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CONN.
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SUPERINTENDENTS— —

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JUNE 1976

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VOLUME 9, No. 2

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Yoiir Appearance
Is Impressive

Annual Picnic
The CAGCS annual picnic was held
Saturday May 15 at Brookville Park in
Hamden, Connecticut. The weather this
year was superb, even though showers
were predicted.
The softball game this year was a tie. A
committee was quickly formed and it was
decided that the score of 17 to 17 would be
final. Heading up this year’s teams were
Bob (Slugger) Osterman and Bill (Prowl)
Dest. Strong potential for next year was
shown by Carol (Heavy Timber) Stimson
and Bob (White Shoes) Tosh.
As usual ample cheerleaders were in
attendance and once the game started even
more people stopped to watch. Some were
heard to say that it was a terrible thing to
do to our national pastime during the bi­
centennial year. Oh well, wait until next

Grass Catcher
By Steve Cadenelli
Beginning with this issue there will be
printed listings of all events, locally and
nationally, that are of interest to members
of CAGCS which occur during the period
between each issue. As the “ Conn. Clip­
pings’’ is published only five times a year it
becomes important to save each issue for
future reference. This will provide every­
one with a second notice of events that are
happening. (The monthly mailing being
the first.) This should provide excellent
notice of coming events and help to make
your monthly scheduling that much easier.
•••
The April meeting at Shorehaven
Country Club hosted by Bob Phipps was an
excellent start for the new season. Well
over forty golfers enjoyed the fine weather
and a very well manicured golf course for
so early in the season. Bob is to be con­
gratulated for the excellent condition of the
golf course. Over sixty members and
guests attended the meeting and dinner
which followed. Richard Hurley, Superin­
tendent of the Tavistock Country Club in

Bob Osterman demonstrates his all-star
form at the annual picnic softball game.
year.
This is a great time to get away and
spend a day with the entire family. Hope­
fully in the future more will attend to make
for a better time for all.
Bob Chalifour
Tavistock, New Jersey gave an interesting
talk on improving the relationship between
the superintendent and the golf profes­
sional. He raised many good points which,
although seem like common sense, are all
too easily forgotten. All in all this meeting
was a tremendous start for 1976.
•••
There continues to be much discussion
surrounding pesticide licensing in Con­
necticut. Many superintendents have ob­
tained the needed license while others are
preparing to take the tests. There is no
easy solution to this difficult problem.
Many hours must be spent in preparing for
the test. However, there is nothing that
today’s superintendents cannot handle
which are on these tests. Our everyday
practices involve us with a great majority of
the needed information. We as profes­
sional turf managers owe it to ourselves
and our profession to continually upgrade
our education and to establish higher pro­
fessional standards. Pesticide licensing
must be viewed in this light.
Fred Baschund, superintendent at the
Wethersfield Country Club and Richard

Just inside the employee’s entrance to
most post offices is a full length mirror and
a poster which reads, “ Check Your Ap­
pearance, Everyone Else Does!’’ Judging
by the appearance of most postal em­
ployees, the approach has a good effect.
The poster slogan might well be placed
in every superintendent’s maintenance
building, just as a reminder of the
examination your golfers give each mem­
ber of your operation.
Obviously, there will be times when it is
totally impractical to expect everyone to
pass an inspection, but more often than
not, care could be taken to improve per­
sonal appearance when going to the club­
house or other high traffic areas.
It takes very little time to wipe-off your
grass covered boots, wash your hands and
face or check your hair and clothes, but the
impression it makes on “ viewers,’’ could
be great. Personal appearance makes a
lasting impression on most people, an im­
pression that determines many other fac­
tors, such as how the individual is spoken
to or what is asked of them and how that
request is made.
Check your own appearance and en­
courage your crew to follow your example.
Hurley, Superintendent at the Tavistock
Country Club in Tavistock, N. J. were
presented plaques of appreciation for their
presentations at our meetings. Mr. Hurley
spoke at the April meeting on improving
relations between the superintendent and
the golf professional while Mr. Baschund
spoke at the March meeting on preparing a
golf course for a P.G.A. tournament.
•••
IMPORTANT
Our mailing list is well over 350 and
rising. This is fine as long as those receiv­
ing the newsletter desire it. Please, if you
no longer wish to receive a copy drop a line
to the editor so that your name can be
dropped from the mailing list.

