The Annual meeting of the Greenkeepers Club'
of New England was held Monday, January 18,
1954 at the Waltham Field Station.
There were 47 present at the luncheon including
the "Miami Boys".
Charles L. Pierson Treas. of the United States
Golf Association was the featured speaker. Mr.
Pierson explained the set-up of the new sectional
turf agencies of the U.S.G.A. and explained how
it was expected to function.
This was a double feature meeting as Prof. L, S.
Dickinson was also present. Prof. Dickinson's
main objective in attending was to get ideas for
the coming Turf Conference at the State University in March.
The main subject suggested for the Conference
was the hope that in some manner the Greens
Chairmen of the various Clubs could be present
so that a method or means could be worked out
to give closer cooperation and understanding between the Superintendent and the club members.
At the business meeting Daniel S. Collins, Supt.
of the Winchester C. C. was elected a regular
member. The following slate of officers was
elected for 1954.
Pres., Michael J. O'Grady, New Bedford C. C.;
1st V. Pres., Manuel Francis, Vesper C.C..; 2nd V.
Pres., Albert Allen, Kernwood C. C.; 3rd V. Pres.,
N. J. Sperandio-, Concord C. C. ;Sec., William Ash,
Franklin C. C,; Tres., Samuel S. Mitchell, Ponkapoag Golf Course; Trustee for 3 years, Theodore
Swanson, Bear Hill G. C.; Comm. Ch., A. J. SperN- J- Sperandio, Concord C.C.; Sec., William Ash,
andio, Framingham C.C.; Golf Comm. Chr.,
Joseph Butler, Mt. Pleasant C. C.; Auditing,
Comm., Percy L. Clark, Meadowbrook G. C. and
Arthur E. Anderson, Brae Burn C. C.
Retiring Pres. Arthur Cody was presented a
gavel suitably engraved commemorating his tenure in office.
Following is a Newsletter report from the Editor now in Florida communing with nature.
It never seemed quite fair to write a Newsletter here in Florida while you fellows up north
were facing the blistery, blustery, blankety blank
cold weather. But this year since so many of the
boys had a taste of the balmy atmosphere at
Miami National Turf Conference, and have probably already advertised it, please pardon the
writer if he removes his shirts and sits on the
porch to scratch a few lines from St. Petersburg Beach.
What a place for a mid-winter turf conference.
Maximum temperature 80 degrees, minimum 60
degrees the entire week of the conference. The
Miami Chamber of Commerce sure got a break because the following week the folks were shiver-

ing. The conference and show was held in the
Miami Municipal Auditorium on the shores of
beautiful Biscayne Bay only a stone's throw from
the leading hotels and business district.
Our section of New England was well represented, Charlie Allen, A. Anderson, R. Brigham,
A. Cody, 0. Clapper,. J. Dombek, H. Darling, H.
Farrant, M. Francis, E. Fuller, Graham, H. Johnson, G. Mitchell, F. Meehan, M. O'Grady, P.
O'Leary, N. Sperandio, P. Tameo, and R. Thomas.
Not bad, was it? The annual conference misfortune award again went to Narry Sperandio
who drove down with his family. His son fell
from a tree and broke a leg before the conference
started resulting in a hasty return home. Better
wait until the conference comes to Boston again,
Narry.
The equipment show was as interesting as
ever. Of course it had the southern accent—
Piles of coconuts for souvenirs, and such like.
Of particular interest to us Yankees was a display of southern grasses, weeds, and insects all
unfamiliar to us. There were many strains of
Bermuda and the courser grasses, St. Augustine,
manila, Centipede and Carpet. The Mole Cricket
and Rhinocerous beetle looked troublesome too.
One is sure to absorb valuable tips and additional wisdom at the educational conference
A talk on "Make the Weather Work for You,"
indicated that all greenkeepers would benefit by
keeping in close contact with local weather stations, watching the five day and thirty day forecasts and planning the work accordingly. Prof.
Frank Goodwin amused everyone with his humorous and inspirational talk "Making Little Things
Count". Kill your grass diseases, but spread the
contagious diseases, enthusiasm, cheerfulness
and friendliness. Patty Berg, in her talk injected this thought, that emphasis on beauty in
landscaping around club house, tees and greens,
makes a happier, more contented golfer. All the
talks were excellent and full of meat but space
does not permit further comments except in the
following chips and puts.
Water shortages in most cities and towns are
getting more critical yearly. Increased population, new homes, etc., is lowering the water
table. One - third of many cities' public water
supply goes for trees, lawns and other outdoor
uses. —Some neglects in early season causes
much trouble later — grass on greens should have
a definite contrast in color from the fairways.
—There are indications that some turf is being
retarded with promiscuous use of 2 4 D. Keep
records to see what happens. — Presence of leaf
spot may indicate other undiscovered troubles.—
Power Greens Mowers are being operated too

fast in hot months. — Build tees as large as
your greens. Large, closely mowed tees now suggest a few practice putting cups on crowded
holes.—Heavy construction equipment compaction may take nature several years to adjust.—
Major changes on any course deserves the appointment of a public relations committee for
educating, explaining and selling the details to
the members and taking the pressure off the
Supt. So much for the short puts and misses.
Now for the long- hooks and slices. All courses
seen on the tour or played on in the Miami
section appear to be superior to any other part
of Florida. The finer textured Bermuda just
doesn't prevail around St. Petersburg or north.
Perhaps'it's the cooler nights on the west coast.
The best greens in Florida are inferior to the
best in Massachusetts, but the best Bermuda
fairways play better than the best Mass. fairways. Note—only one dubs opinion. There is
no doubt that the coconut Palm (one of some 60
varieties) grows best in Southeast Florida. The
grace and beauty of this particular specie in
this section plus the flowering hibiscus and bougainvillae lining the fairways creates an exotic
appearance that thrills the northern golfer and
lulls him into a satisfied vacation regardless of
cost. But Ye Editor will still take St. Petersburg
Beach. Sure, the temperatures are slightly lower
but it's more invigorating, the people are more

friendly and costs more reasonable. Speaking of
friendliness, the Rhode Island group sure had a
friend in Herb Johnson who drove 40 miles from
Ft. Lauderdale to meet thern at the Miami Airport
at 4:00 A.M. Flying reminds me that the Robins
have been noted in far greater flocks here than
usual throughout the state. Normally, they stay
in Georgia and northern Florida indicating that
the cold weather you've had and expect to have
is below normal.
This about winds up the Florida comments
except one final shot to the green. Ye Editor has
just a. few more days left here in St. Pete. It has
been a grand vacation. A month or more in this
warm sunshine with complete relaxation is
worth a great deal to this winter and his good
wife. Yes, a lot more than it has cost. Now I will
pass the quill over to Phil Cassidy who will
finish the news in the north. Best wishes to all.
H. DARLING
Our sympathy goes out to Narry and Tony
Sperandio on the recent loss of their father.
The next meeting of the Greenkeepprs Club of
New England will be held Monday, February 8th
at the Waltham Field Station. The guest speaker
will be Dr. Edward Haerth, of the Bersworth
Chemical Co., Framingham, Mass. He will talk
on FerroGreens, a new chemical on the market.