Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents Devoted to sharing knowledge and experience for better turf April, 1991 Volume 25, No. 1 CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS Walking the High Wire Thomas Watroba, President President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Immediate Thomas Watroba Steven L. Rackliffe, CGCS John F. Streeter, CGCS Scott M. Ramsay Robert Chalifour Past President Directors & Committee Chairpersons_ Scholarship & Research Public Relations Education Membership Newsletter Golf PPUC Social & Welfare Rep. to the Board Peter Pierson John Motycka David Stimson, CGCS Frank Lamphier John F. Streeter, CGCS Peter Lewis Peter Pierson Philip Neaton Stephanie Zanieski Connecticut Clippings is an official publication of The Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents. John F. Streeter, CGCS, Editor Newsletter Jeff Rogers The object of this Association is to encourage increased knowledge of golf course management and I greater professionalism through education, research, exchange of practical experience, and the well-being of each individual member. What’s Inside? Underground Storage Tank Info Putting on the Edge of Disaster Grass Catcher Start Your Systems Another season is upon us and with it brings the expectations, hope and promise of a successful year. Fortunately or unfortu­ nately, depending upon your prospective, it also brings new names and faces to familiar places. Ah, the life of a golf course superintendent ~ the profession that creates more turnovers than the Celtics ever dreamed of. I recall listening to a well-weathered veteran superintendent who equated our profession to coaching at the professional level. Everyone loves you when you’re winning; but, have a losing season, and the doubts and finger pointing start. Have two con­ secutive losing seasons... I needn't go any further. It's a very accurate analogy. How secure are you in your position as a golf course superin­ tendent? Do you have a long term contract? Do you have an adequate pension plan? How many of us could honestly say we could have consecutive seasons of unsatisfactory course condi­ tions (regardless of the circumstances) and still feel secure in our positions? How about three seasons? Great way to make a liv­ ing, isn’t It? To steal a line from Mr. Jagger "We walk the high wire" with no safety net - every season. • This so-called high wire act every season often exacts a pnce. Although I believe the old adage about adversity building charac­ ter, excessive adversity is hazardous to your health. Who can deny that within our profession we have an alarming high inci­ dence of stress related problems. Alcohol and drug abuse, heart attacks, divorce, chronic anxiety, depression, and burnout are all too common among us. Obviously there are exceptions. A minority of golf superin­ tendents through ability, dedication, hard work, and sometimes good fortune have attained renowned status in this profession. Often they can name their job and their price. These select superintendents have obtained job security. Some have acquired fame and fortune. Well, fame anyway. Others employed by towns or municipalities are afforded better than average security and excellent health and retirement benefits. _ . _ What about the rest of us? In my opinion, the vast majority of golf course superintendents do a good job - perhaps not great, but certainly not substandard. These hardworking men and wom­ en are educated and talented. Many are asked to produce high quality playing conditions inspite of being subjected to limited resources, overplay, whimsical leadership, bad weather and some­ times plain old bad luck. It would be easier to attempt to pro­ duce these quality playing conditions if a superintendent knows that failure to do so doesn't automaticaly place his job m jeopardy. A relaxed and confident superintendent secure in his position will ultimately make better decisions than one with frazzled nerves, who is constantly walking the high wire. There are clubs that realize this and treat their superintendents accordingly. Unfortunately, there are far too many who still believe in magic! So how can we achieve job security in this high risk profession? Perhaps we never will completely. After all — anyone who enters this field of endeavor with blinders on is rudely awaked to the harsh reality of it. But, there are some things you can do. Participate in operations budget and benefit surveys on both the local and national level, and use the information to strengthen your own position, if necessary. If your budget, salary and benefits are well below that of a comparable club or your regional average, are your club's turf expectations likewise? Remember, when using comparisons, always compare apples to apples and use factual information. Another method that you may find useful in establishing security is through documentation. Document as much critical information as possible. This becomes very useful when your professional opinions or recommendations are modified or overruled. Put it in writing! It's amazing how selective people's memories can become. Always protect your flanks. Documentation can also be done through photography. Many of us take photos of course projects, disease and pest damage, or mini-disasters. How many of us photograph our golf