JUNE, 1971

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S p o n s o r s a n d administrators of the L a w r e n c e S.
Dickinson S c h o l a r s h i p F u n d — A w a r d e d y e a r l y
to d e s e r v i n g Turf M a n a g e m e n t Students.

SUPER-PRESS TIME

SURVEYING THE SURVEY

The superintendent's pride and joy of the summer competitive scene — the super-press golf tournament — moves
to another exciting and exacting course Tuesday, June 8 when
Woodland and Norman Mucciarone play host for the annual
affair.

The Massachusetts Golf Association, in a show of good faith
and intention, has recently turned out for observation a club
operations survey. The MGA admits this is the first survey
of its kind and perhaps open to criticism, but it hopes it will
provide officers, directors and committee chairmen of its member clubs with a representative picture of the organizational
and working structure of the country club and golf course.
The survey cover says the information was collected in the
summer of 1970, for the 1969 figures. And, in case you
haven't looked lately, there has been a big change in the last
two years.
Anyway, it was both an ambitious and commendable undertaking and despite the two-year drag in time it draws some
interesting conclusions.
For instance, according to the MGA . . . if you are an
average superintendent on an 18-hole course, you are making
a salary of $12,295 which places you below the average chef
who pulls in $12,933. As far as course maintenance is concerned, you are a middle of the roader if you spend $69,400
a year on an 18-hole layout. The high and low here might
raise a few eyebrows. The top outlay is $103,100 and the
bottom of the barrel, $25,500.
You will be unhappy to know that superintendents still lag
behind the club manager in salary, the average difference being more than $2000 per. There is a wide edge in the highest
category. Top salary among the managers is tagged at $26,000,
while the best of the supers is $18,000.
There are all kinds of other figures with which to intrigue
the survey reader and, for the most part, it does give that representative picture the MGA sought when they started it all.
However, there is one criticism which should be aired, not as
a matter of boiling the MGA but to offer a suggestion in the
operation of future surveys.
The gripe has a superintendent flavor. It centers on the fact
that in many cases the superintendent at MGA member clubs
never were made aware of the survey being made. In some
interviews clerks and bookkeepers provided the information
concerning maintenance costs and other categories where the
superintendent might have given a more accurate account.
It was, as a matter of fact, a very impersonal survey which
might be the cause for concern. It would take much searching,
for example, to learn what "other" on the list of items was.
One club reported spendings of $46,893 under "other." It
happened to be No. 4 as a matter of identification. Then,
down aside No. 27 the outlay under "other" just happened
to total $46,893._ That would qualify as an amazing coincidence, right?
The MGA survey, then, tells all but could be tainted somewhat because of the sources of information from which it was
drawn. In the future it might be wise to ask the superintendent about the workings of the golf course. He just might know
more about it than the club filing clerk!
— Gerry Finn

Super-press time is always a happy affair. Although there
are a few overzealous culprits in the field (they're the guys
who always win, g r r r ! ) , the laughs seem to outnumber the
birdies and pars. And the event carries professional value.
It gives the superintendent a chance to enjoy the company
of the newspaper, radio or TV personality while making him
aware of the part the super plays in the overall golfing picture.
This year's course is keeping in line with those of past tournaments. Woodland is regarded as one of the finest layouts
on the New England wheel of golfing real estates and Norman
Mucciarone is the man who has been most instrumental in
keeping it in that lofty position.
The field will be fighting for the Arthur Anderson Trophy,
named for that great pioneer of the superintendents' profession who has been one of the leaders in boosting his brothers
to a level of high recognition. Arthur is expected to tour the
Woodland grounds during action and be on hand at the
awards banquet to present the winners their spoils.
Defending champions
Country Club and Roger
A year ago they toured
for a one-stroke victory

are Ron Kirkman of the Needham
Barry of the Quincy Patriot Ledger.
mighty Pleasant Valley in 71 blows
over several tandems locked at 72.

New England Association President Dick Blake urges all members to line up a partner and participate in this blue
ribbon presentation of Julius Aksten and the tournament committee. "This is a great tourney and a wonderful opportunity
for superintendents to form an amiable relationship with the
press", Blake observed. "Certainly, it is virtually next to
being mandatory that all take part."

NEXT MEETING
Tuesday, June 8, 1971 is the date of the next meeting at
the Woodland Golf Club, Newton, Massachusetts. The club
is located on Route 16 from Route 128. This is the annual
Superintendent-Press tournament and there will be a dinner
served in the evening. Make your reservations early with Norman Mucciarone, telephone 332-3056.
Correction for May Newsletter: The news from "Western
Mass." should have read that Dave Clement is the superintendent at the Crestview Country Club, Agawam, Massachusetts.

