NEWSLETTER
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NOVEMBER, 1950

"A man too busy to take care of his health
is like a mechanic too busy to take care of
his tools."

Spanish Proverb

"Success is getting whlat you want; Happiness
is wanting what you get.
Author Unknown
As you pull the cork on this edition of the J. Holiman-H. Mosher
91-10-81
Newsletter you will find a two in one mixture. J. Makara-E. Buecher
94-14-80
It can be used both internally and externally. D. McNiece-A. Cody
85-03-82
The latter if you don't like it.
T. Lamey-D. Silver
89-00-89
This double dose covers both the Brae Burn, A. Bird-M. O'Kelly
90-00-90
October 2, and the Needham, October 30, meet- F. Ryan-I. Gill
94-00-94
ings. It is still impossible to report the winner M. Negoshion-G. Webster
109-15-94
of the history making Brae Burn Greenkeeper- No cards for the remaining 7 teams.
Pro tournament. Why? Well, here's the dope for
that 72 was the low net score. Formerly,
the benefit of those who don't know what took it Note
took
a net 67-68-or 69 to win. The day was
place.
perfect. The course was in A1 shape. The fairFour teams tied for first place with net 72s. ways were better than ever. The greens were
The greenkeepers used half their regular handi- excellent. Thanks to the conscientious and skillcap. They were, P. Friel and Wm. McBride, T. ful management by Arthur Anderson. Is old age
Adams and Sam Mitchell, J. Thoren and Ralph creeping up on us? Were the the boys tightened
Thomas, C. Sheppard and Arthur Anderson. up? What's the answer?
They agreed to play sudden death. Friel-McBride Now after a 28 day lapse of time the curtain
and Adams-Mitchell were eliminated on the first rises again at the Needham Golf Club. It was
hole. The other two teams halved the first and another grand day. Exceptionally balmy for late
the second hole. Thoren-Thomas had 5s on the October. Incidentally, do you ever remember
third and Sheppard-Anderson had 6s. The latter having such a mild fall as we have just expericlaimed a stroke on this hole and a halved hole. enced ?
Thomas protested. The fourth hole was won by
This meeting was a well attended, jovial
Sheppard-Anderson and they claimed the win. gathering. Some of the boys had a little trouble
Ralph Tho.mjais submitted a written protest to the with their game and some trimmed the pine trees
Greenkeepers Club. Our tournament committee plenty. It's a good thing that there are no clipheard both sides and decided to present the ping penalties in golf. Ye editor would have lost
whole matter to the U. S. Golf Assoc. for a de- beaucoup yardage. Pines discolor new golf balls
cision. This decision will be final.
and the ball washers were conspicuous by their
This is the first time such a situation has de- absence. Therefore, the only alternative was the
veloped in our Greenkeeper-Pro tournament. It oasis.
should he the last. With an explanation and de"Usually it's easier to keep out of trouble
cision coming from the U.S.G.A., sufficient in- than
to get out".
formation should be available to enable our
Author Unknown
tournament committee to establish a set proced- Editors note: I wonder.
ure covering all contingencies when ties occur.
Webster miade an excellent host. EveryA total of 35 teams entered this tournament. oneGeorge
was
made
to feel at home at the breather
So seldom does the complete results of this consupper and during the excellent meal
test get into print, it seems fitting to present before
served right on the button at the stroke of six.
them herewith.
brief business meeting followed. President
P. Friel-Wm. McBride
80-08-72 AMosher
announced the names of the nominating
T. Adams-S. Mitchell
83-11-72
as follows: Ted Murphy, Bud Hayden,
J. Thoren-R. Thomas
79-07-72 committee
Tony
Sperandio,
Webster. This comC. Sheppard-A. Anderson
81-09-72 mittee is requestedandto Geo.
the 1951 sllate of
J. McRevnolds-P. Hayden
82-09-73 officers at the Decemberreport
meeting.
F. Pitts-M. Ryan
78-05-73
G. Morrison-E. Phinney
81-04-77 John Counsell suggested that at some near
D. Haekney-M. Francis
84-08-76 future meeting, preferably the annual meeting
B. Trumbiall-A. Sperandio
83-06-77 in January, a question box session be the feature.
J. Bernardi-S. Braio
89-11-78 Written questions of any nature may be subeven by mlail, and answered by those best
B. Donahue-J. Butler
88-09-79 mitted,
qualified. It was also suggested that the dealers
H. D. Darling-H. C. Darling
88-09-79 again
be reminded that they are always invited
B. Adams-B. Ash
88-10-78
S. Wasiuk-N Sperandio
84-05-79 and welcome at our monthly meetings.
V. Obey-G. Tedesco
83-03-80
By the way, what happened to the attendance
J. Igoe—J. Dinardi
94-13-81 prize idea? For loyalty and effort, prizes should
R. Howard-P. Cassidy
88-06-82 have been awarded to Elmer Fuller, Pat Tameo,
E. Stuart-B. Clark
84-00-84 and Herb Johnson who attended one meeting in
R. Lincoln-J Oldfield
93-08-85 Rhode Island and then rushed to Needham, Mass.
L Dunn-S. Hannon
97-09-88 to be present at our evening meeting. How many
J. Shean-S. MacDonald
89-00-89 would have shown that interest?

