CONNECTICUT
CONNECTICUT
ASSOCIATION OF
COIF COURSE
•

SURERINTENOENTSjMMj

CLIPPINGS
Volume 15, Number 6

DECEMBER 1982

pest 'Ptsljes for a |JLjjji{j atth prosperous 1983
Share the Excitem ent
at GSSAA
(continued)

In the October/November issue of Connec­
ticut Clippings, my report of the First
Annual Newsletter Editors’ Seminar in­
cluded articles on: the GCSAA educational
program, the conference and show, and
Golf Course Management magazine. The
coverage of the seminar continues with
articles regarding: The Move of GCSAA
Headquarters and the Simmons Survey.

The Move of GCSAA Headquarters

GCSAA headquarters is located in Law­
rence, Kansas. Kansas is a beautiful state,
and the Lawrence area is particularly pleas­
ant. The rather small but attractive head­
quarters building is adjacent to a 36-hole
public golf course (Alvamar Hills) and is
just a stone’s throw away from Kansas
University. Kansas is, of course, centrally
located in the United States—halfway be­
tween the West coast and the East coast.
Accessibility was a prime consideration for
the Lawrence location. With these points in
mind, it may seem as though Lawrence is an
excellent place for a National headquarters—
but let’s take a closer look.
Does Lawrence have access to the pivotal
marketplaces that can enhance the op­
portunity to conduct business in a compre­
hensive way? Does Lawrence contain the
government, technological, financial, com­
munications, marketing and golf expertise
that our association must interact with on a
regular basis? Can an individual or group
feasibly combine a trip to GCSAA head­
quarters with a visit to the PGA head­
quarters, the NGF headquarters, a National
convention, a famous golf complex or even
a vacation trip? Does Lawrence have a
substantial pool of qualified golf-oriented
(con’t. on page 2)

54™

International Turfgrass
Conference & Show

Seminar Plans Complete

The Education Committee headed by
Jim Medeiros has completed plans for the
Annual CAGCS Winter Seminar to be held
January 18, 1983 at the Plainville Holiday
Inn. Diversification best describes the 1983
program as areas to be discussed include:
annual and ornamental use, computers,
growth regulators as they might pertain to
poa annua, expected standards for play,
new approaches to turfgrass research as
well as an update on various pesticide
regulations. As usual credit for pesticide
license recertification will be granted those
who attend and who pass the take-home
test.
The Winter Seminar has become a much
looked forward to fixture on the CAGCS
annual calendar. Many superintendents
have found it a very useful tool for educating
their crews at little cost. Successful turf
managers have become very aware of the
need to expose their key personnel to as
much practical and technical information
as possible. They realize that the key to
successful management is getting work
done through others. Consequently, the
more informed an employee is, the more he
can accomplish. Don’t hesitate to send
those key employees to such a seminar. It
will be money well spent. The successful
turf manager also realizes that it is all too
easy to fall into that “Oh-I’ve heard it all
before” routine. Although sometimes tedious,
seminars and conferences serve as refresher
courses that are constantly needed. Without
staying abreast of changing theories and
methods one can easily become a member
of the “What the hell happened” club. So
be sure you head that group of employees
seeking new knowledge.
'Remember, send your pre-registration
check ASAP as it is three dollars cheaper
than at the door. Lunch is included in the
price. Also, this year’s Seminar is at the
Holiday Inn in PLAINVILLE not Hartford.
Steve Cadenelli

Connecticut Association
Of Golf Course
Superintendents
President

Michael Wallace, CGCS
Rockledge Country Club
Office 203-233-3594
Home 203-673-4608
Vice President Peter Pierson
Edgewood Golf Course
Office 203-635-2211
Home 203-635-5413
Sec.-Treasurer David Simson, CGCS
Tumblebrook C.C.
Office 203-243-0150
Home 203-289-6979

2

GCSAA, the move, in my opinion, is cer­
tainly justifiable. I feel that, with Jim’s
foresight and leadership, the best kept
secret in golf—that of the Golf Course
Superintendent—will no longer be a secret.

