Volume 43, No 1 March/April 2009
IN THIS ISSUE...
President’s Message....................2
A Win Is Still A Win....................4-5
Why Aerate?.................................5
Grasscatcher..............................6-7
Chain Saw Safety......................8-9
The Right Of Reply................10-11
2008 SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR
Hello, for those of you who don’t know me my
name is Mike Donahue and I’m here today as
the commercial representative to the CAGCS
Board of Directors with the honor to present
the 2008 Superintendent of the Year.
Before I start, I would ask that the following
individuals stand who have had the honor
and distinction to be chosen by their peers in
the past to be superintendent of the year.
Keith Angilly – Past President
Les Kennedy – Current Chapter Delegate
Jud Smith –Past President, Newsletter Committee
Heather Garvin – Newsletter Editor
Bob Chalifour – Past President, Newsletter
Editor
Brian Skelly – Past President
John Motycka – Past Treasurer
Phil Neaton – Past President, NERTC Board
Member
Anthony Grosso – Past President, NERTC
Board Member
Mike Wallace – Past President GCSAA
Fred Bachand – Recently Retired, Wethersfield
CC
It’s interesting to note that these individuals
through their efforts and guidance have produced
in what many have acknowledged in
our field as one of the best managed and productive
superintendent organizations in the
country. CAGCS’s financial management can
be only described as AAA. Wall Street should
take notice.
Our members involved in Government Relations
has been ever vigilant about excessive
or unfair regulations as well as promoting a
professional dialogue with opposing viewpoints
This group is also ever mindful about
educating the membership about agronomic
developments and supporting local schools to
develop and test new products applicable to
our specific region. With CAGCS’s generous
support the UConn Turfgrass Program has in
its short history distinguished itself as a leading
academic and research facility.
CAGCS’s support and direction of The New
England Turfgrass Conference is believed by
many currently in the industry as the best
state or regional turfgrass show in the country.
With the long term involvement of CAGCS
members and past presidents Anthony Grosso
and Phil Neaton this conference has excelled
far beyond anyone’s expectations. While
many conferences and trades shows have declined
recently the New England Conference
continues to grow and expand.
Our recipient of 2008’s superintendent of the
year award is no stranger to the idea of participation.
He’s been a member of our organization
for 16 years and has been active as
a board member for 10 years. In discussing
his past and present with family, coworkers,
peers, mentors and subordinates some common
traits keep arising. Everyone keeps describing
him as competitive but in a positive
way. In addition, his orientation and attitude
toward a “teamwork” management approach
have won him praise by everyone mentioned.
This year’s recipient exemplifies these characteristics.
He grew up in Madison, CT one
of 4 brothers where he attended Hand High
School. He participated in wrestling and successfully
played baseball at the position of
catcher where he received numerous awards.
Continued on Page 3...
Chris Mauro
March/April 2009 Connecticut Clippings Page 2
of the past year are now nothing more than
a nervous twitch that settles in when that
special member calls to just let you know that
someone, not them, but someone complained
about the sand in the parking lot. Spring, in
our profession, is like waking up on your
couch after a rough night, the surroundings
look familiar, you have a limited memory of
the events that lead you to this, your head
doesn’t hurt that bad, you’re still dressed,
your significant other is pissed at you, the
kids think your already dressed because your
taking them out for breakfast so you think
how bad can this be:
Then you get up and the reality of it all starts
to settle in, the surroundings do look familiar,
somebody smarter than any of us decided
daylight savings should be the first week of
March which is great, we have more daylight
for course clean up, at what point do we decide
if the desiccated turf is dead and not dormant
after all the last few weeks included 45 mph
winds with temperatures in the teens and
guess what some of your members walked
the course and they have never seen it drier so
let’s get the course open for St. Patty’s Day. Oh
yeah, by the way, the economy is in the tank so
your club needs to save money so remember
how good the course was last year, you should
have no problem producing at least the same
conditions on 80% of that budget. Now that
dull pain in your head is starting to thump
as you realize its March and you’re already
filling out the week-end schedules.
Yup, that time of year again, you have to explain
to your wife why you’re leaving for work in the
dark and for her not to worry about making
you any dinner because your greens chairman
wants to meet with you to discuss bunker rake
placement after he gets out of work at 6. You
assure your wife it is ok because you will be
home in time to help her tuck the kids into bed.
You get home and the kids give you the biggest
hug and kiss and they tell you about their day,
all at the exact same time and you wouldn’t have
it any other way because this is the moment you
looked forward to all day long!
Thank you to everyone for awarding me the
2008 Superintendent of the Year Award, to say
the least that was an absolute surprise and a
tremendous honor, my kids think the chair is
the coolest thing. A special thank you to Mike
Chrzanowski, someone who I have a tremendous
amount of respect for as a Superintendent, more
importantly a friend who I have the upmost
respect for as a person. Working for Mike taught
me that how we maintain grass is only part of
being successful in this profession, knowing
Mike all these years has helped me understand
that sometimes it’s how you spend your time
away from the golf course that can really make
you a quality Superintendent.
Good luck to everyone on a successful season
and buckle-up because here we go again.