The tournament winners were, The 1950
champion, J. C turnback Fingerless Bombeck with
a gross 77. Low net, J. Rejuvenated Latvis 8824-64, 2nd net, A. Handicapper Allen 89-16-73,
3rd net, M. Nufsed O'Grady 90-16-74. Blind
Bogey winner, H. Goodguess Farriant. It looks
las though the tournament committee will have to
raise all the old timers handicaps or? You guessed it.
APOLOGIES. The editor inadvertently omitted
Ernest Ruby's name in the list of members in
good standing recorded in the Ocober Newsletter,
S'cuse please.
Monday, December 4, is the date of the next
Meeting at the Wialtham Field Station. An ideal
pllace for a large gathering. Lunch at 12:30 and
a hot business meeting following. Maybe some
surprises too. There are indications that the
lunch will be on the house . . . so come and get
it. What's the meeting alllabout? You must have
heard. It's in regard to bringing our by-laws up
to date. It involves minor and major changes
recommended by the directors. It was the editor's
oirliglinal intention to clearly explain all the
changes in this issue of the Newsletter but spiace
does not permit going into this much detail. The
next best thing lis to bring your by-laws to the
meeting so that you can follow all the changes
being proposed. For those who do not hlave
a set of by-laws perhaps we can dig up enough
to go around. Dr. John Schead, noted Entomologist, is the scheduled speaker.
The most important change being proposed
is the name of our Club. It is recommended that
the new title be the New England Golf Course
Superintendents Association. That's quite a departure isn't it? It is something that requires
careful, clear and unbiased thinking. To give you
ideas on both sides of the question two articles
are herewith presented which appeared in the
April 1941 Newsletter at the time this question
was previously discussed.
"Progress always involves risks. You can't
steal second base and keep one foot on first."
WHAT'S IN A NAME

Quote from article

"If you have not been previously informed, your notice
of the April meeting will tell you that you are expected
and privileged to vote on whether you desire your Club
to be known as the "Greenkeepers Club of New England"
or the "New England Golf Course Superintendents Association."
You know of course that our organization is credited
with being the first of its kind in the United States.
The Greenkeepers Club of New England was founded
on February 25th, 1924, and the subsequent history of
the Club has brought glory and commendation to its
"Greenkeeping" members.
Recently the by-laws of this Club were strengthened
to conform to the desire of its members to keep this
organization one of Greenkeepers and their recognized
assistants with the necessary qualification to join.
The Club members have taken advantage of certain
privileges in the by-laws and elected to Honorary membership, men with outstanding contributions to the
Greenkeeping profession.

