THE o i- V■i T7 J_L>] I1 z1 z1 p Ip n ZA CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF GOLF COURSE • I SUPERINTENDENTS: s APRIL 1971 VOL. 4 NO. 1 ;.V. THE SCOTTISH WAY TURFGRASS SHORT COURSE THE GRASS CATCHER By Pierre Coste Scotland is where it all began and from this unique and beautiful country the game of golf was brought to these United States with all the frustrations that go with it from the Players point of view and from the maintenance point of view. If there is humbleness in1 your soul it will come from within you at least half way around the Old Course at St. Andrews. You cannot curse the hazard your ball is in because it was there before your ancesters were born. You can say to yourself, "How lucky I am to be walk­ ing this ground that has brought pleasure to more people than any other sport we know.” It was a great experience to see the people who turned out each day on the golf courses visited, in any kind of weather, to play their game, the way they have for centuries. Anywhere you go people talk golf and of the great tourna­ ments and fine golfers who played in them in the past, They will also tell you where the big ones will be for the next few years, and just what each course will offer new to challenge the worlds best golfers. Improvements are made on the golf courses in Scotland but only after great study and planning. The exception is the Old Course at St. Andrews, that is a state of preservation and will never change except from natures hand. Some courses are now enlarging tees due to the increase in play both from the Scots and the growing tourist trade. I did see some greens rebuilding and strangely enough the new designs are still in keeping with traditional small green design which most courses have in Great Britain. The practices on the various courses are similar to our New England courses in '' (continued on page' 4) In the recent questionnaire sent out to the membership in regard to the turfgrass short course to be sponsored by the Con­ necticut Association of , Golf Course Superintendents and the University of Connecticut, 56% of the questionnaires were returned. The results of the questionnaires re­ turned are: 1. Would you prefer the program to be held at a. University of Connecticut 55% b. more central location in the state did not answer 43% 2% 2. Do you want the course held did not answer . a. 1 day b. 2 days c. 3 days 21% 41% 33% 5% 3. If the course is held 2 or 3 days, would you want the program to be scheduled a. On consecutive days b. one day each week over a 2 or 3 week period did not answer 46% 7% The committee, made up of members of the CAGCS, is working on plans for the course, and the program information will be printed in Connecticut Clippings when it is finalized. 47% i - The purpose of the course is part of continuing education for study of some of the problems and basic principles under lying the growth of turfgrasses. The pro­ gram will be developed with this in mind and the course material covered will be orientated to professional turf people. By Charles G. Baskin There was a greater than normal var- ience throughout the state in< the amount and duration of the snow cover. This led to a wider span of opening dates for the Connecticut golf courses. If you allowed snowmobiles on your golf course this past winter, now is the time to analyse the program and its effect on the golf course. Snowmobiles are in­ creasing in numbers and strict controls are needed to protect the golf course from damage that might take away from its primary function, an area to play golf. Every club should have a Winter Activi­ ties Committee, as a subcommittee of the Green Committee, to regulate the use of the club grounds during the winter time. The National Golf Foundation lists for Connecticut 150 regulation golf facilities and another 16 par 3 golf courses. The number still keeps on rising although at a slower pace than a few years ago. Nationwide, we have over 10,000 golf facilities and by 1980 the total will be over 14,000. This’coming season will find over 12 million golfers swinging away at that little white ball. Buyer’s Beware: The first sweet taste of low prices too often is later tainted by the bitterness of poor quality. . There’s a company in New Zealand that makes dark glasses for cows, and they are selling some of them. After workmen in that country had laid a natural-gas pipe­ line through several cow pastures, their owners discovered that the cows were go­ ing blind. After a thorough investigation, the Minister of Electricity announced that no one had explained to the cows that it is harmful to the eyes to watch welders (continued on page"‘3) CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION 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 cL-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 HANDICAPS FOR THE 1971 SEASON (figured on the USGA slide rule system) CLASS "A" Anderson, Ed ....................................... 14 Barrett, Roger ................................... 5 Bedus, Ed............................................. 2 Barry, B. ......... ................................ 8 Bianowitz, Bob ................................... 13 Bonner, Steve....................................... 13 Chaney, John ....................................... 8 Cipriano, John ..................................... 9 Cook, Dick ......................................... 6 Coste, Pierre....... ................................. 