CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS^! a CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS Volume 28, No. 2 June, 1994 President's Message Peter R. Pierson CAGCS President The media and the game of golf by Don Hearn, CGCS Weston Golf Club Weston, Massachusetts As thoughts of the '93-'94 winter are fading and what it left at many of our golf courses, we should all be thankful that we have been spared the floods of the midwest, the earthquakes of the west coast, and the violent tornados and storms which raised havoc around the country within the past year. I am very pleased to report to the membership that the financial condi­ tion of CAGCS is very good. We are presently at the membership level of which the 1994 budget was drafted. The Connecticut Clippings has received very strong advertising income for the current year, and the advertising support is running well ahead of the 1993 level. The Connecticut Golf Summit held on March 26th was a strong success. Russ Palmer, Executive Director of CSGA, did a great job in organizing the event. It was a pleasure for me to work with the CSGA, the CT Section PGA, and the CT Managers Assoc. David Oatis from the USGA Green Section did a great job in presenting the "Ten Pitfalls of Golf Course (continued on page 2) Don Hearn, CGCS, is the golf course superintendent at the Weston Golf Club in Weston, MA. He is past president of the New England GCSA and GCSAA and has been a golf course su­ perintendent for 25 years. He wrote this article which appeared in the Janu- ary/February, 1994 edition of the"USGA Green Section RECORD" and, with his permission, we have re­ printed his article. Television viewing of golf events has reached huge proportions, with millions of people watching golf on TV each year. The U.S. Open Championship gained full coverage of all 18 holes of the final two rounds in 1977. Over 9.9 million people viewed the last half hour of the 1993 U.S. Open! Every major television network will carry some type of golf event this year. The American golfer watches televised golf in num­ bers greater than in all of history. Golf on TV is covered by announcers with various backgrounds, from foot­ ball player to sportswriter to profes­ sional golfer. Devout viewers receive much of their education on the game from these announcers and, therefore, they (the announcers) have tremendous influence on the way many golfers think. The game depends upon accurate interpretation of the Rules and precise definitions of terms. However, many announcers, playing the role of ring­ master, are carelessly using terminolo­ gy that is confusing and inaccurate. A new generation of golfers, educated by TV, is emerging on the scene. It seems the game of golf has taken on an air of almost "blood sport" pro­ portions, the combatants being the players and the golf course! The judge and jury are the media -- particularly the television analysts and commenta­ tors. No longer does a player's ball roll across the green — the ball "releases." Approach shots do not stop quickly - they "check." On a recent telecast, viewers were told the "greens aren't releasing." It's as if the green was an active partici­ pant playing the role of opponent! The announcer leads the viewer to believe (continued on page 3) President's Message (continued from page 1) application industry. At every legisla­ tive session, someone wants to further restrict the ability of the professional applicator to perform their job. Maintaining the presence of PPUC at the Connecticut Capitol is not inex­ pensive. Working with other disci­ plines (arborists, pest control opera­ tors, lawn care, etc.), PPUC can rep­ resent member organizations much more effectively than any organization could do by themselves. PPUC needs the support of every golf course in Connecticut to help protect the golf course superintendent's ability to provide the best course con­ ditions possible for their membership. I would urge each and every superin­ tendent to consider membership in PPUC. Enclosed with this newsletter is a membership application. If you need information about membership in PPUC, please contact me at work (583-2427) or home (635-5413). Maintenance"... three times, mind you! CAGCS has again renewed our blue sponsorship of the Cannon Greater Hartford Open. The