THE CONN. C L I P P I N«GsS fl h ¡o. S AU6 CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF ¡tfgjk GOLF COURSE • H S U PERINTEND EN TS ^^ 91978 MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES AUGUST 1978 Volume 11, No. 4 Grass Catcher Attendance at the regular monthly meetings has been astounding! The June meeting at Tumble Brook and the July meeting at Pine Valley both saw attendance at near or slightly over 80 people. Host superintendents Dave Stimson and Larry Della Bianca provided courses that were in excellent condition and good tests of golf for this year’s championship. The speakers at each meeting also had a great deal to do with the successful turn­ outs. Eugene Kimmel, a Norwalk attorney, spoke at the June meeting regarding wills. He explained the various laws in our state regarding wills and estate planning. He stressed the importance of having a will that states explicitly for the care of children and the division of property. Dr. Stephen Hitchcock of the Pesticide Compliance Office clarified some of the changes that had taken place recently re­ garding restricted chemicals. He also pro­ vided some background information that explained just what it is about a chemical that makes it restricted. His talk seemed to create a better understanding for the laws and the reasons behind them. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The sale of jackets by the S&R committee is going great guns. At last count nearly 100 jackets have been sold. These attractive lined jackets, which come in nearly any col­ or and bear the CAGCS insignia, sell for only $16. If you haven’t placed an order yet, call Bob Phipps or Dick Hoskings this very moment. Remember, all proceeds go to Scholarship & Research. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ June 30 was the deadline for payment of CGSAA dues. If you failed to pay by then the national has dropped you from its mail­ ing list. However, if you pay prior to Oc­ tober 1 you will be reinstated without re­ applying. You will also notice in this issue a subscription form for TH E GOLF SUPERINTENDENT. If you are not a member of GCSAA (you should be) and CAGCS Champions— 1 9 7 8 A (0-15) Gross — D. Cook (161) Net — D. Roule (146) B (16-40) Gross — D. Wells (166) Net — B. Osterman (181) Associates Gross — G. Bryant (163) Seniors Gross — B. Kennedy (170) Superintendent’s Invitational Low Net Wethersfield C.C. M. Gresh F. Bachand B. Kennedy F. Oleksak Low Gross Miller River C.C. R. B. E. L. Salito Furgess Tickey Napoli C .A .G .C .S Tournament Committee Report May Low Gross Low Net Kickers 14 Players P. Pierson J. Ferry M. Loper B. Viera T. Rainey A. LeSage First Round Championships June 50 Players A (0-15) B (16-40) Seniors Associate Guests Low Gross Low Net Kickers B. Phipps—80 B. Pierson—81 J. Perry—71 K. Ovian—70 P. Caswell D. Hoskings R. Tosh—69 E. Anderson—87 B. Osterman—69 D. Wells—88 R. Cook—81 G. Bryant—86 (Gross) M. Loper—70 (Net) L. Engler—85 (Gross) G. Kimmell—74 (Net) D. Stimson D. Cook Second Round Championship July 42 players A (0-15) B (16-40) Associate Seniors Guests Low Gross Low Net P. D. G. D. P. R. Parson B. Osterman Pierson Wells Bryant Cook Tedesco would like to recieve this fine magazine, just fill out the enclosed form and pay your money. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It is not too soon to start thinking about hosting a regular meeting or special event at your club next year. Your Board of Direc­ tors is in the initial planning stages for next season so speak up and volunteer your club. Dick Cook is especially interested in lining up clubs for the Superintendent’s Invita­ tional for 79, 80, and beyond. 2 Connecticut Association Of Golf Course Superintendents Officers President........Robert Osterman, CGCS The Golf Club at Aspetuck Office 203-261-2544 Home 203-261-0526 Vice-President Stephen Cadenelli Country Club of New Canaan Office 203-966-2145 Home 203-966-0223 Sec-Treasurer. David Stimson, CGCS Tumble Brook C.C. Office 203-243-0150 Home 203-289-6979 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bob Phipps Fred Bachand Ken Kelliher A1 Arison, Associate Director Robert Tosh, Immediate Past President The object o f this association is to en­ courage increased knowledge o f golf course management and greater professionalism through education, research, exchange o f practical experience and the well being o f each individual member. The CONN. CLIPPINGS is an official publication o f the Connecticut Association o f G olf Course Superintendents, Inc. Stephen G. Cadenelli, Editor 127 Country Club Road New Canaan, C T 06840 THE FOLLOWING HAVE BEEN VOTED IN AS NEW MEMBERS OF OUR ASSOCIATION. CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME! Paul Christ Superintendent — Class B Pequot Golf Club Stonington, Connecticut Ken Miller Ass’t. Superintendent — Class B Oak Hills Park Golf Club Norwalk, Connecticut Tim Pelletier Superintendent — Class A Pequabuck Golf Club Bristol, Connecticut Thomas Rainey Ass’t. Superintendent - Class B Canton Golf Club Canton, Connecticut Michael Streckfus