History Walk Interview with Kevin von der Lippe-Artifact Geek

ggoblogger: How did you come up with the idea to host a history tent?

Kevin von der Lippe: Well the credit really belongs to Steve Mitchem of Sedgefiled Country Club. He and Mark Brazil were talking about how they can tie the tournament's rich history to its future. Shortly thereafter Mark approached me and asked if Randy Harris and I could put something together.

ggoblogger:Where did you find the items that ended up in the tent?

von der Lippe: The items have been pulled together from a variety of places and people. Many of the items come from the tournament and the Greensboro Jaycees. Some of the items have been donated by individuals who responded to an artifact drive that we did in 2004 in conjunction with the Greensboro Historical Museum. Of course, Sedgefield and many Green Coaters also contributed items. Interestingly, the quest for artifacts dates back to 1995, when the Jaycees were approached by surviving veterans of the USS LST 559, a WWII landing ship that was sponsored by the Greensboro Jaycees. They asked if they could borrow their "battle flag" that they gave the Jaycees in appreciation after the war. That request started the archives project, and we started collecting items from our rich past. By the way, we found the flag at the Greensboro Historical Museum, and the Jaycees hosted the ship's reunion.

ggoblogger: In Jim's recent article for the News & Record, he ran a quote in which you and Harris were refered to as "artifact geeks". Are you and what do you think about plans for a premanent home for these tournament items?

von der Lippe: Steve was quoted as calling us "artifact geeks," and I guess he was trying to convey that we were dedicated to collecting and sharing what we have found. This web blog is a good example. The thought of a permanent place to display the golf memoriabilia is great. There is still a lot of work that has to be done to secure a permanent home, but with the thought of providing a secure location for the artifacts has already generated additional interest in donating items for display.