sponsor badges, day coupons (exchanged for a day pass) and parking passes (2) will be available at the "Will Call" trailer at Millane Nursery in Cromwell. Millane Nur­ sery Garden Center is located about a half mile south of the TPC at River Highlands entrance on Route 99. The sponsor badges and parking passes should be signed out and returned at the end of the day. Take advantage of this member benefit. I don't want to get on a soap box, but I would like to have CAGCS members listen to a few words con­ cerning PPUC - the Environmental Industry Council. PPUC is the only representation the Professional Pesti­ cide Users of Connecticut have at the legislature. CAGCS is a charter mem­ ber of PPUC and golf is a very strong financial contributor to the organiza­ tion. Just a few short years ago, PPUC and the Clean Water Coalition worked very had to draft posting and prenotifi­ cation guidelines for the pesticide CAGCS Board of Directors Watch what you say? In the course of your conversation each and every day, Think twice, try to be careful of what you have to say; Your remarks may be picked up by someone's listening ear, You may be surprised at what some people think they hear. Things that you innocently say, or try to portray, Can be changed and greatly exagger­ ated along the way; Many stories change for the worse as they are retold So try to keep any questionable remarks "on hold". May I give all of you some very sound advice? When you speak of others, say something nice; Try to say good things, regardless of who is around, If you have nothing good to say, don't utter a sound. You may find that an innocent remark, in the end, May lose you a close and valued friend. Henry Lesser President & PPUC Rep. PETER R. PIERSON Pequabuck Golf Club Immediate Past President JOHN F. STREETER CGCS Woodbridge Country Club Connecticut Clippings is an official publication of the Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents. Newsletter Committee John F. Streeter, CGCS, Editor Public Relations SCOTT GENNINGS, CGCS Wallingford Country Club S & R Committee HEATHER GARVIN Canton Public Golf Course Social & Welfare JUD W. SMITH Orange Hills Country Club Commercial Rep. to Board JEFFREY F. ROGERS Robert Baker Companies Vice President PHILIP NEATON Black Hall Club Secretary JOHN NAPIERACZ, CGCS Stanley Golf Course Treasurer JOHN MOTYCKA Skungamaug River Golf Club Education MICHAEL WALLACE, CGCS Hop Meadow Country Club Golf Co-Chairpersons ANTHONY GROSSO Pautipaug Country Club -and- JEFFREY F. ROGERS Robert Baker Companies Membership BRIAN SKELLY Old Lyme Country Club - 2 - The media and the game of golf (continued from page 1) the green chose not to cooperate with the golfer. Imagine that! One would not dare insinuate that perhaps the golfer did not hit it ... hard enough! The truth is, the player, not the green, is the source of the deficiency. It is amazing how the laws of nature change during golf tournaments. For example: Winds don't blow — they swirl. Balls don't roll one way or the other because of surface slope and gravity — grain makes this happen. Greens don't become drier as the day goes by — they become crusty. I've been a golf course superintendent for 25 years and I've never seen a crusty green. Firm, yes. Dry, yes. But crusty? Burnt toast is crusty. I am sure commentators and other media people do their best to describe what takes place in a way that is inter­ esting to viewers, listeners, and read­ ers. The incorrect use of adjectives and other technical agronomic terms, how­ ever, is hardly profession. There seems to be an almost syco­ phantic relationship between the media and the players. The announcers place great stock in the professional golfers' assessments of golf course conditions and events. Case in point: A very pop­ ular professional golfer stated he would not have played in the PGA Championship at Inverness if he had known the greens would be as slow as he thought they were. In his opinion, they were "too slow" for a major championship. Some years ago, a famous golfer exclaimed he did not play in the Pleas­ ant Valley Golf Classic in Sutton, MA, because the fairways, at the time, were Kentucky bluegrass, not bent­ grass! (The fact is, there was almost no Kentucky bluegrass in the fair­ ways, but lots of annual bluegrass -- the same grass that