THE o CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS! s. WINNERS OF THE GOLF TOURNAMENTS McLaughlin trophy — Pierre Coste - Patterson Club SUPERINTENDENTS CH. — Mike Ovian - Ellington Ridge CLASS B CH. — Tod Polidor - Avon ASSOCIATES CH. — Ed Bedus - Indian Hill SENIORS CH. — Henry Sherman SUPT. - PRO - CHAIRMAN - PRESIDENT — COUNTRY CLUB OF FAIRFIELD SUPT. - PRESIDENT — Roger Barrett - Jim Pagano - Glastonbury Hills SUPT. - PRO — Lee Kowalski - Dave Patterson - C. C. of Fairfield SUPT. - CHAIRMAN — John Chaney - Ed Brown - Litchfield C. C. CONN. STATE GOLF ASSN. TROPHY — Bob Tosh - Rockrimmon C. C. Our thanks go out to the distributers who made our Superintendents Champion­ ship successful, due to their generous donation for the trophys. We now have a rotating trophy, dubbed THE PEDD­ LERS TROPHY, which goes to each years winner of the championship flight. This trophy can be retired by an indivi­ dual winning for a total of three years, not necessarily in succession. Again, thanks to our distributors. Frank Lamphier, Chairman Pierre Coste Dick Cook Tournament Committee, Conn. Assn. G. C. S. VOL. 3 NO. 4 THE GRASS CATCHER By Charles G. Baskin Bob Viera, Pete Coste, Dick Cook and I had the priviledge of attending a meet­ ing of the Rhode Island Golf Course Superintendents Asociation this Fall. Golf was played at the beautiful Misquamicut Country Club followed by a dinner at the Narragansett Inn in Watch Hill, R. I. The Rhode Island association members were excellent hosts. A Christmas shopper’s complaint is one of long standing. During a recent conversation with Bob Miller of DuPont, the following comments were made by Bob: (1) DuPont is dis­ continuing the manufacture of all mercury based fungicides. (2) No more Tersan OM will be available, once the present supply is exhausted. (3) Benlate, their highly successful experimental chemical 1991 will be available next year — positively. The product will be known as Tersan 1991 and will be labeled as a control for dollar spot, brown patch and pink snow mold. At the Country Club of Waterbury we have been testing Benlate for two years and the results have been extremely good. Donation wanted: A used golf car for a paralytic lady to use for transportation around her neighborhood. For further in­ formation, please contact Frank Downey or Charlie Baskin. A large turnout is expected for the association’s Christmas Party. Larry Sheri­ dan is doing an excellent job with the arrangements. The party is to be held at the Woodbridge Country Club on Friday, December 11.' (continued on page 4) DECEMBER 1970 ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of our association was held on November 4 at the Country Club of Farmington where John Perry is the superintendent. Over 70 members attended the meeting which featured Dr. Joseph Troll from the University of Mass, as the principal speaker. Dr. Troll lead a stimulating "give and take” session on the problems facing the golf superin­ tendent. The election of officers for the coming .ear highlighted the business meeting. The following slate of officers and direc­ tors were elected: President ................Charles G. Baskin Vice President ...............Bobert Viera Secretary...........................Pierre Coste Treasurer...................Charles Traverse Board of Directors Richard Bator William Dest Frank Lamphier James MacDonald Michael Ovian David Stimson John Perry PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Another year has been recorded by the Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents. This past year has seen our association move forward in many areas. The educational program, formulated under the leadership of Dick Bator, which was presented to the membership at each meeting was motivating and diversified. We had speakers from the University of Massachusetts, the University of Rhode and, the University of Connecticut, and cne Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Former New Haven Mayor Richard Lee addressed our association at (continued on page 4) CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION CHRISTMAS PARTY — 2 — OF GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS President.................. Vice President ...... Secretary .................. Treasurer ................. ...Charles G. Baskin ........... Robert Viera .............Pierre Coste .....Charles Traverse Board of Directors Richard Bator William Dest Frank Lamphier John James MacDonald Michael Ovian David Stimson Perry 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 knowledge will lead to more economic and efficient management of golf courses and related turf areas. The CONN CLIPPINGS is an official publication of the Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents. Charles G. Baskin, editor 22 Lee Street Waterbury, Connecticut 06708 MIKE AND KARNEY OVIAN BUY GOLF COURSE Mike and Karney Ovian, both members of the Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents, have purchased the Hebron Health and Country Cl'ub. The club, which has been renamed Tall- wood Country Club, has nine holes in play with the remaining holes to be open for play this coming April. Mike was president of our association in 1968-69 and is currently on the Board of Directors. Karney has served the association as its secretary in recent years. Mike will be leaving Ellington Ridge Country Club where he has nursed the course from its birth eleven years ago to its present state of excellent condition. Karney plans on staying on at Hop Meadow Country Club as their superin­ tendent but will be givng assistance at Tallwood whenever possible. Tallwood, which was designed by Mike a