AUGUST, 1971 ourde OF S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s N E W E N G L A N D , S ^ S d o c i a t i o n I N C Sponsors a n d a d m i n i s t r a t o r s o f t h e L a w r e n c e S. Dickinson Scholarship Fund — A w a r d e d y e a r l y to deserving Turf M a n a g e m e n t Students. CEMENTING OF A RELATIONSHIP M a y b e in s o m e isolated q u a r t e r s the n a m e of the vendetta is " s u p e r vs. p r o " , but n o one k n o w s better than the 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 N e w E n g l a n d how w a r p e d is that feeling. T h e relationship t o d a y between golf course superintendent a n d golf p r o f e s s i o n a l is one of complete h a r m o n y . F o r e x a m p l e , in Connecticut the Conn. P r o f e s s i o n a l G o l f e r s Association h a s initiated a p r o g r a m w h e r e b y it will t a k e p a r t in the b u i l d i n g of a s c h o l a r s h i p f u n d f o r worthy candidates p u r s u i n g c a r e e r s in the field of f i n e turf a n d g r a s s e s . M o r e evidence p o p s out f r o m b e h i n d the p r o s h o p d a y in a n d d a y out. F o r those of us, attending the last m e e t i n g of the association, at T h e O r c h a r d s , the cementing of the rel a t i o n s h i p between the s u p e r a n d p r o w a s in full view in the co-operation a n d j u s t plain c o r d i a l reception given the group by Orchards professional Bob Bontempo. " I t doesn't cost a n y t h i n g to b e nice to p e o p l e " , B o n t e m p o q u i p s . " I a m especially interested in the w o r k of the superintendent. A f t e r all, what he a c c o m p l i s h e s on the golf c o u r s e a f f e c t s m e as well a s the m e m b e r . It's a p l e a s u r e to b e a b l e to sit b a c k a n d h e a r m e m b e r s a n d guests r a v e about the condition of our course. W h a t the s u p e r does m a k e s all of u s proud." when I left T w i n Hills to cbme to T h e O r c h a r d s two y e a r s a g o , I really h a d to c o n s i d e r what leaving R o y would m e a n . We f i g u r e d we h a d grown with the club together. N o w , I can a p p r e c i a t e the superintendent's j o b . D a v e V i b b e r (Orc h a r d s s u p e r ) a n d I hit it off real well." B o n t e m p o h a s been a s s o c i a t e d with golf all h i s life. H e is the son of H e n r y B o n t e m p o , a m u n i c i p a l c o u r s e p r o who once w a s c o n s i d e r e d one of the finest golfers in N e w E n g l a n d . S o , the introduction to the g a m e w a s second n a t u r e . A n d B o b c a u g h t on . . . . real f a s t . H e i m m e d i a t e l y b e c a m e one of the s t a r s of the j u n i o r golf scene in the S p r i n g f i e l d a r e a a n d r e a c h e d out f o r glory b e y o n d when he won the state schoolboy c h a m p i o n s h i p while p l a y i n g for C l a s s i c a l H i g h . M o r e j u n i o r h o n o r s were g a r n e r e d b e f o r e he m a d e a b i g j u m p to college a n d the U n i v e r s i t y of N o r t h C a r o l i n a where B o n t e m p o was a r e g u l a r on that school's p o w e r f u l golf t e a m . T h e 31-year-old B o n t e m p o w a s n a t u r a l pro m a t e r i a l a n d his f i r s t j o b w a s a s h e a d p r o f e s s i o n a l at T w i n Hills. H e is in his s e c o n d y e a r as the top g u n at T h e O r c h a r d s a n d members there a l r e a d y think of h i m as a f i x t u r e . B o n t e m p o m u s t rate a s golf p r o f e s s i o n a l of the y e a r a s f a r a s the N e w E n g l a n d superintendents a r e concerned. H e w a s the host at the first " s u p e r - p r e s s " t o u r n a m e n t when he overwhelmed both p a r t i e s with hospitality at the T w i n Hills C o u n t r y Club in E a s t L o n g m e a d o w , M a s s . " I ' d like to see m o r e o p p o r t u n i t y (like the last m e e t i n g ) f o r the p r o f e s s i o n a l a n d superintendent to get t o g e t h e r , " B o b s a y s . " W e h a v e so m u c h in c o m m o n it's a s h a m e that s o m e of us think we can go our s e p a r a t e w a y s without a n y comm u n i c a t i o n or m u t u a l respect. B e s i d e s , there's n o sense feudi n g with e a c h other. W e really don't h a v e a n y t h i n g to a r g u e about. We a r e in the s a m e b o a t . T h e w a y I f i g u r e it both of us h a v e to pull our o a r . . . a n d pull them t o g e