CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS Jl Volume 29, No. 4 President’s Message Peter R. Pierson CAGCS President The summer of 1995 will go down in the record books as the driest in Connecticut since the Civil War. While this past summer was considered the best in memory for vacationing, it surely was a very cruel season which made all golf course superintendents regain (if you ever lost it) a great deal of respect for Mother Nature. If during this past summer you lost close contact with your wife and children or significant other, take a break and say “Hello wife and family. I’m back among the living.” Get rid of those “summer personalities”. We must worry only about that which we can do something about. We can do nothing about the weather-good or bad Jackson to speak at October meeting I am sure that all plant pathology labs were extraordinarily busy this summer. The Tri State Research Foundation is supporting Dr. Jackson’s efforts in researching anthracnose and root pythium and their relationship to nematodes. Dr. Jackson will be speak­ ing at our October 16th meeting at Ell- (continued on page 2) CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS September, 1995 The summer from hell by Thomas Watroba, Superintendent Suffield Country Club This headache is killing me! I took two Advil an hour ago and still it keeps pounding. It’s 12:15 p.m., Thursday, August 24th. We have a one-day member-guest today with a one o’clock shotgun start. We’re trying to syringe as much turf as possible before the tournament starts and we’re having a rough time of it The Weather Channel called for partly cloudy skies, temperature in the high 80’s and humid. Instead, it’s sunny and dry around 80°, and the wind is howling. The wind gusts have to be 40 m.p.h. - at least! I hate those liars. They didn’t say a word about wind. I promise myself, time after time, that I will refuse to watch their lies; but, like an addict, I keep going back. We haven’t had a drop of rain in 19 days, and I’m sick of chasing wilt. I’m sick of standing by helplessly and watching unwatered areas of turf dying. My head is still pounding. A member playing in the Cheapskate Open (what my staff calls the members who never bring guests, but rush up to play the course before a one-day tourna­ ment starts) comments to me about how nice the weather is. I deadpan “For what? Killing turf?” He stares at me quizically as I add “Another week of this nice weather and the whole course will be dead.” He walks away. He’s not a bad guy-just clueless as to what the situation is. I’m miserable. I know it. Don’t talk to me. One of my syringe people rides up to me and I ask him if he’s done the 6th green. “I soaked it this morning like you said to do. I figured it was O.K.” he says. “It’s not O.K.”, I reply. “I was just on it 10 minutes ago, and it’s dry as a bone.” “Go get it!” We aerified greens this past Monday. I must be crazy, but can they take the water now? Speaking of water, I have got enough for about a week, maybe 10 days. I’m not sure, I’ve never seen my water supply this low. I wish it would snow. Green leaves are blowing out of the trees and 3rd green is covered. Boy, isn’t this weather grand? I drive up by the putting green area which is covered with carts and golfers preparing for the start of the tourna­ ment. I ponder the fact that we have (continued on page 3) September, 1995 Connecticut Clippings Page 2 President's Message (continued from page 1) ington Ridge Country Club about his research work and this past season in general. Do yourself a favor a plan on attending. Don't miss this chance to hear from one of the most respected turfgrass pathologists in this country. Support Tri State Research Foundation Support by CAGCS and our member clubs is very important to the success of Dr. Jackson’s work. The more member clubs who contribute to the Tri State Research Foundation, the more important local research can be undertaken. The following is a list of CAGCS member clubs who have contributed to the Foundation: Aspetuck Valley Country Club Black Hall Club Canton Public Golf Course Country Club of Darien Country Club of Farmington Country Club of New Canaan Country Club of Waterbury Ellington Ridge Country Club Greenwich Country Club Hartford Golf Club Hop Meadow Country Club Innis Arden Golf Club Oak Lane Country Club Orange Hills Country Club Patterson Club Pequabuck Golf Club Pittsfield Country Club Redding Country Club Rhode Island Country Club Silver Spring Country Club Skungamaug River Golf Club The Stanwich Club Tumble Brook Country Club Wee Burn Country Club Woodbridge Country Club Woodway Country Club The above list was furnished in early August It has been reported that since the contribution cards were included with the last Tri State Newsletter, more contributions have been received. If your club is not included in this list, we will surely acknowledge your con­ tribution in future issues of the CAGCS Board of Directors Clippings. Fall is a very important time for CAGCS. On October 10th, the Annual Scholarship & Research Tour­ nament will be held at the Watertown Golf Club, Bob Viera, host superinten­ dent. I would like to take a moment to thank all those who participate in the S & R Tournament. The monies raised at this tournament provide a large portion of our commitment to both scholarships and research. Con­ gratulations to all recipients of 1995 CAGCS scholarships. On October 16th, Ellington Ridge Country Club, David Vibber, superin­ tendent, is hosting our October monthly meeting. Our annual meeting and election of officers will be held on November 7th at Birchwood Country Club, Edward Consolati, superintendent, in Westport, CT. In early October you will receive