* * * * * *

CONNECTICUT
CLIPPINGS
Volume

3 No. 1

March, 2000

Anthony Grosso elected
1999 Superintendent of the Year
by Skip Deubel, Commercial Representative to the Board

It is my pleasure and privilege to
announce this year’s superintendent of
the year. This is the association’s
most prestigious and coveted award
because it is voted on by the
recipient’s peers.
In addition to exhibiting skill in
maintaining a golf facility, the
recipient has devoted time to being an
ambassador of the industry by helping

Inside this issue
President’s message...................... 2
UMASS looking for
volunteers................................... 3
Take a look at Norwich CC. . . . 4
Meet commercial member
Jim Staszowski........................ 5
Grass Catcher................................ 6
Are you ready for a fire at your
maintenance facility?..............8
Commentary...............................10

fellow superintendents and contribut­
ing time and effort to the betterment of
the local and national associations.
Anthony has served many years on
the CAGCS Board,
just finishing two
years as its President,
and now serving his
final his duties on the
Board as Immediate
Past President. He
has also been involved
with the New England
Regional Turfgrass
Association since the
beginning.
Anthony was bom
in Easton, CT and,
like many, his first
golf course job was a
summer position
while in high school.
His first job was at
Oronoque Country Club working for
Eric Johnson.
After high school, three years were
spent at Southern Connecticut State
University and a final year at American
University in Washington and resulted

in a degree in physical education.
A passion for football led Anthony
to a brief coaching career at places
such as Cornell, Wisconsin, and the
U.S. Merchant
Marine Academy at
King’s PT. But,
part-time golf
course jobs were
always mixed in.
When he returned
back home, he
worked for Bob
Osterman at the
Connecticut Golf
Club. Next, he
served as Paul
Sabino’s assistant
at The Farms
Country Club,
which led to his
current position as
golf course super­
intendent at the Pautipaug Country
Club in Baltic, CT, in March, 1993.
He resides with his wife, Kathy, and
their two children in Marlborough.
Congratulations, Anthony!

President's message
Brian Skelly, President

The millennium came in without
any Y2K bugs — winter finally
arrived with a vengeance in January
with cold temperatures and high winds
that brought wind chill readings to sub
zero levels consistently, and also that
strange form of moisture called
“snow”! The course is white, the dis­
cussion on whether the greens are open
or closed is put to bed for awhile.
This is definitely a great time of year.
I would like to thank Anthony
Grosso for his leadership and dedica­
tion to this association for the last two
years a president, “it’s going to be a
tough act to follow”. At the same
time, I would like to congratulate
Anthony for being selected Superinten­
dent of the Year, an honor well
deserved. He has put a lot of work into
our association as well as the New
England Regional Conference.
I would like to welcome our new
board members who stepped up to the
C A G C S B oard of D ire c to rs
President Brian Skelly
Vice President JudW . Smith
Secretary Dennis J. Houle
Treasurer Les Kennedy, Jr.tCGCS
Past President Anthony Grosso
Education Dan Rackliffe, CGCS
Golf John Motycka
Membership Wayne C. Urban
Scholarship & Research Chris Mauro
Social & W elfare Kimberly Heyl
Government Relations Peter R. Pierson
Com. Rep to Board Skip Deubel

Connecticut dippings is an official
publication of the Connecticut Association
of Golf Course Superintendents.

Newsletter Editor - Bob Chalifour, CG CS (Ret)
Newsletter Committee - David Basconi,
Heather Garvin, Edward Goodhouse,
Ron Holcomb, Jud W . Smith

plate to fill some vacancies. Chris
Mauro, Highfield CC, will chair the
Scholarship & Research Committee
filling Tim Gerzabek’s term. Chris has
jumped right in with enthusiasm, and I
know that S & R is in good hands and
we are looking forward to working
with him.
Kim Heyl, Fenwick GC, is filling
the remaining term of Dennis Houle
and will be taking over as our Social
& Welfare Director. Kim has already
taken over the reins and we are sure
she will do a great job.
I am looking forward to working
with all of the board members. Their
professionalism and dedication has
kept and will continue to keep
CAGCS moving in a forward direction
into the new millennium.
Speaking of the millennium, where
are we going?
What new changes are in store for
our industry and profession?
Thirty years ago, greens were cut at
1/4” and now they are down to 1/8” or
less. Fairways are being cut with
greens mowers on some courses.
Irrigation systems have gone from
quick couplers and hoses to computers
and automatic sensors.
New chemicals are appearing that
require less active ingredient per appli­
cation and last longer. The grasses
themselves are being bred to be more
disease and insect resistant, and
drought tolerant.
Now, if they can just control Mother
Nature to give us 50 degree nights and
75 degree days with 1/4” rain every
third day, gentle breezes and no bugs.
Golf is exploding in popularity and
courses are opening all over the coun­
try, creating new opportunities but
also offering challenges to our own
clubs to keep their members. We also

