APRIL 1971

ourie
OF

Superln
lupt
NEW

ten den I5 — $ 5 d o c i a t i o n

ENGLAND,

INC.

Sponsors and administrators of the Lawrence S.
Dickinson Scholarship Fund — A w a r d e d yearly
to deserving Turf Management Students.

WE'RE NUMBER O N E
Dick Blake refuses to bow to protocol.
Ordinarily when your man is number one in the national
organization which makes your sectional organization number one, you gloat and rave about the fact that Dick Blake
— the man who greens up the Mt. Pleasant Country Club —
is president of the Golf Course Superintendents Association
of America.
" N o sense resting on our laurels", Blake barked recently
when cornered during the 1971 Turf Conference at the Highpoint Motor Inn in Chicopee. " I don't want any personality
close-up about my being elected president. What I'm interested
in is the future, not the p a s t . "
So, Dick Blake will go unheralded — so to speak. We all
know him and of him. He started out as an ambassador of his
profession. He's interested in upgrading every facet of it. He
has no time to pass in review of what has been accomplished.
He's today's man . . . today's president.
" D o n ' t get me wrong", Dick interjected when it appeared
that his election would be shoved into yesterday's news. " I ' m
grateful for the opportunity and grateful to the people who
furthered my candidacy. I couldn't have gotten this f a r alone.
I am a product of the New England Association. It brought
me this f a r . It has to be congratulated."
So much for the accolades. But that is something to "leave
to the script writers. Blake has plans, big plans for the national. " I ' m ready to make a big push to implement the certification p r o g r a m " , he disclosed. " T h i s is something very important. We can't go along a helter-skelter path. When a man
reaches the position of superintendent, it must mean something.
It must mean he has worked to attain the title."
Certification, then, is on Blake's list of things to do today.
Also on the immediate agenda is to establish a working agreement with the other associations affiliated with golf. "There's
no use in wasting our time fighting among one another", he
said. "All of the pros, managers and superintendents are in

the business of golf to promote it to the hilt. We can do this
best with an understanding among u s . "
The new G C S A A prexy also makes it known that he is
thoroughly out of tune with the national membership. " I
have'nt looked at the figures yet", he offered. " B u t I'm sure
our membership could use a sprucing up in matter of numbers. Off hand, I'd say we have around 3,000 members.
That's about half as much as our potential. I think we should
aim to double our numbers. It's simply a question of exposure."
Blake also holds with the theory that perhaps the G C S A A ' s
educational outlook is too confined. " I have no axe to grind
with our purpbse", he noted. " B u t we have to realize that
our educational efforts should be directed in a multi-direction.
I'm not for educating one another. I think we have to educate those persons outside the organization who are not aware
of our aims and problems. We can talk to one another any
time. What we should strive to do is get our club presidents
and green chairmen in conversation."
Another topic fresh on the top of the new president is
ecology and environment. " T h i s is spreading to all walks of
life", Dick delivered a message to the membership. " O u r
organization is at the heart of the problem. All superintendents should make a concentrated attempt to became part of
the environmental setup. If need be, we'll establish an educational p r o g r a m along those lines, even a suggested library so
we're able to know just what this thing's all a b o u t . "
Those projections were only the openers. " T h a t should keep
us with enough meat to think a b o u t , " Blake concluded. It's
about time the golf course superintendent came out of his
shell. He is close to almost every facet of our environment.
Thus, he should get involved in i t . "
For openers, Blake apparently is becoming involved. Should
things develop the way he envisions them, his reign as G C S A A
president should be a notable one, indeed.
— Gerry Finn

TROLLING WiTH JOE"
As the snow recedes, much " g r e y snow m o l d " has been observed infecting turfgrasses. What can be done at this late
date to improve these infected a r e a s ?
Brush these areas to break up the thread-like body of the
causal organism and remove the resulting organic matter that
has accumulated. If grass growth has started or is about to resume, stimulate by the addition of a small amount of a nitrogenous fertilizer. If d a m a g e is extensive and recovery is slow,
then aerify, lime, fertilize and over seed.
When is it safe to open golf greens for play in the s p r i n g ?

