NOVEMBER

1971

ourAe perin ten clen td sQsAoclation
O F

N E W

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

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

PROFESSIONAL ALL THE W A Y
GCSAA Certification. Sounds very official, doesn't it?
At first, the suggestion that golf course superintendents
apply themselves to an educational program brought a lot of
giggles and eyes coated with suspicion from the fraternity.
This, it was said, was just another way for the national organization to gouge its membership for additional income. This,
alas, is not true. Certification is not a flounting of the profession's original purpose. It is an avenue to an end . . . the
realization that the superintendent is more than a hired hand,
that he is the product of a planned program to reassure club
owners and members he can perform his chores in a professional manner.
Right now it's appropriate that we take hats off, bow down
gently and give three cheers to the architects of the certification program. It must be said that they brought a scholarly
approach to the testing grounds and their examination setup
is just short of deciding a Rhodes Scholar. They were thorough,
to be sure. That's the way it should be.
Certification is an offshoot of the old governmental objective
of checks and balances. It has twofold returns. First, it gives
the superintendent a sense of security in his profession ,and
a certain amount of ammunition in his incessant effort to make
his employer realize that his job is one requiring more than
a hand to sow the seed.
And it also gives the club owner or corporation the benefit
of knowing the certified superintendent is a man who is
versed in every phase of the profession. A certified super
doesn't have to rush to the textbook when a problem arises.
He is fortified beforehand. Otherwise, he doesn't become
certified.
The arrangement for establishing the title of certified golf
course superintendent has to be lauded even before it is put
into operation. The national organization has really outdone

itself in the preparation of a manual that serves as an examination guide for those who wish to gain this new and obviously well-planned status.
The certification program must reap dividends once the first
of its graduates hit the open fields to announce to the golfing
world that the golf course superintendent is not a member of
the working force of a club by mistake . . . but by design.
The entire setup leading to certification is a genuine relative
to a college degree. Applicants will not be babied or coddled
as they seek to become certified. They will be required to take
an examination on the sweeping topics of the golf course and
finish said exam under the allotted six hours. And believe this
typewriter, the test is not one of those true or false chance
things.
One of the pleasant, if not sensible aspects of the program,
is the idea of having a candidate prepare for his certification
test as long as he pleases. After the man's application has been
processed he will receive study material to aid him in the examination. But he also will be allowed to take as much time
as he wishes to bone up for the test.
The certification program of the Golf Course Superintendents
Association of America is not a fly-by-night venture. And it
is not one where automatic passing is the order of the day.
Thanks to a well-meaning and hard-working number of program planners, the certification attempt looks to come across
as a big winner. It is the product of men dedicated to perfection and men willing to stake their reputations on the idea of
lifting the golf course superintendent to legitimate professional
status. It is the call to prestige, the urge to make superintendents realize they must have some sort of guideline to retain
their dignity and establish their knowhow as an integral part
of the golfing community. It is for real and for sure. And its
groundwork is solid a la mode.
•— Gerry Finn

Nominating Committee Reports
Chairman Norman Mucciarone reports the following is the
proposed slate to be voted at the annual meeting December
6, 1971:
President
Robert Grant
1st Vice President
Tom Curran
2nd Vice President
Wayne Zoppo
Secretary
Ron Kirkman
Treasurer
Lucien Duval
Trustee 3 years
Burt Fredrick
Finance Chairman
Nary Sperandio
Golf Chairman
Julius Aksten
Educational Chairman
Larry Bunn
Newsletter Chairman
Dean Robertson
JOB OPEN
Norfolk Country Club — 9 Holes
Contact John McGillicuddy
Phone 326-1542

Phil Cassidy,
1971 Seniors Champion
G C S A of N E

Applications To Be Voted On A t Next Meeting

William J. Rogers — Associate, 231 Parkland Ave., Lynn,
Mass. 01905. Bellevue Golf Club.
John A. Nugnes, Associate, 75 Highland Drive, Centerville,
Mass. Fiddler's Green Golf Course,
William Belden, Associate, 41 Depot Rd., No. Hatfield, Mass.
Amherst Golf Club.
Christopher Voutas — Associate, 117 Hosmer St., Marlboro,
Mass. Marlboro Country Club.

ourAe Superintendents ~y$55ociation'
SOUND

NEXT MEETING

OFF!!!!'

