Johnie F. Stapp--1946-1950 California: the Teaching Pro

1946 April 21 LA Times

Johnie Stapp, former Wichita, Kansas professional golfer, has taken over the teaching duties at Santa Anita Golf Course in Arcadia. Johnie play a lot of golf and became very popular with the local club swinging fraternity during the war years when for a time, Lieutenant John Stapp, was located at Camp Santa Anita.  

Stapp will be conducting golf lessons to all Pasadena Junior College golf classes held every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon. Ladies golf days are Tuesday and Friday morning. Lessons are offered every day by phoning AT 7-9901. My father understood the value of advertising and making use of pictures and videos. 

 1946 THE TOURNAMENT OF CELEBRITIES

 

In a little "by-play" staged before the celebrities Tournament opened, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Army Chief of Staff, rubs his hands together as he anticipates hitting a ball from the forehead of screen star Edward Arnold. In the background is Fleet Admiral Chester  W. Nimitz.  (From my father's scrapbook.) He and Mother were both Kansas kids who deeply admired Ike.

General Eisenhower has been called "Golf's Ultimate Ambassador."  Eisenhower who went on to become our 34th President loved the game of golf which benefited greatly was Ike's interest. The number of golfers doubled during Eisenhower's two terms as president (1953-1960). 

Ben Hogan's follow through, c. Johnie and Letty Stapp

 

We have several of dad's scrapbooks that deal only with teaching the game of golf. He used current magazines and newspaper's to clip photos of teaching/correct golf positions. In California, he also learned to use the old cameras and build his own library of movies based on teaching certain moves in the golf swing.  These movies he shared over the years at the Miami Country club during various meetings with men and women. He also shared his movies with various PGA meetings.

 Dad most admired Ben Hogan for his perseverance and his swing. He taught the Vardon, one finger overlap grip to every student over the decades. When I struggled as a teen with a severe slice, he insisted that I use a two finger over lap grip, which took some strength away from my powerful right side. It worked for decades. I was in my forties before I changed to a one finger over lap, and studying the pictures available I realized that my right hand had dropped down to low. A refresher course is always a good thing to have. Check out this video and skip the adds: Secrets to the Vardon Grip

Over the next few years Johnie played golf with some of the most well known golfers of his time. Whenever possible he took pictures or videos of their swings or copied notes about their putting or chipping stroke. 

Patty Berg became Johnie's long time favorite woman golfer. He took a series of swing photos of her sometime between 1946-49 at Santa Anita. Patty Berg LPGA Founder

Patty Berg c. Johnie Stapp, Letty Stapp

Patty Berg, c.Johnie and Letty Stapp

Patty Berg, c Johnie and Letty Stapp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dad captured a series of photos showing his swing, he also learned how to the 16mm camera/film in slow motion for groups to see.

 

Johnie Stapp, PGA

Johnie Stapp, PGA

Johnie Stapp, PGA

 

Johnie Stapp, PGA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1946 August 30,31, September 1 and 2

Golden State, $15,000 Open Golf Tournament at California Country club 

Names on the pairings included Ben Hogan, Tony Penna, George Fazio (later golf course designer),Jimmy Demaret, Dutch Harrison (Little Rock), Lawson Little, Johnny Bulla, Forrest Tucker (actor), and Ray Mangrum. 

The only results I found read: Bob Simmons, a guitar rhythm master from Bel-Air, and Professional Johnie Stapp of Santa Anita, led the Golden State Open qualifying round yesterday. 

1947 January 9 Corsicana Daily Sun "Bing Crosby Golf Tournament Opens Friday"

The complete entry list of the $10,000 Bing Crosby pro-amateur golf tournament after a completion of a qualifying round over the Pebble Beach course. 

*This is the event dad most often talked about. He played in 1947 and 1948.

1948 May 6 Arcadia Tribune "Johnie Stapp Qualifies for the National Open"

 1948 June 10--12 "48th U.S. Open" 

Once again dad was able to qualify for this Open championship, only to miss the cut by one stroke. Apparently, his drive on one hole hit a yardage marker and kicked out of bounds. So the story goes.

1948 October 8 "Golf Exhibition"

Louise Suggs (One of the original 13 founders of the LPGA) will play in an exhibition at Santa Anita course. Her partner will be, Santa Anita pro Johnie Stapp and relays of members of the Santa Anita Women's club. Louise Suggs, LPGA Founder

*Dad was also friends with veteran LPGA founder Marilyn Smith of Wichita, Ks. I always admired him for learning about golf through the eyes of women and men. 

