SEPTEMBER 1 9 7 0

ourie
O F

Superin
N E W

ten den td

E N G L A N D ,

-^Iddociati on
I N C .

Sponsors and administrators of the Lawrence S.
Dickinson Scholarship Fund — A w a r d e d yearly
to deserving Turf M a n a g e m e n t Students.

A CHANGING WORLD
The world of the golf course superintendent changeth . . .
or in the more direct sen£e of the language . . . the golf
course superintendent now finds himself with three times the
responsibility he shouldered 10 or 15 years ago.
Time was when a typical job-opening announcement for a
super would be prefaced with the note that the position was
seasonal. But today a superintendent knows no season. The
profession has expanded so much that winter months are becoming almost as critical as the summer days when the course
is moving at a large hum.

NEXT MEETING

The
next
meeting
of
the
G C S A of N E will be at the Mt.
Pleasant C. C. in Boylston, Mass.
Dick Blake is the super and has
been there for the past nine
years. He has a long record of
officers' jobs held in both M a s s a chusetts and Rhode Island. At
present he is the President of
the G C S A of N E and Vice President of the National. Sept. 22
1970 should prove to be a rewarding day for all.
If you do not plan to play in the Super Championship you
can tour the course and inspect the "automatic irrigation
system."
Dick and his wife Elaine have six children, three boys a n d '
three girls.
Directions to Mt. Pleasant C. ().. Boylston: Take Mass.
Turnpike and go east on 4 9 5 to 290. Go west towards Worcester. Get off at exit 24, Church St. Go towards Boylston and
follow signs.
The Nominating Committee as approved by the B o a r d on
August 17, 1970 i s :
Chairman — Tony Caranci, J r . (Past Pres.)
N o r m Mucciarone (Trustee)
John O'Connell
Charles Gardner
Phil Ca§sidy
Delegates to G C S A A — Tom Curran
Advisory Committee Delegate — Wayne Zoppo
(Both to act as alternates for each other)
Friends of the Association: Maine and New Hampshire
superintendents most welcome, but reservations must be made
by Sept. 16. (Home phone 869-2737)
Informal dress — to play golf.
Meeting, Tues., Sept. 22, 1970. Lunch at 12:00, golf after.
Golf cars are available. Business Meeting, 1 1 : 0 0 A M .

Certainly, one of the causes of the bulging responsibilitycame in with the use of the golf car. "When you have 30
or 40 golf cars to look after, it no longer is a seasonal position", one super offered. "When the golfers finally give up
playing in late fall or early winter, we have to take those
40 cars and get them ready for the next season. These things
aren't done overnight."
In addition to the golf car maintenance, which is placed
on top of the regular winter chores of repairing equipment,
another added starter is creeping up on the super. This would
be the growing country club interest in platform or paddle
tennis.
The game is coming on strong in popularity and for the
most part it is an asset to a club as f a r as attracting new
members and keeping old ones in the fold. However, the upkeep of paddle tennis courts falls into the running-over hands
of the superintendent and comes under the heading of his
changing world.
" O u r club is in the process of building two courts", another super advised. " A n d with it, our board of directors is
finally coming to realize that my year-round crew must be
increased in order to have the courts operate at full efficiency."
One reason many clubs are now heeding the pleas of
superintendents for more permanent help is the possibility
of added club revenue the building of paddle tennis courts
breeds. The country club is fast becoming the center of family recreation on a year-round basis and seeing that one plus
one make two, the more year-round facilities require the
more year-round help.
Paddle tennis, while being a feeder for the country club
operating successfully around the clock, serves as still another test for the overall value of the golf course superintendent to the club. In effect, the super now could become the
one member of the faculty who operates on an unequivocally
full-time basis.
The new sport will not be looked upon by superintendents
as an added woe . . . if the country club co-operates with
him in realizing his budget must now be arranged to coincide with services received.
The world of the golf course superintendent indeed is a
changing one. There are no seasons as far as he is concerned.
— Gerry Finn

