CONNECTICUT CONNECTICUT Sa'Ss CT ’PPINGS December 1986 January 6 Winter Seminar This winter's CAGCS seminar promises to he its best ever. Make plans to attend. Following is the program: Dr. Pat Vittum University of Massachusetts "The mode and Action of Insecticides" Dr. William Dest University of Connecticut "Developing a Fairway Bentgrass Management Strategy" James King Brown House Communications "Getting and Staying Organized" General Managers Forum Bob Alonzi, David McGhee, Peter Salinetti PPUC - CT EPA Don Kiley Gregory Piontek Dr. David Nielson Ohio State University "Developing a Tree Health Care Program" Dr. James Adams Nor-Am Chemical "Prograss: Another Tool in Poa Annua Control" Yale Inn, Meriden, CT Volume 20, Number 3 1986 Superintendent of the Year Tumblebrook's David Stimson is honored On Veteran's day, November 11,1986, the date of the CAGCS annual membership meeting, David Stimson, CGCS, a 20-year veteran of the golf course maintenance wars, was honored by his peers and voted as the 1986 CAGCS Superintendent of the year. Previous winners of this award are; Fred Bachand (1983), Robert Viera (1984) and Charles Baskin, Jr. (1985). The criteria for this prestigious annual award is based on the individual's length of membership in CAGCS (minimum five years), knowledge and understanding of turfgrass and related sciences, understanding of the game of golf, contributions to local and allied associations and excellence in course conditioning. Committment is the most outstanding quality running through David's career. He has been committed to the Tumblebrook Country Club for the past 23 years. After graduating from Stockbridge school of Agriculture in the spring of 1963 he became the assistant superintendent at Tumblebrook under Andy Lentine. In January of 1968, David took over as superintendent, the position he holds today. When he took over the reins as superintendent, Tumblebrook expanded from 18 to 27 holes and installed an automatic irrigation system. David's committment to CAGCS has been unparalleled. He joined the board of directors after serving on various committees in 1970. He was quickly appointed to the position of secretary/treasurer, a position he held until he became CAGCS president in 1983. David still holds the position of immediate past president. His combined total of 16 years of service to his fellow professionals as a board member is unprecedented. As a member of GCSAA, David has not missed a GCSAA national conference since he joined in 1969. He also earned the title of Certified Golf Course Superintendent in 1974, one of the first superintendents to complete the program. David has also been commmitted to his country serving in the Air Force reserves from 1957 to 1963. David lives in East Hartford with his wife of 22 years, Carol. They have a son and daughter, both of whom attend the University of Connecticut. Scott, 20 years old, is a junior and Nancy, 18 years old, is a freshman. Congratulations to David Stimson, the 1986 CAGCS Superintendent of the Year, an award truly deserved. Greg Wojick, Editor Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents President Greg Wojick, CGCS Vice-Pres. Robert Chalifour, CGCS Secretary Thomas Watroba Treasurer Michael Wallace, CGCS Past Pres. David Stimson, CGCS Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Mike Chrzanowski John Napieracz, CGCS Jim Medeiros, CGCS Steve Rackcliffe Mike Reeb, CGCS Steve DiVito, CGCS Thomas Watroba CAGCS Executive Director Peter Pierson The object of this association is to encourage 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 Connecticut Clippings is an official publication of The Connecticut Association of Golf Course Super­ intendents, Inc. Editor: Greg Wojick, CGCS 1347 Newfield Ave. Stamford, CT 06905 Advertising: Mike Reeb, CGCS 95 Country Club Rd New Canaan, CT 06840 1986 Year End Report President Message PAGE 2 1986 was the 57th year of CAGCS and certainly was a year of progress. The most pressing concern facing this year's board, that of evaluating and revising the bylaws, was accomplished after many long hours of meetings and rewrites. The result being a more concise and up-to-date set of bylaws that are more in line with our parent organization's bylaws. Experimentation with a CAGCS executive director position has been taking shape. I feel even stronger now about the need for this position than I have in the past. I don't know if many of you are aware, but our membership role has doubled in the last five years. We have also added more events and awards, more money is being taken in and more money is being spent. All in all there is more work to do to run this organization. So far the position of executive director has been well received by the board of directors, the membership and the golfing community and the board feels that we should continue to evaluate