FEBRUARY 1974

ourAe Superintendents
OF

N E W

E N G L A N D ,

s^AAociation
I N C .

S p o n s o r s a n d administrators of the Lawrence S.
Dickinson Scholarship Fund — A w a r d e d yearly
to d e s e r v i n g Turf M a n a g e m e n t Students.

THE FIRMER FOUNDATION

What is the latest in the old "which came first... the golf
course or the country club?" debate?
The latest is that the country club is ready to concede...or
rather, it is being forced to concede. Without a golf course, there
is no sense in all the embellishments which it breeds. And now
the breeding venture is being supplemented by the very, very
necessary trailing words, "support".
That's right. Country clubs are beginning to engage in a
greens fee war, or haven't you noticed lately the number of
outside golf tournaments popping up in private clubs? If you
haven't at yours, you are among the exceptions. In general,
there is a new approach to financing the country club...bring in
the greens fee dollar.
Things have taken such a swift turn in this direction that more
than one country club budget is predicated upon the returns
from a combination of golf course greens fees and golf cart
rental fees. One superintendent reports that his entire outlay for
the coming season will equal the income from those sources.
There really isn't anything wrong with this new form of fight
to keep the country club's financial head above water. First of
all it is quite a challenge to the membership which, after all, is
the biggest beneficiary of such a move. If enough money can be
realized from the golf course to operate all the phases of country

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of
the New England Golf Course Superintendents Association for
electing me President of your Association. I will make every,
effort to maintain the high standards of my predecessors.
This Association, the oldest of its kind, was founded by a
group of gentlemen interested in golf and the maintenance of
golf courses. The monthly meetings were designed as a way of
improving course maintenance through an exchange of ideas
and educational programs. This is still true today. But now we
are in an age of rapidly changing techniques. Great progress is
being made in turf research. We have an environmental factor
to consider. All of these facts contribute to making our business
more complex. What better way can we keep ourselves informed than to take advantage of every opportunity to attend
the local association meetings, the regional turf conferences,
and the National Turf Conference. It is the responsibility of
every club to send their superintendent to these educational
conferences, -- and the responsibility of the superintendent to
use this opportunity to advance himself and his profession.
TOM CURRAN, President
G.C.S.A. of New England

club life, the member won't be further taxed by increased dues
and the always hated "emergency assessment".
In the meantime, though, the membership should be aware of
the added woes green fees players bring to the superintendent.
He is now faced with increased play which means less time for
him to perform his normal duties without the annoying experience of having to work around golfers on the course.
The superintendent, affected by this new method of attaining
financial stability, should be forewarned before his job becomes
so overbearing it knocks his conditioning plan for a loop.
"If the country club expects to realize most of its overall
operating income from the golf course, it must realize there will
be an increased demand on the course", one super explains.
"The traffic on the course usually determines what the amount
of normal damage will be. With greens fees adding to this
traffic, we're going to have a need for one or two things, either
the membership overlooks the resulting damage or it becomes
willing to increase my budget and my manpower."
Many superintendents, caught in this upswing of outside play,
are of the opinion that they are taking the blame for financial
losses incurred in places other than the course. There are many
examples of clubhouses losing money, swimming pools
operating in the red and other facilities draining the club
bankroll. They feel compensations must be made for putting
most of the financial burden on their backs.
Underlying all this, too, is the renewed realization that the golf
course superintendent's job should not be taken lightly by the
club membership. Obviously, if the superintendent's part in the
financing of the country club increases in importance, his
stature grows also. And, in the end, the situation proves that the
golf course is the firmer foundation. It came first and it remains
No. 1.
Gerry Finn

Next Meeting Feb. 4• 1974
Note New Times:
11 A.M. Directors Meeting
Lunch On Your Own
1 P.M. Regular Meeting
Educational Meeting Following
C h u c k R i c h a r d s f r o m N.E. Sealcoating will discuss construction of granular and all weather tennis courts and
their maintenance.

National Conference Feb. 10-15, Anaheim,Calif.

ourde ..Superintendents

.