couple of years ago, will present a fine challenge to the golfer. There are generous fairways but each hole is tree lined. The course measures 6,650 yards from the championship tees and 6,300 yards from the regular tees. There are eight water holes at Tallwood. The course will be operated as a public course with private club conditions. Our association’s annual Christmas Party will be held this year at the Wood- bridge Country Club, Woodbridge, Conn, on Friday, December 11. The cost is $20 per couple and will include hors doeuvres, dinner, dancing and door prizes. Larry Sheridan is chairman of the party with Jack Lynch the host superintendent. Last year’s party was a great success with over 80 persons attending. This year we are aiming to break the 100 mark. Make your reservations and join the fun at our Christmas Party. NORTHERN OHIO GOLF COURSE SURVEY The Northern Ohio Chapter of Golf Course Supt. Association has just released their 1970 Golf Course Survey. 38 golf courses were covered in the report. The report lists 10 courses with a budget over $80,000 and 11 courses under the $80,000 figure. It also lists semi-private and public courses separately. Very briefly, the following information was extracted from the survey. Top Ten Clubs Average Budget .......................................$94,700 Labor % of budget ................ 65% Year round employees ........... 5.2 Additional summer empl......... 9-3 Irrigation, automatic .............. 40% Supt., years at club ................ 5.2 Supt., base pay .........................$14,800 Fringe benefits for Supt. home ....................................... 50% car expense ............................ 90% Christmas bonus .................... 100% hospitalization ........................ 90% meals ....................................... 90% assoc, dues.............................. 100% conference expenses .............. 100% life insurance ........................ 80% pension ................................... 50% Assistant Supt. salary .............. $8,975 Below $80,000 - I I Clubs Budget .......................................$66,360 Labor % of budget ................ 51% Year round employees ........... 3.8 Additional summer empl......... 6.6 Irrigation, automatic .............. 33% Supt., years at club ................ 72°/o Supt., base pay ........................$12,000 Fringe benefits for Supt. home ........................................ 55% car expense .............................. 81% Christmas bonus ..................... 81% hospitalization ......................... 64% meals ........................................ 54% assoc, dues.............................. 64% conference expenses ............... 81% life insurance ......................... 46% Assistant Supt. salary .............. $8,050 WINTER PLAY IS IMPORTANT FACTOR IN INJURY, DISEASE By Dr. Noel Jackson* Once the turf-grasses cease growth in the autumn then continued play creates a wear problem, since no replacement leaf tissue is being produced. Though the wear can be distributed over greens and tees by frequent movement of tee markers and cups, with the commencement of hard frosts this becomes impossible and wear and injury are concentrated on particular areas. "Winter burn” due to rupture of leaf cells or desiccation of leaf tissues by frost is common, but seldom fatal to grass plants. However, the bruising action of traffic over frozen grass causes severe in­ jury to the aerial parts and subsequent thinning out of the turf. Though frost may injure the underground plant parts by a heaving of the soil, much more serious root injury results from traffic over partially thawed turf. In such conditions walking on the turf causes a shearing action as the soft, unfrozen surface moves across the frozen subsurface. At the same time soil structure of the playing areas may be impaired by compaction and ac­ tual puddling, resulting in poor aeratioi and drainage. Snow cover will help to protect grass plants from further frost injury, but plants previously injured or subjected to un­ favorable soil conditions are less able to withstand the new hazards associated with prolonged snow cover; namely, fungal disease and suffocation. Injured aerial tissues provide ideal infection sites for the "snow molds” which may completely kill plants already weakened. Under packed snow or ice sheets compacted or puddled areas with poor aeration and drainage become deficient in oxygen re­ sulting in asphyxiation of the grass plants. The late autumn and winter months present the golf course superintendent with a critical period during which he must keep turf injury to a minimum or suffer the consequences of slow and ir­ regular growth recovery on the course the following spring. Prevention of win­ ter injury depends on the adroitness of the superintendent, but also largely on the cooperation of the club members in recog­ nizing that severe damage may be the result of playing the course under urK favorable ground conditions. ’"Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology, University of Rhode Island (From News­ letter, GCSA of New England — 3 — HERBICIDE TOXITY GUIDE Reprinted from the Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Reporter, Charles Calhoun, Editor are tables and information of value to many supers. TABLE 1. Toxicity Ratings and Dosages for LDso Values Value 50 and. below 50 to 500 500 to 5,000 Above 5,000 Rating Highly toxic (HT) Moderately toxic (MT) Toxic (T) Nontoxic (NT) Lethal dose for 180 lb. man Few drops to 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon to 1 ounce 1 ounce to 1 pint or 1 pound Above 1 pint or 1 pound LARGER NUMBER MEANS LOWER