and hone in this position. My thanks to Peter Pierson for helping our CAGCS. Our last membership survey was in 1983. This year we again surveyed our members to help us more accurately do our jobs as managers. The "routine" business of our association ran quite well this year. Regular membership meetings were well attended and well run. I feel that this year we provided an interesting variety of locations, golfing events and speakers for you the member. CAGCS held meetings at four clubs this year that wee never before have visited. Our special events; the winter seminar, the Invitational and the S&R tournament were very successful this year. Special thanks to Jim Medeiros from the Country Club of Avon and Roger Barrett from Glastonbury Hills for putting out the effort to host these events. Also a special thanks to Les Kennedy and Oaklane Country Club who together with CAGCS hosted this year's Metropolitan area team championship. This year's picnic marked the second successful year for this event. Thanks to Mike Chrzanowski and Madison Country Club for again being our host. Jack Lynch offered to host this year's Christmas party and the Woodbridge Country Club donated the cost of the band and the result was a spirited group of members who enjoyed the evening. The disc jockey who complemented the baind had just about everybody on the dance floor "shaking their booties." Nationally, CAGCS kept up to speed this year with four of our members being active with GCSAA: Steve Cadenelli, who is running again this year for another directorship, Mike Wallace and Mike Reeb who have served on GCSAA committees and Frank Lamphier who helps to run the GCSAA golf championships. Also this year Les Kennedy and Bruce Cadenelli will be on the speakers program at the national conference. Personally, my first year as CAGCS president has been challenging. It has also been time consuming and , at times, frustrating, but all in all it has been very rewarding. It has been my pleasure to do everything that I could to promote and further CAGCS and our profession this past year. JS» •Jr?* CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF GOLF COURSE SUPERINUNOENTSjpi Greg Wojick, CGCS President CAGCS 1986 CAGCS election results After a very lively and close election at the annual meeting the following individuals will act as your board of directors for 1987: Officers: Greg Wojick Robert Chalifour Thomas Watroba Michael Wallace Directors: David Stimson Steve DiVito Michael Reeb John Napieracz Michael Chrzanowski Steve Rackliffe James Medeiros Assoc. Dir.: Henry Lesinski V V V Editor's Note This is the third and final issue of Connecticut Clippings for 1986. It is also the final issue for me as editor. The new editor of Connecticut Clippings will be John Streeter (Cliffside Country Club). John comes to this job with experience as the former editor of the Rhode Island GCSA newsletter. I certainly wish John all the best in his new endeavor and hope that he will receive support from the membership in disseminating the type of information that you are looking for. Our newsletter is one of the most important tools we have of keeping our members informed. PAGE 3 Phoenix Civic Plaza — Phoenix, Arizona f” ... 29 seminars ... Golf championship ... Trade show ... Annual meeting All Make YOUR plans to attend! For Conference, Seminar, Advertiser or Exhibitor Information: 1-800-472-7878 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America 1617 St. Andrews Dr., Lawrence, KS 66046 Petruzzelli responds to "Killer Courses" article in golf magazine PAGE 4 Letters to the Editor Golf Magazine 380 Madison Avenue New York, New York, 10017 November 24,1986 Sir(s): In rebuttal of your, "Killer Courses" special report (December 1986), I believe you have taken a few rare cases and blown them out of proportion. Being a Golf Course Superintendent, myself, with years of field experience and college degrees, I know all about chemicals for turfgrass protection. It is difficult enough to raise public awareness on what our profession really does when a misleading article, such as this, tarnishes our image. In terms of Mr. Condor (the author), we should be considered "golfer killers’ rather than superintendents. Of course, it is trajic that Lieutenant Prior died to an alleged allergic reaction to Daconil 2787. But, who is really at fault? Chemicals are the cornerstone of agricultural food production, without them the entire world would starve to death. It was stated that "golfers are greatly exposed to pesticides, since they spend up to four or more hours on the golf course." What about the golf course maintenance employees as well as the people applying the chemicals. These people spend eight to twelve hours working on the golf course, which translates to twice as much chemical exposure per day than the average golfer. To my knowledge, no