Rocco Mediate Will Play at the 2008 Wyndham Championship

Rocco Mediate has committed to the 2008 Wyndham Championship, it was announced today. After his outstanding performance in the U.S Open, Mediate has become a huge fan favorite nationwide.

Mediate won the Piedmont Triad’s PGA TOUR event in 1993 and 2002; he is one of just nine players with multiple wins. Sam Snead won eight times (1938, ’46, ’49, ’50, ’55, ’56, ’60 and ’66); Davis Love III (1992 and 2006), Sandy Lyle (1986 and ’88), Danny Edwards (1977 and ’82), George Archer (1967 and ’72), Billy Casper (1962 and ’68), Doug Sanders (1963 and ’66) and Byron Nelson (1941 and ’43) join Mediate with two wins each. Mediate has won $1,139,484.56 in his 17 Greensboro appearances placing him fourth on the all-time list of money winners at this event.

“Anytime you have a two-time champion returning to play your tournament, it’s a big deal,” tournament director Mark Brazil said. “But with Rocco’s recent success at the U.S. Open and taking Tiger to two overtimes, it’s that much more exciting. Rocco has his own army of fans here, and I think this news will be very well received. When I spoke to Rocco earlier this week, he was ecstatic about our move to Sedgefield, and he’s really looking forward to playing the course.”
After his second-place finish at the U.S. Open, Mediate jumped from 158th to 47th in the official World Golf Rankings. He is currently 45th in the world.

Wyndham Championship Press Conference 6/18/08

Allen Gant, Jr. of Burlington, N.C. has been named the honorary chairman of the 2008 Wyndham Championship. Gant is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation Board which oversees operation of the Wyndham Championship.
Gant, a recognized community leader in Alamance County, is the second consecutive Honorary Chairman from outside Guilford County, emphasizing the Wyndham Championship’s increasing regional impact. Gant is serving as an ambassador for the PGA TOUR event which provides important economic benefits for the entire region and the state.

Gant is president and chief executive officer of Glen Raven, Inc., a global leader in performance fabric. The company’s leading brand is Sunbrella®, a family of performance fabrics recognized as leaders in awning, casual furniture and marine applications. The company, founded in 1880 by Gant’s grandfather, has manufacturing locations in North America, Europe and Asia. Glen Raven, Inc. remains family owned.

“Allen Gant has been a corporate leader in Burlington and throughout the Triad for many years,” Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation Board chairman Bobby Long said. “To have him as our first honorary chairman from Alamance County says a lot about the continued regionalization of the Wyndham Championship. Last year, Paul Fulton from Forsyth County did a fantastic job, and we know Allen will do the same this year. Both of these great men understand what it takes to grow regionally and compete nationally.”

“What an incredible honor to be asked to represent the Wyndham Championship as the honorary chairman,” Gant said. “Golf is without a doubt the most competitive sport in the world with more accountability than any other professional sport. Just to be associated with a major tournament in this way is quite something.

“The Wyndham Championship has the incredible opportunity to bring the entire Piedmont Triad together. This region has so much potential; if we find new ways to work together and pool our resources, there is no limit to the success that we can achieve. We are truly blessed to have Wyndham Worldwide as our title sponsor, and I hope the Triad region works hard to continue to deserve their support.”

Gant joins an impressive list of former honorary chairmen that includes Mackey McDonald Chairman and CEO of VF Corporation, Dennis Glass, president and chief operation officer of Lincoln Financial; Jim Melvin, president of Bryan Foundation and former mayor of Greensboro; Charlie Reid, former chairman of United Guaranty and Fred Starr, former chairman of Thomasville Furniture.

What's on eBay? 1981 GGO Decanter

1981 Medley Distilling Co
Greater Greensboro Open
Forest Oaks Country Club
44th Annual Tournament
Condition: Very Good (no chips or cracks, cork is broken on inside of decanter)
1981 Medley Greater Greensboro Open Golf 44th Decanter
Item number: 350070922932

Good News from Amy Collins Moore

"Sorry for the group email, but I have news to share! I wanted to let you know that Christopher and I are 11 weeks pregnant...well I guess really I'm the one who is preggars. We're due on Jan. 9, 2009. I wanted to let you know. We are very excited and are feeling good. Please keep us in your prayers as we hope for a successful pregnancy. Thanks! Hope you are all doing well! Write and let me know what's new. "

Amy C. Moore

Amy Moore was the 1996 President of the Greensboro Jaycees.