Jocicition-

WHERE HAVE ALL OUR ETHICS GONE?
Once again reports of second class citizenship behavior have
filtered into our monthly news hole. And the theme is
familiar...golf course superintendent jobs are being applied for
before golf course superintendent job openings exist.
Such news is disturbing. We all have heard of the old lost golf
ball dig...the one where a player discovers that he is losing his
golf balls before they even stop rolling? Well, applying for
positions on the golf course before they are officially made
known as being vacant is akin to this situation.
Once again there is the question of confidentiality surfacing
here. All too many times "friends" of a neighboring superintendent attempt to give him the jump on a new job which could
be opening. "Friends", of course, are those members at country
clubs who have no regard for confidential relationships between
superintendent and board of directors.
When this is the case, the club is to blame. It becomes a
matter of lost ethics among members. They seem to think that a
superintendent will stoop to anything in order to better himself
and his rank. Thus, they operate on the basis of rumor and half
truths which can become embarrassing to one and all.
Rumors of job changes or job losses are the culprits which can
influence the aspiring superintendent or that super who is "on
the lookout" for a change in jobs himself. In this situation there
is no honor among professionals. One superintendent hears of
the possibility that a colleague is moving or is being dismissed
and he can't wait to be first in line at the application desk.
"I think it should call for disciplinary action from our

organization", one unidentified member of the New England
Association remarked upon hearing of false start applying
methods. "I for one would vote for suspension. If we can't trust
ourselves, who can we trust?"
While The Newsletter is responsible for its views to the
members of our organization, its officers and the golf public in
general...it also is responsible to a journalistic philosophy that
dictates the making of a publication with fair play to all as its
guiding hand. Therefore, the idea that unethical superintendents be treated in a harsh manner, especially when it does
harm to the reputation of their own professional organization,
receives an unqualified endorsement from this corner of the
world.
Perhaps, too, the example presented here should serve as a
catalyst in urging our organization to take proper steps in
averting such a situation in the future. It would be advantageous
to all parties if the New England Association acted as the official
clearing house for all golf course superintendent job openings
within its geographical boundaries.
This appears the practical... and ethical path for both the
interests of the association and the individual members. If the
country club population could be made to realize that behindthe-back negotiations do nothing but interrupt and endanger the
relationship among superintendents, there would be no reason
for the printed word here today to flow rather accusingly.... "where have all our ethics gone?"
Gerry Finn

LETTER FROM BOB GRANT

CONGRATULATIONS

The past few months have been most enjoyable for the Golf
Course Superintendent. After a long, grinding summer, the cool
weather and rains of the Fall season have helped to heal the
scars on golf course turf caused by excessive heat, moisture and
disease. The Superintendent is able to relax, enjoy his family,
and other activities after spending many hours on the Golf
Course, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays included.
Although Golf is over in most parts of New England for the
next few months, the Superintendent is busy planning for next
year. Programs must be drawn up, supplies ordered, equipment
and golf cars overhauled to name a few. The Energy Crisis will
effect Golf Course Maintenance and we must adjust programs to
best serve our membership with the supplies and gasoline that is
available. The increase in cost over the 5.5% guideline will be of
major concern.
At this time of year it is possible to spend a little time thinking
about the past. As past President of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England, I would like to thank my
fellow Officers, Committee Chairmen, and the general Membership for their support and dedication the past two years.
My best wishes are extended to Tom Curran and the new
Officers and Directors.

TO ROBERT B. KILIILEA
From Furnace Brook Golf Club
Voted in as an Associate member at the
December meeting.
To be voted on at the next meeting-Thomas Wright

Sincerely,
Robert Grant C.G.C.S.