When all the frost is out of the soil and soil is not saturated
with moisture f r o m spring thaw.
Play on excessively wet greens can cause puddling of the
soil (breakdown of soil structure), causing soil compaction
and in turn, poor, thin turf. The superintendent is knowledgeable and keenly aware of all adverse growing conditions
brought about by the environment, at any time of the year,
and he and his Green Chairman should keep the course closed
during stress times.
Dr. J o s e p h Troll
Professor of Agrostology
University of Massachusetts

ourSe

Superintendents

oclcition

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U. S. OPEN A SHUT CASE
A1 Radko, t h e . U S G A ' s Green Section director with personality-plus, plowed through the snowy confines of the Highpoint
Motor Inn during the 1971 Turf Conference and reported
all conditions are go.
" Y e s " , Radko revealed. "Conditions for the U S G A Open
next J u n e at Merion should be at their peak. It is one of the
traditionally, fine-groomed layouts in the- country. This job
is a pleasure."

Left to right: Dick Blake, President of the S C S A A , and the
G C S A of NE, Robert Grant, Supt. Brae Bum C C , A I Radko,
National Director U S G A Green Section, Eberhard Steiniger,
Supt. Pine Valley Golf Club, Glementon, New Jersey, and
Richard Crosby, of the M G A Executive Committee. The
above mentioned were the speakers on the Turf Program at
the recent M G A day 9th Annual Member Club Spring C o n ference.

PRESIDENT'S M E S S A G E
This should be the time to look ahead to not only 1971
but all the challenges and opportunities that the 70's will offer
to our profession.
These days "Preventive Maintenance" is more important
than ever before to get the most out of your investments.
Attendance at regional educational programs sponsored by
your association, the U S G A Green Section Conference and
the International G C S A A Conference offer you the opportunity for preventive maintenance for your mind. A chance to
keep informed — to know what's going on — to improve yourself and get recharged ( M O T I V A T E D ) .
If one of your members invested $10,000 in a Cadillac, I
am sure $1,000 would be an acceptable annual amount for
preventative maintenance and depreciation on that purchase.
So, too, the costs of G C S A of N. E. and America are the costs
for maintaining that $15,000 - $20,000 annual purchase made
by the club for management.
What Better Investment can a club make than in the education of its management!
Dick Blake

What constitutes Al's pleasure is the association with one
of the respected names in golf course management. Richie
Valentine is the top man at Merion, its golf course superintendent following in the footsteps of his father, Joe Valentine
who dedicated more than 50 years of his life to the development of a superior layout.
Radko heads the team of U S G A experts overseeing the
maintenance of Merion for golf's most cherished tournament
prize. " I t is a gorgeous course", Al told. " T h e r e isn't too much
we've had to offer in the way of change. We've added length
to one hole — the 12th, but for the most part Merion is a
course of distinction to begin with."
The Radko endorsement of Merion is a feather in the cap
of Richie Valentine, to be passed on to the memory of his
late father. " T h e r e have been 12 m a j o r tournaments played
at Merion", Al said. " M a n y of its original grasses still dot
the course. It is a monument to supreme maintenance."
Merion is a legend in itself . . . and a credit to its upbringing. The course is relatively short — around 6,600 yards
— but its architectural hand is such that it lends to being
on the difficult side.
" T h e r e are 102 traps on the course", Radko revealed. " T h e y
call them the white faces of Merion. They're beautiful, but
their placement also is strategic, as all traps should be. Many
of them were designed by J o e Valentine. With his touch there,
it has to be g o o d . "
Radko is almost unconcerned about the condition of Merion
for the Open. " T h e last time we took a tour of the course it
was in the best possible s h a p e , " he opined. " R i c h i e Valentine
has been concentrating on the fairways and I look for some
good, dry, tight turf. That's how-the p l a y e r s ~ o l today prefer
their fairways. This will make for much better scoring and
an exciting tournament."
Merion has been on a p r o g r a m of u p g r a d i n g the turf
there. Thus, the superintendent doesn't have to make many
improvements . . . even though the U S G A and Radko have
been in constant touch with it for the past two years.
"Naturally, we can't guarantee a super-conditioned course",
Radko spouted. " T h e weather always has something to say
with the condition of a golf course. But, we're hoping for a
dry spring to eliminate the possibility of soft spots and depressions. The drainage at Merion is excellent. I am very
confident it will be playing at its best in J u n e . "

