M A Y 1973

ourde JAperin tendenti .^Idioclation
O F

N E W

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

Sponsors a n d 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.

LOOK AHEAD . . . THEY SAY
During the recent Massachusetts Golf Association Spring
Conference, one of the interesting — although complicated •—
topics was that of long range planning for the country club.
It developed into a 10-year-travelogue for the responsible club
member (official), 10 years to the rear and 10 years in advance.
Although no conclusions could be drawn from the seminar
and ambitious structure of the 20-year study, some pertinent
questions popped out at the superintendent's position in the
plan.
In an analysis of the past, these questions appeared: " W h a t
has been the effect of employee turnover in the past 10 years
(particularly in the case of key employees) ? " " H o w many
different club managers, golf pros, grounds maintenance supervisors (you now have a new title to go along with 'greensk e e p e r ' ) , etc. have you had over Lhe past 10 y e a r s ? " " H a s
there been an employee pension plan in existence? If so, how
long? Is it adequate? W h a t other club benefits has the club
provided?"
Those are the key areas, as far as the super is concerned.
In fact, he would welcome the answers to all with a hope that
improvements could be made. But it does give the club official something to think about and perhaps remedy. There are
a number of reasons for employee turnover. And it doesn't
take an Einstein to figure out that a happy (well compensated)
employee seldom comes to work with an airline or train ticket
in his pocket.
In the look to the future, it follows that planning take the
good things from the club's past, expand them, and discard
the bad things from the past. Sounds easy . . . but it isn't.
For instance, take the position of the superintendent. Nowhere in the analysis are there any considerations applicable
to his contribution to the success or failure of the club. Nor,

for that matter, are there little things expressed for the health
and welfare of the pro and manager.
One of the intriguing questions in the look-ahead segment
of the project reads: " I f the membership were polled, what
would be the five aspects of the club that they most appreciate
in their order of importance and what would be the five aspects of the club that they find objectionable in their order
of i m p o r t a n c e ? "
Now, there is a mouthful. And it is worthwhile that the
member embark on such a journey through the things he likes
and dislikes about his club. T h e superintendent, we're sure,
would be most interested in the position of course condition
. . . and on what list it falls. Of course, this is a burning
issue with many people. It's comparable to the old, what came
first . . . the chicken or the egg bromide.
It can be answered thusly: If the concentration of funds
and effort fall on the clubhouse, the setting is a glorified
restaurant. And if the same concentration is directed toward
the golf course, the setting is a country club. There are objections to such reasoning . . . but the taste of a filet mignon
is not as lasting as a season of long putts and perfect approach
shots — aided by the right playing conditions.
Whatever the result of the 10-year look backwards and the
10-year glimpse into the future, the topic is very worthwhile.
Wound in the maze of questions are such subjects as status
structure and all that goes with it. Certainly there is a place
for this. But the meat and potatoes are found in the facility
arrangement, condition thereof and the people to operate it.
T h e club official should profit from the past. And what he
does in the way of planning for the future affects the superintendent's future. Those days after tomorrow are in his hands.
— Gerry Finn

NEXT MEETING
T h e next meeting of the G C S A of N E will be Monday, May
14, 1 9 7 3 at the Green Harbor Golf Club, Marshfield, Mass.
T h e course is owned by Manuel F r a n c i s and Son. Dahn Tibbets
is the golf course superintendent. In 1 9 6 5 Manny and his son
purchased the land for the purpose of a sod farm. After removing just two crops of sod, they decided to build a golf
course in the summer of 1 9 7 0 . Manny, S r . was to design the
course and to carry on all phases of the construction while
Manny J r . ' s project was to install the entire water system. Believe it or not the course was opened f o r - p l a y in the 1 9 7 1
DIRECTIONS TO GREEN HARBOR GOLF CLUB
F r o m Route 3 take E x i t 3 2 (Route 1 3 9 ) to Marshfield. Go
right on Webster St. in Marshfield Center. Sign for course
will be on your left up about one mile.
Directors' Meeting
Regular Meeting
Lunch ( S n a c k bar only)
Golf

10:45 A.M.
11:15 A.M.
12:00 P . M .
1:00 P . M .