(con't. from page 1)
individuals who would be suitable for em­
ployment at GCSAA headquarters? Can
GCSAA staff frequently and feasibly meet
face-to-face with allied associations’ staff in
Lawrence? GCSAA would certainly not be
considering this move if the answer to these
questions was yes. Unfortunately, Lawrence,
Kansas falls short on many of these points.
The GCSAA executive committee has
made the preliminary decision that it will
be necessary to move the Association’s
headquarters facility out of Lawrence,
Kansas. Because Florida satisfies many of
the aforementioned criteria as a prime spot
for the headquarters, the executive com­
mittee is strongly considering Orlando for
its new complex. I believe that this move
has been well thought out, and it is certainly
worthwhile.
A final point regarding the move is Ex­
ecutive Director Jim McLaughlin’s view­
point in this matter. Jim has indicated that
he would leave his position as executive
director of GCSAA if a move will not occur.
Jim feels strongly that the move is essential
if our association is to progress into the
forefront of the golf industry. Regardless of
whether Jim McLaughlin stays or leaves

January 7, 1983
USGA REGIONAL CONFERENCE

The International Golf Club
Bolton, MA

January 18, 1983
CAGCS WINTER SEMINAR

Holiday Inn
Plainville, CT

February 17, 1983
CONNECTICUT
GROUNDSKEEPERS
CONFERENCE

Hartford Civic Center
Hartford, CT

February 19-25, 1983
GCSAA 54TH INTERNATIONAL
TURFGRASS CONFERENCE &
SHOW

Board of Directors

Greg Wojick
Mike Reeb
James Medeiros
Steve Divito
Thomas Fletcher
Ted Maddocks
Ron Holcomb
Steve Cadenelli, CGCS Imm. Past President
John Ferry
Associate Director
The object of this association is to en­
courage increased knowledge of golf course
management and greater professionalism
through education, research, exchange of
practical experience and the well being of
each individual member.
The CONN. CLIPPINGS is an official
publication of the Connecticut Association
of Golf Course Superintendents, Inc.
Greg Wojick, Editor
1347 Newfield Avenue
Stamford, CT 06905

Future Happenings

It s Conference and Seminar time again. The
main conference room in the Hilton Hotel,
New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Simmons Survey

In an effort to better understand what its
members need and want, GCSAA con­
tracted with the Simmons Market Research
Bureau, Inc., (NY, NY) to survey the class A
members of GCSAA. The 64-page survey
gives the staff more direction when tailoring
its programs for members’ needs.
The respondents were categorized by
geographic regions: Northeast; Southeast;
Midwest; South; Northwest; Southwest, and
also by course type: 9 holes; 18 holes; 27
holes; 36 holes or more; 31,000 or more
rounds during 1980; privately-owned course;
college-graduate or more. Jim Prusa, when
presenting this survey to the newsletter
editors, pointed out that, in future surveys,
zip codes will be used to more-accurately,
locate specific needs and problems.
Here are some examples of the inform­
ation collected:
• 80.5% of Northeast superintendents do
not have written employment contracts.
• 54.4% of Northeast superintendents close
their regular greens during the off-season.
• The average annual salary of Northeast
area superintendents’ wives is $5,470.
• The level of education of Northeast area
superintendents:
6.5%—some high school or less
23.8%—high school graduate
44.5%—Two-year associate degree
21.8%—bachelor degree
1.1%—other
• 64.9% of the Northeast area superin­
tendents play golf regularly.
• 86.1% of the superintendents in the
Northeast have the responsibility of
setting up their course for tournament
play.
Other questions provided information
regarding net worth, savings, investments,
salary and bonuses of golf course superin­
tendents.
Greg Wojick, Editor

Atlanta, GA

March 1-3, 1983
UMASS TURF CONFERENCE &
SHOW
Springfield Civic Center
Springfield, MA

March 17, 1983
USGA REGIONAL CONFERENCE

Westchester Country Club
Rye, NY

Questions & Answers
Question:

