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ASSOCIATION OF

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SUPERINTENDENTS^«

VOLUME 10 No. 4

OCTOBER 1977
T a>

President’s M essage
During the past two years it has been
my privilege and pleasure to serve as Pres­
ident of this association. It has been a time
of reward, frustration, excitement, depres­
sion, but most of all it has been a time for
moving ahead. Personally, the position of
President has made me a more complete
person. I have been able to meet and get to
know many of the fine people within this
industry. It has given me the confidence to
stand before an audience of my peers with­
out feeling the shakiness below. For the as­
sociation it has been a time of minor
change but more importantly a time when
new goals have been set and mechanics for
achieving these goals have been set in mo­
tion.
I have been only a part of this overall
plan. Without the dedication and hard
work of the Vice-President, Bob Osterman,
the entire Board of Directors, little could
have been accomplished. The streamlining
of association government, by-law revis­
ion, upgraded educational programs and
the like are direct results of board meetings
as well as the imput from the general
membership. These people deserve your
thanks and your appreciation. It behooves
you as a member of this association to learn
the function of the board. It works for you
and makes for a better association. Better
yet, become involved. Volunteer for com­
mittee assignments and make the associa­
tion work for you.
Elsewhere in the Clippings the report of
the Nominating Committee is published. A
fine slate of officers has been nominated to
serve you next year. Bob Osterman, who
has been nominated as President has
dedicated himself to working for a better
association. He has served as newsletter
editor, Secretary-Treasurer and Vice-Presi­
dent. He has headed up the Organizational
Study Committee and has served on na­
tional committees. Bob has worked hard
and will provide this association with fine

Grass Catcher
Many thanks to Dave Roule and the
members of Clinton Country Club for host­
ing the August meeting of CAGCS. Dave
must be complimented for the excellent
condition of the golf course. In spite of
being out of water or nearly out for the
previous month, Dave had the course look­
ing and playing quite well. One surely did
notice the lack of poa in the fairways and
predominance of bluegrasses. Could there
be a lesson here?
Although the scheduled speakers was
unable to attend a good educational session
did follow in the form of an open panel
discussion by every one in attendance. This
was the second time this season that such a
discussion was held and again it proved
quite interesting and helpful.
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GCSAA
Landscape Seminar I

Principles
of Landscape
for Clubhouse
& Golf Course
November 2 & 3,1977

Meriden, Connecticut
REGISTER N O W
leadership. Give him all of your support.
In closing I’d like to thank each and
every one of you for your past support. It
has been a pleasure.
Bob Tosh

The September meeting of CAGCS, a
joint venture of the Rhode Island GCS, was
a well-attended event and also the second
round of the superintendents champion­
ship which again was won by Frank Lamphier. Although I was unable to play golf I
did notice that the course looked to be in
excellent condition and these observations
were backed up by those who played. Bob
Chalifour, as always a gracious host, had
the day well organized. After golf everyone
met at the Elks Club where dinner and the
program followed. Dr. Tom Duff of the
University of Rhode Island gave a very
interesting talk on the possibility of devel­
oping an improved variety of poa annua.
He stressed that such a venture was still in
its infancy, that such work if carried out
would be extremely slow and time-consumming. However, the possibility of such
work being done is exciting and does offer
at least, possible alternates to chemical
control which will be more difficult as the
years pass.
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Don’t forget to register for the Land­
scape Seminar to be held in Meriden at the
Holiday Inn on November 2 and 3. This
promises to be an interesting and helpful
two days. More and more clubs are asking
the superintendent to dress up the club­
house area and indeed, even out on the
course. This seminar will provide excellent
information for designing and implement­
ing your landscape plans.
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Hasn’t this been some year for wea­
ther! At this writing the rain continues to
fall and has been doing so for nearly ten
straight days. It has definitely hampered
fall renovation projects as well as aerating
and overseeding. Since the terrible colds
and snow of last winter, the weather has
been extremely inconsistent and difficult to
work with. All of us in this profession have
had our hands full on our courses. There
should be much for discussion and ques­
tions at the conferences and seminars of
the not too distant future.
Continued on page 2