Left to right: Manuel Francis, Jr., Manuel Francis and Dahn
Tibbets of the Green Harbor G o l f C l u b will be our hosts at
the next meeting.

ourde

^Superintendents

THE W O M A N ' S TOUCH
Let's see now. There are women taxi cab drivers, women
bulldozer operators, women bartenders . . . women everything, it seems. So, how about a woman.golf course superintendent?
Don't laugh. We could very well see the day when the fair
sex makes a mass invasion of the superintendent ranks. In
fact, there are isolated cases around the country where a
woman is listed as the superintendent. So far, the GCSAA
membership list doesn't have one.
More evident than the incidence of a woman super, though,
is the presence and increasing presence of women laborers on
the golf course, and the experience seems to be rewarding on
both sides of the fence. The fair ladies, it appears, are in
many instances just as capable . . . and in a few more capable
than the men.
The most popular course in the country for women laborers
4s the Iniiinsbrook Club :1b Florida where Arlin Grant nerves
as the superintendent. Inninsbrook is a 54-hole layout and
included in the work crew are nine women.
Their duties run the gamut, excluding intricate mechanical
work. They handle all kinds of equipment, mow fairways,
pamper greens and tees and rake bunkers. Their ages range
from 16 to 39 and they are decked out in the uniform of the
day . . . shorts and tee shirts.
Arlin says that the girls do an excellent job, so much so
that there is a waiting list for their positions. The girls come
from many different occupations including waitressing, office
work. Some of them are still college students and arrange
their schedules around their course assignments.
Arlin also points out a few fringe benefits for the super
who employs women. He tells that they seem to have more
patience with equipment and discipline themselves in the re-

oclation •
pair of same. They never tinker with the mechanics of the
equipment, thereby leading to complications and the possibility
of extensive damage. Instead, they wait for the mechanic or
superintendent to assist them whenever a breakdown occurs.
Since the labor problem on the golf course is one of eternal
standing, speculation on the future of the woman worker is
spreading the ranks of the superintendent. And as far as the
sampling goes, the super is anything but against the hiring
of women for the j o b .
"Certainly their sense for the artistic can be employed
around the clubhouse", one super reasoned. " I n some of the
more affluent clubs the need for expert attention in arrangement of flower beds and other beauty aids to the appearance
of the clubhouse makes it most advantageous to hire a woman
for the j o b . "
Another factor favoring the girls is the incessant grumbling
among men workers in view of questionable wages and skctchy
-fringe- benefits. The- mat! -worker usually is the-bread—winner
in his household and consequently must demand more in the
way of money and fringles. The woman, on the other hand,
can make concessions in those areas. So, the super might lean
toward the woman to avoid excessive turnover of the j o b .
One superintendent took a negative view of the situation.
" T h e idea of women working on the course is new", he offered.
" S o , it now becomes a novelty to them and to the super. But
in time the novelty will wear off and they'll learn to gripe
about working conditions just like the men. They may even
be more successful in organizing the entire crew and then what
do we have on our h a n d s ? "
That opinion is in the minority, however. F o r most of the
supers, women working on the golf course is perfectly in
keeping with the times. The woman's touch . . . it's felt
everywhere.
_ Gerry Finn

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Richard Blake, C S C S , (far right) is presenting certification
plaques to (left to right) Sherwood Moore, Charles Gardner
and Paul O ' L e a r y at a recent meeting.
To be voted on at the May meeting:
Regular Member — Charles A. Borden, Sharon Country
Club.

First Vice President
ROBERT G R A N T
22 Patricia Road
Sudbury, Mass. 01776
Phone 443-2671
Club Affiliation
Brae Burn Country Club

—

THOMAS CURRAN
Fox Chase Road
South Sutton, N. H . 03273
Eastman Golf CourS'

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

At the April meeting, Lou Duval, our Association Treasurer, pointed out that 4 5 members have not paid their dues for
1973. Our bylaws state that all members whose dues shall
remain in arrears more than five months shall be suspended
from the Association. Check to see if your dues have been
paid so that you may continue to attend meetings, play in the
golf tournaments, receive the Newsletter, etc. You need the
Association and the Association needs you.
The Golf Committee has requested that all members and
guests of the Association who play golf at the summer meetings, please register and then turn in their score cards. There
will be prizes for golfers of various ability and the scores will
be used to up-date handicaps. Remember the summer meetings are an opportunity to discuss current problems, conduct,
Association business and to enjoy a day of golf and fellowship.
Plan to attend every meeting.
Robert Grant, CGCS
Meeting dates to remember:
May 14, 1973 — Green Harbor Golf Course
June — International
July — Topsfield Country Club
August 14, 1973 — Crestview Country Club
September — Blue Hills — Supt.-Celebrity Tournament
October 12, 1 9 7 3 — Brae Burn — Supt.-Pro Tournament
October 20, 1973 — New Bedford Country Club
November — Bass River — Joint meeting with the Cape
Codders

