APRIL 1974
ourse ^Superintendents
OF

NEW

E N G L A N D ,

—dissociation
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.

SHOULD IT BE FOREVER
Suddenly, the life expectancy of a green chairman has shot
beyond the norm. Whereas in the past the average overseeing
age of the office was two years, it is creeping away from that
figure. In some cases, the position has become permanent.
The Newsletter took up the situation in a pick-up, in-thecorridor interview session with golf course superintendents
while the Massachusetts Tuft Conference was spinning last
month in Chicopee. Strangely, there are pros and cons about the
tenure of the green chairman.
One superintendent was obviously enchanted with his present
leader. "I think there is a time and place for everything", he
noted. "Right now I am getting along fine with my chairman. He
does all the things that I advise and he always consults me
whenever an important issue concerning the course arises. As
far as I can see it, I'd like to have him remain green chairman
for the rest of both our lives."
The con side was represented by an opposite force. "I have
lived with the same chairman for two years and have considered
it some kind of a penance.", the man chortled. "I went out of my
way to get along with him because I figured he'd be gone after
two years. Now, I hear that he has accepted to stay on another
year. It's depressing."
There is no solution to the problem...if it be one. A member of
the pro-no term limit group offered that it was up to the individual super to win over his chairman and learn to get along
with him. "After all", he opined, "we are not the only people in
the world whose immediate superiors are on the unpleasant
side. I would think that the first thing to consider is creating a
compatible atmosphere. I also realize that this is impossible in
rare instances. But the club president or board of governors
usually catch onto a touchy relationship between superintendent
and chairman. And who knows? Maybe it's not the super who is
blameless in the relationship. I know of some people in our
business who are hard to get along with, themselves."
Some feeling surfaced as to the value of having a chairman
stay on the job as long as he wished. The pro voters argue that
familiarity with the work habits and responsibilities of the
superintendent gives the chairman a broader outlook at the
overall operation of conditioning the golf course. "My chairman
has taken a personal interest in his position and me", a super
volunteered. "He even has come out to the course to see us doing
those dirty jobs that go unnoticed...like watering down a tennis
court by dawn's light or plowing out the parking area while the
membership sleeps. He's seen it all and appreciates it."
On the other hand, that same familiarity could backfire into a
stagnated approach to each succeeding year...on the part of the
green chairman who hangs on year after year and the
superintendent with whom he is associated. A con represen-

tative noted this: "A green chairman with unlimited tenure
could be preventing new ideas from flourishing. He might settle
into a routine of overseeing the operation and soon that routine
becomes a rut. I think this is why certain political offices should
be guarded against the same thing. You see it happen every day
on the local and national level. Sometimes change for the sake of
change is needed."
Most green chairmen probably would agree that their tenure
should be restricted, not necessarily to two years but a definite
figure that rules out the danger of overexposing one man to an
advisory position which thrives on periodic change.
No chairmen were polled on the subject. However, the orderly
turnover in club presidencies would appear to bring forth reason
for applying the same terms to the green chairmanship.
In the end, the majority of superintendents went with the
limited side or definite restrictions on the tenure of the green
chairman. Only a handful thought the individual should go on
forever. And even they could change their minds overnight at
the first drop of a personality clash!
Gerry Finn

###

April 2, 1974

Clauson's Inn
Hatchville, Mass.
Director's Meeting 10:30
Regular Meeting 11:00
Lunch at Noon
Directions from the Bourne Bridge. Route
28 towards Falmouth to Route 151. Right
on 151 towards Mashpee. Club is 2 miles
on the right.