chemical applicator, who is qualified and trained in chemcial usage has died from applying these materials. It is true that some golf courses do make chemical treatments when the course is closed. Sometimes outbreaks of insects and or diseases, which could cause serious/costly damage requires immediate chemical treatment (no matter what day of the week it may be). Chemicals are a very important management tool which are necessary in working with and against nature. But it can't be stressed enough, environmentalists as we are, that chemicals be used as a last resort. Using varied cultural practices and other non-chemical means.first, can sometimes yield optimum results (called integrated pest management). No one, as a whole, tries to disrupt the environment much less than - Golf Course Superintendents. "We" try to work together to raise awareness of our work and improve upon our chemical practices. "We" have to breathe the same air as everyone else and live in the same communities. Do you think that "We" want to jeopardize our own families health as well as others? Your story and facts are too vague since there are many variables to consider what really caused the fatalities. A True Environmentalist, Dennis P. Petruzzelli Golf Course Superintendent Redding Country Club Committee determines siate of candidates The GCSAA Nominating Committee met in Lawrence, Kan. on September 22-23 to determine the Slate of Candidates for the 1987 election of Officers and directors. The following individuals have been placed in nomination by the Committee: For President: Donald Hearn, CGCS For Vice President: Dennis Lyon, CGCS John A. Segui, CGCS For Director: Leonard H. Berg, CGCS Stephen G. Cadenelli, CGCS Randy Nichols, CGCS Marque L. Randall, CGCS James M. Taylor, Sr., CGCS The nominating committee is chaired by Past President James W. Timmerman, CGCS. Committee members in attendance were: Michael Larsen, CGCS, Stanley Metsker, CGCS, Randy Nichols, CGCS, and Dennis Orsbom. PAGE 5 AERATORS Buy for Less $$ Operate for Less $$ Maintain for Less $$$ James Carriere & Sons, Inc. Trap Sand - Partac Topdressing James Carriere & Sons 7 Cottage St. Port Chester, NY 10573 Bill Carriere (914) 937-2136 A EGYPT FARMS Sterilized Top Dressing 301-335-3700 EGYPT FARMS EXCLUSIVE! All top dressing ingredients are thoroughly mixed and sterilized by indirect heat in our special process. The sand particles are actually coated with a mixture of top soil and peat humus for a completely homogenous mixture that will not separate during handling and spreading. Egypt Farms top dressing is formulated especially for your area to specifications recommended by the United States Golf Association, Texas A&M, Penn State, North Carolina State, and the University of Maryland. Many years of research and testing by these leading universities have produced a soil mixture for superior growth; to maintain the best balance of percolation; to resist compaction; for good aeration; and for the retention of usable water and nutrients in the growing medium. Green and tee construction materials & mixes con­ forming to U.S.G.A. specs are also available. Distributed by: Metro-Milorganite, Inc. (914) 769-7600 The Terre Co. (201)473-3393 Wagner Seed Co., Inc. (516)293-6312 SALSCO, INC. 105 School House Rd. Cheshire, CT 06410 203-271-1682 Telex 643708 Country Club Cars of New England, Snc. Exclusive Distributor For: E-Z-Go Turf Products Our 27th Year Compare the Product Compare the Price 10 Shore Road East Windsor, CT 06088 (203) 623-3871 Pro-Lawn Wants To Talk Turf With You Services for the Professional Technical & Planning Professional Turf Fertilizers Services Pesticides Turf Seeds Soil Amendments prolawn STEPHEN M. KOTOWICZ 30 NASHVILLE ROAD BETHEL, CT 06801 203/792-3032 What’s up doc? Where’s the leaf? Noel Jackson, Professor of Plant Pathology University of Rhode Island - Kingston, Rl Leaf tissues are the major site of the photosynthetic process to sustain growth and development of the grass plant. Mowing, to maintain a dense, uniform turf for the production of a playing surface, obviously entails the removal of some leaf tissue and a consequent reduction in the capacity of individual plants to synthesize and store carbohydrates. This situation is compounded as defoliation intensifies and is relflected in curtailed root development and slower regrowth of leaves. Grass species vary substantially in their tolerances of how much and how often their leaf tissue can be removed without stressing the plants and leading eventually to serious deterioration of the sward. Fine turf for golf greens (and bowling greens), composed of bentgrasses and/or bluegrass represents the ultimate in mowing intensity and 3/16" has been considered a workable compromise for adequate grass growth and good playing conditions. But the increasing clamour " for faster