Qotf

C ourde

Superintendents

Association•

GENERAL UPROAR ? ? ?
The reaction to a steamroller attempt to create the new and
all-conquering position of country club general manager is
mixed at the moment, but it could reach the level of uproar
should the move catch fire in favor of one of the three managerial groups now operating the club.
There is immediate casting of suspicious eyes on the club
manager. This is only natural, since in isolated cases the club
manager already has been given the command post which
means the golf professional and course superintendent are
directly responsible to him.
The question arises, however, as to the necessity of establishing the title and position of general manager. From a
practical standpoint (practical in this case meaning financ i a l ) , the thing could die before it even gets off the ground.
J [ n effect, the general manager's j o b would place a fourth
party on the managerial totem pole. And in all likelihood it
would call for an additional salary above that of the club
manager, pro and superintendent.
For this reason alone, such people as Charles Baskin <—
president of the Connecticut Golf Course Superintendents
Association — claim all the fuss might constitute a much to
do about nothing situation. "Certainly, there will be some
clubs who fall for this new line of an overall manager being
necessary to produce a smooth operation", Baskin says. " B u t
those who are interested in it, will think twice when they
consider the cost. This, plus the general economic condition
of the country, make me think it will never come off."
Baskin strays just a bit from his position, though, in agreeing with a proposal that superintendents prepare for such a
move through methods of education. " 1 think a superintendent
should constantly be thinking of improving himself", Baskin
disclosed. " I for one have gone out on my own and taken courses in management and business. After all, we are in a sense
businessmen, and anything we can do to help us be better businessmen will act in our favor. In other words, I think the superintendent should prepare himself for the position of general

manager even though it sounds like a far-off proposition to me
at the moment."
Theoretically, the general manager would be a sort of chairman of the board in the operation of the country club. In
order to be effective, he would have to be well versed in the
duties of the club manager, the pro and the superintendent.
According to most people queried on the subject, this is
next to being an impossibility. The three jobs are so diversified that it would take a lifetime of study and experience for
one man to master each task. " T h i s brings us to final decisions
on the part of the general m a n a g e r " , Baskin continues. " I f
the general manager is to have the last word, then he must be
able to know the inner workings of the three positions. It
would be very difficult for me, for example, to tell the head
chef he's overcooking the roast beef. Of course, that's an exaggerated for instance, but it points up how complicated things
would get with one man calling the shots."
In the few clubs where the club manager has been given
the final word in situations dealing with the pro shop and golf
course, the feeling seems to be that he gives the pro and super
a free hand. One superintendent, who works under such an
arrangement, says that he does his job just as though there
weren't a general manager. " I ' v e been at my club f o r several
years", he told. " A n d I can't remember one instance when
the manager insisted that I change the way I was grooming
the course. However, it just might be that he is a practical
individual. If he weren't, maybe we'd have trouble."
Whatever the potential personality of the would-be general
manager, the attempt to create the position faces many hazards.
As Baskin says, the big roadblock is the expense involved.
In these days of shaky economies, it just doesn't seem feasible
to pay someone a five-figured salary to perform a task which
is overexhausting in the first place. In the meantime, though,
it wouldn't be a bad idea for the superintendent to prepare
himself for that day when the call goes out for applications.
— Gerry Finn

Left to right — Roger Barry, Quincy Patriot Ledger, Sidney
Snider, President Blue Hill Country Club, Dr. Edward Kushner,
Green Chairman, Blue Hill Country Club and Wayne Ripley,
Superintendent, Blue Hill Country Club.

The Blue Hill Country Club officially opened its completely
renovated holes No. 2 to N o . 7 on May 14, 1971. Superintendent in charge, Wayne Ripley has done something that I
think most course superintendents would like to do, but cannot because of hole limitations. He renovated six holes on his
27-hole layout from tee to green. Wayne says that due to the
wetness of the area and the poor playing conditions caused
by wetness and the poa he convinced the B o a r d to undertake
this project.
Using a farm plow to turn the area over and then pushing
up all the loam, they then hauled in 50,000 tons of gravel to
reshape and crown the fairways. This allows the water to run
off to new drains and a couple of newly designed ponds. The
fairways and rough were seeded to straight Merion in July,
1970 and the tees were sodded to Merion. Manuel Francis, Sr.
was the architect and they used Vesper Bent on the greens.
During construction they added traps to the holes, making the
course play tougher. Congratulations to Wayne and his chairman, Dr. Kushner, for a job well done. They have done a job
to be proud of.

