CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS DECEMBER/JANUARY 1984/85 Mr. Robert Viera — A Super Superintendent A common thread that seems to be running through the fiber of our Super­ intendent of the Year Award recipients is modesty. Our 1984 award winner, tobert Viera, epitomizes that quality. “I think the award is a good idea and should definitely be carried on, but honestly, I never imagined that I would win it,” says Viera who is quick to down­ play his success and popularity. Bob has been around golf and golf courses almost as long as he can remem­ ber. He grew up in North Dartmouth, Mass., a block away from New Bedford Public Links Golf Course (now the Country Club of New Bedford) where he caddied and also worked on the maintenance crew for eight years, start­ ing at the age of 13. After a two-year stint in the United States Army, Bob attended the Stockbridge School atthe University of Massachusetts, courtesy of the G.I. bill. And from there the rest is easy — Professional Golf Course Superintendent at the Watertown Country Club where he is now. Bob’s relationship with the Water- town Country Club is special. “Barring any very unusual situation, I would cer­ tainly like to finish out my professional career here,” he says. “I can’t see myself ever leaving Watertown. The club and its members have been so good to me.” Watertown honored Bob recently at a testimonial for his 25 years of service to the 500-member private country club. CAGCS/S UPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR — 1984 BOB VIERA r Bob and wife Betty Success thru teamwork In keeping with his modest nature, Bob is reluctant to talk about himself. However, Betty, wife of 28 years and one of his most ardent fans, gives us a Volume 18, Number 6 closer look at Bob. “Bob’s philosophy about his profession is simple. He’s a proponent of hard work and dedication to the job, and has a sincere concern for his employees, the golf course and the game of golf,” she says. “Bob respects his employees and their feelings, and from whatl could see, that respect is mutual,” Betty says. As one of his seasonal employees, Betty re­ veals, “Bob doesn’t realize just how good he is to his employees, and he’s unaware of the respect they have for him,” she says. “Bob occasionally gets calls from workers who need help, and he always assists them in any way he can, whether it’s to fix their car or ap­ pliance or just offer his advice on something.” When asked what advice he would give to a young and upcoming superin­ tendent, Bob says without hesitation, “attend everything: conferences, semi­ nars, regional and local meetings and social events. You can never learn enough in this business,” Bob says. To that, Betty adds, “Twenty years ago, the business seemed so much simpler. Today, continuing your education and keeping yourself abreast of the newer complexities in equipment and tech­ niques is essential.” Bob truly enjoys his work. He is a jack-of-all-trades and a master at many of them, especially mechanical work. But Bob has also been very successful in sports. Besides being a low-handicap golfer who plays “at least once a week,” Bob’ s younger days were headlined as a touted football and basketball player. He played semiprofessional football for (con’t. on page 2) Connecticut Association Of Golf Course Superintendents Robert Viera’s Better Half 2 President David Stimson, CGCS Tumblebrook C.C. Office 203-243-0150 Home 203-289-6979 Vice President Greg Wojick Sterling Farms Golf Course Office 203-322-9316 Home 203-322-6978 Sec.