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TAKE A TIP FROM THE STARS
In some ways the life of a golf course superintendent parallels
that of a professional athlete...one bad season and you find
yourself dumped or traded. In the case of the superintendent,
there are no options and dismissal rears an ugly head in all of its
finality.
This is why certain supers are talking up the idea of effecting
multi-year contracts for their services. "Why not?", one super
demands. "The baseball players and others are doing it. It is a
form of security and who doesn't need security in our business?
Of course, the multi-year contract benefits the owner, too."
In the case of the superintendent, the "owner" is the club
which employs him. The plan, or suggestion, would divide the
security. In other words, length of designated service contracted for would protect both parties. The super couldn't leave
before the termination date without approval of the club and
vice versa.
"This has nothing to do with the union movement, whatever
that is," the super continued. "Athletes do all their contract
talking and arranging as individuals. There is no organization
involved. It is a person to person setup. That's how the
superintendent would approach it."
The idea of the multi-year contract comes to light as an aftermath of an uncertain year for superintendents. The golf
season of 1973 was one of the worst in Mother Nature's history.
She was a mean old girl and few understood just what her
contributions to the stifling of plant growth meant to the super.
He was a marked man... one who lived in a fish bowl and one who
took most of the blame for crimps in the conditioning of the golf
course.
Thus, there was many a pink slip waiting around the country
for the superintendent who fell into bad growing times. There
were reports of dismissals halfway through the season, so
outrageous was some of the reaction to lost greens and fractured
fairways.
"Sometimes we feel like the manager of a losing baseball
team", the same super with the multi-contract eyes offered.
"Baseball owners take quick charge of the situation when
there's a change to be made. It's always the manager who gets
the axe. And it's getting to be that way in our profession. The
superintendent finds himself looking for a new job...often
whether it's his hand that's done the damage or not."

There are situations...and ones hard to believe...where supers
are working without a contract. This could be fatal and often is..
There is no protection from immediate dismissal, such as those
experienced by shocked superintendents who are fired even
before they've been given the opportunity to bring the injured
course back.
The non-contract super, though, is the exception. And in the
future the non-multi-contract super will be the same...if he
wants to assure himself of that security which slips away at the
outbreak of an unusually large amount of rainfall or a long
stretch of dry weather. No longer can he depend on Mother
Nature to co-operate for a full season and keep the headhunters
off his back.
Professional athletes have succeeded in providing themselves
with that protection and the multi-year contract has been the
tool of realizing such a state. Country clubs, too, should think
long and hard about the possibility of this arrangement. There
are star superintendents just as there are star baseball players.
They are up for grabs, too, if the club doesn't have the foresight
to keep them from a quick dash to another course by offering a
multi-contract. In fact, both parties could take a tip from the
stars.
Gerry Finn

EDITOR'S NOTE
You did it again Joe. The spring turf conference held at the
Highpoint Inn was excellent. The speakers were well informed
and spoke on todays problems.
To the delight of everyone who sat with this writer at the
banquet, I was unable to get any worthwhile pictures for this
issue. I am glad my business is turf, not photography. If anyone
does have some black and white photos we can reprint, please
get in touch with me.
In closing, I think we all wish Phil Cassidy well. Don't be a
stranger Phil. Come to meetings and keep us "kids" straight.
Lunch is on me.
Editor

TREE GROWTH
The growth rate of tree branches can be manipulated by
cutting just through the bark of the tree trunk. A cut above a
branch, extending about an inch beyond the branch diameter on
both sides will result in faster growth. A similar cut below will
reduce the growth rate. Thus you can slow down a large limb,
accelerate a small one and bring a tree into better balance. How
does it work? Cutting below reduces the supply of water and
nutrient materials from the roots while cutting above increases
the supply.
News & Views

First Vice President
THOMAS CURRAN
Fox Chase Road
South Sutton, N.H.03273
Phone 938-5436
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Eastham Golf Course

W A Y N E ZOPPO
48 Barberry Drive
Seekonk, Mass. 02771
Phone 399-7141
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Agawam Hunt

Second Vice President
D E A N ROBERTSON
24 Riverview Drive
Newbury, Mass. 01950
Phone 462-4540
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Chestnut Hill Country Club

lance Chairman
R O N A L D K I R K M A N , CGCS
25 Green Street
Needham, Mass. 02192
Phone 444-8412
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Needham Golf Club

LUCIEN D U V A L
R. F. No. 5 Gault Road
Bedford, N.H. 03105
Phone 472-3545
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Manchester Country Club

BERT FREDERICK
45 Stoney Brook Road
Nabnasset, Mass. 01861
Phone 453-1231
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Vesper Country Club