courses when they are at their finest? I’m assuming not enough. Perhaps the key to establishing security in your position is successful communi­ cation. Failed communication is arguably the number one cause of job loss in our profession. If you have questions regarding the security of your position, commu­ nicate this concern to your employers. Stress the obvious importance of job security. Be sure to approach this subject matter in an honest, positive and non­ threatening manner. At the very least, you will discover the degree of job security you already have. I'm certain there are other means and methods to improve our job security. It's definitely food for thought. Hopefully, there will come a day in this profession when the high wire act is confined to the circus - where it belongs! Northeast Golf Course Construction (203) 755-4690 SPECIALIZING IN • Golf Car Paths • Drainage Systems • Bridges-Walkways to Utility • Bunker and Tee Construction • Green Construction • Bunker Sand The Stephen B. Church Company GROUND WATER SPECIALISTS INDUSTRIAL • MUNICIPAL • ENVIRONMENTAL • Gravel Wells • Monitor Wells • Pumps, Sales, Service, Rentals • Recovery Systems • Well Rehabilitation • Pump Tests • Ground Water Exploration • Well Abandonment P. O. BOX 67 • SEYMOUR, CT 06483 (203)888-2132 • FAX (203)888-1863 - 2 - PARTAC GOLF COURSE TOP-DRESSING AMERICA'S PREMIUM HEAT TREATED TOP-DRESSINGS PLUS CONSTRUCTION, CART PATH, AND DIVOT REPAIR MIXES SOIL CONDITIONER & TOP-DRESSING IMPROVES AERATION AND DRAINAGE BETTER THAN SAND YET RETAINS NUTRIENTS & MOISTURE! 1YMIT GEOTEXTILES & TURF COVERS HAR-TRU®, LEE®, & HADEKA® TENNIS COURT SURFACES & SUPPLIES 1-800-247-2326 UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS John F. Streeter, CGCS, Editor Underground storage tanks have become a major priority for the EPA. After attacking service stations, large retailers, and oil companies about bringing their underground storage tanks (USTs) up to date, the EPA is now moving into our territory; that is, if you, as a golf course superintendent, have a UST on your property, there are some regulations of which you should be awar®- First of all, it is my understanding that in Connecticut any tank which is under 1,100 gallons does not have to be regulated. Therefore, if you are in this situation, you may not even have to read the rest of this. BUT ... sug­ gest you do your own homework so as not to have any repercussions against you or your club in the future. One of the first regulations, that of the deadline date which has already passed is that . "If your UST tank was installed prior to 1970, or if it has pressurized piping, you must have initiated proper leak detection methods by December 22,1990. Leak detection methods include: . Monthly monitoring, Tank tightness tests and Monthly inventory control Leak Detection & Corrosion Protection by 1998 The other most important regulation that is coming upon us is that of UST insurance. The deadline for obtaining liaibility insurance is October 26, 1991. The process for obtaining insurance takes 90 to 120 days. Time is needed for tank testing and processsing the application. Many clubs have liaibility insurance, but most do not cover spills and ground water pollution from a UST. Information on where to get insu­ rance for a UST can be done through GCSAA or your local insurance broker. Jardine Insurance Brokers of Kansas City Mo. is the administrator for the GCSAA- sponsored UST insurance program. Contact Jardine’s Susan Courtney at 1-800-727-0250. Some thoughts about insuring your UST 1. Most insurance companies may not insure a tank that is over 10 years old. 2. Existing tanks may have to meet some minimum requirements in order to be insurable, such as: tank tight­ ness tests, leak detections and upgrading existing tank with liners or corrosion protection. By 1998, present leak detection methods will be phased out. On new and existing tanks, corrosion protection and overfill prevention must be installed by 1998. Monthly monitoring methods such as, automatic tank guaging or ground water monitoring will be required. If you are upgrading existing tanks or installing new ones these are some of the things you must consider. in Are you compliance? Another option to consider If you are considering replacing your UST, look into the new above ground tank systems. Some of the advantages of the above ground system compared to a UST system: 1. No liability insurance is required. 2. Above grounds are installed with a containment vault to eliminate the need for diking. (continued on page 6.) Putting on the edge of disaster When old Bill Fownes wanted to check the green speed at Oakmont, he would walk out to the second hole and carefully drop a ball on the back of the putting surface. If it didn't roll down the slope, off the front of the green and into the fairway, he would tell the ground crew to cut and roll the green again. At least that is according to Oak­ mont lore. For most of this century, Oakmont has set the standard against which all other top clubs measure their green speeds. Now comes new evi­ dence from architect Pete Dye that green speed in the old days may be wildly exaggerated. Dye has had motion pictures of the 1962 U.S. Open at Oakmont studied by mathematical experts. Analyzing the time lapse of putts rolling across the greens, they have concluded