What's on eBay? 1981 GGO Decanter

What's on ebay? "A GGO Thing"

A brief history of the commemorative decanters produced to promote the Greater Greensboro Open (Wyndham Championship) from 1972 until 1982. This book details the way in which the bottles were used to market the golf tournament during the 1970's and beyond. It includes dozens of photos and interviews that bring these collectible decanters to life. A GGO Thing also details the move from Sedgefield to Forest Oaks and back again as seen through the stories told by each decanter. A must read for any golf fan. Randy Harris, 2002 President of the Greensboro Jaycees, presents a brief history of the commemorative decanters produced to promote the Greater Greensboro Open from 1972 until 1982. This account details the way in which the bottles were used to market the golf tournament during the 1970's and beyond. It includes dozens of photos and interviews that bring these collectible decanters to life. A GGO Thing also details the move from Sedgefield to Forest Oaks and back again as seen through the stories told by each decanter. A must read for any golf fan.

What's on ebay? Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic Golf Ball

Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic 1 Top Flite xl2000 Golf Ball

What's on ebay? 1980 GGO Decanter

"The Great Week" Greater Greensboro Open 1980 Daviess County Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Decanter in the shape of a Golf Cart with 2 bags of clubs in back. This item was bought new, contents consumed and pretty much stored for 32 years. It is in very good to excellent condition with no chips, cracks or breaks in the porcelain. The only imperfect that I can see is part of the cork is in the bottle.

What's on ebay? 1980 GGO Decanter

"The Great Week" Greater Greensboro Open 1980 Daviess County Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Decanter in the shape of a Golf Cart with 2 bags of clubs in back. This item was bought new, contents consumed and pretty much stored for 32 years. It is in very good to excellent condition with no chips, cracks or breaks in the porcelain. The only imperfect that I can see is part of the cork is in the bottle.

Comment of the Week-"A GGO Thing" Exclusive Excerpt Part 3

"I collect golf decanters and have ones from the GGO from 1972 to 1981. Is that all that were made for the tournament?"

1982 Another “Great Week”
One of the most often asked questions regarding the decanters is “how many decanters are there, ten or eleven?” The answer may not be simple. There are eleven decanters or are there ten decanters and one impostor? Ten of them were sold containing bourbon at local ABC stores. One of them was not. To answer this riddle let’s first get to know the bottle in question.

The bottle is 11” long by 2 7/8 and its base that then tapers to 2”. The bottle is in the form of the 18th green at Forest Oaks Country Club. It comes complete with a sand trap on either side of the green. Each trap has its own rake decal detail. The green displays the GGO golf club logo and a three-dimension ball stands where the logo’s ball normally rest.

The bottle’s stopper looks like a knob from a bathroom drawer and reads the year “1982”. Under the stopper is a decal that reads “Greater Greensboro Open”. The same decal is repeated on both the right and left sides of the decanter. The decanter also has three other decanters that read “The Great Week”, the same theme used on the 1981 commemorative decanter. The decal at the end of the bottle has the tournament’s date that year of “March 29-April 4”. This bottle provides no other information about the event. One interesting detail to point out about this bottle is the green felt that is glued to its base. It is the only decanter to have this finishing touch.

In 1981 there was a problem with broken seals and leaking bottles. According to 1981 Assistant General Chairman Bobby Bain, “The bottles were produced on a limited basis, and readily sold out each year. In 1981 however, the ABC Board didn’t sell out their allocation and took a financial loss. They decided to cancel the program that year.”

In the article entitled “Spirited Collector” Jim Schlosser details the demise of the decanters.

The year before, (1981) the ABC system had taken a bath on the GGO bottles for the first time. Many had arrived cracked and leaking and couldn’t be sold. The bottle failed to sell out.

With that, the ABC system said “punt, cancel and let’s not do this again,” recalls Bobby Bain, who was the assistant GGO chairman in 1981 and tournament chairman in 1982.

Troy Vincent, a 34-year veteran of the ABC system, started working for Greensboro’s ABC in 1970. He retired in 2004. He says that he stayed out for 30 months and then got bored with the situation and went back to work for the ABC as a part –time employee. He had this to say about the trouble with the 1981 Greater Greensboro Open decanter.

I think they (were) having some problem with, I don’t know, with the mold or something, the way the bottle was made and a lot of them came that was broken. The ball or top was off or something like that. I think that was the last year. I don’t know that ‘s the reason they quit but they had got a large shipment of them that was messed up. I think that had something to contribute to them stopping, I’m not sure.

A Jaycee named Dave Macron and his father created the last decanter, the one in the form of a fairway. In 1982 Macron submitted a design to the Greensboro Jaycees and agreed to pay the club $5,000 for the rights. According to 1982 GGO General Chairman Bobby Bain, “The venture was at best a breakeven for him”. The bottle was sold empty and unlike the previous ten decanters, never contained bourbon. The decanter was not well received and the GGO series ended.

Which leads the GGO commemorative bottle collector to the following question, “Should the 1982 bottle be considered as part of the complete collection of Greater Greensboro Open decanters?”