Dad continued to play in many professional events through out California through 1949. He and mother then moved to Independence, Ks where Jonya Lee Stapp was born in 1951.

The story goes that there was a terrible earthquake in Southern California which knocked their little daughter (me) off the bed. Mother was so upset that she told Johnie they needed to move back home to Kansas.

 

While this story may be true, the real story is full of heartache. My mother's father died in Wichita in 1947 before I was born, leaving her mother brokenhearted and alone. Dad's father was in failing health, so in time they made the decision to return to family. His father died shortly after they moved to Independence. We never knew our grandfathers. 

 

**All photos from the personal collection of Johnie Stapp and Letty Stapp.

For other personal stories read my blog "Literally Letty".

Dirt Track Racing 

Route 66--Times Gone By

The Old Pro 

Herstory Comes to Life

SupHer Power Golf 

1955 TIMELINE AND STORIES by Letty Stapp Watt

 1955 

By Letty Stapp Watt

The first golf carts at Miami Country club were gas powered. It was a big deal for anyone to take a cart and all of the club members were excited because we were the first club to have the first gas golf carts in the Tri-State area. I remember they were kept under the country club ballroom and Johnie was a knowledgeable mechanic and did all of the maintenance on them himself. Johnie did a lot of original things like that.(Story from Jim Taylor, son of Gob Taylor.)

Bob Hill recalls that the Johnie only bought two gas powered scooters in the beginning. Gob Taylor, John Burford, and Ted Lowry were three regulars for using the golf carts.  The carts were used and often backfired while going down the fairway, which sometimes caused people to scream or drop to the ground thinking it was gun fire. 

1955 March 20 

Al Spaulding, production superintendent at B.F. Goodrich, was recently elected president of the board at the Miami Country club. Congratulations, Al, we feel the board couldn't have made a better choice. 

1955 March 20 "Polio Vaccine Plans Studied"

Detailed plans now are being worked out for the possible administration of polio vaccine to approximately 1,500 Ottawa country children who will be eligible to receive the vaccine if it is licensed. Dr. Rosemary Harvey, local health department director, announced Saturday. 

As reported recently by state health officials, all first and second grade pupils in public, private, and parochial schools in the state dare included in the planned program. The vaccine also will be available to other person through physicians at the same time. 

**Note: I, like many readers of my peers, was a child who stood in line for the polio vaccine. I recall the long line at the courthouse extended around the corner. We first received shots in our arm, and within a few years we followed up with a sugar cube. 

1955 April 23  "Miami Golfers Capture Tulsa Pro-Am Honors"

Four Miamians, paced by Country club professional Johnie Stapp, Sunday teamed up to win the pro-amateur meet at Tulsa's Indian Hills. 

Turning in a net best-ball score of 57 were Stapp, Jack Myers, Dr. W.D. Jackson, and Dr. R.E. Baron. Their 15-under-par effort included a combined 14 birdies, one eagle, one bogey and two pars. Stapp toured the 18-hole layout in 73 strokes. Myers shot a 75, Dr. Jackson 80, and Dr. baron 83.

1955 May 1 "Record Attendance at Club Luncheon"

Fifty-five members of the Ladies division of the Miami Country club and their guests, a record attendance, enjoyed the April luncheon and card party Thursday afternoon.  

Mrs. Monte Hall won the high score for bridge. Other bridge prizes went to Mrs. George W. Beck III and Mrs. Irving Proper. Canasta prizes were received by Mrs. Phillip Peacock and Mrs. Charles F. Hoffman.

Serving as the hostess committee for the occasion were Mrs. Lois Cowles, chairman; Mrs. O.J. Dahl, Mrs. W.V. Stout, Mrs. L.K. Newell, and Mrs. Johnie Stapp. Luncheon tables in the clubhouse ballroom were decorated with a variety of small potted plants. A miniature maypole was used as a centerpiece for the central table.   

1955 May 8 "Robinson Low Gross Winner Here"

John Robinson fired a nine-hole round of 36 Thursday evening at the Miami Country club, good for low gross prize during the first session of play in the new Twilight golfing league.  

Low net honors went to a team comprised of Rex Painter, George Beck, Marion Zajic and Bill Carter with 138 total strokes. The second place foursome included Wes Bullock, Noel Wyatt, Woody Painter, and Howard Essary. Ed Badger's 33 was the best individual low net score. Woody Painter was runner-up.

Low putt prizes were distributed to the team of G.R. White, Dr. Robert Baron, Hoot Gibson and Al White with 63 putts. Individual putting honors went to Ken Richards and Al White.  

