CONNECTICUT
CLIPPINGS
Volume

34No. 5

November¡December, 2000

Brian Skelly reelected
CAGCS President
Brian Skelly, Old Lyme CC, was
reelected president of CAGCS for a
second term.
Other officers reelected at the
November 14th annual meeting at
Highfield CC were:

Fenwick GC, who will
serve as education chair­
person, John Motycka,
Skungamaug River GC,
will continue his duties
as golf chairperson, and
Peter Pierson, PequaVice President - Jud Smith
buck GC, will continue
Orange Hills CC
as governmental
Secretary - Dennis Houle
relations director.
Redding CC
(L-R) Dennis Houle, Secretary Mrion Skelly, President;
Remaining on the
and Jud Smith, Vice President
Treasurer - Les Kennedy, Jr., CGCS
board to complete their
The Blind Brook Club
terms are Chris Mauro, Highfield CC,
Tuckahoe Turf Farms, remain as com­
Elected to serve two-year terms as
who will continue as chairperson of the
mercial representative to the board.
directors were Kimberly Heyl,
S & R Committee; Dan Rackliffe,
After all officers and directors pre­
CGCS, Longshore
sented their annual reports, it was
Club Park, will take
announced that there would be no dues
on the new respon­
increase for 2001.
sibilities of mem­
Wayne Urban, this past year's mem­
bership chairperson,
bership chairperson, awarded lifetime
and Wayne Urban
membership plaques and pins to
will now chair the
Robert A. Chalifour, CGCS, Ret.,
social and welfare
who serves as our newsletter editor,
committee.
and Henry Suchinski, superintendent
Anthony Grosso
at Simsbury Farms Golf Course. Life­
will remain on the
time membership is granted to those
board as immediate
who have been CAGCS members for
past president
30 years.
The commercial
John Mulheam, retired from Stanley
membership unani­
GC, and Fred Zeytoonjian, Turf Prod­
mously agreed that
Rear (L-R) Skip Deubel, Peter Pierson, Wayne Urban, Dan
ucts Corp. have also earned lifetime
Rackliffe; Front (L-R) John Motycka, Kim Heyl, Chris Mauro Skip Deubel,
(continued on page 4)

Page 2

Connecticut Clippings

November/December, 2000

President's m essage
Brian Skelly, President

Brian Skelly
CAGCS President
The past year has quickly passed by,
and CAGCS continues to be active in
regional and national affiars.
Our own Michael Wallace, CGCS,
and Tim O’Neill, CGCS, are on the
GCSAA board. Mike is finishing his
term as secretary/treasurer and will be
running for vice president. Tim is
finishing his first year as a director and
is seeking reelection. All CAGCS
members wish them luck and our sup­
port, and I am sure they will both

CAGCS Board of Directors
President - Brian Skelly
Vice President - Jud W. Smith
Secretary - Dennis J. Houle
Treasurer - Les Kennedy, Jr., CGCS
Past President - Anthony Grosso
Committee Chairpersons
Education - Kim Heyl
Golf - John Motycka
Membership - Dan Rackliffe, CGCS
Scholarship & Research
Christian P. Mauro
Social & Welfare - Wayne C. Urban
Government Relations
Peter R. Pierson
Com. Rep. to Board - Skip Deubel

succeed
Anthony Grosso, our past president,
continues to serve on the board for the
New England Regional Turfgrass Con­
ference. He also chairs the nominating
committee, employment referral com­
mittee, and handled the biennial survey.
Thanks to Anthony for all his help and
guidance (and he thought he was done).
Peter Pierson represents us as secre­
tary on the Tri-State Turf Research
Foundation and on the Environmental
Industry Council as past president.
When I came to the board in 1992,1
did not realize how much work and
dedication it took to enable our associa­
tion to run as effectively and as
efficiently as it does. This is accom­
plished through the efforts and profes­
sionalism of our staff, and the hard
work of our members who volunteer
their time and effort to serve on the
Board of CAGCS.
I would like to thank our executive
secretary, Pauline Streeter, and our