t h e r . " T h a t w a s a b a n n e r d a y a n d B o n t e m p o treated it a s such. " I knew you people were t r y i n g to m a k e a g o o d i m p r e s s i o n with y o u r f i r s t t o u r n a m e n t " , h e tells. " A n d there never w a s a better relationship between p r o f e s s i o n s than the one I h a d a n d still h a v e with R o y M a c k i n t o s h ( T H s u p e r ) . In fact, S o , the relationship between superintendent a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l is d o i n g quite well these d a y s . With p r o s like B o b B o n t e m p o l e a d i n g the w a y in that direction, the d a y s of the vendetta are kaput! — Gerry Finn A Sad Note of s u p e r v i s i n g the condition of the course b y his brother, A r t h u r who later went on to f a m e a s the h e a d m a n at B r a e Burn. B o t h T e d a n d A r t h u r m o v e d f r o m A l p i n e to the O a k Hill C o u n t r y Club a n d the p a i r were still together when A r t h u r took o v e r the j o b at B r a e B u r n . It w a s f r o m B r a e B u r n that T e d received the call to Ellinwood. T h a t w a s in 1 9 3 1 when Ellinwood w a s j u s t a n a m e without a course. It w a s T e d who altered that, w o r k i n g a w a y until he h a d developed what one sportswriter called " s o m e of the finest greens in New E n g l a n d . " It w a s with deep regret that we i n f o r m you of the death of T h e o d o r e ( T e d ) A n d e r s o n , a m e m b e r of the G C S A A a n d the New E n g l a n d section who p a s s e d a w a y last m o n t h in Orange, Mass. A t the time of his death M r . A n d e r s o n w a s the retired s u p e r i n t e n d e n t of the Ellinwood Country Club in Athol a n d r e g a r d e d a s o n e of the most respected golf f i g u r e s in the Central M a s s a c h u s e t t s a r e a . T e d w a s f r o m the old school a n d h a d to whip s o m e of the p r o b l e m s of his p r o f e s s i o n with his b a r e h a n d s . T h i s he did with m u c h a c c l a i m a n d the satisfaction of club m e m b e r s who a l w a y s held h i m close to their hearts. M r . A n d e r s o n f o u n d h i s interest in golf at the A l p i n e Golf C o u r s e in F i t c h b u r g a n d w a s i n t r o d u c e d to the p r o f e s s i o n T e d s t a y e d on a n d b e c a m e legend at E l l i n w o o d until h i s retirement in 1 9 7 0 . H e will b e m i s s e d b y all . . . f r i e n d s , Ellinwood m e m b e r s a n d h i s brother superintendents. T h e A s s o c i a t i o n sends its deepest s y m p a t h y to his widow, Blanche, a n d the rest of the A n d e r s o n f a m i l y . ourAe • S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s J o c i c i t i o n • V A N D A L I S M ... WHERE WILL IT END? T h e r e is an old pest lurking around many corners of the superintendent's domain. Only the invader no longer is a pest, something to sweep under the rug. T h e pest has grown horns and f a n g s . It has become ever so deadly that it is more h a r m f u l than turf disease or quirks of nature. Its n a m e is " v a n d a l i s m " . A cobra is less dangerous. Once upon another generation vandalism consisted of nothing more than the trick or treat stuff youngsters pull when they're in a playful m o o d . M a y b e a few f l a g sticks would be pulled from the greens and thrown into adjacent woods or the trash barrels turned upside down. These acts fell under the heading of pranks and were easily handled by the super. These must have been the good old days. T o d a y the super " a l m o s t wishes he might" run into a " p r a n k s t e r . " I t woTtld i j e a pleasure to see someone just doing those things a boy might consider part of growing u p " , one h a r a s s e d super remarked. " W e were all kids once. We liked to ring doorbells and all that. B u t today there's a big difference. These people are vicious." One of the favorites of the dastardly deeds is the destruction of the green. Somehow vandals have discovered that the most expensive item to be replaced or duplicated on the golf course is a green. It all started when automobiles were used to sink deep tire m a r k s into the surface. Since then the methods of s c a r r i n g the green have expanded to the point where a planned atack with rakes, hoes a n d other sharp instruments makes a veritable battlefield out of the course. A n d it doesn't end at one green. T h e r e have