dominated the fair­ ways at most other PGA Tour stops in the North! -- Editor). The media accept these statements as if the player has infallible knowledge and authority. As a result, the player feels a power to persuade the masses, and the focus by others becomes the golf course and the playing conditions. The axiom "play the ball as it lies" no longer is the theme of golf. Golfers have become catered-to athletes. Grain on greens, particularly during the early part of the Tour schedule, is the number-one topic of announcers. Grain can cause golf balls to defy the laws of gravity! Grain, for the record, is the direction or arrangement of grass leaf blades, often forming a pattern. During the Bob Hope Chrysler Clas­ sic, played on different courses in the Palm Springs area, viewers were fre­ quently reminded that putts will break toward the close-by community of In­ dio. Viewers were also informed that the grain grows toward the setting sun, and therefore will affect the route of putts. Further, they were told putts will break away from the mountains. Now, if Indio is east of the tournament site, and the sun sets west of the same site, and the closest mountains are located south... which way will the putt break? Surely the slope of the green has the most significant influence on the direc­ tion of the breaking putt, not the mystical forces emanating from the mountains, the sun, or downtown Indio! Golfers tell me that they are sure putts can break uphill because of grain even on triple-mowed tourna­ ment turf cut at 7/64 of an inch! I wonder where they got that idea? Being critical of the media is easy, especially of those on television. Their job must be more difficult than it looks, and to be dragged over the coals for the slightest mistake must be frus­ trating. However, one of their missions is to provide insight and factual information to the viewer. The "isms" spoken with authority are well (continued on page 4) - 3 - EGYPT Sterilized FARMS Ton Z inc \ Dressing WHITE MARSH, MD (410) 335-3700 1-800-899-SOIL (7445) EGYPT FARMS EXCLUSIVE! All top dressing ingredients are thorough­ ly 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 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-site 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 Powered rotaiy brush and thatcher attachments for grain control and healthy turf, non-floating head design for true cutting heights, and dual powered drive rollers for straight cuts make this unit the premier walk-behind greensmower. WESCO FORD TRACTORS 27 Broad Street Norwalk, Conn. 06851 203-847-2496 The media and the game of golf (continued from page 3) Televised golf has made everyone stop and take notice of golf course conditions. beyond my ability to understand their origins. One commentator stated, "The grain's moving left to right, toward the setting sun. He [the player] played quickly. The grain got him." Does this mean if he had played more slowly the grain would not have gotten him? Or does it mean the grain prevented the putt from falling in the hole? Either way, it seems the grain, not the player, had the most influence upon the ball. I've often wondered — if the grain grows toward the setting sun, is there a period when it also grows toward the rising sun? And if it does, at what point in the day, or evening, does it re­ verse direction from growth toward the setting sun to growth toward the rising sun? How's this one: "You can't see it or feel it ... but it's there!" This was an analyst's observation on grain during a major Tour event. I wonder how this analyst would react if I told him the sidehill-downhill putt he was about to attempt really didn't break downhill on the sidehill. Rather, it broke uphill on the downhill because, though he couldn't see it or feel it, there was a mound on the sidehill that would cause his ball to break uphill. I'm sure my observation would be dismissed, if not my sanity questioned. But, here is an analyst who can make an unfounded or inaccurate observation and have those listening accept it as Gospel. This is especially true if they are profes­ sionals from the Tour. Gain central control of any existing controllers, regardless of make or manufacturer. Each COPS-Universal radio field unit has up to 42 stations per field unit. Ideal for retro-fitting parks, median