C o nn ecticu t C lip p in g s is an
official publication of the
Connecticut Association of Golf
Course Superintendents
Newsletter Editor
Bob Chalifour, CGCS (Ret.)
Newsletter Committee
David Basconi, Heather Garvin,
Edward Goodhouse, Ron Holcomb
and Jud W. Smith

The Clippings is open to all
commentary. Please send your
comments to Bob Chalifour,
Newsletter Editor, 39 First Street,
Groton, CT, 06340.

administrative assistant, Mary Jo
Kennedy, for all their help and know
how in keeping CAGCS running
straight and steady.
I also would like to thank the mem­
bers of our board whose hard work and
foresight keeps CAGCS going forward
as an association.
Jud Smith, our vice president, took
over the green book and found sponsor­
ship for the entire issue. Jud is also the
liaison for the office, keeping the lines
of communication between board and
office open and free flowing.
Les Kennedy, Jr., CGCS, has done a
great job as treasurer, working along
with John Motycka and Peter Pierson
to implement a new program and track­
ing our finances in greater detail than
ever before.
Dennis Houle, our secretary, has the
unenviable task of taking all words and
confusion of a board meeting. Then, he
puts it in order and comes out with a
concise report for the minutes. Before
Dennis took over his secretary’s duties,
he did a wonderful job with putting
together our last year’s winter seminar.
Dan Rackliffe, CGCS, as education
chairperson, started work early and has
already put together the 2001 winter
seminar, and has worked in conjunction
with GCSAA for our upcoming semi­
nars scheduled for December 12 & 13.
Dan is also responsible for getting
meeting sites during the golf season,
so offer him some help...offer your
club for a meeting...this year, next
year, five years from now, whatever
lead time your club requires. It does not
matter, offer your club. Dan has also
filled our 2001 monthly meeting

November/December, 2000

Connecticut Clippings

President's message
continued
schedule with just a few loose ends to
tie up.
Chris Mauro took over the Scholar­
ship & Research committee and has
done a great job. This year, S & R
gave out a record number of scholar­
ships. Chris has done an excellent job
of fundraising and the S & R tourna­
ment was a great success.
Peter Pierson, besides his services I
have already mentioned, keeps in con­
tact with the CSGA and serves as our
alternate voting delegate. Along with
John Motycka, Peter has taken charge
of our annual invitational tournament
and is an invaluable source of informa­
tion and advice to me.
John Motycka has served as golf
chairperson almost as long as I have
been on the board. This is a thankless,
time-consuming job. Yet, John has

always done it cheerfully and even
thought up new ways to have a tourna­
ment and make sure he gets a cold
lunch.
Kim Heyl stepped up to the plate to
fill in for Tim Gerzabek as social &
welfare chairperson. She did an out­
standing job with our annual family
day (a picnic at Madison Surf Club)
and has a different twist lined up for us
for the Christmas party. So, mark your
calendars!
Wayne Urban has kept track of our
growing membership roles and is doing
a super job as membership chairperson.
He also will help out wherever he can.
Skip Deubel has served as our com­
mercial representative to the board and
has kept in touch with our commercial
members seeking skill prizes and their
sponsorships to help offset the costs of
our events. His efforts and those of our
commercial members are greatly

Page 3
appreciated.
Robert Chalifour, CGCS, ret., has
served as editor of our association
newsletter, the Connecticut Clippings,
and has done a great job with the paper.
His little quizzes on history and his
photos and articles have improved an
already great newsletter. Bob is also
another source of advice and support for
me and the entire board.
Finally, I would like to thank all
those who have served on various com­
mittees. Without your support and
help, CAGCS could not continue to
prosper. It is an honor to have served
on this board and I hope to continue to
serve for a while longer.
I would urge all members to consider
serving on the board or on a commit­
tee, as it is a rewarding experience. So,
get involved!