1955 May 10  "Country Club Links Report"

This past week has been a busy one for golfing members of Miami Country club. First, the Northeastern A&M golf team went to Coffeyville for a match. Then the ladies went to Twin Hills in Joplin before beginning qualifying play for their spring handicap tournament. 

The men's Twilight league action got underway and a husband-wife tourney Sunday was conducted as a Mother's Day specialty.

Johnie Stapp, club professional, reports the busy pace will continue for most of the season, with tournaments, matches and league play affording plenty of exercise for the golfing set.

Stapp's golfing tip for today..."For better golfing, grip the club firmly in the left hand, using a palm and finger grip. Place the thumb slightly to the right of center on the top of the shaft, forming a "V" with the thumb and index finger which points to the right shoulder."

"In placing the right hand on the shaft, use the fingers only to grip the club. The palm should not touch the shaft. Place it over the thumb of the left hand. The little finger of the right hand should overlap the index finger of the left hand, leaving three fingers and the thumb to grip the club firmly. The "V" formed by the right thumb and finger should also point to the right shoulder. This is known as the Harry Vardon grip and is used and taught by 98 percent of the pros."

1955 May 10  "Convict Eyes Professional Baseball Career"

A 24-year-old Oklahoma State penitentiary inmate who was given 60day leave last year to try professional baseball gets out of prison July 2 and hopes for a second change. Billy Joe Moore, a heavy slugging first baseman who attracted NY Yankee scouts last season, got the leave to make good. An accident, re-injuring his knee, caused him to return to prison on his on volition. 

Moore, an all-around athlete, entered prison when he was 17. With time off for good behavior, he is getting out after 7 1/2 years.

1955 May 17  "The Golfing Scene"

The team captained by Walter Williams holds a half-point lead after the first two sessions of play in the newly installed Twilight league. Hank Garwood's foursome is in second place, only a fraction ahead of the Marion Zijac and Noel Wyatt entries, tied for third. 

The Williams team, which also includes N.J. Messler, Charley Mallory and Nelson Shouse, took low net honors with 143 strokes. In second was Kenneth Sample's quartet made up of Sample, Bill Neel, Max Peacock and Earl Gaines. Individual low net honors went to Al Spaulding and Ken Sample with 36's. Low putts went to Dr. Harry Ford and Spencer Dawson requiring only 13 putts for nine holes. 

"The Ladies News"

The Ladies Spring Handicap tournament will wind up this week with Mrs. J.R. Organ and Mrs. Spencer Dawson colliding for the championship. Mrs. Organ was a semi-final victor over Mrs. Jack Horner, while Mrs. Dawson was eliminating Mrs. Floyd Newton. The playoff will cover 18 holes.  

"Other News"

State Senator Jess Fronterhouse from Fairland returned to the Country club Sunday after a long absence. Once of the district's better golfers for years, Jess carded a fine 38 during the nine-hole workout. 

Today's tip from Johnie Stapp, club pro--"The best way to improve your scoring is to improve your putting. Of the top 60 players in the country there is very little difference in their games from tee to green. It is usually the player with the hottest putter who wins, most of the time with a score of 274 to 280 for four rounds. He will have used his putter between 130-138 times and the other 13 clubs in his bag 152 to 158 times."

"The three outstanding putters in the past 20 years have been Horton Smith (from Joplin), Lloyd Mangrum, and Bobby Locke. Smith and Mangrum use the reverse overlapping grip. 

1955 May 25  "The Golfing Scene"

 The third round of Twilight league play Thursday will see Henry Garwood's team out to protect its first-place standing. ...

Pro Johnie Stapp's tip for today--"On sand trap shots, ever stop your club in the sand; make a full follow-through." 

**Note: In previous blogs I have added a few notes on the bowling leagues, and Mickey Mantle. It is important to note that after Grand River Dam opened in 1940 that fishing became a bigger sport. During this time there are regular pictures posted of men, women, and families fishing.

 

1955 June 6  "Ladies Golf News"

Mrs. G.R. Organ won last week's championship flight. Mrs. Woodrow Painter took honors in class A. Marilyn Jones and Mrs. Rodney DeVilliers in class B and Mrs. Lois Cowles in class C.  

The women's league this year currently has over 50 ladies playing golf weekly. The pairings (This list is quite long. I will post winners names in the future when available instead of full pairings.)

Mrs. Floyd Newton, Mrs. George Murphy, and Mrs. James Moore.

Mrs. Woodrow Painter, Mrs. Bert Wall, and Mrs. Sam Fullerton.