strips, school grounds, and golf courses. COPS-Universal lets you change any field controller into a field satellite and manage your entire system from a central PC. COPS- Universal offers: • Communication by repeating or direct radio. (No new controllers or communication wire.) • Unlimited programs, unlimited start and run times to meet all your water management needs. • Freedom to use valves as you choose, regardless of hard-wiring constraints. For a personal demonstration, contact: Art deAtienza or J. Anderson Main Office: 243 Woodmont Road • P.O. Box 3049 • Milford CT 06460 • (203) 878-0658 IOI PI E. SUPPLY CO. IO PIPE & IRRIGATION llmlll EQUIPMENT SUPPLY COMPANY Rnrknpr PUCKHOI | I've had golfers tell me what is said on TV must be true because professional golf­ ers know such things. Many golfers assume, or believe, that professional golf­ ers are well versed in agronomy. When I point out that this is not usually true, they're amazed. Some, I feel, don't readily accept this pre­ mise and proba­ bly never will. - 4 - But driving a car does not make you an automobile mechanic. Does it? The most disconcerting aspect of the incorrect information supplied by some commentators and writers is the effect it has on golf course superinten­ dents and their profession. Althought a statement like "the grain took it" may seem inocuous, it is truly amazing how golfers can believe the reason a putt behaves strangely is because of the grain they heard about last week­ end on TV. Of course, grain did not affect putts to the extent it now does until commentators used it as an excuse for missed putts. The seemingly incessant harping about the grain, particularly on over- seeded greens, has reached the point of being ridiculous. If bermudagrass is the "grain culprit" and is overseeded with cool-season grasses such as rye­ grass, bentgrass, or Poa trivialis, the ball doesn't even contact the bermuda­ grass because the bermudagrass lies dormant under the overseeded grasses. The cool-season grasses are not grainy because they are seeded at high rates, grow very upright, and are cut very closely. A suggesion to help remedy what I believe is a problem is to have com­ mentators meet with golf course superintendents prior to air time. One well-known personality told me he walks the course early in the day to get a feel for what the player will experience. USGA and PGA Tour public relations people should be in­ terested in making sure this time is available for their golf tournaments and championships. The USGA, and PGA Tour go to great lengths to expend untold resources to insure a top-quality golf course for their events. Superintendents prepare for months prior to the event only to lis­ ten to inaccurate remarks from media personnel. Better education is the key. The media need to get together with the USGA and Tour officials and involve the people who really know the most about golf course preparation and turfgrass - the superintendents. A fast forward in truck design Lawrence, Ma 01843 I -800-999-TURF Bloomfield, CT 06002 JACOBSEN TEXTRON Jacobsen Division of Textron Inc. CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS! Around the Association Welcome new member 1994 Green Books W. Toby Berry - Class A Patton Brook Country Club Congratulations To John and Jane Gallagher on the birth of their son, Sean Thomas, on May 6th. It has come to our attention that some of the Green Books were not properly collated. If your Green Book is one of those and you would like a new one, please contact the CAGCS office (387-0810). Cruise in the works Reservations for monthly meetings All CAGCS members are asked to make their reservations for monthly meetings as timely as possible. Please make note of the deadline date. If you are mailing your reserva­ tion on the deadline date, please call the CAGCS office (387-0810) and leave your reservation on the telephone answering machine. The Social & Welfare Committee has tentatively planned a cruise with music for CAGCS members and friends for July 16th. With this particular company, we will be the only party on the cruiser. So, watch your mail for further details! The deadline date for the July issue of the Clippings has been extended to July 5th. Classified Items For Sale / Verti Drain; type 105.145; work­ ing width - 4' 11"; working