JULY 1973

ourSe
OF

^Superintendents
NEW

E N G L A N D ,

ociation
INC

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.

CURING THE CART HEADACHE
It seems that the golf course superintendent and the country
club member have been at odds over the "when and where"
syndromes that have accompanied the establishment of the
golf cart as a permanent resident of the course. The battle
has been incessant, the super harping on the ill effects of the
four-wheeled monster and the member determined to ride it
in all kinds of weather and course condition.
For one thing, the superintendent has accepted the golf
cart as a necessary evil, if you will. The revenue alone makes
it almost criminal to keep it off the course. Some country clubs
claim that profit on the golf cart for the season has climbed
close to the $50,000 mark. This is something unheard of
when you realize the mechanized mover of man and his clubs
was introduced only 20 or so years ago.
Anyway, the theme today is the necessity for building golf
cart paths (not home-made dirt ones but the real McCoy —
blacktop, cement or whatever you choose for a hardened surface). They are a necessity because of the times. Most golf
courses are going full swing in the use of the golf cart, so
they must build a track on which it can maneuver in all kinds
of weather.
Many clubs are meeting the assignment of permanent golf
cart paths on a piece-meal basis, over a three or four year
period so as to spread out the cost. The best installation times,
of course, are spring and fall. However, the job does not
entail too much spillover in matter of equipment and work
area, thus making it possible to build them during the
summer.
The superintendent and the member will benefit from the
hardened golf cart path. Many a super has been engaged in
yearly verbal scuffles when inclement weather turns his
course mushy and makes a monster out of the golf cart, In
most cases, his word is the last in the use of the cart on rainy

days. But with no damage to be done while traversing the
course on cart paths, this problem is eliminated.
The cart path also takes the green chairman off the hook.
As the immediate superior of the superintendent, the chairman often is torn between friendship of fellow members and
devotion to the duty of giving those same members the bestconditioned playing grounds possible, With the path, there
is no decision as to use of the cart. It goes in rain, hail or
snow . . . just as long as the driver sticks to the road.
The weather plays a big factor in the revenue end of the
golf cart business (and truly it has become a major source
of income for many country clubs). Estimates on day losses
of cart use range from two or three a month to as high as
the complete month. Remember the spring of ' 7 2 ? There was
a reported example from the Connecticut area that told of
a club not being able to employ its golf carts until mid-July.
The loss in returns was so great (the professional also was
involved) that the pro eventually was forced to seek a job
elsewhere to make ends meet.
Under such severe weather patterns, which hit the Northeast last year, the course without hardened golf cart paths
could very well make or break its financial statement for the
season (in this case the red ink would surely flow). A quick
example is sufficient here. Take a course with 50 golf carts
and take away 15 of their running days. In rough figures the
loss runs around $7,500.
More important, possibly, is the savings in maintenance
costs and headaches for fairways damaged when golf carts are
allowed on the course in soggy conditions. And, then, there
is the peace and quietness of a rainy day around the super's
office . . . no phone call from an irate member who has to
walk instead of ride. The hardened golf cart path is better
than aspirin. It cures many ills.
— Gerry Finn

Urban Forests

International Results for June Meeting

William D. Ruckelhaus, administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency, in September last year addressed the Society of American Foresters and called for the development of
"urban forests" in these words: "although we are stuck with
environs that are far from ideal, we can certainly make them
more livable and satisfying. The urban forest will become an
essential weapon in the coming effort to get metropolitan environments under positive control. Trees not only beautify their
surroundings, they also cut noise, stop soil erosion, trap dust,
cool ambient air, absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, raise
property values and provide sanctuary for birds, squirrels and
other wildlife.
"Why have we squandered this urban resource by eliminating trees in preparing suburban residential developments? The
answer is ignorance, combined with a very short term calculation of costs and benefits."
—- News and Views

These are the results for the Super-Chairmen meeting at
the International Golf Club.
1st Low Gross
William Rogers, F. Lotthridge, Bellevue Golf Club
2nd Low Gross
John Jones, D. Callahan, Walpole Golf Club
1st Low Net
Brian Cowan, H. Eldridge, Eastward Ho!
2nd Low Net
Bob St. Thomas, B. Dowling, Hyannisport

158
165
141
146

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what
you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in.
Forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day."

