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Qolf (Gourde Superintendents -Association
O F

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E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

CONFERENCE NOTES
March 6, 1968
AFTERNOON
Dean Fred P. Jeffrey, of the University of Massachusetts
School of Agriculture, gave the University's welcome address
to more than 600 interested turf culturists assembled at the
White House Inn, Chicopee, Massachusetts for the opening of
their 37th Annual Fine Turf Conference.
Dean Jeffrey in his remarks gave us the reason why we
were not at the hallowed campus grounds of the University
this year, because the grounds are in complete turmoil with
heavy construction for the building of an 18-story Library
Building, and an addition to the Student Union building.
Hopefully, the Conference will be back at the new Student
Union building in 1969.
A1 Radko, in his usual soft and diplomatic style, but very
penetrating opened the Speakers' Program with the "1967
Turf Problems." A film on green construction according to
USGA specifications was shown by Al. He indicated tha't the
golf course labor problems would be severe in 1968.
Lee Record, USGA Agronomist, followed his boss with
"Remedies for 1967 Turf Problems." Lee presented slides showing a cold wet spring and a summer that produced 14 rainy
week-ends out of 20. He stressed proper drainage on all new
construction and taking care of the old.
Ralph W. White, Jr. came to us from the Southern Turf
Nurseries. His subject was, "Southern Turfgrass Production
and Problems." Mr. White was a most engaging speaker. The
major problems in the Georgia-Florida area are insects and
fungus. Brown Patch being one of the chief offenders. Ralph
stirred the audience when he mentioned that 24 lbs. of actual
nitrogen per year are required for the maintenance of good
golf greens and 18 lbs. of N for good fairway turf. Iron Chlorosis is a very serious problem in Florida.
It is almost impossible to over-water turf grass and he qualified this statement by saying that the best golf courses in
Florida have the most efficient automatic irrigation systems.
The last speaker of the afternoon was anchor man David
Moote, Superintendent at the Rosedale Golf Club in the Toronto area. Dave discussed, "Canadian Turfgrass Production
and Problems." Mr. Moote likes the idea of cutting tees with
putting green mowers set at % of an inch. He suggested mowing greens as tight as possible, and back lapping greensmowers
once a week.
Mr. Moote was very emphatic about aerifing greens prior
to September 1st, so that the holes may be healed in by September 10th.
EVENING

The surprise of the Conference was, "An Evening With Les
Campbell", sponsored by the Tom Irwin Company. Mr. Campbell's slide and tape recording presentation was titled, "Thru
The Lens — Nature's Impressions." Les hunts with a camera.
His lens caught many birds, insects and nature settings which
were truly magnificent.
(Cont'd p. 2)

APRIL

1968

S p o n s o r s a n d a d m i n i s t r a t o r s of the L a w r e n c e
Dickinson Scholarship

Fund —

Awarded

to d e s e r v i n g T u r f M a n a g e m e n t

Students.

Lee Record, (I), Agronomist,
U S G A , Green Section, New
Jersey. A l Radko, (r), Eastern
Director U S G A , Green Section, New Jersey.

Tom Mascaro, (I), W e s t Point
Products, Pennsylvania. Dr. Joseph Troll, (r), Chairman of
Turf Conference, U. of Mass.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be the last of our regular scheduled indoor meetings at the Holiday Inn, Newton, Mass.
(exit 53 from 128). The date is April 1, 1968.
Directors' meeting
10:45 a. m.
Regular meeting
11:15 a. m.
Dinner
12:30 p. m.
Educational meeting
1:15 P-, m.
Ted Murphy informs me that he has planned an outstanding educational program this month. He has a representative from the Registry of Motor Vehicles coming.

S.