depth up to 12"; new 1992 (used once); sale price $15,500. Call Anthony Grosso at Pautipaug Country Club (822- 8597). The following items are for sale by Bob Alonzi, CGCS, Winged Foot Golf Club, tel: (914) 698-2827. Cushman; two 3-wheel Cushmans; good running condition. Int'l PTO Tractor; Series 2400; auto transmission; w/5600 hours. Jacobsen Greensmowers; 1988- 1989; six mowers w/groomers. Brush Chipper, Mitts & Merrill, 1972; new clutch & blades; perfect running condition. Smithco Rake; super rake-16 w/2100 hours. Standard Duo-Rakes; new still in boxes. Toro Tractor; 1984 - HTM175; 7-gang w/verticutting units; only 220 hours; like new. FREE - Steel lockers & 4-drawer steel filing cabinets. 59 Dwight Street Hatfield, MA 01038 800-346-5048 We’re not just a FERTILIZER company! Your Custom Fertilizer & Grass Seed Blender Also Offers: Fairway Aeration - DOL Overseeding Custom - Fairway Application * Fertilizers (Liquid & Dry/Bag & Bulk) ♦ Grass Seeds ♦ Natural Base Organic Fertilizers * Erosion Materials * Insecticides/Fungicides/Herbicides * Technical Assistance For More Information Contact, Paul McDonough @ 203-779-9811 or Chris Cowan @ 413-247-5687 Consistently High Quality Competitive Prices Prompt Delivery CONNECTICUT MULCH DISTRIBUTORS, INC. KEN LINDELAND WOOD CHIPS — BARK — LANDSCAPE TIES Business Address Mailing Address 1300 East St. 1515 North Stone St. Suffield, CT. 06078 W. Suffield, CT. 06093 Telephone (203) 623-2987 Fax 292-1047 - 6 - Bruce Morse, Norwich Country Club, hosts April monthly meeting With ail of the snow and ice this past year, it took a brave soul to host our April meeting. However, Bruce never thought for a moment that it would be a problem, and Norwich was in excellent condition on April 14th. The 60+ golfers enjoyed the kick-off of our season with a two-man scramble tournament format. Frank Lamphier, Aspetuck Valley Country Club, hosts first round of CAGCS Championship & Met team qualifying The first round of the CAGCS Championship and Met Team qualifying round were held at the ever-challenging, well-conditioned layout at Aspetuck Valley. The final round is scheduled for June 14th at Crestbrook Park Golf Club. The 1994 Met Area Team Championship will compete in October at a site yet to be determined. First Round Scores Low Gross Mike Dukette - 76 Ward Weischet - 78 Mark Millet - 82 Low Net Winners 0 - 11 Flight Fran Graziano - 69 Frank Lamphier - 70 Scott Niven - 75 12 - 24 Flight Stephen Basile - 63 Lynn Engler - 67 Mike Wallace - 68 Shawn Donovan - 69 The Robert Baker Companies Winfield Nursery Inc. Route 168 1700 Mountain Road West Suffield, CT Yard (203) 668-5225 Fax (203) 668-5802 Jeff Rogers Home Phone (413) 569-5831 25 - 36 Flight Dave Basconi - 70 Kevin Williams - 71 Scott Gennings - 74 Phil Neaton - 75 Gross Leaders for Met Team Mike Dukette - 76 Ward Weischet - 78 Frank Lamphier - 79 Stephen Basile - 81 Scott Nivan - 83 Mike Miner - 85 Net Leaders Met Team Stephen Basile 63 Shawn Donovan - 69 Frank Lamphier - 70 Mike Miner - 70 Dale Wesselman - 71 - 7 - METRO MILORGANITE, INC. For a HEALTHY ADVANTAGE over SEASONAL PROBLEMS WE OFFER a WINNING LINE UP: Milorganite Emerald Isle. Ltd. • Pana Sea • Pana Sea Plus • SAND-AID • THATCH-X Country Club • FERTILIZERS • TOP DRESSINGS • BIOSTIMULANTS • SEED • PESTICIDES • GOLF COURSE ACCESSORIES Rick Apgar Scott Apgar Joe Stahl Metro Milorganite Inc. DEPEND ON US FOR FOUR SEASON SOLUTIONS (914) 666-3171 Fax (914) 666-9183 365 Adams Street, Bedford Hills, NY 10507 TksukTk (800) 243-75821 CHOICE OF BENTGRASSES - Maintained at 5/32" and 1/4" - Penncross ’Providence ’Pennlinks 3-Way Fairway Blend Pallets or Big Rolls Washing Service Available High Fine Fescue Mix Versatile Blue-Fescue-Rye Mix Low-Cut Blue-Rye Available Farm Inspection Welcomed Prepare for OSKA inspections Turf and ornamental businesses are subject to an unannounced inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) due to a 1991 update of the OSHA Act of 1970. Violations may result in citations and fines. The most common OSHA citations include: • No written program • No employee training • No MSDSs for the pesticides present program • MSDS file not up-to-date • No product inventory • No written chemical hazard inspection. Written programs should include this key information: • Who you are and what you do • Key work areas and their respec­ tive managers. • Name of the person responsible for maintaining the list of chemicals and MSDS file. • The person responsible for review­ ing MSDSs and chemical lists. • What training includes • Who handles training. • How new hazards are assessed. • Protective and emergency equip­ ment available. How prepared are you? By reviewing three main areas, you can determine how well your business would fare in the event of a surprise Training programs should cover the following areas: • Information on the Right-to- Know laws and your company’s pro­ gram. Powered Up To Go The Distance The New Hunter G-700 Take a look at the beefy, new G-700 with Hunter’s proven and reliable gear drive. This large-radius rotor features the industry’s first Pure Flow Valve filtration system for dependable performance in the toughest water conditions. New, patented Pressure Port Nozzling also ensures efficient water distribution across the entire 76' to 100' radius range. The G-700 • Check-O-Matic, Hydraulic and Electric V.I.H. • 3%" pop-up prevents wet spots around head • Logo cap with recess for yardage markers • Five-year exchange warranty Authorized Hunter Golf Distributor FfifSCOW IRRIGATION - ENVIRONMENTAL (8001225-8006 ■ (6171461-1560 Dedham, MA • Basic information on the pesticides and their physical hazards. • How to read an MSDS and pesti­ cide label. • Where MSDSs and the written program are kept. • Where special hazards are located. • Protective and emergency plans and procedures. A third critical area to review is your facility. Take a few minutes to review several areas: • Chemical inventory and storage lo­ cation. procedures. • Labels on all containers. • Train employees in safe handling Thank you to Bob Lippman of West­ chester Turf Supply for providing this information. The G-700 Electric Valve-In-Head with Pressure Regulation Hunter Dedicated To The Irrigation Professional 1940 Diamond St. □ San Marcos, CA 92069 □ U.S.A. □ 1-619-744-5240 □ FAX: 1-619-744-7461 GCSAA Professional Certification Program Certification Renewal Requirements "CGCS" signifies professional excellence. To maintain this level of excellence, Certified Golf Course Superintendents must keep abreast of the latest techniques and requirements in the rapidly changing world of golf course maintenance. Continual train­ ing and education is essential. Certified Golf Course Superinten­ dents must renew their certification every five years. To maintain certifica­ tion, an individual must accumulate a minimum number of Continuing Edu­ cation Units (CEUs) during their five year renewal period OR retake, and successfully complete, the certification examination. CEUs can be obtained by participat­ ing in GCSAA sponsored educational events; participating in non-GCSAA sponsored educational events that have been pre-approved and assigned CEUs by GCSAA and/or completing course­ work offered by an accredited organiza­ tion that utilizes valided CEUs or some other recognized unit of credit, i.e. college or university credit hours. The GCSAA Certification Program is progressive. As a result, the renew­ al requirements have undergone several changes over time. An individual's recertification date determines which specific requirements are applicable to them. The varying recertification CEU requirements are oudined below: Recertification Date July 1, 1992 - June 30, 1994 15 CEUs Required • At a minimum, 3.0 CEUs from GCSAA seminars and/or correspondence courses. • 2 CEUs are available for attending a GCSAA National Conference. Up to 10 Conference CEUs can be submitted per renewal period. July 1, 1994 - June 30, 1997 15 CEUs Required • At a minimum, 4.9 CEUs from GCSAA seminars and/or correspondence courses. • 2 CEUs are available for attending a GCSAA National Conference. Up to 8 Conference CEUs can be submitted per renewal period. (Individuals who must renew within this time frame may substitute the require­ ments for recertification after July 1, 1997) After July 1, 1997 10 CEUs Required • At a minimum, 7 CEUs from GCSAA seminars and/or correspondence courses. • CEUs for attending GCSAA's National Conference are not applicable. tifiulate? WHOM Designed to Cut Grass, Not Ruin it! • Unsurpassed Contoured Cut • Straightforward Maintenance • Rugged Patented Design • Proven