{Time once again for the Newsletter reader to take us, the
game of golf and anyone within poking distance apart. The fan
is the chief cook and bottle washer in this space and he or she
is ivelcome to give their views whenever they see fit. So, don't
be bashful. Our entrants this month weren't. Just sit down and
dash off a feiv lines to Newsletter Mail Bag, 24 Riverside Drive,
Newbury, Mass. 01950. The Newsletter reserves the right to
comment on all published letters or cards.)
*

*

*

"Recently our golf course superintendent started a new venture for our club members, but unfortunately only women
decided to take him up on the advantages of a 'nature walk.'
"I'm writing you people to say that this was one of the most
satisfying experiences in my life. I have been playing golf for
more years than I wish to reveal, and all the time I was unaware of the beauties of nature all around me.
"For one thing, I learned that the golf course is a wildlife
sanctuary, housing so many different animals^ndjseryirig as
a refuge for them against the ravages of other animals and
humans who take delight in making sport of killing them.
"Along our walk I noticed the maple tree on the left of the
first fairway and the oak sapling just to the right of the first
green. I am writing this to suggest to other clubs that they
make this wonderful experience available to their members. I
am really grateful to our club and our superintendent. And
I would be happy if you pass this information along to your
readers."
MILDRED DEANE
Jerrecho, Ind.
There's nothing like a walk in the sun, Mildred. Wish all our
readers enjoyed it as much as you do.

"It seems to me that country clubs are being a little too lax
on the subject of golf car restriction.
"Maybe I'm prejudiced about the matter. I walk most of
my rounds and am not one of those golfers chained to the use
of the golf car. But I think I have a good idea in urging that
country clubs make golf car users stick to the car paths and
penalize them if they stray off them.
"A couple of months ago I played golf at the PGA National
Course in Palm Beach Gardens and I tell you those people know
how to keep golf cars under control. They had rangers stationed
throughout the course and ready to issue warnings if golfers
went anywhere near the greens and off the paths. And there
was no second warning. It was off the course for those who
insisted on being uncooperative.
"I just thought I'd let you know about this setup and get
your reaction."
JIM SCOTT
Varden, Ga.
W e ' r e with you, Jim. Golf car drivers should adhere to the
rules just as if they were driving a highway in their automobiles.
And the penalties for breaking the rules should be the same,
too!
*

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*

«

"I am interested in the President's wage-price freeze in regard to my job. I was supposed to get a raise at the end of the
current year but now find that the economic situation may stall
that.
"Are there any other ways for a golf club to vault over this
injustice. If so, I'd appreciate you telling me one."
TED TRUDOE
Jamestown, Pa.
First Vice President —
Second Vice President —
President —
'ROBERT G R A N T
R I C H A R D C. BLAKE
THOMAS CURRAN
22 Patricia Road
2 I I Sewall Street
153 Fisher Street
Sudbury.
Mass.
01776
Boylston, Mass. 01505
Walpole, Mass. 02081
Phone 443-2671
Phone 869-2737
Phone 668-7221
.Club
Club Affilii
Club Affili.
Mt. Pleasant -Country Club
Brae Burn Country Club
The Country Club

The next GCSA of NE meeting will be November 8, 1971
at the Eastward Ho! Golf Club. There will be a light luncheon
at 11:15 a. m. and golf to follow at 12 noon. A business meeting is planned for 10:30 a. m.
Brian Cowan is the capable super in charge of this fine
18 hole layout. Brian has worked for John Callahan at Spring
Valley C. C. and graduated from Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts. He was assistant
at Eastward Ho! under Louis Kent for two years and has now
had full control for the past two years.

*
v

i4

DIRECTIONS TO EASTWARD HO!
Rt. 6, Exit 11 to Rt. 137. Left on 137 50 yards to Pleasant
Bay Rd. Pleasant Bay Rd. to Rt. 28. Right on 28 to club. Golf
course on left after Pleasant Bay.
The only suggestion here is to your country club. Maybe they
can do something about your fringe benefits if your wages are
frozen. There must be a way to keep you satisfied.
*

*

*

«•

"Just a few lines to let you know that I'm sick and tired of
reading those medical report-articles in the Golf Course Superintendent, our national magazine.
"It seems to me that something more stimulating could be
printed, other than the stuff going into it now. All I can see
each month are dry, factual, drab articles. If I could, I'd cancel my subscription."
CEDRIC PALM
(Club withheld)
W e have a solution for you, Ced. Just keep on reading the
New England Newsletter. W e haven't printed a medical report
in years.
•

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*

"I have been an assistant superintendent on a golf course for
a year. Just about every journal and newsletter on golf and
turf has recently published an article on certification for the
superintendent. I read these with much enthusiasm until I found
out that assistants are not eligible to be certified. My question
is why? Many assistants are just as qualified as supers. How
come we are left out?
GREGORY DAVAGIAN
Sutton, Massachusetts
Gregory, 1 think that if you feel that you qualify as a super,
why not pursue it and look for a job, not worry about being
a certified assistant.