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Page 4

Connecticut Clippings

November/December, 2000

Annual meeting highlights
(continued from page 1)

membership status.
Twenty-five year pins were awarded
to Michael McDermott, Twin Hills
CC, and Roy Sibley, Chas. C. Hart
Seed Co.

and Paul Sabino, The Farms CC.
Those members who are entitled to
receive pins will receive theirs in the
mail.
John Motycka announced the winners
of this year's major championships and
awarded the trophies.
The 2000 season two-man team com­
petition fielded 23 teams, ultimately
coming down to the final four teams
of: Skip Deubel & Mike Sullivan,
Greg Stent & Sean Moran, Phil
Neaton & A1 La Prise, Brian Pope &
Mike Chrzanowski.
In the final match, Greg and Sean
won a narrow victory over Phil and Al.

Bob Chalifour & Henry Suchinski

The CAGCS team took
home the M et Area
Team Cham pionship

Twenty-year pins were awarded to
Byron Johnson, Jr., Terre Co. of NJ,
and Thomas Watroba, Suffield CC.
Fifteen-year pins went to Mike
Dukette, LESCO, Inc., Wayne Urban,
Farmingbury Hills CC, Heather
Garvin, Canton Public GC, Michael
Donahue, LESCO, Inc.
Ten-year pins were awarded to
Michael Decker, Clinton CC, Paul
Bednarczyk, Chas. C. Hart Seed Co.,
Joseph Stahl, III, Turf Partners, Inc.,

Our team of Mike Chrzanowski,
Sean Moran, Peter Pierson and Greg
Stent (gross players); along with John
Callahan, Dick Cook, Wayne Urban
and John Motycka (net players) won
the MET Area Team Championship
Trophy event held at The CC of Fairfield on October 16th.
The team won by five strokes over
teams from seven other superintendent
associations in the greater NY Metro­
politan area. The MET GCSA was

second, followed by the New Jersey
Association.
Connecticut’s team was led by the
stellar play of John Callahan and Peter
Pierson. John's gross 82 was tied for
the 4th lowest score of the day as Pat
Sisk had all 18 pins in what many
described as "brutal" placements. Peter
was just one stroke back with an 83.
The lowest scores of the day were 77
and 79.
The Sixth Annual New England
Superintendents Championship was
hosted by Rhode Island at Metacomet
CC.
Our team of Greg Stent, Mike
Dukette, Brian Pope, Dick Cook, Joe
Malay, Bob Silva, Brian Skelly and
Anthony Grosso finished 4th.
Following the meeting and a great
lunch, 23 golfers ventured out into the
Fall rain for a 9-hole scramble tourna­
ment.

Golf Results

C A G C S Champions
Division

Gross

A Flight (0-12)
B Flight (13-19)
C Flight (20-36)
Senior (50+)
Commercial

Peter Pierson
Dick Cook
Joe Malay
Wayne Urban
Kevin Kennedy

Tom Watroba
Mike Sullivan
Brian Skelly
John Motycka
John Callahan

SupL/Asst.

Oronoque CC
Ward Weischt &
Matt Quinn

Simsbury Farms GC
Hank Suchinsky &
Larry Gauvain

President’s Cup - Peter Bacon
McLaughlin Trophy - Brian Skelly

Mike McDermott & Roy Sibley

N et

1st Place
Phil Neaton, Dick Cook and
Al La Prise
2nd Place
Bob Chalifour, Chris Mauro,
Wayne Urban and Joe Malay
The skill prize winners were Heather
Garvin for long drive, Kevin DeVaux
for closest to the pin, and Joe Malay
for longest putt.

November/December, 2000

Annual Scholarship & Research Tournament
— a huge success —
Chris Mauro, Chairperson

The 2000 CAGCS annual Scholar­
ship & Research Tournament held on
October 3rd at Tumble Brook Country
Club was a huge success. While we are
still receiving and computing the funds
collected, it appears that we will net
over $11,000.
The course conditions provided by
superintendent Cindy Johnson and her
crew were spectacular.
Chris Mauro, this year's S & R
Chairperson, thanks his committee of
Heather Garvin, Mike McDermott,
Mike Donahue, Mike Dukette and Dan
Rackliffe for all of their hard work.
Chris also credits Les Kennedy, Jr.,
CGCS. Without his tutoring on fund
raising, it would not have been possi­
ble to reach this goal.
This is also a great time to thank our
commercial membership who came to
the front in a big way this year.

