J U L Y 1968

ourie Superintendents ~s$ddociation
OF

N E W

E N G L A N D ,

I N C

Sponsors and administrators of the Lawrence S.
Dickinson Scholarship Fund — Awarded yearly
to deserving Turf Management Students.

NEXT MEETING
Superintendent-Press, July 8, 1968
Twin Hills C. C., Longmedow, Mass.
This will be the First Annual Arthur E. Anderson Trophy.
18 Holes, Best Ball % Handicap. Prizes galore.
Registration, Fees and Dinner — $20.00 per Supt. and Guest.

PROGRAM

Golf Starting Time — 10 A. M. — 1 P. M.
Call R. H. Bontempo, Pro. 413-567-0181
Luncheon Available
Dinner, Sirloin Steak Served 6 : 3 0 p.m.
D I R E C T I O N S — HOW T O G E T T H E R E
Take the Mass. Turnpike to West Springfield, Exit 4. Follow
Route 5 south to center of Longmeadow. At white First Church
of Christ Congregational, take left and follow Route 192.
P a s s Longmeadow C. C., continue to Wolf S w a m p Road, off
Shaker Road, continue down Wolf Swamp Road for one mile.
Twin Hill C. C. is on the left side.

Be prepared for plenty of action and something

different.

Fill out the enclosed card promptly and return by June 19, '68.
Get yourself a golf writer or T V sportscaster from your area.

TAKE TO THE HILLS

This month's s a f a r i is cut from special planning in the golf
touring activities of the course superintendent. We're calling
it the first annual super-press tournament and if it has the
far-reaching effect everyone visions, someday — someone else
will be looking forward with just as much anxiety to the
100th renewal of this meeting of two different worlds.
T h e super-press will be hosted on super premises by super
people. It is fitting that the kickoff attempt be played at the.
Twin Hills Country Club where the giant of the fairway
manicurists, Roy Mackintosh, has put a spit and polish finish
on the battleground.
Twin Hills is only three . . . going on four years old. Its
life has been highlighted by two extremes of the dictates of
the weather. Its first season was conducted in a perpetual
pocket of gasp-causing and grass-choking heat. It seemed that
it never rained at Twin Hills, nor any other place in the East
. . . for that matter. But the course survived and Mackintosh
still had a smile on his face when members applied their
weapons to the parched, virgin territory.
If the opening season cried for rain, the third prayed for
at least a reasonable letup from an uncommon surplus of
same. This happened to be a crucial year for the Hills. Mackintosh lost two fairways because of a drainage problem which
didn't reveal its acute state until it was too late. But still
Mackintosh smiled through the crisis and the members understood.
When the forces of the supers and press converge on
Mackintosh's lair July 8, they will find a golf course flourishing in condition. Twin Hills, while only a youngster in the
manner of achieving maturity, has come around to living a
lush life to give Mackintosh the rhyme and reason to display
a keyboard smile.

Left — Robert Bontempo, Pro.; Roy Mackintosh, Supt.

If you are mindful of the ingredients which make the complete country club, it will do you well to take a long and h a r d
look at the appointments of the super-press tournament. Y o u
won't have to notice the perfectionist's approach to staging
an affair of this type. It will drench you in its efficiency. But
this is the way things are done at Twin Hills.
The royal treatment doctrine was initiated successfully by
popular pro Bob Bontempo in last year's $5,000 Twin Hills
Classic. Bontempo is young, energetic and a sort of rebel to
conformity. He calls it desire, this first-class plunge into
every tournament at Twin Hills. If events follow according to
Bontempo tradition, everything will travel the route of the
clock. There will be no snags, no cause for players to offer
earthy remarks in rebuttal to the handling of the tournament.
This is as certain as tomorrow's mowing schedule.
Beyond the pro shop more of the sparkling hospitality of
the Twin Hills family will be ready to complete the day. When
you are greeted by maitre d' J o s e p h Illouz, served in style
by food and beverage manager Allan Skole and given the
red-carpet attention of club manager Chuck Camerlin, . . .
the efficiency will run over. Each is dedicated to his particular
function at Twin Hills. All receive marks of 100 when semester
exams are held.
With such a superb setting and superior team of personnel
to complement the physical properties, it remains for the
superintendents to make a concentrated effort for full membership participation in the Twin Hills venture.
This certainly deserves to be labeled the most important
event on the association calendar. It follows that members
will do all in their power to wrap it up with a success tag.
Play away, gentlemen. This is your day.
— Gerry Finn