MAX MIERZWA
106 Crestwood Street
Chicopee, Mass. 01020
Phone 594-4996
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Chicopee Country Club

D A V I D BARBER
1 Muriel Road
Chelmsford, Mass. 01824
Phone 256-4417
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Wayland Country Club

ROBERT M U C C I A R O N E
465 Summer Street
Westwood, Mass. 02090
Phone 329-9682
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Dedham Country and Polo Club

O F

N E W

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

SOUND OFF
(The mailman has just left his usual deposit in the department
of comments and corrections which means that we're ready for
another session of Sound O f f . Remember, this is your space in
the monthly trip through the world of the golf course superintendent. All letters are welcome...on any golf subject. All the
Newsletter requests is that the sender add his full name and
address. The contact point is Newsletter Mail Bag, 290 North
Road, Sudbury, Mass. 01776. The Newsletter reserves the right
to comment on all letters published.)
"It seems to me that you hit a nerve recently when you
published an article in which the ethics of the superintendent
were questioned in the matter of premature job hunting.
"I am of the opinion that it is every man's right to better his
station in life and see nothing wrong with a golf course
superintendent or anyone else filing an application...just in case
there is an opening at a place of golf or other business.
"You must be aware that the American way is traditionally
based on competition and that competition among the
superintendents is a healthy thing for the profession in particular and the game of golf in general.
"Therefore, I would not consider it unethical if someone applied at my club to seek information as to future openings on our
golf course maintenance staff. It's just good business."
A. J. FULLER
Westfield, N.J.

"The energy crisis, whether real or not, figures to have some
impact on the golf business this year. The projected effect
comes in two-way package. The home or metropolitan-based
course will be in a state or increased mayhem because of the
great numbers staying, at home to find recreation.
"On the other hand, the so-called resort courses could be in
trouble because of the expected continuance of travel restriction. It could have much of an effect as the hard travel times
during the skiing season which I understand wound up as one
total disaster.
"The situation must be a testy one for the golf course
superintendent. He will be on the spot more than ever if he has a
course in those areas where members will be giving up usual
summer vacations to stay at home for their recreation.
"On the other hand, the superintendent at the resort course
could find his future in jeopardy. According to my information,
this winter there were many layoffs at skiing areas because of
the lack of business. Do you think the super could be in the same
position this y e a r ? "
DARRELLJONES
Norton, Me.
The superintendent is studying the situation just as other
people whose jobs are affected by the crisis. However, a golf
course just can't go to seed because 50 players are playing it
instead of 200. It always needs the loving and expert care of the
super.

Right, A.J. But it is unethical to apply for a fellow super's job,
specifically, before it has become vacant.

"As of the moment, it appears that the 1974 golf season will get
an unusually head start because of the lack of snow here in the
Northeast and an unusual amount of late February and early
March high temperature days. Somehow, the weather pattern is
making such a reverse of normal development that we could
become a winter golf resort area if it keeps up.
"Anyway, can golfers here expect our courses to bloom
earlier than usual and in the process become the lush playing
areas in May and June rather than the usual months of July and
August? And another thing that intrigues me is the possibility
that our country club pools could be in full swing before
Memorial Day. Can we expect a lengthened 'vacation' period at
home this y e a r ? "
THOMAS BRIGHT
Woodbury, Conn.
It's much too early to make any predictions on the return to
mid-season conditions earlier than usual. There's no telling how
that unpredictable lady will react from here on through the
summer. Of course, the reference is to Mother Nature. She can
be a mean one!