Gold Tee Sponsors
Sawtelle Bros., Inc.
Steven Willand, Inc.
Turf Products Corporation

Basic Tee Sponsors
A T Sales Associates, Ltd.
A-OK Turf Equipment
Allen Seed, Inc.
Alpine, The Care of Trees, Inc.
Anderson Turf Irrigation, Inc.
Arbor Care, Inc.
The Bruedan Corporation
The Cardinals, Inc.
The Chas. C. Hart Seed Company
C. R. I. S., LLC
D&S
Eastern Land Management, Inc.
E/T Equipment Company
Glenmore Landscape Service
Golf Irrigation Services, Inc.

Page 5

Connecticut Clippings

Greenacres Company
Hollison Sand Company
James Carriere & Sons, Inc.
LESCO, Inc.
Metro Milorganite, Inc.
P I E Supply
The Pond Connection
R. F. Morse & Sons
Shawnmark Industries, Inc.
Simplot
Sodco, Inc.
Stephen Roberts Landscape Design
Tee & Green Sod, Inc.
The Terre Co. of New Jersey
Westchester Ford Tractor
Westchester Turf Supply, Inc.
White Contractors
Winding Brook Turf Farm
Winfield Nursery, Inc.
Our PGA golf professionals from the
following clubs also contributed to this
year's success by donating merchandise
and gifts for the raffle which on its
own earned $2,400.
Black Hall Club
E. Gaynor Brennan
Ellington Ridge
Orange Hills CC
Pequabuck GC
Suffield CC
Tallwood CC
Top Stone
Tumble Brook CC
Watertown GC
Wethersfield CC
CAGCS is proud to assist its mem­
bers, members' children and employees
with scholarships.
This year's Dr. C. Richard Skogley
Scholarship was awarded to Michelle
Lynn Gauvain who attends Dartmouth
College. This award is given annually
to the applicant whose achievements

show a commitment to community,
career and academic objectives.
Michelle is the daughter of Larry
Gauvain, assistant supt. at Simsbury
GC.
Other recipients of a 2000 CAGCS
Scholarship were:
Jonathan Banratt
Paul Basconi, Jr.
Marla Beck
Michael Chrzanowski, Jr.
Erica Cooper
Emily Ferry
Kelley Ann Fuller
William Gresh
Britta Johnson
Val Loper, III
Adam Rackliffe
Benjamin Rackliffe
Peter Rappoccio
Timothny Rappoccio
Alan Vibber
Tim Watroba
The recipient of a CAGCS Memorial
Scholarship was David Heffeman,
second assistant under John F. Streeter,
CGCS, at Woodbridge CC. The
Memorial Scholarship is given to
winter school students.
Funds from this event are also
targeted towards research in developing
the best turf possible for the game of
golf. CAGCS is proud to support the
Tri-State Turf Research Foundation,
the GCSAA Foundation "Investing in
the Beauty of Golf', and Dr. Gail
Schumann's turf lab at the University
of Massachusetts.

Golf Results
Gross W inners
Ken Modzelesky, John Fleming,
Shaun Fleming, Chris Demers - 58
Jim Staszowski, Peter Cure,
A1 Adaskaveg, Peter Bacon - 60
Net W inners
Tom Watroba, Mike Cerrato,
Bud Depray, Robert Baker - 53.1
Wayne Urban, Dennis Houle,
John Callahan, Chris Kipp - 54.9

Page 6

Connecticut Clippings

Welcome new members

Good

Donald Beck - Class B
Fisher’s Island Club

new s!!!

Steven Rackliffe, CGCS, superin­
tendent at Willimantic CC, has
accepted a turf teaching position at
UCONN...more next issue.