The title Superintendent is not necessarily objectionable as it does denote one who is an overseer' with power
of direction: but taken with the words "Golf Course
it just doesn't jibe as a definition of a Greenkeeper.
You may disagree but the title "Golf Course" in itself
lacks the old world glamour which is reminiscent of the
connection with "Links" and "Keeper of the Green."
There are many individual cases where the title "Superintendent" or the name "Golf Course" is appropriate without detracting from the fact that the Course is in
reality a "Links" and the "Superintendent" really the
Greenkeeper.
It is true that at times the title Greenkeeper has been
appropriated by men employed under us due probably
to a misunderstanding of the meaning of the word as
we recognize it, or for the purpose of making an impression.
If this reason is the sole one that inspires the desire
to change the name of our Club then the fault should be
corrected at its beginning by instructing the men employed by us what their position is: foreman, mechanic,
greensman, laborer, etc.
It is only natural that a person with a slight knowledge of the game and its necessary maintenance personnel should, when speaking to or referring to any
groundsman, call him a greenkeeper.
For example, when that traffic cop (new on the force)
came over to bawl you out, didn't you say, "Did I do
something wrong, Captain"!"
When in doubt, one usually gives a person a high
rating in order not to underrate his standing.
I feel it unnecessary to point out the financial
cost or the loss of prestige of such a change were it
desirable.
On the assumption that we may still progress with the
sound background we now have without claiming the
title Superintendent, then let us do so, and extend our
efforts not in a cry against some imaginary lack of
recognition as to the true definition of "Greenkeeper,"
but in the work of furthering Greenkeeping as members
of the Greenkeepers Club of New England."
WRITER'S NAME WITHHELD
CHANGE THE NAME
"Greenkeepers Club of New England" Why?
"In spite of the fact that the Greenkeepers Club of New
England is one of the oldest, if not the oldest club of its
kind in the country, notwithstanding the fact that the
term Greenkeeper originated with the game of golf and
for this reason has much sentiment attached to it, and
even in spite of the fact that Greenkeeping is recognized
in the golfing world as a profession, I say, "change the
name. Give it the new name of New England Golf Course
Superintendents Association."
Put "New England" at the beginning of our name
where it immediately points out our location and where it
is the most natural and easiest way to say it. Substitute
"association" for "club" because it seems to be more
applicable to an organization of our type. Drop the
name "greenkeeper" and in its place substitute "Golf
Course Superitendents." Why? Because the name of our
organization is not only supposed to describe what we
do and who we are to the golf clubs, and the golfing
public but to the general public as well.
If we in our profession are going to make progress,
if we are going to raise our standards, if we are going
to elevate our position and if we are ever going to increase our incomes why don't we do it with a name
everybody understands?
I say the name greenkeeper is a misnomer in describing our duties and responsibilities. We outgrew the name
many, many years ago. It is possible that at the beginning of the history of the profession it was intended
to include more than "Keepers of the Greens." I presume
the term green then included all green grass on the
course and the "Keeper of the Greens" was not confined
to the greens as we know them today.