First Vice President
THOMASCURRAN
F o x Chase Road
South Sutton, N . H . 0 3 2 7 3
Phone 938-5436
Club Affiliation
Eastham Golf Course

W A Y N E ZOPPO.
48 Barberry Drive
Seekonk, Mass. 0 2 7 7 1
Phone 399-7141
Club Affiliation
Agawam Hunt

Job O^iings
Quid Newbury Goif Club
Contact Mr. Philip B. Trussell
196 High Rd.
Newbury, Mass. 01950
Old 9 Hole Walpole Country Club
Contact Mr. James Jones
Flattley Co.
Wood Road
Braintree, Mass.

Second Vice President
DEAN ROBERTSON
24 Riverview Drive
Newbury, Mass. 0 1 9 5 0
Phone 462-4540
Club Affiliation
Chestnut Hill Country Club

R O N A L D K I R K M A N , CGCS
2 5 Green Street
Needham, Mass. 0 2 1 9 2
Phone 444-8412
Club Affiliation
Needham Golf Club

LUCIEN D U V A L
R. F. No. 5 Gault Road
Bedford, N.H. 03105
Phone 4 7 2 - 3 5 4 5
Club Affiliation
Manchester Country Club

BERT FREDERICK
4 5 Stoney Brook R o a d
Nabnasset, Mass. 01861
Phone 453-1231
Club Affiliation
Vesper Country Club

MAX MIERZWA
1 0 6 Crestwood Street
Chicopee, Mass. 0 1 0 2 0
Phone 5 9 4 4 9 9 6
Club Affiliation
Chicopee Country Club

DAVID BARBER
1 Muriel Road
Chelmsford, Mass. 0 1 8 2 4
Phone 2 5 6 4 4 1 7
Club Affiliation
Wayland Country Club

ROBERT MUCCIARONE
4 6 5 Summer Street
Westwood, Mass. 0 2 0 9 0
Phone 329-9682
Club Affiliation
Dedham Country and Polo Club

OF

SOUND OFF
"Enjoyed your article in the December 1973 issue of the GCSA
of New England's Newsletter regarding the golf spike. In 1958,
tests were made on various types of golf shoes-the ripple sole,
the lug soled shoe and the spiked shoe which showed us that the
shoulder on the spike was the thing that was causing most
damage. This test emphasized the need for more research and
another test was set up which included a modified spike
recommended by Dr. Marvin Ferguson who conducted the
tests...one recessed into the leather so that the spike shoulder
didn't protrude. This shoe, with recessed spike, caused far less
damage than the shoe with the spike shoulder protruding.
"We enclose reprints of the two research articles written as a
result of this test. There is no doubt that the spikes with recessed
shoulders would be far less damaging to turfgrasses on golf
courses."
ALEXANDER M. RADKO
USGA Green Section
You just cited the answer to the problem, Al. Let's hope the
golf shoe manufacturers have big ears and hear about the advisability of using the recessed shoulder in their products.

"I read with much interest your article in last month's
Newsletter concerning the new challenge the country club faces
because of the current energy cpisis.
"It is quite evident that the country club is going to become
the backbone of the recreational activities of many cities and
towns. And I would like to bring up a new problem in this regard
since most country clubs are private.
"I live in the vicinity of a private club which has rolling
terrain and becomes absolutely the best sliding surface around
for miles when it snows. Only this week we have had two giant
snowstorms and the sliding traffic at the club has been enormous.
"There now arises, I would think, another burden for you golf
course superintendents. Surely, the increased traffic of sliders
may do harm to the grasses, especially if the sliders continue on
into early spring when much damage can be incurred. What do
you do about it then, I wonder?
"And what is the attitude of the country club opening up its
grounds to members of the community? These questions should
be looked at immediately, because we are in the dead of winter
and the sleds and toboggans are out in full force."

NEW

E N G L A N D ,

INC.

"There doesn't seem to be too much talk in your publication
about curing the ills of grasses and other plants and I was asking
our superintendent about this. He told me that he has nothing to
do with the Newsletter but suggested I inquire through this
letter.
"Is it the policy of your paper to ignore the discovery of new
chemicals, et al and all the other aids to your profession? I am
not trying to tell you how to run your business, but I am interested in plant life, too. My lawn had a very rugged summer
last year and I was hoping to learn some of the cure-alls from
your publication."
EMERY FARNSWORTH
Siacca, Ont.
First of all, we don't know how you get our Newsletter,
Emery. Anyway, we are not a trade magazine. Above all, we are
not a nursery service!