TOXICITY TABLE 2. Toxicity of Herbicides with LDso Values of Less than 1,000 Trade name Common name LDso Toxicity Rating Less than 100 Sodium arsenite Aquathol Dinitro, Preemerge, Sinox Phenyl mercuric acetate Aqualin Azide Potassium cyanate 100-500 Calcium arsenate Ortho Paraquat Weedbeads and others Certrol Zytron Many Diquat Chlordane Many Butoxone, Butyrac 500-1,000 Bandane Ansar, Simet, Sodar Many Silvex Randox Randox-T Zobar MCPA—many Tysben-200 Falone Vegadex Clobber Banvel-T sodiub arsenite .......................................... endothal ............................................. DNBP, DNAP .......................................... PMA ............................................................... acrolein .......................................................... potass’um or sodium azide .................. KOCN ............................................................ calcium arsenate .......................................... paraquat.......................................................... NA-PCP .................................................... bromoxynil .................................................. DMPA .................................................... 2, 4-D acid..................................................... diquat ............................................................ chlordano....................................................... 2, 4, 5-T’ acid and ostors ........................ 2, 4-DB ....................................................... bandane .......................................................... DSMA............................................................. 2, 4-D esters ............................................... 2. 4, 5-TP ..................................................... CDAA .......................................................... CDAA-T ............................. PBA ............................................................... MCPA ............................................................ TBA .......................................................... 2. 4-DEP ....................................................... CD EC .......................................................... cypromid ....................................................... tricamba.......................................................... 10 35 40 40 46 60 85 130 157 210 260 300 375 400 450 500 500 575 600 650 650 700 700 700 700 750 850 850 940 970 HT HT HT HT HT MT MT MT MT MT MT MT MT MT MT MT MT T T T T T T T T T T T T T TABLE 3. Acute Oral Toxicity of Home and Lawn Herbicides Trade name Common name LDso Toxicity Rating Grass control PMA Lead arsenate Calcium arsenate Zytron Bandane DSMA AMA Enide, Dymid Betasan Dacthal Treflan Tupersan Balan Azak Broad-leaved weed control 2, 4, 5-T 2, 4-D Silvex MCPP Banvel-D phenyl mercuric acetate .......................... DMPA............................................................. bandane .......................................................... disodium methyl arsonate ..................... ammonium methyl arsonate .................. diphenamid .................................................. bensulide ....................................................... DCPA ............................................................. trifluralin ....................................................... siduron............................................................ benefin .......................................................... 2, 4, 5-TP ..................................................... mecoprop.................................................. dicamba .......................................................... Temporary soil sterilants (edging or renovation) 40 100 130 270 400 600 794 1,050 1,910 3,000 3,700 5,000 10,000 34,600 500 600 650 650 1,040 10 157 400 1,350 3,850 HT MT MT MT MT T T T T T T T NT NT MT T T T T HT MT MT T T MT MT T T HT HT MT T T MT T T T NT Sodium arsenite Paraquat Diquat Cacodylic acid Dowpon Fumigants Vorlex Mylone Vapaum Calcium cyanamide Aquatic herbicides Many Aquathal Diquat 2, 4-D ester Silvex 2, 4, 5-1 esters Fenac Dowpon Casoron Amitrole 305 500 VPM ..................................................... .... 820 1,400 sodium arsenite ................................ .... 10 endothal............................................... .... 35 diquat..................................................... .... 400 2, 4-D .................................................. .... 500-600 2, 4, 5-TP............................................. .... 500-650 2, 4, 5-T ............................................. .... 500 fenac ..................................................... .... 2,500 da'lapon ....................................... .... 3,860 dichlorbenil ........................................ . . . . 2,710 ATA ..................................................... . . . . 