Newsletter
GOLF

November, 1956

They came,
Undaunted
To blaze a
That others

a brave
by the
trail in
might

and hardy band,
task at hand
this great land
in freedom live.

It took great courage for that first band of Pilgrims
to venture across a wide, little known ocean to establish a home in a wilderness so far away. Perhaps it
was more than courage. It might have been desperation. (Webster says, "desperation is usually an active
state — the abandonment of hope impelling to a furious struggle against adverse circumstances, with a
disregard of consequences.") What is going on in
Hungary at this time is a good example of desperation. It is also an example of what happens when all
of ones freedoms have been taken away.
We in America, blessed with so many freedoms,
find it difficult to comprehend such a state of affairs.
But if we give it a moments thought it is not too
difficult to understand how we would feel if all the
freedoms we now enjoy were taken away from us. It
couldn't happen here. Who said so? When it comes
by degrees and in small stages we don't notice small
bits being- taken away until it is too late. It can
happen in our own back yard. And it is. When any
organization can tell you, or your club, who you can
and can't hire or fire then some of your freedoms are
slipping. Club officials have something to think
about in this regard and it is the duty of Golf Course
Superintendents to keep the officials properly informed of all labor situations.
By the time this Newsletter reaches you the traditional Thanksgiving Day will have passed but the
days of thanksgiving will still be with us. This is
the appropriate time of the year to give thanks for
all our blessings great and small. Count them, including all the trifle ones, and you will be surprised
how rich you are.
News in this letter goes back to Monday, October
8 — T h e Pro-Supt. tournament at Brae Burn. More
accurately it should be known as the John Shanahan
Memorial Tourney. For the benefit of our younger
members, John Shanahan was one of the founders of
our club and was for many, many years, the greenkeeper at the Brae Burn Country Club. He was a
man of sterling qualities, most conscientious, and
loyal to his profession. His turf knowledge came
from constant study and observation in the school of
hard knocks and experience. When he voiced an
opinion it was generally recognized as the best. It is
fitting therefore, that this tournament be held annually at Brae Burn. And likewise fitting that it should
be a Scotch Tournament thereby increasing the possibilities of a different winner each year as the records
indicate. A best ball tournament it was felt would

SUPERINTENDENTS
OF

COURSE

ASSOCIATION
NEW

ENGLAND

tend to restrict the winners to the better players and
in the long run discourage a cosmopolitan entry
which this type of tournament should encourage.
T h e winners of this years Shanahan Trophy were
Pro. John Bove and Supt. Bob St. Thomas with 83-68
Next Les Kennedy and A1 Barney
79-69
Jim Browning and Phil Cassidy
79-71
Geo. Lane and Bob Musciarone
86-71
Vin Obey and Guy Tedesco had a low gross of 74 and
Stan Brown and Milt Brown a 77.
It was a glorious day for it and made most enjoyable because of the excellent condition of the course.
Arthur Anderson takes great pride in having the
course in tip top condition at all times, especially for
this annual affair.
October 29th was the last outdoor meeting of the
season, held at the Highland Golf Club in Attleboro.
Old timer, Elmer Fuller was the host Supt. He and
his club are always the perfect hosts. This time it
was noted that the ladies of the club put on a special
hors d'oeuvres for our group in spite of the fact that
another party was scheduled to follow ours. Thanks
ladies it was nice of you.
T h e days program started off with equipment demonstrations in the morning followed by an excellent
luncheon. T h e n the golf tourney and ending with a
business meeting in the late afternoon. At the end of
the day everyone agreed everything had been perfect.
— T h e weather, the quality of the course and the
harmonious atmosphere which prevailed. It was
noted that new construction was in progress on the
first hole. Elmer Fuller stated that this hole was being lengthened 120 yards which will make it a tough
par 4. T h e new green was stolonized a year ago with
CI, 19, 27. By the way, we forgot to ask Elmer about
the lion we heard while on the course. Did anyone
else hear it? We didn't think one beer would effect
us that way. On the third hole it sounded like a
lion's roar. On the fifth hole, deeper in the woods we
were sure of it. Is there a nearby zoo Elmer? Or was
it the beer?
MONDAY, DECEMBER 3rd
is the date of our next meeting at the
WALTHAM FIELD STATION
Lunch at 12.30.
T h e program will be an interesting one. Come
and see. A1 Radko will be one of the Guest
Speakers. This will also be the Dealers Meeting.
"Go often to the house of thy friend, for weeds
choke the unused path."
EMERSON.
H. DARLING, Editor