yearly

ourSe

Superintendents

Conference Notes (Cont'd)
THURSDAY, M A R C H 7 — M O R N I N G
Dr. Richard C. Skogley, Head of 'the University of Rhode
Island Experimental Turf Plots, opened Thursday morning's
program with, "Turf Research Abroad." Dick took 1967 for
his Sabbatical leave, and used it wisely doing research at the
British Sports Institute, inspecting all sports turf areas on
golf courses in the British Isles and the Continent. Some of
Dr. Skogley's slides of St. Andrews and Gleneagles left a few
of the old Scotsmen in the audience dewy-eyed.
Dick reported that seed labeling laws in Britain are nonexistent. The use of fertilizer in Europe on golf courses is
rather rare.
Dr. Victor B. Younger, Head of the California Turf Research Station, traveled the farthest to appear on our program.
He presented, "Turf Research At Home." California has five
Temperate Zone grasses. Zone five would be comparable to
our Central New England climate, which is conclusive for
growth—ef-bent-grass. The lack of zinc in the California- soil
is a problem.
Dr. Younger's research with Fylking blue grass produced
the best growth at higher temperatures. Strangely enough, this
grass is a native of Sweden, a very cool country.
James A. Simmons, a turf grass scientist, representing 0 . M.
Scott, gave an enlightening talk on, "Commercial Turf Research."
AFTERNOON
Tom Mascaro, industrialist from Pennsylvania, discussed,
"Reducing Costs in Turfgrass Management." Tom showed
slides on the old classic Rube Goldberg equipment built and
dreamed up by the old-time greenkeepers. His message was
simple and clear. Today, no golf course can afford hand labor
and broken, obsolete equipment.
Two-way radios are now being used extensively, and even
closed circuit TV cameras are used in such places as pump
houses, front entrances, as well as critical areas around the
club house.
Sherwood Moore, Superintendent at the Woodway Country
Club, handled, "Labor Management — Superintendent's Viewpoint." Sherwood gave us the pros and cons of his experiences
with the labor unions during his tenure at Wing Foot.
G. E. Osborn, Representative of the Hercules Company,
spoke on a serious problem which affects approximately
6,000,000 American people, "The Problem Drinker — A Management Responsibility." Mr. Osborn will be Director of the
-Hercules- Company Problem - Drinker llchabiliLation Program.
THURSDAY EVENING
The highlight of the University of Massachusetts Turf Conference has always been the "Banquet" and the after-dinner
D a v e C a n a v a n , (I), M o r e G o l f , Inc., Virginia. Paul E. W e i s s , ( r ) , S u p t . C o n c o r d
C o u n t r y C l u b , Pennsylvania.

^Association'
speaker. This year was no exception. Irv. Wermont, from the
Boston area, was not only hilarious, but had a memory like
an IBM computer. The eye-opener, gave the 250 or so present
a chance to challenge his amazing powers of retaining names
and facts.
Richard C. Blake, recently re-elected to the Executive Board
of Directors of the GCSA of America, awarded scholarship
checks to six recipients. All of them are members of the Stockbridge senior class, majoring in Fine Turf Management. They
are: Andrew Gregory, Arthur Hall, Roland Hodgkinson, John
Mathews, Philip Boyle and David Turner. Two old grads of
the first Stockbridge class, Dick Finnerty and Sam Mitchell,
were recognized and took bows. Arthur Anderson flashed us
his winning smile as the first graduate of the 1927 Winter
School.
FRIDAY M O R N I N G
The last session was devoted to Design, ConstructionRenovation. Geoffrey Cornish, the old master, spoke on "Contemporary Design-Standards." Jeff elaborated on the three aspects that must be considered in golf course design. They are:
the golf aspect, aesthetic aspect and the maintenance aspect.
In this day of air pollution golf courses and green belt areas
are playing a major role in cleansing the air.
Robert Grant, Superintendent at Brae Burn, followed his
mentor with, "Construction — Superintendent's Viewpoint."
Bob outlined specifications for construction, and he showed
slides on snow removal off greens which were not built and
drained properly.
David Canavan, of Moore Golf, Inc., presented, "Construction — Contractor's Viewpoint." Mr. Canavan stated that more
wasteland such as land zoned as Flood Plain, is now being
utilized for golf course development. Also, more public and
courses tied in with real estate developments are being constructed than private clubs in the Maryland area.
Paul E. Weiss, Superintendent Concord Country Club,
Pennsylvania, spoke on "Greens Renovation." Congenial Paul
obviously had magnetic appeal, as he kept the audience up to
the final bell. He presented his talk with slides of methods he
used in green renovation.
Once again, our heartiest thanks to Dr. Joseph Troll, Head
of Fine Turf at the University of Massachusetts, and Charles
Mruk, from the Boston Office of the Hercules Company, for
assembling a program of HEAVYWEIGHTS!
Anthony C. Caranci, GCSA of New England President,
handled the chairmanship in a prompt and professional
manner; =——
Now is the time that we are about to face the hard facts of
life, and prepare ourselves for the 1968 golf season.
LEON V. ST. P I E R R E
Dr. Ralph W . W h i t e , Jr.
Agronomist,
Southern Turf
Nurseries, G e o r g i a
(below)

D a v e M o o t e , Supt.
Rosedale G o l f C l u b ,
Canada
G e o r g e E. O s b o r n , (I), Hercules C o m p a n y ,
Delaware.
Sherwood
M o o r e , (r),
Supt.
W o o d b u r y Country Club, Connecticut.