that Oakmont's speeds back then were "about 8 on the Stimpmeter," what today is considered relatively slow. If true, Dye's discovery is important because It might curb the chase for faster greens, golfs costly equivalent of the arms race. "The USGA is try­ ing to raise $10 million to find hardier turf," says Dye. "All they've got to raise is the mowers, l/16th of an Inch." But golfers persist in the mistaken belief that faster is better. And just as mistakenly, club members argue that their greens were faster back in the '50s and '60s. Most agronomists agree that this is not possible, and USGA Green Section National Director Jim Snow cites four innovations that have greatly added speed in recent times: • It's only been in the last 15 years that clubs cut greens seven days a week; they used to be cut every other day, a big change. • Cutting greens at 3/16ths was con­ sidered very close and l/4th of an inch was common until the 1970s; the introduction of thinner bedknives (against which the rotary blades of mowers cut) allowed greens to be scalped below 1/8th of an inch. • Clubs used to top-dress greens once or twice a year, now they do it lightly every three weeks. • And until the 1970s, we didn't have verticutters and groomers, new machinery that takes the excess top growth off the leaves of grass. But the real culprit is a yard-long metal rod known as the Stimpmeter, which was developed to quantify green speed. When it was introduced in the mid-'70s, the USGA surveyed more than 1,500 greens in 36 states and found that the average roll was 6 feet 6 inches on the Stimpmeter. "It's crept up over the years until the average is closer to 8 today, and 9 feels slow to some people," says Snow. The result has been higher expenses for maintenance of weaker turf that's more susceptible to disease. Several years ago in the Midwest, dozens of country clubs noticed that their bent­ grass greens were dying of bacteria known as C15 Decline, while the greens at neighboring daily-fee and municipal courses were unaffected. Turf-types began calling it "Rich Man's Disease," because it only hit the wealthy courses like Muirfield Village and Butler National, where the greens were cut too low. "Trying to maintain consistently fast greens means always living on the edge of disaster," says Snow. Some classic, old courses have now increased their speeds to the point that severely undulating greens are unputta- ble. Then memebers argue the greens have "settled" over time and now need to be rebuilt. Of course, all they need to do is play the greens at the speed they were designed for. Now some courses are starting to post their green speeds on lockerroom bulletin boards. This only encourages idiotic competition among clubs for the fastest greens in town and leads macho golfers to demand higher num­ - 4 - bers or the super's job. Longtime turf authority A1 Radko says good putting begins at 7 feet 6 inches. And for everyday play, it should not get above 9. The PGA Tour aims to have its greens at around 10 feet, and the U.S. Open shoots for 10 to 11 1/2 feet. But those are once-a-year occasions, with the host club's maintenance pro­ gram targeted for tournament week. SPEED KILLS, we've learned. If not your superintendent, your greens. (This article appeared in the January, 1991 issue of Golf Digest and was contributed by Pat Lucas.) Sterilized Top Dressing EGYPT FARMS f INC. 1 WHITE MARSH, MD (301) 335-37OO 1-800-899-S0IL (7645) EGYPT FARMS EXCLUSIVE! All top dressing ingredients are thorough­ ly mixed and sterilized by indirect heat in ourspecial process. The sand particles are actually coated with a mixture of top soil and peat humus for a completely homoge­ nous mixture that will not separate during handling and spreading. Egypt Farms top dressing is formulated especially for your area to specifications recommended by leading universities and testing laboratories. • Computerized blending of soil mix­ tures for a superior growing medium. • Custom on-sit® soil blending and testing with a portable computerized blender to meet your specifications. • Bunker Sands • Mulch • Canadian Sphagnum Peat The Terre Co, (201) 473-3393 Distributed by: Metro-Milorganite, Inc. (914) 666-3171 tpc turf products corporation -- ■ .. 157 Moody Road Enfield, CT 06082 r TORO TORO JOINS FORCES WITH MOTOROLA TO BRING THE SECOND GENERATION OSMAC TO THE GOLF INDUSTRY The Toro Irrigation Division announced an agreement between The Toro Company and Motorola, Inc. for distribution of the second generation OSMAC system. The alliance of The Toro Company's extensive irrigation experience with the technical expertise of Motorola will provide the golf industry with a remarkably unique new control system, with applications and service support to match. The second generation of OSMAC (On Site Management and Control) has evolved substantially beyond the first version, incorporating features and functions that are needed by a large segment of the golf market. The system is extremely versatile in that it can function as either a low cost upgrade to an existing control system, or as a complete control system for entirely new golf installations. The OSMAC is an easy to use, affordable, central based irrigation control system. The Central com­ municates to the satellites with a paging radio system, completely eliminating the cost of communica­ tions wire installation. As a retro-fit controller, the OSMAC is quick and easy to install, often causing no disruption of play. System features include a basic receive unit which is expandable from 8 to 48 stations, each individually accessible from the Central and/or from a hand-held remote; multivalve syringe; alarm paging capability from key sensors monitoring flow, power, and pumps; and two addresses for individual and group commands and start time linking. The OSMAC control system utilizes reliable, solid state design and state of the art pager technology — its hand held radio unit doubles as a two-way radio to communicate with the base unit or another portable. Toro's Irrigation Division has set the pace in the development of innovative products, programs and services for more than thirty-five years, always with an emphasis on quality and conservation. Motorola is one of the world's leading providers of electronic equipment, components and services for worldwide markets. Products include two-way radios, pagers, cellular telephone systems, defense and aerospace electronics, and computers. Motorola was a winner of the first annual Malcom Baldridge National Quality Award in 1988, in recognition of its superior company-wide quality management process. For additional information, call your area sales representative from Turf Products Corporation. Peter Hull • George Gorton • Mark Loper (203) 763-3581 or (800) 243-4355 - s - Underground Storage Tanks j (continued from page 3.) GCSAA TO HOST U.S. OPEN RECEPTION 3. Leak detection system is standard equipment. 4. No need for expensive underground soil and water monitoring and testing equipment 5. The above ground system called "Convault" has been approved by the State Fire Marshal and the State DEP. 6. Above ground storage tanks are less costly to install. If you are considering removing and/or installing a UST, I would suggest that the first place you go is to your local Town or City Fire Marshal. You will need to also contact the State DEP for specific regulations which may supersede those of your local city or town. Information concerning UST compliance regulations can be obtained from the State DEP by calling 566-5599 and request to be transferred to the office handling the UST compliance program. Most importantly, if you are one who needs to insure your UST, it is not too late to begin the process so that you may be in compliance by the October 26, 1991 dead­ line. GCSAA members attending this year's U.S. Open are cor­ dially invited to a GCSAA hospitality reception which will be held Friday, June 14th, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel South in Bloomington, Minn. "This is an excellent opportunity for our members to visit with fellow superintendents and other industry representatives from across the country who come to the Open," said John Schilling, GCSAA executive director. We're looking forward to the same results this year." VIPs from the USGA and PGA, plus other golf and turf industry officials will also be attending the reception. The 1991 U.S. Open will be played June 13-16 at Hazel- tine National GC in Chaska, Minn., where Chris Hague, CGCS, is superintendent. Hague and his staff will be honored at the reception. Smith reminds GCSAA members who hold gold member­ ship cards that the USGA will provide them with compli­ mentary daily admission to the U.S. Open. Spouses who accompany those members will receive the same admission privileges. To receive complimentary daily admission, super­ intendents should present their gold membership cards at the "Will Call" window each day that they wish to attend. Smith recommends that members who plan to attend the Open should call ahead to the USGA or Hazeltine to arrange for their complimentary tickets. - 6 - Grass Catcher CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS! Applications for CAGCS Scholarships | Now Available The Scholarship & Research Committee of CAGCS is pleased to announce that applications for CAGCS scholarships are available in writing from Peter Pierson, S&R Chairman. Your request for an application should be addressed to. Local Boys Make National Press In case you missed it, John Gallagher, superintendent at Racebrook Country Club, Orange, CT, was a fea­ tured contributor to an article which appeared in the July, 1990, issue of Golf Digest. In the article entitled "Is your super­ intendent out to get you?" , John was quoted concerning subjects of how heavy play can raise havoc with a maintenance schedule and ever growing pressures that are now being put on superintendents to provide quality con­ ditions and sometimes just not enough time to do it. Phil Neaton, superintedent at the Black Hall Golf Club, Old Lyme, CT, was featured in theAquatrol Newsletter commenting on his success with then- injecting Aqua Grow into his irrigation system. Phil was quoted as saying "The sys­ tem has helped with water savings and preventing localized dry spots. John Streeter, superintendent at Woodbridge Country Club, Wood- bridge, CT, was featured on the back cover of the February issue of Golf Course Management. John was fea­ tured in the ad for his success with the new strand of bentgrass from International Seeds known as Cobra. CAGCS to Sponsor Advertisements John Motycka, Public Relations Chairman of CAGCS, announced that we will be