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 Club

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

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

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

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S O U N D OFF!!!!
(Here we are again with that portion
of the
Newsletter
which gives readers the chance to clear the air of all golf
controversy
and give their absolutely
infallible
answers
to
today's major issues. This is Sound Off and everyone is invited to take part. The writer may present his views on any
subject pertaining to golf. All we ask is that he or she identify
themselves
and include their address. Same ivill be
withheld
upon request. Comments should be sent to Newsletter Mail Bag,
24 Riverside
Drive, Newbury, Mass. 01950. The
Newsletter
reserves the right to comment on all published
letters.)
"This is just a few lines to let Dr. Troll and the New England Superintendents know" that the recent Massachusetts
Conference in the City of Springfield was one of the best ever.
"The program was full of interesting subject matter and
interesting speakers to present them. And I was most satisfied
with the physical surroundings. The new hotel and all the
facilities available to the conference goers made a big hit with
all. In fact, I'm spreading the word about it up here with the
hopes that we can get more representation when it's time to
return to Springfield again.
"Please keep me advised as to the planning and progress
of the next conference, so I can talk it up in my area. Thank
??
you.
S E R G E FONTAINE
Saute, Que.
Always glad to find a happy customer, Serge. The wheels
are already turning on next year's conference and from the
sound of things it will break all speed limits.
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"Once again it has passed. I mean that time of year when
the golf course superintendent is snubbed by everyone — including the press — in an area where he is supposed to have
some authority and knowledge.
" T h e other day I read in my local paper that my country
club was going to open 'on Saturday with all greens in play.'
That's a very funny thing to me. You see, I'm the super there
and this was the first word I had heard about our opening.
As a matter of fact, that date was in error since we opened
on the following Wednesday.
"The time element has nothing to do with my increasing
annoyance with the press, our club members (most of whom
think that the pro runs the conditioning process of the course)
and others who ignore me when it comes time for a course-^
opening announcement.
"Fortunately, I still make the decision on that score here.
But I do wish I could get my point across to the press. If
they will only call me instead of the pro, I will be glad to give
them any information on the course, its opening and its
condition."
NAME WITHHELD
Club Withheld
You are so right. The sportswriters don't call you for the
results of the weekend tournament, do they? Or do they????
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" I was very interested in the article about slow play which
was given a place of prominence on the first page of your last
publication. I do believe you've hit a solid point.
"Blaming the touring professionals is not fair, though. And
I think you absolved them of any blame by the implication
that their lives almost depended on everything they did on

Golf 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 Pc'o Ciul

Educational Chairman —
LARRY BUNN
145 Dedham Street
Canton, Mass. 02021
Phone 828-0467
C ^b 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 G C S
211 Sewall Street
Boylston, Mass. 01505
Phone 869-2737
Club Affiliation
M t . Pleasant Country Club

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

the course. The real culprit, as you pointed out, is the amateur
golfer who magnifies the importance of every shot, perhaps at
the suggestion made by watching the pros on TV.
"Therefore, I am making a proposal that will get me rave
razzberries from my fellow club members. I think that all
country clubs should make a concentrated effort to curb
gambling on the course at any and all levels. Pardon me while
I duck.
"Seriously, these two-dollar Nassaus, skins and what have
you are at the basis of most of our slow play. I've seen 25handicap players line, up 100-foot putts as if they sank them
on every occasion. Even the caddies are getting into the act
at our club. There are members who ask them to help survey
tricky putts . . . and g.11 over a couple of bucks.
" I say stop gambling and speed up play."
CRAIG DAWKINS
Humming, Md.
Wantta bet you're asked to resign, C r a i g ?
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"You can be proud of the performance of the members of
GCSA of New England during the 44th Turfgrass Conference
and Show. All reports point out there was a record attendance
and exhibits. The Chapter newsletters are hailing the hospitality as being the warmest ever. This one element is remembered
longer than all the others put together. My experience in San
Francisco makes me appreciate the job you did in organizing
the committee.
"Thank you for the courtesies extended to Myrtle and me.
We really enjoyed the reception on Saturday night at the
Chestnut Hill Country Club.
"Please convey our thanks to all the members of GCSA of
New England.
" W e look forward to seeing all of you in Anaheim."
Clifford A. Wagoner, CGCS
Modesto, Calif.
You said it all Cliff, the only thing we can add in the Newsletter is that we had fun doing it.
«-