"Many of us older golfers are starting to get itchy as the
gasoline shortage inches its way into spring and the coming golf
season. Naturally, we are worried about it because we need the
golf cart to play the game.
"We got together the other night and decided to pen this letter
to you people who will have much to say when it comes to setting
up priorities for the use of fuel in gasoline-fed golf carts.. It just
so happens the carts at our course depend on gas.
"I suppose the country club directors will have to get together
with the superintendent and set up a priority list for the use of
gasoline on the course. I sincerely hope the superintendent and
board of directors here will take into consideration the needs of
the senior golfing citizen."
ROY PASK
Franklin, N.H.
The needs of all golfers will direct all decisions made in
regard to fuel use. Course condition is a natural to top that
priority list.

CANFIELD CORNING
Southbury, Conn.

(The letter opener is poised and the letters continue to come
rolling in. Once again it's time for the reader to roll up his
sleeves and pitch his two cents into this publication. Sound Off is
the special feature the New England Association provided for
people with a golf opinion or a golf beef. It is not restricted to
subjects of exclusive interest to the superintendent. Rather, it
offers space to all topics in the golf world. The Newsletter invites all to take part and they may do so by dropping a line to
Newsletter Mail Bag, 290 North Road, Sudbury, Mass. 01776.
The Newsletter reserves the right to comment on all letters
published.)

Again, the super gets caught in the middle. This time we're
passing the buck to the country club, itself. Whether it becomes
a community playground is its baby!

(That turns us around the corner again. Remember,
keep
those cards and letters coming. This is your column. It belongs
to you, so put those ballpoints in motion.)

Golf Chairman

Educational Chairman

BR IAN C O W A N
RobbinsWay
Harwich, Mass.
Phone 4 3 2 - 9 0 4 1
Club Affiliatio
Eastward H o C o u n t r y Club

LARRY BUNN
1 4 5 D e d h a m Street
Canton, Mass. 0 2 0 2 1
Phone 8 2 3 - 0 4 6 7
Club Affiliation
Blue Hill Country Club

Newsletter Chairman
THOMAS SCHOFIELD
290 North Road
S u d b u r y , Mass. 0 1 7 7 6
Phone 4 4 3 - 3 7 1 2
Club Affiliation
Maynard C o u n t r y Club

Past President
R O B E R T G R A N T CGCS
2 2 Patricia R o a d
S u d b u r y , Mass. 0 1 7 7 6
Phone 4 4 3 - 2 6 7 1
Club Affiliation
Brae B u r n C o u n t r y Club

Information contained in this publication may be used
freely, in w h o l e or in part, without special perm ission as long
as the true context is maintained. W e w o u l d appreciate a
credit line.

P C e c u e fuztnoKtye FRIENDS OF THE
Agrico Chemical C o m p a n y
R. D . Sibley, Jr., Representative
375 Power R d .
P a w t u c k e t , R h o d e Island 0 2 8 6 0
Alfco R o k e b y Co., Inc.
Fertilizers and Chemical Specialties
P. O. Box 2 6 7 , Marietta, Ohio

ASSOCIATION

R o n Gagne - Scotts Golf Course Div.
5 Kendall Park, N o r t o n , Mass.
617-285-7466

Malter International
Mr. H o w a r d A. Vincent, Representative
L o n g m e a d o w , Massachusetts 0 1 1 0 6

Grounds E q u i p m e n t Co., Inc.
3 8 3 Boylston St., N e w t o n Cen., Mass.