Apparently Smith Barrier did not think so. The 1982 decanter was omitted from his 50th Anniversary article entitled “In the Beginning-The Story of the GGO from Day One”. Barrier wrote, “But nobody, honestly, realized it would lead to a GGO Bottle Collection with 90-proof bourbon (1972-81)”.

It is true that this fairway shaped bottle does not meet many of the requirements that the other bottles had to match. It was not sold in ABC store in Greensboro, but instead was sold at the Allgood Construction located at 114 Winola Drive.

This bottle never contained whiskey from the Ezra Brooks, Glenmore Distilleries Company, Daviess County, or Old Hickory Distillers Company. It was also not an official tournament sponsored decanter, although the bottle's designers produced the bottle with the permission of the Greensboro Jaycees. Unlike the majority of the other decanters, it did not sell out. In fact the original price of $19.95 was cut in half to $9.95 plus tax a week before the start of the Greater Greensboro Open.

For these reasons, the decanter’s collector might not consider the 1982 fairway bottle to be truly part of the complete set. It is important to understand that this bottle was an attempt at keeping the decanter tradition alive and if for no other reason, the 1982 decanter should complete the set.

Any collector of the Greater Greensboro Open decanters at some point will be asked to name their favorite bottle. It is of course natural to compare and contrast the 10 different ABC issues and their distant cousin the 11th empty bottle sold at the Allgood Construction Company.

(March 27, 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the Greater Greensboro Open decanters. To celebrate this anniversary "A GGO Thing" is now on sale on Amazon.com for only $9.00.)

Exclusive Book Excerpt from "A GGO Thing" Part 2

Even with the success of the first Greater Greensboro Golf Tournament, as it was called on the orange tickets, members of the Greensboro Junior Chamber’s Board doubted the tournament’s future. Smith Barrier reports that there was grave concern among the membership.
The nightmare of going in debt with a golf tournament still existed, and Joyner remembered such an element among the Jaycees at the time: “We had a new group of officers in the Jaycees who came in sincerely and honestly feeling that a golf tournament would absolutely ruin the Junior Chamber, and it would put the chamber in disgrace and oblivion if this golf tournament were held. They actually called a meeting of the board to vote down this golf tournament, but it didn’t happen.”

An even though the first tournament failed to make a profit, it lost $314.90, it is fortunate for millions of golf fans that the Greensboro Junior Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors did continue to host the Greater Greensboro Open. The following is an excerpt from the 1938 Annual report submitted by the president of the Greensboro Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Perhaps the most outstanding project of our organization for the year 1938 was the First Annual Greater Greensboro Open Golf Tournament. Archie Joyner, as chairman of the Executive Committee, did a splendid job and our entire membership is to be commended for their unselfish cooperation. Almost without exception, all professional golfers of any consequence competed. Sam Snead, the greatest money winner of the year, won the tournament and the $1200.00 first prize money. The leading pros told us, and no one doubts their sincerity, that this was the finest tournament in which they had ever competed. They were very unselfish in their praise for Greensboro and the Junior Chamber of Commerce. The Executive Committee, with Charlie West as chairman, has already been appointed to handle the tournament for next year.

Minutes from a meeting held on April 7, 1938 by the Greensboro Junior Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors describes the organization’s decision to continue to host the event.

Several members of the Board expressed themselves as being in favor of getting in on record that the Junior Chamber of Commerce would sponsor the Golf Tournament annually. Dr. Stanford presented the following motion to the Board: It is resolved that the By-Laws of the Greensboro Junior Chamber of Commerce be amended by adding Article 14 to read as follows:

THAT the Greater Greensboro Open Golf Tournament be an annual and permanent event of the Greensboro Junior Chamber of Commerce.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Joyner and was passed unanimously. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

While the story of the Ford Motor Company may be hard to prove, it does at least metaphorically capture the sprite of the young business minded individuals like Dr. Alex R Stanford and Archie Joyner that helped make Greensboro’s tournament a reality. It also embodies the spirit of the Greensboro community as it bands together each year to do its part to make the tournament in Greensboro a successful one.

This knowledge of the Greater Greensboro Open’s origin will certainly be of interest to the bottle collector and the sports fan alike. Keep these thoughts with you as you enjoy the Greater Greensboro Open commemorative decanters-the tournament’s most successful promotion to date.

(March 27, 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the Greater Greensboro Open decanters. To celebrate this anniversary "A GGO Thing" is now on sale on Amazon.com for only $9.00.)

A GGO Thing

With the Wyndham Championship's return to Sedgefield many golf fans have pulled their old Sedgefield memorabilia out of storage and dusted it off. These cherished collectibles undoubtedly include a GGO decanter or two.

A GGO Thing:A Brief History of the Greater Greensboro Open Commemorative Decanters was written to answer some of the questions that may be asked by those that do not remember a time when the tournament was not held at Sedgefield. This volume begins with a brief history of how the Greater Greensboro Open began and then moves to a discussion of each of the eleven bottles produced to market the GGO.