-(joi^

(^ourde

Superintendents

^^AAociation-

Back, l-r — Anthony Caranci, Dr. Jos
M r . Richard Crosby, Mr. Edward W i
Front l-r — M r . Richard Blake, M r .
Driscoll, Mr. Charles Pyle, Jr.,
Chlevin.

L-r — J. Barry Driscoll, M G A
Greens Section Chairman, Ben
J . Chlevin, Executive Director
Golf Course Superintendents
of America, Charles Pyle, Jr.,
President, M G A .

M r . Richard Crosby, Greems Chairman, Brae
Burn Country Club, M r . Anthony B. Caranci, President
G C S A of N . E., M r . Richard Blake, Superintendent
Mt. Pleasant Country Club, M r . Edward White,
Greens Chairman, W o o d l a n d Country Club.

L-r — M r . Richard C . Blake, Supt. M t . Pleasant C C ,
M r . Charles Pyle, Jr., President M G A , M r . James F.
Gaquin, Jr., Executive Director Royal Canadian Golf
Association, M r . Ben J. Chlevin„ Executive Director,
Golf Course Supts. Association of America.

Massachusetts Golf Association Annual Spring Conference
at the Harvard Club of Boston, March 16, 1968
While listening to the lobby conversations I would say that
this was the greatest MGA day ever. After hearing the various
programs that were presented we had a delicious ham dinner
and then heard remarks by the luncheon speaker, Mr. James
F. Gaquin, Jr., Executive Director of the Royal Canadian Golf
Association and former caddy at the Woodland Country Club.
During his talk, he mentioned that the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund had the second largest number of students in
college on scholarship of any other caddy scholarship fund
in the country.

ourde

Superintendents

^Adociation

PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Growing turf in the Pacific Northwest province of British
Columbia can be as complex as any other area of North
America. The rainfall or lack of it at times, is one of the
major problems here in Vancouver, B. C. We receive between
50 to 100 inches of rain between September and May, with
only a few inches in the summer months. The play is real
heavy all year long, as the ground only freezes a few times a
year for a couple of days. Very little snow falls along the coast
at sea level. The mountains are usually covered with snow
all year long. You can see snow every day of the year, that
is, of course, when you can see the mountains through the
fog and haze.
The wet weather in the winter and very dry summers have
a very adverse effect on turf in general. Poa Annua seems to
thrive out here 365 days of the year, what with the temperature j n the summer ^between 65 to 75 degrees. The bents do
real well, with Poa a close second and on most old courses
Poa is the only grass on the golf course.
The application of Fungicides is a must all year long, with
Red Thread (Corticium furiformi), Pythium, Ophiobolus
patch, and Dollar spot being the most common turf grass
diseases, we even had some Brown patch this past summer.
Weeds and insects are about the same problem here as
they are back in New England, with one exception being that
we have an insect called the Crane Fly (Tipula paludosa)
which completely destroys all living turf. This insect eats the
crown and roots of all turf, but can be controlled by proper
spraying in time.

The most common trees are the Fir, Cedar, and Hemlock
all of which grow in excess of 150 to 200 feet tall. This is due
to the mild climate and over-abundance of rain. There are
no Oak or Maple native here as back in New England. It's a
beautiful country here in Vancouver, with the Pacific Ocean
coming right up to the giant Fir trees, with snow-capped
mountains rising up from the ocean.
Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club and the other Golf
Clubs in the greater Vancouver area are all unionized with
$2.70 an hour as the present rate, with a $0.10 to $0.25 increase each year, plus fringe benefits. I found that this rate
gives me a much better caliber employee.
The budgets range from $60,000 to $100,000 at the better
clubs in Vancouver, because of the high labor and also any
equipment bought, comes from the States and has a high duty
on it.
As most everyone knows, I am from New England, but
really find growing turf in Vancouver a rewarding challenge.
I feel that it was a great experience to make such a move and
I now have a major tournament under my belt as host of the
1966 Canadian Open. I believe that anyone that really wants
to better himself must move twice or more in his career
whether it be 10 or 3,000 miles. I think that the proof is in
the number of position changes that have taken place in just
New England alone, within the past 5 to 7 years.
Dick Mitchell, Supt.
Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club

Improve Your Executive Skills

W i n d and W a v e

Vancouver, B. C.