been reports of every green on the course being hit by one or more people during a typical " r a i d " . In one example the d a m a g e was so extensive it took a call to members and more than 300 m a n hours to get the course playable a g a i n . One of the new favorites with these parasites is the stealing of golf cars and subsequent destruction of s a m e . S o m e cars have been discovered as m a n y as 10 miles from the course. Discovered a n d then labeled a complete loss. They are seldom left in one piece. Other favorite pastimes of the vandal is pouring dye on the porch or steps of the clubhouse, breaking windows (several at a time with what likely is b u c k s h o t ) , d i g g i n g up and carting off ball washers, stealing tee markers and burning initials or other letters on greens and tees with harmful chemicals. Naturally, the invasion of the golf course more often than not winds up with a wholesale theft, either in the clubhouse . . . the pro shop . . . or the super's equipment building. It has beeft p r o v e n that the early iraces of vandalism have been noted prior to the eventual robbery of the course. Where will it e n d ? N o one can give you a sound answer there. It seems inevitable that vandalism will reach the point where perhaps (and G o d f o r b i d ) human life is lost. There doesn't seem to be any end to the s p r e a d of this problem and it doesn't seem to have any cutoff point in way of increasing the amount of d a m a g e . Several weeks ago the Newsletter received a letter f r o m an irate country club member who h a d seen her course slashed to smithereens by vandals. She wanted to know what could be done a b o u t it and the reply was " d o n ' t shoot until you see their ratty rear e n d s " . M a y b e that was written in half-jest. However, the increasing incidence of vandalism makes the suggestion gather more serious tones than one would imagine. V a n d a l i s m must be stopped . . . . not something, gets hurt. stopped before someone, — Gerry Finn NEXT MEETING The Annual Superintendent — Green Chairman meeting will be held August 2, 1971, at Vesper Country Club, Pawtucket Boulevard, T y n g s b o r o , M a s s . Vesper was the site of the 19V1 M a s s . Open a n d is an exciting Donald Ross layout. Golf can be played anytime after 11 a. m. and lunch a n d caddies or carts are available. Cocktails will be served at 6 p. m. followed by dinner at 7 p. m. sharp. After dinner Dr. J o s e p h Troll of the University of Massachusetts will discuss " r e s e a r c h plans to help country clubs." Burt Frederick is the m a n at the reigns of Vesper. H e started working on a course in 1956 under B o b Mucciorone at the M e r r i m a c k Valley Golf Course. After a few years there he decided this was f o r him a n d entered Winter School at U. of Mass. and g r a d u a t e d in 1960. But went on to be super at the Island Country Club on M a r t h a ' s V i n e y a r d only to be drafted a short time afterward. While in the service f o r two years he supervised the construction of the Ft. Devens Golf Course. After d i s c h a r g e Burt worked as assistant to M a n u a l F r a n c i s at the Vesper Country Club. In N o v e m b e r of 1967 when Mr. F r a n c i s retired, Burt was named Superintendent and has been there since. President — First Vice President — Second Vice President — R I C H A R D C. BLAKE 'ROBERT G R A N T THOMAS CURRAN 211 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 Treasurer — LUCIEN DUVAL R.F. No. 5 Gault Road Bedford, N. H. 03105 Phone 472-3454 Club Affilie Manchester Country Club i Hunt Club Trustee — RONALD KIRKMAN 25 Green Street Needham, Mass. 02192 Phone 444-8412 Club Affiliation Needham Golf Club ROBERT M U C C I A R O N E 465 Summer Street Westwood, Mass. 02090 Phone 329-9682 Club Affilii Dedham Country and Polo C l u b NORMAN MUCCIARONE 101 Alban Road Waban, Mass. 02168 Phone 332-3056 Club Affiliation W o o d l a n d Country Club Finance Chairman — NARY SPERANDIO Concord, Mass. 01742 Phone 369-4723 Club Affiliation Concord Country Club —OF SOUND OFF !!!! (Time to pinch the mailman and see what he has for Sound Off readers this time around the popular feature's grounds. Sound Off is both for and by the readers of this publication. It is presented ivith the hope that it stimulates some faction of the game of golf and subsequent active part in that aspect of the grand and ancient. Readers are invited to air