Performer—Worldwide Model 721R 1 O’ Cut Capacity with 7 Heads and 1" to 5" Cat PTO Driven 21" Floating Rotary Decks No Hydraulic Drive Motors, Hoses, Valves, Pumps, Leaks, Maintenance, or Headaches WinT A-OK Turf Equipment, Inc. Mike Comicelli ~ Telephone (401) 826-2584 - 9 - Dallas ... some reflections By Patrick Lucas, CGCS In the midst of GCSAA's 65th Con­ ference & Show, a theme about rela­ tionships was recurring. It began with the keynote address by Zig Ziglar as he stressed the solid connection between success at home and success on the job. Ziglar said, "How well you do at home affects how well you do on the PARTAC TOP-DRESSING GOLF COURSE AMERICA'S PREMIUM HEAT TREATED TOP-DRESSINGS TTRAR CEOTEXTILES & TURF BLANKETS TARGETS «U.S. GOLF HOLE 800-247-2326 DISTRIBUTED IN CT BY: JAMES CARRIERE & SONS AND MUCH MORE! 914-937-2136 VALLEY FARMS SUPPLY 203-651-8555 job." Goals, Ziglar said, are not just for the job. We must have goals for our family and personal life, such as being a better spouse or a better parent Scheduling both family and recrea­ tion time must be one of our goals; and it must be a priority in our sched­ uling, not just something we try to salvage with whatever time is left over from the job. Ziglar then went on to talk about at­ titudes which affect our behaviors. He stressed that we are all "finders" of either negatives or positives in life, and encouraged us to become "good finders" instead of "fault finders". Part of being a "good finder" is having an attitude of gratitude, looking around and seeing the many things to be grateful for. And, the more we look, the more we find. Midway through the conference, Dr. Donald Waterstreet directed an educa­ tional session entitled "Eliminating Self Defeating Behaviors". Speaking from first-hand experience, he stressed that difficulties and problems in life are "givens" and we all have to deal with them. However, it is not the dif­ ficulties themselves, but rather our reactions to them that cause a prob­ lem. The bottom line is that our dis­ position, not our circumstance, creates the problem. No one can make you angry without your permission. Since human behavior is a learned response, we can relearn and develop new and healthier responses to life circumstances. Another example comes from society's message that we must be per­ fect "Being a perfectionist is like liv­ ing on a treadmill,” Waterstreet said. "We can never be quite good enough." Here again, we do have choices. We can choose to break out of old behav­ iors and take on new; find our own unique potential, and commit to devel­ oping healthier relationships with fam­ ily, business associates, and most of all, with ourselves. GCSAA's Annual Prayer Breakfast featured Agronomist Robert Brame, CGCS. His message again focused on relationships. "Why has life today become so complicated?" It is so be­ cause we are taught to focus on things which are really unimportant, even trivial. In our day and age, the unim­ portant has become important, and the important has become unimportant. The more we get wrapped up in our­ selves, the more our lives become complicated and less satisfying. Personally, I found these presenta­ tions an important part of the confer­ ence. Before I returned home, my les­ sons on relationships were not over. As I was flying back from Dallas, my wife, Michele, leaned over to share a quote by Lewis Carroll from a book she was reading; "One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others." WHITE CONTRACTORS GOLF COURSE CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION Thomas A. White James E. Morris, jr. 203-637-5251 914-234-0092 P.O. Box464 Old Greenwich, CT 06370-0484 - 10 - P.O. Box 569 Litchfield, Conn. 06759 GREENWOODS, INC. Tree Surgery Turf Insect Control Aeriation by Toro Hydroject Scott Perssonatti Certified Turf and Ornamental Supervisor 567-3345 283-6477 The Clippings ___________Calendar____________ CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS EVENT Cruise LOCATION HOST Watch for further details! CAGCS CAGCS Monthly Meeting Woodbridge Country Club Woodbridge, CT John F. Streeter, CGCS DATE July 16 (Tentative) July 19 August TBA CAGCS Annual Picnic To Be Announced CAGCS September 15 CAGCS Monthly Meeting Pequabuck Golf Club Pequabuck, CT Peter R. Pierson October 4 October 11 November 