Here is an excellent opportunity for the superintendent
Wind can be a friend or a foe of the boater. Light winds
to improve his management skills in:
are those from one to seven miles an hour, which cause smoke
1. Human relations and personnel management.
to drift and weathervanes to swing. A "gentle" wind blows
2. Speed reading and fact retention.
from 8 to 12 m.p.h. and can create breaking waves of two
3. Product marketing and salesmanship.
feet or more. Between 13 and 18 m.p.h., winds are "moderate"
4. Executive math and pricing structures.
but they can build waves to a height of five feet. "Fresh" winds
5. Purchasing management and basic accounting.
are 19 to 24 m.p.h. in velocity and can produce crested waves
6. Communications and writing.
even on sheltered waters. When winds become "strong" at
7. Executive skills.
from 25 to 40 m.p.h., small-craft warnings are hoisted, waves
You will receive a monthly Portfolio for $1.50 per month.
pile up and the knowledgeable boatman is snugly anchored
The above described lessons require but a few hours a week.
in a sheltered cove or tied up at his home dock.
The total cost is $20.50 for one year, postage included.
— "The Conservationist"
—e— Do _youraelf a favor by taking advantage of this ex- >
cellent program. Most clubs would even be pleased to underPUBLIC RELATIONS
write this program for you.
Advanced thinking management recognizes that with so
Send for the Executive Workshop Catalog to, The
Bureau of Business Practice, Department C, Waterford, Conn.
many companies and organizations competing for media space
08385.
(and time), good public relations requires the services of
experts and costs money.
Sugar Maple Decline
The members of the G.C.S.A. of New England have recogRepeated trials with potted greenhouse sugar maples have
nized this problem as a fact of life. Engaging a public relashown that the progressive marginal scorch of leaves, defoliations counselor was a move that has been well received.
tion and dieback of sugar maple can be induced at will by
Leon V. St.Pierre
prolonged withholding of water. Timely applications of water
can uniformly arrest the decline. Extensive field observations
Editors' Luncheon
in New England indicate that decline is habitually associated
with drought, years.
At the recent GCSAA Conference in San Francisco the
Examination of the root systems of declining sugar maples
chapter newsletter editors were given a luncheon and a chance
in the field has disclosed extensive injury and degeneration.
to butt heads. Headquarters hoped for better communication
In pastured swales extensive root damage is done by the feet
with chapters and requested their newsletters for use in the
of cattle sinking into the soft soil in wet periods. Trenching
"Superintendent." Those editors attending exchanged copies of
beside roads destroys large segments of the root systems in
newsletters and discussed their own problems. Other editors
roadside trees. Few or no roots have been found in the soil
were very favorably impressed with the recent expansion of
beneath the pavement of roadside trees. Degeneration of roots
this Newsletter and that a public relations director has been
in soils compacted by constant pedestrian or vehicular traffic
hired by the Association. At least this is one instance where
in towns is also demonstrated.
— "The Conservationist"
New Englanders are ahead of others rather than behind them.

Golf Course Superintendents of New Hampshire
Editor — John Brown, Supt. Fort Devens Golf Course

T H E PAMPHLET DILEMMA

With the many innovations in air cooled engines and the
increased specialization of turf tools, the golf course superintendent and mechanic have found it necessary to become
more service manual conscious than in the past.
A frequent lament heard among superintendents is, "When
I purchase a .thousand dollar machine, why doesn't the dealer
supply me with all the necessary manuals?" Certainly this is
a justifiable complaint, at least at first glance. If the dealer,
who really has little control over the matter I suppose, were
to issue all the necessary manuals, (consisting of an owner
manual, operating manual, repair instruction manual, and
sometimes a great many supplements noting changes that
supercede these other manuals), then he would have to hire
a full time clerical staff. Then if each customer were to receive all the manuals pertaining to his specific purchase, a
great many would be sent to the homeowner, who in turn
would just simply throw them away. Other customers would
lose them from inadequate filing systems. Then does this take
the dealer off the hook?
Now what about the distributor? He sells machinery; and
for a small price he will supply a certain number of manuals.
But remember, he is not in the library business and chances
are he will tell you so.
Then there is the manufacturer. If he accompanies each
machine with all the necessary manuals and supplements, the
cost might be included in the purchase price. This would seem
the ideal answer. However, the majority of the customers do
not feel a need for this detailed information; and it would
seem the manufacturer cannot justify spending the time,
trouble, and expense just to satisfy the needs of the minority.
I am still looking at my shiny thousand dollar machine
which came with a warranty. I wonder if I should take the
time to fill it out because many of them say: "The warranty
will not be covered if there has been any evidence of misuse
or negligence." But without the proper manuals and supplements to guide me on maintenance and repair, I may not be
taking care of the machine correctly which will be no fault
of the dealer or manufacturer.
What's worse, I want to use the machine but hesitate because if the need arises to make repairs concerning torque
pressures, valve clearance, or crankshaft end play, I do not
have the necessary information.
It is unfortunate that each individual has to request in
writing the basic engine model manuals. Granted, some models
are not very widely distributed. However, a little guidance
from the salesman at the time of purchase would be greatly
appreciated. It is rather difficult to send for manuals and
supplements unless you know where to write, what informa-"
tion is available, or how much it costs. A great many people
think the only manual that explains the operation and repair of the machine is the brief one that comes with it and
this has not been adequate.
Well, I have received my manual with its supplement and
now my thousand dollar machine is running according to the
specifications of the company. I sent in my warranty, the club
has received the bill for the manuals, and my crew and I have
been pleased with its performance. -