-Treasurer Ronald Holcomb Cliffside C.C. Office 203-658-5796 Home 203-658-2547 Board of Directors Peter Bly Steven Durand Eric Johnson Richard Mareks Tom Watroba Frank Lamphier Mike Wallace, CGCS Imm. Past President Carl Wallace Associate Director The object of this association is to en­ courage increased knowledge of golf course management and greater professionalism through education, research, exchange of practical experience and the well being of each individual member. The CONN. CLIPPINGS is an official publication of the Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents, Inc. Greg Wojick, Editor 1347 Newfield Avenue Stamford, CT 06905 Future Happenings Feb. 5-13, 1985 GCSAA International Conference & Show Washington, D.C. March 5-7, 1985 Mass. Turf Conference & Show Springfield, MA March 19, 1985 CAGCS Monthly Meeting Yale Inn Meriden, CT April 9, 1985 CAGCS Monthly Meeting New Haven Country Club New Haven, CT James MacDonald, Host Superintendent If you discuss golf or golf course main­ tenance around Betty Viera, wife to Bob Viera, golf course superintendent at Watertown Country Club, it doesn’t take you long to realize that she knows exactly what you’re talking about. But marriage to a golf course superintend­ ent is only partially responsible for her knowledge. Betty’s acquired much of her expertise on the job — on the grounds crew at the Watertown Country Club. “I’ve become somewhat of an expert on the Toro GM HI,” she says proudly. “I mow greens, tees, collars and approaches with the machines, and I also service them, you know, grease them, change the oil, bedknives, backlap, that sort of thing. We have four of them now, and they’ve sort of become my babies,” she says, “I know how important it is to get a good cut, so I take extra care to make sure they are adjusted correctly.” Betty has found her work on the golf course invaluable. “I only wish that every superintendent’s wife could spend at least one summer working on her hus­ band’s crew,” she says. “Only then can you fully appreciate what it takes to maintain a golf course. It certainly was an eye-opener for me,” Betty says, “to see the tremendous pressure a superin­ tendent has to endure over the course of a season. I have a much greater under­ standing and respect for the work Bob and all superintendents do, now that I’ve experienced, first hand, what they go through,” she concludes. Bob and Betty live happily in Water- town, just a drive and a seven-iron from the club. \i&X8L(Continued from front page) awhile on the James P. Murphy Me­ morial team in New Bedford, Mass., where he claims his pay consisted only of howmuchhe couldmake “selling pea­ nuts at halftime.” Now, Bob just tries to enjoy his golf game, not letting his slight fade get in the way of that enjoyment. Dedicated to the golf profession and to his fellow professionals, Bob has been a member of CAGCS for 25 years. In that time, he’s served on the CAGCS board as director, vice-president, pres­ ident (1972-73) and immediate past president. Bob has also been a regular President’s Message Where has the past year gone? It seems that the seasons pass quicker and quicker and that the golfing season becomes longer and longer each year. Here it is the end of the year with high temperatures and golf­ ers getting in a few last bonus days. Now is the time of year when we should evaluate ourselves to deter­ mine our strengths and weaknesses and decide which conferences and seminars we should attend to help strengthen our weaknesses. There are many educational seminars avail­ able to us over the winter months and we should take advantage of them. Our own seminar will be held on January 8th with another out­ standing program planned. I hope to see you all there. We are now getting our meetings organized for 1985. Also, a new mem­ bership list is being printed and hopefully available in the spring. Now is also the time when the Board of Directors lay the groundwork for next year’s events. If you would like to serve on a committee or host a meeting, contact a member of the board. Your input is valuable to the Association and is always welcome. I sincerely hope that everyone en­ joyed a very happy holiday season and wish each of you best wishes for the New Year. David C. Stimson CGCS President CAGCS member of the education and nominat­ ing committees for CAGCS. Upon accepting the Superintendent of the Year Award at the C AGC S annual meeting in November, Bob gratefully remarked, “You know, you can