Sam Mitchell and Arthur Anderson were honored recently at
the Annual Fine Turf Grass Conference at the Highpoint
Motor Inn, in Chicopee, Massachusetts. They both received
honorary Associate Degrees in Turf Management presented
by Dr. Joseph Troll of Stockbridge School of Agriculture.
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 C l u b
Brae Burn Country C l u b
The Country Club

While the tradition is much to live up to, it appears that
Merion stands ready to withstand such a challenge. With people like Radko, the memory of J o e Valentine and the nowpositive attitude of Richie Valentine, the U S G A will have a
superb home for its championship.
— Gerry Finn

Secretary —
Treasurer —
Trustee —
W A Y N E ZOPPO
LUCIEN DUVAL
RONALD KIRKMAN
^ROBERT MUCCIARONE
48 Barberry Drive
R.F. No. 5 S a u l t Road
25 Green Street
465 Summer Street
Seekonk, Mass.
Bedford. N. H . 03105
Westwood, Mass. 02090
Needham. Mass. 02192
Phone 399-7141
Phone 472-3454
Phone 329-9682
Phone 444-8412
Club Affiliation
Club Affiliation
Club Affiliation
Club Affiliation
Manchester Country C l u b
A g a w a m Hunt Club
Needham Golf Club
Dedham Country and Polo Club

NORMAN MUCCIARONE
101 Alban Road
Waban, Mass. 02168
Phone 332-305.6
Club Affiliation* * ' J U - ^
}•".
W o o d l a n d Country Club

Finance Chairman —
"NARY ''SPERANDIO
Concord, Mass. 01742
Phone 369-4723
Club Affiliation?':
'jGonC&y (Country Club

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S O U N D

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(Its that time of the reading session to dive into the opinions and comments of our readers. Sound Off has been made
a regular part of the Newsletter menu for that specific purpose. We are open for your words on golf, be they crisp or
limp. The ground rules are simple. Just send your cards and
letters to Mail Box, 24 River-view Drive, Newbury, Mass. 01950
and include your full name and address. The rest, or the comment is up to us).
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" I am just an ordinary golfer but a country club member.
A s such, I think I qualify enough to comment on some of the
comments which some golfers make after playing a strange
course.
" N o t too long ago I was invited to a course, together with
a group of business associates. The tone of the other three
gentlemen about the condition of the course was horrible.
They seemed to take the stand that because the course held
a considerable amount of water, the rest of the layout properties were also discreditable.
" T h e fact of the matter is that the overall condition of the
course was almost super. But because some of the boys had
to move their ball out of a little casual water, they figured
the entire course was a curse.
" I am writing this only to make sure you people are aware
of the golfer who appreciates the fine j o b the superintendent
does. I, for one, do not judge the entire course by one little
flaw or inconvenience. I hope my playing partners see this
letter."
JUSTIN TOOHEY
Soonsday, Tenn.
W e also hope your playing partners see your letter, Justin.

N E W

E

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G

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H

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I N C .