PRESIDENT'S M E S S A G E
It is interesting to note that most companies provide expense
accounts for the executives in their business to cover such
expenditures as conferences, business meetings both at home
and abroad, and educational pursuits. If an employee of a
company wishes to go or is sent for additional training, they
will usually pay his expenses with certain stipulations to
achievement. This is sound business management: the better
informed and educated the executive, the more proficient the
company.
The golf course superintendent is certainly an executive in
many ways. As the one man most directly responsible for the
condition and operation of an entire golf course, he must be
a "jack of all trades." A few of the executive duties he must
perform include supervision, labor management, public relations, efficiency, budget operations, and keeping up with the
latest techniques.
In order to be proficient and keep up with the latest information, today's superintendent must attend meetings, conferences,
and in some cases further schooling. Where is he to get the
money for these additional expenses? As an executive-thinking and acting employee of a country club, it would follow
that the club would provide the expense account in order to
keep their employee abreast of the times. Again this is good
business management. For are not the condition and operation of a club but reflections of the knowledge of its superintendent?
In the past few years expense accounts have become substantially better, but there are still a number of clubs who are
neglecting to reimburse their superintendent for his educational efforts.
Robert P. Flanagan
President

NEXT MEETING

The next and last indoor meeting will be held April 9,
1968 at the Highway Hotel, Concord.
Directors' meeting
10:00
Regular meeting
11:00
Dinner
12:15
Educational Program
1:15
Mr. Charles Pickering from the Atlas Chemical Company will deliver the educational portion of the program,
speaking on fairway ledge removal, and re-opening
drainage ditches by the use of explosives.
In conclusion it appears that the manufacturer, distributor,
and dealer are not very concerned with supplying all the
necessary manuals to the professional men in the field. Their
prime objectives are to sell the machine and deliver it. Would
it not be advantageous to the companies to supply these manuals or at least make known their availability? Then there would
be fewer complaints, happier customers, and greater satisfaction with a more efficient product.
Robert P. Flanagan
Cochecho Country Club