7 CAGCS Annual S&R Tournament Torrington Country Club Torrington, CT Edward Goodhouse CAGCS Monthly Meeting CAGCS Annua! Meeting Elmridge Country Club Pawcatuck, CT Charles & Joseph Rustic! Old Lyme Country Club Old Lyme, CT Brian Skelly CAGCS thanks these patrons for their continued support of our Association A-OK Turf Equipment Articulator Dealer Coventry, RI 02816 Michael D. Comicelli (401) 826-2584 Nor-Am Chemical Co. 3509 Silverside Road Wilmington, DE 19803 David J, Sylvester (203) 828-8905 Anderson Turf Irrigation, Inc. 5 Cronk Rd., P. O. Box 7036 Plainville, CT 06062 Jesse J. Anderson, Jr. (203) 747-9911 Eastern Land Management, Inc. Golf Course Construction/Renovation Shelton, CT 06484 Bruce T. Moore, Sr. (203)924-7272 & (800)926-GREEN Egypt Farms, Inc. Golf Green Topdressing (800) 899-7645 (Soil) The Tene Co. (201) 473-3393 Metro Milorganite (914) 666-3171 Glenmore Landscape Service 98 Hack Green Road Pound Ridge, NY 10576 Glenn S. Moore (914) 764-4348 Atlanticlirig. Specialties/ Supplies 70 Research Drive Stamford, CT 06906 Tim Pogue (800) 886-4774 B & P Turf Farm, Inc. Windsor, CT 06095 Rollouts-Installations Services Peter-Celina O'Meara (203) 683-0158 - (800) 201-8873 Boston Irrigation Supply, Inc. Dedham, MA 02026 Hunter Golf Rotors & Valves John Ramey (617) 461-1560 Bruedan Corp, of Connecticut E-Z-CO& YAMAHA GOLF, TURF & UTILITY VEHICLES Scott O. Lowe - Frank Savakis (800) 773-6740 Cadwell & Jones, Inc. P. O. Box G, Buckland Station Manchester, CT 06040 John Schuller (203) 643-0644 A1 LaPrise (401) 438-5000 The Cardinals, Inc. P. O. Box 520, 166 River Road Unionville, CT 06085 John Callahan (203) 673-3699 James Carriere & Sons, Inc. 7 Cottage St., Port Chester, NY Trap Sand - Partac Topdressing BiU Carriere (914) 937-2136 D & S —■ Floratine Products, Nova Tee Flymo, Douglas Rollers, Trion Lifts Dave Basconi (203) 250-TURF Double Eagle Turf Maintenance Equipment Wallingford, CT 06492 Carl J. WaUace - John Paty (203) 265-6006 Golf Cart Services, Inc. 275 Wells Street, P.O. Box 327 Greenfield, MA 01302 Jim Bernier (413) 772-0955 Greenacres Company Irrigation & Landscape Contractor Redding, CT Dave Pijnenburg (203) 938-8618 GridTech 294 Valley Rd., Middletown, RI Soil Improvement-Canadian Geese Control Charlie Baskin (401) 849-7920 FAX (401) 849-7937 The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Wethersfield, CT 06129-0169 Roy Sibley - Roger Barrett Ron Holcomb - Jim Harris (203) 529-2537 & (800) 326-HART Imperial Nurseries, Inc. 713 Pigeon Hill Road Windsor, CT 06095 Steve Fawber (800) 950-6054 Lesco, Inc. 20005 Lake Road Rocky River, OH 44116 Mike Donahue (800) 321-5325 FAX (800) 673-3030 Lofts Seed Company 68 White Cedar Drive Madison, CT 06443 Paul Bednarczyk (203) 421-4641 & (800) 526-3890 Metro Milorganite, Inc. 365 Adams Street Bedford HiUs, NY 10507 Joe Stahl - Scott Apgar (914) 666-3171 or (203) 321-0678 R. F. Morse & Son, Inc. West Wareham, MA 02576 ParEx - KPower - Vertidrain William D. Raus (508) 295-1553 Partac Golf Course Top-Dressing Great Meadows, NJ 07838 (800) 247-2326 (908) 637-4191 BiU Carriere (914) 937-2136 Joe BidweU (203) 651-8555 Pro-Lawn Products, Inc. 102 Conklin Road Stafford Springs, CT 06076 Mike Dukette (203) 684-6242 Sawtelle Brothers, Inc. Lawrence, MA 01843 Bloomfield, CT 06002 Peter Moran & James Rock (800) 999-TURF The Scotts Company 14111 Scottslawn Road MarysviUe, OH 43041 Steve DiVito (203) 723-5190 Shawnmark Industries, Inc. Specialty Products & Service Warwick, RI 02888 Matt Howland (24 hours a day) (401) 295-1673 Terre Company of NJ, Inc. 206 Delawanna Ave., P. O. Box 1000 Clifton, NJ 07014 Byron Johnson, Jr. (203) 748-5069 Toelles Road Sand & Gravel Co. Wallingford, CT 06492 Golf Course Sands & Topdressing Hal Kraus (203) 561-2442 Turf Products Corporation 157 Moody Rd., P. O. Box 1200 Enfield, CT 06082 John Ferry - Mark Loper (203) 763-3581 Turf Specialty, Inc. 15 Londonderry Road, Suite 3 Londonderry, NH 03053-3388 Dave Schermerhom (603) 437-0008 Westchester Turf Supply, Inc. P. O. Box 198 Lincolndale, NY 10540 Bob Lippman (914) 248-7476 FAX (914) 248-6862 White Contractors Golf Course Construction & Renovation Old Greenwich, CT 06870 James E. Morris, Jr. (203) 869-8808 Winding Brook Turf Farm, Inc. 240 Griswold Road Wethersfield, CT 06109 Donald Grant (203) 529-6869 & (800) 243-0232