If you look for the definition of greenkeeper in the
ordinary dictionary you will be disappointed in not finding it. But if you go to the trouble of locating a large
recent unabridged edition of Webster you will find it
defined as "a person responsible for the upkeep of a golf
course." But I say, even the latest deiinition of greenkeeper does not do justice to the position. A great deal
more is expected of the 1941 greenkeeper than Webster
defines. He must not only be an expert and a business
manager of the upkeep of a golf course, he must be a
specialist in the care and maintenance of skating rinks,
tennis courts, swimming pools, toboggan slides, skiing,
ski tows and other forms of recreation. Who can say
how many other responsibilities will be added to the list
in the future.
Even though Webster's unabridged latest dictionary
does define a greenkeeper, the general public is still very
much in the dark as to what the job is all about and
I think always will be until we make it easier for them
to understand. They have no idea of the responsibilities,
the knowledge and experience required, and the techical
skill demanded. I am not so sure that even the golfing
public is very familiar with the duties, and there is
a question whether they ever will either until a name
is applied which is more clearly understood.
How many of our members have seen that blank expression on a person's face when told that you are a
Greenkeeper? Wouldn't the position you hold be so much
better understood if you stated that you were a golf
course superintendent. How many times have you heard
your men working under you telling strangers that they
too are greenkeepers? Would they be so inclined to say
they were the superintendent?
The man who developes football players, molds the
individuals into a smooth working machine, and controls
their every action in play, is known and recognized by
the public as the football coach, and not the water boy,
or the trainer.
The man who has complete charge of the personnel
and the operations within a manufacturing plant is
recognized as the superintendent, not the foreman, the
efficiency expert, or the engineer.
If someone told you he was the janitor of the _ Empire
State Building you might immediately picture him as a
sweeper and duster, but if he told you he was the
superintendent of the Empire State Building it would
immediately convey to you a position of responsibility
with attractive remuneration.
So it is, I believe with the man who has complete
charge of the personnel and the work on the golf course.
I believe the sooner this man is known by the public
as the superintendent of the golf course, the sooner the
public will understand the responsibile position this man
holds on the golf course. They know the meaning of superintendent but I doubt if they ever will know the true
position of greenkeeper.
I don't believe the sentiment supposed to be attached
to the name Greenkeeper means very much any way you
look at it. It doesn't elevate his true position, it doesn't
increase his prestige and it certainly doesn't seem to
increase his remuneration. I think it is time we were
looking forward rather than backward. I say change the
name of our club to "New England Golf Course Superintendents Association."
HOMEE C. DARLING

else from being drawn away somewhat from full time
greenkeeping, I am of the opinion that perhaps the
name has outlived any distinctive usefulness. The Golf
Supt. seems to be the word or title coming into vogue
and while it can be argued pro and con the Supt. part
does connote position. Have noted that repeatedly here
in dealing with the general public that greenkeeper
means to them anyone working on the golf course
whereas Supt. is quite something else again. . ."
Excerpts from a letter received from Phil Cassidy.
" . . . I would like to go on record at this time as being
in favor of changing the name of the present G. C. of
N. E. to the New England Greenkeeping Supt's Assoc.
and I am in favor of adjusting the dues so that all regular members would also automatically become members
of the N.G.S.A. I am proud to have been a President of
the G. C. of N. E. and I feel that now is the time to
modernize so that the younger element coming along
will be equal in name, as well as ability, with other Nationally associated groups."

Author Unknown
Well, there you have it. These are a few ideas
Now mull them over -and come to the December
meeting with your ideas. We'll he seeing you.
THANKSGIVING
It is hoped that this issue of the Newsletter
will reach you just before Thanksgiving Day,
Thursday, November 23. This noble day, born
right here in Massachusetts and teeming with
tradition, is worthy of more solemn thought than
perhaps it has received in recent years.
Here's ain idea. If it is not your habit or custom
to offer a prayer when you sit down to your
Thanksgiving dinner, try it this year. It will
miake you feel better and bigger. It does'nt have
to be in flowery language. Just a plain simple
expression of your thoughts. Things that you
are thankful for.
What are the things which stir my heart
To thanks? The things which God has set aplart
For man; His sunlight on the rows of ripening
grain,
The fertile soil, so eager for the yield,
The verdant valley wet with glistening riain,
The rolling hillside and the furrowed field.
There are so many things which coime to bless;
The family ailtar and the warming hearth,
The word of coimort, soft as a caress
When trouble clouds the mind; the good,green
'earth,
The bounty of the harvest and the worth of
steadfast friends.

Excerpts from a letter received from Charles This above all gives me to raise my voice
Parker a former member of the Club.
thanks to Thee; for this shall I rejoice,
" . . . I recall writing for the old Newsletter a some- In
More than in any measure' of my choice—
what impassioned opinion on why I thought the name For
fellowship of friends.
Greenkeeper should be preserved and that it was up to
us to make the name mean something; not desert it
(Walter Merkel)
because it appeared to be losing any significance. Of
course—to be trite—a rose by any other name would
H. Darling, Editor
smell as sweet but having acquired perspective if nothing