ourde

Superintendents

55ociation-

DON'T STOP AT I S
Here's a memo for would-be builders of new golf courses:
Don't stop at 18; add a few more holes and maybe the future
conditioning of the layout will be virtually guaranteed.
What's the pitch here? Simple, elementary and all that
stuff. It could develop into a trend whereby golf courses
will be built with stand-by holes which are arranged so
that, say, 24 holes could be interchanged to make for a solid
18-hole setup.
Bob Grant, the 1000-watt ideaed super at Brae Burn, believes the arrangement could revolutionize the business. " I
can see a situation where we could have five or six holes
closed to play the year round", Grant visualizes. " A t this
point there always would be refurbished holes ready to be
put into business and the system could be established where
"members would" be playing on four or Five cliffercnt layouts
each season."

You're Invited

£GRfcarest
SlKHiwrujtF

11

YOU SCORE BETTER ON

The ' 'system' works like this: Twenty-four holes are built
with the intention of keeping the top 18 conditioned holes in
play at all times. This would leave six holes open for the
superintendent to concentrate his refurbishing and conditioning efforts. What's more, with no one playing them, it would
be all that easier to keep workers applying the necessary
repairs without interruption of players.

Better Greens
S e t t e r Tees
Better F a i r w a y s

"This also could have side effects on the membership in
that they would practically be playing a different course every
year", Grant adds. "How many times do you hear a member
say that he is bored playing the same course day-in and dayout. Through the interchange of the 24 holes, that boredom
would disappear."
Another timely tip for prospective builders is the construction of a practice green with all the trimmings. This is not
the putting green which most courses are already equipped
with, but a special pitching green, complete with a practice
sand trap.

Good turf is just as important in keeping your score low as good golf technique. Did you know
for instance t h a t over five million dollars is being spent this year researching better turf and
equipment t o give you better playing conditions?

At first glance the operation appears to be an expensive
one. However, in the long run it might possibly cut down
on dollar output in the form of preventive measures made
available because the complete layout never is fully occupied.
" I don't know how many times I've heard supers say they
could get a certain job done easier and less expensively i f '
they could only have the working area to themselves", Grant
continues. "It's only a matter of common sense that a particular project can be completed in half the time if the workers don't have to operate around golf shots booming at them."
Could the 18-plus-hole golf club course become a reality?
Obviously, it could, but only if the builder possesses the added
ingredient of foresight. True, the initial expense would exceed the outlay for a regular layout. But in the long run the
extra expense would be well worth it in savings when the
course is in full swing.
Certainly the idea is worth exploring. In the final analysis,
everyone would be wearing more smiles around the course.
Members would be spared the inconvenience of playing
around a work crew . . . and vice versa.. A revolving golf
course. It could be a thing of the future.
— Gerry Finn

President —
First Vice President —
Second Vice President —
R I C H A R D C . BLAKE
'ROBERT G R A N T
THOMAS CURRAN
21 I Sewall Street
22 Patricia Road
153 Fisher Street
Boylston, Mass. 01505
Sudbury, Mass. 01776
Walpole, Mass. 02081
Phone 869-2737
Phone 443-2671
Phone 668-7221
Club Affiliation
.Club Affiliation
Club Affiliation
Mt. Pleasant Country Club
Brae Burn Country Club
The Country Club

Secretary —
W A Y N E ZOPPO
48 Barberry Drive
Seekonk. Mass.
Phone 399-7141
Club Affiliation
Agawam Hunt Club

Your golf course superintendent has one golden opportunity to catch u p o n the latest techniques
in golf course management and maintenance. This year it's all happening at the 42nd International Turfgrass Conference and Show. The 1971 "Greatest
Show on Turf" will feature
twenty-seven of the world's leading authorities on turf technology. Over 100 exhibitors will
display the latest and best in equipment, material and supplies for the maintenance of fine
golf turf.
—And more t h a n 3,000 of the finest golf courses in the United States and Canada will be
taking out insurance on their fine turf by sending their golf superintendents to Denver next
February.
Shouldn't your golf superintendent be there?