(That brings us to the close of another session with our favorite people — you, the reader. So keep those letters and cards
coming. We're always happy to hear from you . . . and you
. . . and you . . . and . . . )

Treasurer —
Trustee —
Secretary —
Trustee —
L U C I E N DUVAL
W A Y N E ZOPPO
RONALD KIRKMAN
ROBERT M U C C I A R O N E
R.F. No. 5 Gault Road
48 Barberry Drive
25 Green Street
465 Summer Street .
Bedford. N. H. 03105
Seekonk, Mass.
Needham, Mass. 02192
Westwood, Mass. 02090
Phone 472-3454
Phone 399-7141
Phone 444-8412
Phone 329-9682
Club Affilii
Club Aftiliatic
Club Affiliation
Club Affilii
Agav
1 Hunt Club
Manchester Country Club
Dedham Country and Polo Club
Needham Golf Club

NORMAN MUCCIARONE
101 Alban Road :
Waban, Mass. 02168
Phone- 332-30.56 ;
Club Affili
Woodland Country Club

-inance Chairman —
NARY SPERANDIO
Concord, Mass. 01742
Phohe 369-4723
Club Affiliation
Concord Country Club

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A PIERCING SUBJECT

JUMPING JUNiPER

The USGA Green Section Record has gone and done it.
It has kicked around the idea (and there's no pun intended)
that golf shoe spikes are for the birds and this is no reference
to the relationship with par. Spikes are a definite wound in
the side of golf course maintenance.
This could cause a revolution, not to mention many law
suits. Since the beginning of the most recent era of golfmanship, golf shoes have been in vogue and in fact, necessary.
Who ever heard of a U. S. Open champion playing in sneakers?
But the latter suggestion may not be that wacky if you look
into the situation. The golf shoe, with its sharp-pronged turf
grabber, is little more than a status symbol. There have been
tourney winners who wore nothing but ordinary brogans.
There have been champions decided when the cutting edge of
his spikes were dulled to a hoe.
Golf course superintendents agree that the golf shoe spike
is a definite cause of turf damage, especially on the putting
green where spike marks seem to pock the surface like pigeons
disposing their not-too-mentionable disposable material.
The problem, though, is to get this message across to the
golfer or the club member, if you will. In a recent survey it
was determined that golf course expense could be cut considerably if it weren't for the automatic damage spawned by the
use of- the golf shoe spike. In some cases the cost of such abuse
of turf and soil runs into the thousands.
It could be remedied. Many golfers, some tired with the
emphasis placed on the value of an expensive golf shoe, have
decided to do away with this form of foot covering and gone
to regular crepe-soled shoes. The results? From most reports,
they are encouraging, not to mention amazing. Scores of golfers haven't suffered from the lack of being able to plant their
feet into the ground via a spike.
This is not to say that the whole golfing industry should
revamp its footwear style and go for the crepe sole bit. On
the contrary, there are ways for the golf shoe people io tone
down the length of their spikes and maybe survive the turn to
less piercing coverings.
Golf professionals the world over have been quoted time and
time again on the effects of the golf shoe spike to their putting
results. And, of all the excuses laid before the public, the incidence of the spiked green crops up more than any other.
Not only is the spiked green a drag on the golfer, it also
is a slap in the perspective of the superintendent. He must
have himself tuned to the situation in those cases where spike
marks threaten to turn the art of putting into a guessing game.
In addition, there always is presented the case of the leadfooted golfer or the one who drags his feet when he gets to
the green. Streaks of scars have been the result of this careless attack on the condition of the precious putting surface.
With crepe soles or smooth underpilings, there would be no
danger of such inexcusable damage.
Golf shoe spikes are surely a topic of discussion when superintendents get down to discussing the causes and effects of
turf damage. It would be in line, too, for country club owners
and members to ponder the same subject matter. No one wants
to put the golf shoe industry out of business, but the facts
remain clear. Spikes are putting a dent in the greens and soil.
They can be replaced without too much inconvenience to the
golfer.
— Gerry Finn