Renovations at Blue Hill

President —
First Vice President —
Second Vice President —
R I C H A R D C. BLAKE
"ROBERT G R A N T
THOMAS CURRAN
2 I I Sewall Street
22 Patricia Road
153 Fisher Street
Boylston, Mass. 01505
Sudbury. Mass. 01776
Walpole, Mass. 02081
Phone 869-2737
Phone 443-26>l
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
Seelconk, Mass.
Phone 399-7141
Club Affiliation
Agawam Hunt Clul

L U C I E N DUVAL
R.F. No. 5 Gault Road
Bedford, N. H. 03105
Phone 472-3454
Club Affiliation
Manchester Country Club

Trustee —
Trustee —
RONALD KIRKMAN
ROBERT M U C C I A R O N E
465 Summer Street
25 Green Street
Westwood. Mass. 02090
Needham, Mass. 02192
Phone 329-9682
Phone 444-8412
Club Affili!
Club Affiliation
Dedham Country and Polo Club
Needham Golf Club

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

Finance Chairman — •
NARY S P E R A N D I O
Concord, Mass. 01742
Phone 369-4723
Club Affiliation
Concord Country Club

" O F

S O U N D

OFF M

! !

(It's time to ivind up the reader and let him spin some of
the steam or sweetness off the top of his head in another edition
of Sound O f f . The New England Newsletter is proud of this
chance to give everyone the chance to spill his views on any
phase of golf. Everyone is ivelcome to take part and the Newsletter is happy to make this space available for that purpose.
Letters and cards may be sent to Newsletter Mail Box, 24
Riverview Drive, Newbury, Mass. 01950. The Newsletter reserves the right to comment on each letter published. Incidentally, today's opening salvo is printed with the permission
of The Hartford Times, the publication to ivhich it was originally sent.)
*

*

" A critical question deserves space on your pages. What is
the sportsman's responsibility to his environment? Perhaps
some of your verbose correspondents would react to the following particulars:
"How does the hunter affect the balance in nature as he
drapes a deer carcass over his six-cylinder polluter? What
does he give back to the altered environment? A few scraps
of litter? A hot m a t c h ?
"How does the prowess of the professional athlete affect
our habitat? After exchanging great masses of steel and concrete for grass and trees to form his arena of activity, what
does he return to the environment? Tons of throw a w a y s ?
Thousands of programs of recent exploits?
"How does fun-seeking everyman alter his world with advancing technology? How will his all-terrain vehicles and
snowmobiles leave the earth?
"Where will we s t o p ? Is fun and entertainment more important than existence? Are there not ways to enjoy healthful
recreation without destroying the world around u s ? "
G E O R G E S. B R O W N
West Hartford, Conn.
You sort of make all of us fee! like heels, George.
*

*

*

*

*

JULIUS AKSTEN

6 Main Street
Southboro, Mass. 01772

SrJE?

8 5
St. Mark's Golf Club

Educational Chairman —

ALBERT AUGER

Newsletter Chairman —

DEAN ROBERTSON

24 Riverview Drive
Newbury, Mass. 01950

Sr^ffi?72

chestnut^Hiii Country club

South Shore Country Club

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—

(Thus, a rather short but interesting session with our readers
comes to an end. But there'll be more next month and we're
hoping to hear from you . . . and you . . . and you
. . . and . . . )
GOLF WINNERS

Golf winners at the First Outdoor meeting at the Milton
Hoosic Golf Club were as follows:
Low Gross — tie
Ken Mooradian
Ron K i r k m a n
1st Low Net
John B a r r y
2nd Low Net — tie A. Roy Macintosh
Ray K i n g
N a r y Sperandio
T o m Sehofield
The Association extends its deepest sympathy to the family
of Mr. Charles Parker who passed away on May 17, 1971. Mr.
Parker was superintendent at the Wyano Club and retired
super at A g a w a m Hunt. He was also G C S A of N E secretary
during the 30's.

*

6 A Fort Hill Street
Hlngham, Mass. 02113

|

club chain of command is in the midst of a great overhaul.
The need for a general manager should not be of any concern
to us at this time. There are pros and cons as to the establishment of such a position. Nevertheless, there are others in
that same chain of command who look upon themselves as the
natural choice for the job if it ever becomes a reality.
" I am most concerned with this possibility, that of the superintendent being left behind again when he should be thinking
of the future and his role in the country club operation. I
believe it would be worthwhile for the Superintendents Association . — : both at the national and local level — to explore
the possibilities of setting up an educational program for the
express purpose of training general managers.
" M a y b e I am making a lot of noise over nothing, but I
believe it is in the best interests of our profession to at least
think about a situation which could change the whole picture
of the country club's administrative organization. It is not too
much to ask of our local and national people to become aware
of this need for an educational program.
" E v e n if the general manager push never materializes, anything we can do to upgrade our position will return us benefits in the future. I urge that everyone in our New England
group attempt to better themselves through some form of
additional education. Let's be ready to apply for the big job
. . . if it ever comes time to do s o . "
LEON ST. P I E R R E
Longmeadow, Mass.
The general manager proposal may be stronger than we
think. Don't say you haven't been warned!