42ND INTERNATIONAL TURFGRASS CONFERENCE AND SHOW
Currigan Hall

Denver, Colorado

FEBRUARY 7-12,1971
S p o n s o r e d by t h e Golf C o u r s e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s A s s o c i a t i o n of A m e r i c a
3158 Des Plainss Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018, Telephone 312-824-6147

LUCIEN DUVAL
R.F. No. 5 Gault Road
Bedford. N. H. 03105
Phone 472-3454
Club Affiliation
Manchester Country Clu

R e g i s t r a t i o n F e e : Q.C.S.A.A. M e m b e r s $ 1 5 — N o n M e m b e r s $ 3 5
WRITE

Trustee —
RONALD KIRKMAN
25 Green Street
Needham, Mass. 02192
Phone 444-8412
Club Affiliation
Needham Golf Club

FOR

ROBERT M U C C I A R O N E
465 Summer Street
Westwood, Mass. 02090
Phone 329-9682
Club Affiliation
Dedham Country and Polo Club

DETAILS

Trustee —
NORMAN MUCCIARONE
101 Alban Road
Waban, Mass. 02168
Phone 332-3056
Club Affiliation
Woodland Country Club

Finance Chairman —
NARY SPERANDIO
Concord, Mass. 01742
Phone 369-4723
Club Affiliation
Concord Country Club

New Hampshire Golf Course Superintendents Association, Inc.
Editor

— John

J. Barry,

Supt.

Abenaqui

Country

Club, Rye,

N.

H.

IT'S BEEN A LONG YEAR

SEPTEMBER MEETING

With tight money, high humidity and a long interval between rains this season has proved to be a long, tedious one.
I don't think that many Superintendents have escaped the
extra pressure created by the above mentioned conditions.

The September meeting will be held at Superintendent Ron
Palmer's course, Kearsage Valley, in North Sutton, New
Hampshire. This meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 2.

Unlike most businessmen, the Golf Course Superintendent
is regulated by Mother Nature and her extreme conditions.
Unfortunately, many club members fail to recognize this and
have demanded more of the Superintendent without adequate
adjustments in the budget.
It is indeed unfortunate that certain clubs do not realize
the injustice they place upon themselves for trying to regulate their golf course without proper consultation with their
Superintendent.
John J . Barry

S C H E D U L E OF E V E N T S
Date
Place
Board Meeting
Coffee Hour
Regular Meeting
Lunch
Golf

Wednesday, Sept. 2
Kearsage Valley Country Club
10:00-11:00
10:00-11:00
11:15-12:15
12:15- 1:15
1:15- on

AUGUST MEETING
The annual husband and wife outing was held at Kingswood Country Cluh in Wolfeboro, N. H. on Monday, August 3.
Bob and Anita Hale have to be the best host and hostess
in the New England area. The annual outing for husbands
and wives proved to be a great day. No formal tournament
was held at this year's affair and the only requirement asked
of the couples who attended was that everyone have a good
time.
Sightseeing was enjoyed by a great many couples in the
surrounding area. Later in the evening a delicious steak barb-que was enjoyed by all those attending. After satisfying the
appetite an evening of dancing followed.
The New England Golf Course Superintendents' Association would like to thank Bob, Anita and the staff of the Kingswood Country Club for their hospitality and courtesy.

A r e you ready to start rebuilding that new green?

Maine Golf Course Superintendents Association
Editor — Norman

SEPTEMBER MEETING
Maine superintendents will meet at the Portland Country
Club on Sept. 1st. Host superintendent is Lloyd Ruby.
PLACE

Portland C. C.

DATE

Sept. 1

DIRECTORS

10:30 A . M .

MEETING

11:00 A. M.