What's on eBay? "Awesome" 1978 GGO Decanter

"AWESOME 1978 GREATER GREENSBORO OPEN GOLF SHOE LIQUOR DECANTER
ON THE FRONT GREATER GREENSBORO OPEN
WHERE SPRING IS GREAT GGO 78
ON THE BACK 41ST GGO 1938-1978
FOREST OAK COUNTRY CLUB $240,000 PURSE
ON THE BOTTOM OMB LIQUOR BOTTLE
NO-81 1978
ROYAL HALBURTON CHINA "

Item number: 120276257447

What's on eBay? 1982 GGO Program

"1982 Greater Greensboro Open program...Forest Oaks Country Club, March 29-April 4, 1982.....shows a bit of wear on the back cover, but overall condition is nice....there are apparently 5-6 autographs on the back cover, which I'm showing on the scan; unfortunately, I can't make out any of the names of the players who signed, apparently in a hurry... "

Item number: 180255589468
1982 Greater Greensboro Open program

Wyndham Championship Partners with Chambers of Commerce

The Wyndham Championship is taking another step in the regionalization of the tournament by partnering with Piedmont Triad Chambers of Commerce to sell ticket packages throughout the region, it was announced today.

Twenty-two area chambers of commerce will sell ticket packages to their membership for the PGA TOUR event set for its return to Sedgefield Country Club Aug. 11-17. The Wyndham Championship will then contribute a percentage of the proceeds back to the Chambers of Commerce that sold the packages.

“Our Piedmont Triad Chambers of Commerce do a great deal to promote our region,” Tournament Director Mark Brazil said. “As they promote our region, they support the Wyndham Championship in the process, and we appreciate what they do. Through this innovative program, we are able to return their support by providing additional funds for their efforts.”

“This new chamber package for tickets to the Wyndham Championship is truly a win-win,” Tom Dayvault, President and CEO of the High Point Chamber of Commerce said. “The Wyndham has new business leaders from throughout the Triad embracing this historic PGA TOUR event, and this partnership gives the various chambers an additional discounted opportunity to provide to their membership. Moving the tournament back to Sedgefield insures our PGA TOUR event will remain the top professional sporting event in the Triad.”

Scenes from 2008 Wyndham Championship Honorary Chairman Announcement

Two time Green Coat Al Lineberry,Jr. takes a moment to speak with Allen Gant, Jr.

Members of the Green Coat Club were on hand to show their support and to meet their newest member. Wyndham Championship Tournament Director Mark Brazil takes a moment to recognize the work of the 2008 tournament committee. (Elizabeth and Jordan are the ggoblogger's favorites.)

1988 Greensboro Jaycee President MacArthur Sims with 1999 Greensboro Jaycee President Kevin von der Lippe.

Allen Gant, Jr. conducts his first interview as the 2008 Wyndham Championship Honorary Chairman with a reporter from News 14.

Allen Gant,Jr. Named 2008 Wyndham Championship Honorary Chairman

AllenGant, Jr. of Burlington, N.C. was named the 2008 Wyndham Championship Honorary Chairman on June 18th at Sedgefield Country Club. Gant, a member of the Executive Committee of the Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation Board, is the second consecutive honorary chairman from outside of Guilford County. He also serves as the president and CEO of Glen Raven, Inc.

Back in 2007 Robert Bell Reported the Rocco Thought It Would "Be Cool" to Play at Sedgefield

"That would be cool, that would be really cool," said tour player Rocco Mediate, who slipped away from Forest Oaks during last year's tournament in Greensboro to play a round at Sedgefield.

Mediate said many tour players who annually skip Greensboro's tour stop would reconsider if the tournament moved to Sedgefield's Donald Ross course.

"In case you haven't noticed, Mr. Ross isn't building any more courses," Mediate said. "Getting an old course like Sedgefield as a regular stop would be a brilliant move, and I think players would respond to that."

This excerpt came from an article entitled
Course debate takes on new life
By Robert Bell

To read the entire article go to:
http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070502/NEWSREC0105/705020320/1021/GTCOM

1 vs 158

The ggoblogger wants to wish 1993 Kmart Greater Greensboro Open and 2002 Chrysler Classic of Greensboro Champion Rocco Mediate good luck against Tiger on Monday. These are some photos from his last win at the 2002 CCG. (Notice he was using the belly putter back then.)

