GREEMEEPERS CLUB OF HEW ENGLAND
NEWSLETTER
April, I9I+3
The March meeting of the Greenkeepers Club of New England was held Monday,
March 1st. at the Hotel Statler in Boston."
The largest group to attend a Winter meeting enjoyed a very interesting and
profitable discussion of the Maintenance problems of the coming season.
The labor situation was the first topic of discussion and after a poll of members
it was clearly indicated that all golf courses will operate with a serious labor
shortage. The only constructive ideas offered were the possibility of using high
school boys or older men who would not qualify for defense work. It was also
suggested that women might be able to do light maintenance work. This seemed to
be an individual problem.
A discussion of minimum maintenance of golf holes closed to play took place.
The governing factors are: available man power, finances, and post war plans for
these areas. The upkeep of this turf even though reduced must be on a planned
program if it is desired to conserve its value for future use as golf turf.
Total neglect for only a short period will mean total loss.
Ideas suggested for wartime maintenance followed:
Greens: The times of cutting per week may be reduced. This will be governed
by types of grasses and growing conditions. Poling methods may be altered to
meet mowing and play requirements. Water requirements of putting green turf are
critical and any reduction in watering should be carefully considered. Topdressing and fertilizing can be kept at a minimum using applications only often
enough to maintain a healthy turf. The demands of different types of turf will
vary greatly. Disease and insect control must be carried on to a sufficient de*gree to prevent turf damage. Some members who have treated the turf to prevent
disease are- convinced that the cost for the season was no greater than if they
had made applications only to check disease attacks. Whether the prevention or
check method is used, it is expected that there will be ample materials for all.
Time spent in moving cups will be governed by amount of play.
Tees: A minimum of fertilizer will be used.
insisted on. Mow by power where possible.

Teeing up on short holes should be

Fairways: A minimum of fertilizer will be used. Some Clubs are planning no
fertilizer program for fairways. Reduce number of mowings per week when
possible. Fairway irrigation will be done only when necessary to prevent loss
of turf. It was felt that if fairways were narrowed the mowing time saved would
be slight and the new rough would he very heavy.
Rough:

Rough should be mowed only often enough to prevent the loss of golf balls.

Hazards: The care of traps will "be reduced to a minimum cr eliminated entirely.
It was suggested that preferred lies he given on the sand in the traps. In the
interest of saving the loss of golf halls, water hazards such as "brooks and
ponds will he fenced, drained or the sources of water will he "by-passed.
In general, all maintenance operations if possible will he mechanized to save
man power.
It will he essential to carry out operations as they become necessary and not
because of any previous routine schedule.
Member tolerance will he an important factor in the decision as to what is
essential and what can he eliminated.
The April meeting will he held Monday, April 5 at the Hotel Stabler in Boston
at 6:30 P. M.
\

The speaker will he James Geehan, advertising manager of the magazine
"Horticulture".
He will talk on "Publicity and its Value in the Horticultural Field".
Following is a list of the addresses of some of our members who are in the
service:
Lt. F. J. Tuscher, Slst Fighter Squadron, Orlando Air Base, Orlando, Florida
N. J. Sperandio, U.S.N. Bat. 82 Co. B, Platoon 3 NCTC, Camp Endicott,
Davisville, R.I.
PFC Charles O'Keefe, 87^ Chemical Co. (AO) Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma
Tech. Maurice S. Ryan, 110*4.7857 Hdq. Co. 31st AR U. S. Army A,P.O. #257
c/o Postmaster, Los Angeles, California.
A. J. Sperandio F 2/c U.S.S. Terror, M.A. Div. c/o Fleet Post Office
New York, N.Y.
Coxp. Albert Zikorus, 100th Bomb, group Hl8 Bomb Squadron, Army Air
Base, Kearney, Nebraska.