LUNCH

Noon

JOBS FOR FALL
By

Vaughn

Holyoke,

Extension

Crops

Specialist

First off, let me apologize for missing your meeting on
August 4th at Penobscot Valley Country Club. Although it
was the first time in 12 years that I missed a date, I sure
picked a heck of a time to goof. I understand that the turnout
was excellent.
If I had been present at the August 4 meeting, I would have
been talking about the following items.
TURF NURSERY HELPS
As superintendent in Maine, you are well aware of the kind
of problems winter can bring. Almost every spring you have
some area that gets knocked out due to winter injury, excess
water or some other winter peril. The amazing thing to me
is the efforts that you go to to get seed started in these dead
areas. Many of the^e areas never get well established and
they look bad throughout the season. Because of poor grass
cover, weeds eventually invade these weak areas.
One of the quick and positive ways to overcome injury
problems is to resod. New sod may be a little rough for a
week or two but it soon blends in very well. During the past
year I have seen Paul Browne at Natanis use his new sod
cutter to good advantage. He has replaced some weak areas
on greens as well as replacing sod on worn tee areas. In
addition Paul has sodded over some culverts that would have
been very difficult to seed. All of these resodded areas have
helped to make Natanis a better place to play golf.
Paul started out using bent from an abandoned green. Since
then he has started another bent nursery to supplement his
original area.

Pease, Supt., Purpoodock

Club, Cape Elizabeth,

Maine

AUGUST MEETING
On August 4th the MGCSA met at the Penobscot Valley
C. C. in Orono. Jim Brown was the host superintendent.
Before the meeting there was a demonstration of the new
Toro mower. It was appreciated by all.
Vaughn Holyoke sends his apologies for not making the
meeting.

If you need help in overcoming winter injury, a nursery
might be your answer. If it is, NOW is the time to get a
nursery established. Pick an area that has good slope (to avoid
injury) and go to it. The area should also have water near
by for irrigation purposes.
S P R A Y NOW FOR WEEDS
September is an ideal time for spraying for weed control.
Most greens have at least a limited amount of chickweed,
plantain and dandelions. Many supers seem to be reluctant to
spray to control these pests. In some cases they are afraid
of injury to the bent, while in other cases they are scared off
by the price per gallon of MCPP or Banvel. It has been my
experience that these herbicides give, good control with little
threat of injury.
Price-wise you might be interested that although Banvel
costs $31.00 per gallon, it takes only one pint per acre to
give good control. That means about $3.80 per acre or 10
"cents per 1,000 square feet. Thus, on a 1,0<00 square feet
basis these materials don't cost much.
During the cool days of September you will have an excellent opportunity to control weeds.
A E R I F Y AND TOPDRESS
If your greens have that slightly worn look after a long
hot summer, they probably need a little help breathing. You
can help by aerifying. There is nothing like aerification and
topdressing to spruce up a tired green. Too often we think
that since the rush is over we might as well wait until spring.
Keep in mind that grass suffering from the stress of a long
summer is a prime candidate for winter injury. Thus, a little
extra effort now might eliminate some problem next spring.

N E W

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

SOUND OFF!!
{It is that time of the monthly Newsletter to open the mail
bag and see what gems flow from it. Sound Off is a feature
for, of and by the readers of the Newsletter. Readers are reminded that their comments on any phase of golf are welcome
but should be received with the name and address of the sender. Whatever s on your mind, we would like to hear from you.
So, dig into your thinking caps and unwind. Send your comments to Newsletter Mail Box, 24 Riverview Drive,
Neivbury,
Mass. 01950. The Newsletter reserves the right to comment
On all letters
published.)
*

*

*

->:•

" I was disturbed recently by a small item printed in the
New England Newsletter. It concerned the sharp remarks on
the Hazeltine Golf Course by professional Dave Hill.
" F o r my money, the item was not of the nature to be included in a periodical written for golf course superintendents.
As far as I can learn, Mr. Hill's complaints about Hazeltine
had nothing to do with the condition of the course. Therefore,
I would think any comforting item to the builders of Hazeltine
be published in periodicals relating to course architects or
builders. We have no axe to grind with Mr. Hill. He was
speaking of the design and layout of Hazeltine, not the way
it was conditioned."
BRUCE F R A N K S
Farley, S. D.
The item spanking Dave Hill was a slip on our part. A s a
matter of fact it is our understanding that the condition of
Hazeltine received a triple-A rating from all who played it.
*