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"Some of the clubs in our area not only have experienced
early openings this season but a few even had electric golf
carts out for the start of play.
"However, at our club there seems to be some silly rule that
the superintendent has to make the decision on the use of carts
at this time of year as well as when we have heavy rainy
weather. How come this man can tell me that I have to walk
18 holes instead of ride them?
"Certainly, I can see his point about wanting to save the
course when it is extremely wet and all. But I don't think it's
that wet and besides, those other clubs in the area are allowing
carts to run about all over the- place.
"Am I being unreasonable about this or is there valid reason tor our superintendent to ground the c a r t s ? "
T R A C Y EVANS
Elkhorn, 111.
Your super knows his course and what it can take. When he
blows the whistle on carts, you can be assured your club will
be the best-conditioned club in town. Besides, the walk's good
for you.
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(This wraps it up for this time. But, remember
writing. Right or wrong, your cards and letters keep
umn going. So, sit down and let us have it!)

to keep
this col-

I n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a i n e d in this p u b l i c a t i o n m a y b e u s e d
freely, in whole or in part, without special permission as
l o n g as t h e true context is m a i n t a i n e d . W e w o u l d a p p r e ciate a credit lihe.

P i e t u e frcdnwUfe FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Agrico Chemical Company
R. D. Sibley, Jr., Representative
375 Power Rd.
Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860
Alfco Rokeby Co., Inc.
Fertilizers and Chemical Specialties
P. O. Box 267, Marietta, Ohio
Bacher Corp., Lawn and Snow Equipment
876 Boston Rd., (Rt. 3A)
Billerica, Mass. 01866
Baker Tractor Corp., Ford Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Massachusetts
The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
Richard McGahan, Rep.
Wethersfield, Conn.
Corenco Corporation
525 Woburn Street
Tewksbury, Mass. 01876
G. D. Kimmey
1-800-222-7976 — 1-800-225-7955
*The Clapper Co.
1121 Washington St.
West Newton, Mass.
* Geoffrey S. Cornish & William G. Robinson
Golf Course Architects
Fiddlers Green, Amherst, Mass. 01002
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.

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

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

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

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

Ron Gagne - Scotts Golf Course Div.
5 Kendall Park, Norton, Mass.
617-285-7446
Grounds Equipment Co., Inc.
383 Boylston St., Newton Cen., Mass.
Holliston Sand Company, Inc.
Lowland Street, Holliston, Mass. 01746
Sand for Golf Bv '
and- Traps
Irrigation & Equ
P. O. Box 147 R
Walpole, Mass.
Tel. 617-668-7814

lupply Co.

*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.

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, Mass. 01001
Phone 413-781-4600
*Sawtelle Brothers
Jet. Routes 128 and 62
Danvers, Mass.
Shepard Sod Campany
Merion Blue Grass and Pencross Bent
200 Sullivan Ave., So. Windsor, Conn.

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

Tuco Products Co.
Division of the Upjohn Company
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Mallinckrodt Chemical Works
Second and Mallinckrodt Streets
St. Louis, Mo. 63160

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

Magovern Company, Inc.
Lawn Acre Road
Windsor Lock, Conn.

Philip A. Wogan
Golf Course Architect
— 2 1 Budleigh Ave. Beverly, Mass.

* C o n t r i b u t o r s t o the Lawrence S. Dickinson Scholarship

Fund

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{jtifj (bourse Superintendents • I'l'.oiiulion
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DEAN ROBERTSON
N e w s l e t t e r C o m m i t t e e Chairr.'.an
2 4 Riverview D r i v e
Newbury, Massachusetts 01950
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. P I E R R E
Business M a n a g e r
GERRY FINN
C o n t r i b u t i n g Editor