ourSe Superintendents

dissociation'

cause the chemical will never get to the grass blade. Rain
will reduce the effectiveness of M.H. if it falls on the grass
within 12 hours after application, so check your local weather
forecast. Grasses that receive an M.H. treatment should be at
least three years old. Grasses that are wilting or growing under drought conditions will not absorb M.H. well enough to
do the job.
Discoloration, following application of M.H., has been
noted. This may range from a slight purplish hue resembling
wilt to a complete browning. However, recovery is usually
quick and the treated areas will take on a deeper green color
than surrounding areas. This is probably due to either an
increased mineral content in the plant, or the reduction of
MALE IC HYDRAZIDE
cell volume forcing chloroplasts into a tighter space. This inBy CHARLES LANE
creased greening could possibly mean a savings in fertilizer.
Assistant Supt. Chestnut Hill C. C.
Fall applications caused noticeably less discoloration, but
Of all the growth retarding compounds to come along in
a 2 week delay has been noted in spring
aapproximately
5?
the past few years, Maleic Hydrazide is_perhaps the most well
green-up.
known. It was first discovered in the laboratories of the
Grass should not be mowed for at least 7 days after the
United States Rubber Company in 1947 and has been extenapplication of M.H. This allows time for the chemical to
sively experimented with on all types of plant material.
circulate throughout the entire plant.
Maleic Hydrazide (M.H.) is produced as a liquid. It is
Most manufacturers, whose product contains Maleic Hyabsorbed through the plant leaf and translocated in the plant
drazide, claim that only 1 or 2 mowings are necessary during
fluid to the meristematic areas of the plant. There it does its
the growing season. However, if you want a really well
work by halting cell division, but not necessarily cell expangroomed look you may want to mow a little more frequently.
sion. A halting of cell division naturally decreases the plant's
In either case manufacturers recommend that you don't mow
growth.
any lower than 2 y 2 inches.
The uses of M.H. on plant tissue appear to be unlimited.
Grasses treated with M.H. appear to be more resistant to
It has probably found its most favorable reception on golf
early frosts due to the semi-dormancy brought about by the
courses, cemeteries, highways, and other large turf grass areas.
treatment. This chemically induced semi-dormancy also apMaleic Hydrazide is not recommended for finely groomed,
pears to make treated grasses more drought resistant. This, is
or heavily traveled turf. On golf courses this automatically
probably due to the reduction of the amount of water needed
limits the application of M.H. to rough and non use areas
by the plant to produce cell sap. This could also explain why
where grass is two or more inches high. Since most hard to
treated areas look greener than adjacent untreated areas.
mow spots are in these areas, the fact that it cannot be used
Perhaps they have not really gained color, but rather they
on tees, greens, and fairways shouldn't bother too many
have just maintained their color while untreated areas have
people. M.H. can be used around trees, on steep slopes, and
lost some of theirs.
any other inaccessible areas that require expensive hand or
Most companies that produce M.H. claim that their product
rotary trimming.
will prevent seed head formation, if it is applied before they
begin to form. Watch this carefully, because if you have to
The decreased mowing results in a well groomed look
depend on natural grass, such as Poa annua, to keep an area
throughout the entire season, and less wear and tear on equipgreen and you eliminate natural overseeding with an appliment. An added feature is that by decreasing rotary mowing
cation of M.H. you could be in trouble. On the other hand
your chances of injury to operators are decreased. Of course,
this could be one of the most effective controls for weeds
the most obvious asset gained is the savings in labor cost
hrettght-about-by-flr-sharp reduction—inr mowings—during--the- - (incl«ding-Poa^-ai«Hia) to -some—along-in-ar great while. - year.
Another use for M.H. has been found by some-swperin-—
tendents in the transition zone. Due to unpredictable temMaleic Hydrazide may be applied either in the spring or
peratures in this area, over-seeding of Bermuda greens can
fall, while the grass is actively growing and soil moisture
be touch and go. A light application of M.H. on these greens
content is high. Spring applications should be made between
retards the Bermuda and successful over-seeding with one
April 10 and June 1. The best time for spring application
of the cool weather grasses can be accomplished. Although
is during the time that dandelions are in bloom. The recomthis is a theoretically sound idea, a great deal of care should
mended rate for spring application is 1-1/3 gals. M.H. in 50
be taken to apply the right amount. Otherwise you may not
gals, of water per acre. Fall applications of 1-2/3 gals. M.H.
be mowing your Bermuda greens next summer.
in 50 gals, of water per acre should be made between October 1 and November 15. The best time for fall application
Since M.H. retards growth on all plant materials, there is
is just as close to dormancy as possible. Due to a natural
one other possible use for it on the golf course. If you have
summer dormancy of grasses, an application is not recommendtrees or shrubs that have to be cut back frequently, this may
ed during June, July and August.
be the ideal place to use M.H. Also, if you have hedges that
need constant trimming, you could cut down your labor a
Although M.H. comes as a liquid from the factory and is
great deal with an application of Maleic Hydrazide. Be carereadily miscable with water, its even and correct application
ful not to allow too much M.H. to drift onto a nearby tee
seems to be the biggest problem with its use. Since a tractor
or green.
mounted boom is difficult to maneuver in inaccessible areas,
a hand gun and hose are almost a must. Most superintendents
As I have said before, the uses for Maleic Hydrazide on
that have applied M.H. prefer to use about 40 or 50 P.S.I,
golf courses are somewhat limited; but with a little research
pressure.
and experimentation, more and more ways will be found to
reduce labor costs and give your course that well groomed
Grass should be 2 — 4 inches high at the time of applicalook that we are always striving for.
tion, and should not be covered with clippings or leaves, beL I S T OF D I R E C T O R S
President Anthony Caranci V. President Robert Grant
V. President Richard Blake Secretary
Thomas Curran
Treasurer
Lucien Duval
Norman Mucciarone
Edward Murphy
Robert Mucciarone
Wayne Ripley
Philip Cassidy
Dean Robertson
Albert Allen
Leon St.Pierre