sponsoring eight 30-second commercials on our local NBC affiliate, Channel 30. The spot will be run once on Saturday and once on Sunday in each of the following national NBC telecasts of PGA Tournaments: April 20 & 21 PGA Seniors June 22 & 23 Anheiser Busch Classic July 13 & 14 Bank of Boston Classic September 28 & 29 Ryder Cup Matches The beautifully presented commercial has been professionally prepared by GCSAA and delivers the message that "Gorgeous golf courses don't just happen ... Your golf course superinten­ dent makes them that way." It ends with the message "Brought to you by "The Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents." So, turn on your TVs and inform your members and friends, also. Congragulations to New Moms and Dads Mr. and Mrs. John Gallagher, Mr. and Mrs. David Schermerhom and Mr. and Mrs. Eric Cadenelli were blessed with new arrivals - ALL BOYS ... CAGCS provides a Savings Bond for all newborns to CAGCS members. Congratulations ... Good luck from all! - 7 - CAGCS S&R Committee c/o Peter Pierson 28 Glenwood Terrace Cromwell, CT, 06416. The deadline for requests is June 1, 1991. There are two categories of scholarships available: The Richard Parsons Memorial Scholarship and the CAGCS Scholarship. Save Your Blue Tags From Your Seed Bags! Those blue tags that you have been throwing away are now worth 500 each. Save your Blue Tags and send them back to Old Fox Company. The Blue Tags which are being collected by Old Fox will be turned in at the end of the year, and all proceeds from the 500 rebate will be contributed to research projects. Any questions, contact Mike Dukette, sales rep. from Old Fox. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Jonathan Zuk, Class B Farmington Woods Country Club Terrence D. Mish, Class C Robert Baker Companies Joe Zering, Class B Redding Country Club Larry Barrett, Class B Ellington Ridge Country Club j Superintendents, Start Your Systems By Peter Otte, P.I.E. Supply Co., Technical Services Only 59 more days *till the 4th of July! Is your irrgation system ready to meet the challenge? STEP 2. PRESSURIZE THE SYSTEM Begin to fill your system. The key word is S-L-O-W-L-Y. Water entering an empty system meets little resistance and can easily achieve veloci­ ties of nearly three times that of a filled system. Your care­ fully winterized system can be blown out of the ground in a matter of minutes! So follow these procedures: Open drain valves and air release assemblies and fill your system with your jockey pump only. Try to maintain a fill rate of 200 gpm. An eighteen hole system holds from 250,000 to 300,000 gallons of water, so don't expect to fire up before lunch and syringe in the afternoon. Expect filling time to be between 18 and 20 hours. Keep an eye on things during the filling process and don't fill over night. Now is not the time to bum up a pump with a clogged intake line or to flood a fairway with a broken mainline. Fill your system at a rate of 10 hours one day and 10 hours the next. Allow at least two days for filling. After your system is filled and pressurized, keep a watchful eye on it A short cycling or hot running pump could point to a leak. When your system has been pressurized for 2-3 days, begin driving along your mainlines. There's nothing better than a golf cart or cushman tire for finding a soft spot that could indicate a leak. Allow 7-10 days for locating, getting parts and repairing a mainline leak. (continued on page 9.) The days of the high blue skies and screaming purple grass will be here before we know it, and the time to prepare for them is now. A properly planned and well executed system start-up procedure will save you time, money, turf and hair lines. We at P.I£. Supply Company would like to recommend that you decide on a target date for your system to be fully operational. Do this by checking your records to see when you began irrgating in the past Remember that you will want water for spring aerification, chemical treatments and for occasional frost removal. Once you've picked an "F.O.D." (Fully Operational Date) begin working backwards on your calendar allotting time for each of the following steps: STEP 1. INSPECTION Controllers Check for: 1. 1 lOv power at each field satellite 2. Vandal damage 3. Nesting animals 4. Frost heaves to footings (possibility of damaged wires) 5. Snowmobile damage Allow 1-2 days for inspection, 5-7 days for replacement parts, and 2-3 days for repair. Pumphouse Check for: 1. Required incoming power supply 2. Vandal damage 3. Ice damage in control valves and pump casings 4. Nesting animals Allow 1 day for inspection, 5-7 days for replacement parts, and an additional 5-7 days if your local utility has to be contacted. General Components Check for: 1. Raised heads - pull on each raised one to see if frost 3. Damaged exposed piping - bridge and creek crossings. Allow 2-3 days for inspection, 5-7 days for parts and 2-3 days for repairs. You are now ready to begin step two of your F.O.D. 2. Broken valve box lids - locate them now before a pair has broken a riser. of Foot-Joys does. TEE AND GREEN SOD, INC. Specializing in Bentgrass and Fine Fescue Sod Dave Wallace 401/295-1870 (Home) 401/789-8177 (Office) P. O. Box 418 Exeter, RI 02822 401/789-3895 (FAX) - 8 - Superintendents, Start Your Systems continued from page 8. STEP 3. TEST THE SYSTEM Once