MARCH 1973 ourde S u p e r in ten OF NEW d e n td E N G L A N D , _ tlon INC 1973 wRFcmmmct "Better J o c i a THURSDAY, MARCH 8 — Surf thrcugfi Research and education" Morning — GOLF COURSE SESSION Springfield Room Chairman: Wayne Zoppo, Superintendent Agawam Hunt MARCH 7, 8, 9, 1973 BAY STATE WEST MOTEL SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 — Morning — 11:00 R e g i s t r a t i o n — 6 t h Floor, Lobby — Afternoon — 9:30 Grass and Our World — D r . Thomas R. Soderstrom, Associate Curator National Museum of Natural History — D r . Joseph Troll University of Massachusetts/Amherst 1:15 Artificial Turf vs. Natural — D r . Stanley C. Plagenhoef University of Massachusetts/Amherst 2:00 Drainage. — D a v i d Clement, Superintendent Crestview Country Club, Inc. 2:45 Break 3:00 Converting Fairways to Bentgrass — J o s e p h R. Flaherty, Superintendent Baltusrol Golf Club 3:45'Converting to Kentucky Bluegrass Fairways — T h o m a s Rewinski, Superintendent National Golf Links of America A good time to look up old friends. Morning — 9:30 Keeping Records — A l Barauskas, General Avalon Golf, Inc. Manager 10:30 British Golf Course Architecture — F . W. Hawtree Golf Course Architect 11:45 Lunch 11:00 North American Golf Course Architecture — G e o f f r e y S. Cornish Golf Course Architect — Afternoon — 1:00 Grooming the Golf Course — M e l v i n Lucas, Jr., Superintendent The Garden City Golf Club 1:45 Turf Diseases of 1972 — Controls and Prevention for 1973 — S t a n Zontek, Agronomist USGA Green Section, Northeast Region 2:30 Non-selective Weed Control - ^ J o h n E. Gallagher Amchem Products, Inc. 3:15 Break 3:30 Soil Factors Affecting Arsenic Toxicity to Poa annua — D r . Robert N. Carrow University of Massachusetts/Amherst 4:15 Necessity of Golf Cart Paths and Traffic Regulations — W i l l i a m Buchanan, Agronomist USGA Green Section, Northeast Region — Evening — Springfield Room Free — Chairman: Prof. John. M. Zak University of Massachusetts/ Amherst 11:00 Pine Valley — E b Steiniger, Superintendent Pine Valley Golf Club 4:30 Massachusetts Turf and Lawn Grass Council — M e m b e r s h i p Meeting — Evening — Springfield Room 10:00 Planning Capital Expenditures — S h e r w o o d Moore, Superintendent Woodway Country Club Springfield Room 1:00 Welcome FRIDAY, MARCH 9 GOLF COURSE SESSION 10:15 Safeguarding Workers on a Golf Course — H a r o l d Smith, Area Director OSHA, U. S. Dept. of Labor GENERAL SESSION Chairman: Robert Grant, Superintendent Brae Burn Country Club Sponsors and administrators of the Lawrence S. Dickinson Scholarship Fund — A w a r d e d yearly to deserving Turf Management Students. 7:00 Banquet Fertilizing Your Sense of Humor for 1973 — S a m u e l H. Ramsay 11:30 Question Period Sponsored by Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Service Massachusetts Turf and Lawn Grass Council Golf Course Superintendents A s s o c i a t i o n of New England o u r S e „ i u p e r i n t e n c l e n l d OC'LCLtion UMASS CONFERENCE . . . EAT IT UP Dr. Joseph Troll, the man who makes it all happen, advises members of the New England Association of Golf Course Superintendents of his annual happening — the 1973 UMass Turf Conference March 7-8-9 at the Bay State West Motel in Springfield. As usual, Dr. Troll is enthused. "We have a new site for the conference and lots of new faces to present those people interested in turf", Dr. Troll tells. " I think that we can look forward to another record-breaking crowd for our show. At least, I'm hopeful." The conference stands as a monument to the task of undertaking such a venture. The UMass presentation always has been the hit of the winter season. Somehow, Dr. Troll always manages to come up with a speaker or two who overshadows anyone seen on the conference trail. He's pulled this caper a number of limes. Who can forget that it was Joe who lured John "Campbell away from the hallowed grounds of St. Andrews to take part in his show a few years ago? Since that time, everyone has followed suit. John Campbell has become a perennial in the field of outstanding conference speakers. This year Dr. Troll is going to the same British shores to come up with his star attraction. That would be F. W. Hawtree, famed golf architect from the other side of the Atlantic, who is scheduled to present his views on locating holes and hazards during an eventful windup session on Friday, March 9. To complement Mr. Hawtree's presence, Dr. Troll has gone next door — so to speak — for a presentation by the United States' high-rising plotter of doom for the divot digger, Geoffrey Cornish. The latter has his main office in friendly Amherst, Massachusetts. He and Dr. Troll have grown up together at UMass — each going his own and successful way in the business of uplifting the sport of golf. This will be a first for conference-goers to take a look- at the "new Springfield" with Bay State West as the hub of modern construction in the City of Homes. Previously, the conference was conducted on the outskirts of the city, but with the addition of the new Civic Center and other forms of cultural