Brian Skelly
CAGCS President
have the challenge and responsibility
to keep on improving in our profes­
sion and making us, as superinten­
dents, more valuable to our clubs.
This can be done through education
(keep abreast of new ideas), making us
visible to the membership and availa­
ble to answer questions. Don’t hide
down at the “bam”. Having contacts
with the media and town or city
officials can’t hurt.
Finally, by now all superintendent
members should have received the
letter requesting help for meeting sites.
This is probably one of the most diffi­
cult tasks the education chairperson
faces.
While I realize that the demand from
members to keep outings to a mini­
mum increases, I also realize that if
every member offered his/her club for
one meeting, we would only go to that
club once every 11 years at the earli­
e s t This does not seem to be too
much of a burden to a club, so volun­
teer and help out, public or private,
makes no difference.
We still need sites for this year and
it is not too early for planning for
2001 and beyond. Please help o u t

PARTAG

V o lu n te e rs n e e d e d !
Nikki Rothwell and Dr. Pat Vittum
University of Massachusetts

As most of you are aware, the annual bluegrass weevil (ABW) is a continual
pest of golf course turf in the northeastern United States. Damage from this insect
may vary from minor infestations to considerable turf damage on short mowed
turf.
Currently, there is no definite program to monitor these insects, and they are fre­
quently controlled by a calendar spray method. At the University of Massachu­
setts, we are proposing to create a degree day model to aid golf course superinten­
dents in the control of the ABW.
A degree day model is a technique that is based on the minimum and maximum
daily temperatures, precipitation, evapo-transpiration throughout the growing sea­
son. These factors are then compared to the activity level of the particular insect,
in this case, the annual bluegrass weevil. The degree days are accumulated in con­
junction with the activity of each life stage of the ABW. For instance, in the
spring, we would monitor the activity of the adult weevils moving out from over­
wintering sites while simultaneously collecting temperatures and moisture levels.
This collection process will give us a fairly precise timing of maximum adult
ABW activity in relation to temperature; this would be repeated for first generation
larval activity, as well as second generation adult activity, and finally second gen­
eration larval activity.
The collection of temperatures and moisture levels along with insect activity
over a three-year period will eventually lead to a degree day model. In other words,
upon completion of a degree day model, a superintendent will be able to predict
ABW activity by collecting minimum and maximum daily temperatures. With
this model, a superintendent may know that ABW first generation adult activity is
at its maximum and could then treat the golf course precisely as needed.
Degree day models are corrected for yearly fluctuation in temperature; they allow
for a more exact timing of control methods because the degree day model is based
on the average temperatures, not on actual calendar days. A degree day model
would allow superintendents to use control methods more effectively and more
cost efficiently.
To create this degree day m odel, we need your help. If you would
like to participate, enclosed with this newsletter is the appropriate form. The
original form can be photocopied and your completed copy can be sent or faxed to
us each week of the 2000 season (March 1st - September 1st).
Please fill in the form with as much information as possible. We would really
appreciate your help and
look forward to work­
ing with all of you!
Thanks for your help.
Nikki Rothwell and Dr.
Pat Vittum; University
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Norwich Golf Club will host CAGCS
monthly meeting - April 24th
by Heather Garvin

Our association begins this year's
golf meeting schedule, as it has every
second year in recent history, at the
Norwich GC. Our thanks to superin­
tendent Bruce Morse (pictured above)
for his continued support of CAGCS.
Bruce's life has always involved the
outdoors. He grew up in Windsor
where tobacco farming was dominant
He worked various jobs in tobacco
until graduating high school and con­
tinued for another year. He then

worked for the Baker Company, in the
container division, for four years and
got a background in horticulture. Bruce
attended the American Motorcycle
Institute in Daytona Beach, FL, for
mtorcycle mechanics. He worked in
Manchester as a motorcycle mechanic
for three years.
He got into the golf business by
answering an ad for a golf course
mechanic at Simsbury Farms GC.
When the assistant left there for
another job, Bruce became the mechanic/assistant. He then furthered his
experience at Shuttle Meadow and Ell­
ington Ridge CC. He completed the
UMASS Winter School in 1988.
Bruce spent one year as superinten­
dent of Century Hills and the next
year, he became the superintendent at
Norwich where he is now entering his

10th season.
Bruce lives in Windsor with his
wife, Cheryl, and sons, Kyle age 17,
and Daniel age 14.
Norwich GC has small greens which
are elevated with mounding around
many of them. It is not a long course
(6,182/blue; 5,872/white; 5,104/red),
but the layout will get you to play
every club in your bag. There are new
tees on 2 and 12 since we last played
at Norwich. The Norwich Inn over­
looks the 17th tee which is the signa­
ture hole.
The course is actually in Norwich
and Montville. It is run by the
Norwich Golf Authority. The course is
built on gravel and drains well. With
no ponds on the property, the
irrigation water is purchased.