their views via this column. Letters and cards should be sent to Newsletter Mail Box, 2 4 Riverview Drive, Newbury, Mass. 0 1 9 5 0 . The Newsletter reserves the right to comment on each published letter.) * ft ft * ft ft ft " I would like to a d d m y c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s to L e e T r e v i n o f o r the m a n y b i g t o u r a n m e n t s that he h a s won this season. " F o r t u n a t e l y , I h a d a n o p p o r t u n i t y to watch T r e v i n o beat J a c k N i c k l a u s in the p l a y o f f for the U . .S. O p e n C h a m p i o n s h i p at M e r i o n Golf Club. B y the w a y , I w a s quite i m p r e s s e d with the layout a n d c o n d i t i o n i n g of that course. It w a s really something. ' " B u t I a m s t r a y i n g f r o m m y o r i g i n a l reason for writing this letter. In T r e v i n o the little m a n of this country ( a n d all other countries, I s u p p o s e ) see a new hero. Certainly, he will be the f a v o r i t e with the m a j o r i t y of golf f a n s whenever he tees it u p . " I w a s w o n d e r i n g if y o u p e o p l e h a d a n y m a t e r i a l on h i s b a c k g r o u n d . I h e a r d that he once w a s a golf c o u r s e superintendent. H o w does that s o u n d ? Is that where L e e got his start a n d is he interested in the g a m e of m a k i n g a course sparkle?" SANDY STIMSON Overbrook, Pa. Lee is said to be interested in the superintendent's work, but never took part in it. M a y b e you are thinking of Bert Yancey, another pro star. H e and his brother once were involved in a golf development where both did the work of the super. " R e c e n t l y I r e a d s o m e w h e r e that the n u m b e r of golf c o u r s e s in the U n i t e d S t a t e s b e i n g converted to s h o p p i n g centers a n d b i g p a r k i n g a r e a s is getting to the point where it exceeds the n u m b e r of new golf courses b e i n g built. " I think this is a n a l a r m i n g note. If that trend continues, we will be so short of golf courses it m i g h t take a two-week's notice to get a starting time. I can't believe this country would allow such a situation to d e v e l o p . " HARRY JUDSON Pine Needles, Va. Your information is slightly over par, Harry. The number of new courses is higher than the number of conversions. However, the rate of new courses has declined which might cause us to worry. * ft * * * * * I would like to c o m m e n t on M r . B l a k e ' s theory that the golf c o u r s e superintendent should e d u c a t e p e o p l e outside of his o r g a n i z a t i o n . P e o p l e s u c h a s club p r e s i d e n t s , g r e e n s chairm e n , a n d m e m b e r s should b e f a m i l i a r with our a i m s a n d problems. One w a y of a c c o m p l i s h i n g this would be to h a v e a slide presentation. L a s t y e a r at m y c o u r s e I took slides of p r o j e c t s done, p r o b l e m s encountered, a n d a r e a s which needed improvement. A t the e n d of the golf y e a r m y g r e e n s c h a i r m a n a s k e d m y w i f e a n d m e to attend the a n n u a l golf dinner. I told h i m of the slides I h a d taken a n d s u g g e s t e d g i v i n g a presentation at the d i n n e r . M y c h a i r m a n w a s very enthusiastic a b o u t the 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 C l u b NEW INC. ENGLAND, i d e a a n d a r r a n g e d f o r the talk. D u r i n g the p r e s e n t a t i o n , I e x p l a i n e d s o m e of our m a i n t e n a n c e operations a n d p r o b l e m s , a n d p o i n t e d out s o m e a r e a s which could be i m p r o v e d in the f u t u r e . T h e m e m b e r s showed m u c h interest a n d a n u m b e r of questions were a s k e d . I believe that a slide presentation is a g o o d w a y f o r the golf course superintendent to c o m m u n i c a t e with, a s well as educate, his club's m e m b e r s h i p . Larry Bunn Milton-Hoosic Club, Canton, M a s s . Thanks for the letter, Larry, it sounds like you have done a g o o d F.R. job for yourself. It's too bad more supers couldn't do the same thing for themselves. * * * * * ft ft " T h e other d a y I p l a y e d in a t o u r n a m e n t at a local country club a n d w a s s u r p r i s e d to see where the s u p e r i n t e n d e n t h a d placed the holes on the greens. H e h a d them in places even the U S G A wouldn't s u g g e s t for their b i g g o l f i n g