Mark Chant - Class C
Aspetuck Valley Country Club

A retirement party, hosted by the
Watertown Golf Club, honoring the
retirement of Bob Vieria as their super­
intendent, was held on October 6th.
A large group of Watertown mem­
bers and friends, relatives and CAGCS
members attended.
Michael Wallace, CGCS, GCSAA
secretary/treasurer read a proclamation
from GCSAA president, Scott Woodhead. Peter Pierson read a proclamation
from Connecticut Governor, John
Rowland, proclaiming October 6th
“Bob Viera Day”.

* * * * *

William Demur - Class B
Grassmere Country Club

Did you know?

Ryan Dexter - Class C
Redding Country Club

that 82% of superintendents spend
up to 25% of their work day working
a computer?

Eric Kundahl - Class C
Norwich Golf Course

* * * * *

Ron Smith - Class Commercial
Sports Club Management, Inc.

H o s p ita lity Suite
Dallas, TX

* * * * *

* * * * *

Congratulations to Walter Beck
on his retirement from the Airways GC
and to Jonathan Case, former assistant
to Kevin Bengtson at Indian Hills CC
on his appointment as superintendent
at Airways GC.
Condolences to Michael
Sullivan on the passing of his mother.
* * * * *

USGA Recommended Sands
Topdressing ~ Divot Mix

November/December, 2000

Watch your mail for upcoming
news and details about the hospitality
suite at the National Conference &
Show in Dallas.
* * * * *
All commercial members should
have received the 2001 advertising rate
schedule and deadline dates for next
year's Clippings. There has been no
increase in the advertising rates.

Root-Zone Mixes
Bunker Sand & Pea Stone

cJ-foCCiiton cdarul

The CAGCS Board of
Directors would like to wish
all CAGCS members a very
happy holiday season and a
happy and prosperous
new year!

Una.

* * * * *

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Telephone
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Fax 292-1047

Upcoming Events

Dogs of Summer
Paige is an 8-month old black Lab living and working with Bob Decker, the
assistant superintendent at Pautipaug Country Club. In her brief time on the
course, she has
already become
popular with several
members and has
thoroughly inspected
the six ponds on the
course.
This off-season, she
hopes to study under
the guidance of her
cousin, Kailey, a
chocolate Lab at
Clinton Country Club, with the goal of learning Kailey's tricks for dealing with
geese removal and hotdog acquisition.
Reminder: Please send in your "Dog o f Summer" picture or any pet you bring
to the golf course with a few words.

Twenty years ago
So many superlatives could be used
to describe the job that Fred Bachand
does at Wethersfield CC that one
should simply say that Fred is one of
the finest golf course superintendents
in the country. Year in and year out,
Fred provides the touring pros with one
of the best maintained layouts on the
tour.
Given weather conditions prior to the
1980 GHO (several lOOf degree days
plus very little rainfall) Fred's perfor­
mance is just that much more
impressive.
This year, Fred hosted the July meet-

Page 7

Connecticut Clippings

November/December, 2000

ing of CAGCS just prior to the GHO
and admitted to those in attendance that
he found having his fellow superinten­
dents coming for a day was more stim­
ulating than preparing for the GHO.
Certainly, the course couldn't have
been in better condition.
Speaker for the evening was John
LaPoint of the National Golf Founda­
tion. John presented an overview of
just what NGF sets out to accomplish
and also presented a fairly optimistic
view of golf for the future. No doubt,
he states, there will be changes and
some clubs will not survive but by and
large, golf should enjoy a sound
tomorrow.

December 12 & 13
Two one-day seminars
"Sustainable Golf Course Landscape
Design: Enhancing Aesthetics,
Function & Maintenance"
-an d "Integrated Environmental Mgmt”
Hawthorne Inn
Berlin, CT

January 9, 2001
CAGCS Annual Winter Seminar
Hawthorne Inn
Berlin, CT

February 1 1 - 1 8
GCSAA Conference & Show
Dallas, TX

March 7 - 9
New England Regional
Turfgrass Conference & Show
Providence, RI

March TBA
CAGCS Monthly Meeting
Hawthorne Inn
Berlin, CT

April 10
CAGCS Monthly Meeting
New Haven Country Club
James L. MacDonald, Host SupL

May 8
CAGCS Monthly Meeting
Black Hall Club
Philip Neaton, Host Supt.