Golf C o u r s e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s

of

Maine

Editor — Dr. Burton R. Anderson, Route 5, Augusta, Maine
WINTERKILL

It is ironically amusing to Maine superintendents that winterkill was "discovered" about ten years ago in the Chicago
area after a couple of bad winters. Turf management news
media were full of discussion about winterkill of turf, and
research on the problem was begun at a University in the
midwest. Winterkill of turf is " old hat" here, and were we
within the centrum of golf and turf management, publicity
on the subject would have occurred long ago. It is possible,
therefore, that this summary of the winterkill problem might
be informative and of interest to "foreigners."
One preliminary consideration is that winter here is defined as the period between December 1 and April 15, less on
the coast and a lot more up country. Furthermore, the problem
is accentuated by the widespread prevalence of very heavy
soils in putting greens and concave contours thereon, creating conditions unsuitable for persistence of bentgrass, leaving,
of course, annual bluegrass, which is rather susceptible to
winterkill. A third consideration is that the work year on a
golf course is usually April 15 to November 1, when everyone
stops work to go deer hunting. This is relevant to management
procedures that could be used to combat the problem.
Kill through snowmold is definitely one form of trouble,
for during some years a spectacular incidence of both pink
and gray snowmold can cause permanent kill of greens' turf.
In this area when snow covers the ground for months, it is
very possible, and in fact, the rule for frost to leave the
ground before snow does. When this occurs an air pocket is
formed between turf and ice, making a perfect "greenhouse"
for snowmold. This winter saw a very late snow cover which
was interrupted a month ago; there is a lot of frost in the
ground, and it may be predicted that snowmold will not be
severe this spring, in contrast with last year with little frost
but abundant snowfall and a lot of snowmold. Use of fungicides is very helpful and should be applied as late as possible,
just before the first "permanent" snow storm to prevent washout from subsequent rains. This first permanent snowfall
comes statistically during the first half of December, and the
superintendent must have a good weather eye, because if he
misses he does not get another chance. Also since everyone
has gone home for the winter, he is elected to do the job usually and must apply materials in a dry form.
Kill through drying out may occur, but not usually because
of the long duration of snow cover. Some sharp cold spells in
early December or March, when winds sweep over uncovered
turf can cause damage. 1965 was a year of severe loss through
drying out since snow cleared by March 10 and cold windyweather followed for the rest of the month. A rather complete
kill of annual bluegrass on greens, tees and fairways occurred
plus some bentgrass on greens. Dryness kill can be identified
by noting a light tan color on dead areas. It is easy to proscribe late fall topdressing or artificial cover for greens, but
it is not realistic since there are no personnel handy to do the
job at the time these preventive measures should be done. The
writer has not observed use of fir or birch boughs to cover
greens in Maine.
The usual form of winterkill is caused by a covering of ice
over hollows and other poorly drained areas that normally are
covered with annual bluegrass. Dead grass turns a lugubrious
gray color soon after snow goes or is removed. Apparently
ice forms a close bond with the soil surface on greens' turf and

Supers On The Move

Norm Pease is the new superintendent at Purpoodock Country Club after former service at Concord, New Hampshire,
Country Club and Augusta Country Club.
-x-

•::•

Jim Dorio comes to Augusta Country Club from Longmeadow Country Club in Lowell,
Mass.*
*
-»
Harvey Lamontagne has shifted employment from Biddeford-Saco Country Club to Rockland Country Club in Rockland, Maine, where he will serve as pro-superintendent.
Big Harv is one of the real characters of the Maine pro
circuit and was the first to bring a woman amateur to a proam tournament, thus causing a clarification of the rules concerning contestants. And last summer his beard took first prize
in the Biddeford-Saco Centennial. Most of us thought that A1
Hirt, the trumpetist, was playing the Maine circuit during this
time. We wish Harv well in his new venture and sincerely hope
that his penchant for good hospitality to the Association will
not be diminished in the future.
somehow causes conditions that kill turf, for it is commonly
observed that turf on immediately adjacent apron areas lives,
the only difference being height of cut. The writer disdains
further discussion about the mechanism of killing, however,
leaving the matter to turf researchers and other metaphysicians,
who are finding the matter a tough nut to crack.
Maine superintendents instead concentrate on some management practices that most agree help reduce kill from ice
cover, granting in the first place that they "inherit" improperly constructed greens that drain badly.
1. Raise the height of cut on greens in October and make
the last mowing as early as complaining golfers will permit
(There are not many of these after October 15). A "hairy"
green will keep the ice layer a bit more off the surface.
2. Avoid lush fall growth by making the last application
of nitrogen fertilizer about Labor Day, for growth normally
stops here on October 15. A warm fall may defeat one's intentions to avoid lush turf.
3. Application of !/2 — 1 lb. of K 2 0/thousand square feet
at the end of September helps a great deal to harden off
greens' turf.
4. Fall topdressing is very helpful, but unless an intensive
management program already exists and modern equipment
is available, a superintendent is not able to do this job in
October.
5. Keeping snow depth down during winter through removal of snow keeps the ice layer thin and sets up early
removal in spring. Again personnel practices must be well
developed, for the superintendent cannot do this by himself.
And in spring it has been found that ice melts faster than it
can be removed.
6. During spring superintendents give the highest priority
to cutting redtop or bentgrass seed into dead areas as early
as possible. Weather may prevent the most timely overseeding,
but if done early enough, the seeded grass will come up with
resident annual bluegrass and cover over the surface before
warm weather comes. If the surface is not covered or if the
superintendent lets "nature take care of it" the resulting annual
bluegrass turf will be unsatisfactorily thin and skimpy until
late fall, the end of the golfing season.
— Dr. Burton R. Anderson