Educational Chairman
BR I A N C O W A N
Robblns Way
Harwich, Mass.
Phone 432-9041
Club A f f i l i a t l o
Eastward Ho C o u n t r y Club

LARRY BUNN
145 Dedham Street
Canton. Mass. 0 2 0 2 1
Phone 8284)467
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Blue Hill C o u n t r y Club

Newsletter Chairman
THOMAS SCHOFIELD
290 N o r t h Road
S u d b u r y . Mass. 0 1 7 7 6
Phone 443-3712
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Maynard C o u n t r y Club

"Could you please tell me where I should inquire about
learning the business of golf course superintendents?
"I a m a junior in high school and interested in the agricultural
subjects. I have no experience in working with grasses other
than having to mow the family lawn every week. However, the
field interests me and I am in the midst of preparing my college
future.
"Are there special schools for the profession and how much
are tuition, books, room and board, etc.? I also would be interested in learning if there are any scholarship opportunities
available."
JEROME KEITH
Parsons, Del.
There are several fine schools offering courses that lead to the
position of superintendent, Jerome. We suggest you contact Dr.
Joseph Troll at the University of Massachusetts. He will answer
all your questions and probably slip in an admission application.

(That puts the lid on this month's offering. Remember
those cards and letters coming.)

to keep

Past President
R O B E R T G R A N T CGCS
22 Patricia Road
Sudbury, Mass. 0 1 7 7 6
Phone 443-2671
Club A f f i l i
Brae B u r n C o u n t r y Club

I n f o r m a t i o n contained in this p u b l i c a t i o n m a y be used
f r e e l y , in w h o l e or in p a r t , w i t h o u t special permission as long
as the true c o n t e x t is m a i n t a i n e d . W e w o u l d appreciate a
credit line.

Pie***

fratnoKcje

Agrico C h e m i c a l C o m p a n y
R . D . Sibley, J r . , R e p r e s e n t a t i v e
375 Power R d .
P a w t u c k e t , R h o d e Island 0 2 8 6 0
A l f c o R o k e b y Co., Inc.
Fertilizers a n d C h e m i c a l Specialties
P. O . Bo x 2 6 7 , M a r i e t t a , O h i o

FRIENDS O F THE

ASSOCIATION

R o n Gagne - S c o t t s Golf C o u r s e Div.
5 K e n d a l l P a r k , N o r t o n , Mass.
617-285-7466

Malter I n t e r n a t i o n a l
Mr. H o w a r d A . V i n c e n t , R e p r e s e n t a t i v e
Longmeadow, Massachusetts 0 1 1 0 6

G r o u n d s E q u i p m e n t C o . , Inc.
3 8 3 B o y l s t o n St., N e w t o n C e n . , Mass.

R . F . Morse & S o n , Inc.
Cranberry Highway
West W a r e h a m , Mass. 0 2 5 7 6
Tel. 6 1 7 - 2 9 5 - 1 5 5 3

Baker T r a c t o r C o r p . , F o r d T r a c t o r s
Harley D a v i d s o n Golf Cars
Swansea, Massachusetts

Gull A g r i c u l t u r a l Service C o .
Allen P . B o n n e l l
5 5 F r e e m a n R d . , Y a r m o u t h p o r t , Mass. 0 2 6 7 5
617/362-2181 - Ohio 614/263-6572

T h e Charles C . H a r t Seed C o .
Richard McGahan, Rep.
Wethersfield, C o n n .

H o l l i s t o n Sand C o m p a n y , Inc.
L o w l a n d S t r e e t , H o l l i s t o n , Mass. 0 1 7 4 6
Sand for G o l f B u n k e r s a n d T r a p s

Corenco Corporation
525 Woburn Street
T e w k s b u r y , Mass. 0 1 8 7 6
G. D. Kimmey
1-800-222-7976 - 1-800-225-7955

Irrigation & E q u i p m e n t S u p p l y C o .
P. O . B o x 147 R o u t e 1
W a l p o l e , Mass. 0 2 0 8 1
Tel. 6 1 7 - 6 6 8 - 7 8 1 4

*The Clapper Co.
1121 Washington St.
West N e w t o n , Mass.

N e w E n g l a n d Sealcoating C o . , Inc.
Tennis Court Const, and Maintenance
Sealcoating — H i n g h a m I n d u s t r i a l C e n t e r
H i n g h a m , Mass. T e l . 7 4 9 - 3 2 3 6
Old F o x C h e m i c a l Inc.
• Fertilizers — Seeds — T u r f Chemicals
6 6 Valley Street
East P r o v i d e n c e , R h o d e Island 0 2 9 1 4
Sil Paulini, I n c .
6 Manor Avenue
N a t i c k , Mass. 0 1 7 6 0
R i c h e y & C l a p p e r , Inc.
28 Rutledge Road
N a t i c k , Mass. 0 1 7 6 0

* T o m Irwin, Inc.
I I B A Street
B u r l i n g t o n , Mass.