you are confident that pump station and mainline pipe are intact, beging running test irrigation cycles to check the remaining components of the system. Begin with your greens and check: Controller operation Valve operation Head rotation and water distribution Lateral piping integrity Allow 7-10 days for testing, acquisi­ tion of parts and repair of remaining irrigation components. Since you've been following along with your trusty calendar in hand, you're either totally confused or you've realized that you've picked a starting date of last Tuesday. In reality, much of the work involved can be overlapped and much of it can be handled by your staff. A reasonable starting date of one month prior to F.O.D. should put you in the ball park. To summarize: Step 1. - Inspect Controllers Pumphouse General Components Step 2. - Pressurize System Fill system SLOWLY CHECK MAINLINES STEP 3. - Test the System Check component operation Check laterals lines Run a test program Now that your system F.O.D. has arrived and you're fully prepared, you can stop praying to the rain gods and start enjoying the rising sunburn index along with the rest of the world. YOUR ONE STOP HORTICULTURAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER • Nursery products • Landscape construction supplies • Tools and equipment • Fertilizer and chemicals 713 Pigeon Hill Road, Windsor, CT 06095 (203) 688-0598 FAX (203) 688-0064 Who's Job Is It? HERMAN This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Some­ body got anygry about that, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could it it but Nobody realized that - Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Some­ body when Nobody did what Anybody could have done. "It’s a par-12 till the groundskeeper gets his back pay." Meet the Board Members This is the second of a series of biographies about the people who serve as officers and directors of the Connecticut Superintendents' Association. We will profile three or four board members each issue until we have covered all members. Immediate Past President Bob Chalifour Bob Chalifour became the superinten­ dent at Shennecossett Golf Club in Groton, CT, in 1969. Previous to this endeavor, Bob was the superintendent at the East Greenwich Golf Club in East Greenwich, RI. He earned an Asso­ ciates Degree from the University of Massachusetts and went on to the Uni­ versity of Rhode Island where he com­ pleted a B.S. Degree in Agronomy. Bob has been a member of CAGCS since 1970 and has served on the Board for seven years. Positions held on the Board were that of Public Relations Chairman, Vice President, President and presently Past President. Bob also had association experience in the Rhode Island Association where he served as Treasurer, Vice President, and Presi­ dent. Bob feels the association should con­ tinue to provide the opportunity for members to further their knowledge by supporting education and research. Bob feels that the GCSAA Certification Program, seminars, and environmental programs need the support of local as­ sociations. He feels the association should keep our members informed on environmental issues on both state and national levels. "We also need to keep abreast of legislative proposals and the need to balance the benefits and risks involved with pesticide use." "We need to be able to accurately communicate with both golfers and the public con­ cerning the safe use of pesticides and the role that golf plays in both the en­ vironmental and business worlds." Social & Welfare Philip Neaton Phil Neaton has been the golf course superintendent at the Black Hall Golf Club, in Old Lyme, CT, since 1984. Phil began his golf course maintenance career in 1975 working part-time during high school, never intending to be a golf course superintendent. After a few years in the golf course wars, Phil changed his college major to turf management After graduation, he went to Black Hall as the assistant. He has been a member of CAGCS for seven years, and this is his second year on the Board. He is currently serving as the Social and Welfare Chairman, and is also helping with the Membership Committee duties. Phil has always been a strong sup­ porter of CAGCS by way of hosting monthly meetings and helping with the summer picnics. Phil thinks the most important thing this Association does for its members is disseminate informa­ tion — whether it be new laws, job openings, or ideas to keep our present jobs interesting and secure — this is one of our most important functions. Phil feels that it is important for su­ perintendents to get together and share their comradery and also to learn some­ thing new from each other. - 10 - Upcoming CAGCS Monthly Meetings May 14, 1991 Hartford Golf Club West Hartford, CT Host Supt. - Herbert Watson June 11, 1991 Black Hall Club Old Lyme, CT Host Supt. - Philip Neaton See last page of this issue for cutout of 1991 schedule. Treasurer Scott Ramsay Scott Ramsay presently is superinten­ dent at Cliffside Country Club in Sims­ bury, CT. Scott came to Cliffside in 1990 after serving as superintendent at the Pautipaug Golf Club. He has been a superintendent for six years and began his career with the family landscaping business. Scott has been a member of CAGCS for six years and has served on the Board for three years as S & R Chairman, and currently is the Association’s