Monday, July 31, 2006

Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic 59th Championship Clothing Logo

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Kmart Greater Greensboro Open Clothing Logo

The Kmart Greater Greensboro Open was played at Forest Oaks Country Club from 1988 until 1995. In 1996, it became know as the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic.
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Nike Greensboro Open Logo

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Saturday, July 29, 2006

Fuzzy Signs Autographs at 1994 Kmart Greater Greensboro Open

Fuzzy signs autographs for members of the "Grounds Gang" at the 1994 Kmart Greater Greensboro Open held at the Forest Oaks Country Club.
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Thursday, July 27, 2006

Chrysler Classic of Greensboro Needs Volunteers

The Chrysler Classic of Greensboro is inviting Piedmont Triad residents to serve as volunteers when the PGA TOUR returns to The Triad during the first week of October. Volunteers who work three days or more will receive a free collared tournament golf shirt and hat courtesy of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of North Carolina.

The Chrysler Classic of Greensboro needs thousands of volunteers to make the Triad’s PGA TOUR tournament a success. In addition to the Greensboro Jaycees volunteers that support the event, the tournament counts on additional Triad residents to fill positions that are vital parts of tournament operations.

The biggest need is for Gallery Control personnel; these people will work inside the ropes throughout the golf course, assuring a professional experience for golfers and fans alike. Golf enthusiasts can also work with the PGA TOUR’s SHOTLink staff to provide computerized results information.

During the Monday and Wednesday pro-am tournaments, fans with golf knowledge and etiquette can serve as caddies for the amateurs and have the opportunity to walk 18 holes with a PGA TOUR professional.

Adults and children age 13 and older can serve as standard bearers, walking with a group of PGA TOUR professionals to keep the gallery up to date on scores from the group. Additional information and a volunteer application form are available at www.chryslerclassic.org/volunteers.asp.

The Chrysler Classic of Greensboro volunteer coordinator, Dare London, can be reached at the tournament office, (336) 379-1570. The 2006 Chrysler Classic of Greensboro is set for Oct. 2-8 at Forest Oaks Country Club in Greensboro, N.C. Additional tournament information is available at www.chryslerclassic.org

For more information about this year's event call the tournament office at (336) 379-1570.

K.J. Choi Will Return to Chrysler Classic in 2006

Defending champion K.J. Choi, seen here moments after winning the 2005 Chrylser Classic, will return to defend his two-stroke victory over 2003 winner Shigeki Murayama. Other names from the PGA TOUR have already made plans to join Choi ae the 67th annual Chrysler Classic. Players who have already committed include-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumnus Davis Love III and John Daly. Love’s course design company managed the 2003 redesign of Forest Oaks Country Club. Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Exclusive Interview with 2006 Chrysler Classic of Greensboro Area Ten Leadman - Liz McKinney

ggoblogger: What words of advice, if any, did last year's Area 10 leadman, Jordan Bressler, give you before becoming the 2006 Chrysler Classic of Greensboro Area 10 Leadman?

Liz McKinney:ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS AND KEEP PUSHING FOR ANSWERS.

ggoblogger:Do you have any open chairmanships? If so what are they and how can people get in touch with you about becoming a chairman?

McKinney: NO, ALL OF MY CHAIRMANSHIPS ARE FULL. I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT OPEN CHAIRMANSHIP IS CHILD CARE. PEOPLE INTERESTED CAN CONTACT GEOFF CASS OR KELLY BURNS. HOWEVER, I WILL NEED LOTS OF MANPOWER FOR SATURDAY MEDIA TENT LOAD-IN AND SUNDAY NIGHT LOAD OUT. (THAT'S THE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 ANDSUNDAY, OCTOBER 8.) CALL THE JAYCEES OFFICE IF YOU'RE WILLING TO HELP.WARNING: IT'S ALL MANUAL LABOR.

ggoblogger: The tournament has had some major changes in the last year. What changes can we expect to see in the media relations area?

McKinney: AS ALWAYS, WE LOOK FOR WAYS TO IMPROVE THE SERVICES THAT WE OFFER TO THE MEDIA IN THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO AND DURING THE TOURNAMENT. THIS YEAR, WE'VE INSTITUTED A NEW CREDENTIALING PROCESS, TO BRING OUR CREDENTIALS MORE IN LINE WITH THE PGA TOUR'S REQUESTS. WE'RE RE-EVALUATING OUR MENUS,TRYING TO MAKE THE MEDIA TENT ENVIRONMENT MORE INVITING, AND LOOKING AT NEW WAYS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE MEDIA, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

ggoblogger:In 2005, the Greater Greensboro Open Blog was granted media credentials. With the increase in local blogs, what is being done to address the needs of these citizen journalist?