- O F

PUBLIC ENEMY NO. 1

This is the time of year when an old fungus friend comes
to call. It is that unwanted pest, snow mold, and from all
early indications the pesky serpent of the soil will appear with
as much vigor as the past.
There is a scattered misconception that snow mold comes
in only one popular flavor — mocha. "This is untrue", says
A1 Radko of the USGA Green Section. "Snow mold comes in
an assortment of colors. Sometimes it is orange. Then, there
is sickening pink. It even has been known to show its ugly
self in tinges of gray. No matter the color, though, it is distasteful."
Snow mold is an inhabitant of the North. But, contrary to
most belief, it is not confined to heavy precipitation areas.
In parts of England, where it never snows, there have been
instances of snow mold. Temperatures in the 28-42 zone activate the culprit.
Fairways usually aren't affected too much by the presence
of the disease-producing fungi. However, in recent years as
irrigation systems have crept within an integral status as part
of the golf course makeup snow mold now threatens an entire layout.
"Tees and greens used to be those areas hardest hit," Radko
declares. "Since they received more water, it came about they
were easy prey for the snow mold calling card. Now, with
more courses going to complete irrigation, snow mold could
become the most important problem in the system of course
maintenance.
Both Radko and A1 Anderson, snow mold emeritus from
Brae Burn, engaged in serious discussion of the malignant
malady during the recent Turf Conference in Chicopee, Mass.
They agreed that the preventative measures definitely tax the
budget.
"The only effective arresting agent we've discovered is a
mercurial turf fungicide", Anderson discloses.' "However, we
all know the cost of mercury. It is staggering. In many cases
the course superintendent can afford to treat only his greens.
If someone could invent another more feasible-priced product
to do the same job, it would be a godsend."
Radko, who has had 20 years of experience in the immensely important role of eastern director for the USGA Green
Section, agrees with Anderson. "The late fall days of September and October are the breeding months for snow mold",
he reveals. "This is the time when the patient must be treated.
True, the remedy is very expensive. I have known clubs to
include their tees with the greens in clothing them with the
mercurial fungicide. If it comes to the point of including fairways, the cost will be staggering."
Unfortunately, there is no guarantee for the control of
snow mold. " I have heard of disheartening cases", Radko
states. "On occasion a following heavy rain could wash away
the mercurial medicine and the treatment would have to be
repeated. It just may be that many superintendents have
abandoned the mercurial treatment without sensible reason,
because they weren't aware of the disastrous effects of a
washout."
With a noticeable increase in areas on the golf course now
serviced by irrigation, it appears that snow mold cannot be
written off as an isolated or simply an immediate problem.
For this reason it is slowly shouldering its way past other
undesirable residents of the soil, working toward status as
public enemy No. 1 in the crime files of the harassed golf
course superintendent. It certainly has a price on its head.
— Gerry Finn

N E W

E N G L A N D ,

I N C

.

HANDLE WITH CARE
When the USGA calls, the golf course superintendent must
answer.
The case . . . the USGA National Open. Who's on the spot?
"No one . . . not really", says the USGA. "We don't expect
miracles in the way of course condition for our championship events. That is why we choose them on the basis of regular merit, rather than on an assumption the superintendent
sparkles only when there is added incentive to excel in his
profession."
This year's man with the greenhouse exposure will have to
put a spit and shine on the extraordinary layout of Oak Hill
in Rochester, N. Y. It is the site of the National Open, selected two years in advance to allow for any major changes and
maybe an extra effort to assure a workable budget for the
course.
The USGA would like to make one point clear. It does not
take control of the National Open course. "We make only
suggestions, not demands", the USGA claims. "We have faith
in the people whose job it is to deliver Oak Hill to the players
in top condition. This is one of the reasons why we're playing there."
Of course, the superintendent of an Open layout can't rest
on his laurels. His biggest task appears to conform to the outline of the fairways and the cut of the rough and collars
around the greens. These functions are the only added differences in his daily duties, except in extreme cases where the
tournament sponsors might want to beef up the length of
certain holes.
Actually, there is and always has been good cooperation between the USGA and the superintendent of the moment. The
governing body of amateur golf places its confidence in the
reputation of the course general.
If there is incentive, it would have to be the enormous
amount of public exposure the particular course receives by
way of the competitors, the spectators on the scene and the.
millions of others who take in the National Open on television. In this manner, then, the superintendent invites himself and his profession to much-needed recognition.
With the fact that the USGA places so much emphasis on
selection of a course and its impending super condition, it is
becoming increasingly evident that the superintendent is held
in an accompanying light of distinction, very much like that
of the competitors.
Preparing the c'ourse for a USGA certainly comprises a challenge but a worthwhile one. The superintendent must handle
everything with care. But the rewards warrant such an approach.
— Gerry Finn

