Lt. Harry Spieth was one unhappy B-17 bomber pilot.

He was transferred to the Philippines in 1942.  As he flew to his duty station, his personal items were shipped by boat.

Among the items were his prized golf clubs.  

There was a mix-up, and his belongings wound up in Java, never to be seen again.

"He loved those clubs and he loved golf; and he would have been just overjoyed that the U.S. Open is here," his son and Army Guard veteran Glen Spieth told me as we stood at the front of the Lakewood History Museum.

One of the artifacts on display at the Lakewood Historical Museum is a golf ball-striping tool. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

The museum is located at 6211 Mount Tacoma Drive SW in downtown Lakewood.

"Losing those clubs must have really irritated him; he never lost an opportunity to play and contribute to the game."

The elder Spieth's love of golf and flying made for an interesting career.

He had joined the Air National Guard in 1930 at the age of 15.

"He lied then," his son said with a smile.

By 1938, Spieth transferred to the Army Air Corps, learned how to fly and graduated in 1939 with his wings.

"He had been playing golf all of his life," his son continued as he showed me a ball-striping tool.

After the war, then Lt. Col. Spieth found himself stationed at Waller Field in Trinidad.  In October 1947, he led the efforts to build a nine-hole golf course.

"Golf went where he went," the younger Spieth related.

By 1955, Col. Spieth found himself at Nouasseur Air Force Base in French Morocco.

Not surprisingly, he initiated the building a nine-hole golf course there.

Not long after, Col. Spieth took command of the 325th Air Base Group at McChord Field.

He brought the game of golf along with him.

"Shortly after he retired, he bid for and got the golf shop at McChord," his son said.

"He then became a club pro and joined the PGA."

Displayed in a glass case is a red and white golf bag.  On the side lettering reads, "Harry Spieth - PGA Professional."

"He was proud to be a member of the Professional Golfers Association," his son added.

After leading efforts to initiate the McChord Golf Course (as well as the BX and Commissary), Spieth went on to work as a golf pro at the Alderbrook Inn on Hood Canal, and at Lakewood's Oakbrook Golf and Country Club.

"During the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay I will be rooting for Jordan Spieth," Spieth said.

"He's no relation, but his being here during the event does make a nice connection between the game of golf that my dad helped develop and golf events of today, and I can't help but root for Jordan," he said with a big smile. Jordan Spieth would go on the win the tournament at Chambers Bay.

For more information about the Lakewood Historical Museum, call 253.682.3480 or visit www.lakewoodhistorical.org.