Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Congratulations!

Rumor has it that former Greensboro Jaycee Vice President Daniel Richardson's date walked away from the GMA 100th Anniversary Dinner with a $10,000 diamond provided by long time tournament sponsor Schiffman's Jewelers.

Letter to the Greensboro Jaycees from Gary Player

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1972 Greater Greensboro Open Honorary Chairman Announced

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Monday, February 27, 2006

Green Coat Club Meeting

"Green Coat Club President Bill Brady has scheduled a meeting for Thursday, March 2, 2006, 6:00 pm at the Jaycee office.

Those invited are members of The Green Coat Club, Greensboro Jaycees Old Timers and active Greensboro Jaycees.

Presentations will be given on the current status of the Greensboro Jaycees, the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro, the Greensboro Jaycees Charitable Foundation, the Green Coat Club and the Greensboro Jaycees Old Timers.

Immediately following the presentations there will be a question and answer session. The purpose of the meeting is to inform all those who wish to participate on the most current status of the Jaycees and the golf tournament and to discuss how we individually and collectively can help.

Sincerely,
Green Coat Club Board"

1972 National Blind Open Golf Championship

The Greensboro Jaycees have run many golf tournaments over the years. Most of us are aware of the Greater Greensboro Open, but did you know that the Greensboro Jaycees also ran a national tournament for blind golfers?

The event was held on August 18,19, 20 1972 at the Starmount Forest Country Club with the proceeds going to Camp Dogwood-a camp for the visually handicapped. I recently sent a few questions to the tournament's chairman that year Al Lineberry, Jr. Al is no stranger to golf tournaments having served as the 1975 President for the Greensboro Jaycees and again as the 2003 Chrysler Classic of Greensboro Honorary Chairman. Here is what he had to say:

ggoblogger: How did you get involved with the Blind Open?

Lineberry:The Greensboro Jaycees had hosted a National Blind Open several years before this and we were asked if we would like to do it again. Charlie Boswell the founder and president of the National Blind Open and the treasurer of the state of Alabama and I had met in Mobile at the Outstanding Young Men of America conference the year before and he shared with me how much they all appreciated Greensboro and would like to return. I contacted the Jaycee Board to see if there was an interest and then presented the project for approval.

ggoblogger:What can you tell me about the event itself? Was it like a mini-GGO?

Lineberry: We approached the tournament like it was the GGO but we did know the community’s interest was not as strong as the GGO but was an appreciated event. Through Carson Bain, Billy Black, II, and my father-in-law Paul Schenck, Jr. we were able to talk Sam Sneed into being our honorary chairman which was a nice plus. We did have a sponsors pro am which included Lee Petty with his son Richard as his caddy and then a two day event. We had to raise enough money to pay for the golfer, his coach and their room and board to have the tournament.

ggoblogger:Where is Camp Dogwood located?

Lineberry:Camp Dogwood is located in Rockingham County off of 220 N just after it becomes 4 lanes and is a summer camp for children with different kinds of mental and physical special needs.

ggoblogger:I've always been amazed by the generosity of the Petty family. What was it like having Lee Petty playing in the Blind Open Pro Am?

Lineberry:Lee Petty was always a fan of the GGO and was a very humble gentleman. The GGO recognized early on that he was good for the tournament and the tournament was good for him in the early years of auto racing. It was a great honor to be with him and Richard at this special event.

ggoblogger:The PGA TOUR uses the slogan "These guys are good". Could you say the same for the blind golfers?

Lineberry:As for golf they are good. Often they would shoot in the 80’s and 90’s but it was not so surprising to watch them play in the 70’s. The winner usually did. The key to a blind golfer is their absolute confidence they must have in their coach who positions them and tells the how far the hole is when putting.

ggoblogger:What surprised you the most about their level of play?

Lineberry:The golfers are very competitive yet they understand the concept of not trying to "kill" the ball but be smooth; they did that expertly. Although they had what we called a handicap they took it as a positive and often invited others to play with them at any time (especially beginning at 9 PM).

ggoblogger:Do you have a favorite story to tell about the event?

Lineberry:A couple come to mind. Charlie Boswell had a 35 foot put with a severe curve and down hill. His caddy lined him up and told him to hit it 6 feet. He hit it but Charlie thought he missed it terribly because he did not hear a cheer for what seemed to be a long time for a 6 foot put, but his ball finally went in the cup and the fans went crazy.