Respectfully Submitted,
Chris P. Mauro
Please watch the mail for your CAGCS
Event Schedule and save those dates. An
important date for this year’s calendar will
be the Scholarship and Research Tournament,
scheduled for Monday, May 18th at Watertown
Golf Club. Thank you to Paul Bonini, CGCS
and to everyone who has volunteered to
host our 2009 events and please thank our
commercial members when you get the chance,
who in these difficult financial times continue
to donate to our golf and social events.
As the spring golfing season is upon us and
the crazies are beginning to fill our parking
lots wondering why the greens aren’t rolling
over 10 and why the azaleas haven’t bloomed
yet, I sit down to write this Presidents Letter
staring at a frosty thermometer that reads 27
degrees in the sun. Spring is the season of fresh
beginnings, the memories and experiences
Connecticut Clippings is an official
official publication of the
Connecticut Association of Golf
Course Superintendents
Newsletter Editor
Bob Chalifour, CGCS (Ret.)
Co-Editor
Heather Garvin
Newsletter Committee
David Basconi, John Garcia,
Edward Goodhouse, Ron Holcomb,
Mike Mooney and Jud W. Smith
The Clippings is open to all
commentary.
Please send your comments to:
Bob Chalifour, Newsletter Editor,
39 First Street
Groton, CT 06340
Christian P. Mauro, President
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March/April 2009 Connecticut Clippings Page 3
Continued from Page 1...
He’s an avid sports fan of the Yankee’s, Giants
and UConn Football.
His career started at Madison Country Club,
a 1909 Willie Parks designed layout working
for Superintendent Mike Chrzanowski. He
had enrolled at UConn Avery Point but after
working at Madison he decided to switch his
major and enrolled at the UMass 2 year turfgrass
program. Mike noticed a serious dedication
of this individual and delegated him
more responsibility and actually appointed
him assistant superintendent while he was
still attending school at UMass. He stayed at
Madison for 4 years and honed his skills.
In 1995 Highfield Golf Club, a small family
oriented country club was looking for a new
superintendent and our recipient accepted the
position. This 1953 Orrin Smith designed layout
in Middlebury, CT. was in need of some
upgrades and this young superintendent was
eager for the challenge. He supervised the installation
of a new irrigation system from an
old quick coupler system. A major increase in
the size of the driving range was due and he
facilitated that construction project.
Many of the greens were performing badly
and he then prioritized the reconstruction
of them over a 4 year period with minimal
play disruption. As an avid golfer, his club
recognized his appreciation for improving
course conditions and sought out his input for
elevating the course’s playability. This high
credibility paid off when his position was
expanded to General Manger of the course 6
years ago. By now most of you know who our
recipient is.
Our recipient has been a very active member
of our association. Beginning In 2000 he served
2 years as Scholarship and Research Chairman
where he ran the S & R Tournament. Afterword
he served 2 years as membership chairman.
In 2004 he served as Secretary where his
organizational skills surfaced. In 2006 he was
elected Vice President and finally in 2008 he
was elected President.
His family life is very active as well. He met
his wife Amy, from Dalton, MA, while both
were attending UMass. Both were taking a
class in Early Child Development. They dated
for 4 years and have been married for 12
years. They obviously took that class to heart.
They now have 4 children, Zach – 9, Alli-7, Jason
-4 and Sage -3. Even with this busy schedule
dad finds time with his children coaching
little league. And for the second year in a row
we have a marriage where opposites attract.
Our Superintendent is an avid Yankees fan
and his smarter half is a Red Sox fan.
As we see, our recipient embodies the concept
of healthy competition and teamwork.
As association president he seeks input and
dialogue before finalizing decisions. He’s
receptive to opposing ideas and values with
respect all ideas and viewpoints. I’ve learned
that he’s also a good manger by always being
prepared & organized at board meetings.
He’s also encouraged employees to improve
their situation by pursuing their education
and professional experiences even when it
temporarily inconvenienced him. He also
recognized the value of this organization and
takes seriously its stewardship that has been
delegated to him.
They say that the baseball catcher has the
toughest job on the baseball field. Compared
to any other defensive player on the field he
has the responsibility and awareness of many
things at same time. It’s fair to say that this
year’s recipient, a former catcher learned those
behind the plate skills during his younger days
and applies that orientation of total awareness
to his professional and personal life.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor and
pleasure to present the 2008 Superintendent
of the Year, Mr. Christian Mauro
March/April 2009 Connecticut Clippings Page 4
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A WIN IS STILL A WIN!
On March 2-5th the 2009 New England Regional
Turfgrass Conference and Show was
held successfully in Providence. The four
day schedule was chock full of informational
events including 8 Monday seminars that
were attended by more than 300 turfgrass
professionals even as a late season snow tried
its best to disrupt the schedule. The seminars
went on as scheduled and by mid-morning
most attendees were able to safely make their
way to Providence. Bill Morton, CGCS of The
Misquamicut Club in Westerly, RI welcomed
everyone to the opening session Tuesday
morning as president of the NERTF. Tuesday,
was a fact-filled day with many associated
with the USGA Golf House and USGA Turf
Advisory Service conveying to attendees the
importance of working together especially
during less than desirable economic times.