OF

EIGHT DAYS A WEEK

There has dwelled in the mind of many a superintendent
the eternal hope of the noble profession . . . that someone
will see fit to do away with the eight-day week.
What's this? Are we going d a f t ? Was there mention of
something like "eight-day w e e k ? " Oh yes. It isn't a matter
of superintendents running an extra 24 hours on the time
clock. The overtime is served by the golf course, itself. In
fact, it remains the most overworked piece of equipment on
the premises. If it had any brains, it would join a labor union.
It actually doesn't amount to eight days, this overtaxing of
the tees, greens and their contemporaries. But it might as
well be eight. It would be nine days if that many could be
crammed into one week. So, the abuse appears limitless.
With this as a launching pad, it does seem as though the
powers of the golf course and country club should declare
a moratorium on play. Slowly but not too steadily, the introduction of closing the grounds on Mondays to the makers of
divots is taking hold in New England. Outside our boundaries
the practice is solid, especially on Long Island where the
eight-day week has been ruled virtually insane.
Naturally, superintendents endorse this proposed day of
rest. It certainly would serve to bring about better conditions.
As a matter of cold reality, club members would be the chief
beneficiaries in the end. Their course would be testimony to
such assumption.
It sounds practical enough. The course actually is a tired,
sprawling mess after the heavy play of the weekend. It is on
Monday that the superintendent is called upon to exhibit the
very essence of his prowess. The wounds are deep and the
scars heavy after a couple of hundred golfers have left their
marks in concentrated attack on the real estate.
As one healer of the grounds observes, it might even be
a step in the right direction if club officials closed the course
until noon on Monday. The average work day from a standpoint of the superintendent can begin anytime after daybreak.
If the front nine were made available without the inconvenience of players storming the land, work crews could
concentrate their morning efforts there and move over to the
back nine when high noon arrived.
Maybe this comes through as another attempt by the super
to acquire personal gain. But it is far from it. The closing
of the course would enhance only the condition of the layout.
The superintendent and his men would still be plowing their
efforts with as much vigor as before. There would be established two telltale differences. The concentration would be
uninterrupted and in the foresighted future more things
would be accomplished.
If greens committee chairmen are listening, here is a logical suggestion: Why not poll the membership as to the reaction to a proposed closing of the course on Monday? It just
may be that the majority believes the plan to have merit. In
most instances it should work out that Monday is the lightest
playing day of the week in relation to numbers. For most it
might develop into a much-needed day away from the toils
of the game.
In the meantime superintendents, too, must do their part.
The healthy association of greens chairman and super . . . as
displayed in last month's enjoyable day at The Country Club
. . . certainly warrants discussion of the matter. Eight days
a week boil down to too much golf action — in any man's
league. Even the golf course needs its sleep. — Gerry Finn