get all those trophies and plaques from the clubs, but to receive this award from your peers ... that’s really something.” Bob, you’re really something. Con­ gratulations on being honored as our 1984 CAGCS Superintendent of the Year! Greg Wojick, Editor Membership Update The CAGCS board of directors, at heir December 10 meeting, voted in Idle following persons as members of our association: David Athans Richter Park Golf Course Class D Construction Supervisor Timothy Berge Race Brook Country Club Class B Assistant Superintendent Ernie J. Cuzzocreo, Sr. Cuzz Acres Nursery Class C Bud Eskola East Haven Wholesale Landscape Products Class C Michael Ferriauiolo Ridgewood Country Club Class B 1 Assistant Superintendent Peter B. Howe Mill River Country Club Class A Golf Course Superintendent Michael Kravonta Wethersfield Country Club Class B Assistant Superintendent Joseph Malay Country Club of Fairfield Class B Assistant Superintendent Congratulations and Welcome to CAGCS! 3 GCSAA News & Highlights GCSAA’s 1985 International Con­ ference and Show and all that accom­ panies it is proving to be a most attrac­ tive draw and promises all who attend a multitude of things to do and places to see. A very heavy pre-registration indi­ cates that the Conference program, the lure of Washington, D.C. and its many, many historical attractions, pre-confer­ ence seminars, the annual banquet where former President Gerald R. Ford will receive the Old Tom Morris Award, the Opening Session with the keynote address of ABC sports commentator Jack Whitaker and the many other scheduled events have created unusu­ ally high pre-conference interest in this year’s conference thus insuring a most productive and exciting time for those who attend the D.C. Conference. The annual golf tournament which precedes the conference has been filled since early December with nearly 300 men registered and another 50 on the waiting list. All that is needed to insure a successful tournament is for Frank Lamphier to get everyone off on time and for Mother Nature to provide a mild week in early February at Hilton Head. GCSAA headquarters has announced several award winners of prestigious awards which will be presented at the opening session of the conference. GCSAA’s Distinguished Service Award will be presented to three individuals. They are Mr. Clifford W. Waganer, CGCS who is a former GCSAA Presi­ dent and who has been exceptionally active during his career as a golf course superintendent in California for over thirty years; Mr. William C. Campbell, Immediate Past President of the USGA, a long-time prominent amateur golfer and one who is credited with establish­ ing and maintaining improved lines of communication between GCSAA and the USGA; Mr. James L. Blackledge, who receives the award posthumously for his dedicated and untiring efforts in regard to turfgrass research and educa­ tion and who is also considered the founding father of turfgrass associations in Florida. The Leo Feser Award given to a superintendent who is judged to have authored the best superintendent written article published in Golf Course Management during the preceding year goes to Jerry W. Redden, CGCS for his article entitled “Bulkheads Can Be Beautiful” which appeared in the 1984 April issue of GCM. Because of the tremendous interest in and limited seating available for the annual banquet, GCSAA will accept phone orders at headquarters for ban­ quet tickets prior to Feb. 1. Don’t hesi­ tate to call if you’re interested in at­ tending the banquet. For further info regarding activities or attractions in Washington, the follow­ ing can be called: Visitor’s Bureau 202- 737-8866; ParkService 202-426-6975; Smithsonian 202-357-2020 or the Na­ tional Archives 202-523-3000. Steve Cadenelli Grass Catcher Look for new membership direc­ tories to be available shortly. The finish- ing touches on the new books (new for­ mat too!) are almost completed. These new directories will help solve the long­ time problem of “Where the hell is