URI friends and Alumni lunch was hosted
in the Rotunda. Several interested sports
turf managers attended a seminar by Dr. Jason
Henderson titled, “Making Sense of Soil
Tests.” Keynote speaker Greg Gumbel added
enduring substance to overcoming challenges
as he refreshed everyone’s memories of Olympic
triumphs by individuals who had to defeat
great personal challenges in order to succeed.
The trade show opened that afternoon to an
energetic buzz, as commercial exhibitors introduced
interested participants to new products
and programs.
The annual UMass Alumni and Friends
Breakfast was held Wednesday morning and
provides a great way to start the day catching
up with fellow grads and university personnel
including Dean Steve Goodwin. Wednesday’s
educational sessions were met with
approval to attendees for their content by
notable professors and professionals. In 2009,
we introduced a new morning session titled,
“Turf and Ornamentals” to provide additional
credit opportunities and topics that are in and
around the turfgrass managers area of responsibility,
but may not be directly a turfgrass
topic exclusively. It was a new offering to try
and interest some of the fringe turfgrass management
individuals and companies. With a
topic like the Asian Longhorned Beetle infecting
local forests, all would agree it was timely
addition. Wednesday’s trade show experience
was notably lively as a very good walkin
registration increased crowds to as high of
levels as we have experienced on any other
Wednesday’s before. An over-packed room
in the mechanic’s session learned many new
tricks of the trade dealing with small engines
and electrical troubleshooting.
Additional activities included our successful
Live Auction Wednesday on the trade show
floor which raised nearly $20,000 for turfgrass
research. The auction was guided again by
the Master Family Auction Team of Manny
Mihailides and Danny Calaise to help raise increasingly
crucial research funds from donated
products of exhibitors and attendees. Jack
Nugnes, CGCS of the Oyster Harbors Club
was the largest contributor to the auction’s
success and will receive a free 3-day conference
and show pass in 2010!
The second event was the inaugural NERTF
Turf Bowl team competition, and was competed
on between students from UMass, URI
and UConn. Conducted by immediate pastpresident
Robert Ruszala and representatives
of all three schools, students were mixed into
teams of three and proctored during a 60
question 5-section test and an additional 25
identification specimens of turfgrass plants,
diseases, insects, weeds and seeds. The teams
had 1! hour running clock to finish their requirements
and then the scores were tallied
to determine which team won the competition.
The results were that UMass Team #2
(Alex Brooks, Scott St. Pierre, Shawn Wynn all
of UMass) scored the highest. They received
personal plagues and a Turf Bowl Plague will
include their names for posterity! Congratulations
to all competitors!
Thursday morning began with our 2nd annual
Research Breakfast with participants presenting
overviews of what is going on at their
schools concerning turfgrass research. A subdued
crowd shared the trade show floor and
education sessions that morning, not nearly
the numbers of Wednesday, but still actively
interacting with exhibitors. Education session
attendees showed interest in topics that
included Lyme disease among other turfgrass
disease concerns. Before people knew it, the
overhead door flew open at 1pm and exhibitors
scurried to pack their items and the show
floor was empty and a sea of waste by 5pm.
WHY AERATE?
It’s a perfect, sunny morning and you’ve just
reached the first green in regulation. You feel
great and you know you’re within birdie
range. Then, you see them, those little holes
in the green. Arrggh! They’ve just aerified
the course, and it’s going to ruin your round,
right?
Well, maybe not. Consider the fact that PGA
TOUR legend Tom Watson shot a sizzling record
58 at his then-home course, Kansas City
Country Club, just days after the greens had
been aerified. Consider also that aerification
is merely a short-term disruption that has
long-term benefits for the course. When you
see them, remember that without those little
holes, the greens would eventually die.
Preventative maintenance is an integral part
of successful golf course management. Golfers
view aerification as an inconvenience that
takes the greens out of play for a day, pulling
cores from the greens and leaving holes that
can affect putting for many days before healing.
To add insult to injury, aerification is best
done in many part of the country during midsummer,
at the height of the playing season
and when most greens are in prime condition.
But a golfer needs to understand how important
aerification is to producing healthy turf.
Aerification achieves three important objectives.
It relieves soil compaction, it provides
a method to improve the soil mixture around
the highest part of a green’s roots and it reduces
or prevents the accumulation of excess
thatch.
Like so many things, the quality of a good putting
green is more than skin deep. In fact, the
condition of a green has a lot to do with what
goes on below the surface. In order for grass to
grow at 3/16-inch, it must have deep, healthy
roots. Good roots demand oxygen. In good
soil, they get the oxygen from tiny pockets of
air trapped between soil and sand particles.
Over time, the traffic from golfers’ feet (as
well as mowing equipment) tends to compact
the soil under the putting green and particularly
when the soil contains a lot of clay. When
soil becomes compacted, the air pockets on
which the roots depend are crushed, and the
roots are essentially left gasping for air. Without
oxygen, the grass plants become weaker
and will eventually wither and die. Aerification
is a mechanical process that creates more
air space in the soil and promotes deeper rooting,
thus helping the grass plants stay healthy.