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Page 8

Connecticut Clippings

November/December, 2000

CAGCS Annual Meeting
Highfield Country Club
Middlebury, CT
By Heather Garvin

Chris Mauro, Superintendent
Highfield is a private 9-hole course
(architect A1 Zikorus) which is situated
on the edge of 690 acres it owns. The
course was first 5 holes which were
built in 19S2 and finished in the early
60s. The club was originally an estate
that members from the Waterbury CC
bought to form Highfield. It has a
pool, tennis courts and a beach on Lake

Quassy which is at the end of the drive­
way. The original owners, Joseph and
Elizabeth Chamberlain, had their faces
carved into the rafters at either end of
the front of the house.
Chris just finished his first year on
the board. He's fresh off a very success­
ful S & R Tournament which made
over $11,000. The S & R Committee
awarded 17 scholarships this year and
the numbers tend not to decrease, so
the money will be put to good use.
Chris got into the business in a
round-about way. He grew up in Madi­
son and loved to play baseball. He
played baseball at UCONN and majored
in engineering. For a summer job, he
worked at Madison CC because he
could work and still had time to play in
three different baseball leagues. He
enjoyed the work and transferred to

UMASS where he received his Asso­
ciates Degree in 1992. Chris did his
placement at Madison and continued to
work there for Mike Chrzanowski. He
became Mike's assistant in 1991 and
held that position until taking the job
of superintendent at Highfield.
Chris began playing golf in 1993 and
has caught on quickly.
Chris met his wife, Amy, at
UMASS. They live in Middlefield with
son, Zachary, who is almost two years
old. They have two black Labs, Talon,
and a puppy, Bella. When not working
and his knee is in good shape, Chris
enjoys golf, baseball, hiking and
skiing.
Thank you, Chris, for hosting the
annual meeting and congratulations on
a successful year with S & R and we
wish you continued success.

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November/December, 2000

Connecticut Clippings

Page 9

Northeast News Update and the Winner is:
"There's Fungus Among Us"

PARTAC

By Dave Oatis, Director,
Jim Baird and Jim Skorulski, Agronomists

TOP-DRESSING

GOLF COURSE

It looks as though summer may have
paid its final visit to the northeast early
in October. A few days of warm tem­
peratures and high humidity felt like
July (of last year) in the Met area.
However, the familiar cool, wet
weather made a quick comeback, and
snow flurries will soon be in the fore­
cast in the northern region.
Maybe it was the warm weather that
brought back memories of disease; a
term that is most often attributed to
that kingdom of organisms called the
fungi. Weeds may be unsightly, but
when we can’t control them, we turn
around and try to grow them as with
annual bluegrass. Insects certainly can
be both annoying and damaging, but
what we often cannot see, cannot hurt
us. Right? Not so with disease. It’s out
there. It’s rampant And, it’s often
deadly.
Given the significance of turf
diseases and their control, maybe we
should pay tribute to the top diseases
of 2000 in the northeast And the
nominees are:

develop it.

Gray Leaf Spot — A nominee
for "Disease of the Year", but compared
to previous years, outbreak was scarce
throughout much of the region, and
therefore unable to accept the award. If
perennial ryegrass on your golf course
was fortunate enough to escape disease
outbreak this year don’t be lulled into a
false sense of security and abandon
those species conversion or preventa­
tive fungicide programs.
On the bright side, gray leaf spot
recendy attached the perennial ryegrass
collection at the Rutgers research farm
in southern New Jersey, much to the
delight of the turf team. The good news
is that some disease resistance was
found among the ryegrass selections. If
disease resistant perennial ryegrass
germplasm is possible, there is no
doubt that Rutgers has the expertise to

Bentgrass Dead Spot — N om i­
nated for "Best New Disease and Worst
Disease of New Bentgrass Turf".
Chances are that you will encounter
this disease on putting greens or tees
less than six years old and growing on
root zone media amended with high
sand or inorganic materials. Fortu­
nately, several fungicides provide effec­
tive preventative control including
propiconazole (Banner Maxx),
chlorothalonil (Daconil Ulktrex, Zn),
iprodione (Chipco GT), and Clearly
3336, just to name a few. However,
once symptoms are apparent, turf
recovery into the dead spots is slow as
molasses.