development, Springfield is headed toward becoming one of the leading convention centers in New England. The UMass Conference will run the gamut of interest. Everyone on the program looms as an interesting speaker and wellversed in his particular field. The show opens with an old but always interesting question — whether the choice bit of land lies in artificial or natural turf. Dr. Stanley C. Plagenhoef of the University of Massachusetts will run the audience through the paces for this one. Other interesting subjects, to be covered in the three-day session, include Safeguarding Workers on a Golf Course; Turf Diseases — Their Controls and Prevention; Necessity of Golf Cart Paths and Traffic Regulation of Same; Cemetery Main tenance (for those with solid stomachs) ; Planning Capital Expenditures and, of course, the back-to-back presentations by Messrs. Hawtree and Cornish. The UMass Conference is the result of planning and staging by three successful organizations —« the Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Service, the Massachusetts Turf and Lawn Grass Council and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England. Members of the GCSAAE taking part in the show include Richard Blake, Robert Grant and Leon St. Pierre. This, then, is surely the place to be this winter. Dr. Troll and his associates are looking forward to the conference with the high hope that it will exceed efforts of the past — a very high anticipation. It's good show, a four-beller by any standard. — Gerry Finn NEXT MEETING On the other hand, the existing golf course superintendents preach the gospel that turf management schools are placing into their field more people than the profession can take. They point to the fact that new golf course construction is lagging behind the amount of aspiring superintendents and that golf course owners and country club officials will take advantage of the situation by hiring watered-down help in the form of a so-called "rookie" superintendent. Such a situation triggers the need^ for more concentration by the established superintendent in acquiring advanced education. This form is available through the institution of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America certification program. The on-rushing tide of acceptance of this venture makes it inevitable that iti the near future a man will have to prove himself . . . on paper. There have been isolated examples of the country club seeking to cut costs by dumping the established superintendent and replacing him with the recent lurf management graduate. These instances, though, have to reflect a dissatisfaction with the present conditioning program of the golf course. It would be ridiculous, obviously, that a well-groomed layout even think of replacing its superintendent. Nevertheless, the grounds are there for the "old pro" to become concerned. Actually, there is nothing that the local association or the national can do about established superintendents getting axed for a younger man for the sake of economy. This rekindles (Continued next page) April 4, 1973, Holiday Inn, Newton, Mass. Directors' Meeting 10:45 a.m. Regular Meeting 11:15 a.m. Luncheon 12:15 p.m. Educational Program 1:15 p.m. Saturation ... Not an Unreachable Point There is n strong feeling, within the inner circle nf the golf coursc superintendent, that society (in the form of turf management schools) is producing more superintendents than the field can absorb. Furthermore, there is a sneaky feeling that the country club will undercut its budget by replacing established, well-paid superintendents with the yearlings who don't demand the accepted living wage of the profession. This fear has reached the point where certain sectional associations are thinking about abandoning their turf school scholarship programs. They would, instead, take the money and invest it in turf research. In a word, the profession is running scared. There are two schools of thought here. One comes from the people operating turf management institutions. They insist that their graduates are not traveling a rigid road leading to the position of golf course superintendent. They maintain that they do not graduate bona fide golf course superintendents. What they do produce are turf-oriented young men who can pursue their careers on the golf course or away from it. President — ROBERT G R A N T 22 Patricia Road Sudbury, Moss. 01776 Phone 443-2671 Club Affiliation Brae Burn Country Ciub First Vice President — THOMAS CURRAN Fox Chose Rood South Sutton, N. H. 0 Club Affiliation Eastman G o l f Course Second Vice President — 3 W A Y N E ZOPPO 48 Barberry Drive Seekonk. Moss. 02771 Phone 399-714 Club Affiliation Agawam Hunt Secretary — RONALD KIRKMAN, CGCS 25 Green Street Needham, Mass. 02192 Phone 444-8412 Club Affiliation Needham Golf Club Treasurer — Trustee — Trustee: — LUCIEN DUVAL NORMAN MUCCIARONE BERT FREDERICK R.F. No. 5 Goult Road 101 Alban Road 45 Stoney Brook Road Bedford, N. H. 03105 Woban, Mass. 02168 Nabnaset, Mass. 01861 Phone 472-3454 Phone 332-3056 Phone 453-1231 Club Affiliation Club Affiliation Club Affiliation