" T h i s letter is written as a matter of advising all superintendents that we should start now to prepare ourselves for
what I think is the coming thing in golf operations — the
general manager.
" I t has been apparent to me for some time that the country

Golf Chairman —

E N G L A N D ,

*

" E v e r y darn time I see the Newsletter I know it improves
golf course maintenance by improving the status of the s u p e r intendent as manager of a valuable, complex property subject
to mny and mysterious elements and basically the foundation
of every business factor in golf.
It's a slow j o b but just as sure as shootin' you are creating
a reality (not that P.R. rubbish word 'image') of the golf
course manager as an important business executive.
" I didn't realize the Newsletter is as good as it is. It really
has to take a high place in the recognition ladder of the superintendent.
" R i g h t now I'm not sure whether I will make it to the U . S.
Open at Merion, but if I do, I will look up your Gerry Finn
and buy a drink in thanksgiving.
" B e s t to your national and New England president, Dick
Blake, and the rest of the m o b . "
HERB GRAFFIS
Golfdom Magazine
For once we are speechless. But thanks for the plug, Herb.
*

N E W

We also extend our sympathy to the family of Mr. Jerry
Spahr of the Old Fox Chemical Company. Jerry passed away
on May 16, 1971.
Art Anderson informs us that Dan Collins of Winchester
C. C. was injured while on the j o b and would enjoy hearing
from his friends.

Past President —

.

ANTHONY CARANCI, JR.
22 Hillview Drive
No. Providence. R. I. 02900
Ledgemont Country Club

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FRIENDS O F THE A S S O C I A T I O N

Agrico Chemical Company
R. D. Sibley, Jr., Representative
375 Power Rd.
Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860

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

Alfco Rokeby Co., Inc.
Fertilizers and Chemical Specialties
P. 0 . Box 267, Marietta, Ohio

Fisk, Alden Ford Tractor Sales
Rear 900 Providence Highway
Dedham, Mass. 02026

Baker Tractor Corp., Ford Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Massachusetts

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

The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
Wethersfield, Conn.

Ron Gagne — Scotts Golf Course Div.
45 Mechanic St., Apt. 1A
Foxboro, Mass. 02035

Corenco Corporation
525 Woburn Street
Tewksbury, Mass. 01876
William Ferris
*The Clapper Co.
1121 Washington St.
West Newton, Mass.

Grounds Equipment Co., Inc.
383 Boylston St., Newton Cen., Mass.
Holliston Sand >
Lowland Street, 1
Sand for Golf Bu

George E. Cull
Terra-Green Soil Conditioner
112 Green St., Abington, Mass.

Irrigation and Ec,
P. O. Box 9, 66 _ _
Milford, Conn. 06460
Telephone (203) 874-1096

Magovern Company, Inc.
Lawn Acre Road
Windsor Lock, Conn.
D. L. Maher Co.
Water Supply Contractors
P. O. Box 274, Woburn, Mass.

Gold Star Sod Farms, Inc.
(Canterbury, New Hampshire)
(Sales Office) 1265 Mass. Ave.
Lexington, Mass. 02173 Tel. 861-1111

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

Larchmont Irrigation Co.
Larchmont Ln., Lexington, Mass.

11746
Co.

Arthur Curran
Rock Driller Supply Equipment, Inc.
20 E. Glenwood Ave.
Hyde Park, Mass. 02136

"'Tom Irwin Co.
Bennett Hill Road
Rowley, Mass.

C. S. Curran
T. R. C. Products, Oils and Greases
7 Linden St., Framingham, Mass.

Karandrew Turf Farms, Inc.
Sam Mitchell, Sales Representative
15 Longmeadow Drive, Canton, Mass.

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

The Kenneth Barrie Company
Irrigation
375 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Mass.

New England Sealcoating Co., Inc.
Astroturf, Tennis Courts, Pavement
Sealcoating — Hingham Industrial Center
Hingham, Mass. Tel. 749-3236
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
Danvers, Mass.
Shepard Sod Company
Merion Blue Grass and Pencross Bent
200 Sullivan Ave., So. Windsor, Conn.
Tuco Products Co.
Division of the Upjohn Company
Kalamazoo, Michigan
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

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Cfoi^ (bourse Superintendents -Association
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INC.

DEAN R O B E R T S O N
Newsletter C o m m i t t e e C h a i r m a n
24 Riverview Drive
Newbury, M a s s a c h u s e t t s 0 1 9 5 0
Phone 462-4540
C l u b Affiliation
Chestnut Hill C o u n t r y C l u b
L E O N V. ST. PIERRE
Business M a n a g e r
GERRY FINN
Contributing Ediror

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