GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS' ASSOCIATION OF NEW ENGLAND
NEWSLETTER
September 1955
It was a distinct honor and a pleasure to have been the host at
our September 12 meeting here at Juniper Hill. It is always an honor to mingle
with Golf Course Superintendents, knowing their responsibilities, the
multiplicity of their problems, the variety of their tasks. And this
past summer has been the most trying of all, with the drought, the heat,
the flood. It has been a real test of character, requiring a stout
heart, unbounding faith, courage, patience and the will to fight against
odds beyond anyones control. It was good to see that the boys could
still smile and were eager and anxious to acquire new ideas,- more
information.
"To the man who himself strives earnestly,
God also lends a helping hand."
Aeschylus.
Mother Nature was kind to us September 12. What started out to
to be a dubious one, materialized into a beautiful day. We had our fingers
crossed because some will remember that the previous meeting here was a
thoroughly wet one. Everybody got soaked. (Outside that is.)
The main attraction at this meeting was A1 Radko, the genial
Northeastern Director of the U. S . G. A. Service Section. He received immediate
approval from our group for his cordiality, and expert turf knowledge, and
particularly his familiarity with Eastern Massachusetts conditions.
Following a brief tour of the course and a stolon cutting and planting
demonstration, Mr. Radko gave a short talk on the procedure for vegetative
planting. In general he approved the method used here at Juniper Hill which
is as follows; Prepare the soil and the surface as you would for seeding a
green. Inco rporate in the soil 15—20 pounds per thousand of complete fertilizer (8-6-4 we use.) It is highly recommended that aero cyanamid be used
for weed seed control this being the, last operation. Apply 50 pounds per
thousand, two thirds of which should be harrowed in 2—3 inches and the remaining third applied to the surface and raked in. (The cyanamid, by the
way, will push along the growth all through the spring and into the summer.)
Then leave untouched for one month making sure the soil is moist for complete
and satisfact ory action of the cyanamid. When ready to plant the stolons
the surface should be roughed up and leveled by raking in order to make a
soft surface receiving bed for the stolons. The men doing the planting
should start at a convenient end of the area working side by side each with
a basket of stolons, planting in front of them and working backwards
parallel with one another. Bend over and scatter stolons close together
over entire surface keeping working hand near the ground, (to avoid wind
disturbance) . When one section has been completed another man or men should
follow up with a top soil application, using aspreader loaded lightly and go two
ways with just enough soil to anchor plants. (Soil required approx.
yards
to 5,000 sq. ft.) Roll lightly. If windy it may be advisable to roll
lightly just as soon as stolons are dropped. Watering is all important,
using a fine nozzle spray to start with. Keep surface moist at all times I

Don't drag hose over surface. It will disturb stolons. Grass should be
growing well in 2-3 weeks and should be ready for first mowing in 4-5 weeks.
Mr. Radko suggests that mowing height should start at approx. three eighths
of an inch leaving clippings on the ground. Two to three top dressings
will be required after this to true up green surface. Then step back and
admire a beautiful piece of turf.
During the tour of the course apparently some of the boys were
impressed with our C I, 19, 27 creeping bent greens, which withstood the
hot disease laden summer splendidly. On the strength of the interest
shown we are enlarging our stolon nursery so that more planting material
may be available next September.
A buffet luncheon was served at the nearby White Cliffs after
which A1 Radko gave a timely talk and led a discussion on the unusual and
extremely unfavorable conditions of the past summer, the likes of which
have never been experienced in these parts. It was concluded that it might
be helpful to our member superintendents if Mr. Radko would put in writing
some of his observations during the summer. Such a letter has just been
received and accompanies this Newsletter. Put it on your Club bulletin
board to enlighten your golfers on the situation.
STRAY SHOTS. The attendance prize winners were, John Senkari,
Tony Sperandio, Jim Roberts, and Tony Caranci.
Roger Hines was voted an
as s o cia te membership.
-Joe Butler is transferring to the United Shoe C.C.
Good luck Joe. Mel 0'Kelly was throwing out his chest being the father
of a new baby girl.
-Howard Farrant was also strutting as a new grandfather.
Manny Francis and Joe Butler nearly hit a deer while driving to
the meeting.----The low net nine hole tournament winners were, John Senkarik -33, Sime Braio 35, Guy Tedesco 36, - John Sperandio and John Latvis
tied with 37s.
When
When
When
Then

the summer sun had faded,
the days are growing shorter,
the afternoons are precious,
we know that it is autumn,

And the grass is turning brown,
And the leaves are tumbling down,
And the evenings crisp and cold,
When the woodlands turn to gold.
G.A.S.

Yes, its autumn and another season. So let's forget the summer.
There's much to do before freezing weather. Up and at Um.
NEXT MEETING----BRAE BURN COUNTRY CLUB
The Supt.-Pro Scotch Tournament.

Monday, October 10

Selected Drives—Alternate Shots
DON'T PLAY OFF BEFORE 10:00 A. M.
Open to Superintendents and Pros. At least one of the team must
be either a member of the P.G.A. or the Golf Course Superintendent's Association. Outside guests will not be permitted this year.
"Patience is like idling your motor instead of stripping your gears"
H. Darling, Editor.

iEC E I V E D
UNITED STATES G O L F
qqT

1

1955

_.c.W-0. - C.O.D.-

GREEN

SECTION

NORTHEASTERN
C O L L E G E

O F

A G R I C U L T U R E
NEW

ASSOCIATION

BRUNSWICK.

OFFICE
R U T G E R S

NEW

UNIVERSITY

JERSEY

OPEN LETTER TO THE GREENKEEPERS CLUB OF NEW ENGLAND
I was indeed sorry to see the turf difficulties encountered this
year in the New England States. I am sure however that you are well aware
that golf courses throughout the entire northeast suffered badly because
"The Man Upstairs" wasn't with us this season.
There is no question that the limiting factor was the weather.
So far we have had little or no growing weather at all - except since Labor
Day. Prior to this we had a cold spring with drying winds that caused
dessication, snow mold and other injury. The permanent grasses did not
recover from this injury until sometime in June. In July and August we
experienced record heat waves, high drying winds, & high night humidity. A more
troublesome combination for turf culture is hard to find. Insect activity,
disease incidence, wilt of grasses, and weed encroachment reached a very
troublesome peak this year. In many cases, greenkeepers were forced to
"abandon" all but putting greens - they did what they could to save their
, greens. I believe your own President, Mr. Michael 0' Grady of the New Bedford
Country Club summed it up nicely in two words "Texas Weather".
The August rains that followed the hurricanes revived turf
in fairways and roughs, but certainly hurt the putting greens further. We
experienced at that time some "Wet Wilt"., a condition whereby the grasses
wilted even though they were standing in water, Further injury was caused
by heavy play at many courses on the weekend following th downpour. This
weekend was again very hot, the temperatures were about 95°. Many "Old Timers"
that I have talked with this season have said time and again "I have never
seen anything like it". I too can say that in my experience this has been
the most difficult turf growing season that I have encountered.
The road ahead is a rocky road, it is not going to be easy to get
courses back into their usual good shape. We trust that the weather will
be kind on the road back.
Sincerely,
A. M. Radko
Northeastern Director