In most cases, it’s done by removing 1/2-inch
cores (those plugs you sometimes see near a
green or in fairways) from the compacted soil,
allowing for an infusion of air and water that
brings a resurgence of growth. The spaces are
then filled with sand ‘topdressing’ that helps
the soil retain air space and makes it easier for
roots to grow downward.
Older greens often are constructed of soils
with significant amounts of silt, clay and fine
organic particles that are prone to compaction.
Filling aerification holes with sand improves
drainage and resists compaction. The periodic
introduction of sand to a green’s top layer can
over time, avoid or postpone expensive rebuilding
or renovation of greens.
Finally, growing of turf adds to a layer of organic
matter on the surface. This layer, called
thatch, is an accumulation of dead stems,
leaves and roots. A little organic matters
makes for a resilient green, but too much invites
diseases and insects. Topdressing with
sand can prevent thatch buildup, and aerification
is one of the best ways to reduce an existing
layer and prevent an excess of thatch from
becoming established.
Other aerification techniques use machines
with ‘tines’ or knives that simply poke holes
through the soil profile. A new technique even
uses ultra high-pressure water that’s injected
through the soil profile to create small holes
that relieve some compaction but heal quickly.
There are many types of aerifying machines
with different attachments that address different
problems in the various stages of the life
of a green. So the next time you’re ready to
scream when the aerifiers are brought on the
course, remember that a little preventative
maintenance produces the best greens over
the long haul.
The bottom line is that aerification is a necessary
practice. But before you curse the superintendent
for ruining your day, just think of
Tom Watson.
For more information regarding golf course
management practices, contact your local superintendent
or the GCSAA at (800) 472-7878
or www.gcsaa.org.
It was still a solid show though attendance
numbers have been better in other years. The
reality is economics have hurt or impeded just
about all facets of our industry. We look forward
optimistically and focus on continuing
support of turfgrass research and education
in New England. Will Rodgers once said, “A
Farmer has to be optimist or he wouldn’t still
be Farmer.” Our industry as well must move
ahead the best it can looking forward to better
days! We would like to thank all of our exhibitors
for supporting the efforts of the New England
Regional Turfgrass Foundation and for
marketing your products with us during this
trying economy. Especially to our sponsors:
Andersons Golf Products, Bayer Environmental
Science, Floratine, Harrell’s, Lebanon Turf,
Syngenta, Tom Irwin, Turf Products Corporation,
and Winding Brook Turf Farm thank you
for your support and help to us with our receptions,
refreshments, programs and lanyards
and making the New England Regional Show
the “best” regional show! Many thanks to all
the auction donors that have helped the foundation
expand research through the NERTRT.
BIG thanks to all attendees and presenters for
supporting the industry through your efforts
of becoming better turfgrass professionals
through networking, education and purchasing
the best products on turf! Everyone involved
together have made the 12th Annual
New England Regional Turfgrass Conference
and Show a continued success and yes……
another WIN!
Gary Sykes, Executive Director, New England
Regional Turfgrass Foundation, Inc.
March/April 2009 Connecticut Clippings Page 5
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March/April 2009 Connecticut Clippings Page 6
New Members
Eric Euell, Class Commercial
Steven Willand, Inc.
Brian Giblin, Class Commercial
Bayer Environmental
Neil Lajeuesse, Class C
Oak Hill Park GC
Christopher Walsh, Class C
Tunxis Plantation
Scott Zwiers, Class SM
The Milbrook Club
Congratulations
Donnie & Marjorie Beck were married on
March 7, 2009. Wishing them all the best!
Maggie & Steve Winiarski on the birth of
their 1st child – Nicholas John. He was born
on December 13, 2008 and weighted in a
healthy 7lbs and 4ozs.
Winding Brook Turf on their 50th Anniversary!
Below from left to right Mike Krudwig,
Scott McLeod, Jack Morgan, Jane Morgan, Scott
Wheeler
Congratulations to Steve Curry, formerly
at Berkshire Hills CC is now Golf Course
Superintendent at Shuttle Meadow CC in
Kensington
Congratulations on Retirement
Fred Bachand with 40 plus years at Wethersfield
CC
Dave Vibber with 14 Years at The Orchards
and 29 years at Ellington Ridge CC
Ed Zenisky with 25 Years at Tashua Knolls
Dick Tice, Executive Director, Environmental
Industry Council. Pictured below...
Congratulations to Neil Lajeunesse who was
elected as the Class C Representative to the
Board at The Winter Seminar. Pictured below...
Condolences
To Mike Cornicelli and family on the passing
of Mike’s mother Phyllis Cornecelli on February
27, 2009.
Jon Eric “Butch” Mattson, 68, of Elm Street,
Plantsville, died Sunday, March 22, 2009
at his home following a courageous three
year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was
a member of CAGCS from 1985 to 1991 and
was the national sales manager for SALSCO,
Inc during that time.
To Greg, Pandora Wojick and family on the
passing of Pandora’s mother on Thursday,
April 9, 2009.
Feedback
Please let us know. How is the economy effecting
your operation?
PLEASE NOTE!!!