McKinney: WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE CITIZEN JOURNALIST PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN TODAY'S SOCIETY. IF REQUESTS FROM ANY JOURNALIST IS SUBMITTED THROUGH THE PROPER CHANNELS, WE'LL EVALUATE THOSE REQUESTS AS THEY ARE RECEIVED.

ggoblogger:What kind of bloggers, if any, will be given media credentials to the 2006 event?

McKinney: AS WITH EVERY PRESS REQUEST, WE WILL MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.

ggoblogger: As the 2005 media tent chairman, what where you surprised to learn about the local media?

McKinney:I DON'T THINK I WAS SURPRISED BY ANYTHING I LEARNEDABOUT THE LOCAL MEDIA LAST YEAR, MAINLY BECAUSE I WAS IN CONTACT WITHTHE LOCAL MEDIA EVERY DAY AS THE PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST AT GUILFORD TECH.

ggoblogger:Which type of media is your favorite-print, radio or TV and why?

McKinney: PRINT - BECAUSE I THINK A STORY IS MORE LIKELY TO BE ACCURATE ANDBALANCED IN 30 COLUMN INCHES THAN IN A 30 SECOND SOUND BITE.

ggoblogger:Pretend I'm your boss and explain your involvement with this year's Chrysler Classic of Greensboro in 30 words or less.

McKinney:I'VE BEEN OFFERED AND HAVE ACCEPTED A SIGNIFICANT VOLUNTEER POSITION WITH THE PGA TOURTOURNAMENT IN GREENSBORO. I'LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP AND HONE MANY MORE TALENTS THAT I'LL BE ABLE TO USE HERE IN THE FUTURE.

ggoblogger: Are there any plans to hold Golf Rock.

McKinney:I DON'T THINK SO - BUT JOHN DALY MIGHT BE DOING ANOTHER CONCERT.

ggoblogger:What type of promotions are being done to recruit volunteers for this year's tournament?

McKinney:WELL, THIS PAST WEEK WE JUST SENT OUT A RELEASE ABOUT NEEDING VOLUNTEERS FOR THE TOURNAMENT, WHICH GARNERED A LOT OF RESPONSE. I UNDERSTAND THAT WE GOT QUITE A FEW VOLUNTEERS FROM THAT RELEASE AND THE SUBSEQUENT MEDIA FOLLOW-UPS AND WHILE WE CAN ALWAYS USEMORE VOLUNTEERS, I THINK THAT WE'RE ON A GOOD TRACK. ANYONE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING CAN CONTACT DARE LONDON, OUR NEW VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR, AT THE JAYCEE OFFICE.

ggoblogger:Is there anything you'd like folks to know about this year's Chrysler Classic of Greensboro?

McKinney:WHILE THERE'S A LOT CHANGING ABOUT THIS YEAR'STOURNAMENT, IT'S ALL IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TOURNAMENT. IN FACT, I THINK IT'S MORE IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT NOT ONLY HAS THERE BEEN A LOT OF WORK DONE TO KEEP THE TOURNAMENT, BUT THAT THE TOURNAMENTIS PERHAPS STRONGER THAN IT HAS BEEN IN YEARS, AND THAT'S PROBABLY ATREND FOR THE FUTURE, AS WELL.

(The Greater Greensboro Open blog would like to thank Liz McKinney for taking the time to answer these questions. This interview was conducted using email, and while she replied in all caps, I'm sure she's not shouting these answers.)

Roberts v. United States Jaycees

"According to its bylaws, membership in the United States Jaycees was limited to males between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five. Females and older males were limited to associate membership in which they were prevented from voting or holding local or national office.

Two chapters of the Jaycees in Minnesota, contrary to the bylaws, admitted women as full members. When the national organization revoked the chapters' licenses, they filed a discrimination claim under a Minnesota anti-discrimination law. The national organization brought a lawsuit against Kathryn Roberts of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, who was responsible for the enforcement of the anti-discrimination law."

This excerpt was taken from the following link. To learn more about this case go to:
http://www.oyez.org/oyez/resource/case/331/

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Exclusive Interview with 2000 GGCC General Chairman Patty Wells

Interview with 2000 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic General Chairman Patty Wells

ggoblogger:You were a member of the Jaycettes. What can you tell me about that organization?