Mrs. G.R. Organ, Mrs. Joe Ramsay and Mrs. Claud Jones.

Mrs. L.K. Newell, Mrs. Walter Patterson,Jr., and Mrs. G.A. Spaulding.  

Mrs. Ed Badger, Mrs. Wayman Jackson, and Mrs. Vernon Sapp.

Mrs. Spencer Dawson, Mrs. Elmer Jarrett, and Mrs. Bob Temple.

Mrs. Jack Horner, Mrs. Joe Thompson, and Mrs. O.R. Westfall.

Mrs. Al White and Mrs. Glen McCollum.

Mrs. Frank Lacaff, Mrs. O.J. Dahl, and Mrs. Gib Reynolds.

Mrs. Bob Nunn, Mrs. Corbin Shouse, and Mrs. Lillian White.

Mrs. Dick Wright, Mrs. Rodney DeVilliers, Mrs. Ray Cundiff, and Mrs. Henry Garwood.

Mrs. Don Johnson, Mrs. Lois Cowles, and Mrs. Earl Gaines, Jr. 

Mrs. Jim Smallwood, Mrs. Robert Baron, and Mrs. Rex Painter.

Mrs. George Russell, Mrs. Lee Adkinson, and Mrs. James Nowlin.

Mrs. Hance VanBeber, Mrs. W. D. Jackson, Mrs. Rex Graham, and Mrs. Charles Hoffman.

Pauline Dykes, Marilyn Jones, Mrs. G.R. White, and Mildred Gibson.  

 

1955 June 6  "Mantle Clouts Long Homer in Yank Victory"

 ...In New York's Yankee stadium Mickey Mantle blasted a 486 foot homer as the Yankees beat Kansas City 6-2. It was one of the longest balls every belted in the stadium. 

1955 June 25  "Winners Listed; Juniors to Play"

The team of Corbin Shouse, H. Wright, Joe Thompson, a substitute, and George Walbert captured low net honors in the seventh week of play in Miami Country club's Twilight league. Total score was 147 with the team of Jack Myers, Dr. W.D. Jackson, Bob Temple, and Spencer Dawson shooting a 150. 

Meanwhile, club pro Johnie Stapp announced that golfing lessons will begin Saturday morning at the club for junior players. Free lessons will continue for a month to precede a tournament for youngsters in several age groups. This will be held in late July.

Saturday's clinic will open at 10a.m. and youths are urged to report at the clubhouse their intentions to participate. The junior links program is planned for children up to 16 years of age. Last year 30 youngsters participated. Free golfing lessons will be given by Stapp each Saturday.

 1955 June 30 "Dance Scheduled"

An informal dance will be held at the Miami Country club Saturday night beginning at 9:30 o'clock as part of he July 4 weekend celebration. Provisions have been made to keep the clubhouse cool and comfortable, according to Spencer Dawson, chairman. (It is hard to imagine that Tudor style building without air conditioning. In 1960 the inside of the clubhouse was completely remodeled with air conditioning upstairs and in the third floor apartment. The downstairs pro-shop and locker rooms were painted and cleaned up but no air conditioning installed. A huge wall fan sucked air from the outside into the downstairs to keep it cool and comfortable.)

The swimming pool will be open Saturday night. Dinner will be served from 6 o'clock until dance time. For dinner reservations members may call William George at the Country club. The phone is No. 4429. Complete proceeds of the dance are to be used to purchase a record player for the club. 

**Once upon a time the swimming pool at the country did not have a fence around it. A few years ago, I met with a beautiful lady named Mary

VanBeber, known as Mrs. Hance VanBeber at that time. She was in an assisted living home in Miami when I found her. Oh, such stories she could tell.  

Her favorite story it seems was about the adventures a group of members shared in the swimming pool on hot summer nights when no one had air conditioning.  One night, or many nights, she recalled that she and Hance and others in the neighborhood would go swimming about midnight. Once the neared the club their husbands would turn off the car lights to hide their entrance.  They parked their cars in north driveway where people living nearby couldn't see them, then giggling like kids they would shed their clothes in the car, grab their bathroom towels and run and jump into the pool. 

I gathered from her memory this happened on many a summer night, including evenings when they had been to dances and remembered to bring their towels and swimsuits, so they could cool off before going home. 

I recall as a a small child that the lifeguard left at 6:00 but parents were required to watch their children in the pool and call for help if anyone drowned!   Because our homes were not air conditioned, I know that my sister and I often stayed late at the club swimming until dad closed the shop down at dark. Mother brought a sandwich out to dad, to hold him over until dinner around 8-9:00. We were never alone at the club and many a family enjoyed the cool nights around the pool until....the fence was built and a lock put on a gate! 