* G e o f f r e y S. Cornish & William G . R o b i n s o n
Golf C o u r s e A r c h i t e c t s
Fiddlers G r e e n , A m h e r s t , Mass. 0 1 0 0 2
George E . Cull
T e r r a - G r e e n Soil C o n d i t i o n e r
1 1 2 G r e e n St., A b i n g t o n , Mass.

T r e n c h e r & E q u i p m e n t Leasing, Inc.
D i t c h Witch T r e n c h e r s
3 8 Fairview St., A g a w a m , Mass. 0 1 0 0 1
Phone 413-7814600

K a r a n d r e w T u r f F a r m s , Inc.
S a m Mitchell, Sales R e p r e s e n t a t i v e
15 L o n g m e a d o w Drive, C a n t o n , Mass.
+

C. S. C u r r a n
T . R . C. P r o d u c t s , Oils a n d Greases
7 L i n d e n St., F r a m i n g h a m , Mass.

T h e K e n n e t h Barrie C o m p a n y
Irrigation
3 7 5 C e n t r e St., J a m a i c a Plain, Mass.

Sawtelle B r o t h e r s
5 6 5 H u m p h r e y Street
S w a m p s c o t t , Mass.
Tel. 6 1 7 / 5 9 9 4 8 5 6

L a r c h m o n t Irrigation C o .
L a r c h m o n t L n . , L e x i n g t o n , Mass.

S h e p a r d Sod C o m p a n y
M e r i o n Blue Grass a n d P e n c r o s s B e n t
2 0 0 Sullivan Ave., S o . W i n d s o r , C o n n .

E-Z-Go G o l f Car, Division T e x t r o n , Inc.
Sales - Service - R e n t a l s
R o u t e 2 8 , Pocasset, M a s s a c h u s e t t s 0 2 5 5 9
Call E d M c G u i r e collect 6 1 7 / 5 6 3 - 2 2 3 4

Mallinckrodt Chemical Works
Second and Mallinckrodt Streets
St. Louis, Mo. 6 3 1 6 0

Fairway E q u i p m e n t , I n c .
Sales — Service — R e n t a l s
3 5 W a l n u t St., R e a d i n g , Mass.

Magovern C o m p a n y , I n c .
Lawn Acre Road
Windsor L o c k , C o n n .

White Turf Engineering
5 S u m n e r Drive, W i n c h e n d o n , Mass. 0 1 4 7 5
617-297-0941

Farm Bureau Association
1 5 8 L e x i n g t o n St., W a l t h a m , Mass. 0 2 1 5 4
F r e d Heyliger, R e p r e s e n t a t i v e
Thomas F. Grummell, Representative

D. L. Maher C o m p a n y
C o n c o r d Street
P. O . B o x 1 2 7 , N o r t h R e a d i n g , M a . 0 1 8 6 4

Philip A . Wogan
Golf C o u r s e A r c h i t e c t
2 1 Budleigh Ave., Beverly, Mass.

* Contributors

to the Lawrence S. Dickinson

Scholarship

Tuco Products Co.
Division of t h e U p j o h n C o m p a n y
K a l a m a z o o , Michigan

Fund

First Class
U . S. Postage

PAID

FIRST CLASS
"f- Cuur.w
•> J

SujunntmcLnis
HEW

« » e i A N O .

.. • /i
INC.

»nation
.

TOM SCHOFIELD
Ncvvsleuci C o m m i t t e e C h a i r m a n
290 North Road
S u d b u r y , Mass. 0 1 7 7 6

Phone 443-3712
Club Affiliation

Maynard Country Club
A. ROY MacKintosb
\ :
Business Manager
G E R R Y FINN
• Contributing; Editor

; •;

Acton, M A
Permit # 1 8