SCHOLAR AND RESEARCH TOURNAMENT
venue and date has been changed to:
Watertown Golf Club Monday, May 18, 2009
Neil Lajeunesse, Mike Pieri, Gary Burns, Ben Goosen
Participated in the Class C Tournament held at Indian Hill CC last Fall. Congratulations to the winner Neil Lajeunesse
Phil Matts, Ed Clark, Scott Lund, Matt Quinn
Retired Wethersfield Superintendents left to right Bill Dest and Fred
Bachand with current Superintendent Allen Woodward
March/April 2009 Connecticut Clippings Page 7
CAGCS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President – Christian P. Mauro
Vice President – Kimberly J. Heyl
Secretary – Mark B. Mansur
Treasurer – John Garcia
Past President – Keith A. Angilly
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
Education – Donald Beck
Golf – Eric Morrision
Membership – Sean Flynn
Scholarship & Research
Paul Bonini, CGCS
Social & Welfare – Charles Babcock
Government Relations
Scott Ramsay, CGCS
Commercial Rep to Board
Michael Donahue
Class C Rep to the Board
Neil Lajeunesse
March/April 2009 Connecticut Clippings Page 8
CHAIN SAW SAFETY
Ron Smith, MBA, CPSI
We are currently in the time of the golf
maintenance season where chain saws are
used on a much more frequent basis than
other times of the year. Collectively, more
than 40,000 people are injured by chain
saws each year.
When a chain saw is at full speed, more
than 600 teeth pass a given point per
second. A muffler on a chain saw can reach
as much as 900 degrees F. Frequently chain
saw work involved trees standing 50 feet or
tall and weighing several tons. When you
combine all these factors, it is not surprising
so many people are involved with chain
saw accidents.
The average chain saw injury requires 110
stitches and cost $5,600 in medical costs.
The two most common places for injuries
are the front left thigh and the back of the
left hand. The most common cause of chain
saw accidents is kickback. One in 5 chain
saw injuries are from kickback.
With a basic understanding of your chain
saw and how it is intended to be used,
you can reduce the chance of experiencing
a chain saw accident and eliminate the
element of surprise from kickback or other
unexpected reactions. You will also be able
to maximize the life and utility of the saw
and its cutting attachments.
GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
FOR USE OF CHAIN SAWS
1. Before using any chain saw, thoroughly
read the manufacturer’s operating and
safety instructions.
2. Do not operate a chain saw when you
are fatigued, if you have been drinking
alcoholic beverages, or if you have been
taking prescription medication or nonprescription
drugs.
3. Use safety footwear, snug-fitting clothing,
protective gloves, and eye, hearing, and
head protection.
4. When cutting, hold the saw firmly
with both hands, with thumbs and fingers
encircling both chain saw handles. Grip
the saw with the right hand on the rear
(throttle) handle and the left hand on the
front handle, even if you are left handed. A
firm grip will help you maintain control of
the saw in the event of a kickback or other
unexpected reaction. Keep the chain saw
handles dry, clean and free of oil or fuel
mixture to avoid slipping and to aid in
control of the saw.
5. Chain saws are designed to be run at
full speed. To maximize your productivity
and to reduce the fatigue you experience
maintain a full throttle setting while
cutting.
6. Cut while standing slightly to the side,
out of the plane of the cutting chain and
guide bar to reduce the risk of injury in the
event you lose control of the saw.
7. Carry the chain saw with the engine
stopped, the guide bar and cutting chain
to the rear, and the muffler away from
your body. When transporting your chain
saw, always use the appropriate guide bar
scabbard.
8. Do not overreach or cut above shoulder
height. It is very difficult to control the saw
in awkward positions.
9. Do not operate a chain saw in a tree
or from a ladder unless you have been
specifically trained and are equipped to do
so. There is a risk that you can lose your
balance because of cutting forces on the saw
or movement of the material being cut.
10. Some cutting tasks require special
training and skills. Remember, there is no
substitute for good judgment. If you are in
doubt, contact a professional.
March/April 2009 Connecticut Clippings Page 9
11. To avoid the risk of kickback, make sure that
the area in which you are cutting is free from
obstructions. Do not let the nose of the guide bar
contact a log, branch or any other obstruction while
you are operating the saw. Do not cut near chain
link fences, wire fences, or in areas where there is
loose or scrap wire.
12. Do not start cutting trees until you have a clear
work area, secure footing, and a planned retreat
path from the falling tree.
13. Be careful in the event the wood closes in
and pinches the saw. The ‘push’ force which is
exerted when the top chain is pinched can add
unexpectedly to any ‘pull’ force you may use when
attempting to pull the saw free. You may pull the
moving chain into yourself.
14. Use extreme caution with cutting small-size
brush and saplings because slender material may
catch the cutting chain and be whipped toward
you or pull you off balance.
15. When cutting a limb or sapling that is under
tension (called a spring pole), be alert for spring
back so that you will not be struck by the limb or
chain saw when the tension in the limb is released.
16. Do not allow other persons to be near the chain
saw when starting the saw or cutting with it. Keep
by-standers and animals out of the work area.
17. Keep all parts of your body away from the
cutting chain when the engine is running.
18. Do not operate a chain saw that is damaged,
improperly adjusted or not completely assembled.
Be sure that the cutting chain stops moving when
the throttle control trigger is released. If you are in
doubt regarding the mechanical condition of your
saw, consult your servicing dealer.
