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vftUM E 9 No. 4

OCTOBER 1976

Bulletin
on Red Pine Scale
Available
Grass
Catcher
The effects of Hurricane Belle were felt
millions of cubic feet of both natural and
NEW HAVEN — The Connecticut
in many ways throughout Connecticut and
its golf courses. Numerous trees were lost,
traps were washed out, and power lines
were felled. A side result of this storm was
a low attendance at our August meeting
held at the Hillandale Country Club and
hosted by Larry Sheridan. Larry had the
course in fine shape and well cleaned-up of
storm debris for the meeting, held just two
days after the hurricane. Many thanks to
Larry and the members of Hillandale for
hosting our meeting.
Our September meeting was held at
Pequabuck Golf Club and hosted by Louie
Dziedzic. There was an excellent turn-out
for golf and an even better showing for the
evening program. A fine dinner of im­
mense proportions and excellent quality
was followed by an interesting talk by Dr.
Thomas Perkins, a research specialist from
the Elanco Corporation. Dr. Perkins spoke
on his company’s Balan product and on two
new products, SWARD, a wettable powder
pre-emergence herbicide and EL 222, a
new systemic fungicide product that is still
in the testing stages. He emphasized his
talk around the importance of timing in the
use of pre-emergence herbicides. Soil tem­
perature is the key element in successful
use of pre-emergence chemicals. Dr. Per­
kins suggests the use of soil thermometers
to obtain accurate soil temps so as to be
able to apply these chemicals at the right
time to insure the best possible results
from these chemicals.
•••
As has been noted previously, the July
and August meetings were highlighted by
discussions concerning the revisions of the
by-laws. Many ideas were offered and have
been given consideration by the By-law
Committee. Changes have been made and
will be offered to the membership at the
annual meeting. It is hoped that everyone
will attend this most important meeting to
exercise their vote on the new revisions.
•••

Agricultural Experiment Station has pub­
lished a bulletin dealing with the red pine
scale, an insect that is killing red pine trees
over about a third of the state.
The scale was first discovered in Con­
necticut thirty years ago, and is presumed
to have come from Asia.
The red pine is both an ornamental and
commercial species in Connecticut. Once a
plantation is infested with the scale, the
trees inevitably die.
The scale occurs throughout much of
Fairfield and New Haven Counties,
southern portions of Hartford County, a
western portion of Middlesex County, and
at one location in New London County.
The bulletin, which is a report to the
Eastern Plant Board, by a committee
headed by John F. Anderson, chief ento­
mologist at the Experiment Station, con­
tains information on the biology and dis­
tribution of the scale.
It notes that where the scale now occurs
is outside the natural range of the red pine,
which is to the north. “ Should the scale
extend into the into the natural range of its
host, red pine would become a rare, rather
than an uncommon species,’’ the report
indicates.
“ Potential losses of red pine are in the

“Turf Management: A Synergistic Ap­
proach’’ is the theme for the GCSAA An­
nual Conference slated for Portland, Ore­
gon February 6 - 11, 1977. This conference
promises to continue an excellent educa­
tion program which offers a wide variety of
topics for your selection. Along with this
the annual golf tournament will be held
February 3 and 4 at two fine golf courses
located on California’s Monterey Penin­
sula. Make plans to attend now!
•••
Please note that when you receive your
monthly meeting notices you must place
[Continued on page 3]

planted stock,’’ the report notes. Some
9,900 acres of red pine are growing in
Connecticut, with a total of 42.5 million
board feet of timber.
A copy of the bulletin is available from
the Editorial Office, The Connecticut Agri­
cultural Experiment Station, Box 1106,
New Haven, Conn. 06504
Reprint from “News of Science“

CGSAA Learns
EPA Has Lifted
Ban On Mercury
ForApparently,
Winter
Disease
a settlement has been

reached between the EPA and manufac­
turers of pesticides containing Mercury —
with Golf Superintendents coming out the
real winners! Use of pesticides containing
mercury were reinstated for control of win­
ter turf diseases with two restrictions: (1)
its use will only be allowed by professional
golf superintendents or persons under
their supervision; and, (2) it cannot be used
within twenty-five feet of water where fish
can be taken out for human consumption.
The settlement provides for producers to
phase out manufacture of mercurial pesti­
cides used to treat summer golf turf dis­
eases.
The easing of the ban is particularly
noteworthy because of the active role
played by many local chapters, GCSAA’s
Governmental Relations Committee and
the Industrial Advisory Council. Petitions
and letters expressing the superinten­
dents’ reasons for opposition to EPA’s
initial ban were instrumental in bringing
about the revised policy. This is yet an­
other example of the important role your
professional associations can and do play in
speaking on the issues of the turf industry
and turf management.