Most of the blind golfers at one time had sight but I remember this one young golfer who was born blind and was asked about what a tree was like. He said it was similar to an elephant’s trunk and that a golf club was the same as his leg but thinner.

This event was just special and Greensboro being the host city it is caused the National Blind Open to come back for an unprecedented 3rd time and was chaired by Rick Snead two years later.

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Actor Darren McGavin Dies of Natural Causes at the Age of 83

It is truely a sad day here at the ggoblog as we say goodbye to, not only Don Knotts, but to Darren McGavin as well. McGavin died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006 from natural causes. He may best be known as the "old man", Ralphie's dad, from the Christmas Story. (The best holiday movie of all times.) He was also the reporter on Kolchak-The Night Stalker an underrated 1970's X-Files type show.

He played in the Pro-Am for the 1972 National Blind Open held at the Starmount Forest Country Club on August 18,19, 20 1972. Posted by Picasa

Nike Greensboro Open Logo

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Actor Don Knotts Dies at 81

I have read reports that Don Knotts appeared at the Greater Greensboro Open, but I have yet to run across any photos. I am saddened by the loss of this great man that brought joy to so many people. In this photo we see a Barney Fife impersonator that performed at the 2000 Nike Greensboro Open at Sedgefield Country Club. We miss you Barney. Posted by Picasa

Saturday, February 25, 2006

1976 Greater Greensboro Open Decanter

1976 was the last year the Greater Greensboro Open was played at Sedgefield Country Club.
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1979 Greater Greensboro Open Decanter

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Thursday, February 23, 2006

Three Green Coats

1990 Kmart Greater Greensboro Open General Chairman Keith Holliday with 2005 Chrysler Classic General Chairman Justin Conrad with Justin's dad and 2005 Chrysler Classic Honorary Chairman Ken Conrad.
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"The Others"

Here are three members of one of the most elite groups associated with the Greater Greensboro Open. Penny Iddings, Bart Revels and Kelly Eakes Harris are just a few members of the group known simply as "The Others".
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2003 Past Champions' Dinner Invitation

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Wednesday, February 22, 2006

PGA TOUR Commissioner Timothy W. Finchem

Timothy W. Finchem shakes hands with 2002 Greensboro Jaycee President Randy Harris at the Past Champions' Dinner held at the Grandover Resort on Tuesday, October 14, 2003.
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Three Green Coats

1998-99 Greensboro Jaycee President Kevin von der Lippe, 1968 Greater Greensboro Open Honorary Chairman Stanley Frank and 2002 Greensboro Jaycee President Randy Harris.
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Tuesday, February 21, 2006

2000 (2001) "Tear'n It Up" Tear Down Logo

This "Straight down the middle" t-shirt design was created by Ben Owen's mother.
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2003 Chrysler Classic of Greensboro Clothing Logo

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2003 Chrysler Classic of Greensboro Money Clip

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1999 Greensboro Jaycee Projector Cover

This is the cover of the March 17, 1999 "tournament" issue of the Greensboro Jaycees Projector magazine. This 40 page volume included an articles entitled "How it all Began"and "A Harvard MBA or the Jaycee Experience" written by Irwin Smallwood. In the "Harvard MBA" article Jim Melvin says, "I've said many a time that if I had the choice of my MBA program or my Jaycee career I'd take the Jaycee career." It should also be said that this cover was designed by Smallwood. He felt that the Green Coat Club crest was a "Symbol of Leadership" and wanted to see it on the cover of this issue.
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Monday, February 20, 2006

1997 Green Coat Club Group Photo

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1996 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic Workday

Here we see a couple of hard working Greensboro Jaycees building a tent floor on the first workday of the 1996 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic.
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Sunday, February 19, 2006

1999 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic Chairman's Party

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1999 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic Chairman's Party

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1999 GGCC Chairman's Party

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1999 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic Chairman's Party

This event was held on February 26, 1999 at Bryan Park.
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Post Card from the 2006 Greensboro Jaycee President

The 2006 President of the Greensboro Jaycees recently sent this post card to the Jaycee membership.
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Greensboro Jaycee's Projector Cover May 6, 1994 Issue

This Projector cover features 1995 Greensboro Jaycee President Stew Mones and 1995 Kmart Greater Greensboro Open General Chairman Stanhope Johnson. (It also show 1994 KGGO General Chairman Louis Moore floating in the pool at Forest Oaks Country Club.)
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Kmart Greater Greensboro Open Article by Melissa Temple (Part 1)

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