Patty Wells: I joined in January 1985 and within months the National Jaycette organization dissolved with the opportunity to join the Jaycees. So, let's see, Mary Schott (Speaker) was the newly elected President; we were the largest Jaycette Organization in the country; I attended the last State and National Jaycette Conventions as the North Carolina Speak-up Representative.

ggoblogger: What was their (Jaycettes) supporting role with the Greater Greensboro Open?

Patty Wells: Their supporting role for the Jaycee organization, including the GGO, was to provide additional leadership and manpower support. Most chairmanships had both a Jaycee and Jaycette chairman if I remember correctly. That was a long time ago . . . 20 years!

ggoblogger: You were the first general chairman to have a tournament director. How did that begin to change the role of the general chairman?

Patty Wells: For me, there was little change in that the Tournament Director was on a steep learning curve the first year. However, the job description of the Tournament Director outlined what would eventually become the role (as fulfilled by Mark Brazil). Basically, the idea was that the TD would provide continuity year after year, build long term relationships with the TOUR, the players, the media, the sponsors, establish a strategic direction then the general chair and committee would work with the TD to plan and implement the tactical steps required to meet the long term goals. All of this being done to reduce the risk of Greensboro losing the TOUR event.

ggoblogger: Dick Baker's role seemed to focus more on sales and marketing, where Mark Brazil's role seems to be a more comprehensive operational one. What are your thoughts on this?

Patty Wells: Its important to remember that Dick Baker was only with us 2 years. The plan was to have him focus, initially, on sales and marketing while learning the organization, the operations, the vendors, etc. so that over time his role would expand. Had he remained on staff then his role would have evolved as Mark's did over the course of his 5 year career to date.

ggoblogger: The Greensboro Jaycees had been under pressure over the years from the PGA TOUR to hire a permanent tournament director. How did this pressure influence the search and hiring process?

Patty Wells: There is a time and place for everything. I felt it was the right time to hire a permanent tournament director. I guess I am stating the obvious. Otherwise, I would have left it for a future GC (general chairman) to deal with it.

ggoblogger: What is an "interdependence matrix" and why is it so important to an event like the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic?

Patty Wells: How funny, I cannot believe you asked about this! First of all the term is "interdependency matrix". It was a matrix that had the various chairmanships within an area down the y axis and the 11 areas across the x axis. Within the intersecting cell (where a chairmanship meets an area), I would place a description of the items needed from the area or items the chairmanship needed to provide to the area. Again, it showed the dependencies between a chairmanship with all the other areas of the tournament. Once understood, my chairmen always found it very helpful. However, I think John Altizer was the only chairman who ever understood it.

ggoblogger: Did your executive committee make jokes about your matrix?

Patty Wells: No. No one ever made fun of me or my matrix (not)! It wasn't just my committee, I was able to provide MANY committees with "joke" material.

ggoblogger: I can understand why your assistant Jeff Iddings would be refered to as the "Whipping Boy", but how did you get the nick name "Dominatrix"?

Patty Wells: Beats me. I have never been a controlling, demanding or dominating person. I guess it must be the opposite of my personality. I remember when I first joined the Jaycees, there were always crazy skits - - - creative/innovative fun ways to get a message across to the membership. So I told the committee we would be putting on skits throughout the year for the membership. Doug Heberle came up with the Golfopolis, Whipping Boy, Dominatrix concept then expanded it to include the entire committee. It was fun!

ggoblogger: Does that come from your famous interdependency matrix?

Patty Wells: I don't think so. You might have to ask Doug and the Whipping Boy.

ggoblogger: Do you keep in touch with any of your friends from Golfapolis?

Patty Wells: Yes. There are a handful that I speak with/see on a regular basis and the rest of the team, I am always so happy to see when life events bring us together. I had an awesome committee - 2nd to none! What every General Chair dreams of -- I had that committee! And for that, I will always be grateful to the entire team.

ggoblogger: Do you have a favorite story to tell about the 2000 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic?

Patty Wells: Wow! So many memories and stories that could be told - - some touching, some funny - - all memorable. I guess my favorite would be something that happened during the awards ceremony on Sunday evening. As background - my mom had suffered from a long and difficult illness and we lost her to advanced stages of Parkinson's Disease on the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 1999. My dad and 3 of my brothers traveled to Greensboro for the GGCC. As we stood together on Sunday evening (which was a beautiful, not a cloud in the sky day), an upside down rainbow appeared. It looked as if the sky was smiling at us. I turned to my dad and said, "There's mom"! It was the perfect ending to a very rewarding, yet challenging GGCC year and difficult/stressful year from a professional and personal standpoint.

ggoblogger: Who should I interview next?