My lawn is developing brown spots—
what do I do?—Salerno, Italy.
Harry Meusel, golf course superinten­
dent at the Yale Golf Course (New
Haven, CT), recently received a phone
call from a resident of Salerno, Italy
(this is a true story, by the way). This
resident (name unknown) apparently
has the only lawn in Salerno (something
to do with the climate, soil conditions or
whatever). Every Sunday the entire town
walks by his home to look at his lawn.
The problem that this prideful homeowner has is that his lawn is developing
brown spots. The resident says that the
spots have been caused by a dog who is
urinating on his lawn! He called Harry
for advice—

Harry’s Answer:

Get rid of the dog!
If you have a question or a question and
an answer (as Harry did), that you would
like to see published in Connecticut
Clippings, send it to:
Questions & Answers
c/o Greg Wojick, Editor
Connecticut Clippings
1347 Newfield Ave.
Stamford, Connecticut 06905

The Scottish Way

This article has been reprinted from Conn.
Clippings April 1971 Vol. 4 No 1.
Scotland is where it all began and from
this unique and beautiful country the game
of golf was brought to these United States
with all the frustrations that go with it from
the Players point of view and from the
maintenance point of view.
If there is humbleness in your soul it will
come from within you at least half way
around the Old Course at St. Andrews. You
cannot curse the hazard your ball is in
because it was there before your ancestors
were born. You can say to yourself, “How
lucky I am to be walking this ground that
has brought pleasure to more people than
any other sport we know.”
It was a great experience to see the
people who turned out each day on the golf
courses visited, in any kind of weather, to
play their game, the way they have for
centuries. Anywhere you go people talk golf
and of the great tournaments and fine golfers
who played in them in the past. They will
also tell you where the big ones will be for
the next few years, and just what each
course will offer new to challenge the
worlds best golfers.
Improvements are made on the golf
courses in Scotland but only after great
study and planning. The exception is the Old
Course at St. Andrews, that is a state of
preservation and will never change except
from natures hand. Some courses are now
enlarging tees due to the increase in play
both from the Scots and the growing tourist
trade. I did see some greens rebuilding and
strangely enough the new designs are still in
keeping with traditional small green design
which most courses have in Great Britain.
The practices on the various courses are
similar to our New England courses in that
the frost danger is still there in the Fall and
courses are closed until the danger has
gone. Other hazards are different like the
Crows that fly onto the courses at St.
Andrews and pick up divots looking for
insects. You see divots all over the turf and
think for a while that the golfers here are
worse than at home. When you get in a
bunker you might be unfortunate enough to
lose a ball in a rabbit hole. There are
hundreds of rabbits there and they dig in
every day, and bunkers are easier digging
than through the fescue of the fairways.
The grasses are different than in New
England, as the fescues grow naturally there
and without much fertilizer. The abundant
rainfall and moderate temperatures make

TRAINING

1
.....
W ould Y ou
Pun

that

3

President’s M essage
Life has many twists and turns which
will never be answered. Just when one
feels he has the answer another event or
happening occurs which causes us to stop
and ponder.
The fall and winter months are the
time when we should stop, consider and
evaluate ourselves and our programs.
Don’t think for a minute that next year
will be any different. Poor weather,
equipment failure, and many other
problems will still be there. Now is the
time to search out new solutions. Get out
and visit with neighboring clubs. Younger
superintendents should visit and learn
from those with years of valuable ex­
perience. Attend educational seminars
and conferences.
It is also the time we on the board of
directors are working to lay the ground­
work for next year’s events. If you would
like to become involved or host a meeting
please contact a director. It is your
association and your input is extremely
valuable.
Don’t rest on your laurels or you may
soon find them resting on you. Go out,
learn, search for solutions. Be part of the
solution and not part of the problem.
Michael Wallace C.G.C.S.

for good growth, but not rapid. Cutting is
not as frequent generally in all of Scotland,
as the weather controls the rate of growth
with cool winds. The greens have bent
grasses of many varieties and you can even
find some Poa Annua here and there.
The soil on the seaside courses is as
expected sand based and well drained. The
root systems are excellent and shot making
is very smooth through the turf. On the
inland courses there is generally a very
heavy soil, and a rock and ledge problem
some places. The rocks are evidenced by
the many stone walls along property lines
and roadways. Buildings are also commonly
built of fieldstone or brick.
We should congratulate the members of
the Scottish Greenkeeping Association for
the fine job they do on the hundreds of golf
courses in Scotland. Thousands of golfers
from abroad play there annually and surely
all come away completely satisfied with the
fine conditions of the courses.
Pierre Coste