he?” Also, look for the new membership cards to be plastic, very similar to the GCSAA membership cards. CAGCS has purchased the machine which makes these plastic cards. ******* There have been many job openings and job changes that have occurred recently or are about to occur in our area. The following is, I’m sure, an in­ complete listing. George Hunter Memorial Golf Course Meriden, CT Superintendent position Oak Hills Golf Course Norwalk, CT Assistant Superintendent position Cohasse Country Club Southbridge, MA Superintendent position Rolling Hills Country Club Wilton, CT Superintendent position Please contact Mike Wallace for information regarding job referrals. 4 Job Opening Golf Course Superintendent The Links at Vista Center V&S Development Corporation 1033 North Maple Ave. Toms River, N.J. 08753 The Links at Vista Center is a new golf course just under construction and which is the center piece of a 1000 acre office, light industrial, and residential development. It is planned that the new superintendent will come on board dur­ ing the spring of 1985. Seeding of the golf course is planned for August of 1985. The golf course is being designed by the Robert Trent Jones Company; will be eighteen holes with a totally auto­ matic irrigation system. Superintendent will be responsible to Mr. Herb Sambol, owner, with all resumes going to him at the above address. Further info can be obtained from Mr. Bruce Cadenelli, project consult­ ant, who can be reached at 201-531- 3609 days. Mr. Cadenelli will be in­ volved with the project throughout the entire development phase. Superintendent will have responsi­ bilities of bringing course into play as well as normal responsibilities of golf course maintenance, purchasing, land­ scaping, clubhouse grounds, budget, etc. Base Salary: $45-55,000 Open to Negotiation: Hospitalization & Major Medical Pension Expenses Vehicle GCSAA Chapter Newsletter Contest Winners 1984 Ten Best Overall Newsletters: Green is Beautiful, Ontario GCSA, Barry Endicott, editor; Greens Briefs, Northwestern Pennsylvania GCSA, Cloye Moser, editor; Indiana GCSA Newsletter, Indiana GCSA, John L. Morris, CGCS, editor; Kentuckiana Klippings, Kentuckiana GCSA, Louis E. Miller, editor; The Florida Green, Florida GCSA, Dan Jones, CGCS, editor; The Grass Roots, Wisconsin GCSA, Monroe S. Miller, editor; The Greener Side, GCSA of New Jersey, Edward Walsh, CGCS, editor; The Mountain State Greensletter, West Vir­ ginia GCSA, David W. Williams, editor; The West Coast Wind, Florida West Coast GCSA, Cecil Johnston, editor; Turf Talk, New Hampshire GCSA, Ray Richard, editor. Those newsletters earning special awards and their editors are: BE ST FLAG DE SIGN, Rocky Mountain Reporter, Rocky Mountain GCSA, Charles A. Clark, CGCS, editor; BEST COVER, The Florida Green, Florida GCSA, Dan Jones, CGCS, editor; BEST USE OF SPOT COLOR, Greens Briefs, Northwestern Pennsylvania GCSA, Cloye Moser, editor; BEST ORIGINAL EDITORIAL CONTENT, The Grass Roots, Wisconsin GCSA, Monroe S. Miller, editor; BEST FORMAT AND READABILITY, The Greener Side, GCSA of New Jersey, Edward Walsh, CGCS, editor; BEST “LIMITED RE­ SOURCES” PRODUCT, The West Coast Wind, Florida West Coast GCSA, Cecil Johnston, editor. * ******* Clubs that have made a commitment to holdal985 CAGCS meeting at their club include: April-New Haven Coun­ try Club, May-Shennecossett Golf Course, June (Supt.-Invitational)-Pat- terson Country Club, June-Sterling Farms Golf Club, July-Willimantic Country Club, Sept.-Wampanoag Country Club, Oct.-Yale Golf Club, Nov.-Oaklane Country Club. Greg Wojick, Editor Classifieds Stockbridge student seeks place­ ment training position for 1985. Please contact: Paul Siliski University of Massachusetts 1008 George Washington Tower Amherst, Mass. Official CAGCS Sportcoat on sale now Orders thru Jan. 25 only Jacket & Patch Still only $93.00 Send info below or call Steve Cadenelli at 966-2145 to order Name___________.