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Meet Commercial Member - Jim Staszowski
by Ed Goodhouse

James Staszowski is a member of
one of northwest Connecticut’s most
illustrious golfing families. In 1936,
Jim’s father, Stan Staszowski, became
the golf professional at Green Woods
CC in Winsted. Stan assumed the
course superintendent position at
Green Woods in 1948 and retired from
that position in 1983 and remained as
pro until 1988 when he stepped down
at the age of 70.
Jim’s uncle, Frank Staszowski, was
the golf professional at Torrington CC
for almost 40 years. The storied Stas­
zowski brothers were known as skilled
golfers and congenial pros. They
helped to establish and grow the game
of golf in northwestern Connecticut
during five decades. Stan and Frank are
still active golfers. They still play
well as they have maintained their

trademark elegant swings.
Jim and his siblings grew up work­
ing and playing at Green Woods CC.
Jim’s sister, Mary Ellen, worked in
the clubhouse and kitchen, while Jim
and brother, Joe,worked on the golf
course. Jim became a talented golfer
and developed an interest in course
maintenance during his high school
days. He attended Gilbert High in
Winsted where he played on the golf
team.
After graduating from high school,
Jim attended the Stockbridge School at
UMass. He earned an Associate’s De­
gree in turf management and then went
on to graduate in 1981 with a Bache­
lor’s Degree in plant and soil science.
In 1981, Jim went to work for the
Turf Products Corporation, then a
small but growing equipment supplier,

being recommended by Dr. Joseph
Troll. Jim became an equipment
salesman in the small but growing
TPC. As TPC expanded, Jim’s golf
course background and education
helped him develop into a quality sales
representative. Jim is still with TPC
today. His experience and knowledge
make him a valuable asset to the many
people he serves.
Jim lives with his family in Lenox,
MA. His wife, Linda, is a school
teacher with the East Greenbush
school system. Jim, Linda, and their
two daughters have a busy family life.
Ten year old Brittany is a soccer player
and skier. Breana, who is six, is also
a skier. The Staszowski’s enjoy the
comforts of living in a small Berkshire
community.
Jim still golfs and is on the board of
directors of Greenock Golf Club.
Family travels over the years have
brought the Staszowski’s to Hawaii,
Disney World and the Bahamas.

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^

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; Grass

wÈÈÊÊàk ^atc^er m
W e lc o m e n e w m e m b e r

—

* * * * *
C o n g r a t u la t io n s

M ike W allace, C G C S, Hopmeadow CC, on his election as secretary/treasurer of GCSAA, and to
Tim O ’Neill, C G C S, CC of
Darien, on his appointment to a oneyear director term.
G reg and M arilyn S tent on
the birth of their daughter, Caroline
Rate.

Jo n a th a n Jen n in g s, CGCS,
former superintendent at the Patterson
Club, has taken on a a new position at
the Chicago Golf Club.
C hristiaan Kipp, former assistant
superintendent at Redding CC, has
taken on the superintendent’s position
at Grassy Hill CC.
* * * * *
C o n d o le n c e s

Drew an d Jen C um m ins on
the birth of their daughter, Cara.

Kevin J. Kennedy on the passing
of his mother.

Paul B a rra tt, CGCS, Titleist
& Foot-Joy Worldwide, on his
appointment as newsletter editor for
the Rhode Island GCS A newsletter,

Jim K ilburn on the passing of his
father.

USGA Recommended Sands
Topdressing ~ Divot Mix

* * * * *
D e a d lin e

Les K ennedy, J r., CGCS, on
the passing of his mother.

G
U na.

Tiffi Road ~ Slatersville, RI 02876

d a te s

The deadline for submission of the
2000 biennial survey is March 30.
The deadline for the May issue is
April 7.
The deadline for submission of
scholarship applications is April 20.

B rian Pope on the passing of his
father and brother.

Root-Zone Mixes
Bunker Sand & Pea Stone

c d fo C C iito n c r a u t i

C A G C S 2000 dues &
m e m b e rs h ip d ir e c to r y

M att Howland on the passing of
his father.

Newly certified golf course superin­
tendents, Jim C alladio, CG CS,
The Millbrook Club, and Scott
R am say, CGCS, Tower Ridge
CC.

Surf & Turf

* * * * *

There are still members who have
not yet paid their 2000 dues. Any
member who has not paid his/her
dues by March 31, 2000 will be
deleted from membership without
notice in accordance with the CAGCS
bylaws.
If you have any questions or con­
cerns regarding your membership
status, please call the CAGCS office
(888/561-7778) or Wayne Uifcan,
Membership Chairperson (203/8798037).
The 2000 Membership Directory
will be prepared in early April. If any
of your information has changed, or if
you have not yet returned your infor­
mation sheet, please do so immediate­
ly. If you need another form, please
call the CAGCS office.

On th e m o ve —

A rt deAtienza, formerly of Sawtelle Bros., has started a new endeavor
working with irrigation and installa­
tion. The name of his new company is
Golf Irrigation Services, Inc.