Manchester Country Club Woodland G o l f Club Vesper Country Club Trustee — Finance C h a i r m a n — M A X MIERZWA N A R Y SPERANDiO 106 Crestwood Street Concord, Mass. 01742 Chicopee, Mass. 01020 Phone 369-4723 Club Affiliation Phone 594-4996 Concord Country Club Club Affiliation Chicopee Country Ciub OF SOUND OFF l l l l (Here We are again, folks. This is that time of the piece when all readers get their chance to speak up, out or whatever their pleasure. Whenever indicated, names will be withheld. Comments may be sent to Newsletter Mail Bag, 24 Riverview Drive, Newbury, Mass. 01950. The Newsletter reserves the right to comment on all letters published.) * * * * " I am an out of stater but very interested in golfing during the winter. Up here we don't get much chance to play the game . . . sometimes having to wait until June to get rid of the snow. " M y friends tell me that Cape Cod is one of the few spots in New England where golfers get a chance to play during the winter months. I am dying to get out since my skiing days are just about at an end. If there is any information you can give me, I would be most thankful for it. Even though we have had a light 'snowwinter' here, there is still enough to prevent me from even taking a few practice swings. "Incidentally, I am not alone in this predicament. I have many friends, not interested in skiing but hoping to get active outdoors again before they have to wait another three months. So, you will be answering a lot of requests with your information." CAL SOMMERS Newfane, Vt. You probably have inquired at prime time, Cal. Cape C o d should be just about ready for some good golfing weather after the freak storm of last month. You can contact the Chamber of Commerce there and they will have all the answers you seek. Good luck on your birdie-hunting. * * t « " I live in the Springfield area and belong to a private club here. This winter has been another unusual one with snow, followed by rain and then fog to get rid of the filthy stuff almost in a matter of days. "There are golf courses here that have opened in the middle of winter and I'm told that the playing conditions are not all the interest in the profession forming a union . „ . although mention of such a last-resort measure brings chills to most GCSAA members. It is possible that the time has come for the superintendent to take a second look at himself, his accomplishments and his credentials. The thought here is that a competent super, doing the best job he can under existing conditions, need not worry about his position at his present job. If he is getting the most out of what he has to work with, certainly his members are aware that replacing him courts disaster. Then, too, the attitude of the established superintendent can be measured by his interest in bettering his technical skills by an active form of participation in the certification program. In the early stages of this program, it has been deemed popular to ignore participation if, one is sure of his present position. The threat of saturation creeping into the field must alter this approach. There is no sure answer to the suggestion of saturation, then. It all reverts back to the original theory of the national, that an individual must behave in matters of retaining his job on the basis of his individual accomplishments . . . not on that of the profession. There always will be a job for an able superintendent . . . whether it be at his present base of operations or elsewhere. It is up to him. Hasn't it always been that way? _ Gerry Finn G o l f Chairman — ROBERT M U C C I A R O N E 465 Summer Street Westwood, Mass. 02090 Phone 329-9682 Club Affiliation Dedham Country and Polo Club Educational C h a i r m a n — LARRY BUNN 145 Dedham Street Canton, Mass. 02021 Phone 828-0467 Club Affiliation Blue Hill Country Club Newsletter Chairman — DEAN ROBERTSON 24 Riverview Drive Newbury, Mass. 01950 Phone 462-4540 Club Affiliation Chestnut Hill Country Club Past President — R I C H A R D C . BLAKE, C S C S 21 I Sewall Street Boylston, Mass. 01505 Phone 869-2737 Club Affiliation M t . Pleasant Country Club NEW E N G L A N D , I N C . that bad. I would like to try my hand at it, but my club is dead set against any play once the snow falls. I am of the opinion that this is a selfish attitude on the part of our superintendent and would like to know if this is the rule of your entire organization. " I figure the dues I pay entitle me to play my course any time I figure that the conditions are right . . . like now. If the other courses can allow play, why can't m i n e 9 " NAME W I T H H E L D Westfieid, Mass. Evidently you belong to a course that cares and a superintendent with foresight. Because your course doesn't open 'on these freaky, balmy days, it will be in the condition you want it to be in when .the legitimate golf weather appears in the spring. * * * " I read your Newsletter of last month and was surprised to learn that old St. Andrews course in England has finally come around to allowing the use of golf carts. " I am a country club member and one of the diehards who believe that