Grass Catcher
Did you know that Ed Zenisky’s main­
tenance building burned down? On De­
cember 7, the barn that was used as the
Oaklane Country Club’s maintenance build­
ing burned to the ground—equipment and
all! Superintendent Ed Zenisky has put out
a plea to all Golf Course Superintendents
in our association for used equipment. If
you have any used equipment that you
would want to sell, contact Ed. He surely
needs all the help he can get. Tough luck,
Ed—Keep the faith.

The Old Fox Chemical Company has
announced that Henry J. Lesinski will take
over as area sales representative for the
retiring John Grant. Henry has indicated
that he would soon like to join our associa­
tion. We look forward to having him as a
new member.

Congratulations to Scott Niven who re­
cently became the new Golf Course Super­
intendent at the Stanwich Golf Club in
Greenwich. Scott comes to Stanwich from
the Siwanoy Country Club where he served
as superintendent. Also moving to Connect­
icut is Larry Pakkala who is the new
superintendent at Woodway Country Club
in Darien. Larry moves over from St. An­
drew’s Golf Club where he had been super­
intendent the past several years. Best
wishes to both!
Kevin D’Amico has left the Highland
Golf Club, in Shelton, to become the new
Golf Course Superintendent at the Westwood Golf Club in West Hartford. Good
luck in your new job, Kevin.
If you would like to hold a regular monthly
meeting of CAGCS in 1983, contact Jim
Medieros or any member of the education
committee. They are now in the process of
planning their schedule for the upcoming
season.
*

Jfc Jfc 5ft

through

AGAIN?

I would like to take this opportunity to
thank Steve Cadenelli, John Motycka,
Mike Reed and Bill Somers who helped me
with Connecticut Clippings in 1982. We
had a very successful year and I’m looking
forward to an even better year in 1983.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Following Companies Are Contributing To The Support Of The Conn. Clippings:

ALPINE TREE CARE, INC.
745 Post Road
Darien, CT 06820
Rolf Brandt, CAGCS member
(203) 655-8008
ANDERSON TURF IRRIGATION,
INC.
Turf Irrigation
164 Nod Road
Avon, CT 06001
Jesse Anderson, CAGCS member
(203) 677-0225
ANDREW WILSON, INC.
15 Brown Avenue
Springfield, NJ 07081
Drew Morrison
(201)467-1400 Office
(201) 273-8555 Home
AQUA-LAWN, INC.
Irrigation Contractors
328 Figlar Ave.
Fairfield, CT 06430
Louis Toth, CAGCS member
(203) 255-3075
(203) 255-2774
BLUE RIDGE PEAT FARMS, INC.
Blended Top Dressing
RD 1, Box 292-A
White Haven, PA 18661
Gene Evans
(714) 443-9596
JAMES CARRIERE & SONS, INC.
Trap Sand & Partac Topdressing
7 Cottage St.
Port Chester, NY 10573
Bill Carriere, CAGCS member
(914) 937-5479
(914) 937-2136
C.B. DOLGE COMPANY
Westport, CT 06880
Raymond G. Miller, CAGCS member
(203) 227-9591
CHAS. C. HART COMPANY
304 Main St.
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Robert Kennedy, CAGCS member
Roy Sibley, CAGCS member
(203) 529-2537