" T h e r e has been considerable talk given to the advancement of the theory that all country clubs should be placed
in the hands of an overall manager, one who would take
charge of every department.
" T h i s would be sweet and lovely all right if there were
enough people who took the time to learn every part of the
country club or golf course operation. In that case, when such
a person got around to traveling all avenues, he probably
would be 100 years old!
" I think it's about time such plans be scuttled in favor of
the more practical idea of having each outlet — pro shop —
clubhouse — golf course, have its separate and proven leader.
Maybe I'm all wet about this, but it seems foolish to me to
place someone in charge who might turn out to be a person
who knows only 'a little bit about a lot of things.' As far
as I'm concerned, this is not enough."
CLAY HILL
(Club withheld)
W e don't know who should take up the fight in this proposal — the super, the pro or the club manager. Whoever
the advocates of this thing choose for the job have our sympathy.
" I ' m back again and with another gripe about salesmen.
" T h i s time it concerns the motive of said salesmen. Very
often I am approached by a man who offers himself as a
consulting service for one or another problem on the conditioning of the golf course. More often than not he comes
up with a solution which always includes the buying of his
particular product.
" I s there anything I can do to discourage this c u l p r i t ? "
JACKSON KRAMDEN
Atlantic City, N. J .
Just show him the door, Jackson.
-x-

March 22, 1971 — Removing snow from No. 8 green at the
Chestnut Hill Country Club.

NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be April 12, 1971, at the Holiday
Inn, Newton, Massachusetts, Grove Street exit from Route
128. The guest speaker will be Paul Hogencamp f r o m Dupont.
His topic will be "What's A h e a d . "
Directors' Meeting
10:45 a.m.
Regular Meeting
11:15 a.m.
Break for Lunch
12:15 p.m.
Education P r o g r a m
1:15 p . m .
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. 02113
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

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" T h i s is written to congratulate the Massachusetts Golf
Association for its wonderful presentation during the M G A
spring meeting.
" V e r y often we superintendents are lured to such meetings
under the pretense that the overall structure of golf will be
covered. And too often it turns out that the superintendent's
plight is ignored.
"However, this meeting was much more than that. All
presentations were superb and in line with the problems that
confront all the wings of golf course management — pros,
supers, and managers.
"Once again a big thanks and a plea to keep up the good
work to all members of the Mssachusetts Golf Association,
plus any other people who might have assisted in the venture."
GUY PAUL
Holden, Mass.
W e were just about to give three tips of the cap to the
M S A , and to Dr. Joe Troll for his fine 1971 Turf Conference,
when your letter arrived. That makes it unanimous!

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(This puts the lid on another session with our readers, always an interesting session at that. You, too, can be part of
the Sound Off scene. If you don't have an opinion, a comment
or a complaint about golf, you're not human. Everyone has,
especially at this time of year. Let's hear from you.)

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 line.

Pieate
Agrico Chemical Company
R. D . Sibley, J r . . Representative
375 P o w e r Rd.
P a w t u c k e t , R h o d e I s l a n d 02860
Agway Commercial Sales
Richard Williams
66 J a m e s St., W. Newton, M a s s .
P h o n e 244-5309
A l f c o R o k e b y Co., Inc.
Fertilizers a n d C h e m i c a l S p e c i a l t i e s
P . O. B o x 267, M a r i e t t a , Ohio
B a k e r T r a c t o r Corp., F o r d T r a c t o r s
H a r l e y Davidson Golf C a r s
Swansea, Massachusetts
T h e C h a r l e s C. H a r t S e e d Co.
Wethersfield, Conn.

F a i r w a y E q u i p m e n t , Inc.
Sales — Service — Rentals
3 5 W a l n u t St., R e a d i n g , M a s s .
F a r m Bureau Association
158 L e x i n g t o n St., W a l t h a m , M a s s . 02154
F r e d Heyliger, Representative
Thomas F . Grummell, Representative
Fisk, Alden Ford Tractor Sales
R e a r 900 Providence H i g h w a y
D e d h a m , M a s s . 02026
M a n u e l F r a n c i s a n d S o n , Inc.
T u r f Nurseries
624 Webster St., Marshfield, M a s s .
Ron G a g n e — S c o t t s Golf C o u r s e Div.
45 M e c h a n i c St., A p t . 1A
F o x b o r o , M a s s . 02035
Gold S t a r S o d F a r m s , I n c .
(Canterbury, New Hampshire)
(Sales 0 ~
Mas.-. Ave.
Lexington
>173 T e l . 861-1111

Corenco Corporation
525 W o b u r n S t r e e t
T e w k s b u r y , M a s s . 01876
William Ferris

G r o u n d s E q u i p m e n t Co., I n c .
383 Boylston St., Newton Cen., M a s s .