______________ Address_______________________ Phone( ) _---------------------------- Jacket size________ Deposit of $50 appreciated. Send to: Steve Cadenelli 127 Country Club Road New Canaan, CT 06840 5 1985 Meeting Schedule March 19 — Yale Inn, Meriden April 9 — New Haven Country Club May 14 — Shennecossett Golf Club June 10 — Sterling Farms Golf Club July 9 — Willimantic Country Club August — Open September 10 — Wampanoag Coun­ October 15 — Yale Golf Club November 12 — Oak Lane Country try Club Club Welfare Carl Wallace — Carl has done a com­ mendable job of finding out what’s going on around the state. He needs help, however. Call Carl with info on births, deaths, illnesses, etc. (Note: Best time to reach Carl is between 7:00 and 7:15 A.M. during the week at home.) Social The entire board will be working in this area, trying to come up with the “secret formula” that gets our members together in a social setting. Job Referral and Historian Mike Wallace, CGCS — Mike has done a good job getting job notices out. This is a tough assignment because of the many “behind-the-scenes” problems. Some clubs don’t like to cooperate. The history file is taking shape. Mike will continue to get things “the way they were.” Mike is also working on a “communi­ cations network” for our association. Look for more on this important area. Some of 1984 Golf Winners in CAGCS Championships 1985 CAGCS Committees Newsletter Education Eric Johnson — Eric will go it alone this 3 Greg Wojick/Steve Cadenelli — The i newsletter did not win an award in the year after co-chairing the education committee last year with Jim Medieros. 1984 GCSAA newsletter contest. Tech- Eric has set up the meeting schedule nically the newsletter is s et up very well 3 r but variety in headline size is needed. for 1985 but is still looking for speaker The page jumps were sometimes con­ suggestions for these meetings. fusing as well. I feel that the main reason the newsletter didn’t do well in the con­ test, however, is because there was a need for original material from the heart of our association — our members. Board members will again be assigned 3 to write articles for Connecticut Clip­ pings this year. Also look for the return of the Superintendent’s Tour and Meet Membership Tom Watroba — Tom takes over for r Armand LeSage who handled the mem­ bership duties last year. The member­ ship committee is a tough one because of all the changes and new members. Keepingtrackof over 200 members is a 3 never-ending chore. Tom is new to the 3 your class “C” members in 1985. board this year. Golf Peter Bly — Peter is also new to the board this year. Peter says that he will follow much the same format that Ted Maddocks aptly prepared last year. Ted will assist Peter as a member of the committee in 1985. Organizational Study Committee Frank Lamphier — We look to Frank Lamphier to suggest some healthy changes in our by-laws this year. Frank’s years of experience and dedication to our profession make him the ideal per­ son to head up the OSC. Scholarship and Research Steve Durand — Some new criteria has to be set up for awarding scholarships and research grants in the future. Steve Durand and his committee are looking into all the options. Steve will also organize the annual S & R Tourney for 1985. Public Relations Richard Mareks — Richard has become our “Hartford Connection,” keeping us abreast of the happenings in state government as they relate to our pro­ fession. This year, why not try to help out these people and their committees. They’re only trying to help you, the member. Get involved with a committee. Don’t wait to be asked — volunteer. Greg Wojick, Editor The Following Companies Are Contributing To The Support Of The Conn. Clippings: ALLEN LAWNMOWER, INC. Ransomes Turf Products 197 Main Street Agawam, MA 01001 Al McLean, CAGCS member (413) 786-8111 ALPINE TREE CARE, INC. 745 Post Road Darien, CT 06820 Rolf Brandt, CAGCS member (203) 655-8008 ANDERSON TURF IRRIGATION, INC. Turf Irrigation 164 Nod Road Avon, CT 06001 Jesse Anderson, CAGCS member (203) 677-0225 ANDREW WILSON, INC. 48 Commerce