What's on eBay? GGCC Visor

"New Woman's Golf Visor
Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic
Navy Blue with magnetic Ball Marker & Holder
The Brim measures 3" wide
WOMEN'S GOLF VISOR GREATER GREENSBORO CHRYSLER CLASSIC"
Item number: 170243184507

Work Day Food

Steve Melton sets up the "tail gate party" at the first Work Day of this year's Wyndham Championship.
Come and get it.
Bobby takes a moment to enjoy the Bojangles chicken.

Steve Melton and Kevin von der Lippe did a great job serving the volunteers at the first Work Day.

Daly to Play Wyndham Event

John Daly has accepted a sponsor’s exemption to play in the 2008 Wyndham Championship. Daly won the 1991 PGA Championship and the 1995 British Open.

“We are very happy that John Daly has accepted our exemption,” tournament director Mark Brazil said. “John is always a crowd favorite when he plays our tournament. We welcome him back and wish him the best of luck.”

Wyndham Championship Course Layout

Wyndham Championship Dress Code

The ggoblogger wants to remind all chairman and volunteers coming out to Sedgefield this year to work at the Wyndham Championship that the dress code is in place. Golf attire is required. NO JEANS? No logos other than the Wyndham Championship are to be visible. Volunteers are also reminded to wear comfortable shoes. Golf shoes are recommended, but are not required. (This dress code includes the remaining work days.)

Scenes from the 2008 Wyndham Championship Work Day

Old Timers Tent

The Greensboro Jaycee Old Timers have been hard at work for over a week putting together their tent for this year's Wyndham Championship. The tent is located behind the 5th hole at Sedgefield.

David Duval Joins 2008 Wyndham Championship Field

David Duval Joins this year's field at the Wyndham Championship. Duval was the 2001 British Open champion. He has 13-time PGA TOUR wins and was No. 1 in the Official World Golf Rankings during the 1999 season.

He finished in first place on the official PGA TOUR money list in 1998 and second in both 1997 and 1999. Duval eagled the last hole to win the 1999 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and shoot 59 becoming just the third player at that time to record the elusive score. Duval has also represented the United States on two Ryder Cup teams and three President’s Cup teams.

2008 Wyndham Championship Preview

Donald Ross supervises the tent construction.
The ggoblogger just knows that everyone and his brother will be taking a shot like this during the Wyndham Championship. Just imagine players on the green in the background and the many captions that will be written.

Scenes from the 2008 Wyndham Championship Work Day

The sky boxes are here.
A new score board is being built on the 9th hole.
Sponsor tent on the 9th hole.

This tent floor will soon hold the 19th hole tent location on hole number nine.

What's on eBay? 1972 GGO Decanter

"GREATER GREENSBORO OPEN 1972 GENUINE HERITAGE CHINE WITH 24 KARAT GOLD, EZRA BROOKS 4/5 QUART 12 YEAR OLD 90 PROOF ,KENTUCKY STRAIGHT WHISKEY.ON THE BACK OF BOTTLE IT READS IN THE SPRING ITS THE GGO THING 1938 - 1972 GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA MARCH 27 - APRIL 2 , 1972, NO LIQUOR IN BOTTLE, SIZE IS 11 BY 7 1/2, IN GOOD CONDITION.
GREATER GREENSBORO OPEN 1972 24 KARAT GOLD DECANTER"
Item number: 380049801262

Letter to the Editor of the News & Record

"During the last 50 years, we have seen rivalries among Triad cities (and their leaders) obstructing regional cooperation and development. To name a few examples: the two airports dispute, the county line sports complex failure, the fight for Dell and the controversy to finish the Randleman dam project — now finally resolved.

Earlier efforts to reconcile and join forces have come up short. Hurt feelings from the previous effort to secede from Guilford County, while minimized through compromise, linger even now.
Now, through the efforts of the Piedmont Triad Foundation Inc., we have real opportunity to build an economic region as competitive and desirable as Research Triangle Park or Mecklenburg.

In his recent presentation to the Greensboro Kiwanis Club, Foundation President Bobby Long explained how the Wyndham Piedmont Regional Golf Tournament, promoted by the enthusiastic efforts of leaders and supporters throughout the region, is reinstating our historic golf tournament — no longer the GGO, but now the Piedmont Regional. Even more important to us all, he said, the tournament begins re-establishment of the economic and competitive status of the Piedmont Triad Region, second to none.

It is time for us to pitch in and support this new hope for the future.

Richmond G. Bernhardt Jr.
Greensboro"

This letter came from the following website. To read the comments about this letter go to:
http://blog.news-record.com/opinion/letters/archives/2008/07/golf_tournament_renews_triads.shtml#commen ts

"Until the fat lady sang"

The ggoblogger is still not sure what the Order of Merit is, but reading about Liang has been fun. I bet Robert Bell can't wait to interview this quote machine. Here's a sample.

"Even though I knew this week my chance of losing was minimal, in golf, anything can happen," said Liang. "Until the fat lady sang, the pressure was always on."