2
Connecticut Association
Of Golf Course
Superintendents
Officers

President....................................Robert Tosh
Rockrimmon C.C.
Office 914-764-8846
Home 914-764-4425
Vice-President.................Robert Osterman
The Golf Club At Aspetuck
Office 203-261-2544
Home 203-268-9081
Sec-Treasurer.......................David Stimson
Tumble Brook C.C.
Office 203-243-0150
Home 203-289-6979
Board of Directors

Ed Anderson
Dave Roule
Ron Holcomb
Bob Viera
John Ferry
Steve Cadenelli
Lloyd Russell, Associate Director
Frank Lamphicr, Immediate Past President
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
161 W. Broad Street
Pawcatuck, Conn. 02891

The Return Of The Elm

In many communities, Dutch elm dis­
ease has turned shady boulevards and
scenic parks into bare, treeless areas.
However, a new hybrid called the “urban
elm” may be the solution to the Dutch elm
disease problem. Ironically, the tree is a
cross between an elm from the Netherlands
and one from Siberia, and it’s resistant to
Dutch elm disease. In the same manner as
the American elm, it grows to moderate
size; is tolerant to drought, pollution and
soil compaction; grows in restricted root
space; grows fast in various soil types; and
sports dark green foliage.
The hybrid was developed at the Agri­
cultural Research Service’s (ARS) Shade
Tree & Ornamental Plants Laboratory in
Delaware, Ohio. A team began developing
the urban elm in the mid-fifties, crossing
parent trees to obtain seedlings capable of
withstanding inoculations of the fungus
that causes Dutch elm disease. For the past
two years under an agreement with ARS,
wholesale nurseries have been testing the
tree for climate adaptability. It’s antici­
pated that the urban elm will be available
in limited supplies in three years.
IGCSA Newsletter

Are Your Methods Effective?

Crew Training Techniques Matter
The kind of crew training a golf course
superintendent does is the result of many
decisions, conscious and unconscious. Are
your training decisions still valid?
Your first decision is how much time
and effort to devote to training. It involves
several factors: How many people have to
be trained? Have they had experience or
are they new? Who will help with the
training? What do you expect from your
investment in training time? If you do a
thorough job, will it help bring people back
year after year, eventually reducing the
amount of time you spend? Will thorough
training improve your golf course manage­
ment? Many superintendents think so.
After deciding how much time your
training program should receive, the next
step is deciding what to include.
Much of it is essential —- how to operate
machinery, what the terminology means,
what needs to be done, and how — the
basic information without which no one
could do the job. But there is more — much
more — to training a crew.
Have you considered asking the golf
professional to talk to the crew about the
play of the game and how it can be affected
by maintenance procedures? How about
encouraging the crew members to play
themselves? Understanding adds perspec­
tive.
Of the many things you teach, perhaps
the most essential are those procedures
governed by OSHA standards. How you
teach them is up to you, but it must be
done correctly, or you may face legal sanc­
tions. Some superintendents test crew
members after they have read each nec­
essary manual, and require those who
don’t pass to read them again until they do.
Some walk their people through the pro­
cedures. However you do it, remember
that a recent court ruling stated that
merely telling employees that the proce­
dures and safety measures are in a manual
and asking them to read it, is not enough.
It can make a big difference in your
crew’s attitudes if they understand what
you are trying to accomplish — the big
picture. How about sharing with them your
philosophy of golf course management?
Does your crew know what your club’s
philosophy is?
Public relations is something else you
can teach. Do you invest time explaining
how to handle an irate golfer who has just
been syringed along with the 11th green?
Do you teach courtesy? Even a friendly
smile from a person on a mower may save
you many minutes of apologies and explan­
ations later.