Homer D. Darling is proud
of his Juniper Hill Golf Course
. . . and well should he be.
"We've really put some teeth
into it", the affable pro-owner
tells of the Northboro layout.
"It's gone from a chip and putt
to a genuine test. Dad would
have liked to have seen it today."
Dad is the late Homer C.
Darling, a pioneer in golf who
had the original vision of Juniper Hill back in 1928 and the
courage to carry it through the
rough stages.
Homer C. was quite a guy. A World War I hero (he won
the Distinguished Service Medal), a former president of the
New England Golf Course Superintendents Association and a
one-time Newsletter editor, the elder Darling got the whole
Juniper story jumping when he purchased the old Brigham
Farm in Northboro and sweat nine holes out of the property
in three years to set the stage for the grand opening in 1931.
"Dad also was a pioneer in daily fee golf", Homer D. reveals. "Just after he got out of the service in the early 1920's
he experienced the daily fee fever in Chicago. At the time he
vowed to bring such a joy to the average man wherever he
settled down. And we're still in the daily fee business."
Juniper Hill once went for 50 cents all day. The fee nowadays is not that low but the Darlings do not gouge their customers. They get three dollars on a weekday and five on a
weekend. That's very reasonable for a course that has become
a conversation piece among golfers who like to touch all the
courses in their travels.
"I guess my father invented the word 'ecology' ", Homer D.
laughs. "We have people come here from miles around just to
watch a pheasant walk across a fairway or a fox dash through
a piece of rough. We are a sanctuary for birds and animals.
Dad wanted it that way and we've continued."
The Juniper Hill project is a family affair with third generation Darlings — Dudley and Thonton — attached to the
course in addition to Mrs. Homer D. Brigitta who was one of
the first World War II German war brides to come to the
United States.
It was Homer D. who, in 1946, convinced his father that
Juniper Hill was ripe for expansion. That's when the course
grew into an 18-holer and it was a gamble, too. "We had to
borrow money to do it", Homer D. reveals. "And there were
times when I had to do some fancy talking to keep dad from
selling the place. But it was all worth it."
Indeed it was. Today the showcase of the course are the
improvements made on four holes — five, six, 13 and 17. Homer
D. likes to talk about that 17th. "It's really a beauty", he pops,
"There is water all around it and we can set the length to play
from 100 to 215 yards. We've finally arrived."
So, Juniper Hill has arrived . . . but it's been a long journey. "Yes", Homer D. admits, "but it's been a pleasant trip.
I'm glad I was part- of it. My father really was some kind of
man."
True. And his son is following in his footsteps.
— Gerry Finn

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

Educational Chairman —
ALBERT AUGER
6 A Fort Hill Street
Hingham, Mass. 02113
Phone 749-2272
Club Affiliation
South Shore Country Club

Newsletter Chairman —
DEAN R O B E R T S O N
24 Riverview Drive
Newbury, Mass. 01950
Club Affiliation
Chestnut Hill Country Club

Pari 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.

Piazte

FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

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

Allen's Seed Store, Inc.
South County Trail Rt. No. 2
Slocum, Rhode Island
Charles Allen, Jr., Rep.

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

Baker Tractor Corp., Ford Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Massachusetts
The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
Richard McGahan, Rep.
Wethersfield, Conn.

Ron Gagne — Scotts Golf Course Div.
45 Mechanic St., Apt. 1A
Foxboro, Mass. 02035
Gold Star Sod Farms, Inc.
(Canterbury, New Hampshire)
(Sales Office) 1265 Mass. Ave.
Lexington, Mass. 02173 Tel. 861-1111
Grounds Equipment Co., Inc.
383 Boylston St
Cen., Mass.

Corenco Corporation
525 Woburn Street
Tewksbury, Mass. 01876
William Ferris

Holliston Sand
, Inc.
Lowland Street
1, Mass. 01746
Sand -for Golf "BurTKcrs cind Traps

*The Clapper Co.
1121 Washington St.
West Newton, Mass.
* Geoffrey S. Cornish
Golf Course Architect
Fiddler's Green, Amherst, Mass.
George E. Cull
Terra-Green Soil Conditioner
112 Green St., Abington, Mass.
C. S. Curran
T. R. C. Products, Oils and Greases
7 Linden St., Framingham, Mass.
Eastern Industrial Handling Co., Inc.
Norwood, Massachusetts
Westeoaster Turf and Golf Carts
Fairway Equipment, Inc.
Sales — Service — Rentals
35 Walnut St., Reading, Mass.

Irrigation and Equipment Supply Co.
P. O. Box 9, 66 Erna Avenue
Milford, Conn. 06460
Telephone (203) 874-1096
*Tom Irwin, Inc.
11B A Street
Burlington, Mass.
Karandrew Turf Farms, Inc.
Sam Mitchell, Sales Representative
15 Longmeadow Drive, Canton, Mass.
The Kenneth Barrie Company
Irrigation
375 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Mass.
Larchmont Irrigation Co.
Larchmont Ln., Lexington, Mass.
Mallinckrodt Chemical Works
Second and Mallinckrodt Streets
St. Louis, Mo. 63160

Magovern Company, Inc.
Lawn Acre Road
Windsor Lock, Conn.
D. L. Maher Co.
Water Supply Contractors
P. O. Box 274, Woburn, 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
Trencher & Equipment Leasing, Inc.
Ditch Witch Trenchers
38 Fairview St., Agawam, Ma. 01001
Phone 413-781-4600
*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
White Turf Engineering
5 Sumner Drive, Winchendon, Ma. 01475
617-297-0941
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

DEAN R O B E R T S O N
Newsletter C o m m i t t e e Chairman
2 4 Riverview Drive
Newbury, Massachusetts 01950
P h o n e 462-4540
C l u b Affiliation
C h e s t n u t 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 F I N N
C o n t r i b u t i n g Editor