Mary's second best story involved clothing at the golf shop. "Your father never could select ladies golf wear that I liked. I decided to buy my own golf clothes through the Neiman Marcus catalog. Hans was always willing to drive me to Dallas to shop. It made me so happy." 

1955 July 3   "The Golfing Scene" 

A field of over 120 golfers, largest of the season, will tee off Monday morning in the unusual lady pro-amateur Fourth of July tournament at the Miami Country Club. For the one day only, lady members of the club will be designated as professionals for the purpose of teaming with the men. Each woman golfer will head a team also including two men.

Forty-two pairings have been announced. The first threesome will tee off at 8 o'clock. Handicap play will be for low net. The tournament will be followed by driving and putting contests for both sexes. Some 40 prizes will be awarded at the day's close. Upon conclusion of the golfing program, a barbeque dinner will be served, to be followed by a fire-works display. A nocturnal putting party will inaugurate new lights installed at the practice green. 

Club professional, Johnie Stapp, reports the golf course is in excellent shape.  

1955 July  "Park Activities"

**I am including this story because as a child growing up in Miami, I had so many opportunities to learn games and play, thanks to the Parks department. 

A playgrounds program for girls will be inaugurated this week, starting Tuesday, at Washington school, in the northeast section of town. Ann Cowan will supervise the girls' activities.

Results of Friday's contest: 

DARTS--1. Terry Garner 2. Sammy Ketcher 3. Lewis Pogue

Horseshoes, singles--1. Jack Leake 2. Dick Kerr 3. Richard Russell

Horseshoes, doubles--1. Larry Ketcher-Edward McBrian,  2. Mark Price--Brooks Shafer 3. Bud Gilmore--Carl Graham

Clay modeling--1.Charles Hirsch, 2. Sandra Mason, 3.Pauline Hogan

1955 August 16  "The Golfing Scene"

Jackie Myers retains his club championship title beating John Robinson in the final 18 hole medal event.  Myers won last year and Robinson was runner-up.

1955 September 11  "The Ladies Golf Notes"

Miami Country club women will launch their annual fall tournament next Wednesday, opening with a driving contest and Pitch and Putt competition at 1 p.m.

Mrs. Gene Owens won championship honors in last week's activity. Mrs. Sam Fullerton won out in the class A, Mrs. Corbin Shouse and Mrs. Al White tied in class B and Mrs. George Russell prevailed in class C.

 

Miami News Record September 11, 1955

1955 September 26 "Golfing Winners Announced"

Mr. and Mrs. Rex Painter are man-wife Scotch foursome champions at Miami Country club. The won the golf title with a 2 and 1 victory over Mrs. and Mrs. Richard Wright.

Consolation flight winners are Mr. and Ms. Henry Garwood. They defeated the Jack Horners, 1-up. Mrs. and Mrs. Joe Ramsey in A flight defeated the Henry VanBebers, 1-up, while the Wayman Jacksons emerged on top in the A flight consolation bracket with a 1-up verdict over the Bob McClains.

First-round winners in the annual men's Calcutta championship bracket include: Jim Nowlin over We Bullock, Jack Doan over Jack Schofield, Earl Fisher over Dr. W.D. Jackson, Ken Sample over John Reese, Bert Wall over Bud May, Bob Temple over Joe Thompson, Buck Bagby over John Burford, Jack Buzzard over Dale Mabon, Pat Patterson over J.R. Organ, Ted Lowry over Lee Adkinson, Jack Brown over Bernie Schaff, Paul McIntosh over Richard Wilson, Walter Williams over G.R. Stripling.

1955 September 27  "Four Miamians Playing in Tulsa Golf Event"

Miami is represented in the pro-amateur event being held today in connection with the Oklahoma State Open golf tournament at Southern Hills Country club in Tulsa. 

Johnie Stapp, Miami Country club professional, is paired with three local amateurs in the preliminary event, which carries a $500 purse. Playing with Stapp are Jack Myers, John F. Robinson, and Ken Childress.

More than 80 pros are battling the par 71 over the 6,756 yard course. Defending open champion is Jimmy Gaunt of Oklahoma City.

*Record above came from the Miami Daily News Record found in the NewsArchives.  

