CONNECTICUT
CONNECTICUT
ASSOCIATION OF
CO IF COURSE

•

SUPESmUNOENTSMteg

CLIPPINGS
SEPTEMBER 1982

Fred Bachand
Of Wethersfield CC
Receives Course
Superintendent’s
Award
Fred Bachand, superintendent of the
Wethersfield Country Club since the Fall of
1969, has been named recipient of the third
GCSAA-PGA TOUR Citation of Perform­
ance.
The award, which annually is presented
to honor the superintendent who has made
a significant contribution to his profession
in association with a PGA TOUR tourna­
ment, was made jointly today by President
Jim Wyllie of the Golf Course Superinten­
dents Association and Commissioner Deane
R. Beman.
Bachand received his associates degree
in turf management in 1965 at the University
of Massachusetts. He started in his profes­
sion at the New London Country Club, New
London, CT, as part of the college program.
He came to Hartford, CT,in 1965 to work
as an assistant to William Dest and was
appointed superintendent in September of
1969.
A resident of Marlborough, CT, Bachand
and his wife, Susan, have two children. He
is a past secretary of the Connecticut
Section, GCSAA.
Criteria for the Citation of Performance
Award include knowledge and performance
within the profession; cooperation with
PGA TOUR officials in preparation for
TOUR competition; and length of service.
“The PGA TOUR recognizes the impor­
tance of every superintendent, not only at
PGA TOUR tournament sites, but at each
course across the country,” Commissioner
Beman said.

Volume 15, Number 4

President’s Message Why The Difference
In Color
Has the weather got you down? Have all

your plans of last winter and this spring hit
upon unexpected snags? If so consider
getting away for a short time. Sounds like a
travel agent, doesn’t it.
Many of us are extremely dedicated
individuals. Indeed, we strive for perfection
on our courses in a world of imperfect
equipment, personnel, and at times unreal­
istic budgets. If this wasn’t enough, mother
nature who is always unpredictable and in
any given week can destroy months, if not
years of hard work, has to be added to our
burdens. Pretty gloomy if one sits and
analyse it in a rational manner.
So what keeps us going? I like to feel it is
the spirit and determination to continually
provide a better golf course to our member­
ship. Each year we strive for that one new
program and learn, experience and regroup
to face the next. Each year we see that little
area of improvement and hopefully it will
always be so.
Mike Wallace, CGCS
* * * * * * *

“Mr. Bachand’s contributions at Wethers­
field Country Club in connection with the
Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open
are appreciated by all of the PGA TOUR
players. The quality of his work represents
a standard of excellence to which all super­
intendents might aspire,” Beman added.
A four-man committee for the award is
comprised of Clyde Mangum, Deputy
Commissioner of the PGA TOUR Opera­
tions; Tournament Director Jack Tuthill;
PGA TOUR Agronomist Allan MacCurrach;
and GCSAA President Jim Wyllie.
PGA TOUR News

How close is the grass observed on the
golf course? If a close observation were
made through out the year, there would be
quite a difference in the texture and the
color of the grass. If a color meter were used
regularly to record the color, it would show
more of a contrast than by eye observation.
It has been observed that regardless of
how well and regularly the grass is watered
by irrigation water from a well, there is a
definite difference in color of the grass after
a rain. The grass usually has a darker green
color after a rain. Why should there be this
difference? How many golf courses have
tested their irrigation water supply? It
might be said there should not be too much
difference in the analyses of water. However
when these analyses of water are compared
there is a variance.
A study was made in 1966 and 1967 by
testing the well water supplied for irrigation
and samples of rain water. Starting in
February 1967 with a snow sample, March
rain, May thunderstorm, June, August and
September regular rain, a very interesting
comparison was observed in these different
samples of water. All the samples were
tested for dioxide, carbonates, sulphates,
chlorides, fluorin, total solids, parts per
million, the pH, nitrogen, phosphates and
potash.
It was observed that in total solids the
samples of rain water were from .118 to
.115% more total solids than the water
from the well used for irrigation. The snow
sample testing the highest (.155% higher).
Total hardness of the May thunderstorm
rain sample tested .118% less than the well
water. Parts per million, the thunderstorm
rain also was the lowest of all samples
(.157% lower). All the rain samples were
lower in Parts per Million than the well
water.
(cont. on page 3)