Connecticut Association
Of Golf Course
Superintendents

Organizational Study Committee Update

The purpose of the Organizational
Study Committee has been to study the
organizational aspects of the Connecticut
Association of Golf Course Superinten­
Officers
dents, its by-laws, and to make recom­
President.................................Robert Tosh
mendations that will benefit all members of
Rockrimmon C.C.
the association. With this in mind the
Office 914-764-8846
Committee met bi-monthly for the last sev­
Home 914-764-4425
eral months hashing over ideas, soliciting
Vice-President................................. RobertOsterman
ideas from guests, and finally putting to­
The Golf Club At Aspetuck
gether two categories of information that
Office 203-261-2544
would be offered to the membership.
Home 203-268-9081
Although the by-laws have just recently
Sec-Treasurer.....................David Stimson
been revised, it became obvious that many
Tumble Brook C.C.
shortcomings existed within. Therefore, a
Office 203-243-0150
list of by-law provisions is being drawn up
Home 203-289-6979
and will be sent to all Class A members.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The revisions are in the areas of: object of
Bob McCarthy
Jim Medeiros
the association, Class A membership, vot­
Ron Holcomb
Bob Viera
ing rights, requirements of membership,
Ken Kelliher
SteveCadenelli
committee selection, election of directors,
A1 Arison, Associate Director
and associate and/or commercial member­
Frank Lamphier, Immediate Past President
ship. These areas within the by-laws
proved to be most in need of revision. The
The object of this association is to pro­
Committee feels strongly that continued
mote research, education and an exchange
yearly review of the by-laws is necessary to
of practical experiences in the field of turf
assure that the by-laws are always kept
grass culture so that the increased knowl­
current.
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, Inc.
Stephen G. Cadenelli, Editor
127 Country Club Road
New Canaan, CT 06840

New Officers
and Directors
Nominated
Bob Viera, Chairman of the Nominating
Committee, reports the nomination of the
following people for positions on the Board
of Directors:
Bob Osterman
President
Steve Cadenelli
Vice-President
Dave Stimson
Secretary-Treasurer
Bob McCarthy
Director
Ken Kelliher
Director
Director
Fred Bachand
Grass Catcher
Continued from page l
This has also been a season of innumer­
able pests and disease. The hyperodees
weevil, although heaviest in Fairfield
County, is on the move and has been found
throughout the state. The New Haven area
has had serious difficulty with the dung
beetle. At any given time serious outbreaks
of pythium, fusarium, and more common
diseases could be found. Indeed, it has
been that kind of year.
Steve Cadenelli

Educating a Crew &
Sharing Information
are Superintendent’s
Job
If the golf course superintendent is to
do a quick and efficient job, he must be
able to educate his crew regularly and in
depth. It isn’t easy to find time in a hectic
day during the golf season to tend to the
basics that don’t affect the golfers directly,
but it is essential to do it anyway. Follow­
ing are some ideas to help the superinten­
dent see to the effective education of his
crew:
First, share information with them first
thing in the morning, when they are fresh
and not yet busy all over the course. Tell
them in as few words as possible what you
need them to know. Don’t let your thoughts
stray or the conversation wander from the
subject.
Share praise promptly with all crew
members. It doesn’t always have to be in
group meetings, but when you see a good
job being done, stop and say so. Occasion­
ally mention some especially well done
work in your group meetings — it builds
morale. But be very careful to criticize dis­
creetly and in private. Always try to work
in a little encouragement or helpful sug­
gestion with the criticism so it isn’t just
negative words. This will help build trust
and confidence that will spill over into all
areas of your crew’s work.
Focus whenever possible on what a
topic means personally to the crew. A well-

The second category formed relates to
general recommendations made to the in­
coming Board of Directors for improving
the association and its offerings to the
members. A broad list of recommendations
includes: formation of a speakers bureau to
promote our profession, further study of
the district concept of organization, rein­
statement of educational meetings in Jan­
uary and February, reduction of the num­
ber of general business meetings and
changing of the regular format for regular
meetings, expansion and changes in social
get-togethers, continuation of member sur­
veys, changes in S & R guidelines, and
broadening of scholarship offerings.
Undoubtedly there will be questions
about much of the above. It is important
that questions are asked so that a complete
understanding of these revisions and
recommendations can be understood.
When you receive these proposed by-law
revisions read them and make it a point to
attend whatever meetings will be
scheduled to enact these revisions. These
revisions are for you! Be There.
Steve Cadenelli
kept green can be a reflection of their per­
sonal pride and abilities. “ What’s in it for
me?’’ is a key point of view that’s guaran­
teed to get their attention.
Keep your presentations short — don’t
kill the subject with words. Break it into
segments you can handle in short sessions
several days running if it takes more than
15 or 20 minutes. Try to allow as much time
for questions as you do for your own talk­
ing.
Follow up your teaching sessions with
on-the-job information. You might explain
how a new nine-gang mower works in the
shop and then have the operator run it in
your presènce for a while, for instance.
Communication is part of the turfgrass
manager’s job, both with the crew and also
with golfers. Remember, you’ll also have
to communicate with the *reen committee
and club officials, so get in practice and
learn to relay information efficiently and
comfortably. It will pay off.
Reprint from ‘‘Forefront