7 Dinwoodie, A........................................ 15 Dolan, J................................................. 8 Dziedzie, Louie ................................... 11 Fenn, Francis ....................................... 8 Furgess, Bert ....................................... 11 Goodwin, D........................................... 14 Gorton, George ................................... 14 Grywalski, Tom................................... 5 Guttay, Bob ......................................... 15 Kowalski, Ben ..................................... 6 Kowalski, Lee ..................................... 6 Kristof, Steve....................................... 12 Lamphier, Frank ................................ 2 Lowell, Walt ....................................... 0 Mierzwa, Max ..................................... 14 O’Conner, Pat ..................................... 15 Ovian, Karnig ..................................... 7 — 2 — Ovian, Kay ......................................... 5 Ovian, Mike......................................... 3 Parsons, Dick ..................................... 9 Perry, John ......................................... 5 Polidor, Tod......................................... 15 Queen, William ................................... 14 Rodgers, Fran ..................................... 13 Ryan, Maurice ..................................... 7 Scully, Robert ..................................... 8 Thompson, Felix ................................ 7 Viera, Robert ....................................... 9 Warner, W............................................ 8 Whalen, Richard ................................. 15 Wiacek, Ed ......................................... 14 Wiget, Floyd ....................................... 10 Witkowski, R....................................... 3 Zwolac, J............................................... 12 CLASS "B" Bachand, F............................................. 30 Barrett, P............................................... 17 Baskin, Charles ................................... 16 Bator, Richard ..................................... 16 Bidwell, Joe ......................................... 19 Chalifour, Bob ..................................... 22 Christie, George................................... 19 Dest, William ..................................... 17 Hawkins, A1 ....................................... 20 Kelliher, Kenneth .............................. 36 Knoblock, Carl..................................... 20 Ladzinski, Paul ................................... 21 Ladzinski, Bob ..................................... 18 Lindenmuth, H. T................................ 20 Lynch, John ......................................... 19 McDonald, Jim ................................... 24 Meusel, Harry ..................................... 24 Osterman, Bob..................................... 31 Silva, Robert ....................................... 15 Stimson, Dave ..................................... 21 Suchinski, Hank ................................. 16 Tosh, Robert ....................................... 18 Whitley, B............................................. 23 Wydra, Adam ..................................... 24 Wydra, John ....................................... 18 Zenisky, Edward ................................ 31 SENIORS Jenkins, Chet ....................................... 26 Lentine, Andy ..................................... 25 Russell, Lloyd....................................... 33 Sherman, Henry ................................ 14 ASSOCIATES Arison, A1 ........................................... 20 Callahan, John ................................ ,. 24 Carson, Purdy ..................................... 16 Colt, John ................................... ....... 14 Downey, Frank ................................... 14 Kennedy, Robert ................................ 7 Sanson, Edward ................................... 15 Scally, Thomas ..................................... 28 Somers, William ................................ 10 Terhune, Sid ....................................... 30 Ryiz, Paul............................................. 5 Wallace, Carl ....................................... 34 ANOTHER MOTHY SUMMER COMING Litchfield County Agricultural Expert, ment Station has predicted another sum­ mer snowstorm of gypsy and snow white linen moths for late July and August for the state, an occurrence which appears to be turning into an annual event. Those animated white flakes which you found last year flapping against the wind­ shield of your car, and mysteriously clus­ tering around your porch light, have promised to return, and this time, in larger numbers than ever. John Anderson, head of the department of entomology at the station, said sur­ veyors have found that the south, west and central western portions of the state will be hit with the most severe defoliation damage in the early spring, after the eggs are hatched and the caterpillars begin picnicking in the forests. Last year the state had a fairly exten­ sive outbreak of the gypsy moth, and his cousin, the snow white linen moth, and the year before saw only a scattering of the insects. This year, however, Connecticut can ex­ pect a severe out-break of the moths, and extensive damage to foliage, promising to be the costliest picnic outing of the year. The moth, imported to the United States from France for experimentation in 1869, escaped from a Massachusetts laboratory, and since 1906 the states and the United States Department of Agricul­ ture have been working together in at­ tempts to control it. Anderson said he could give no reason as to why the state would be hit harder than past years, and added that the sur­ veyors are out in full force trying to estimate the amount of eggs with which the state is rapidly being infested, and the damage to trees and foliage that can be expected. CAGCS MEETING Date: April 12, 1971 Place: Country Club of Fairfield Fairfield, Conn. Host: Leo Kowalski Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - golf 5:00 p.m. - Board of Directors 6:00 p.m. - Business Meeting 7:00 p.m. - Dinner Program Speaker: Dr. Paul Satoretto W. A. Cleary Corp. "Mercury and the Future” EDITORIAL Ecology and the environment are two ;ry important words in the life of every­ one, especially the golf superintendent. At every meeting where golf course superintendents are congregating, the environmental issues are brought forth from the podium and come up in dis­ cussions. Golf courses are an important factor in our environment besides pro­ viding recreation for over 12 million golfers. A Louis Harris poll last summer asked people to choose among 26 things they considered important to their happiness. 95%, more than any other response, selected "green grass and trees around me.” People enjoy nature — open spaces, trees, green grass — our country club property. The golf course also plays an important part in the reduction of air pollution. An acre of grass has the cooling effect of a 70 ton air conditioner and also recycles enough oxygen during the process of photosynthesis to provide the total oxygen needs of persons on a daily basis. The golf courses that provide these benefits to mankind are being threatened by many who are trying to eliminate cer­ tain chemicals that are needed to properly maintain the turf and woodlands. These hemicals, when used properly, are not a threat to mankind but are, instead, a positive step forward. The local, state and federal government should use extreme caution in the placing of bans on chemi­ cals. We find that many agencies and legislatures have acted before analysis of all the available data has been studied. Actually, the golf industry, superinten­ dents, clubs and allied associations, should become more active in bringing forth their viewpoint on the environmental issues. We are for the environment . . . C.G.B. FINANCIAL PAGE? Writing of his early days as a sports reporter, Grantland Rice commented that golf got short shrift in the columns of the New York Daily Mail, chifley because Francis Albertanti, the sports editor, con­ sidered the game a sissy’s pastime. T. E. Niles, the paper’s managing editor, once called Albertanti into his office to ask why golf was being neglected. “Golf? What’s golf?” asked Albertanti. "Why, it’s a game — an important game,” replied Niles. "A lot of business­ men are playing it.” "Then put it on the financial page,” retorted Albertanti. — 3 — THE GRASS CATCHER (continued from page 1) at work unless dark glasses are worn. As a result, a New Zealand company is now manufacturing MooMaster Goggles for cows. Harry Meusel, superintendent of the Yale Golf Course, gave an excellent pre­ sentation at the 1971 Penn State Turfgrass Conference. His topic was, "Ecology of a Golf Course.” Ecology is of vital in­ terest to Harry and he has gained a wealth of knowledge on the subject through his studies at Yale University and his work at the golf course. The Ryan Equipment Co. recently pre­ miered a movie entitled, "A Living Carpet.” This full-color, 20 minute movie features major problems and their solu­ tions in growing grass on virtually all turf areas from homelawns to golf courses. A broad spectrum of turf maintenance procedures are explained in non-technical terms. This film would be excellent for superintendents to use when they give presentations to civic organizations. Groups, clubs or individuals wishing to view this film are advised to contact their nearest Ryan Distributor or Salano Studios, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Metropolitan Golf Course Superin­ tendents Association has extended an in­ vitation to the members of our association to meet with them on May 25. The meeting will be held at the Rockland Country Club in Sparkill, N. Y. Ron Boydston is the host superintendent. The Hudson Valley, Long Island and New Jersey chapters have also been invited to this meeting. Make your plans for attend­ ing, now. Harris, Kerr, Forster & Co. an account­ ing firm specializing in club finances, reports an increase in club operating costs of 10.4 % in 1970. Labor costs are still taking big jumps each year. The cost for supplies and equipment are going up arid up. Taxes are taking a bigger bite each year from the clubs and its members. Even Ralph Nader has become involved in club finances as he attacked the state of Maryland for their open spaces pro­ gram. This all means the operating costs will not level off, unless service drops. It also points up the need for sound fiscal policies and competent personnel. There should be no problem obtaining summer help for the golf course this year. Plenty of college and high school boys around looking for work. It is difficult to even find placement training for the boys coming out of the turfgrass programs at the universities. At our next meeting, Dr. Paul Sartoretto, President of the W. A. Cleary Corp, will speak to us on the mercury dilemma. The meeting will be held on April 12 at the Country Club of Fairfield. ON A 90-DEGREE DAY, baseball and football players can expect to play in