Ass’t. Superintendent — Class B Golf Club of Aspetuck Easton, Connecticut Guest Editorial I read with great interest George Cleaver’s President Message entitled, “ Skilled Employees Need Financial Incen­ tive” in the April, 1978 issue of THE GOLF SUPT. Mr. Cleaver righfully con­ tended that because of the low wage scale paid by golf courses, skilled employees are hard to find and keep. In other words you get what you pay for. Mr. Cleaver was referring to the employees other than the superintendent in his article. However, I believe that this message should be carried a step further and should relate to the superintendent’s position also. It really irritates me to read the want ads in our trade publications and see something that reads, “ Wanted — Golf Course Superintendent for prominent Midwestern 18-hole course; B.S. degree in Agronomy or similar field required; must have at least three years experience as a golf course s u p e r in te n d e n t; sa la ry ra n g e — $15,000-$17,500.” Do you realize how much $15,000 equates to in an hourly wage scale? $7.21, and that’s figuring 40 hours a week times 52 weeks a year (I’d love to see the day when a superintendent averages 40 hours a week). Any dumb-dumb can today start at any major factory for at least $6.50 an hour and can be making more than $7.00 an hour in a year’s time. Plus he gets a full major-medical hospitalization plan,a pen­ sion plan, a dental and eye care plan, and who knows how many paid sick days and vacation. Then there is the “ skilled tradesmen” such as plumbers, electricians, bricklayers, etc. Let’s just say that they average $10.00 an hour (which is really a low estimate); this equates out to $20,800 a year. Then there is the golf superintendent. He is in charge of 120 acres of land valued in the area of between 3A and 1 million dollars. He is responsible for an inventory of machinery worth anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 and chemicals and fertilizer worth $15,000-$25,000. He has the capacity to be an agronomist, plumber, electrician, horticulturist, PR man, just to name a few. He delegates authority to a crew of at least ten persons, and his salary is $15,000. Plus the benefits are definitely not the best. To me that is a crime; actually a salary of only $20,000 is too low. The point that I want to make is that I believe we as golf course superintendents are underpaid. Yes, most of us like our jobs because it is a challenge; there is no routine, and it’s enjoyable being outdoors, etc. However, as Mr. Cleaver said in his message, “ But that doesn’t pay the bills.” I hope that a lot of green chairmen in Central Illinois see this editorial. Perhaps they can relate it to their club’s situation. Let them ask the questions, “ Out of the three positions at their club (club manager, pro, and superintendent), who receives the highest yearly income?” I bet that the ma­ jo r ity o f answ ers is n ’t the go lf superintendent. Then ask the question, “ Of those three positions, who has been at your club the longest?” The majority of answers to this is probably “ the golf superintendent.” Today’s golf course superintendent is highly skilled, dedicated professional. Then pay him like one!!! Dave Fearis CGCS 6525 Cedarbrook Lane Peoria, Illinois 61614 Credit “Central Illinois G olf Course Superintendents Newsletter” Vol. 4, No. 2 t Guest Lecturers Among CAGCS Again, a word of appreciation goes to( members of the association who par­ ticipated in the past academic year, 1977-1978, in our Plant Science program. Charley York demonstrated and spoke on the use and objectives of topdressing and' aerification equipment. Fred Bachand: demonstrated techniques used in turfgrass renovation. Gary Bryant lectured on and demonstrated the use of mowing equip- I ment. Dick Hoskings from I&E Supply/ Inc. lectured on irrigation, emphasizing new advances that have been made in recent years. Harry Meusel lectured on the role of the golf course in an urban environment. Also a word of appreciation goes to Curt ■ Stimson of the Magovern Company for the loan of aerification and topdressing equip- r ment. Participation of this kind by members and others in the turfgrass in-; dustry can only result in a more viable pro­ gram. Many thanks. Plant Science Day August 9 The annual Plant Science Day open house of The Connecticut Agricultural Ex- b periment Station will be held at Lockwood Farm in Hamden on Wednesday, August 9, 1978. There will be talks throughout the day on station research, displays will be set up, research plots will be open, and station staff will be on hand to explain their research and answer questions. The main speaker will be Dr. Leon Martel, executive vice president of the Hud­ son Institutue. The Hudson Institute is a i New-York based think tank that has done a number of studies on the future. Dr. Martel, a political scientist who has specialized in International Relations and Russian Studies, will talk on “ Food in the Future” at 11:35. He is co-author of the Hudson Institute study, “ The Next 200 Years, A Scenario for America and the W orld.” The farm will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visitors may come and go as they wish. There is no admission charge, and there is plenty of free parking. 