To read more about Liang Wen-Chog and the Order of Merit go to:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/golfNews/idUKB15433420071209

Wyndham Championship's Youth Golf Clinic

This year’s youth golf clinic is set for Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 4:30 p.m. at the Sedgefield Country Club practice range. Admission to the clinic is free for all kids.

Liang Wen-Chong Will Play Wyndham Championship

Chinese Golfer Liang Wen-Chong is considered to be the best professional golfer in China and he will be playing in this year's Wyndham Championship. He won the 2007 Order of Merit on the Asian Tour, is playing on the Commissioner’s Exemption for foreign players.

Liang plays on the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour. After more than a dozen top-10 finishes on the Asian Tour, he won the 2007 Singapore Masters, which was co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the European Tour making him just the second golfer from the People’s Republic of China to win on the European Tour. When he played in the 2007 PGA Championship, he became the first Chinese golfer to compete in the PGA TOUR’s final major of the year.

Robert Bell Reports on Wyndham

"A year ago, when the Wyndham Championship's field looked less like a PGA Tour event and more like member-guest affair, tournament officials privately blamed their lot on an outdated venue and a undesirable date.

Wyndham officials - not to mention a few golfers - believe the tournament solved the first problem by moving to Sedgefield. They're hoping Tiger Woods' absence from the FedEx Cup race solves the latter.

This excerpt was taken from the following link. To read the entire article go to:

Wyndham's field figures to be better
By Robert Bell

http://www.news-record.com/content/2008/07/23/article/wyndhams_field_figures_to_be_better

Thanks Jamestown News from ggoblogger

The ggoblogger spent a few moments with Carol Brooks, Staff Writer with The Jametown News, on Tuesday. Her paper is doing an article on collectible items from the Greater Greensboro Open and Brooks thought the ggoblogger might want to reflect on the matter.

The ggoblogger found Brooks to be very knowledgeable and he could tell she was really a fan of the greatest game. Look for her article in upcoming issues of The Jamestown News.

Thanks to Ed Cone from ggoblogger

(You are really nobody in the Greensboro Blogosphere until the Godfather, Ed Cone, gives you a nod. Thanks Ed for reading the Greater Greensboro Open Blog.)

"Buzz is building http://golf.fanhouse.com/2008/07/22/behind-vijay-singhs-addition-to-an-already-strong-field-wyndha/ for the Wyndham Championship

http://www.wyndhamchampionship.com/ in GSO next month (thnx to alert reader JC for the link).

I notice that the tourney website has moved to the top of the Google rankings for "Wyndham Championship" -- it was about half-way down the page when I checked last week http://edcone.typepad.com/wordup/2008/07/going-to-the-gg.html .

A more nostalgic view at the GGO blog http://ggoblogger.blogspot.com/ ."

To read more of Ed Cone's work go to:
http://edcone.typepad.com/wordup/2008/07/ggo-on-the-go.html

What's on eBay? 1976 GGO Pewter Plate

"Vintage 1976 Armetale Wilton Columbia GGO Golf Pewter Plate
10 7/8" Wide
Very Good Condition
This is a very nice vintage Wilton Commerative Pewter dinner plate for the 1976 GGO Golf Tournament. The Wilton manufacturing hallmarks are on the bottom. There is also an etched number code on the back (Probably etched by the original owner).
1976 Wilton Armetale GGO Golf Pewter Plate 10 7/8"
Item number: 220258681368"

Jamestown Makes Plans After Wyndham Move

"Straughn, who is a captain in the Internal Affairs Division of the Guilford County Sheriff's Dept., responded to a hypothetical question of how Jamestown might capitalize on its proximity to the tournament should it move by saying, "Law enforcement is already making plans on how it's going to work the traffic, where they're going to park people, and all the logistics of an event this large.

A command staff has already met with some of the Sedgefield people and toured the clubhouse and begun security procedures. They're looking at the crosswalks that are already in place and how the crowds would be handled, where the bleachers would be set up, things of that nature.

With an extra 5,000 cars a day, this is not something you can just sit back and wait to happen, you've got to plan and be ready for it."In a conversation after the forum, Straughn reiterated that plans are being formulated, but only as a proactive contingency in the event the tournament does move.

A subsequent conversation with Sheriff BJ Barnes confirmed the accuracy of Straughn's statements - but only as a hypothetical situation."The key word is 'if,'" said Barnes. "We have no knowledge of whether the tournament is going to move or not. We are just preparing for it if it does. We have received no word from any of them, but we're already looking at every alternative, which is nothing new for us."

Barnes added that if the event does move to Sedgefield it would present more logistical problems than Forest Oaks "just because of the way the streets are laid out and the access into the place.""