Landscape Seminar I
Registration Form

Future Happenings
OCTOBER 6 — MONTHLY MEETING
Cliffside Country Club, Simsbury, Ct.
Ron Holcomb — Host Superintendent
Our host for the October meeting, Ron Holcomb, is one o f CAGCS's more active
and hard working members. As a member o f the Board o f Directors for the past three
years, he has reorganized much o f the association s membership files and has worked
to set up procedures to keep track o f all new and existing members. He has also
worked unselfishly in getting out meeting notices to all members each month resulting
in considerable savings to the association.
Ron has been at Cliffside for seven years and before that served as assistant
superintendent at Crestview Country Club in Agwam, Massachusetts. He is a member
of GCSAA as well as CAGCS.

NOVEMBER 2 and 3 — GCSAA LANDSCAPE SEMINAR I
“ Principles of Landscape“
Holiday Inn, Meriden, Connecticut
Make plans now to attend this seminar in Connecticut which is being sponsored by
CAGCS. Topics o f special interest include:
Functionalized Landscaping
Identification o f Specialized Needs
Balancing Beauty and Need
Design o f Comprehensive Plans
Selecting Proper Materials
PLAN NOW TO ATTEND

NOVEMBER 8 — ANNUAL MEETING (LUNCHEON)
Pine Valley Golf Club, Southington, Ct.
Leo and Larry Della Bianca — Hosts
The father and son operated Pine Valley Golf Club will be the site o f 1977 CAGCS
Annual Meeting. Pine Valley, owned by Leo Della Bianca, has been in existence since
1960. Formerly in the construction business Leo always wanted to own and operate his
own golf facility. So in 1960 he and his brother with the help o f Ben Kowalski, the first
superintendent, built the Oron Smith designed golf course. Since that time there have
been many changes. Leo is now the sole owner and his son Larry, who has grown up
with the golf course, is the superintendent. They are presently installing automatic
irrigation in stages, are initiating a program o f tree and shrub plantings to dress up the
golf course and have hopes of redesigning several o f the holes.

DECEMBER 3 — CHRISTMAS PARTY
Wethersfield Country Club, Wethersfield, Ct.
Fred Bachand — Host Superintendent
Mark this date down early so that you may attend our annual Christmas party. Ken
Kelliher has done an excellent job ofplanning this event which will run from 7:00 p. m.
to 1:00 a.m. and will include hors d ’oeuvres, dinner and dancing. All this for only
$30.00 per couple!

GCSAA 49th International Turfgrass
CONFERENCE AND SHOW
February 12-17, 1978
“ ECONOMY THRU IDEAS“ is the
theme for the premier turfgrass industry
conference and show, sponsored by the
Golf Course Superintendents Association
of America. This is a once-a-year oppor­
tunity for turfgrass managers, educators
and industry representatives to learn about
and share the latest ideas and develop-

San Antonio, Texas
ments in turfgrass management, services
and equipment Exhibits featuring new
products for the turf industry will be open
February 14-16; the conference will be in
session February 12-17. This is the place
for you to meet the other people who make
the turfgrass industry dynamic and to cap­
ture dollar-saving ideas. See you in San
Antonio in ’78.

Yes, I want to attend the
GCSAA Landscape Sem­
inar I in
Meriden, Connecticut
Wednesday & Thursday
November 2 - 3 , 1977

My check, made payable to GCSAA Land­
scape Seminar I, for $_______ is enclosed.
(GCSAA Members $50.00 each, non-mem­
bers $70.00 each.)
Send to: Director of Education
GCSAA
1617 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence, Kansas
66044

Name ______________________ No____
Title ______________________________
Address_____________ Phone_________
City_______ State_______ Zip_______
Cancellation Policy — Fee will be deducted
as follows: 2 weeks prior to seminar 10%: 1
week prior 20%; 2 days prior 30%. No
refund within 24 hours.
THE FOLLOWING HAVE BEEN VOTED
IN AS NEW MEMBERS OF OUR ASSO­
CIATION. CONGRATULATIONS AND
WELCOME.