15,000 DDT LEVEL IN FISH NOW LESS The average amount of DDT in fish caught in Connecticut rivers and lakes has decreased since airplane spraying of woodlands with the compound was re­ duced in 1963 and abandoned in 1965. Neely Turner, author of a report on DDT in fish to be published by The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, says that the decrease is on the order of 20 per cent. He reports that the average amount of DDT and its metabolites — toxic ma­ terials into which it is converted — in 29 individual yellow perch from the Connecticut River at Haddam Neck in 1967 was as follows: DDT .35 parts per million, TDE .61 ppm, and DDE .77, or a total of 1.73 ppm. The maximum con-, tent of a fish in this study was 3.78 ppm, the minimum, .53 ppm of DDT and its metabolites. Another sample of yellow perch taken at Windsor Locks in 1967-68 showed a slightly higher average DDT content. Samples of yellow perch from the Compensating Reservoir, Rainbow Reser­ voir, Aspinook Pond, and Bantam Lake showed DDT content of from .39 to 1.32 ppm in 1967. All were lower than in 1963. The DDT in Connecticut waters may come from three sources, Turner says: drift or contamination from large-scale local spraying, fall-out from the atmos­ phere, and pollution of rivers. Once in a body of water, the DDT may also be recirculated. Although the use of DDT in the United States has been nearly cut in half in the past 10 years, Turner says, the fall-out in Connecticut since 1963 has mostly originated outside the state. Use of DDT in other parts of the world has remained at a very high level, Turner notes. "It is now well established that there is global movement of DDT in air,” Turner reports. Investigators in England found in 1965 that rainwater at one rural location contained minute quantities of DDT. In 1968, other British investiga­ tors reported DDT in rainwater at seven locations, including London. Connecticut undoubtedly receives its share of this kind of DDT fall-out.” PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE (continued from page 1) a spring meeting. Presentations were also given by a landscape designer, an irriga­ tion consultant, a seed analyser and neigh­ boring superintendents who have worked with Poa Annua control. Our organization was very fortunate to have such an array of fine speakers. Through the efforts of many of our members and Ben Kowalski, membership chairman, we took 24 new members into our association. This represents a mem­ bership increase of 26%. We made genuine effort to reach potential members in all areas of our state to explain what our organization offers the superintendent. This past year we held our first Press Day. Sportswriters and those covering sports for radio and television throughout the state were personally invited to our September meeting at the Hartford Golf Club. 15 of these men covering sports, particularly golf, attended the meeting. A special golf tournament was held. Many favorable comments were received by our association from those in attendance. Golf plays an important part in our association meetings. Frank Lamphier, with help from Dick Cook and Pete Coste did an excellent job in running all our golf tournaments. It is good to see that the majority of the superintendents play golf at each of our meetings. The association’s annual Christmas Party last year was a gala affair. Over 80 persons attended the party which included dinner and dancing. Dick Parsons did an excellent job in handling all the arrange­ ments. These are just a few areas where our association moved forward in 1970. 1971 CONN CLIPPINGS Charles G. Baskin, editor 22 Lee Street Waterbury, Conn. 06708 4 will be presenting itself shortly. How we progress next year will depend upon the quality of leadership and the initiative of the membership. I have been given the honor of being re-elected to serve as president of our association for the coming year. Also re­ elected at the annual meeting were Vice President Robert Viera, Treasurer Charles Traverse, Educational Chairman Richard Bator. Newly elected were Secretary Pierre Coste, Board of Director members James MacDonald and John Perry and Public Relations Chairman David Stimson. Remaining on the Board are William Dest and Michael Ovian. The following are the committee chair­ men for 1971: 1. Membership Committee John Perry 2. Educational Committee Richard Bator 3. Public Relations Committee David Stimson 4. Welfare Committee Michael Ovian 5. Golf Committee Frank Lamphier 6. Editorial Committee William Dest 7. Social Committee James MacDonald 8. By-Laws Committee Robert Viera 9. Employment Committee Pierre Coste 10. Auditing Committee William Dest 11. National Affairs Frank Lamphier 1970 was an excellent year for our association. 1971 can be an even better year — let’s all pitch in. FIRST CLASS THE GRASS CATCHER (continued from page 1) One of our present problems seems to, be that too many adults and not enough' children believe in Santa Claus. The Massachusetts Turf Conference will be held March 3-5, 1971. This con­ ference is ever increasing in size as Dr. Joseph Troll continues to present an interesting and educational program. Several job openings for golf course superintendents are now in the process of being filled. It would be very advisable for any superintendent applying for em­ ployment to first check with the past superintendent on why he is leaving and the club’s relationship with the superin­ tendent. Many clubs have developed very poor management practices in conjunction with the golf course operations and their personnel relationship. Incidently, our employment committee chairman, Pete Coste has a list of about 10 golf courses that are seeking a superintendent. The range in salary and benefits vary from about $12,000 to $20,000. Whatever you think of the Holiday season, its hard to deny that there is a change of atmosphere and of spirit. People try to smile. They try to be polite, even * in situations which make the effort diffi- ' cult. People are helpful in the Holiday season who might not be so helpful in October. It hardly makes any difference whether the spirit of the season is com­ mercially or spiritually imposed ■— it works. And everyone feels a little better for it. That we all survive the chaos of Christmas is an affirmation of our capacity to be kinder, to be more generous, to be more patient and loving in any season. Mr. W. fe. Somers 208 Nan Drive Orange, Conn. 064??'