*

*

*

" I am a member of a moderately-priced country club, but
one where the caddy has been vanishing by leaps and bounds.
"The main reason is that most of our members take golf
cars and have no need for a caddy. However, I am in complete disagreement with this theory, mainly because these
same members spend most of their time doing the work of
the abandoned caddy.
"What Fm referring to is the fact that they ride to their
drives on the fairway. Then, instead of taking the shot to
the green, they seem to think it necessary to drive all the way
to the putting surface and back to their ball in a move apparently designed to give them the correct yardage and distance of the shot.
"This to me is ridiculous. Not only are these members
holding up play with their incessant driving back and forth
but they put more wear and tear on the course. Then, too,
when they hit into the woods or tall rough areas and lose
a ball, they take their sweet time in the car looking for same.
"My suggestion is that every foursome with golf cars should
be forced to hire one caddy to do the club selecting, ball
locating and flag holding. The cost could be defrayed by a
four-way split of the caddy fee. What are your thoughts on
this?"
BING MALOP
Scarborough, Maine
The caddy addition is a super idea (no pun intended). It
would cut down on a number of sins committed by golf car
jockeys.
*

Golf Chairman —
JULIUS AKSTEN
6 Main Street
Southboro, Mass. 01772
Phone 485-8885
Club Affiliation
St. Mark's Golf Club

*

Educational Chairman —
ALBERT A U G E R
6 A Fort Hill Street
Hingham, Mass. 021 13
Phone 749-2272
Club Affiliation
South Shore Country Club

*

Newsletter Chairman —
DEAN ROBERTSON
24 Riverview Drive
Newbury. Mass. 01950
Club Affiliation
Chestnut Hill Country Club

"Once again I have found myself at odds with certain men
members of our club who insist that we women are the proponents of slow play. I think this is one of the biggest misconceptions in golf.
" I can only speak for myself and my regular foursome.
When we go out to play, we do not practice certain provoking acts that many of our men have been found doing. What
I mean is that most of them seem to think they must line
up putts and survey approach shots the way the professionals
do on the tour.
"Recently my foursome was held up continuously by a
group of these plum-bob green readers and architectural
fairway studiers. At one point we timed them as having taken
10 minutes to put out. How does this sound to you? Are we
girls the culprits in regard to slow play or are we being
unjustly accused?"
LAURA SIMMONS
Green Acres, Iowa
Don't get us into the argument, Laura. Personally, we're
from the old Doug Ford "miss 'em quick" school of play.
*

*

*

#

"Don't you think it's about time golf car users took a second look at themselves and made some attempt to take a refresher course in their proper use?
"It seems to me that most country club members are looking at the operation of golf cars as old hat and subsequently
ignoring all the rules of running them on a course. I fought
the use of the danged things from the beginning. However,
I have come to realize they are a necessary evil and put up
with them.
"Now that the superintendents have accepted them, I would
think club members would have enough consideration for
their course to see that they operate the cars properly. What
do you think?"
CHRIS CORNAKAS
(Club Withheld)
W e agree. There are too many cowboys on the course.
W e ' r e all for suspending the privilege when the privilege to
operate them is abused!

{Thus, we bring another edition of Sound Off to the end
of the line. Keep those cards and letters coming,
folks.)
Friends of the Association as listed on the Newsletter are
invited to attend all educational, summer golf meetings, and
social functions of the New England GCSA. You are welcome
to play golf and are encouraged to do so. If you should have
a special salesman or Company Representative, bring him
with you and participate..
If you have a question pertaining to the above call the host
superintendent where the meeting is scheduled.
Again let me repeat — all Friends of the Association are
welcome, also your constructive criticism towards the improvement of this Association. Let's hear from you.
Dick Blake
President
GCSA of N. E.