Doug Hall
Assistant Superintendent
Country Club of New Canaan
New Canaan, Ct.
Richard Klimaszewski
Assistant Superintendent
The Farms Country Club
Wallingford, Ct.
Jeffrey Roule
Superintendent
Madison Country Club
Madison, Ct.
Brian Skelly
Assistant Superintendent
Tasuha Knolls
Trumbull, Ct.
George Gregory
Superintendent
Borough of Fenwick
Old Saybrook, Ct.
Adam Laverty
Assistant Superintendent
Borough of Fenwick
Old Saybrook, Ct.
John Napieracz
Assistant Superintendent
Stanley Golf Club
New Britain, Ct.
Carl J. Wallace
Associate
Magovem Co.
Windsor Locks, Ct.

The Following Companies Are Contributing To The Support Of The Conn. Clippings:
AGWAY, INC.
22 Pub Circle
Hebron, Conn. 06248
Bob Barber, CAGCS member
(203) 646-3668
ALPINE TREE CARE, INC.
P.O. Box 1034
New Canaan, Ct. 06840
Thomas Porter, CAGCS member
(203) 323-7245
ANDERSON-WARNER
ENGINEERING CO., INC.
Turf Irrigation
164 Nod Road
Avon, Conn. 06001
Jesse Anderson,
CAGCS member
(203) 677-0225
ANDREW WILSON, INC.
1170 Route 22
Mountainside, N.J. 07092
Bob Lippman
(914) 248-5790
Ken Kubik
(201) 654-5900
CHAS. C. HART COMPANY
304 Main St.
Wethersfield, Conn. 06109
Robert Kennedy,
CAGCS member
Mark Loper, CAGCS member
(203) 529-2537
CLORO-SPRAY
Div. of Henry E. Sanson
& Sons, Inc.
475 Beaver Street
Bristol, Pa. 19007
E.J. Sanson, CAGCS member
Frank Paladino
(212) 338-2153

Conn. Clippings

FERN CLO GOLF CAR CO.
5 Shelter Rock Road
Danbury, Ct. 06810
James H. Rowe,
CAGCS member
(203) 744-7757

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

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

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

LARCHMONT ENGINEERING
AND IRRIGATION, INC.
Larchmont Lane
Lexington, Ma. 02173
Stephen P. Butler,
CAGCS member
(617) 862-2550

TURF PRODUCTS CORP.
1496 John Fitch Blvd.
South Windsor, Conn. 06074
Roy Sibley, CAGCS member
Gary Bryant, CAGCS member
(203) 289-3471
Roger Morhardt
(203) 838-7581
TUCO DIVISION
OF UPJOHN CO.
David J. Sylvester
CAGCS member
47 Main Street
East Berlin, Conn. 06023
(203) 828-3790

OTTAWA SILICA COMPANY,
CONN. DIVISION
Mystic White Trap Sand
154 Lantern Hill Road
Ledyard, Conn. 06339
Sam Audia
(203) 536-2618

VALLEY FARMS
TURF NURSERY
Box 81
Avon, Connecticut 06001
Joe B¿dwell, CAGCS member
(203) 658-6886

PURPLE KINGS FARM
Custom Greens Dressing
Northwest Hill Road
Williamstown, Ma. 01267
Ralph Mason
(413) 458-4646

THE MAGOVERN CO.
Windsor Locks, Conn. 06096
Lloyd Russell, CAGCS member THE REICHERT COMPANY
Curtis Stimson, CAGCS member Oilzum Motor Oils & Lubricants
(203) 623-2508
P. O. Box 273
Riverside, Conn. 06878
METRO MILORGRANITE, INC. Frank Reichert
P.O. Box 267
(203) 661-1816
Hawthorne, N.Y. 10532
John Wistrand, CAGCS member SOMERS TURF SUPPLIES
(914) 769-7600
P.O. Box 294
Devon, Conn. 06460
Bill Somers, CAGCS member
NORTHEASTERN TURF
CORP.
TOM IRWIN, INC.
730 Hopmeadow Street
11 B A Street
Simsbury, Conn. 06070
Burlington, Ma. 01803
Robert Scully, CAGCS member John Callahan, CAGCS member
(203) 658-0387
(203) 677-7054

WHITE TURF, INC.
5 Summer Drive
Winchendon, Ma. 01475
William E. Ussinger,
CAGCS member
(203) 434-8629
ALBERT ZIKORUS
Golf Course Architect,
Member ASGCA
Do Little Drive
Bethany, Conn. 06525
(203) 393-2635

Please
Support
These
Companies

FIRST CLASS

Stephen G. Cadenelli, Editor
127 Country Club Road
New Canaan, Ct. 06840

U.S.PÜS IAGE
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