greens has encouraged the adoption of closer mowing, resulting in new problems and the need for more intensive maintenance practices. So, maybe there are a few, well constructed courses, often lightly played, with immense budgets that provide for the optimum use of every management resource known to man, and where the close-mown greens putt like glass. Unfortunately your club members see them specially primped up for one television tournament or play them as occassional guests - and come back to their home course to complain. Often it is only bragging rights as to who.can maintain the closest mown, fastest greens in the neighborhood. They should be counselled! When you start measuring height of cut at 1/64" or 1/32" below 1/8" then the question is - where's the leaf? Pressure from members for faster greens certainly warrants consideration by the superintendent but there are a few alternatives to dropping the height of cut. Less water (careful!), double mowing, frequent light topdressing and frequent light verticutting may achieve the desired results. For special club events, lowering the cut to 5/32" may be justified, but only for a day or two, then compensate by resuming a higher cutting height. But do not expect to do this if your turf is weak and shallow-rooted to start with; a dense, well-rooted turf is required to tolerate the added stress, and the necessary resources (labor, water, equipment, pesticides, etc.) must be on hand to meet all contingencies. At 1/8" height of cut, the margin for error in management decisions is virtually nil, so it is imperitive to anticipate the problems and adopt the correct preventive measures. It's too late if you have to consider remedial treatments! The past spring wass cool and dry. Provided water was not limiting, greens came into the summer in good shape. But root development on many courses (and especially on annual bluegrass turf) was sparse. Problems started to mount in July and August and in many instances, the initial, diffuse patch symptoms of yellowing and thinning turf could be linked to a lowered cutting height. Deterioration of this turf progressed rapidly as fungal root and crown pathogens, made short work of the poorly rooted plants, especially under conditions of heat stress. The fungi were often aided by high parasitic nematode populations. Thus removing too much leaf means shallow rooted, vulnerable turf - just waiting for that final stress, the one you could not or did not participate, to tip the scales towards certain disaster. If your greens putt true but are a tad slow, don't be intimidated. Educate your green committee, throw away the stimpmeter and lie convincingly about the height you are mowing. A little extra leaf tissue, better roots and some food reserves in the plants, means the scales tip less easily, and that might save you from looking for a new job! GCSAA and Northeast GCSA announce: "Golf Course Construction & Project Management" Dr. Michael Hurdzan, ASGCA Hurdzan & Kidwell Golf Course Architects Mr. Stephen Harrell Vice President Wadsworth Golf Construction Co. This new addition to GCSAA’s continuing education curriculum will feature presentations and discussion on new construciton, renovation, special projects on existing courses, contract law, construction bonds and bidding, requests for proposals, insurance requirements and the sequence of phasing, budgeting and scheduling. The program is specifically designed to acquaint the superintendent with his or her roles and responsibilities in master planning and project administration. A portion of class time will be devoted to drainage systems and participants will lay out a project under the instructors' supervision as well as practice "selling' a project. Successful completion of this two-day ecucational program will earn participants two CEUs and a Certificate of Achievement from GCSAA. The registration fee includes a banquet luncheon and take-home reference materials. Space is limited and registrations will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. Refunds will be allowed only for WRITTEN cancellations received at GCSAA Headquarters two weeks in advance of the seminar. February 24-25, 1987 Albany, New York Sheraton Airport Inn PAGE 7 GOLF TIP By analyzing a round of golf, you can improve your game. So, after putting out on the 18th, find a quiet spot and mentally replay your best shots. Ask yourself: "What did I do right?” Perhaps working your right shoulder under your chin on the downswing helped you swing through the ball. Or, maybe keeping your head relatively still allowed you to make a strong turn. Remember, replay your round to discover swing keys that will help you produce good shots in future rounds. The 1986 CAGCS Superintendent of the Year David Stimson. 