championships. " S e v e r a l p l a y e r s in the field commented on what they thought were u n f a i r pin placements. It certainly r u i n e d m y g a m e . On one of the greens I took f i v e putts. T h e cup w a s set on a m o u n d a n d I think it took m e three strokes to m a k e the hole f r o m an o r i g i n a l three feet. " W h a t ' s the matter with you g u y s . J u s t b e c a u s e you aren't as a b l e to p l a y a s m u c h as the next guy, y o u take all the e n j o y m e n t out of the g a m e . A r e y o u superintendent's m a d at the w o r l d ? " FRANK STEIN F r e e w a y , L . I. You're too loud, Frank, and also way off line . . . and we don't mean your putting. Usually, the superintendent gets his orders to place pins from the tournament committee chairman of the club. Five putts! N o wonder you're mad. * # * ft * ft " I ' m a nongolfer but j u s t h a p p e n e d to b e in a b a r b e r shop where one of y o u r Newsletters w a s lyin' a r o u n d . " W h a t 1 would like to crow a b o u t is the f a c t that golf courses a r e t a p p i n ' o u r water s u p p l y somethin' a w f u l these d a y s . In J u n e there w a s all k i n d s of d o g d a y s g o i n ' on. I m e a n it w a s hot a n d h u m i d . " O u r local p a p e r threw out a caution to residents. W h a t they s a i d w a s that people livin' h e r e should b e c a r e f u l a b o u t u s i n ' water. T h a t ' s quite a l a u g h , too. " T h e l a u g h is that everytime I go b y the local golf course in the evening, all I see a r e those water s p o u t s j i g g l i n g a n d t o s s i n g out water like there w a s no t o m o r r o w . " W h a t I ' m writing to you f o r is b e c a u s e it's y o u s u p e r s who should be r e a d i n ' our local p a p e r a n d start to worry about the water s h o r t a g e that could h a p p e n . I ' m not a golfer like I s a i d before. A n d m a y b e that's why this thing b u g s m e m o r e . B u t I s a y w h a t ' s g o o d f o r the goose is g o o d f o r the duckling. (I think that's the s a y i n ' ) . " A n y w a y , how about it, you g u y s . S h u t off those s p r i n k l e r s ! BERT BEEF J e r s e y City, N . J . Bert, you're all wet. M o s t golf courses draw their water supplies from private ponds. A n d when they are on city or town lines, they follow the local edict just as the homeowner does. * ft * # ft (That really shuts us off for this time. Remember, can be part of the parade of letters. Let's hear from Sound Off ! 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 you you. 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. We would appreciate a credit lihe. PCecue frt- Ag-.uvan:, >.ia. iiiOOl Phone 413-781-4600 *Sawtelle Brothers Jet. Routes 128 and 62 Danvers, Mass. George E. Cull Terra-Green Soil Conditioner 112 Green St., Abington, Mass. *Tom I Bennett TlilTTJoad Rowley, Mass. Arthur Curran Rock Driller Supply Equipment, Inc. 20 E. Glenwood Ave. Hyde Park, Mass. 02136 Karandrew Turf Farms, Inc. Sam Mitchell, Sales Representative 15 Longmeadow Drive, Canton, Mass. Shepard Sod Company Merion Blue Grass and Pencross Bent 200 Sullivan Ave., So. Windsor, Conn. The Kenneth Barrie Company Irrigation 375 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Mass. Tuco Products Co. Division of the Upjohn Company Kalamazoo, Michigan Larclimont Irrigation Co. Larchmont Ln., Lexington, Mass. White Turf Engineering 5 Sumner Drive, Winchendon, Ma. 01475 617-297-0941 C. S. Curran T. R. C. Products, Oils and Greases 7 Linden St., Framingham, Mass. Fairway Equipment, Inc. Sales —• Service — Rentals 35 Walnut St., Reading, Mass. Farm Bureau Association 158 Lexington St., Waltham, Mass. 02154 Fred Heyliger, Representative Thomas F. Grummell, Representative Mallinekrodt Chemical Works Second and Mallinekrodt Streets St. Louis, Mo. 63160 Magovern Company, Inc. Lawn Acre Road Windsor Lock, Conn. Philip A. Wogan Golf Course Architect 21 Budleigh Ave., Beverly, Mass. Wyandotte Chemical Co. 709 Salada Bldg., Boston, Mass. * Contributors to the Lawrence S. Dickinson Scholarship Fund -A OWLA^^M ( JW.2971 j'r f W f r: , < i) 174175 £.FOIF (BOURSE SUPERINTENJLNTS ~S4LIOCIAUON OF NKW I K U N I , IKC, DEAN ROBERTSON Newsletter Committee Chairman 24 Riverview Drive Newbury, Massachusetts 0 1 9 5 0 Phone 462-4540 C i u b Affiliation Chestnut Hill Country C i u b L E O N V. ST. PIERRE Business M a n a g e r GERRY FINN Contributing Editor