Paul Bell - Class C

Woodbridge Country Club

C lin to n CC s u p e rin te n d e n t,
Mike Decker, and crew have a new
maintenance building that was relo­
cated next to the 12th fairway.

onnecticut
Mulch
Distributors, Inc.
Covering ground since 1978

A llG ro Compost
A llG ro Mixes

(401)766-5010
Fax (401) 762-4976

Business Address
1300 East St.
Suffield, CT. 06078

Mailing Address
1515 North Stone St.
W. Suffield, CT 06093

Telephone
(860) 623-2987
Fax 292-1047

Degree Day Form for Annual Bluegrass Weevil
S u p e rin te n d e n t:

N am e o f G o lf C o u rse :

D ate

M in . T em p

M ax. T em p

P recip itation

ET

SU N D A Y
M ONDAY
TU ESD A Y
W EDNEDAY
TH URSDAY
F R ID A Y
SATURDAY

A d u lt A B W a c tiv ity d e te c te d ? : Y E S
I f y es, D A T E S o b serv ed :

NO

W ea th er c o n d itio n s w h en o b se rv e d :
E s tim a tio n o f w e e v il n u m b e r: L O W

A B W la rv a e a c tiv ity d e te c te d ? : Y E S
I f y es, D A T E S o b serv ed :

M E D IU M

H IG H

NO

W e a th e r c o n d itio n s w h e n o b se rv e d :
E s tim a tio n o f w e e v il n u m b e r: L O W

E s tim a tio n K ey
L O W = 1-3 w e e v ils
M E D I U M = 4 -9 w e e v ils
H I G H = 1 0 + w e e v ils

M E D IU M

H IG H

* P lease fill o u t fo rm as
co m p le te ly a s p o ssib le
**F orm also o n U M a ss w eb site

N ikki R othw ell & D r. P at V ittum
U niversity of M assachusetts
F ern a ld H all, A m herst, MA
01003-2410
Tel: 413/545-0268
Fax:
413/545-5858

Dogs of summer
Keith Angilly, Supt., Hunter Golf Course
Meriden, C T

This is Sam, my faithful
companion of nearly five years
now. Sam is a mixed breed,
mostly Pointer with some Lab
and Doberman. He was aban­
doned at the home of one of the
staff members at Segregansett
CC where I was the assistant
superintendent at the time.
So, after a rocky start, he now
has the ultimate dog life, free
run of my home as well as the
golf course on which to roam.
A tireless worker, Sam has
kept the Hunter GC reasonably
free of geese, much to the hap­
piness of our golfers. In fact, I am not sure, but I think the golfers appreciate
Sam more than me!

M e e tin g

s ite s

needed

All Class A and B members are
urged to check with their clubs to see
if it would be possible to host a
CAGCS monthly meeting, whether
this year or next.
Please call the CAGCS office or
Dan Rackliffe, Education Chair­
person, at 203/341-5072.

As you can see from the enclosed
insert of pictures, a great time was
had by all in attendance at the 1999
Christmas Party held at Grassy Hill
CC.

Pictured below left are Walter Smith
and Harry Meusel who were awarded a
plaque and recognized for their 50 years
as members of CAGCS.
Not in attendance, but who also is a
50-year member, is Karnig Ovian.
* * * * *
GCSAA

s c h o la rs h ip s

All GCSAA members should be
aware that there are several scholar­
ships available through GCSAA.
Log on to GCSAA's website
(www.gcsaa.org) to find out require­
ments for each and obtain applica­
tions.
Deadline for Essay
Contest is March 31;
Legacy Awards is April
15; the GCSAA Schol­
ars Program is June 1.
A new scholarship,
"Footsteps on the
Green" is open to stu­
dents who are following
in their parents'/grandparents’ footsteps major­
ing in golf course man­

Calendar of Events
March 28th
CAGCS Monthly Meeting
Hawthorne Inn, Berlin, CT
April 24th
CAGCS Monthly Meeting
Norwich Golf Club
Bruce Morse, Supt.
May TBA
June 12th
CAGCS Monthly Meeting
Shennecossett Golf Club
Frank Polizzi, CGCS

agement with a deadline of April 15.
First place - $3,500; second place
$2,500; third place $1,500. A merit
award of $500 is given to the fourth
place winner.
* * * * *
— 20 y e a rs ago —

Long-time CAGCS member Curt
Stimson recently retired from full-time
employment with the Magovem Co.,
although he intends to stay involved to
some extent during the season.
Peter Bly became the new superin­
tendent at the Brooklawn CC in Fairfield replacing Frank Nichols who
retired April 1st.
Mark Fuller, superintendent of the
Longshore Park Club in Westport,
gave a presentation at the March
meeting on the construction and
management of solar greenhouses.