This excerpt came from the following link. To read the entire article go to:
Sheriff's department making plans for Wyndham move
http://www.womacknewspapers.com/jamestownnews/

Ed Cone's Readers Still Call It the GGO

"Here's a conversation I haven't had in years -- some friends and I are making plans to attend the GGO (aka The Wyndham Championship http://www.wyndhamchampionship.com/) .
Rocco, Vijay, and that beautiful Donald Ross course at Sedgefield...the whole thing is a lot more interesting than it's been in a while."

This comment was taken from the following link. To read more comments about the GGO and the Wyndham Championship go to:

http://edcone.typepad.com/wordup/2008/07/going-to-the-gg.html

What's on eBay? 1982 GGO Zippo Lighter

GREATER GREENSBORO OPEN 1982 MERIT GGO Zippo Lighter


"This is a nice souvenir Zippo Lighter from the 1982 Greater Greensboro Open with Merit advertisement and GGO logo on face, in original box. Although this item is rated new (not burned and used), it does have very light scratch marks from handling and the bottom of box is "scuffed"."

Item number: 230271696397

Green Coat Club Meeting Called

"Fellow Green Coaters:

There has been discussions over the past few months of how the Green Coat Club and Jaycee Old Timers could assist the Wyndham Championship to the goal of "A++" as foundation President Bobby Long so appropriately desribes it. Some endeavors have been attempted in the past with mixed results.

The Great Coat board has enthusiastically endorsed (with the blessing of tournament director Mark Brazil) an inititative to reinvigorate the Wednesday Pro-Am. Many of us remember the days when the largest crowd of the week showed up on Wednesday, not so much for the golf but because it was "the place to be"...it was an event.

We have a challenge to make something worthwhile happen with the Wednesday of tournament week just 31 days away. We must getting to work now! We are already working on some ideas......DONE - First 2,500 paid attendees to the Saturday August 9th Grasshoppers' game will get a free ticket to Wednesday.......Possible Rhino Times Smoozfest held at the course on the Pro-Am Wed........Possible discount beverages at key on course areas on Wed., etc.

What we need is your support and ideas. I know this is short notice, but all of you have answered the call at sometime on short notice before in your Jaycee or tournament career when you were needed. That time has come again.

There is a scheduled Jaycee Old Timers' meeting tomorrow 7/14. Immediately following the Old Timers' meeting we will have a session to discuss what has been planned and ask for thoughts/ideas of what else may be done to make Wednesday "a happening" again.

The meeting will be at the Old Timers' traditional venue of the Elks Lodge, 2201 W. Cornwallis Dr. The discussion on the Pro-Am will begin at approx. 7:00 pm. For those who wish to attend the Old Timers' meeting beforehand - Social is @ 6:00 and dinner/meeting is @ 6:30.

Please contact Jimmy Maness by email a-s-a-p if you can make the Old Timers' session so Jimmy can give the lodge a head count for dinner. If this short notice conficts with your busy schedule, please submit your thoughts/ideas to this e-address so we may considered them.

Thanks in advance for your continued support & we hope to see or hear from you very soon.

Green Coat Club Board "

Vijay Singh will Play Wyndham

Three-time major winner Vijay Singh, currently 10th in the Official World Golf Rankings, will play in the 2008 Wyndham Championship. This makes Singh the highest-ranked golfer to commit to this year's tournament.

Singh joins the Wyndham Championship field which includes defending champion Brandt Snedeker, two-time winners Davis Love, III and Rocco Mediate, Tim Clark, Carl Pettersson, Lucas Glover, David Toms and 2007 British Amateur champion Drew Weaver.

Singh won The Masters in 2000 and the PGA Championship in 1998 and 2004; he has recorded 10 consecutive top-five finishes on the PGA TOUR money list.

Singh has played in Greensboro six times and has three top-10 finishes. In addition to being ranked 10th in the world, the World Golf Hall of Fame member is currently ninth in FedExCup points and eighth on the PGA TOUR official money list.

Singh has collected 31 PGA TOUR victories in addition to 22 international wins; he has won tournaments in Korea, France, Malaysia, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Spain, Germany, England, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, Canada and the United States.

Two-Time Champion Davis Love III will play the 2008 Wyndham Championship

Two-time winner Davis Love III leads the latest group of PGA TOUR golfers who have committed to play in the 2008 Wyndham Championship. David Toms, Tim Clark, Carl Pettersson, Lucas Glover and Jerry Kelly have also made plans to play at Sedgefield Country Club during the week of Aug, 11-17, 2008. Defending champion Brandt Snedeker and two time winner Rocco Mediate in the field.

“We are clearly pleased to announce these early commitments,” tournament director Mark Brazil said. “During my trip to the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club this week, there was a lot of excitement among the players about our move to Sedgefield and the opportunity to play a Donald Ross-designed golf course. We are confident that our field will be substantially improved over what we’ve had the last couple of years.”

Love won the Piedmont Triad’s PGA TOUR event in 1992 and 2006, and he is third on the tournament’s all-time money list with $1,294,850. He and Raymond Floyd are the only North Carolina natives who have won the Piedmont Triad’s PGA TOUR event.