19. Follow the manufacturer’s sharpening and
maintenance instructions for the chain saw.
Sharpening cutting chain requires two steps:
sharpening of the cutting edge and adjustment of
the depth gauge setting. When in doubt, see your
servicing dealer for advice or repairs.
20. Use only replacement bars and cutting chains
specified by the manufacturer, or the equivalent.
Guide bars and cutting chains affect not only
performance, but kickback safety as well.
21. Maintain proper chain saw tension. A loose
chain can come off the guide bar and can strike the
operator.
22. All chain saw service other than the items
mentioned in the owner’s maintenance instructions
should be performed by competent chain saw
service personnel. Improperly performed maintenance
may damage the saw and present a hazard
to the operator. For example, if improper tools are
used to remove the flywheel or if an improper tool
is used to hold the flywheel in order to remove the
clutch, structural damage to the flywheel could occur and could subsequently cause
the flywheel to break.
23. Use caution when handling fuel. Move the chain saw at least 10 feet away from the
fueling point before starting the engine. Do not smoke while refueling your saw. Use
gasoline powered chain saws only in well ventilated areas.
SOME GOOD CHAIN SAW ADVICE
A) Chain saws are made to cut only one thing: wood. Do not use chain saws to cut other
materials, and never let your chain contact rocks or dirt during operation. Remember,
your chain saw is moving in excess of 50 miles per hour. In just one second of contact
with a rock or with the ground, each cutter will be impacted more than ten times.
B) Never force a dull chain to cut. When it is sharp, chain saws are designed to feed
itself into the wood, and needs only light pressure to cut efficiently. Dull chains produce
fine wood dust, a sure sign that maintenance is required.
C) To maximize the life of your guide bar and chain, maintain proper chain tension and
use high-quality lubricants.
D) Use only a low kickback chain saw unless you have skills and are trained for dealing
with kickback.
March/April 2009 Connecticut Clippings Page 10
THE RIGHT OF REPLY
By Michael Picken in Golf on 22nd Jan 2009
Imagine one minute everything is fine
and then the next you are called into
the club’s board room and told you’re
out of a job. That situation has befallen a
number of golf course superintendents in
recent times and as it always does sends
shockwaves throughout the industry.
Not only does the industry lose the
experience and knowledge of that
practitioner, in many cases for good, it
also makes those who still have a job
question their own situation and whether
they are doing all they can to protect
themselves, particularly at a time when
job security is paramount in the face of
global uncertainty.
Former VGCSA president Michael Picken
was one such casualty in late 2008 and
here he ruminates about his dismissal
and asks whether 12 years in the one
position is too long in this day and age.
With a spate of similar stories to mine
taking place around the country, I’m
drawn to a conversation I had with a
well-known turf identity many years
ago where he relayed the words of
the legendary Claude Crockford who
apparently said his major frustration in
the job was the lack of the right of reply.
By no means considering myself in the
esteemed category of Mr. Crockford,
this is my attempt to describe my recent
demise at a club I was thoroughly
committed to.
Before I begin, let me qualify this by
stating that my former employer gave me
over 12 years of generous remuneration,
ever-improving working conditions,
and in the most part, all the necessary
means to bring the course forward
to a level I am proud of. Granted this
article has a cathartic element to it, but
hopefully it will provide many new or
happily unaware superintendents with
an example of where it can go horribly
wrong if you’re not on the ball.
A brief history of the club in question
is of an old established course built on
former orchard that features considerable
undulations on clay soils, with tight
tree lined fairways, tees and greens. I
was appointed in 1996 after spending
14 years being successfully involved
in the development of a well-known
Mornington Peninsula golf project. It was
apparent from the outset that that my
new job offered many problems ranging
from greens inconsistencies, reticulation
deficiencies and an unsustainable reliance
on town water for irrigation needs.
To rectify these issues a greens replacement
programme was implemented and
completed over an eight year period. The
reticulation system was upgraded and
the independent water source problem
was overcome through developing a
lake system to the narrow creek that
meanders through the lowest part of the
property. This gave the club a substantial
storage of water to draw from in times of
need. During this period the antiquated
maintenance facility also went through
a major upgrade in order to create
suitable working conditions for staff and
machinery upkeep.
With the major course issues laid to
rest the club administration believed
it was responsible to drive on with
other pressing needs. This meant the
workload continued in the form of a
par 5 realignment to rectify a boundary
problem, reconstructing the bowling
green, the addition of a 19th hole, 2.2km
of concrete paths to be installed over
a period of 3-4 years and a phasedin
upgrade to the ageing irrigation
plumbing. Again to be completed over a
three year period.
It must be noted that most of this work
was carried out by contractors or subcontractors,
but that did not discount
from the fact that the groundstaff were
always heavily involved with all projects,
providing the finish that enabled the
different areas to come back into play
as soon as possible. The final outcomes
of these projects have always been well
received by the members but it must
be said there have been times when the
extensive works have stretched their
patience.
The Slide
For the first seven or eight years of
my employment I believed I had the
full support of both the manager and
committee. This was confirmed by the
fact that when my dismissal became
known, many of the captains and
presidents from that period contacted
me as I was about to leave with generous
offers of references and endorsements.