Owen Regan

A T Sales Associates, Ltd.
1787 O lde Louisquisset Pike
Lincoln, Rl 0 2 8 6 5
Tel
4 0 1 -4 6 5 -8 0 6 6
Fax
4 0 1 -7 2 9 -8 1 6 3
P ag er 8 0 0 -5 9 2 -0 6 7 5

JULY HEAT
Michael Mooney, Superintendent
Pequot Golf Club

It all began on Friday, July 9,1999.
It was a normal day as far as golf
course operations were concerned. We
locked up shop at 3:00 pm and all
headed home. At 3:25 pm, the golf
professional called me at home to tell
me that the maintenance building was
on fire.
Upon arrival at the scene, I met with
the local fire chief. I conveyed all po­
tential hazards and dangers that lurked
within the burning structure. The fire­
fighters extinguished the blaze in rela­
tively short order.
The total building was reduced to a
charred pile of smoldering rubble.
Everything was consumed by the
intense heat from the blaze. The
equipment storage room was nothing
more than a collage of melted alumi­
num, fiberglass, and rubber. Machin­
ery was simply reduced to a mass of
stripped, charred, steel skeletons.
Memories of how they once looked
was all that remained. “The fire was
over, or was it?”
As I look back now, it really only
began after the fire was extinguished.
I was being bounced around like a pin­
ball from DEP officials, to town fire
officials, to local investigators, to
state fire examiners. As one can imag­
ine, there was no order to this mad­
ness. It was simply a feeding frenzy
for information.
At this point, my main concern was

to initiate, with the guidance of the
DEP, an immediate site cleanup plan.
This first phase of the cleanup would
be geared towards any remaining chem­
icals and oils. Shortly after this plan
was discussed, an emergency response
unit materialized on the scene, and the
cleanup process began.
While all this chaos was going on, I
had to plan for our upcoming weekend
maintenance schedule. Given our new
situation, we would certainly be chal­
lenged in the days and weeks to come.
One positive point in all this was that
our new maintenance building, which
was currently under construction, had
four walls, and a roof. It was a quick
move to say the least. With help from
fellow superintendents, the golf course
maintenance schedule began to fall
into place. Other friends also stopped
by to offer assistance to help dampen
the blow. As for sales reps, well, do I
need to go any further. “Did someone
say FIRE!” I heard, although not able
to verify the legitimacy of the source,
that Brian Pope was at the scene of the
fire before the firefighters. Rumors
even began to surface afterwards, stat­
ing that he allegedly encouraged the
firefighters not to put the blaze out
too quickly. In all seriousness
though, Brian, as well as other sales
reps were extremely helpful in loaning
me equipment while insurance issues
were being settled.
This brings to mind
another obstacle — deal­
ing with insurance com­
panies. As with all in­
surance companies,
they’re great institutions
until you need to call
your chips in. Be sure
to stay on your insu­
rance adjuster until the
case is settled. A phone
call a couple of times a
day will certainly help

speed up the process. Also, familiariz­
ing yourself with your clubs insurance
policy is a great idea. Even reviewing
the policy each winter to ensure that
new pieces of equipment recently
acquired are fully insured. Types of
insurance and coverage may influence
storage decisions of seed, fertilizer and
pesticides. If you store pesticides in
the building, you may want to check
to see if these items are also insured.
There is no question that a separate,
outside pesticide storage building is
the only way to go. Having a pesti­
cide storage building would have made
this ordeal much easier to deal with.
If you have a fire where an environ­
mental cleanup is necessary, I strongly
recommend that you hire an environ­
mental consultant. These people will
work on your behalf to ensure that the
proper steps are taken for a safe, effi­
cient and effective cleanup operation.
There may be some environmental
cleanup companies that will view your
vulnerable time as an “open check­
book”. Without proper parameters for
the cleanup, you may end up spending
thousands more than you need to. A
good consultant, will choreograph the
cleanup and ensure that the necessary
materials are disposed of properly. Any
remaining debris is usually evaluated
and deemed as standard demolition
refuse. In some cases, leftover debris
may be sampled and tested to deter­
mine the proper site for disposal. If
needed, consultants will also follow up
with their own tests and make any
recommendations accordingly.
In dealing with a situation of this
magnitude, the most valuable informa­
tion that I could share is to remain
professional and proactive in the clean­
up process. Taking a proactive posi­
tion in the cleanup is something that
will be received enthusiastically by the
DEP and any surrounding neighbors.
Actions speak louder than words in
this situation. Also, keeping inventory
copies of equipment and pesticides off­
site is a simple step that can pay big
dividends in a case like this.
As with any environmental cleanup,
(c o n tin u e d on p a g e 10)

SERVICING NEW ENGLAND WITH TURF
EQUIPMENT & IRRIGATION SUPPLIES
SINCE 1932
JjjP*

SALES REPRESENTATIVES

1-800-348-4661
BILL BARRETT - EASTERN MAINE,
SOUTHEASTERN NEW HAMPSHIRE
(800) 348-4661 X127

BRETT ARM STRONG
CONNECTICUT
(800) 348-4661 X160

LARRY BUNN - CENTRAL & WESTERN M ASS
(800) 348-4661 X125

GEORGE WISE - CONNECTICUT, CAPE COD
(800) 348-4661 X173

GEORGE GORTON - IRRIGATION S
CONNECTICUT
(800) 348-4661 X161

BOB HOBBS - WESTERN MAINE,
NEW HAMPSHIRE
(800) 348-4661X145

GREG HENNESSY - 1
(800) 348-4661 X

JOHN LENHART - EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS
(800) 348-4661 X128

