Pro:

 

He also built a short demo club about 12-15" long with a full grip. The grip he used over and over to teach everyone of his students how to properly hold the club  

He believed in the effectiveness of the Vardon grip and consistently shared that information with people who came into the golf shop whining and complaining about the round he/she just had.  

 

1962 Junior Golfers

 

1960's The Golf Carts and The Snake Pit

 

If there was trouble to be found Dad and Doc Jackson were the pair. They were also great teammates in Pro-Am's around the Tri-state area, plus a few trips to California. The funny stories also came from the lips of Ky Laffoon, Dr. Harry Ford, Charlie Trussler, Marion Zajic and a friend of Dad's from California, Dale Stokes. 

*Dale was a traveling licensed electrician, plumber, all around fix it man. He and his wife, Elsie, lived in an AirStream travel trailer, never owning a home. When Dale did not have work he and Elsie sometimes came to see the pro and help dad with electrical and other handy man repairs for several weeks. 

In the time between 1955--1961 dad cleared out the remaining space under the ballroom to make room for his growing cart business. It took quite a bit of time and expertise from electricians and other laborers to set the beams and post for electricity, so we could later charge cart batteries. Concrete was laid at the inside entrance from the golf shop, more or less a back door out of the shop that went through the cart storage. This space gave Johnie a work area for tinkering on all golf clubs, all machinery, and especially his golf carts. I have searched high and low for Johnie's record book of the golf carts and not found it. I can promise you he was extremely meticulous in keeping track of every gallon of gas; the times he changed batteries; which one was or was not charging properly; each time a tire needed repair; every penny spent and every trip to Wichita or Joplin for parts recorded. He kept the same meticulous records in every car he owned.

The golf cart business boomed beginning in 1955. Our timing in the golf industry was perfect for bringing in golf carts and push carts.  President Dwight D. Eisenhower and other celebrities of the time brought attention to the golf carts and their usefulness to the game. 

The golf cart behind Mickey Wright is the type that dad bought in the beginning.

The first carts were three wheeled gasoline engines, and continued to be used until 1974. The steering mechanism on gasoline carts was known as tiller steering, which was a triangular bar with rounded edges.

 

In the beginning, I think Dad used E-Z Go Golf Carts and then switched to Cushman for gasoline and electric. I know that we did not have covers for them to protect us from the blazing sun, nor were they comfortable, but they were the style and classy looking.

Speaking from experience the gasoline cart went fast and turned quickly. This also meant it was quite dangerous and from time to time people were tossed out of the golf carts. I, for one, tossed my mother out on hole #2 after we hit our drives. I was driving the golf cart and passed mother's tee shot, I turned the cart to the left and mother flew to the right and rolled on the ground. I did not laugh, nor did Johnie Stapp! He and Jonya were driving behind us and saw what happened. That was one more time (of the many) that I was scolded severely and grounded. No wonder I didn't go to Mutt Hutt or Teen Town, as often as my friends.

Battery powered carts began to show up two by two during my teenage years. Dad paid for most of the carts with cash when he could, rather than take out a loan. 

Fun Fact: gas golf carts were originally promoted for elderly, seriously ill, and disabled people who still wanted to enjoy the sport of golf.  

Golf Cart History in Pictures This is the best website I have found for photos of the old golf carts. Certainly many memories in those old beauties. 

 

The Snake Pit

 

Once the cart room storage was complete Dad and his team of the "C.S. Club" Trussler, Zajic, Painter brothers, Wild Bill Hirsch, Doc Jackson, and others, not to mention the men who worked as grounds keepers, spent many a winter Thursday night digging out the "Snake Pit." It was in the Southeast corner of the cart storage. It had two big steps down to the lower level, no concrete, just dirt. It was a square shape about three foot deep (20' by 20' or larger). Dad bought a large net that hung in the back from the beams and was bolted down the ground. A tarp hung behind it.

The "snake pit" was built so the men could hit golf balls down there on cold days and nights.  It remained busy during my time there in the '60's.  Behind the netting and tarp Dad would sometimes hide liquor or store beer. On nights when there might be a raid on the bar upstairs this became a secret hiding place for the slot machines.

Range balls (practice golf balls) in a bucket remained in the pit throughout the year. When it rained outside, the mud and clay became slick, but Johnie had a solution. We stood on rubber mats like the ones used outside at Driving Range facilities 

It also became a new secret place for kissing couples who didn't want to be seen or caught by the pro.

There were numerous kissing places hidden to the public in that old building. I found them all, and on a few occasions I found them occupied. I was like a church mouse roaming the clubhouse from the time we moved there until I moved away. 

Once when I was way too young to find the attic, I shared a baloney sandwich with JD, whose mother was the cook and ran the dining room services. They lived in the apartment upstairs and it was through their door that two little children learned how to walk on beams and look out the window facing the north toward the practice green. I am surprised I didn't walk away with splinters buried in my hands. The attic was raw hot and dark and dangerous.   Architectural Layout of the Country Club

Years later, when I read THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE I knew that I had been there myself. No, I hadn't gone through a magical wardrobe, but I had found a magical kingdom at the top of the Miami Country club. It remained my special hidden place. As long as Fay Doty lived there I found refuge in the attic, alone sometimes with a toy and my imagination.