CLORO-SPRAY
THE MAGOVERN CO.
Div. of Henry E. Sanson & Sons, Inc. Windsor Locks, CT 06096
475 Beaver Street
Carl Wallace, CAGCS member
Bristol, PA 19007
(203) 623-2508 Windsor Locks
E.J. Sanson, CAGCS member
(203) 348-8211 Stamford
Frank Paladino
METRO MILORGANITE
(212) 338-2153
P.O. Box 267
EGYPT FARMS, INC.
Hawthorne, NY 10532
Sterilized Greens Topdressing
John Wistrand, CAGCS member
White Marsh, MD 21162
(914) 769-7600
(301) 355-3700
OLD FOX CHEMICAL CO.
John Wistrand, CAGCS member
Hazardville, CT 06082
(914) 769-7600
John Grant, CAGCS member
EDM DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
P.O. Box 62
Bobcat, Ransomes, Turf Prod.
Pleasant Valley, CT 06063
P.O. Box 551
(203) 379-3579
Agawam, Mass. 01001
O. M. SCOTT & SONS
Tel. (413) 786-6977
Proturf Division
Walter Borek, CAGCS member
Marysville, OH 43041
I & E SUPPLY, INC.
Al Arison, CAGCS member
66 Erna Ave., P.O. Box 9
(203) 336-9890
Milford, CT 06460
PRO-LAWN PRODUCTS, INC.
Richard Smith, CAGCS member
Stephen M. Kotowicz, CAGCS member
(203) 878-0658
30 Nashville Rd.
IMPERIAL NURSERIES
Bethel, CT 06801
4 Griffin Rd. North
(203) 792-3032
Windsor, CT 06095
PURPLE KINGS FARM
John Perrotti, CAGCS member
Custom Greens Dressing
(203) 688-5293
Northwest Hill Rd.
J.A. JACKSON CORPORATION
Williamstown, MA 01267
430 Center Avenue
Ralph Mason, CAGCS member
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
(413) 458-4646
Dan Cancelleri, CAGCS member
THE REICHERT COMPANY
(914) 698-4150
Oilzum, Texas Refinery
(914) 667-3737
Motor Oil & Lubricants
LAKESHORE EQUIPMENT &
Fram & Wix Filters
SUPPLY CO.
Automotive Supplies, & Batteries
“Home of Lesco Products”
P. O. Box 273,
300 S. Abbe Rd.
Riverside, CT. 06878
Elyria, OH 44035
Frank X. Reichert
(800) 321-5325
(203) 637-2958
Frank Downey, CAGCS member
SOMERS TURF SUPPLIES
Les Guedel
P.O. Box 294
LARCHMONT ENGINEERING &
Devon, CT 06460
IRRIGATION, INC.
Bill Somers, CAGCS member
Larchmount Lane
(203) 878-2108
Lexington, MA 02173
TUCO DIVISION OF UPJOHN CO.
Stephen P. Butler, CAGCS member
47 Main St.
(617) 862-2550
East Berlin, CT 06203
David Sylvester, CAGCS member
(203) 828-3790

CONNECTICUT CLIPPINGS
Greg Wojick, Editor
Sterling Farms Golf Course
1347 Newfield Ave.
Stamford, CT 06905

THE TERRE COMPANY
206 Delawanna Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07014
Dennis DeSanctis, CAGCS member
(201) 473-3393
(201) 521-3173 home
TOM IRWIN, INC.
11 B A Street
Burlington, MA 01803
John C'allahan, CAGCS member
(203) 677-7054
(617) 273-0143
SHEMIN NURSERIES, INC.
1081 King St.
P.O. Box 64, Glenville Station
Greenwich, CT 06830
Phil Gallo
(203) 531-7352
TURF PRODUCTS CORPORATION
1496 John Fitch Blvd.
South Windsor, CT 06074
Mark Loper, CAGCS member
John Ferry, CAGCS member
(203) 528-9508
Roper Morhardt, CAGCS member
(203) 748-4445
VALLEY FARMS NURSERY &
SUPPLY, INC.
Sod & Turf Products
133 Hopmeadow St. (Route 10)
Simsbury, CT 06070
Joe Bidwell, CAGCS member
(203) 651-8555
WESTCHESTER TURF SUPPLY, INC.
P.O. Box 198
Lincolndale, NY 10540
Bob Lippman, CAGCS member
(914) 277-3755
WINDING BROOK TURF FARM, INC.
240 Griswold Rd.
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Doup Morgan, CAGCS member
(203) 529-6869
AL ZIKORUS
Golf Course Architect
Member ASGCA
P.O. Box 187, Canaan, ME 04924
(207) 474-8868

Please Support
These Companies

First Class

HR ■ AL. RAIJKO
U . S . GOLF ASSOC,
GOLF HOUSE
FAR H ILLS NJ

07931