golf was made for walking . . . no triding. However, in the last 10 years or so my club has become overrun with golf carts and the sight of them steaming over the course really makes me feel as though I should quit this game and perhaps switch to tennis where they still use their legs. "St. Andrews succumbing to the golf cart urge is something I just can't understand. I realize that it has only one cart as of the moment, but that was the case when the darned things first hit our course. Can you tell me whether or not St. Andrews intends to retain its status as a bona fide golf course or will it follow suit by becoming an international highway for golfers? " I n my many years of participating in the game, I always have looked upon St. Andrews as something sacred, something else. It has withstood the invasion of many so-called 'technical improvements' which helped turn the game into a travesty for some. " I am a firm believer that golf is a game to be played on foot. When it comes time for me to have to ride 18 holes, I will quit the game. It just seems foolish to me. Please, if you can, use your influence to at least keep St. Andrews natural . . . from start to finish." R I C H A R D CARL Plainville, Conn. St. Andrews is fighting the golf cart drive and grudgingly those seeking golf cart golf there are American visitors. Maybe they should stay home? » * «• « "The International Turf Conference in Boston happened to be my first experience at that type of thing, but I'm afraid I have to be regarded as an intruder since my only interest in turf is my garden and my lawn. I did enjoy the show, though, and was wondering if there are any other such presentations later in the year where I would be welcome. " I know this may sound like an imposition on my part, but in the last couple of years I really have become interested in growing things. I find that it keeps me busy in the summer because I am a retired person. If you can fill me in on any other dates pertaining to this subject, I would be eternally grateful." L I L L I A N SILAS Chatham, Mass. You have come to the right place . . . and at the right time, Lillian. The UMass Turf Conference is the next on the agenda and it takes place in Springfield, Mass. Check the rest of the Newsletter for details. 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. Pieade fxifotMtfe FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION Agrico Chemical Company R. D. Sibley, Jr., Representative 375 Power Rd. Pawjucket, Rhode Island 02860 Fairway Equipment, Inc. Sales — Service — Rentals 35 Walnut St., Reading, Mass. Magovern Company, Inc. Lawn Acre Road Windsor Lock, Conn. Alfco Rokeby Co., Inc. Fertilizers and Chemical Specialties P. 0. Box 267, Marietta, Ohio Farm Bureau Association 158 Lexington St., Waltham, Mass. 02154 Fred Heyliger, Representative Thomas F. Grummell, Representative D. L. Maher Co. Water Supply Contractors P. O. Box 274, Woburn, Mass. Bacher Corp., Lawn and Snow Equipment 876 Boston Rd., (Rt. 3A) Billerica, Mass. 01866 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. Richard McGahan, Rep. Wethersfield, Conn. Grounds Equipment Co., Inc. 383 Boylston St., Newton Cen., Mass. -Corenf-o-Corp oration 525 Woburn Street Tewksbury, Mass. 01876 G. D. Kimmey 1-800-222-7976 *The Clapper Co. 1121 Washington St. West Newton, Mass. Holliston Sand Company, Inc. -lowland-Street, 1 Mass.- 01746Sand for Golf Bu d Traps Irrigation & Equi] P. O. Box 147 R o ^ r Walpole, Mass. 02081 Tel. 617-668-7814 jpply Co. *Tom Irwin, Inc. 11B A Street *Geoffrey S. Cornish & William G. Robinson Burlington, Mass. Golf Course Architects Karandrew Turf Farms, Inc. Fiddlers Green, Amherst, Mass. 01002 Sam Mitchell, Sales Representative 15 Longmeadow Drive, Canton, Mass. George E. Cull Terra-Green Soil Conditioner The Kenneth Barrie Company 112 Green St., Abington, Mass. Irrigation 375 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Mass. C. S. Curran T. R. C. Products, Oils and Greases Larchmont Irrigation Co. 7 Linden St., Framingham, Mass. Larchmont Ln., Lexington, Mass. E-Z-Go Golf Car, Division Textron, Inc. Sales - Service - Rentals Mallinckrodt Chemical Works Route 28, Pocasset, Massachusetts 02559 Second and Mallinckrodt Streets Call Ed McGuire collect 617/563-2234 St. Louis, Mo. 63160 New England Sealcoating Co., Inc. Tennis Court Const, and Maintenance 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_&_Clflfiper, Inc. 28 Rutledge Road Natick, Mass. 01760 Trencher & Equipment Leasing, Inc. Ditch Witch Trenchers 38 Fairview St., Agawaim, Mass. 01001 Phone 413-781-4600 *Sawtelle Brothers Jet. Routes 128 and 62 Danvers, Mass. Shepard Sod Campanv 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, Mass. 01475 612-297-0941 PfifRppC Wogan CJ^lf'.^offrgfe Architect** "2>1; BuJlHgh Ave. BetSrly, Mass. * Contributors to the LawrenceH", PfcBnson Scholarship Fund Newsletter C o m m i t t e e Chairman 2 4 Riverview D r i v e N e w b u r y , Massachusetts 0 1 9 5 0 Phone 462-4540 Club Affiliation Chestnut Hill Country C l u b L E O N V. ST. P I E R R E Business Manager GERRY F I N N Contributing Editor