Treasurer. Scott feels that the most important service an association can provide is the opportunity to share ideas and to strengthen our professionalism. w Stephen G. Cadenelli, CGCS, President GCSAA ELECTS Stephen G. Cadenelli, CGCS, the man elected to preside over one of golfs largest associations, wants the public to know that golf course superintendents are more than just the people who keep golf green. "Professionalism through education" is just one of the areas that he intends to promote during his term as president of GCSAA. "I never want to stop learning," says the 55th president of GCSAA. "I don't believe there is a substitute for education. I truly believe there will be no way to survive and function in this world as a turfgrass manager without a broad educational background. If I am remembered for anything after my year as elective leader of GCSAA, I hope it is for promoting education as never before." Cadenelli has directed the construction and management of the Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson, New Jersey, since 1985. He takes the helm of the growing international association at a time when environmental considerations are a top priority for the men and women who manage today's golf courses. "It is essential that GCSAA help its members meet their responsibilities to the environment. We also must go on educating the public as to the benefits of golf courses and of the fact that, in the capable hands of highly educated superin­ tendents, golf courses are a positive contributor to the envi­ ronment. Again, one of the keys to our success is education of ourselves and the public." The Massachusetts native notes that today's superintendents must be versed in legal matters, technical turfgrass science, personnel management, financial planning and equipment maintenance. "These factors have created significant opportu­ nity for golf course superintendents, for never has the golf community recognized the need for highly educated profes­ sional turfgrass managers as it does today," he says. William R. Roberts, CGCS, Lochmoor Club, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, was elected vice president. Re­ elected as a director and appointed secretary/treasurer was Randy Nichols, CGCS, Cherokee Town & Country Club, Dunwoody, Georgia. Also re-elected as directors were Gary T. Grigg, CGCS, Shadow Glen Golf Club, Overland Park, Kansas, and Charles T. Passios, CGCS, Hyannisport Club, Massachusetts. Bruce R. Williams, CGCS, Bob O'Link Golf Club, High­ land Park, Illinois, was appointed to the board. Joseph G. Baidy, CGCS, Acacia Country Club, Lyndhurst, Ohio, and Randall P. Zidik, CGCS, Rolling Hills Country Club, McMurray, Pennsylvania, continue serving terms as directors. GOLF COURSE CONFERENCE AND SHOW A SUCCESS More than 16,400 members of the golf course industry attended the 1991 International Golf Course Conference and Show hosted by GCSAA at the Las Vegas Convention Cen­ ter and Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conference and show presented superintendents and other turfgrass pro­ fessionals with the very best in continuing education oppor­ tunities and golf course management products, with a record 591 exhibitors showcasing their products and services during the three-day trade show. International attendance was strong as well, with almost 1,400 participants representing some 46 countries outside the United States. Highlighting the conference and seminar portion of the week were 42 continuing education seminars. Nearly 2,500 GCSAA members participated in seminars and symposiums on environmental and water resource management, budgeting and financial planning, safety and risk management, golf design and more. FORMAL DEDICATION OF NEW GCSAA HEADQUARTERS BUILDING GCSAA will celebrate the association's 65th anniversary with the official dedication of its new headquarters building in Lawrence, Kansas, on September 6-7,1991. All GCSAA members are invited. The celebration kicks off with a golf event and barbecue on Friday, Sept. 6. Formal dedication ceremonies will take place Saturday, Sept. 7. Several hundred visiting superintendents, political and industry VIPs, local Chamber of Commerce dignitaries, media and other guests are expected to attend. Orientation presentations and building tours will be part of the dedication ceremony. Complete information on the dedication weekend and a reg­ istration form for the weekend's activities were included in the Feb./March issue of Newsline. The golf event field is limited and entries must be received by May 31,1991. The other activities, such as the breakfast, barbedue or dedication ceremonies, require an RSVP by August 9,1991. The new headquarters building is located one mile west of GCSAA's old headquarters. The new address is 1421 Research Park Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66049-3859. - 11 - I I I I . r e t t l e s w e N m o r f e v o m e r d n a e n i l d e t t o d g n o a l t u C I CAGCS 1991 MONTHLY MEETING SCHEDULE April 9 July 9 New Haven Country Club Hamden, CT James L. MacDonald, Supt. Willimantic Country Club Willimantic, CT Steven Rackliffe, CGCS, Supt. Blind Draw (Two-Ball, Best Ball) Alternate or Stableford May 14 Hartford Golf Club West Hartford, CT Herbert Watson, Supt. First Round CAGCS Championship & Met Team Qualifying June 11 Black Hall Club Old Lyme, CT Philip Neaton, Supt. Second Round CAGCS Championship & Met Team Qualifying June 25 Woodbridge Country Club Woodbridge, CT John F. Streeter, CGCS, Supt. Annual CAGCS Invitational August TBA Annual CAGCS Family Day September 10 Yale University Country Club New Haven, CT Harry Meusel, Supt. President's Cup & McLaughlin Trophy October TBA Tallwood Country Club Hebron, CT Michael Ovian, Supt. Superintendent/Assistant Tournament See reverse side for further information regarding CAGCS Monthly Meetings CAGCS Policies As They Relate to Monthly Meetings 1. If you play golf, you must pay for lunch or dinner. 