Street P.O. Box 35 Springfield, NJ 07081 Drew Morrison (201)467-1400 Office (201) 273-8555 Home AQUA-LAWN, INC. Irrigation Contractors 328 Figlar Ave. Fairfield, CT 06430 Louis Toth, CAGCS member (203) 255-3075 (203) 255-2774 BRUEDAN CORP. OF CT Authorized Distributor for Club Car & Yamaha Golf Cars 1701 Milldale Road Cheshire, CT 06410 Scott Lowe, CAGCS member (203) 271-0036 1-800-535-1500 JOHN P. CALLAHAN Golf Course & Turf Supplies 24 Hour Service 7 Days/Wk 90 Coppermine Road Farmington, CT 06032 Tom Irwin, Representative (203) 677-7054 JAMES CARRIERS & SONS, INC. Trap Sand & Partac Topdressing 7 Cottage St. Port Chester, NY 10573 Bill Carriere, CAGCS member (914) 937-5479 (914) 937-2136 CHAS. C. HART COMPANY 304 Main St. Wethersfield, CT 06109 Robert Kennedy, CAGCS member Roy Sibley, CAGCS member (203) 529-2537 CLORO-SPRAY Div. of Henry E. Sanson & Sons, Inc. 775 Louis Drive, P.O. Box 2809 Warminster, PA 18974-0357 E.J. Sanson, CAGCS member Frank Paladino (212) 338-2153 COUNTRY CLUB CARS OF NEW ENGLAND Warehouse Point, CT 06088 E-Z-Go Golf Car Sales & Service Richard Mather (203) 623-3871 EGYPT FARMS, INC. Sterilized Greens Topdressing White Marsh, MD 21162 (301) 355-3700 John Wistrand, CAGCS member (914) 769-7600 GLENMORE LANDSCAPE SERVICE Hackgreen Road RR#3, P.O. Box 199 Pound Ridge, New York 10576 Glenn S. Moore, CAGCS member (914) 764-4348 I & E SUPPLY, INC. 66 Erna Ave., P.O. Box 9 Milford, CT 06460 Richard Smith, CAGCS member Stephen Smith, CAGCS member (203) 878-0658 IMPERIAL NURSERIES 90 Salmon Brook St. Granby, CT 06035 John Perrotti, Jr., CAGCS member (203) 653-4541 J.A. JACKSON CORPORATION 430 Center Avenue Mamaroneck, NY 10543 Dan Cancelleri, CAGCS member (914) 698-4150 (914) 667-3737 LESCO INC. 2005 Lake Rd. Rocky River, OH 44116 (800) 321-5325 Frank Downey, CAGCS member Mike Oleykowski Les Guedel, CAGCS member LARCHMONT ENGINEERING & IRRIGATION, Larchmount Lane Lexington, MA 02173 Stephen P. Butler, CAGCS member (617) 862-2550 THE MAGOVERN CO. Windsor Locks, CT 06096 Carl Wallace, CAGCS member (203) 623-2508 Windsor Locks (203) 348-8211 Stamford INC, METRO MILORGANITE P.O. Box 267 Hawthorne, NY 10532 John Wistrand, CAGCS member (914) 769-7600 OLD FOX CHEMICAL CO. Hazardville, CT 06082 John Grant, CAGCS member Henry Lesinski, CAGCS member P.O. Box 62 Pleasant Valley, CT 06063 (203) 379-3579 O.M. SCOTT & SONS Proturf Division Marysville, OH 43041 Al Arison, CAGCS member (203) 336-9890 PRO-LAWN PRODUCTS, INC. Quality Turf Products Stephen M. Kotowicz, CAGCS member 30 Nashville Rd. Bethel, CT 06801 (203) 792-3032 PURPLE KINGS FARM Custom Greens Dressing Northwest Hill Rd. Williamstown, MA 01267 Ralph Mason, CAGCS member (413) 458-4646 THE REICHERT COMPANY Oilzum, Texas Refinery Motor Oil & Lubricants Fram & Wix Filters Automotive Supplies, & Batteries P.O. Box 273, Riverside, CT. 06878 Frank X. Reichert (203) 637-2958 SOMERS TURF SUPPLIES P.O. Box 294 Devon, CT 06460 Bill Somers, CAGCS member (203) 878-2108 TUCO DIVISION OF UPJOHN CO. 331 Carriage Drive Kensington, CT 06037 David Sylvester, CAGCS member : (203) 828-8905 THE TERRE COMPANY 206 Delawanna Avenue Clifton, NJ 07014 Byron Johnson, CAGCS member ■ (201) 473-3393 SHEMIN NURSERIES, INC. 1081 King St. P.O. Box 64, Glenville Station Greenwich, CT 06830 PhU Gallo (203) 531-7352 TURF PRODUCTS CORPORATION 1496 John Fitch Blvd. South Windsor, CT 06074 Mark Loper, CAGCS member John Ferry, CAGCS member (203) 528-9508 Roger Morhardt, CAGCS member (203) 748-4445 VALLEY FARMS NURSERY & SUPPLY, INC. Par-Ex (IBDU) Fertilizers Sod & Turf Care Products 133 Hopmeadow St. (Route 10) Simsbury, CT 06070 Joe Bidwell, CAGCS member (203) 651-8555 WESTCHESTER TURF SUPPLY, INC. P.O. Box 198 Lincolndale, NY 10540 Bob Lippman, CAGCS member (914) 277-3755 Office (914) 248-5790 Home WINDING BROOK TURF FARM, INC. 240 Griswold Rd. Wethersfield, CT 06109 Doug Morgan, CAGCS member (203) 529-6869 AL ZIKORUS Golf Course Architect Member ASGCA P.O. Box 187, Canaan, ME 04924 (207) 474-8868 I Please Support These Companies