CHUCK MERSEl
(800) 348-4661X I

BLAYR CROWLEY - VERMONT & WESTERN
MASSACHUSETTS
(800) 348-4661X142

GREG ALBANESE - IRRIGATION SALES
(800) 348-4661X I

Y VINCENT - IRRIGATION
SALES & SERVICE
(800) 348-4661 X ll l

MIKE H A N N IG A N - SOUTHEASTE]
MASSACHUSETTS & RHODE ISL
(800) 348-4661X126

lllr

TURF

t Bk

.

. »

,pgt

IRRIGATION SERVICE
SAWTELLE BROTHERS, INC.

65 Glenn Street, Lawrence, MA 01843
Telephone: (978) 682-9296 • Fax: (978) 683-9198
PARTS: (978) 683-3086 • 1-800-999-TURF (8873)

Commentary

...

Let's get this straight!

by David Pulley, Golf Course Superintendent, Pine Valley Country Club
Wilmington, North Carolina

In 1996, the BOD decided that
GCSAA (as an entity in and of itself)
needed to strengthen its role in the
industry. They wanted the GCSAA to
have as much influence as the USGA
and the PGA. The CGCS program had
not had the desired effect on the indus­
try, and hadn’t really done anything to
improve GCSAA’s image. The logical
step would be to improve the
“standing” of Class A by changing the
requirements (new and improved).
They felt that if they could restrict
who gets in and who stays in Class A,
then GCSAA’s image would have to
improve in the eyes of employers, the
public and influential golfers.
In 1997, the BOD appointed the
Membership STANDARDS Resource
Group (MSRG) in order to determine

the requirements for Class A and also
how to justify the proposed changes to
the membership. Thus the Member­
ship STANDARDS initiative was
bom. The MSRG felt that in order to
get the credibility they wanted, they
would have to require Class A to be
college educated, and that CEUs and
PDUs should be required to prove that
a Class A is continually educated. Just
like what had been INTENDED for the
certified program.
The MSRG felt that the only way
they could sell this to the members
was to prove that the change in classi­
fication would result in higher pay,
job security, increased recognition and
job opportunities. In 1997, the MSRG
hired SRI International to research four
areas: job analysis, employer study,

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ou

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(8 0 0 ) 2 57 -7 79 7 / Fax: (8 5 6 ) 7 5 1 -3 8 5 9
w w w .a q u a tro ls .c o m

member study and education review.
These studies were to help the MSRG
prove that a change in classification
would benefit the members.
Basically, SRI found from the job
analysis that superintendents use a
wide variety of skills, knowledge and
abilities to perform their responsibili­
ties. From the employer study, they
found that employers HIGHLY respect
the superintendent and need the super­
intendent’s expertise. “Employers per­
ceive that the superintendent is the
most indispensable member of the
management team, by virtue of a
specialized and scientific knowledge
base that others can’t easily learn”.
From the member study, SRI found
that the members are satisfied with the

July Heat
(co n tin u e d fro m p a g e 8 )

proper public relations is paramount. Open communication
lines with any adjacent neighbors. This cannot be emphasized
enough. You must gain the confidence of your neighbors in
your ability to cleanup the site in a safe, and efficient manner.
Show your neighbors that you are being professional and re­
sponsible in the cleanup process. Lack of communication may
provoke undo concern, which in turn causes people to arrive at
their own conclusion without the proper information. This
is an extremely undesirable situation. Misinformed people
cause rumors to fester. False rumors will only hamper your
ability to facilitate a speedy cleanup. A well informed neighbor
is usually a supportive, calm and understanding neighbor.
In order to deal with a fire effectively, you must be prepared
long beforehand. Having copies of all inventories off-site is
very valuable. Keeping fertilizer and pesticides stored away
from the main building is another excellent idea. Pesticides in
a fire is every superintendent’s worst nightmare. “A stitch in
time will certainly save more than nine,” when it comes to
dealing with the aftermath of a fire.
(Editor’s note: See September, 1999, issue that reported the fire.)

