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RODEO
HISTORICAL SOCIETY HOLDS BRONCS &
BIRDIES FUND RAISER
The day began at Roddy Ranch, with yells
of “Fore” and talk of birdies, eagles
and other golf terms.
But about sundown talk changed to
“Whoa” and “Giddyap” as the Rodeo
Historical Society sponsored “Broncs
& Birdies Golf Tournament and Horse
Seminar” took place on May 2nd.
Early morning looked ominous as
overcast skies and occasional showers
dampened the golf course.
Around
8 AM
the
skies opened and the rain came down, hard –
until about
9:30
. Tee
time was 10 AM and by that time the
golfers from across the country had
registered, for the first-time event and fund
raiser for the RHS, the rains ceased,the
sun came out, and it was a glorious day.
The event was held at the Roddy
Ranch Golf Course, located an hour or so
east of
San Francisco
, near
Antioch
,
California
. The
outstanding course, nestled in the hills,
is unique in that each hole is named for a
popular rodeo, a rodeo world champion or a
popular head of stock, like
Midnight
, the bronc that was always a challenge to
any bronc rider, and the well-known bull,
Oscar, the bullrider’s nemesis.
Just like the tough sport of rodeo,
the pristinely
manicured grounds, in tip top shape,
was a challenging
course.
Golfers were warned not to follow
their balls too far in to the high grass
that surrounded the course as
rattlesnakes might be lurking there.
After a light breakfast the sun
came out, the rains stopped and
Kevin Fitzgerald, the course pro, gave
the instructions to teams of four.
Instead of ‘mounting their
horses’ these golfing cowboys jumped in
to their ‘trusty’ golf carts and headed
out. Ramrods
for the venue were Pam Minick and Jack
& Donna Roddy, assisted by Larry Mahan
and Bill Smith. Jack
Roddy was World Champion Steer Wrestler in
1966 and 1968.
Mahan, winning eight Championships,
with
the All-Around
from 1966 through 1970 and again in
1973 and Bull Riding top marble in 1965
and 1967.
Bill Smith was Saddle Bronc World
Champion in 1969, 1971 and 1973.
Pam Minick, former Miss Rodeo
America
, and television personality for rodeo,
needs no introduction.
The golfing was not only
challenging to the players, but added
incentives were required, such
as ‘putt
with a branding iron’ or ‘rope a calf
dummy’ to qualify for extra awards.
Needless to say everyone had a
great time.
The winning team was the U. S.
Smokeless Tobacco Team comprised of Randy
Vaughn, Ron Garrison, Dave Downing, Jimmy
Miller and Ron Bringle.
Meanwhile a stagecoach
pulled by a team of four horses traveled
around the area, giving spectators rides.
When the last team came off the 18th
hole everyone then moved to the covered arena
where a tasty Bar-B-Q dinner was served by
the
Oakdale
Cowboy
Museum
, headed by Christy Camarillo.
After dinner, and the announcement
of the winners of the golf tournament,
Larry Mahan entertained everyone as he
kidded and told stories on various rodeo
cowboys and Champs in attendance.
The group then watched Chris Cox,
of Mineral Wells, Texas, present his expertise in
taming a young, unbroke horse and
preparing him to ride, in a matter of an
hour or so.
Remarkable!
All-Around Sponsors for the event
was The Pro Equine Group, made up of
Cactus Ropes, Heel-O-Matic, Cactus
Saddlery, Pro Equine Products and Fast
Back Ropes.
Gold Buckle Sponsors included:
Andreini & Company, Tony Lama
Boot Company, U. S. Smokeless Tobacco Co.,
Running “P” Ropes, and Parish Land
Company, of
California
. Hole
Sponsors were: Lobo Ranch Corrientes,
Arizona; Rosser Land & Cattle,
California; Milano Hats “Makers of the
Larry Mahan Collection”; Rowell Ranch
Rodeo, Cecil Jones; Paniolo Preservation
Society, Hawaii; Dark Horse Silver
Company; Clovis Rodeo Association, Clovis,
California; Mel Potter Ranch, Arizona;
Hale Kea Farms, Hawaii; Dorfman Pacific
Co., Inc.; Flat Tail Ranch, Kansas;
Sherry Johnson, RHS Director; Donna
McSpadden, RHS President, and Clem
McSpadden, Oklahoma; Gail Woerner, Texas;
Jan Douthitt, RHS Director, and Buff
Douthitt; Sonny Burgess; Rowell Ranch
“Every Year in May”; Dr. Bert and
Gretchen Johnson; John Wroten, National
Cowboy Museum Director; Chris Cox
Horsemanship Company; and Billy Bob’s
Texas.
Pam Minick, Jack & Donna Roddy
and the
staff from RHS,
Oklahoma City
, and the Roddy Ranch staff had this
diverse venue in great shape from the
minute the first golfer arrived until the
last reveler departed. The
rousing success of the event will, no
doubt, confirm that Rodeo Historical
Society will continue to have more
fund-raising activities in the future.
Do you want to be a part of keeping
the history of rodeo for the future?
Do you want to be eligible to vote
on the cowboys and cowgirls that are
inducted in to the RHS Hall of Fame?
Do you want to receive the two
issues of RHS magazine, THE KETCH PEN,
chocked full of articles about rodeo
history and those that made it?
Do you want to have free access to
the
National
Cowboy & Western
Heritage
Museum
, and a discount in the gift shop?
Join the Rodeo Historical Society.
Cost is $35.00 for a membership in
RHS or $100.00 which includes RHS AND
National
Cowboy & Western
Heritage
Museum
membership. To get an application and
learn more go to website:
nationalcowboymuseum.org.
For more information call
405-478-2250 Extension 210.
You’ll be glad you did.
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