Anthracnose — Nominated for
"Best Supporting Disease of the Year".
It has been more active this year than
in the last several. The moisture, com­
bined with mower injury, is probably
responsible for its resurgence, and
some golf courses have had a tough
time controlling it. Fortunately, the
biotypes that affect annual bluegrass
have been the most common by far. In
the short term, it obviously is a prob­
lem, but in the long run, anthracnose
usually helps increase creeping bentgrass populations.
Summer Patch — Did we experi­
ence a summer in 2000?
Brown Patch — See summer
patch.
Pythium — A perennial nominee
for "It’s Time to Update the Resume
Award". Thankfully, extreme warm
temperatures did not accompany the
recent monsoon season and high
humidity for extended periods of time.

Dollar Spot — A shoe-in winner
for "Disease of the Year". Was it the
weather? Resistant strains? Too little
nitrogen? Too much dependency on

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fungicides that control just about every
other disease? Probably all of the
above. Dollar spot is often referred to
as the most common disease of golf
course turf, yet it is amazing how little
we know about this fungus. Patho­
logists can’t seem to agree on the
scientific name of the causal agent nor
do they completely understand its biol­
ogy. USGA-funded research is ongoing
at Cornell University to help answer
some very important questions about
this pathogen.
Snow Mold — Unfortunately,
snow mold falls in that gray (or pink)
area of arriving too late or too early for
consideration as Disease of the Year.
However, don’t underestimate the pow­
er of these diseases to wreak havoc on
your golf course, don’t forget to make
those timely fungicide applications be­
fore the snow flies and again when it
melts.
Have a great season, and give us a
call if we can be of service. Source:
Northeast Region staff 610/515-1660
or 413/283-2237, doatis@usga.org,
jskorulski@ usga.org jbaird@ usga.org.

Page 10

November/December, 2000

Connecticut Clippings

— Trespassers

—

F

resh

S

o l u t io n s

for

B etter T urf M anagement

How do you deal with them?
By Bob Chalifour, CGCS, Ret.
Clippings Editor
were 7 or 8 years old. He would under­
stand what the man was yelling to
him. But my son is 3. He’s too young
to understand.”
My concerns for bringing this infor­
mation to you is vandalism. I strongly
believe that much of the damage done
to golf courses by vandals could be
avoided. I am not a psychologist. How­
ever, I am a retired golf course superin­
tendent that has dealt with trespassing
children on the course.
Over the years, some of my greatest
concerns were how the trespassers on
the course were dealt with. In too many
instances, the golfer is your worst
enemy. Please note the statement, “The
man acted inappropriately.” Why?
Because this child was on his golf
course? I don’t know the answer.
How do you deal with a 3 year old
that has wandered onto the golf course
without setting yourself up for some
sort of charge by the police. Each situ­
ation is different. Tactfulness and cool
heads must prevail. Golf course
management should have a policy in
place as to who is responsible for deal­
ing with this type of situation.
What about the teenager that some­
one screams at to get his "— " off the
course. After dark, with a few friends,
the answer can be quite devastating and
expensive.
How you deal with
any trespasser will
Owen Regan
vary—there are no set
rules. During spring
break, a few students
would sneak onto the
A T Sales Associates, Ltd.
1787 Olde Louisquisset Pike
golf course to play.
Lincoln, Rl 02865
My first reaction was
they were stealing and
Tel
401-465-8066
should be hauled off
Fax
401-729-8163
Pager 800-592-0675
by the police. How­
ever, they could also