Another thing to consider is that many
crew members soon know what to do, but
few know why they are doing it. Do your
mower operators know the physiological
reasons for changing the direction of the
cut on greens, or do they know only that
that’s the way you said to do it? People are
more cooperative about following exacting
directions if they understand why.
Crew training is an ongoing process,
not just a week or two of concentrated
instruction. The superintendent who
makes it a point to see and talk with each
crew member every day shows that he
cares about them as people and that he
cares what they are doing.
People want personal recognition and
they want to progress, to feel that they are
part of the organization. Crosstraining,
teaching one person to do many jobs, is one
good way to allow a crew member to ad­
vance, while insuring that you always have
trained people for all jobs.
It is helpful to encourage questions.
Communication will stop altogether if em­
ployees discover that their questions aren’t
appreciated or taken seriously.
One way to offer the chance to progress
is to send crew members to national, re­
gional or local training conferences. They
will return better able to serve you and
your club, and they also will feel that
something of value has been invested in
them, so they will put forth more effort.
You usually can recover the cost of the
conference in saved training time alone.
On-the-job education can be viewed as
a valuable fringe benefit for your
employees — a benefit that costs nothing
extra. It helps your employees gain know­
ledge, a chance to earn advancement and a
feeling of self-worth, and it pays in work
excellence and low turnover. Remember
that as people gain in knowledge and ex­
perience they want to request a job
change, to advance, or to take on more
responsibility.
Some superintendents fear that thor­
oughly teaching employees, especially as­
sistant superintendents, threatens their
own job, but many superintendents are
justly proud of having trained talented
people who became superintendents and
moved on to other clubs. The proof of your
own expertise is your ability to pass it on to
others.
Whatever decisions you make about
training your crew, you can be certain that
they have long-range, as well as
immediate, ramifications.
‘‘Forefront

3

Ten Qualities
of a Leader

Future Meetings
OCTOBER 12 — Monthly Meeting

Black Hall Club, Old Lyme, Connecticut
Dick Cook — Host Superintendent
Dick is easily recognized by nearly everyone in the Association. He has been a member
of C.A.G.C.S. for over 24 years and has been active in many ways over these years.
Prior to coming to Black Hall, Dick worked at Old Lyme C. C. and Fisher's Island C. C.
He is a 1952 graduate of Stockbridge School. Over the past year Dick has initiated a
tree planting program at the course and has replaced nearly 150 tons of sand in the
numerous traps on this layout.

NOVEMBER 11 — Annual Meeting (luncheon)

Woodbridge Country Club, Woodbridge, Connecticut
Host Superintendent — Jack Lynch
Jack has been at Woodbridge for twelve years and has been a member of C.A.G.C.S.
for the same period. Jack came to Connecticut from Utica, New York where he was
superintendent at the Higby Hills Country Club. He is a graduate of Stockbridge
School and has also attended the Winter School there. Jack was kept busy this year
preparing Woodbridge for the Connecticut Open which was held there in August.

CHRISTMAS PARTY — December 18

Watertown Golf Club, Watertown, Connecticut
More to come later!

The Wanderlust Leaves Lamphere Retires
Ready To Flee —
The Wanderlust Leaves—
So Brazenly Free —
Propelled By A Windy Heave —
Caused The Demise
Of A Faceless Tree; —

As Summer Died —
Among The Motherless Leaves.
Frank Paladino

Grass Catcher

[Continued from page 1]
your own stamp on the return card. This
change has been made due to the increase
in postage that the Association faced if the
old procedure continued. It is important
that this card be returned if you are at­
tending the meeting so please make the
effort to mail it even though it requires
your placing a stamp on it.
•••
At the August meeting the membership
voted to raise the fee for golf from three
dollars to five dollars with one dollar going
to kickers and the remainder for prizes.
This was done so that the winners each
month would receive a prize that allowed
him to purchase more than just golf balls.
•••
How about it! Let’s see some new faces
at the upcoming meeting to be held at
Black Hall Golf Club. Dick Cook has
always got this championship layout in top
shape. Make a point to get things in order
and come down to southeastern Connecti­
cut for a good day!

Championship Trophy

Frank Lamphere, superintendent at the
Aspetuck Valley Country Club, won his
third superintendent’s title to retire the
championship trophy. Frank shot rounds of
79 at Wallingford Country Club and 80 at
Hillandale Country Club. Dick Cook took
second place with rounds of 82 and 78. In
the net division Ed Anderson took top
honors with net scores of 72 and 70 while
Dave Roule finished second with rounds of
77 and 70. Congratulations to the winners
and better luck to the rest of us next year.