Tlie association is saddened by the recent death of Ted
Swanson, retired superintendent of the Bear Hill Golf Club
in Stoneham.

msmP i e t u e fraifUMi^e FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Abbott Spray and F a r m Equipment Co.
Waltham Street
Lexington, Massachusetts
A . C. Lawn, Inc.
P . 0 . Box 436
Wakefield, Mass.
Alfco Rokeby Co., Inc.
Fertilizers and Chemical
P . 0 . B o x 267
Marietta, Ohio

C. S. Curran
T. R. C. Products, Oils and Greases
Finest Lubricants for Golf Course
Equipment
7 Linden Street
Framingham, Mass.
Gaflny Enterprises, Inc.
Irrigation Specialists
North Main Street
Middleton, Massachusetts

Specialties

Dr. Burton R. Anderson
Golf Course Architect
Turf and Golf Course Consultant
Route 5
Augusta, Maine

Grounds Equipment Co., Inc.
383 Boylston Street
Newton Centre, Massachusetts
T o m Irwin Co.
Bennett Hill Road
Rowley, Massachusetts

Baker Tractor Corp.
Ford Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, M a s s .
Philp C. B e a l Associates, Inc.
Consulting Engineers
Irrigation and Recreational Facilities
P. O. Box 102
Hanover, Mass.
Gene Fitzpatrick
Certified Laboratories
12 P a r a d i s e R o a d
Ipswich, Mass.

Johns-Manville Sales Corp.
150 Causeway Street
Boston, Massachusetts
Karandrew Turf F a r m s , Inc.
S a m Mitchell, Sales Representative
18 Old Randolph Street
Canton, Massachusetts
The Kenneth Barrie Company
375 Centre Street
J a m a i c a Plain, Massachusetts

T h e Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
Wethersfield, Connecticut

Kerr McGee Chemical Corporation
P . O. B o x 790
Waterbury, Connecticut

T h e Clapper Co.
1121 Washington Street
West Newton, Massachusetts

D. L. Maher Co.
Water Supply Contractors
Testwells — Gravel packed wells
Byron J a c k s o n P u m p s
P . O. Box 274
Woburn, Massachusetts
Melanson of Georgetown
Modern Steam and Pressure Cleaners
Modern Industrial Cleaning Chemicals
Georgetown, Massachusetts
K e n Minasian
Scotts
6 Amelia Court
N. Providence, R. I.
Richey & Clapper, Inc.
28 Rutledge Road
Natick, Massachusetts
Sawtelle Brothers
J e t . Routes 128 and 62
Danvers, Massachusetts
Shepard S o d Company
Merion Blue Grass and Pencross Bent
200 Sullivan Avenue
South Windsor, Conn.
John P . Simon, Asst. M g r .
Corenco Corporation
Springfield Rendering Company
P. O. Box 379
Springfield, Massachusetts 01101

Geoffrey S . Cornish
Golf Course Architect
Fiddler's Green
Amherst, Massachusetts

Larchmont Irrigation Co.
Larchmont L a n e
Lexington, Massachusetts

Philip A. Wogan
Golf Course Architect
21 Budleigh Avenue
Beverly, Massachusetts

F u e l Activator Chemical Corp.
C. F . Barbour — Regional Director
43000 Prudential Tower
Boston, Massachusetts

J . F . Aveni
L u S o i l Soil Conditioner
Engelhard Minerals & Chemicals Corp.
25 Concord Avenue
Belmont, Massachusetts

Wyandotte Chemical Co.
709 S a l a d a Building
Boston, Massachusetts

George E. Cull
Terra-Green Soil Conditioner
Oil-Dri Corp. of America
112 Green Street
Abington, Mass.

Magovern Company, Inc.
Lawn A c r e R o a d
Windsor Lock, Connecticut

NMIER
Course
o r

Superintendents
NEW

E N G L A N O .

GERRY FINN
Contributing
LEON

(pfattid
Editor

V. ST. P I E R R E

Business

s4ss(>cialion
INC.

^

S

S

Manager

DEAN
ROBERTSON
Newsletter C o m m i t t e e C h a i r m a n
24 Riverview Drive
N e w b u r y , M a s s a c h u s e t t s 01950
Phone 462-4540
C l u b Affiliation
C h e s t n u t Hill C o u n t r y C l u b

Yerxa's, Inc.
Golf Course Equipment
740 Broadway
South Portland, Maine

FIRST C L A S S