Robert Bell Reports on FootJoy Tournament

"Tourney lets Wyndham test the course"

"When Sedgefield members agreed this year to host the Wyndham Championship, they also inherited the FootJoy, one of the top events on the American Junior Golf Association tour. Both tournaments had been played at Forest Oaks Country Club.

Wyndham Championship officials are using this week as a chance to see what tweaks and refinements might be needed to the course before the big boys -- and bigger crowds -- gather Aug. 14-17 at Sedgefield."

This excerpt was taken from the following link. Toread the entire article go to:
http://www.newsandrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080610/NRSTAFF/806100302

Winston-Salem Journal Reports Wyndham Championship Oversight

"When the dignitaries surrounding the Wyndham Championship were introduced at a large news conference last week in the impressive looking Tudor-style clubhouse, Spence wasn't introduced. That's probably an oversight by Sedgefield and Wyndham Championship officials, but Spence deserved his due.

Spence stayed in the background during the news conference as folks talked about how nice it is that a Ross course will be part of the PGA Tour's regular season.

In August, when the PGA Tour returns to Sedgefield for the first time since 1976, it will mean a lot to the many who love the traditional, old-style courses that Ross is known for.
Spence lengthened Sedgefield to around 7,150 yards and it will play as a par-70. For members the course plays at a par-71, but hole No. 18 will be a par 4 for the tournament.

Spence said that about two months into the project, officials from the Wyndham Championship visited Sedgefield. Spence said that tournament officials, such as Bobby Long, the chairman of the foundation board, asked a lot of questions about the length of the course and what Spence was going to do with the layout.

"They came out and looked at what we were doing," Spence said. "When it comes to the length of the course it really doesn't matter if the design is done right.
"It doesn't have to be 7,400 yards, especially with a Ross layout."

This excerpt came from the following link. To read the entire post go to:

UNSUNG: Spence's Sedgefield work was key
http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2008/feb/25/unsung-spences-sedgefield-work-was-key/?sports-columnists-jdell

The Golf is Not the Only Thing That's Going to Be Hot at the Wyndham Championship

With the Wyndham Championship now being played in August, maybe Mark Brazil should have some buttons made up to remind everyone about how "hot" the golf will be.

Wyndham Championship Offers Father's Day Package

The Wyndham Championship Father’s Day package includes two weekly grounds badges good for tournament admission all week, an Ashworth Wyndham Championship golf shirt and a Wyndham Championship hat. It’s a $300 value reduced to just $200 until Father’s Day on June 15.

The upgraded Father’s Day package includes two weekly badges for the air-conditioned Ross Pavilion, a VIP parking pass, a Wyndham Championship golf shirt and a Wyndham Championship hat all for just $400, a savings of $250. Like the regular package, the upgraded version is only available at the discounted price until June 15.

To purchase either of the Father’s Day packages, simply visit http://www.wyndhamchampionship.com/, download the order form and follow the ordering instructions. Orders must be postmarked by June 14 or faxed by June 15.

Green Coat Club Invitation

Mark Brazil, on behalf of the Foundation and the Wyndham Championship, has extended an invitation to all Green Coat Club members to attend the Honorary Chairman and Tournament Committee Announcement. This event will be held on Wednesday, June 18th at 5:30 pm at Sedgefield Country Club. The program and reception will last last about an hour. All members of the Green Coat Club are of course encouraged to wear their coats.

The Business Journal Reports Wyndham Championship Looking for Volunteers

"The Wyndham Championship is seeking volunteers for the PGA Tour stop in Greensboro Aug. 11-17.
The golf tournament relies on thousands of volunteers each year. The biggest need is for gallery control personnel, who will work inside the ropes. Golf enthusiasts can also work with the Tour's SHOTLink staff to provide computerized results information and competition statistics.

During the Monday and Wednesday pro-am tournaments, fans with golf knowledge and etiquette can serve as caddies for amateurs and have the chance to walk 18 holes with a touring pro. Adults and children age 13 and up can serve as standard bearers, walking with a group of tour players to keep the gallery updated on scores.

Volunteers who purchase the $45 uniform package will also receive a badge good for admission all week, one complimentary ticket book, free parking and a free meal for each shift worked.
Volunteers must sign up at www.wyndhamchampionship.com/volunteers.asp http://www.wyndhamchampionship.com/volunteers.asp . The volunteer office can be reached at (336) 379-1570. "

This report came from the following link:

http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2008/06/02/daily22.html?f=et84&ana=e_du