Johnie F. Stapp, the WAR years and a New Life as a Professional Golfer--1941--1946

1941-1946

Johnie F. Stapp, The War Years

1941 notes from personal scrapbook

Before the war began my father, Johnie Stapp, enlisted. He was stationed at Camp Robinson, Little Rock, Arkansas. The only story I ever remember from him was when they learned to march through the swamps of S.E. Arkansas and Louisiana. He told me that it honestly scared him to pieces, because he could just imagine all of the snakes in the trees. Then one day a snake fell on one of his companions. Although it did not kill him, nor dad, I've never forgotten that picture he described. (No wonder I tell stories.)

"Tough Soldiers Balk at Wet Links" 

The Division golf tournament opened last Sunday as six soldiers waded through rain soaked links in three 18-hole  matches.... Pvt. John Stapp, Medical Detachment, 137th Infantry, defeated Pvt. Pat Shelton, Headquarters Company, 137th, two and one at Fair Park. 

Rain forced postponement of other first round matches. Twenty-two golfers are entered in the championship tournament. All matches are being played on Little Rock links. 

1941  August 12    "Golf Champion" 

Pvt. John Stapp of Wichita, a member of the 137th Infantry, today was crowned golf champion of the 35th division. Stapp won the title in yesterday's championship flight when he defeated Pvt. Richard Logger of St. Louis, 4 and 3. Logger is a member of the 138 Infantry. 

1942 February 20  "Wichitan in the News"

Johnie Stapp formerly of 35th Infantry division made a hole-in-one at Fair Park Municipal Course in Little Rock. He played with Lloyd and Bill DeBacker. 

1943 January 

Lieut. John Stapp is visiting his parents. Stapp, formerly stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland will be stationed at Camp Santa Anita, in California as a staff and faculty. Stapp received his commission on September 26, 1942, and met his future wife, my mother, Helen.

1943 March "Man O' War" Military Newspaper

Lt.Stapp shot a 73, three over par 70, to win Low Gross for officers in the Camp Santa Anita Cup. Stapp received a 14" engraved cup.

1943 April 16  

In the officers and non-commissioned officers event, the team of Lt. Stapp and Pvt. Danner snared the golf titles. "Salute the winners, the Turfbirds",  of the Camp Santa Anita golf tournament. You might as well for one of them raises a highball anyway you look at it." Stapp's score of 73,72,71,73=289 is a strong show. 

1943 August 10 L.A. Times

Lt. Stapp takes the coveted Arcadia Crown. The first man to win the Arcadia City Championship at Annandale Country club, by shooting a 69. 

1943 August 20 by Jack Curnow

"Snead's Navy Golfers Play Army Team"

Sam Snead, who needs no introduction to the golfing world will head a contingent of blue-jackets from San Diego Navy Base today against a soldier outfit from Santa Anita Ordinance Camp in a 10-man play over the sporty county-owned Santa Anita links in Arcadia.

Backing up Slamming Sammy will be an Alhambra product Bill Nary, the long-hitting ex-Rancho Santa Fe pro who joined the Navy several weeks ago....

Heading the Ordinance golfers will be Lt. Johnie Stapp, ex-Kansas golf pro who has been right on his stick lately. He'll have the team of Col.F.G.Bryan, Capt E. H. Christensen.......

The match starts at 2 pm and is open to the public. Off the early dope, the blue-jackets figure to nudge the soldiers.

1943 October    L.A. Times by Mel Gallagher

Lloyd Mangrum, one-time Texas caddy who develop into one of the leading golf professionals of the nation, arrived home last week from his summer links tour prepared to enter the Southern California Open October 15,16, 17.  

The stylish clubbing Mangrum, a mainstay of Walter Hagen's Ryder Cup team for the past two years will be a strong favorite for this Arcadia tournament title. He has shown a liking for the stretching Santa Anita par 70 layout, having spread-eagled an open field there two years ago. ....

1943 October 12 L.A. Times by Jack Curnow

"Mangrum-Bassler Card 63s in Pro-Amateur"

Harry Bassler, Fox Hill pro, and Lloyd Mangrum of Monterey Park, traveling pro, served warning on the large field entered in this weekend's Southern California Open, when they fired identical 68's in the pro-am tourney. Three teams tied for third place money with  65's; Pro Eddie Hobit and Frank Horton, 32-33; Lieut. Johnie Stapp and Joe Mabley 34-31; and Ray Haines, assistant pro to Ellsworth Vines at Southern Country club and Fred Clark, Jr. 32-33. 

1943 October 14  L.A. Times by Jack Curnow

"Southland Open Takes Tee Today"

The big guns start firing today in the Southern California Open at Santa Anita Golf Club in Arcadia. The 72-hole medal play affair; which has lured a big field of local favorites and many newcomers now here in the war work and military service, gets under way with 18 holes of play. ....