8th Annual GCS Christian prayer breakfast 'As for man, his days are as grass, but the mercy of the LORD is from Everlasting to Everlasting." (PS. 103 Everyone is invited, and we especially encourage families, ladies and children, to share in the fellowship at the 8th Annual GCSA Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, January 31, from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. at the Phoenix Civic Plaza. Coffee and rolls will be served starting at 6:30 a.m. The guest speaker will be the Reverend Mr. Owen C. Carr, teacher, conference speaker, pastor and author, who is past president of Valley Forge Christian College, Pennsylvania. Prior to accepting the presidency of the College, he founded CHANNEL 38, WCFC-TV in Chicago. For more than 40 years, he has served full time Christian service in Kansas, Texas, Illinois, California and in 30 foreign countries. Pastor Carr is author of the books, The Battle is the Lord's and Faith in Focus. His personal story, on how a Kansas farm boy has succeeded in overcoming impossible situations that few of us can comprehend, will encourage all who attend. The Prayer Breakfast has been scheduled at the start of the Conference and Show for seven years, and is open to all faiths. These Patrons help support our Association. • Allen Lawnmower/Ransomes 197 Main Street Agawam, MA 01001 Albert McLean (413) 786-8111 • Alpine Tree Care, Inc, 745 Post Road Darien, CT 06820 Rolf Brandt (203) 655-8008 • Anderson Turf Irrigation, Inc. 164 Nod Road Avon, CT 06001 Jesse Anderson (203) 677-0225 Andrew Wilson, Inc. 48 Commerce Street, P.O. Box 35 Springfield, NJ 07081 Drew Momson (201) 467-1400 or (201) 273-8555 • Aqua-Lawn, Inc 328 Figlar Avenue Fairfield, CT 06430 Louis Toth (203) 255-3075 or (203) 255-2774 • Bruedan Corp. of Connecticut 25 West Road, Bolton, CT 06040 Yamaha & Club Car Golf Cars Scott Lowe (203) 647-1774 • The Cardinals, Inc. 166 River Road Unionville, CT 06085 John Callahan (203) 673-3699 • James Carriere & Sons, Inc. Port Chester, NY Trap Sand - Partac Topdressing Bill Carriere (914) 937-2136 • Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Wethersfield, CT 06109 Robert Kennedy Roy Sibley (203) 529-2537 Cloro-Spray 775 Louis Drive, P.O. Box 2809 Warminster, PA 18974-0357 E.J. Sanson, Frank Paladino (212) 338-2153 • Country Club Cars of New England, Inc. 10 Shoham Road East Windsor, CT 06088 Dick Kaupin - Dick Mather (203) 623-3871 • East Haven Landscape Products io Min st. East Haven, CT (203) 467-6260 BudEscola • Egypt Farms, Inc. Golf CourseTopdressing White Marsh, MD 21162 John Strickland (301) 335-3700 • Glenmore Landscape Service RR3 Box 199 HackgreenRd. Pound Ridge, NY 10576 Glenn S. Moore (914) 764-4348 • I & E Supply, Inc. 66 Ema Avenue Milford, CT 06460 Steve Smith - Paul Roche (203) 878-0658 • Imperial Nurseries Hort. Distribution Center 713 Pigeon Hill Road, Windsor, CT 06095 John Perrotti, Jr., Ron Holcomb, Kari Novak • Lesco, Inc. 20005 Lake Road Rocky River, Ohio 44116 Mike Donahue, Frank Downey, Mike Oleykowski (800) 321-5325 Larchmont Engineering & Irrigation Co., Inc. Box 66, Larchmont Lane Lexington, MA 02173 Steve Butler (617) 862-2550 • Th® Magovern Company Windsor Locks, CT 06096 Carl Wallace, Peter Moran (203) 623-2508 Windsor Locks (203) 348-8211 Stamford • Metro Milorganite P.O. Box 267 Hawthorne, NY 10532 John Wistrand (914) 347-4222 • O.M. Scott & Sons Proturf Division „ Marysville, OH 43041 Al Arison (203) 336-9890 • Partac Topdressing Kelsey Park Great Meadows, NJ 07838 Bin Carriere (914) 937-5479 Steve Kotowicz (203) 792-3032 • Pro-Lawn Products, Inc. 30 Nashville Road Bethel, CT 06801 Steve Kotowicz - Sales Representative (203) 792-3032 Purple Kings Farm 633 Northwest Hill Road Williamstown, MA Ralph Mason (413) 458-4646, (413) 458-3184 The Reichert Company P.O. Box 273, Riverside, CT 06878 Automotive Lubricant Distributor Frank Reichert (203) 637-2958 Salsco, Inc. 105 School House Road Cheshire, CT 06410 Salvatore J. Rizzo, Jon Mattsoon (203) 271-1682 Shemin Nurseries, Inc. 1081 King Street P.O. Box 64, Glenville Station Greenwich, CT 0683 (203) 531-7352 £ Somers Turf Supplies P.O. Boz 294 Devon, CT 06460 Bill Somers (203) 878-2108 Terre Co. 206 Delawanna Avenue Clifton, NJ 07014 Byron Johnson, Jr. (201) 473-3393 Turf Products Corporation 1496 John Fitch Blvd. South Windsor, CT 06074 Mark Loper, John Ferry, Shawn Donovan (203) 528-9508 i Valley Farms Nursery & Supply Simsbury, CT 06070 Sod - Tuff Supplies - Fertilizer Joseph D. Bidwell, Owner (203) 651-8555 Westchester Turf Supply, Inc. P.O. Box 198 Lincolndale, NY 10540 Bob Lippman (914) 277-3755 (914) 248-5790HM Winding Brook Turf Farm, Inc. 240 Griswold Road Wethersfield, CT 06109 Donald Grant (203) 529-6869 Al Zikorus Golf Course Architect Member ASGCA P.O. Box 187, Canaan, ME 04924 (207) 474-8868 Vai-Agra, Inc. P.O. Box 8811, 672 Tolland St. East Hartford, CT 06108 Hairy Lesinski (203) 528-9249 Denotes CAGCS Member