Monday, February 16, 2009

What's on ebay? 1973 GGO Decanter


"Ezra Brooks 1973 golfer Greater Greensboro Open
Heritage china Item number: 260363625459 EZRA BROOKS

This auction is for one empty 1973 Ezra Brooks " Greater Greensboro Open " golfer decanter. This decanter is in beautiful condition no chips, cracks, very bright & shiny stickers are in tact some glue from original seal around bottle top. Only thing I could find wrong with this piece is the cork under the guy's head is gone ( my guess is it rotted away after time?) I dont think it's a real big deal and I would think is a very simple repair. Other than cork this golfer is in excellant mint condition and would look great just about any where.
This would be a nice addition to any man cave, bar or collection."

Saturday, February 14, 2009

What's on ebay? Buyer Beware


This is the way the 1975 GGO decanter should look.

This GGO decanter is missed the golf ball cap.
One of the many features of the Greater Greensboro Open Blog is what the ggoblogger likes to call "What's on ebay?" In these post I like to show my reader(s) all of the collectible items available on-line. These item were produced to promote the tournament held in Greensboro over the last 70 years.

Most of the time the ggoblogger just copies the descriptions provided by the seller with no editorial comments at all. Today's post is a little different. This is a buyer beware lesson to those looking to collect GGO items.

This ebay description reads as follows.

"Vintage Greater Greensboro Open GGO Golf Decanter 1975
Item number: 350161546920


Vintage GGO (Greater Greensboro Open) Decanter Liquor Bottle 1975
By Ezra Brooks


This auction is for a vintage 1975 GGO Greater Greensboro Open decanter. These were given away at the 1975 GGO. (They were not "given" away at the GGO. They were sold at the seven local ABC stores in Greensboro.) They are very rare & hard to find. (They made 6000 of these. I'm not sure that makes them "rare" and they are on ebay almost every week.)The decanter is porcelain and made by Ezra Brooks. It was held on March 31- April 6, 1975. The decanter is in excellent shape. (This is the part that really gets to the ggoblogger. The cap on this decanter is not the golf ball they came on it back in 1975. I would not call that "excellent".) It does not have any nicks or cracks. The trim is 24K gold trim. It measures 4 inches wide & 11 inches tall.

It is very possible that this seller doesn't know this is the wrong cap. This should be a lesson to those of you that are collecting GGO items. It's very possible that you may know a little more about the subject than those selling to you.

What's on ebay? KGGO Watch


"KMart GGO Greater Greensboro Open Watch
Item number: 200005256397

This is a beautiful brand new watch from the KMart Greater Greensboro Open Golf Tournament. This was given to those who participated in the ProAm. The logo is screened on the watch face. Stainless Steel back. The strap is black leather. Comes in it's own velveteen gift sleeve. May need a battery as it's been in the closet for several years and never been used."

Friday, February 13, 2009

What's on ebay? Nike Greensboro Open Bag Tag


Nike Tour Greensboro Open Pewter Bag Tag Item number: 200088887196

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Question of the Week

"I have a relative who recently passed away that was a GGO fan.To make a long story short he collected GGO decanters I think he has all of them or at least 5 or more. All of them are unopened. Through research I have learned that this is your area of expertise, my family wants to sell these decanters my question to you is what would the value of these decanters be,collectively or individually?
Thank you."
A.T.



A.T., thanks for your email and thanks for reading the Greater Greensboro Open Blog. I want to first point out that I am just a fan of the Greater Greensboro Open, and while I wrote a book about the GGO decanter entitled A GGO Thing, I don't appraise any of the collectible items I discuss in the book or on my site. When you talk about what an item is "worth" and what kind of "value" it has, you are often talking about two very different things.

In my opinion what an item is "worth" is equal to the amount the someone is willing to pay. When I think about an item's "value", I think about what someone in the future might be willing to pay. Again, this is my opinion.

So, how does this relate to your incomplete set of unopened GGO decanters? Here are a couple of thoughts. I think they will be "worth" more as a group. I have met several people that have told me that they are looking for a complete set. I believe that most collectors will be willing to give you between $100.00 to $150.00 for your complete set. (11 bottles.)

These bottles sold for $14.95 a piece back in the 1970's and early 1980's so the decanters have retained their value. You can try to sell them on eBay, but you probably won't get anymore for them. Keep in mind one of the major selling points to this collection is the local sentimental value. There seems to be little interest in them outside Greensboro's city limits. I can prove this by asking how many of you would like an American Legion whiskey decanter in the shape of a pelican from New Orleans or perhaps one from the 1974 Spokane World's Fair Expo?

As far as these decanters being sealed, I'm not sure that adds any real value. The 90 proof bourbon whiskey in these bottles was considered "bottom shelf" to begin with and I have only met one person brave enough to actually drink the stuff after it has sat in those bottles for 20 years. (Also keep in mind how and where these items may have been stored over the last two decades.)

One of the major problems with these decanters is that the seals often broke and were not well made. I have heard horror stories about how bottles have been displayed only to have them leak. They also smell bad once the seals break. For the sake of this discussion I would advise you to leave the bourbon in the bottles and let the next proud owner decide if it's "worth" anything. It is also worth mentioning that it is illegal for you to sell the liquor. (So pour it out before selling.)