3 Future Happenings February 1 and 2 AUGUST 8, 1978, MONTHLY MEETING Bel Compo Golf Club, Avon, Connecticut Tim Michaud — Host Superintendent This will be our association’s first visit to the fairly new Bel Compo Golf Club. Many will remember an article written several years ago describing the construction of this golf course which is built on a flood plain. Tim Michaud, who will be hosting us, is cur­ rently in his second year as superintendent there. Tim’s greatest challenge to date has been in maintaining around the tremendous play that the course gets. Tim’s prior train­ ing came under John Perry at the Country Club of Farmington and at the Tacoma Golf & Country Club in Tacoma, Washington. He is also a graduate of the turf program at Washington State University. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ AUGUST 21, 1978 FAMILY PICNIC * FUN FOR ALL * FREE Details to be mailed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ AUGUST 23, 1978 UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND TURF FIELD DAY URI Turfgrass Research Farm Kingston, R.I. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ SEPTEMBER 12, 1978 MONTHLY MEETING Mill River Country Club, Stratford, Connecticut Bert Furgess — Host Superintendent Our September gathering will be hosted by one of our more quiet gentlemen, Bert Furgess. Bert has been a member of CAGCS and GCSAA for eight years. He is present­ ly serving on the education committee as well. Prior to taking over at Mill River he was superintendent at the Birchwood Country Club and also worked at the country club of Fairfield. Bert is a graduate of the UMass Winter School. While at Mill River he has reconstructed several tees and carried out a program of overseeding the fairways to bluegrass. A Green Completed In the Fall of 1974, four Plant Science students majoring in Agronomy undertook the planning, design and construction of a practice putting green in cooperation with the athletic department at the University of Connecticut. Several other students this past academic year took on the responsibili­ ty to see that the green was made ready for play. It was open for use in October, 1977. The green measures approximately 10f000 square feet with a large roll through the center to make the putting interesting. The green serves several purposes. It is used and enjoyed by the University community and is an additional asset to the athletic facilities. It provided a difficult but meaningful learn­ ing experience for those students involved in its construction and maintenance. It also will serve in the future as a learning ex­ perience for those students interested in the culture of fine turf. However the project could not have been a large success if it were not for the cooperation of members from the Connec­ ticut A sso ciatio n o f G o lf C ourse Superintendents. A great amount of thanks goes for the efforts of Gary Bryant who volunteered time and to Fred Zeytoonjian of Turf Products Corporation for donating the drainage pipe and automatic irrigation system, to Bob Kennedy of Hart Seed for donating seed, and to John Grant from Old Fox for donating seed and fertilizer. Also to Bob Tosh, Fred Bachand, Charley York, Bill La Monica, Ken Kelliher and John Ferry who either donated equipment or volunteered time to the project. Sea Island, Georgia Will Host 1979 Tournament The 1979 preconference golf tournament will be played at The Cloister Hotel, Sea Island, Georgia,February 1 and 2. This location, approved by the Executive Com­ mittee, was chosen after consideration by the tournament committee of clubs in the Atlanta area and on Jekyll Island. The 36-hole Sea Island Golf Club, where CGSAA member James M. Hildebrand is superintendent, is known as an excellent golf complex. The course is located on the south shore of St. Simons Island, about five and a half miles from the hotel. The ladies’ tournament will be at one of the other two courses on Sea Island or at the nearby Brunswick Country Club. Sea Island and St. Simons Island are part of the beautiful semitropical Georgia coastal islands, about halfway between Savannah, Georgia, and Jacksonville, Florida. The Cloister is the only hotel on Sea Island, and is an outstanding resort com­ plex. In addition to its widely known golf course, it offers tennis facilities, a riding stable, skeet and trap shooting and ex­ cellent dining rooms and cocktail lounges. Group rates, including all meals, will be offered to CGSAA tournament players. In addition, the hotel will extend complimen­ tary green fees to players staying ai the hotel during the two tournament days, plus a practice round on Wednesday. Sea Island and St. Simons Island are link­ ed by a causeway to Brunswich and can be reached directly by air via Air south from Atlanta. Complete information about the tourna­ ment will be distributed the latter part of October, along with conference and show information. •