As time moved on and faces on the
committee changed, cracks started to
appear. This came in guise of mixed
enthusiasm to projects I put forward
or work in progress. I also noted that
information coming from above was
slowing down and in the last year it could
only be described as on a need-to-know
basis. I have always maintained that
a superintendent/manager relationship
was the key to the job, so in a way I must
take some responsibility for allowing
that to decline.
Also, in fairness to the management of the
club it would be reasonable to say I can
be headstrong and quite intolerant when
I believe in the merit of a project that will
benefit the course. I also find criticism
hard to take, a flaw many passionate
superintendents could relate to.
As 2008 unfolded I witnessed a relatively
new, and in the most part, inexperienced
board take the reins, which coincided
March/April 2009 Connecticut Clippings Page 11
with a very supportive and involved
captain moving aside. It also lined up
with a restructuring of personnel in the
office which appeared to create issues.
The year also marked a personal decision
to have long overdue hip-replacement
surgery and then after some time back at
work, a six-week holiday with my wife
in Europe.
Major works were again being planned
but I believed 12 years of service
warranted these necessary periods of
time off. I also had the utmost faith in the
ability of the maintenance staff.
Two weeks after returning from my
holiday, an impromptu meeting was
called by two members of the four-man
board along with the manager. The
board relayed concerns that they were
getting complaints from members about
the speed and standard of the clean-up
that was taking place by groundstaff
following the installation of phase one of
the new irrigation system.
The actual installation work was
being carried out by one of the state’s
leading irrigation contractors, who
was sympathetic to the difficulties of
reinstating trenches in clay during
winter. It was agreed at this impromptu
meeting that a priority would be placed
on speeding up the process. During this
meeting I protested that an enormous
amount of unplanned work had been
implemented while I had been away,
and that staff had been left thin on the
ground.
Two weeks later another meeting was
called, this time with three members
of the board. The tone was much more
serious and it was agreed that it was
time to add extra manpower to the
already overstretched 11-man crew, so
an extra groundsman was employed. It
now appears on reflection that I had been
given a second warning of my impending
dismissal, even though at no time had
this been mentioned.
For the next month we pushed on
preparing the course for the biannual
visit of a sister club. Another unscheduled
80m concrete path was installed and a
new tee complex was built. The sister
club visit received an endorsement from
the visiting captain but nothing from
my committee. An ominous sign it now
seems. During this whole period it must
be stated that the manager gave me no
reasons for concern.
Three days after completing the draft
2009 budget, which had been called for
a month early, the manager called to say
he’d been requested to have me in the
boardroom in two hours. His comment
was, “It doesn’t sound good.”
On completion of that five minute
meeting I was out of a job with a thank
you for the 12 years but a decision
had been made to move in a different
direction. On requesting a reason, or
reasons, the reply was given that there
was no point, followed by the comments,
“Twelve years is a long time in today’s
industrial climate”. I had two days to
clean up my belongings.
I left the boardroom and dropped the
bombshell to a shocked grounds crew
who were very respectful and supportive
on my last two days. The manager also
appeared sympathetic claiming he had
no idea the decision was coming and
mentioned he had dissuaded the board
from emailing me the news.
He then informed me of my legal entitlements
as I didn’t have a contract in place.
After I appealed that position with him,
he let me know soon after the board had
agreed to increase the entitled five weeks
payout figure (plus long-service and
annual leave) to eight weeks.
On Reflection
As I review my time at my former place
of employment and superintendent
positions anywhere in this country,
I can’t help but worry. Many of our
colleagues around the states, who were
kind enough to contact me following my
departure, echoed these same concerns.
To start, I would implore all superintendents
to have a contract and make
sure it has been approved by a legal
specialist. The AGCSA has a service
that can provide that. Also be aware of
the dangers that the old school general
manager situation can create. Many
American clubs have moved away from
that format, to a situation where the
superintendent works, and is answerable
to, heavily involved committee members
such as a greens chairman or captain.
Some of the better clubs around the
country have also followed that model.
The best periods of my professional life
were when the people in control had
the time, the interest and had served an
extended period as a regular committee
person before getting into a position
of power. It would also be advisable to
record your own minutes of any meeting
undertaken. This at least creates some
record of past conversations.
Finally, maybe it is true to say that in this
day and age 12 years is a long time in the
one job. Certainly the culture of the club
I have just left indicates that as the last
four supers prior to me, dating back into
the 1960’s, have all met the same fate.


March/April 2009 Connecticut Clippings Page 12
DryJect N.E./TurfPounders
Aerification & Drainage SVC’s
Kevin Collins (914) 525-3681 (cell)
Home Office (914) 672-6029
Servicing CT, NY & Western MA
Egypt Farms, Inc.
Sterilized Topdressing, Greensmix
Bagged Topdressing & Divot Mix
Dean Snyder
(800) 899-7645 FAX (410) 335-0164
Harrell’s
Jim Wierzbicki (860) 424-7250
Mike Dukette (860) 930-8888
Customer Service (800) 228-6656
The Chas C. Hart Seed Co.