2

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
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

Grass Catcher
As newsletter editor representing CAGCS
I will be travelling to GCSAA headquarters
in Lawrence, Kansas to attend the first
Newsletter Editor’s Seminar (September
19-22). The schedule of activities will pro­
vide me opportunities to visit headquarter’s
office and become acquainted with the
Executive Committee and Staff . . . learn
about what is going on with GCSAA and our
industry . . . share ideas with other chap­
ters ... relax at Headquarters with the staff
in informal discussion groups and play golf
in the first Newsletter Editor’s Golf Tour­
nament at the Alvamar Hills Golf Course.
GCSAA will pay for all land expenses
including ground transportation, food and
lodging. CAGCS will cover transportation
to and from Kansas City International
Airport.
I am looking forward to the trip as I am
sure it will prove to be informative and
enjoyable.

Nielsen Confirms
NGF Figures
Concerning
Golfs Growth
NORTH PALM BEACH, FL—The good
news in the world of golf is that the A.C.
Nielsen Company has just released figures
showing that the number of golfers in
America has grown by 9.2% since 1979—to
17,367,000.
Those figures confirm information released
earlier by the National Golf Foundation,
which showed that as of Jan. 1, 1982, there
were 17,100,000 golfers in the United
States—or 7.6% more golfers than in 1979.
The National Golf Foundation, which is
recognized as the research center of golf,
says that early indications are that golf play
in the first half of 1982 will also show an
increase.
GOLFERS
YEAR A.C. NIELSEN NGF
1976
16,568,000
16,000,000
1979
15,897,000
15,900,000
1982
17,367,000
17,100,000
* * He * * * *

Congratulations to Dick Parsons and
Ron Holcomb! Dick won the reservation
card drawing at the July Watertown meeting
and Ron won the drawing at the August
meeting at Highland. The drawing is cer­
tainly an attractive incentive for sending in
your reservation cards to host superinten­
dents. So remember to send in your card
for all meetings and perhapsyou will become
the lucky winner!
Ann Dest, wife of Dr. William Dest of the
University of Connecticut, recently had a
bad fall from a foot stool in her kitchen. Ann
severly broke her leg and is now recovering
from surgery from the accident. We all wish
her a speedy recovery.
The August 10, CAGCS monthly meeting
held at the Highland Golf Club was an
enormous success. Host Superintendent,
Kevin D’Amico, the staff at Highland Golf
Club, as well as the education committee
are to be congratulated for planning a truly
enjoyable day.
The golf course although short, was ex­
tremely challenging with its tight fairways,
small greens and intimidating rough. Kevin
had the course in immaculate shape. The
weather was perfect and smiles were on the
faces of all the participants throughout the
day.
Greg Wojick, Editor

Future Happenings
September 14
CAGCS monthly Meeting
Aspetuck Valley C.C.
Weston, CT
Frank Lamphier, Host Superintendent
Bob Shea, Exec. Director, Conn. PGA,
Guest Speaker
September 23
CAGCS Invitational Tournament
(rescheduled from June)
Oronoque C.C.
Stratford, CT
Eric Johnson, Host Superintendent
September 30
Superintendent Team Championship
Ridgewood Country Club
Ridgewood, N.J.
Ed Walsh, Host Superintendent
October 5
CAGCS S&R Tournament
Edgewood G.C.
Cromwell, CT
Peter Pierson, Host Superintendent
October 12
CAGCS Monthly Meeting
Brooklawn C.C.
Fairfield, CT
Peter Bly, Host Superintendent

Mr. Dick Mather
Country Club Cars of N.E.
Warehouse Point, Conn 06088
Dear Dick,
On behalf of the Board of Directors and
all the members of the Connecticut
Association of Golf Course
Superintendents, we greatfully
acknowledge you waving the minimum
charge for the golf car rentals for the
Pro-Superintendent Officer Tournament
which was to be held at the Hartford Golf
Club on June 14, 1982.
Due to the extreme amount of rain
which Conn received dining the
previous week we were unable to hold
the tournament. We are working on
scheduling an alternate date for this
year and should we need golf cars, we
will surely contact you for these rentals.
Again, we thank you for your most
generous gesture.
Sincerely yours,
Peter Pierson
Golf Chairman CAGCS

3
( Color Difference Con't.)