the slate of officers and 1995/1996 budget for your review and consideration. This is your association. Plan on attending the annual meeting and let your thoughts be known. Have a great Fall! President & PPUC Rep. PETER R. PIERSON Pequabuck Golf Club Vice President PHILIP NEATON Black Hall Club Secretary JOHN NAPIER, CGCS Stanley Golf Course Treasurer HEATHER L. GARVIN Canton Golf Course Immediate Past President JOHN F. STREETER,CGCS Woodbridge Country Club Education BRIAN SKELLY Old Lyme Country Club S & R JEFFREY F. ROGERS Robert Baker Companies Golf Co-Chairpersons ANTHONY GROSSO Pautipaug Country Club ~and~ JOHN MOTYCKA Skungamaug River Golf Club Membership SCOTT D. GENNINGS, CGCS Wallingford Country Club Public Relations GREG STENT Wampanoag Country Club Social & Welfare JUD W. SMITH Orange Hills Country Club Commercial Rep. to Board JEFFREY F. ROGERS Robert Baker Companies CAGCS Office P. O. Box 3678 Woodbridge, CT 06525 Telephone & Fax Nos. (203) 387-0810 Connecticut Clippings is an official publication of the Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents. Newsletter Editor John F. Streeter, CGCS Committee Anthony Grosso Pautipaug Country Club -and- Thomas Watroba Suffield Country Club Photos David Basconi Brian Pope September, 1995 Connecticut Clippings Page 3 The summer from hell (continued from page 1) been open since March 23rd with carts and have not lost a full day due to the weather. Man, am I tired! I wish I could sleep for a week, maybe a month. Who’s that guy who fell asleep? Rip Van Winkle? Yea, Rip Van Watroba! Wake me up when this nightmare of a summer is over. Another member walks over to me and says, “Tom, this weather’s got to be killing you. It’s brutal.” I think to myself, all right, this guy’s cool, he knows the score. I nod my head as he adds, “You’ve done a great job of keeping the course up this summer. I realize it’s been difficult.” I thank him and ride away. I feel better for 30 seconds or so, my head still hurts. I tell myself, you gotta hang in there... gotta hang tough. You’ve been through rough times before. Things will get better.” I pause and wonder why on earth I ever wanted to be a golf course superintendent. Why is it more important to me to have this golf course survive this summer than my own physical or mental well-being? Oh well, it must be a blood thing! I see the boys draining their hoses on a hill. It’s time to get out of the way. I’ll go into my office, grab a couple more Advil, maybe get something to eat. Just another day in the summer from hell. Thomas Watroba Suffield Country Club It's good to hear some candid thoughts from our members. Although this has been an unusual season for most, it is important that we communicate with the proper channels in our clubs to make them aware of our delimmas. One must remember that this is the business we have chosen. We have to pre­ pare ourselves for the worst, hope for the best, and be ready to make a plan and change a plan. As with our everyday lives, our business has gone through many changes in the past ten years, and I am sure there will be many more as we approach the next century. We would very much like to hear from some of you out there who would like to share a couple of paragraphs of their experiences during this summer from hell! John F. Streeter, CGCS Editor PARTAC TOP-DRESSING GOLF COURSE AMERICA'S PREMIUM TOP-DRESSINGS HEAT TREATED ))) GEOTEXTILES & TURF BLANKETS /// U.S. GOLF HOLE ((( TARGETS AND MUCH MORE! 800-247-2326 DISTRIBUTED IN CT BY: JAMES CARRIERE & SONS 914-937-2136 VALLEY FARMS SUPPLY 203-651-8555 Wb^siTS? (800) 243-7582 -j CHOICE OF BENTGRASSES - Maintained at ^/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 Connecticut Clippings Page 4 CT Pesticide Supervisory & Operator License Exams GOLF COURSE LAWSUIT The CAGCS office has obtained applications and manuals for each of these exams. Each exam requires pre-registration and the payment of the license fee which covers the cost of the test and the license. If you would like to take the Supervisory exam, you must complete Ute applica- tion and return it with the $25 license fee. Once there are enough applications to offer the exam, you will be notified. The exam is usually offered every 4 - 6 If you would like to take the Operator exam, you must complete the application and return it with the $20 fee. The schedule for the remainder of the year for the Operator exam is as follows and is given at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.: October 16th November 13th, and December 11th at the Hartford Extension Office, UCONN Branch, 1800 Asylum Ave., West Hartford, CT. (Parking on Trout Brook Dr.) The CT DEP has advised us that they are looking for locations in the w . area; but, as yel. they have not been able to secure a location. Applications and manuals may be obtained by calling the CAGCS office 203/ 387-0810, or directly from the Pesticide/PCB Management Division (860/424- 3369). A lawsuit was brought against the Town of Groton, Shennecossett Golf Course, claiming that a 6’ high chain link fence was not properly main- tained-specifically, the stanchions on top that normally hold barbed wire. The complaint stated that personnel did not replace wire that had been removed, causing injury to the plain­ tiff’s left ring finger when he was climbing the fence to return to the course after retrieving a golf ball that was hit through the fence by another golfer in his threesome. On July 26, 1995, after three full days of testimony given during the trial, the jury rejected the claim and sided with the defendant, Shennecossett GC, respecting the fact that the fence is a barrier and is not meant to be climbed. Robert Chalifour, CGCS Shennecossett Golf Course Tee