ourSe

.Superintendents

^Association-

G O I N G TO THE DOGS
On a light note this month we decided to sweep the fairways
f o r unusual stories (maybe humorous ones) to point out that
life among the sprinkler heads and gang mowers isn't all
blood, sweat and tears f o r the golf course superintendent at
this time of year.
Most of the yarns center on the unholy ability of certain
four-legged creatures to steal golf balls . . . some even before
they come to a halt! And examples of this lowest form of
robbery are presented here in order to emphasize the fact that
you might think you've seen and heard of everything until
you read of this:
It happened at dusk one night on a public course. A foursome was teeing off on a par three bole and f o r some strange
reason no one could find hifThall when the group reached the
green. All four shots were on target, so the first thought was to
look in the cup. No luck there and the golfers wrote it off as
rub of the green.
A few weeks later two of the players from that original
group were on the same par-three hole. It was the same time
of evening but somewhat brighter. One of the originals hit
his ball and it was a perfect shot headed toward the green. It
landed and came to a stop, some 15 feet from the hole. But
all of a sudden the player went into a frenzy.
Running across the green was a fox. He didn't wait f o r an
introduction to the ball. He just swooped it up and kept going
to a hiding place in the adjacent woods. Player Two finally
got settled down enough to hit his shot . . . and the same
action occurred. The next day the course superintendent, as
head of a searching party, discovered the hiding place and
turned up 2 6 balls — the only marks on them, tooth m a r k s !
Then, there was the plight of the two elderly ladies who

spotted a dog stealing their golf balls in the middle of the
fairway. T h e theft happened once too often and the ladies
sought the aid of the super who quickly remembered to whom
the dog belonged.
The super, with a little help from his work crew, finally
caught the dog . . . a golden-haired retriever who, after all,
was only doing what comes naturally to the breed. Anyway,
the super piled the thief into the back of a pickup and returned to his office.
The owner of the dog happened to be a very wealthy member of the community who had built a home off the course's
eighth fairway. T h e super made a telephone call to the owner,
explaining that the cfog had upset two of his members" by- —
stealing t h S T ' g o l f T J a l l s . The~owner "waff full " o f ' apologies and
promised to come right over for the dog.
It was only a matter of minutes before a Rolls Royce rolled
into the driveway, a chauffeur stepped out and asked the
superintendent where the master's dog eould be found. T h e
super was all wide eyes at the sight that followed.
T h e dog, who apparently had spent the better part of the
day running through swamps, looked as though he'd need
three baths to even recognize him. He was, indeed, a mess.
But, no matter his appearance, the chauffeur calmly hung a
leash on him, directed him to the Rolls Royce and ushered
the creature into the back seat for the ride home.
It just so happened that the same super also owned a goldenhaired whatchamacallit. And that night, when the dog came by
f o r his regular visit to the club barn, our super hero picked
him up and threw him in the back of the pickup . . . for his
ride home. T o each his own!
— Gerry F i n n

NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Association will be J u l y 2, 1 9 7 3
at Ferncroft Village in Topsfield, Massachusetts. This is the
Super Championship. Paul Johnson is the superintendent in
charge of this fine layout by Robert T r e n t Jones. Paul has
been here for three years, and during that time he has done
extensive construction to this new course — they have-built six
new tees, thus extending the course to 6 , 9 0 0 yards. P r i o r to
accepting the position at Ferncroft he was at White Cliffs for
five years and before that he started in the business at Whaling City in New Bedford where he grew up.
Golf can be played anytime after 10 A. M. and there will
be a snack bar open at noon. T h e club will serve a buffet at
5 : 3 0 P . M . in the dining room.
Directions: From Rt. 1 2 8 north take R t . 1 north and follow to the north to Topsfield exit. This is a fork road and
you bear right. Then take left at next exit which reads Rt. 1
South Danvers and Ferncroft Village Rd. Y o u will see sign
for course. Ferncroft Village is on exit ramp about 3/4 of
a mile on your right.
F r o m Rt. 4 9 5 north go south on 9 5 in Salisbury to Topsfield exit at Rt. 1. Ferncroft R d . is 1/2 mile on exit ramp on
your right. Follow signs to club.