The pH of all the samples was very
interesting in their great variances. The
well water had a pH of 6.9, practically
neutral. The remainder of the rain water
samples were as follows. The February
snow-pH was 3.5; the June rain-4.2; likewise
for the August rain; the September rain was
5.0
The nitrogen samples were also extremely
interesting since all the rain samples
contained more N than the well water.
These test results were as follows: the well
water, 8.6%; February snow, 11.2%; March
rain, 9.8%; May thunderstorm, 12.8%; the
June, 10.0%; the August was the same as
June; the September, 9.8% nitrogen. The
great difference in the percent of N found in
the rain water compared to the well water
irrigation supply would account for the
darker green color in the grass after a rain.
Especially when considerably more water
is supplied at one time when it rains, thus
adding more nitrogen. It was always stated
a thunderstorm produces more nitrogen
than a regular rain fall. Note also that the
snow sample ran a close second to the
thunderstorm.
The phosphate in all the samples ran a
higher percent than the well water. The
tests showed the following: the well water,
.85% phosphate; the February snow not
much higher at .98%; the March rain at
1.95% (note over twice that of the well
water); the May and August rains 1.13%,
the June 1.60%; and the September 1.65%
phosphate (note that the June and Septem­
ber tests were about twice that of the well
water).
All the potash samples were very uniform
including the well water. The well water
testing, the highest in potash with a 3.0%
potash; the February snow 2.41%; the
March rain, 2.4%; the May rain, 2.5%; the
June and August samples-2.8%; and the
September 2.4%potash. Since it is potash
that gives a plant more strength and a stiff
stronger stem, the fact that the well water
in this case tested the highest, naturally has
the advantage to the grass on a golf course.
The more strength and stiffer or firmer the
stem, the better the golf ball will setup, like
a ball on a billiard table.
by Harvey C. Dreibelbis
GCSA of New Jersey Newsletter
Election Issue 1979

GCSAA Highlights
GCSAA’s Employment Referral Service
has undergone several changes which are
aimed at continuing the service in a cost
efficient and effective manner. ERS has
enjoyed ever increasing use by both mem­
bers seeking employment and clubs seeking
to fill a position. This increased usage
obviously results in increased cost. Thus
necessating the requesting of a $10 fee
from members wishing to utilize the service
and a charge of $50 from clubs wishing to
list their available position. It is believed
these fees will allow GCSAA to continue
ERS in a professional and useful fashion.
Planning for GCSAA’s 1983 Conference &
Show is nearing completion with most
printed material being prepared for distri­
bution in October. Some reorganization of
conference week including shifting of the
Annual Meeting to Thursday afternoon has
occurred. Also, concurrent sessions will be
run Monday afternoon, Tuesday afternoon
and, all day Wednesday. Thursday morning
will see the USGA program. Additional
seminars are tentivly scheduled for Friday.
Program areas to be addressed during the
week include Golf Course Management,
Golf Course Construction Ideas, Research
Updates, Future of the Industry, Lawn
Care, and Personal and Professional
Improvement. Look forward to a busy and
rewarding week in Atlanta!
Any member who has paid his/her 1983
annual dues and has not received a member­
ship card within three weeks should contact
the Membership Department at GCSAA
Headquarters to verify reciept of payment.
Steve Cadenelli, CGCS

Classified
Wanted: Buckner 1390, 1360 or 1330
fairway heads. New or used. Contact
Frank Lamphier—203-226-3391.
Job Opening: Athletic Field Supervisor.
60 acres of Bluegrass-Fescue fields. 20
Tennis courts. Yale Bowl. Salarynegotiable depending on qualifications.
Excellent fringe benefits. Send resumes
to: Director of Personnel, Yale University,
155 Whitney Ave., New Haven, CT.

Golf Results
Highland Golf Club
Class “A”
0-12 Handicap
Peter Bly (7)
69—62
Barry Petrasko (10)
73—63
Peter Pierson (4)
71—67
Class “B”
12-24
Steve Smith (23)
83—60
Bob Alonzi (20)
81—61
David Stimson (23)
86—63
Eric Johnson (19)
82—63
25-36
Class “C”
103—75
Ted Maddocks (28)
Doug Cooper (35)
118—83
Seniors
Dick Cook (11)
71—60
Paul Grover (36)
104—68
Bill Somers (15)
85—70
The above golf results were from the High­
land Golf Club where the first round of the
CAGCS golf championship was played.
The scheduled first round was to be played
at the Watertown Golf Club in July. Due to
heavy rains, however, the championship
will be determined from the best two of
three rounds at the August meeting (High­
land), the September meeting (Aspetuck
Valley) and the October meeting (BrookLawn).