Last Meeting Golf Results

Low gross, D. Patnode, T. Murphy, Lexington C. C
74
1st Low Net, A. Jardine, A. Caranci, Ledgmont C. C. .. 65
2nd Low Net — tie —
M. Peterson, N. Sperandio, Concord C. C
68
W. Clark, G. Tedesco, New Seabury C. C
68
Dr. Melendy, J. Diorio, August C. C
68
R. Dowling, R. St. Thomas, Hyannisport C. C
68

MEW

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
June 8, 1968
The excellent attendance at the Green-Superintendent-Chair man meeting at the country club was heartening. Judging
from similar past meetings, this latest meeting was the most
successful.
Playing a round of golf, at an unfamiliar course, not only
promotes better relationship, but also affords a greater opportunity to become better acquainted. Some superintendents
reported that because of this informal and relaxed atmosphere, they were able to discuss matters with their chairman
which they would not have been able to do before.
Greens chairmen and golf course superintendents are similar because both are very dedicated men. We must remember
that chairmen receive no remuneration, only the satisfaction
and pride in having a good golf course. So when he takes
time out from his busy schedule to attend our green-chairmansuperintendent meeting, he does so for you.
A close working relationship between the green chairman
and the golf course superintendent is the ideal situation to
promote the best interest of your club. This type of friendly
understanding and personal association will produce a proud
chairman, an excellent performing golf course superintendent,
a fine golf course, resulting in a happy, satisfied club membership.
Hats off to those chairmen who attended, we were honored
to have you with us.
A N T H O N Y B. CARANCI. J R .
President
HOMER C. D A R L I N G
Homer C. Darling died on June 4th in his 74th year at a
St. Petersburg, Florida hospital.
Mr. Darling was the developer, owner and president of
Juniper Hill Golf Course, Northboro, Massachusetts.
In 1928 he purchased the Brigham Farm owned by the
Brigham family since 1665. Homer developed this dairy farm
(originally a King's grant) into a popular nine-hole golf
course. The last nine was completed in 1953.
Red Darling, as he was called when he played football for
the old Mass. Aggies. One of the highlights of his football
career was in 1915 when Percy Houghton and the Crimson Tide were the number one team of the nation that
year, just nosed out the old Aggies by one touchdown in
the closing minute of the game. Red was one of the game
heroes playing the front wall for the poor "Country Cousins."
After graduation from Mass. State, Homer C. Darling was
commissioned a second Lieutenant in the U. S. Army, serving with the 132 Inf. in France.
Lieut. Darling was awarded The Distinguished Service
Cross, " F o r extraordinary heroism in action near Bois de
Fays, France, October 10 - 12, 1918.
Red Darling's platoon was exposed to heavy machine gunfire
from the front and right flank. He led his platoon forward
through heavy brush, although suffering heavy casualties.
During the advance, he and one other member of his platoon
attacked a machine gun nest and captured three machine guns
and five Hun prisoners. In hand-to-hand fighting he personally
killed five Germans and wounded several others. On May
31, 1923 Homer married Florence A. Dudley of Larchmont,
New York. They have a son, Homer C. Darling, Jr.
Mr. Darling served as Chairman of the Northboro School
and Building Committee, Town Finance Committee and the
Church Standing Committee and Trustees. He was a member
of the Golf Course Superintendents of America and was
former President of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England in 1946-1947, former President of
the Massachusetts Turf and Lawn Grass Association, was a
member of the American Legion and the Lhiited States Legion
of Valor.