2
Connecticut Association
Of Golf Course
Superintendents

Certified Superintendents Report
Favorable Response to Program’s Value

The value of becoming a Certified Golf
Course Superintendent, according to a
President..........................................RobertTosh
recent survey of Certified GCSAA Mem­
Vice President.....................Bob Osterman
bers, is dependent upon the desires of the
Secretary............................ David Stimson
individual, and his personal abilities to
Treasurer............................ David Stimson
realize those goals.
Board of Directors
Ed Anderson
DaveRoule
Ron Holcomb
BobViera
John Ferry
Lloyd Russell, Associate Director
Frank Lamphier, Immediate Past Pres.
The object of this association is to pro­
mote research, education and an exchange
of practical experiences in the field of turf
grass culture so that the increased knowl­
edge will lead to more economic and ef­
ficient management of golf courses and
related turf areas.
The CONN. CLIPPINGS is an official
publication of the Connecticut Association
of Golf Course Superintendents.
Stephen G. Cadenelli, Editor
34 Trumbull Streèt
Pawcatuck, Conn. 02891

Editorial

CAGCS and You
Article II of the by-laws of CAGCS
states: “ That the object of this association
is to promote research, education and an
exchange of practical experiences in the
field of turf grass culture so that increased
knowledge will lead to a more economic
and efficient management of golf courses
and related turf areas.” Is this being done
and areyou contributing your part to reach
these objectives.
All too often only a handful of people
are interested in putting in the many hours
of work that are needed to manage an
association such as ours. This in itself is
not completely wrong in that it becomes
difficult to make decisions and handle day
to day business with a large group. How­
ever, what is wrong is to criticize decisions
that are made or not made when you have
sat back and not expressed your various
viewpoints. There is no room for those who
refuse to attend meetings where all issues
are discussed and to then criticize de­
cisions. It is your responsibility to attend
meetings and be a part of its business. This
is the exchange of practical experiences
that is needed to fulfill the objectives of
CAGCS as well as to improve ourselves as
golf course superintendents.
S.G.C.

A companion survey of employers in­
dicates a strong interest in the program,
particularly when the individual superin­
tendent has fully advised the club about
Certification. In monetary terms, salaries
of the Certified Superintendent averaged
more than $2,900 higher than the salaries
of all superintendents, as determined by
GCSAA’s national survey in 1974. Nearly a
quarter of those responding to the certifi­
cation survey indicated they received a pay
raise upon attaining the CGCS status.
Especially revealing in the survey were
personal comments made in response to
various questions. As to why the individual
took the Certification examination, an­
swers ranged from remarks such as, “ Felt
it could only be of benefit and think some­
day it will mean much more to the people
who hire superintendents. “ You’ll need
CGCS to get the good jobs,” and “ I feel
that Certification is an advancement and
any educational advancement should be
taken advantage of,” to remarks such as,
“ Why do you climb a mountain?” or “ To
find out if I was capable of passing.”
Employers, in response to the question,
“ Do you feel it is to your advantage to hire
a Certified Superintendent?” noted, “ Cer­
tification provides the employer assurance
that the employee does possess expertise
and knowledge in Golf Course Manage­
ment, and that his knowledge is recognized
by an organization comprised of Golf
Course Management
Professionals.”
Others commented, “ By all means, no
course should be without a Certified man.”
or “ We feel we can rely on an individual
with credentials.”
Public relations aspects of the program
were most often criticized in the survey by
CGCS Members. They noted that little was
made of the event at the club, and perhaps
even at the chapter level. Although
GCSAA is embarking upon a stronger
overall public relations program, it was
concluded that a major responsibility for
the program’s success lies with the indivi­
dual making his achievement known per­
sonally.
Opportunities of announcing this
achievement have been expanded now that
the newly Certified individual may deter­

mine when and where the plaque presenta­
tion will be made, and could therefore ask
that it be held during a club function, or
other time when people he would like to
know about the achievement would nor­
mally be present. Additionally, upon a
request of the individual, a news release is
sent by GCSAA to all news outlets he
desires.
It was generally agreed by those re­
sponding to the survey that Certification
will become more and more important to
the profession as more people become Cer­
tified and word spreads through the super­
intendents, employers and golfers about
the advantages of the program.
Currently more than 300 GCSAA mem­
bers have become Certified with a third
again that number in some stage of prog­
ress. Basic eligibility now requires current
employment as a golf course superinten­
dent and at least two years status as a
Class A member of GCSAA.
The six-part written examination re­
quired for Certification covers the areas of
practical turf management, plant protect­
ant chemicals, business administration,
leadership, golf and GCSAA. A maximum
of six-hours is permitted for completion of
the open-book test.
To maintain Certification status, a
CGCS Member must accumulate a mini­
mum of six points during the five years
following his initial Certification. The
points are granted by the following meth­
od: GCSAA Conference will provide onehalf a point per conference, GCSAA Sem­
inars successfully completed will provide
two points, the two-hour Recertification
Examination will provide four points upon
successful completion, or the individual
may choose to take the then current sixhour Certification exam for six points.
Although the Certification Program
contained a “ grandfather clause” at its
inception in 1971, that option is no longer
available, and all members, regardless of
age or years of Class A membership, must
complete all parts of the program to attain
Certification.
Application forms and additional infor­
mation concerning the program are avail­
able from the GCSAA Director of Educa­
tion, 1617 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence,
Kansas 66044.