Paul Johnson, Super in charge of Ferncroft

DON'T FORGET THAT THE AUGUST MEETING IS THE SUPER-CELEBRITY
First Vice President
ROBERT G R A N T
22 Patricia Road
Sudbury, Mass. 01776
Phone 443-2671
Club Affiliation
Brae Burn Country Club

k

—

THOMAS CUR RAN
Fox Chase Road
South Sutton, N. H. 03273
Club Affiliation
Eastman S o l f Course

Second Vice President —
W A Y N E ZOPPO
48 Barberry Drive
Seekonk, Mass. 02771
Phone 399-7141
Club Affiliation
A g a w a m Hunt

Secretary RONALD KIRKMAN, C G C S
25 Green Street
Needham, Mass. 02192
Phone 444-8412
Club Affiliation
Needham Golf Club

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

NORMAN MUCCIARONE
101 Alban Road
W a b a n , Mass. 02168
Phone 332-3056
Club Affiliation
W o o d l a n d Golf C l u b

BERT F R E D E R I C K
45 Stoney Brook Road
Nabnaset, Mass. 01861
Phone 453-1231
Club Affiliation
Vesper Country Club

TOURNAMENT

MAX MIERZWA
106 Crestwood Street
Chicopee, Mass. 01020
Phone 594-4996
Club Affiliation
Chicopee Country Club

Finance Chairman —
NARY SPERANDIO
Concord, Mass. 01742
Phone 369-4723
Club Affiliation
C o n c o r d Country C l u b

N E W

SOUND OFF I!!!
(Here we are at that time of the reading when the reader
rolls up his sleeves and pitches in to keep the Newsletter
from
becoming one-sided.
This is Sound Off and we're
always
ready to let the chips fall ivhere they may as you, the people,
speak out on, for or against anything pertaining to golf. We
do ask that each letter be signed with the address of the contributor also included. Upon request, we will withhold
either
or both. Letters should be sent to Newsletter Mail Bag, 24
Riverside
Drive, Newbury,
Mass. 01950. The Newsletter reserves the right to comment on all published
letters).
^

^

"Although there hasn't been any official announcement (at
least none that I've come across), I have heard that a big
International Turfgrass Conference is being lined up in Switzerland. Since I don't know any of the particulars, I was wondering if you people have been approached on the possibility
of lining up a group charter to the event.
" I think the idea of a world-wide conference is an excellent
one, so I am hoping you can come up with some plan to make
it that more convenient for superintendents to make the trip.
Is this the right channel or should I try the National?"
KEN S P E L L I N G
Cannon, Me.
W e ' v e heard rumors of same, Ken. Supposedly the conference will take place in the fall. N o charter talk at the present time, at least not until we hear from the National on the
matter.
*

*

*

*

" I realize you've heard it before and probably are wondering why the ladies of the club always are harping on it.
However, I just think that it's about time (again) that somebody tell those dreadful cigaret smokers that the green is no
place to leave their butts laying around to turn the place
into one giant ash tray.
" I t just seems a case of bad manners to me when I see a
half-smoked cigaret on the green. Not only does it do damage
to the green but it gives the membership a black eye for its lack
of common decency and regard for property and others.
" T h e most disgusting thing of all, though, has been evident at my club of late. Because many of our male members
have given up smoking, some of them now are 'chewing.' Now,
in addition to the 'butts', we often find a blotch of chew residue confronting the line of our putts and our ability to keep
our breakfasts down. Isn't there something we can do to stop
this uncouth condition?"
L U C I L L E PLIMPTON
Phillip, Neb.
There's nothing we can suggest at the moment, M s Plimpton, other than to say you might change the name of your
course from a country club to an animal farm!
«-

"Being a recent visitor to one of your functions, I felt obligated to send on my deepest thanks and salutations to the
Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England for
its green chairman day at the International Golf Club.
"This was my first venture of this kind and felt that it was
most worthwhile. I men many of my fellow green chairmen and
I ' m sure the swap of ideas and operations will help make a
better club of ours when we start thinking of the future.

Golf Chairman —
ROBERT M U C C I A R O N E
w L w M ^ f 0 2 0 , 0
Phone 329-9682
Club Affiliation
Dedham Country and Polo Club

Educational Chairman —
LARRY BUNN
c ^ m T s s ' S ,
Phone 828 0467
C :-b Affiliation
Blue Hill Country Club

Newsletter Chairman —
DEAN ROBERTSON
Phone 462-4540
Club Affiliation
Chestnut Hill Country Club

I N C .