role that GCSAA plays in their lives
and careers. SRI’s education review
found the current education curriculum
provided by GCSAA lacking in many
areas and recommend numerous
improvements. (You should read the
Membership Standards InitiationAnalysis Reported provided by SRI to
judge for yourself the value of their
findings). Cost to GCSAA for SRI =
$342,000.
Well, this was NOT what the
MSRG needed to help them justify the
change in classification. So, in 1998,
Mullen, a marketing firm, was hired to
study the marketability of the current
Class A members, and GCSAA’s
image. Mullen found (to their surprise)
that superintendents are in a “better po­
sition both professionally and socially
than ever before”. Mullen did find that
“the PGA is still the dominant asso­
ciation in the industry” and that
GCSAA needed to “promote its own
existence”. Cost to GCSAA for
Mullen = $????? (not reported).
Lo and behold, the SRI and Mullen
reports in hand, the MSRG still could
not justify (to the members) the need
for a classification change. These
reports had shown that superintendents
are highly skilled, that the image of
the superintendent has improved and is
considered a valuable member of the
management team, and that members
are in fact happy with their profession,
their image and their association’s role
in the industry. So, how can the
MSRG “sell” the changes to the mem­
bership?
Enter Franklin Covey. In April of
1999, Franklin Covey was hired to
achieve two basic goals: to “sell” the
initiative to the membership and to
help restructure the education system
based on the recommendations from
the SRI report.
Covey immediately changed the
name of the initiative from Member­
ship STANDARDS initiative to Pro­
fessional Development Initiative.
(Because it sounds better!) Covey

So, here we are ... $1,007,000 later,
introduced the new and improved
mission statement for the association.
with GCSAA’s proposal to change the
classification, so THEIR influence
(Because it sounds better!) Covey sold
might increase in the eyes of
THEIR HR web tool to the BOD, the
employers, the public and influential
MSRG and the staff by convincing
golfers. In reality, very little of this
them how valuable access to the self
money has gone to actual education
assessment data would be in determin­
improvements to date. The education
ing educational needs, and assessing
the memberships’ competencies. Also, improvements are to come after we
spend another $1,487,000 in the next
employers could use this information
few years. The PERCENTAGE of the
to help in deciding who to hire, as
well as guide the superintendent’s con­ budget (be it 3.2% or 50%) has
NOTHING to do with whether the
tinuing education (in areas that the
money was spent for something
employers deeded necessary). By
needed, for a worthwhile improvement
involving the employers, this would
and/or for a necessary change. We just
strengthen GCSAA’s role in their
spent a million dollars on changing a
eyes, thus enhancing the image of
GCSAA in the industry. So, now have classification system that doesn’t need
changing, just so that GCSAA can try
the REQUIREMENT for self assess­
to “promote their own existence”.
ment to enter and maintain Class A.
YES, as a result of this, we will one
And we are going from an experienced
day have a quality educational program
based classification to a competency
provided by GCSAA, but the end does
based classification.
not justify the means.
Covey then taught the BOD and the
MSRG how to SELL the classifica­
tion changes to the membership. They
stressed the importance of allowing the
Do you have
membership to have a “buy-in” feeling
anything to say?
for the program. The more the mem­
bers “buy-in” the more they will feel it
The Clippings is open to all com­
is necessary. Let the membership
mentary.
know the MAIN areas of change but
Please send your comments to Bob
(most importantly) encourage them to
Chalifour, Clippings Editor, 39 First
help establish a few of the details
Street, Groton, CT, 06340.
(work in progress) as that will enhance
the “buy-in” effect. They (the mem­
D eadline for M ay Issue
bers) will become “stakeholders” in the
A pril 7, 2000
initiative, and support it as needed
improvement. (Go to the Covey web­
site and you will find this philosophy
throughout their teach­
ings).
Carol Vann
Cost (F /Y /E Jun,00)
4 Monroe Street
to GCSAA for
East Hartford, CT 0611Ô-2320
Covey = $432,000.
The cost to date for
the MSRG meetings,
A BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE
cross committee meet­
Landscaping, Design, In te g ra te d Pest Management,
ings, chapter communi­
Arboriculture and Golf Course Seautlfication
cation efforts and focus
groups to GCSAA =
CTDEPa , # eBS
Pager ( 6 6 0 ) 9 4 6 - 4 6 4 4
$233,000.
CT Contractor’s Lic./Reg. # 005604S1
Home (3 6 0 ) 560-4120

CAGCS thanks these patrons fo r their continued support o f our association
A -O K T u r f E q u ip m en t

E gypt F arm s, Inc.

Saw telle B ro th ers, Inc.

Articulator Dealer
Coventry, RI 02816
Michael D. Comicelli
(401) 826-2584

Sterilized Topdressing, Greensmix
Bagged Topdressing & Divot Mix
Dean Snyder
(800) 899-7645 FAX (410) 335-0164

65 Glenn Street
Lawrence, MA 01843
Brett Armstrong ~ George Gorton
(800) 999-TURF

A T Sales

G lenm ore L andscape Service

S h aw n m ark In d u strie s, Inc.

Premium Sod for Golf Courses
Lincoln, RI 02865
Owen Regan
(401) 465-8066

Glenn S. Moore
98 Hack Green Road
Pound Ridge, NY 10576
(914) 764-4348

Specialty Products & Service
Warwick, RI 02888
Matt Howland (24 hours a day)
(401) 295-1673 (www.shawnmark.com)

A llen 's Seed, In c.

G olf T echnical Services, Inc.

SO D C O , IN C .