R . F . Morse & Son, Inc.
Cranberry Highway
West Wareham, Mass. 0 2 5 7 6
Tel. 6 1 7 - 2 9 5 - 1 5 5 3

Baker Tractor Corp., F o r d Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Massachusetts

Gull Agricultural Service Co.
Allen P. Bonnell
55 F r e e m a n Rd., Y a r m o u t h p o r t , Mass. 0 2 6 7 5
6 1 7 / 3 6 2 - 2 1 8 1 - Ohio 6 1 4 / 2 6 3 - 6 5 7 2

T h e Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
Richard M c G a h a n , R e p .
Wethersfield, C o n n .

Holliston Sand C o m p a n y , Inc.
L o w l a n d Street, Holliston, Mass. 0 1 7 4 6
Sand for Golf Bunkers and Traps

Corenco Corporation
525 W o b u r n Street
T e w k s b u r y , Mass. 0 1 8 7 6
G. D . K i m m e y
1-800-222-7976 - 1-800-225-7955

Irrigation & E q u i p m e n t Supply Co.
P . O . B o x 147 R o u t e 1
Walpole, Mass. 0 2 0 8 1
Tel. 617-668-7814

*The Clapper Co.
1 1 2 1 Washington St.
West N e w 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 Course Architects
Fiddlers Green, A m h e r s t , Mass. 0 1 0 0 2
George E. Cull
Terra-Green Soil Conditioner
112 Green St., A b i n g t o n , Mass.
C. S. Curran
T. R . C. Products, Oils and Greases
7 Linden St., F r a m i n g h a m , Mass.

* T o m Irwin, Inc.
11B A Street
Burlington, Mass.
K a r a n d r e w Turf Farms, Inc.
Sam Mitchell, Sales Representative
15 L o n g m e a d o w Drive, C a n t o n , Mass.
T h e K e n n e t h Barrie C o m p a n y
Irrigation
375 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Mass.
L a r c h m o n t Irrigation Co.
L a r c h m o n t Ln., Lexington, Mass.

New England Sealcoating Co., Inc.
Tennis Court Const, and Maintenance
Sealcoating — Hingham Industrial Center
Hingham, Mass. Tel. 7 4 9 - 3 2 3 6
Old F o x Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers — Seeds — Turf Chemicals
66 Valley Street
East Providence, R h o d e Island 0 2 9 1 4
Sil Paulini, Inc.
6 Manor Avenue
Natick, Mass. 0 1 7 6 0
Richey & Clapper, Inc.
28 Rutledge R o a d
Natick, Mass. 0 1 7 6 0
Trencher & E q u i p m e n t Leasing, Inc.
Ditch Witch Trenchers
38 Fairview St., A g a w a m , M a s s . 0 1 0 0 1
Phone 413-7814600
*Sawtelle Brothers
565 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
Shepard Sod C o m p a n y
Merion Blue Grass and Pencross Bent
200 Sullivan Ave., So. Windsor, C o n n .

E-Z-Go Golf Car, Division T e x t r o n , Inc.
Sales - Service - Rentals
R o u t e 28, Pocasset, Massachusetts 0 2 5 5 9
Call E d McGuire 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 , Inc.
Sales — Service — Rentals
35 Walnut St., Reading, Mass.

Magovern C o m p a n y , Inc.
L a w n Acre R o a d
Windsor L o c k , C o n n .

F a r m Bureau Association
1 5 8 Lexington St., W a l t h a m , Mass. 0 2 1 5 4
Fred Heyliger, Representative
T h o m a s F . G r u m m e l l , Representative

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

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 Reading, Ma. 0 1 8 6 4

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

T u c o Products Co.
Division of the U p j o h n C o m p a n y
Kalamazoo, Michigan

* Contributors to the Lawrence S. Dickinson Scholarship Fund
First Class
U . S . Postage

PAID

FIRST CLASS
O? ESEW *HOtA»&, i HC .
TOM

SCHOFIELD
-

290 North Road
S u d b u r y , Mass. 0 1 7 7 6
Phone 443-3712
Club Affiliation
Mriynan! C o u n t r y Club i:
A. H O Y MacKintosh

' ..

E

GERRY

FINN

.. isgei'

Acton, M A
Permit # 1 8