Pteade fuitruMi$e
A. C. Lawn, Inc.
P. 0 . Box 436
Wakefield, Mass.
Alfco Rokeby Co., Inc.
Fertilizers and Chemical Specialties
P. O. Box 267
Marietta, Ohio
Dr. Burton R. Anderson
Golf Course Architect
Turf and Golf Course Consultant
Route 5
Augusta, Maine
Astroturf Recreational Surfaces
Monsanto Company
R. Spencer Thompson
P. 0 . Box 2130
Springfield,, Massachusetts

FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

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

J . F. Aveni
LuSoil Soil Conditioner
Engelhard Minerals & Chemicals Corp.
25 Concord Avenue
Belmont, Massachusetts

C. S. Curran
T. R. C. Products, Oils and Greases
Finest Lubricants for Golf Course
Equipment
7 Linden Street
Framingham, Mass.

Magovern Company, Inc.
Lawn Acre Road
Windsor Lock, Connecticut

Gaffny Enterprises, Inc.
Irrigation Specialists
North Main Street
Middleton, Massachusetts
Gold Star Sod Farms, Inc.
181 South Avenue
Weston, Mass. 02197
Grounds Equipment Co., Inc.
383 Boylston Street
Newton "Centre, Massachusetts

Baker Tractor Corp.
Ford Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Mass.
Philp C. Beal Associates, Inc.
Consulting Engineers
Irrigation and Recreational Facilities
P. O. Box 102
Hanover, Mass.

Tom Irwin Co.
Bennett Hill Road
Rowley, Massachusetts
Johns-Manville Sales Corp.
150 Causeway Street
Boston, Massachusetts

Corenco Corporation
Springfield Rendering Company
P. O. Box 379
Springfield, Massachusetts 01101

Karandrew Turf Farms, Inc.
Sam Mitchell, Sales Representative
18 Old Randolph Street
Canton, Massachusetts

Gene Fitzpatrick
Certified Laboratories
12 Paradise Road
Ipswich, Mass.

The Kenneth Barrie Company
375 Centre Street
Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
Wethersfield, Connecticut

Kerr McGee Chemical Corporation
P. O. Box 790
Waterbury, Connecticut

The Clapper Co.
1121 Washington Street
West Newton, Massachusetts

Larchmont Irrigation Co.
Larchmont Lane
Lexington, Massachusetts

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

Bob Lippman
Tuco Products Company
Division of the Upjohn Company
Kalamazoo, Michigan

D. L. Maher Co.
Water Supply Contractors
Testwells — Gravel packed wells
Byron Jackson Pumps
P. O. Box 274
Woburn, Massachusetts
Melanson of Georgetown
Modern Steam and Pressure Cleaners
Modern Industrial Cleaning Chemicals
Georgetown, Massachusetts
Ken Minasian
Scotts
6 Amelia Court
N. Providence, R. I.
Old Fox Agricultural Sales, Inc.
Jerry Spahr
44 Lexington Ave.
Magnolia, Mass.
Richey & Clapper, Inc.
28 Rutledge Road
Natick, Massachusetts
Sawtelle Brothers
Jet. Routes 128 and 62
Danvers, Massachusetts
Shepard Sod Company
Merion Blue Grass and Pencross Bent
200 Sullivan Avenue
South Windsor, Conn.
Philip A. Wogan
Golf Course Architect
21 Budleigh Avenue
Beverly, Massachusetts
Wyandotte Chemical Co.
709 Salada Building
Boston, Massachusetts

FIRST CLASS

(jotf C our.sc Superintendents s^Mociation
OF

NEW

ENGLAND.

GERRY tlNN
Contributing
LEON

V . ST. P I E R R E

Business
DEAN

Editor

06 °

INC.

(ISafcd
S ^ J ^

Manager

ROBERTSON

Newsletter C o m m i t t e e Chairman
24 R i v e r v i e w D r i v e
N e w b u r y , M a s s a c h u s e t t s 01950
P h o n e 462-4540
C l u b Affiliation
Chestnut Hill Country C l u b

b