2. If you make a reservation and fail to attend, you will be responsible for the price of the lunch or dinner. S-i Your meeting notice will contain a portion to be returned with your reservation or other instructions as to how you should reply. If you have made a reservation and cannot attend, it is extremely important to contact the host superintendent to inform him. If you have not replied or contacted the host superintendent, please do not attend the meeting. An unnecessary burden is placed on the host superintendent by having inaccurate counts on golf and meals. The Clippings ___________Calendar____________ CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS EVENT LOCATION HOST CAGCS Monthly Meeting Hartford Golf Club Hartford, CT Herb Watson DATE May 14 June 11 CAGCS Monthly Meeting Black Hall Club Old Lyme, CT Philip Neaton June 25 CAGCS Annual Invitational Tournament Woodbridge Country Club Woodbridge, CT John F. Streeter July 9 CAGCS Monthly Meeting Willimantic Country Club Willimantic, CT Steve Rackliffe August TBA Annual CAGCS Family Day Sept. 10 October 17 CAGCS Monthly Meeting Yale University Country Club New Haven, CT Harry Meusel CAGCS Monthly Meeting Tallwood Country Club Hebron, CT Michael Ovian CAGCS Thanks the following Patrons for Their Continued Support of oar Association Alpine Tree Care,Div/Aitoor Care 769 North Mountain Road Newington, CT 06111 John Moran/Alan Carey (203) 953-1776/(203) 633-5345 Anderson Turf Irrigation, Inc. 5 Cronk Road, P. 0. Box 7036 Plainville, CT 06062 Jesse J. Anderson, Jr. (203)747-9911 Cadwell & Jones P. O. Box G, Buckland Street Manchester, CT 06040 Stephanie A. Zanieski (203) 643-0644 The Cardinals, Inc. 166 River Road Unionville, CT 06085 John Callahan (203) 673-3699 Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Wethersfield, CT 06109 Roy Sibley, Bob Kennedy Ron Holcomb, Roger Barrett (203) 529-2537 D & S Floratine Products, Reveal Kits Cheshire, CT 06410 Dave Basconi (203) 250-TURF ELM Contracting, Inc. GolfCouseRenovadon, Gail.Lancfccape Shelton, CT 06484 Bruce T. Moore, Sr. (800) 926-GREEN E-Z GO TEXTRON 788 Southbridge Rd., Box 820 Charlton City, MA 01508 Dick Kaupin (800) 334-5159 Earth Works Custom Deep Aerification Service Old Greenwich, CT 06870 Patrick Lucas, CGCS (203) 698-0030 Egypt Farms, Inc. Golf Green Topdressing (800) 899-7645 (Soil) The Terry Co. (201) 473-3393 Metro Milorganite (914) 666-3171 Fairway Landscapers, Inc. Green, Tee, Bunker Construction South Glastonbury, CT 06073 Walter Vami (203) 633-1273 Glenmore Landscape Service RR3, Box 285, Hackgreen Rd. Pound Ridge, NY 10576 Glenn S. Moore (914) 764-4348 James Carriere & Sons, Inc. Trap Sand - Partac Topdressing Port Chester, NY 10573 Bill Carriere (914) 937-2136 Larchmont Eng. & Irrig. Co. Box 66, Larchmont Lane Lexington, MA 02173 Steve Butler (617) 862-2550 Lesco, Inc. 20005 Lake Road Rocky River, Ohio 44116 Mike Donahue (800) 321-5325 The Magovern Company Windsor Locks, CT 06096 Carl Wallace - Peter Moran (203) 623-2508 - Windsor Locks (203) 348-8211 - Stamford Mantek 12 Bradley Street Branford, CT 06405 Bob Reinhold (203) 481-4321 Metro Milorganite 365 Adams Street Bedford Hills, NY 10507 Joe Stahl (914) 666-3171 Nor-Am Chemical Company 311 Carriage Drive Kensington, CT 06037 David Sylvester (203) 828-8905 Northeast Golf Construction Green, Tee, Bunker Construction Cart Path and Drain Installation Waterbury, CT 06704 (203) 755-4690 O. M. Scott & Sons Proturf Division Marysville, OH 43041 A1 Arison (203) 336-9890 Old Fox Chemical, Inc. 249 Shaker Road, P. O. Box 2287 Enfield, CT 06082 Mike Dukette (203) 684-9426 Partac Golf Course Top-Dressing (800) 247-2326/(908) 637^4191 Top-Dressings; Construction; Divot Cart Path Mixes, Terra-Green; Typar Turf Covers; Tennis Court Supplies Pipe & Irrigation Equipment 243 Woodmont Road, P. O. Box 3049 Milford, CT 06460 Paul J. Roche (203) 878-0658 Pro-Lawn Products, Inc. 30 Nashville Road Bethel, CT 06801 Stephen M. Kotowicz (203) 792-3032 Reichert Company P.O. Box 273 Riverside, CT 06878 Frank Reichert (203) 637-2958 Shawnmark Industries, Inc. Specialty Products & Service Warwick, RI 02888 Matt Howland (24 hours a day) (401) 295-1673 Terre Co. 206 Delawanna Avenue Clifton, NJ 07014 Byron Johnson, Jr. H- (203) 748-5069/ W-(201) 473-3393 Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Inc. Penncross ~ Bluegrass ~ Fescue ~ Rye West Suffield, CT 06093 Skip Deubel (800) 243-7582 Turf Products Corporation 157 Moody Rd., P. O. Box 2576 Enfield, CT 06082 John Ferry, Mark Loper (203) 763-3581 Turf Specialty, Inc. 60 Merrimack Street Hooksett, NH 03106 Dave Schermerhom (603) 485-7866 Winding Brook Turf Farm, Inc. 240 Griswold Road Wethersfield, CT 06109 Donald Grant (203) 529-6869