At the halfway mark Joe Kirkwood, Jr. lead the field with 70-71....Lieut. John Stapp with a 74-72; 

**At this point in Santa Anita dad has become friends with Sammy Snead, Lloyd Mangrum, and Johnny Bulla, George Fazio, Byron Nelson, Ed Dudley (who was MGCC's first golf pro).  Ray Beardon, head pro at Santa Anita and Ellsworth Vines, pro at Southern California Country club. He and mother often shared stories of Elly Vines, who had been the national tennis champion before turning golf pro.

*Note: Johnie spent the remainder of the war years in the Pacific Islands. After the war he remained in Japan for several months, helping with the closure of the war and  communications with the Japanese. During that time he became close friends with Dr. Seturo, a Japanese doctor at the Tuberculosis Sanatorium.

I followed up on the doctor he befriended after the war. This is a clip from my story. Dr. Seturo's niece writes: 

"Your father's friend, Dr Seturo, was a very talented person. After graduating from medical school in Japan, he was studying at the University of Bern in Switzerland.

His son, Mitsuko's father, was also a doctor. He went to North China as a medical doctor. At the end of the war he was interned in Siberia and missing forever It was a really sad story." 

To read more of this World War II story please click on this link Touching Lives

Helen Stapp, Arcadia, Ca. 1946

1946 May 25 

My mother, Helen Weaver, who met her future husband, Johnie while he was home on leave in Wichita, Ks., married him on May 25 at the Little Church of the West in Las Vegas. Their first daughter, Letty, was born December 26, 1947.

Johnie returned from the war and began working at the Santa Anita Golf Course as a teaching pro. He actively taught golf lessons to students in the various college campuses around Santa Anita. During this time he met many of the Hollywood stars who played the Santa Anita course and bet on the races at the Santa Anita Racetrack Park.

It was through his golf at Santa Anita that he met Bing Crosby and Johnny Weissmueller. In January 1947 he attended the Bing Crosby Tournament being held at Pebble Beach. Knowing this from my father's stories I researched to the best of my abilities any kind of list or story that might show when he played. (If newspapers are not online then the records remain on microfilm or microfiche in area libraries.) I did not find any list of players, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading articles from all over the United States telling tales of the Clambake. I also discovered that in the late 1940's Crosby Tournament was so popular that it was carried on the radio.

Picture of Johnny Weismuller, Tarzan, from Stapp family photos.

From 1937--1942 Bing Crosby held his tournaments at Rancho Santa Fe near San Diego. After the war in 1947 Crosby moved his tournament for more money and larger gatherings to Pebble Beach, California. The nickname "Clambake" came from the early days when Bing gathered the players on the beach for an authentic "clambake" with food, entertainment, and drinks for everyone.

 Bing Crosby Tournament History

 The Crosby Clambake

**I had hoped to find my father's connection to George Coleman, Jr. through the stories on Bing Crosby's Tournament. Johnie would have been invited to the clambake by Crosby since he knew him personally from his work at Santa Anita. I know that he attended the tournament at least one more time before moving to Miami.  He already knew George Coleman, Jr. before moving to Miami. So I am guessing they met in California. 

In our first year in Miami (1954) dad bought a dark green 1952 Oldsmobile from George Coleman, Jr.  It was a supped up engine, and  became a race car. We traveled to California in that car when I was too young to remember anything but looking out the car window and seeing the road drop off in a cliff. I also experienced dirt track racing in that Olds.

This same car 52 Oldsmobile photo became a well known speedster before Johnie bought the Muntz from Lou Newell in 1959 or 1960. The speedster Olds took Johnie and Doc Robert Baron to California in a single day or less, so the story goes. Of course, the same story can be told about Johnie and Doc Jackson traveling to California in 24 hours. I do not recall which Pro-Am's they played in but it seemed to be fun and profitable for dad's teams. 

Johnie F. Stapp, the Wichita Years, 1926-1940

1926-1940 Johnie F. Stapp

The Wichita Years

by Letty Stapp Watt

 

The great Ken Venturi once said, " My father taught me that the easiest thing to do was to quit. He'd say, 'It doesn't take any talent to do that.'"

Luckily, for my sister and me our father, Johnie Stapp, believed this mantra and took it to heart. When his arms were severely burned in his teenage years it was a doctor and nurse at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas who taught him to first hold a golf club, and then to swing a golf club. Without that form of physical therapy my father was destined to be a janitor, for his hands were twisted and curled from the burns.