World’s Longest
Golf Hole? . ..
Two top Australian golfers, Billy Dunk
and Ted Ball, will tee off next April on a
one-hole golf match—the hole is 1,597,550
yards long and par has been set at 7,173.
They’ll start at the Ceduna Golf Club in
South Australia and hope to hole out at the
Kalgoorlie Golf Club’s 18th green in Western
Australia three or four weeks later. They’ll
play across Australia’s harshest terrain on
the Nullarbor Plain and down the Eyre
Highway, always being careful not to hook
into the shark-infested waters of the Great
Australian Bight. The two pros will be
riding special three-wheel motorcycles.
Accompanying them, will be a mechanic, a
doctor, an army logistics expert, Ball’s
wife, Margaret, and a Guinness Book of
World Records official. The whole thing is
an attempt to set a record that will go into
the Guinness Book of World Records as the
world’s longest golf hole.
The Hartford Courant

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

Conn. Clippings

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
EGYPT FARMS, INC.
Sterilized Greens Topdressing
White Marsh, MD 21162
(301) 355-3700
John Wistrand, CAGCS member
(914) 769-7600
EDM DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
Bobcat, Ransomes, Turf Prod.
P.O. Box 551
Agawam, Mass. 01001
Tel. (413) 786-6977
Walter Borek, CAGCS member
I & E SUPPLY, INC.
66 Erna Ave., P.O. Box 9
Milford, CT 06460
Richard Smith, CAGCS member
(203) 878-0658
IMPERIAL NURSERIES
4 Griffin Rd. North
Windsor, CT 06095
John Perrotti, CAGCS member
(203) 688-5293
J.A. JACKSON CORPORATION
430 Center Avenue
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
Dan Cancelleri, CAGCS member
(914) 698-4150
(914) 667-3737
LAKESHORE EQUIPMENT &
SUPPLY CO.
“Home of Lesco Products”
300 S. Abbe Rd.
Elyria, OH 44035
(800) 321-5325
Frank downey, CAGCS member
Les Guedel
LARCHMONT ENGINEERING &
IRRIGATION, INC.
Larchmount Lane
Lexington, MA 02173
Stephen P. Butler, CAGCS member
(617) 862-2550

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

THE MAGOVERN CO.
Windsor Locks, CT 06096
Carl Wallace, CAGCS member
(203) 623-2508 Windsor Locks
(203) 348-8211 Stamford
METRO MILORGANITE
P.O. Box 267
Hawthorne, NY 10532
John Wistrand, CAGCS member
(914) 769-7600
OLD FOX CHEMICAL CO.
Hazardville, CT 06082
John Grant, CAGCS member
P.O. Box 62
Pleasant Valley, CT 06063
(203) 379-3579
O. M. SCOTT & SONS
Proturf Division
Marysville, OH 43041
Al Arison, CAGCS member
(203) 336-9890
PRO-LAWN PRODUCTS, INC.
Stephen M. Kotowicz, CAGCS member
30 Nashville Rd.
Bethel, CT 06801
(203) 792-3032
PURPLE KINGS FARM
Custom Greens Dressing
Northwest Hill Rd.
Williamstown, MA 01267
Ralph Mason, CAGCS member
(413) 458-4646
THE REICHERT COMPANY
Oilzum, Texas Refinery
Motor Oil & Lubricants
Fram & Wix Filters
Automotive Supplies, & Batteries
P. O. Box 273,
Riverside, CT. 06878
Frank X. Reichert
(203) 637-2958
SOMERS TURF SUPPLIES
P.O. Box 294
Devon, CT 06460
Bill Somers, CAGCS member
(203) 878-2108
TUCO DIVISION OF UPJOHN CO.
47 Main St.
East Berlin, CT 06203
David Sylvester, CAGCS member
(203) 828-3790

First Class
JIM SNOW
U.S. GOLF' ASSOC
GOLF HOUSE
FAR HILLS NJ

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 Callahan, 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
Roger 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
Doug 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