New Members
THE FOLLOWING HAVE BEEN VOTED
IN AS NEW MEMBERS OF OUR ASSO­
CIATION. CONGRATULATIONS AND
WELCOME!
Stephen Bigoness
Superintendent
Cedar Knob Golf Club
Somers, Connecticut
Thomas Chaplick
Assistant Superintendent
Great Hill Country Club
Seymour, Connecticut
Terrance Dumbowski
Assistant Superintendent
H.B. Brownson Country Club
Shelton, Connecticut

1. He must be able to take criticism. No
person in a position of authority will be
immune from it. He must learn to sort out
the constructive, from which he can learn,
and the malicious which he must ignore.
2. He must learn to stand adversity.
Things will not always go well. Failures
will happen. A good leader will bounce
back.
3. He must be able to delegate author­
ity. He must be able to give up power — to
trust those under him.
4. The leader must make decisions.
The person who can not take a stand does
not deserve to lead others.
5. The leader must be free from preju­
dices. “ Prejudice,” someone once said,
“ is a luxury only little people can afford.”
6. He must learn to praise others, to
share the credit, and to give credit where it
is due. If he tries to take credit for every­
thing, he will not lead, he will only frus­
trate those under him.
7. A leader must be able to concentrate
under difficult conditions, to keep the goal
constantly in mind, to keep his head when
all about him are losing theirs.
8. A true leader will assume responsi­
bility for his own mistakes.
9. Nor will he try to avoid responsibility
for the mistakes of others. He will, like
Robert E. Lee, take the responsibility for
the mistakes of his lieutenants.
10. A good leader will grow and learn.
Stagnation is not leadership.
Reprint from “Mid Atlantic Newsletter”
Vol. XXIX, September 1976.

Survey Indicates Average
Cost of Golf Course
Maintenance up 9.3%
in 1975 over 1974
A 1975 survey conducted nationwide by
the accounting firm of Harris, Kerr, Foster
& Company indicated that maintenance
costs averaged a +9.3% increase over the
previous year. Geographical breakdowns
on percentage increase showed: East,
+8.4% ; South, +7.2%;
Midwest,
+9.3%; Far West +11.2%.
The survey also included the average
maintenance cost per hole. Nationally, the
overall average was $7,962. Geographical­
ly, average costs per hole were: East,
$6,985; South $8,442; Midwest $7,185; Far
West $9,864.
Since 1955, the firm reported, course
maintenance costs have advanced at an
annual rate of nine percent. The survey
was based upon 100 selected country clubs.
NGF April GolfMarket Report

The Following Companies Are Contributing To The Support Of The Conn. Clippings:
ALFCO, INC.
P. O. Box 267
Marietta, Ohio 45750
Frank Downey, CAGCS member
(413) 596-3009
John Murphy
(203) 325-0967

I & E SUPPLY INC.
66 Erna Avenue
P. O. Box 9
Milford, Conn. 06460
Richard W. Smith, CAGCS member
Richard W. Hosking, CAGCS member
(203) 878-0658

ALLEN SEED STORE, INC.
South County Trail
Slocum, R. I. 02877
Howard Allen
(401) 294-2722

THE MAGOVERN CO.
Windsor Locks, Conn. 06096
Lloyd Russell, CAGCS member
(203) 623-2608
Curtis Stimson, CAGCS member
(203) 255-2817

ANDERSON-WARNER
ENGINEERING CO., INC.
Turf Irrigation
164 Nod Road
Avon, Conn. 06001
Jesse Anderson, CAGCS member
(203) 677-0225

METRO MILOGRANITE, INC.
P. O. Box 267
Hawthorne, New York 10532
John Wistrand, CAGCS member
(914) 769-7600

CHAS. C. HART COMPANY
304 Main Street
Wethersfield, Conn. 06109
Robert Kennedy, CAGCS member
(203) 529-2537

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

CLORO-SPRAY
Div. Henry E. Sanson & Sons, Inc.
475 Beaver Street
Bristol, Penn. 19007
E. J. Sanson, CAGCS member
Frank Paladino
(212) 338-2153

O. M. SCOTT & SONS
Pro Turf Division
Marysville, Ohio 43040
A l Arison, CAGCS member
(203) 336-9890

FERN CLO GOLF CAR CO.
5 Shelter Rock Rd.
Danbury, Conn. 06810
James H. Rowe, Jr.
(203) 744-7757

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

TOM IRWIN, INC.
11 B A Street
Burlington, Mass 01803
John Callahan, CAGCS member
(203) 677-7054
TURF PRODUCTS CORP.
1496 John Fitch Blvd.
South Windsor, Conn. 06074
Roy Sibley, CAGCS member
Gary Bryant, CAGCS member
(203) 289-3471
VALLEY FARMS TURF NURSERY
Box 81
Avon, Connecticut 06001
Joe Bidwell, CAGCS member
(203) 658-6886

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

THE POWERHOUSE
Rte. 6 & Dingle Ridge Road
Brewster, New York 10509
Russ LeClair, CAGCS member
(203) 279-7183

Please Support These Companies

8