It happens often — children in
places they should not be. Golf courses
are no exception. The attractiveness of
running over close cut greens and
through sand bunkers, or up and down
the slope of a raised tee could be excit­
ing for a child. How the golf course
management and membership deals
with the situation can have far reaching
affects.
This Fall, Parker Hanssen, age 67, a
New London CC member for 40 years,
was charged with second degree reckless
endangerment and risk of injury to a
child. Hanssen, driving a golf car,
chased and shouted at a 3 year old until
the boy’s mother came to the rescue.
Hanssen said that he was trying to
urge the boy off the course for the 3year old’s protection. However, his
antics from a distance managed to
frighten and confuse the child.
The child had wandered from his great
grandparents’ home adjacent to the
course and was playing on a green with
a rake.
The mother, Jennifer Bergeson, says
what she heard from her grandparents’
backyard was a child screaming and a
man bellowing as if he was driving
cattle. In her statement to the police,
the mother said, “The man acted
inappropriately. I can see if my son

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be your ally. I would treat them as if
they had paid and let them play, remind
them to let faster players through, hop­
ing that they would respect the course.
With walk-throughs and short-cut
takers, I explained that it is dangerous
to be on the course and they could get
hurt. Vagrants, I would call the police
immediately and let them handle the
situation. Adults playing and not pay­
ing are stealing and I doubt if any are
ever prosecuted.
So, what happens to Parker Hanssen
who was charged with a felony? A
judge dismissed the case.
Editorials in “The Day” were sharply
critical of Jennifer Bergeson, the wife
of a New London Police officer and
also the mother of the child, for not
properly supervising her child. It could
have been worse. He could have
wandered into the middle of the street.
What have been some of your
experiences with trespassers? Let us
know.

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65 G lenn Street, Lawrence, MA 01843
Telephone: (978) 682-9296 Fax: (978) 683-9198

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(800)679-8201 • FAX:(763)785-0556
w w w . tu r fc o . c o m

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 e n t

E g y p t F a r m s, In c.

S a w te lle

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

B r o th e r s , In c .

A T S a les

G len m o re L a n d sc a p e S e r v ic e

S h a w n m a r k In d u s tr ie s , In c.

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 lle n 's S e e d , In c .

G o lf T e c h n ic a l S e r v ic e s, In c.

SO D C O ,

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

Bentgrass,Blue/Rye/Fescue
High Fescue & Blue/Rye blends
Washing Services
Matt Faherty (800/341-6900)

IN C .

A n d erso n T u r f Ir r ig a tio n , In c.

G r e e n a c r es C o m p a n y

S te v e n

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 06801
(203) 748-0558

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

W illa n d , In c .

J a m es C a rriere & S o n s, In c.

S o u n d B e a c h S e r v ic e s, In c.

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

7 Cottage St., Port Chester, NY 10573
Trap S a n d - P artac T o p d r e ss in g -D r a in a g e S t o n e
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 h e B ru ed a n C o rp o ra tio n

LESCO ,

T ee & 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

A v e n tis

E n v ir o n m e n ta l

S c ie n c e

In c.

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

M e tr o M ilo r g a n ite , In c.

T erre C o m p a n y o f N J , In c.

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

54 Miry Brook Road
Danbury, CT 06810
Scott A p g a r ~ E m ie S t e in h o f e r - S c o t t
(203) 748-GOLF (4653)

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

T h e C a r d in a ls, In c.

M illa n e

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 a m p io n sh ip

T u r f P a r tn e r s

(800) 562-5860

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

T h e C h a s. C . H a rt S eed C o.

P a rta c G olf Couise T o p -D r e s s in g

T u r f P r o d u c ts C o r p o r a tio 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 o rse & S on , In c.

W e stc h e ste r T u r f S u p p ly , In c.

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) 621-5067
FAX (914) 621-7180

T u r f S e r v ic e s

Prec. Laser Leveling/Custom Aerification
Green/Tee/Bunker Const.& Renovation
Michael Flowers

N u r s e r ie s ,

T retera

In c.

T u c k a h o e T u r f F a r m s, In c.

15 Londonderry Road, Unit 3
Londonderry, NH 03053-6604
Joe Stahl, III
(203) 209-6951

E a rth W o rk s, In c.

S .B .I. T u r f S e r v ic e s

W in d in g B r o o k T u r f F a rm , In c.

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