Randy Harris,the ggoblogger, presents a brief history of the commemorative decanters produced to promote the Greater Greensboro Open from 1972 until 1982. This account details the way in which the bottles were used to market the golf tournament during the 1970's and beyond. It includes dozens of photos and interviews that bring these collectible decanters to life. A GGO Thing also details the move from Sedgefield to Forest Oaks and back again as seen through the stories told by each decanter.

A GGO Thing takes its name from the back of the very first decanter produced in 1972 that reads "In the Spring, It's the GGO Thing".

When asked why the GGO decanters remain so popular, the book's author Randy Harris had this to say. "The decanters have become a part of our shared past. They are more than souvenirs, they are a limited edition piece of our community's history."
A GGO Thing is currently available on Amazon.com.

The Prefect Holiday Gift for That Green Coat on Your List

With the Wyndham Championship's return to Sedgefield many golf fans have pulled their old Sedgefield memorabilia out of storage and dusted it off. These cherished collectibles undoubtedly include a GGO decanter or two.

A GGO Thing:A Brief History of the Greater Greensboro Open Commemorative Decanters is a book written to answer some of the questions that may be asked by those that do not remember a time when the tournament was held at Sedgefield. This volume begins with a brief history of how the Greater Greensboro Open began and then moves to a discussion of each of the eleven bottles produced to market the GGO.

Randy Harris,the ggoblogger, presents a brief history of the commemorative decanters produced to promote the Greater Greensboro Open from 1972 until 1982. This account details the way in which the bottles were used to market the golf tournament during the 1970's and beyond. It includes dozens of photos and interviews that bring these collectible decanters to life. A GGO Thing also details the move from Sedgefield to Forest Oaks and back again as seen through the stories told by each decanter.

A GGO Thing takes its name from the back of the very first decanter produced in 1972 that reads "In the Spring, It's the GGO Thing".

When asked why the GGO decanters remain so popular, the book's author Randy Harris had this to say. "The decanters have become a part of our shared past. They are more than souvenirs, they are a limited edition piece of our community's history."

A GGO Thing is currently available on Amazon.com.

For more information about A GGO Thing, please visit Amazon.com or contact Randy Harris at (336) 545-8825. randyharris@triad.rr.com

A GGO Thing

With the Wyndham Championship's return to Sedgefield many golf fans are pulling their old Sedgefield memorabilia out of storage and dusting it off. These cherished collectibles will undoubtedly include a GGO decanter or two.

A GGO Thing:A Brief History of the Greater Greensboro Open Commemorative Decanters is the new book written to answer some of the questions that may be asked by those that do not remember a time when the tournament was held at Sedgefield. This volume begins with a brief history of how the Greater Greensboro Open began and then moves to a discussion of each of the eleven bottles produced to market the GGO.

Randy Harris,the ggoblogger, presents a brief history of the commemorative decanters produced to promote the Greater Greensboro Open from 1972 until 1982. This account details the way in which the bottles were used to market the golf tournament during the 1970's and beyond. It includes dozens of photos and interviews that bring these collectible decanters to life. A GGO Thing also details the move from Sedgefield to Forest Oaks and back again as seen through the stories told by each decanter.

A GGO Thing takes its name from the back of the very first decanter produced in 1972 that reads "In the Spring, It's the GGO Thing".

When asked why the GGO decanters remain so popular, the book's author Randy Harris had this to say. "The decanters have become a part of our shared past. They are more than souvenirs, they are a limited edition piece of our community's history."

A GGO Thing is currently available on Amazon.com.

For more information about A GGO Thing, please visit Amazon.com or contact Randy Harris at (336) 545-8825. randyharris@triad.rr.com

"A GGO Thing" is Now on Amazon

Randy Harris, 2002 President of the Greensboro Jaycees, presents a brief history of the commemorative decanters produced to promote the Greater Greensboro Open from 1972 until 1982. This account details the way in which the bottles were used to market the golf tournament during the 1970's and beyond. It includes dozens of photos and interviews that bring these collectible decanters to life. A GGO Thing also details the move from Sedgefield to Forest Oaks and back again as seen through the stories told by each decanter. A must read for any golf fan.

http://www.amazon.com/GGO-Thing-Greensboro-Commemorative-Decanters/dp/1434844242/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217898283&sr=8-1

"A GGO Thing" Comes to Amazon

Randy Harris, 2002 President of the Greensboro Jaycees, presents a brief history of the commemorative decanters produced to promote the Greater Greensboro Open from 1972 until 1982. This account details the way in which the bottles were used to market the golf tournament during the 1970's and beyond. It includes dozens of photos and interviews that bring these collectible decanters to life. A GGO Thing also details the move from Sedgefield to Forest Oaks and back again as seen through the stories told by each decanter. A must read for any golf fan.

http://www.amazon.com/GGO-Thing-Greensboro-Commemorative-Decanters/dp/1434844242/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217898283&sr=8-1