Wethersfield, CT - Roy Sibley,
P. Bednarczyk, Heather Garvin
(860) 529-2537 or (800) 326-4278
Quality Since 1892
James Carriere & Son, Inc.
Bill Carriere (914) 937-2136
Trap Sand Partac Top Dressing
Const Mixes
Decorative Stone
Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc.
Professional Ground-Water and
Environmental Engineering Services
Office in Shelton & Farmington
Rob Good (860) 678-0404
Metro Turf Specialists
Customers, Our TOP Priority
Dave Conrad (914) 490-3698
Rob Steinman (914) 588-6593
(203) 748-4653 – metroturfspecialists.com
New England Specialty Soils
Top Dressing Sand HD Bunker Sand
Rootzone Blends, Diviot Mix
Ed Downing www.nesoils.com
(978) 230-2300 ed@nesoils.com
New England Turf, Inc
Premium Sod for Golf
Sod Installations
Dave Wallace (401) 641-0306
Arron Maher (401) 714-3402 (cell)
Partac Golf Course Top-Dressing
(800) 247-2326 Fax (908) 637-8421
Bill Carriere (914) 937-2136
Joe Bidwell (860) 651-8555
Jim Wierzbicki (860) 424-7250
Phoenix Environmental Care
533 Elderberry Road
Noblesville, IN 46062
Michael Donahue (860) 490-1929
A-OK Turf Equipment
Articulator Dealer, Graden, TyCrop, Blec
Wiedenmann, Therrien, Baroness, sweep n fill
Michael Cornicelli (401) 826-2584
Fax (401) 826-3749www.aokturfequipment.com
Allens Seed
Seed, Fertilizer, Turf Supplies
Exeter, RI 02822
Al LaPrise
(401) 741-4444 - (800) 527-3898
Anderson Turf Irrigation, Inc.
5 Cronk Road
Plainville, CT 06062
Curtis F. Anderson
Aquatrols Corp. of America
Innovative Products for Effective
Resource Management
Kevin P. Collins, N.E. Territory Mgr.
(609) 841-2077 (cell)
Bayer Environmental Science
Fairfield County – Dave Sylvester
(860) 841-3173 – Dave’s cell phone
All other CT Counties – Brian Giblin
(508) 439-9809 – Brian’s cell phone
BISCO
Irrigation Supplies featuring Rain Bird
60 Stergis Way, Dedham MA 02026
(800) 225-8006 - MA / (888) 522-9182 - CT
J. Anderson III cell: (203) 494-5217
C.R.I.S., LLC
Golf Course Irrigation
P.O. Box 6194
Wolcott, CT 06716
Troy Carney – (203) 879-2362
The Cardinals, Inc.
Complete Distributor of Golf Course
Accessories & Turf Main tenance Supplies
John Callahan
(860) 673-3699
Championship Turf Services
Precision Laser Leveling
Custom Aerification - Overseeding
Sisis Turf Equipment
Michael Flowers (800) 562-5860
DGM Systems
Specialty Products Distributor For Golf & Sports Turf
Servicing Your Needs www.dgmsystems.com
Office (401) 647-0550 or (877) DGM Products
Manny (401) 524-8999 - David (401) 742-1177
D & S - Floratine - JRM
The Best Value for
Plant and Soil Strength
Jerry Martin (203) 380-9503
Dave Basconi (860) 349-1291
Plant Food Company, Inc.
The Liquid Fertilizer Experts
Larry Pakkala, CGCS (203) 505-3750
Tom Weinert (914) 262-0111
Customer Service (800) 562-1291
Sodco, Inc.
P.O. Box 2
Slocum, RI 02877
Sean Moran
(800) 341-6900 - sodco.net
Steven Willand, Inc.
Jacobsen-Club Car Car-Smithco-Turfco
Parts/Service (203) 775-5757
Mark Osborn-Brett Armstrong-John Ferrucio
www.stevenwillandinc.com
Syngenta Professional Products
Fairfield County - Dennis DeSanctis
(732) 580-5514 - dennis.desanctis@syngenta.com
All other CT Counties - Melissa Gugliotti
(860) 221-5712 - melissa.gugliotti@syngenta.com
Terre Co.
206 Delawanne Ave. Clifton NJ
(973) 473-3393 FAX (973) 473-4402
Byron Johnson
Home (203) 748-5069
Tom Irwin, Inc.
Turf Management Products
Knowledge & Experience You Can Trust
Rob Larson (508) 789-0059
Jeff Houde (203) 731-1776 office (800) 582-5959
TurfLinks, Inc.
Committed to your success!
Products, Equipment & Agronomic Services
Jim Favreau (978) 815-9810
Chris Cowan (413) 530-5040
Turf Products Corporation
157 Moody Rd., P.O. Box 1200
Enfiled, CT 06083
John Ferry - Mark Loper
(800) 243-4355
Westchester Turf Supply, Inc.
33 Years of Serving the CAGCS
Bob Lippman (914) 447-6257
Dave Lippman (914) 447-5192
Office (845) 621-5067 westturf@comcast.net
Winding Brook Turf Farm
240 Griswold Rd.
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Mike Krudwig (860) 883-0475
kruds@comcast.net