The bandaged burns and several surgeries left both of his forearms drawn at forty-five degree angles, and his finger tightly curled inwards. It left him unable to hold a pencil, handle tools in the garage, or do much more than rake leaves. One of his doctors was a golfer and took an interest in his young patient. In the beginning, the golf was prescribed for therapy. The doctor taught him how to grip the club properly, which meant painful gripping and twisting to his hands and wrists. While still in the hospital dad practiced how to grip a club, giving his hands and arms the muscles needed to once again become useful. When he was released from the hospital he would meet his doctor on weekends at a nearby golf course. Eventually, he learned to swing the club. While the recovery was painful, it also proved a new playground for the then sixteen year old. The pro at Sims Parks suggested that Johnie become a caddy, which would give him an opportunity to make money, and play golf one day a week.

 For the full story on his recovery please click on my "Literally Letty" blog site: 

<https://literallyletty.blogspot.com/2011/07/pro.html>

Johnie Stapp, the Caddy:

Young curly headed Johnie Stapp is the middle back caddy. 

Johnie became a caddy in 1925 at Sims Park, Wichita Country Club, Crestview Country club, and several other courses as events needed caddies. By 1928 he was playing in the area caddy tournaments. In this 1929 photo Tully Meyers, top left defeated dad 3 and 2 in a 36 hole match play for the City Caddy Championship.

1926

 

During the "dust bowl" years Johnie drove to Hutchinson, Kansas to play at Carey Park. He was considered one of the straightest shooters in the
field. In 1933 he won the Fiesta Golf Tournament at Carey Park. The newspaper wrote that Johnie Stapp, a turf cutter from Wichita, excelled in putting, giving him more birdies than the other players.

One of his favorite stories told of the time that he and his sister drove to Hutchinson from Wichita in a dust storm. "The wind and dirt blew so terribly that Sis had to get out of the car and walk along side of it, pounding with signals on the hood of the car to keep me on the road." His mother and sister, agreed that the story was true, although possibly exaggerated. 

In 1933 Johnie, playing at Crestview in the Caddy Championship, Johnie shot a 77, which gave him medalist honors and a birth in the Kansas State Amateur Championship.

In 1934 Johnie, playing in the Wichita City Championship was medalist with a 70, but was beat in match play. In 1934 he set the course record at Westlink Golf Course with a 67. 

He continued to play in all caddy and area amateur events in Kansas until 1936. From 1936-1939 Johnie earned a living by repairing golf clubs, selling golf clubs for a company during those years, and as a mechanic at a local service station.

1940 June 20 Wichita Eagle

Stapp turned out to be the darkhorse candidate for the Kansas State Amateur. Stapp is a former well-known city and state tourney player. Just 28 now, he has been out of golf for four years, but has hit a 68 and 69 in rounds of golf at Sim Park regularly in practice. He may be the one to watch. 

In the early Pro-Am a Kansas City pair of R.N. Bumps Barnes, professional from Quivira CC and his partner Woody Owens, won with a net 65, beating out the next lowest pair of W.L. Myers and Johnie Stapp of Wichita.  This pair furnished a 66 in style as hot shooting amateur, Johnie Stapp turned in a 69, two under par. (The team won $69.)

...As the newspaper went to press with scores from the morning round of Thursday's qualifying the afternoon round sees Billy Jones just off the pace of the morning's lowest score. John Stapp, another amateur who shot in the sixties Wednesday, is scoring low now and may set the qualifying pace. 

1940 June 21 Wichita Eagle

In the first round of match play in the Kansas State Amateur at Sims Park in Wichita, local man Johnie Stapp defeated Ed Beard 4 and 3. 

*Stapp was defeated in the third round by Bob Kellogg. 

1940 June 30 Wichita Eagle "Sports notes...

Watching Bob Kellogg one-iron Johnie Stapp out of the recent state tourney, Doc Lampkin says he got a good lesson on the one-iron. 

It looks as though Johnie Stapp will have his hands full when the one-day invitation tournament at Echo Hills get underway July 14. A number of hotshots, local and out-of-town have made reservations already. Prizes totaling almost $300 will be given.

1940 Fall notes from scrapbook

Athletes to camp. Wichita will see more and more of its sports figures going to military duty. Johnie Stapp well known golfer reports to Camp Robinson, Monday. Johnie will take his golf sticks along however, and hopes to get in some rounds. He's in the medical unit. 

Pvt. John Stapp of Wichita, Kansas is a member of the 137 Infantry at Camp Robinson, Little Rock, Arkansas.