Greenkeepers Club of New England

NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER

1945

An old Chinese proverb could say, "The greenkeeper is the boat and the grounds crew
are the water; the water can either support or capsize the boat."
The August meeting was held at Homer Darling's Juniper Hill Golf Course. The weather
man prevented it from being a perfect day. Although I saw very little of the golf course, the
players: praised the condition of the course highly. The clubhouse was saturated with hospitality
and Mrs. Darling provided a repast that was second to none, it had both dimensions, quality and
quantity.
Sixteen golfers started to play in the rain and only four had sufficient moral perception
to seek shelter instead of finishing the round. The tournament was billed as a 44>all best ball but
actually it was a contest for mudders. The tandem of Anderson and Darling tied with the Hannon-Sperandio combine to divide first and second money with net 65's in a photo finish. Hayden,
with Cassidy up, came splashing along the rail, but Cassidy waited too long before giving him
the whip and they finished three lengths behind to win show money with a 68.
Dave Barry, writing from Belgium, claims that he is now a globe trotter at the poor taxpayers' expense, but he hopes some day to meet the rest of the greenkeepers.
Valentine Flood, the Connecticut veteran, is thinking of retiring from active service, but
Val says he will always be with the boys in spirit.
If you are interested in a demonstration of the insecticide D.D.T. on your course, write to
Mr. F. E. Denney, The Rogers and Hubbard Company, Box 208, Portland, Conn.
Paul Johnson, sportswriter for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, was a guest at the
meeting. In his column the following day he stated that "The greenkeepers were organized for
the purpose of being able to chuck their cares once a month, get together in a shop-talking body,
and thence hack around some sporty golf course in some form of tournament. They make an
ordinary duffer quite conscious of his obligations on a golf course. They treat their job as a sort
of artistic profession and get their pride and satisfaction from what they accomplish. They do
their beaming and boasting (and, if need be, their griping) at these rather exclusive meetings,
where camaraderie is the big aim."
Sam Mitchell was the winner of the prize donated by Homer for the best answers to his
questionnaire:
HELP WANTED
Greenkeeper for exclusive 9 hole country club. Must be willing to start at $15,000.00.
Modern home with heat, light, food, clothing and automobile furnished.
(No
phone). 30 hour week. Racing Form provided. No conception of greenkeeping
required; preference given to man not interested in golf course maintenance. State
lack of experience,, giving details concerning your general lack of ability. Must
have been fired from at least five jobs during the past year. No others need apply.
UTOPIA COUNTRY CLUB
Must be referred through N. E. G. C.
The next meeting will be held at Harold Mosher's Riverside Golf Club on Monday, September 10, 1945. This is the Greenkeeper-Chairman meeting and the customary Scotch tournament will be played
A light lunch may be had at the Club at 12:00 noon, followed by a short business meeting
and the above mentioned tournament.