temperatures up to 123 degrees if artificial turf is under foot. That’s the finding of testing in Busch Stadium, St. Louis, and corroberated by similar data from the Orange Bowl, Miami. Bill Simmons of the St. Louis football Cardinals said that on one day when the official temperature was 90 degrees, the field surface temperature was 123 degrees. It was 116 degrees at one foot and 114 degrees at six feet. Testing by the Miami News produced similar conclusions. Artificial grass gets about 20 degrees hotter than natural turf, the News said. At an air temperature of 93 degrees, natural turf remaining in the stadium pushed the mercury to 96 de­ grees. Where the artificial grass had been installed, the temperature was 116 degrees. SOLVING THE PROBLEM Not long ago, the editors of Farmer - Stockman printed a picture of a deserted farmhouse in a desolate sand-swept field, then offered a prize for the best 100 word essay on the disastrous effects of land erosion. A bright Indian lad from Okla­ homa bagged the trophy with this graphic description: "Picture show white man crazy. Cut down trees. Make too big teepee. Plow hill. Water wash. Wind blow soil. Grass gone. Squaw gone. Whole place gone to hell. No pig, no corn, no pony. Indian no plow land. Keep grass. Buffalo eat grass. Indian eat buffalo. Hide make teepee. Make mocassin. All time Indian eat. No work. No hitch-hike. No ask relief. No build dam. No give dam. White man heap crazy.” "SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT" Are you an active member, The kind that would be missed; Or are you just contented That your name be on the list? Think this over, member You know right from wrong; Are you an active member Or do you "just belong”? Anon. Do you attend the meetings And mingle with the flock; Or do you stay at home And criticize and knock? Do you take an active part To help the work along; Or are you satisfied to be The kind that just belongs? Do you ever go to visit A member who is sick? Or leave the work to just a few And talk about the "clique”? THE SCOTTISH WAY (continued from page 1) that the frost danger is still there in the Fall and courses are closed until the danger has gone. Other hazards are different like the Crows that fly onto the courses at St. Andrews and pick up divots looking for insects. You-see divots all oyer the turf and think for a while that the golfers here are worse than at home. When you get in a bunker you might be unfortunate enough to lose a ball in a rabbit hole. There are hundreds of rabbits there and they dig in every day, and bunkers are easier digging than through the fescue of the fairways. The grasses are different than in New England, as the fescues grow naturally there and without much fertilizer. The abundant rainfall and moderate tempera­ tures make for good growth,, but not rapid. Cutting is not as frequent generally in all of Scotland, as the weather controls the rate of growth with cool winds. The greens have bent grasses of many varieties and you .can even find some Poa Annua here and there. The soil on the seaside courses is as expected sand based and well drained. The root systems are excellent and shot mak­ ing is very smooth through the turf. On the inland courses there is generally a very, heavy soil, and a rock and ledge problem some places. The rocks are evidenced by the many stone walls along property lines and roadways. Buildings are also com­ monly built of fieldstone or brick. We should congratulate the members of the Scottish Greenkeeping Association CONN CLIPPINGS Charles G. Baskin, editor 22 Lee Street Waterbury, Conn. 06708 4 — 4 — TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE REPORT Following is our list of clubs and where our major tournaments will be played in-1971. ’ : APRIL 12 MAY JUNE 8 JULY 13 AUGUST 2 SEPTEMBER 14 SEPTEMBER 21 OCTOBER 5 NOVEMBER McLaughlin Trophy 1st. round Supt. Championship C. C. of Fairfield Open at this time Supt.-Press so plan on inviting someone early. Guest speaker will- bs a sports figure; Willimantic C. C. Golf Club at Aspetuck New Haven C. C. Glastonbury Hills C. round is rained out. Club open at this time. Tumblebrook C. C. Awarding of trophys, Hop Meadow C. C. including best 4 rounds, gross and net in each division. 2 special awards to be given for the most 3s, 2s,'and Is (ones???) scored over the season, and for the most 8s, 9s, 10s, etc. Please turn in a line score for each round you play.’ 2nd round Supt. Championship C. Conn. State Trophy Annual Meeting Rain date for Supt. Ch., if one Supt.-Pro-President-Chairman Your tournament committee for the season will be comprised of the following: Robert Kennedy Edward Bedus Edward Sanson Frank Lamphier, Chairman Richard Cook William Somers There will be a tournament committee meeting immediately following play at tl C. C. of Fairfield, so if anyone has any suggestions, please pass them along to any one of the committee before that meeting. Remember, these are your tournaments. for the fine job they do on the hundreds of golf courses in Scotland. Thousands of golfers from abroad play there annually and surely all come away completely satisfied with the fine conditions of the courses. Secondary Education? —- By the time the average American teenager graduates from high school, according to Educa­ tion Digest, he has spent about 5,000 more hours in front of TV and movie screens than he has in a classroom. FIRST CLASS ....... 'JKIill -ji ftps-8'?i ' \ Cvsixaii v x o «- ■ 'A w rprp Mr. W. ft. Sonaers 208 Nan Drive ' Orange, Conn. 06477'