3

Future M eetings
JUNE 4 — Pro — Sup’t. — President — Greens Chairman Tournament
Ellington Ridge Country Club, Ellington, Connecticut
John Ferry — Host Superintendent
(Please call John as soon as possible to reserve golf carts — 872-4052.)
John has been at Ellington Ridge for six years, the past four years as Superintendent
John is a 1973 graduate o f Stockbridge School, a three year member of CAGCS, and a
bridegroom o f several weeks! John has recently been appointed Public Relations
Director of our Association. Those of you who played Ellington Ridge last year will
remember those very slick greens. Well, be prepared once again for a light touch!
John promises that they will be even quicker this time around.

JUNE 8 — Monthly Meeting
Wampanaug Country Club, West Hartford, Connecticut
John Mulhearn — Host Superintendent
John has been superintendent at Wampanaug C. C. for the past six years. He came to
Wampanaug from the Duchess Golf and Country Club in Poughkeepsie, New York.
John is a 1961 graduate of Stockbridge School and a six year member of CAGCS. It has
been some time since we have visited this fine club and everyone is looking forward to
playing Wampanaug's layout. John warns everyone to head for the clubhouse in the
event of thundershowers. A brief shower can flood several fairways in a very short
time.

JULY 13 — Monthly Meeting
Wallingford Country Club, Wallingford, Connecticut
Ed Anderson, Sr. — Host Superintendent
Ed is afamiliar face to everyone within our Association. A twenty-four year member of
CAGCS, Ed has seen many new faces come and go. He has been at Wallingford C.C.
for the past eight years and prior to that was at the Farms Country Club. Ed is a
director of the Association and head of the Scholarship and Research Committee.

THE FOLLOWING HAVE BEEN VOTED
IN AS NEW MEMBERS OF OUR ASSO­
CIATION. CONGRATULATIONS and
WELCOME!
William Arnold
Supt., Edgewood G.C.
Southwick, Mass.
Stephen Arnold
Ass’t. Supt., Edgewood G.C.
Southwick, Mass.
Frank Johnson
Supt., Norfolk C.C.
Norfolk, Ct.
Mark D. Johnson
Supt., Westwoods of Farmington
Farmington, Ct.
Larry McCue
Supt., Prospect C.C.
Prospect, Ct.
David Sylvester
Associate Member
Upjohn Chemical Co.

Guidelines to Hiring
A Superintendent
Now Available
Suggestions for properly locating and
hiring a golf course superintendent are
contained in a new publication of GCSAA.
The 20 page booklet, written for the person
charged for hiring a superintendent, care­
fully details the ins and outs of filling this
important position. Included in the booklet
are samples of contracts and GCSAA’s
Employment Referral Service form. This
latest booklet was designed to augment an
earlier publication, “ How to find a new
position,’’ which has been distributed to all
members. Superintendents are invited to
present this new booklet to their employer
when leaving a position, thereby assisting
the course, and helping to insure a qual­
ified superintendent is hired.

University of Massachusetts
THIRD ANNUAL
TURF FIELD DAY
At The South Deerfield Turf Station
South Deerfield, Mass.
July 28, 1976 - July 29 rain date
This is an enjoyable as well as an
educational day and is well worth the drive
to South Deerfield. The plots will be open
for inspection in the morning with descrip­
tions of the various experiments by Dr.
Troll and his staff. Lunch is a picnic on the
top of Mt. Sugarloaf which overlooks the
turf plots and the Connecticut Valley. Con­
tact Dr. Troll for further information.

Aphids in Connecticut -1976
Aphids are tiny insects, which have
complex life cycles, and are found on most
every plant that grows in Connecticut.
Dr. James Kring, an entomologist at
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment
Station in New Haven, is an expert on
these insects of which there are over 350
varieties in Connecticut.
This year the first aphids hatched on
maple trees about two to four weeks earlier
than normal due to warm weather. “ But
this is no cause for immediate alarm,’’ Dr.
Kring says. “ Although the aphids get a
head start, so do natural enemies such as
lady beetles and lacewings.’’ This usually
means less trouble with aphids later in the
summer.
However, aphids can be serious pro­
blems for plants. If it isn’t their drinking of
vital sap, it’s the plant diseases they
spread or the honeydew that they excrete,
which attracts ants.
Aphids reproduce without males, and
as a colony gets crowded, winged, rather
than wingless forms are produced. These
winged aphids take to the air to look for
new plants to attack.