693 South County Trail
Exeter, RI 02822
A1 La Prise
(401) 884-2097 - (800) 527-3898

Irrigation Services
Lawrence, MA 01843
Ray Vincent
(800) 999-TURF

B entgras s,B lue/Ry e/Fescue
High Fescue & Blue/Rye blends
Washing Services
Matt Faherty (800/341-6900)

A nderson T u rf Irrig a tio n , Inc.

G reenacres C om pany

Steven W illand, Inc.

5 Cronk Rd., P. O. Box 7036
Plainville, CT 06062
Jesse J. Anderson, Jr.
(860) 747-9911

Dave Pijnenburg
Irrigation Contractor
75 Codfish Hill Rd.,Bethel, CT
(203) 748-0558

4 Production Drive
Brookfield, CT 06804
Mark Ericson - Gary Mathis
(203) 775-5757

06801

A ventis E n v iro n m e n ta l Science

Jam es C a rrie re & Sons, Inc.

Sound Beach Services, Inc.

311 Carriage Drive
Kensington, CT 06037
David J. Sylvester
(860) 828-8905

7 Cottage St., Port Chester, NY 10573
Bill Carriere
(914) 937-2136

d/b/a White Contractors
Golf Course Construction & Renovation
P.O.Box 484, Old Greenwhich, CT 06870
James E. Morris, Jr. (203) 869-8808

T he B ru ed an C o rp o ra tio n

L E S C O , Inc.

Tee & G reen Sod

E-Z-GO& YAMAHA
GOLF, TURF & UTILITY VEHICLES
Scott O. Lowe - Frank Savakis
(800) 773-6740

Rocky River, OH 44116
(800) 321-5325 FAX (800) 673-3030
Mike Donahue (860) 668-0821
Mike Dukette (860) 684-6242

P. O. Box 418
Exeter, RI 02822
Dave Wallace
(401) 789-8177

Trap Sand - Partac Topdressing-Drainage Stone

C. R. I. S., L L C

M etro M ilo rg an ite, Inc.

T erre C om pany of N J, Inc.

Golf Course Irrigation
923 Woodtick Road
Wolcott, CT 06716
Chris Carney (203) 879-2362

54 Miry Brook Road
Danbury, CT 06810
(203) 748-GOLF (4653)

206 Delaw anna Ave., P. O. Box 1000
Clifton, NJ 07014
Byron Johnson, Jr.
(973) 473-3393 FAX (973) 473-4402

T he C a rd in a ls, Inc.

M illane N u rseries, Inc.

T uckahoe T u rf F arm s, Inc.

Complete Distributor of Golf Course
Accessories & Maintenance Supplies
John Callahan
(860) 673-3699

604 Main Street
Cromwell, CT 06416
Don Swanson
(860) 635-5500 (sales@millane.com)

Golf Course Turfgrass
West Suffield, CT 06093
Skip Deubel
(800) 243-7582

C h am p io n sh ip T u r f Services

NORTHERN Professional Turf Products
Winfield Nursery, Inc.
Nursery Stock & Turf Care Products
West Suffield, CT 06093
Sean Moran (860) 668-5225

T u rf P a rtn e rs
15 Londonderry Road, Unit 3
Londonderry, NH 03053-6604
Joe Stahl, III
(203) 209-6951

T he C has. C. H a rt Seed Co.

P a rta c Golf Course T op-D ressing

T u rf P ro d u cts C o rp o ratio n

P.O. Box 9169, 304 Main Street
Wethersfield, CT 06129-0169
R. Sibley ~ R. Holcomb ~ P. Bednarczyk
(860)529-2537 & (800)326-HART

Great Meadows, NJ 07838
(800) 247-2326 (908) 637-4191
Bill Carriere (914) 937-2136
Joe Bidwell (860) 651-8555

157 Moody Rd., P. O. Box 1200
Enfield, CT 06082
John Ferry ~ Mark Loper
(203) 763-3581

D & S

R. F. M orse & Son, Inc.

W estchester T u rf Supply, Inc.

Floratine Products
Flymo, Douglas Rollers, Trion Lifts
Dave Basconi
(203) 250-TURF

ParEx Fertilizer - Power Equipment
West Wareham, MA 02576
Carl Wallace
(508) 295-1553

Servicing the Fine Turf Profession
Bob Lippman, Sr. ~ Bob Lippman, Jr.
Office (914) 248-7476
FAX (914) 248-6862

Prec. Laser Leveling/Custom Aerification
Green/Tee/Bunker Const.& Renovation
Michael Flowers
(800) 562-5860

Scott Apgar-Emie Steinhofer-Scott Tretera

E a rth W orks, Inc.

S. B.I. T u rf Services

W inding B rook T u rf F arm , Inc.

Custom Deep Aerification Service
West Wareham, MA 02576
Carl Wallace
(800) 815-1113

Deep & Core Aerification & Overseeding
Plaistow, NH 03865
Jim Favreau
(978) 372-0021

240 Griswold Road
Wethersfield, CT 06109
William Seccareccia
(860) 529-6869 or (800) 243-0232