" I would also like to compliment your tournament committee for having the International as our host. I know that
such an invasion of outsiders often constitutes an imposition
on most clubs, but International was most gracious in accepting this situation.
" I found every member of the club staff to be accommodating and helpful in every way. The International also gave us
a golf course which was challenging, interesting and enjoyable. The chap who is responsible for keeping the greens there
is to be congratulated' for a job well done. In fact, I think
that everyone involved deserves a round of applause.
" T h e day was most satisfactory and rewarding. I shall make
it a point to suggest to our board that our club act as host
for one of your future events."
WALDO CHANNING
Lincoln, Mass.
W e echo your sentiments on International and the green
chairman day, Waldo. It was a good one-two punch.
" Y o u guys are supposed to know everything about the greens
and all that. I got a real stickler for you.
" I play on a muny course and the conditions of the greens
are one of the freaks of the season. The greens on the front
side are perfect, no bumps, true line and all that.
" T h e greens on the back side are putrid. And here we's
are playing the same course and me writing about the same
course, too. Since you guys know all the little things that decide whether or not the greens are going to be tip-top or
putrid, I was wondering if you could give our man some
advice to spruce up that back side. Thanks."
CHUCK CARUTHERS
(Address Withheld)
Chuck, "we guys" don't know everything. There must be
a reason for the situation at your course. M a y b e Mother N a ture is involved here. "Your man" will straighten it out. Stick
by him.
*

*

*

»

f.And that's where we stick a final sentence to this
Keep those cards and letters coming. You make this
what it is. You are in its driver s seat).

session.
column

The nostalgic notion of turning the clock back to a simpler
time may be appealing but is neither practical nor desirable.
We are not going to abandon the automobile, but we are
going to have a clean-burning engine.
We are not going to give up electric lighting and modern industry, but we do expect cleanly produced electric power to
run them.
We are not going to be able to do without containers for
our foods and materials, but we can improve them and make
them reusable or biodegradable.
We pledge a workable balance between a growing economy
and environmental protection. We will resolve the conflicts
sensibly within that framework.
We commit ourselves to comprehensive pollution control laws,
vigorous implementation of those laws, and rigorous research
into the technological problems of pollution control.
— Republican Platform

Past President —
R I C H A R D c . BLAKE, C G C S
fe^oU
Phone 869-2737
Club Affiliation
Mt. Pleasant Country Club

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Piecue fHztfUMife 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

R. F . Morse & Son, Inc.
Cranberry Highway
West Wareham, Mass. 02576
Tel. 617-295-1553

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

Ron Gagne - Scotts Golf Course Div.
5 Kendall Park, Norton, Mass.
617-285-7446

New England Sealcoating Co., Inc.
Tennis Court Const, and Maintenance
Sealcoating —• Hingham Industrial Center
Hingham, Mass. T e l . 749-3236

Baker Tractor Corp., Ford Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Massachusetts
T h e Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
Richard McGahan, Rep.
Wethersfield, Conn.
Corenco Corporation
525 Woburn Street
I'l •..!.-:.ury. Mass. 01U76
G. D. Kimmey
1-800-222-7976 — 1-800-225-7955

Grounds Equipment Co., Inc.
383 Boylston St., Newton Cen., Mass.
Holliston Sand Company, Inc.
Lowland Street, Holliston, Mass. 01746
Sand for Golf Bunkers and Traps
Irrigation & Equipment Supply Co.
P. O. B o x 147 Route 1
Walpole, Mass. 02081
Tel. 617-668-7814
*Tom Irwin,Tnc.
11B A Street
Burlington, Mass.

* T h e Clapper Co.
1121 Washington St.
West Newton, Mass.

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

*Geoffrey S. Cornish & William G. Robinson
Golf Course Architects
Fiddlers Green, Amherst, Mass. 01002

T h e Kenneth Barrie Company
Irrigation
375 Centre St., J a m a i c a Plain, 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.
E-Z-Go Golf Car, Division Textron, Inc.
Sales - Service - Rentals
Route 28, Pocasset, Massachusetts 02559
Call Ed McGuire collect 617/563-2234
Fairway Equipment, Inc.
Sales —• Service — Rentals
35 Walnut St., Reading, Mass.

Larehmont 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.

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, Mass. 01001
Phone 413-781-4600
*Sawtelle Brothers
J e t . Routes 128 and 62
Danvers, Mass.
Shepard Sod Campany
Merion Blue Grass and Pencross Bent
200 Sullivan Ave., So. Windsor, Conn.
Tuco Products Co.
Division of the Upjohn Company
Kalamazoo, Michigan

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

White Turf Engineering
5 Sumner Drive, Winchendon, Mass. 01475
617-297-0941

Malter International
Mr. Howard A. Vincent, Representative
Longmeadow, Massachusetts 01106

Philip A. Wogan
Golf Course Architect
21 Budleigh Ave. Beverly, Mass.

* Contributors to the Lawrence S. Dickinson Scholarship Fund

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

Old F o x Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers — Seeds —• Turf Chemicals
66 Valley Street
East Providence, Rhode Island 02914