Dr. Kring has found that flying aphids
are initially attracted to the ultraviolet light
of the sky. But after three hours, the
aphids are repelled by ultraviolet light, and
are attracted to the color yellow — which is
what they see in the leaves of plants.
Knowing this allows some control. For
instance, Dr. Kring points out that if a
householder wants to put his favorite plant
outside for the summer, he should make
sure that it is not in a yellow pot. If it is, the
yellow pot will attract aphids, and they will
settle on the plant. Red, black, or silver
tend to repel aphids, so are ideal colors for
pots.
Another means of control is to use the
knowledge that aphids fly away from ultra­
violet light when they are looking for a
place to land.
Dr. Kring has been able to use alu­
minum foil or surfaces painted with wetground mica to reflect the light of the sky,
and to trick aphids into thinking they are
flying up as they start to land on protected
plants.
Reprint from ‘‘News of Science,'' Paul
Gough Editor.

4

The Following Companies Are Contributing To The Support Of The Conn. Clippings:
ALFCO, INC.
P. 0. Box 267
Marietta, Ohio 45750
Frank Downey, CAGCS member
(413) 596-3009
John Murphy
(203) 325-0967
ANDERSON-WARNER
ENGINEERING CO., INC.
Turf Irrigation
164 Nod Road
Avon, Conn. 06001
Jesse Anderson, CAGCS member
(203) 677-0225
CHAS. C. HART COMPANY
304 Main Street
Wethersfield, Conn. 06109
Robert Kennedy, CAGCS member
(203) 529-2537
CLORO-SPRAY
Div. Henry E. Sanson & Sons, Inc.
475 Beaver Street
Bristol, Penn. 19007
E. J. Sanson, CAGCS member
Frank Paladino
(212) 338-2153
METRO MILOGRANITE, INC.
P. O. Box 267
Hawthorne, New York 10532
John Wistrand, CAGCS member
(914) 769-7600
VALLEY FARMS TURF NURSERY
Box 81
Avon, Connecticut 06001
Joe Bidwell, CAGCS member
(203) 658-6886

OLD FOX CHEMICAL CO.
Hazardville, Conn. 06082
John Grant, CAGCS member
P. O. Box 62
Pleasant Valley, Conn. 06063
(203) 379-3579

WHITE TURF, INC.
5 Summer Drive
Winchendon, Mass. 01475
William E. Usinger
(203) 434-8629

O. M. SCOTT & SONS
Pro Turf Division
Marysville, Ohio 43040
A l Arison, CAGCS member
(203) 336-9890
THE POWERHOUSE
Rte. 6 & Dingle Ridge Road
Brewster, New York 10509
Russ LeClair, CAGCS member
(203) 279-7183
I & E SUPPLY INC.
66 Erna Avenue
P. O. Box 9
Milford, Conn. 06460
Richard W. Smith, CAGCS member
Richard W. Hosking, CAGCS member
THE MAGOVERN CO.
Windsor Locks, Conn. 06096
Lloyd Russell, CAGCS member
(203) 623-2608
Curtis Stimson, CAGCS member
(203) 255-2817
TURF PRODUCTS CORP.
1496 John Fitch Blvd.
South Windsor, Conn. 06074
Roy Sibley, CAGCS member
Gary Bryant, CAGCS member
(203) 289-3471

Please Support These Companies

CONN. CLIPPINGS
Steve Cadenelli, editor
34 Trumbull Street
Pawcatuck, Connecticut 02891

FIRST CLASS
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THE LETTER HOUSE
Street
CT. 06320

SOMERS TURF SUPPLIES
P. O. Box 294
Devon, Conn. 06460
Bill Somers, CAGCS member
(203) 878-2108

j

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06057

ALLEN SEED STORE, INC.
South County Trail
Slocum, R. I. 02877
Howard Allen
(401) 294-2722
TOM IRWIN, INC.
11 B A Street
Burlington, Mass 01803
John Callahan, CAGCS member
(203) 677-7054
HELP WANTED
Full Time Mechanic — must be capable of
servicing small engines, reel grinding, and
be familiar with all phases of golf course
machinery. Contact Bob Tosh, Superinten­
dent at the Rockrimmon Country Club,
Stamford, Conn._____________________

URI Receives
Research Grant
From C.A.G.C.S.
Ed Anderson, head of the Scholarship
and Research Committee has announced
that C.A.G.C.S. has awarded a $250 grant
for the study of poa annua and top-dressing
to Dr. C. R. Skogley of the University of
Rhode Island.