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. The event'schairman that year was Al Lineberry, Jr. Mr. Lineberry 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.
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.
Charlie Harvel (on right) moments afer conducting a TV interview with 1972 NBO General Chairman Al Lineberry, Jr. and Blind Golfer Charlie Boswell (middle). Photos by Chip Athey
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