The 1972 Greater Greensboro Open crest decanter is considered the most popular. It sells at auction from between $4.00 to $20.00. (You can also pick them up on eBay starting at around $7.99. Keep in mind shipping may double the price of your purchase.) This seal is the same as the one worn on the Green Coats you see each year at the golf tournament. These folks are, of course, members of the Green Coat Club-men and women that make up the past leadership of the Greensboro Jaycees and the Greater Greensboro Open. This club was recently expanded to include members of the new foundation controlling the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro and its tournament director Mark Brazil. These new members will be received their green coats in October of 2006.

Only 6000 decanters were cast by Ezra Brooks each year and the molds were then destroyed. They were sold exclusively in Greensboro State Liquor Stores. The 1975 decanter took the form of a Grecian Urn. According to an article entitled "GGO Bottle Collection" in the 1975 38th Greater Greensboro Open tournament program, "the base design (for the 1975 decanter) was first suggested and later authored by Larry N. Heath, the 1975 General Chairman of the Greater Greensboro Open."

I recently received a call telling me that a friend of mine had a 1979 caddy decanter in the original box. I was excited to see the piece, because I had never seen a decanter in the box. I was disappointed when I was shown that in fact it was just a brown cardboard box and not a slick promotion display worthy item. Unlike some Ezra Brook decanters, including the "Iron Horse" train, the "Cigar Store Indian" and the "Bucket of Blood Dead Wagon"-all of which can be purchased on your favorite online auction-the Greater Greensboro Open decanters did not include photos, text or logos on the package.

A.T., thanks for your question. I want to again point out that I am just a fan of the Greater Greensboro Open, and while I know a lot about the tournament, I don't appraise any of the collectible items I discuss in my book or on my site. The following was just my opinion. Thanks for your email and thanks for reading the Greater Greensboro Open Blog.

Monday, February 09, 2009

What's on ebay? 1980 GGO Decanter


1980 GOLF DECANTER GREATER GREENSBORO OPEN
Item number: 220359263536


"THIS IS A ONE OF A KIND COLLECTABLE GOLF DECANTER.
LISTING ON BOTH SIDES AND THE BACK IS AS FOLLOWS:“THE GREAT WEEK”
GREATER GREENSBORO OPEN GGO 80
THE DECANTER HAS BEEN OPENED, AND IS EMPTY, BUT WAS ONCE FILLED WITH DAVIESS COUNTY WHISKY, AND ALL THE INFORMATION IS ALSO LISTED ON THE BACK.
NO CHIPS, NOTHING BROKEN, A VERY COOL LITTLE PIECE. 10” LONG, 6” HIGH, AND 4” WIDE, MADE OF PORCELAIN."

What's on ebay? 1977 GGO Booklet



"Greater Greensboro Open - G.G.O. - Forrest Oaks
Item number: 280311670470

Nice little Booklet from the late 1970s in excellent condition. It shows all 18 holes at that time with distances, diagram of each hole, etc. It measures 5 1/2" x 3 1/2". The Greensboro Open started way back in 1938 and moved around to several golf courses finally ending up at Forest Oaks Country Club in 1977. Thanks for looking. Have a look at my other items."

Comment of the Week

"Green Grass means an on premise golf shop retail establishment. (There is a place to play golf where you sell the clothes)- not the other stuff. Which should be taxed..."

(The ggoblogger had asked what the "green-grass apparel market" was in an earlier post. As far as taxing the "other stuff" the ggoblogger agrees, but that discussion is not for this blog.)

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Fairway & Greene Partners with Wyndham Championship

Fairway & Greene is the new official apparel provider for the Wyndham Championship. The three-year agreement begins immediately and runs through 2011.

Fairway & Greene will provide all tournament clothing to the Wyndham Championship's tournament officials, staff, volunteers and will also be the exclusive provider of apparel in tournament clothing stores.

“Fairway & Greene products are widely recognized as the best in the industry,” tournament director Mark Brazil said. “As we continue to reinvent the Wyndham Championship, we are constantly looking for ways to improve the tournament, and this new partnership is part of that effort. Fairway & Greene will provide clothing of the highest quality at a variety of price points that will accommodate just about any budget. Partnering with a brand like Fairway & Greene upgrades the Wyndham Championship brand as well."

Founded in 1995, Fairway & Greene is widely acknowledged as the leader in the high-end green-grass apparel market. With an unparalleled emphasis on product quality, customer service and sales support, the company has rapidly grown and is currently sold in over 3,500 of the finest private clubs, resorts and clubs in the world. Because the company builds brands and programs specifically designed for golf professionals, Fairway & Greene plays a key supporting role in its efforts to continually elevate the sport and serve its customer base.

(What is the green-grass apparel market?)

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

What's on ebay? 1976 GGO Decanter




"Old Mr Boston Whiskey Greater Greensboro GOLF Decanter
Item number: 220353318059

This decanter is one that is not available very often.(It was sold only once in March of 1976.)This is the first I have ever been able to offer. Created of Royal Halburton China by the Old Mr. Boston Distillery in 1976, this decanter is a replica of a golf bag. It has the emblem of the GREATER GREENSBORO OPEN and shows a golfer swinging a club with a tree on one side of him and a flag on the other. The base of the decanter reads “Declaration of Springtime” 1976. The back indicates that this decanter was produced for the 39th GGO March 29 – April 4, 1976 at Sedgefield Country Club Greensboro, NC. This decanter stands 9” high and is free of liquor, nicks, chips, cracks or discoloration. This could be the perfect gift to give that special person in your life, or would make a great addition to your Golf or United Airlines collection. Please check out my other auctions for similar decanters."