Patty Wells: Sid Stern

Saturday, July 15, 2006

2006 Crown Royal Rib Fest

The 2006 Crown Royal Rib Fest is being held this weekend. The event is being presented by he Greensboro Jaycees. This event centers around the cooking and selling of beef and pork ribs by the professional rib cookers from around the nation.

There will be entertainment by great local bands, kiddy rides, art displays by local vendors, and a rock wall. The fun starts Saturday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Admission is $3.00 for adults and free for children 15 and under. The 2006 Crown Royal Rib Fest will take place at 401 N. Greene Street in the Jaycee office parking lot

For more information call 336-379-1570 or visit http://www.jayceeribfest.com

Rocco Signs Golf Bag

2002 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic Champion Rocco Mediate takes a moment to autograph a fan's golf bag.
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A New Car

Rocco was also presented with a new Chrysler classic of his own.
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Judy, Rocco and Bart

2002 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic assistant General Chairman Judy Revels poses with 2002 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic Champion Rocco Mediate and her husband Bart Revels moments after Rocco's win.
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Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Mediate with Executive Committee

2002 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic Champion Rocco Mediate poses with the 2002 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic Executive Committee on the 18th green at Forest Oaks Country Club.
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Saturday, July 08, 2006

1976 Greater Greensboro Open Decanter

This golf bag shaped decanter was "hand crafted" by the Royal Halburton China for the 39th Greater Greensboro Open. It features the "Declaration of Springtime" themed logo seen on most of the promotional items from 1976 and has the crest now most closely associated with the Green Coat Club.

This bottle was produced by Old Mr. Boston Distillers and contained what an ad from the 1976 GGO program refers to as "the very finest 100-month-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey." Only 6,000 were made and the molds were destroyed. These decanters were available in the Greensboro State Liquor stores.Posted by Picasa

Rocco Mediate

Rocco has won the Greensboro tournament twice. He is the champion of both the 1993 Kmart Greater Greensboro Open and the 2002 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic.
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Sam Snead's Check

This is the canceled check in the amount of $1,200.00 for Sam Snead's 1938 Greater Greensboro Open win. Notice the endorsement on the back of the check.
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Chrysler Logo

This is the Chrysler logo used on many of the hats sold at the 1997 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic.
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Mones with Greensboro Hooters Girls

1995 Greensboro Jaycee President Stew Mones with a group of Hooters girls at the 1995 Swing a Club for Scouting held at Forest Oaks Country Club.
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Kmart Greater Greensboro Open Hat

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Friday, July 07, 2006

Joseph and Kathleen Bryan

Mr. Bryan was a member of the Augusta National Golf Club and according to his archivist, Kevin von der Lippe, he held badge number one for The Masters. In 1937, the Greensboro Jaycees asked him to guarantee the purse of the first GGO and in 1955 he became the Honorary General Chairman for the Greater Greensboro Open. In 1971 the City of Greensboro named the new municipal golf complex, Bryan Park, in honor of Mr. Bryan and his wife Kathleen. This Carol Martin portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M Bryan is hanging outside the snack bar at Bryan Park. (It really should not be displayed in the direct sunlight and will probably fade completely in a few years unless it is moved.)

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Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Happy 4th of July

This is one of my favorite Greater Greensboro Open program covers. It is the 1976 cover with the bicentennial design on it. The theme of "The Declaration of Springtime" was used throughout the program and on many of the promotionial items for that year.

The 39th Greater Greensboro Open took place on March 29-April 4, 1976 and was the last year the event was held at Sedgefield Country Club.This program has a welcome letter from Mayor Jim Melvin, an ad from WFMY TV that features Woody Durham and Johnny Phelps and wonderful photos of the 1976 GGO Hostess-including Miss GGO 1976 Julie Redd. The program describes her as "A pretty brunette who never meets a stranger."

On page 18 of this program there is an ad for the 1976 commemorative decanter. The golf bag shaped decanter features the same "The Declaration of Springtime" themed logo and has the crest now most closely associated with the Green Coat Club.

This bottle was produced by Old Mr. Boston Distillers and contained what the ad refers to as "the very finest 100-month-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey." Only 6,000 were made and the molds were destroyed.The best part is the autographs page listing all the celebrities at the Greater Greensboro Open in 1976. The list includes Roy Clark, James Garner, Jerry Lewis, Jimmy Dean, Larry Gatlin, George Lindsay, Donna Fargo, Don Knotts, B.J. Thomas and Evil Knievel. Posted by Picasa