Past President —
A N T H O N Y C A R A N C I , JR.
22 Hillview Drive
No. Providence. R. I. 02900
Phone 723-1688
Club Affiliation
Ledgemont Country Club

Information contained in this publication may be used
freely, in whole or in part, without special permission as
long as the true context is maintained. W e would appreciate a credit lihe.

piea4€

frzfototife

Agrico Chemical Company
R. D. Sibley, Jr., Representative
375 Power Rd.
Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860
Agway Commercial Sales
Richard Williams
66 James St., W. Newton, Mass.
Phone 244-5309
Allco Rokeby Co., Inc.
Fertilizers and Chemical Specialties
P. 0 . Box 267, Marietta, Ohio
Baker Tractor Corp., Ford Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Massachusetts
The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
Wethersfield, Conn.
Corenco Corporation
Tewksbury, Mass. 01876
J. E. Nordholm Turf Specialist
*The Clapper Co.
1121 Washington St.
West Newton, Mass.
* Geoffrey S. Cornish
Golf Course Architect
Fiddler's. Green, Amherst,

FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Fairway Equipment, Inc.
Sales — Service — Rentals
35 Walnut St., Reading, Mass.

Tuco Products Co.
Division of the Upjohn Company
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Farm Bureau Association
158 Lexington St., Waltham, Mass. 02154
Fred Heyliger, Representative

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

Manuel Francis and Son, Inc.
Turf Nurseries
624 Webster St., Marshfield, Mass.

D. L. Maher Co.
Water Supply Contractors
P. O. Box 274, Woburn, Mass.

Ron Gagne — Scotts Golf Course Div.
45 Mechanic St., Apt. 1A
Foxboro, Mass. 02035
Gold Star Sod Farms, Inc.
181 South Ave., Weston, Mass. 02197
Grounds Equipment Co., Inc.
383 Boylston St., Newton Cen., Mass.
*Tom Irwin Co.
Bennett Hill Road
Rowley, Mass.
Johns-Manville Sales -Corp.
1.50 Causeway St., Boston, M&

Mass.

George E. Cull
Terra-Green Soil Conditioner
112 Green St., Abington, Mass.
Arthur Curran
Rock Driller Supply Equipment, Inc.
20 E. Glenwood Ave.
Hyde Park, Mass. 02136
C. S. Curran
T. R. C. Products, Oils and Greases
7 Linden St., Framingham, Mass.

Karandrew Turf Farms, Inc.
Sam Mitchell, Sales Representa
18 Old Randolph St., Canton, M^
The Kenneth Barrie Company
Irrigation
375 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Mass.
Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp.
380 Union St.
West Springfield, Mass. 01089
Larchmont Irrigation Co.
Larchmont Ln., Lexington, Mass.

Old Fox Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers — Seeds — Turf Chemicals
66 Valley Street
East Providence, Rhode Island 02914
Sil Paulini, Inc.
6 Manor Avenue
Natick, Mass. 01760
Richey & Clapper, Inc.
28 Rutledge Road
Natick, Mass. 01760
*Sawtelle Brothers
Jet. Routes 128 and 62
Darrvers^—Mass.
Shepard Sod Company
Merion Blue Grass and Pencross Bent
200 Sullivan Ave., So. Windsor, Conn.
Stur-Dee Rake Co.
P. O. Box 1087, Woonsocket, R. I. 02895
Philip A. Wogan
Golf Course Architect
21 Budleigh Ave., Beverly, Mass.
Wyandotte Chemical Co.
709 Salada Bldg., Boston, Mass.
Yerxa's. Inc,
Golf Course Equipment
740 Broadway, S. Portland, Me.

* C o n t r i b u t o r s to the Lawrence S. Dickinson Scholarship

Newsletter Committee C h a i r m a n
24 Riverview Drive
Newbury, Massachusetts 01950
Phone 462-4540
C l u b Affiliation
Chestnut Hill Country Club
L E O N V. ST. P I E R R E
Business M a n a g e r
GERRY FINN
Contributing Editor

Fund