* T h e C l a p p e r Co.
1121 W a s h i n g t o n S t .
We^t Newton, M a s s .
* Geoffrey S . Cornish
Golf C o u r s e A r c h i t e c t
F i d d l e r ' s Green, A m h e r s t ,

FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Holliston S a n d C o m p a n y , Inc.
L o w l a n d Street, Holliston, M a s s . 01746
S a n d f o r Golf B u n k e r s a n d T r a p s
Mass.

G e o r g e E . Cull
T e r r a - G r e e n S o i l Conditioner
112 Green St., A b i n g t o n , M a s s .
Arthur Curran
R o c k Driller S u p p l y E q u i p m e n t , Inc.
20 E . Glenwood Ave.
H y d e P a r k , M a s s . 02136
C. S . C u r r a n
T . R . C . P r o d u c t s , Oils a n d G r e a s e s
7 L i n d e n St., F r a m i n g h a m , M a s s .

* T o m Irwin Co.
B e n n e t t Hill R o a d
Rowley, M a s s .
J o h n s - M a n v i l l e S a l e s Corp.
150 C a u s e w a y St., Boston, M a s s .
Karandrew Turf Farms, Inc.
S a m Mitchell, S a l e s R e p r e s e n t a t i v e
15 L o n g m e a d o w Drive, Canton, M a s s .
The Kenneth Barrie
Irrigation

Company

Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp.
380 U n i o n St.
West S p r i n g f i e l d , M a s s . 01089
L a r c h m o n t I r r i g a t i o n Co.
Larchmont Ln., Lexington, Mass.
M a g o v e r n C o m p a n y , Inc.
Lawn Acre Road
Windsor L o c k , Conn.
D. L. Malier Co.
W a t e r S u p p l y Contractors
P . O. B o x 274, W o b u r n , M a s s .
N e w E n g l a n d S e a l c o a t i n g Co., Inc.
Astroturf, T e n n i s Courts, P a v e m e n t
S e a l c o a t i n g — H i n g h a m Industrial Center
H i n g h a m , M a s s . Tel. 749-3236
' Old F o x Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers — S e e d s — T u r f C h e m i c a l s
66 Valley Street
E a s t Providence, R h o d e I s l a n d 02914
S i ! B a u l i n i , Inc.
6 Manor Avenue
N a t i c k , M a s s . 01760
Ric.hey & C l a p p e r , Inc.
28 R u t l e d g e R o a d
N a t i c k , M a s s . 01760
*Sawtelle Brothers
J e t . R o u t e s 128 a n d 62
Danvers, M a s s .
Shepard Sod Company
Merion B l u e G r a s s a n d P e n c r o s s B e n t
200 S u l l i v a n Ave., So. Windsor, Conn.
T u c o P r o d u c t s Co.
Division of the U p j o h n
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Company

Philip A. Wogan
Golf C o u r s e Architect
21 B u d l e i g h Ave., Beverly,

Mass.

Wyandotte C h e m i c a l Co.
709 S a l a d a Bldg., Boston, M a s s .

375 Centre St., J a m a i c a P l a i n , M a s s .

S. Dickinson Scholarship Fund
* Contributors to the Lawrence

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DEAN ROBERTSON
Newsletter C o m m i t t e e Chairman
24 Riverview Drive
Newbury, Massachusetts 01950
Phone 462-4540
C l u b Affiliation
Chestnut Hill Country C l u b
LEON V. ST. PIERRE
Business M a n a g e r
G E R R Y FINN
Contributing Editor

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