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Sponsors and administrators of the Lawrence S.
Dickinson Scholarship Fund — A w a r d e d yearly
to deserving Turf Management Students.

Some Like It Hot."

Isn't it amazing what a little heat in the kitchen will do to a
gathering in the living room?
The issue of establishing a knothole gang for salesmen so that
they may break words with superintendents at monthly NEGCSA
meetings has set ablaze a torch of participation by association
members. Names out of the past and future -- some to be dusted
off in order to recognize, others to be tested in pronunciation trials
because of their newness to the scene -- are coming on strong in
defense of their convictions. And this is good.
Unfortunately, the catalyst for such participation is deemed
tasteless by some because it airs internal disorders to certain
•members of the golfing set who think the brotherhood of golf
course superintendents is a holy cow. We read of rumble within
the ranks of other organizations, sometimes getting it on a front
page basis. What makes the NEGCSA immune to it, anyway?
Some of the comments, rebuttals are interesting. The mention
of a clique (that's the correct spelling, by the way) runs the ordinary reaction to the so-called establishment. However, its use
hardly seems applicable in the directorship of this group (if that is
the direction in which it was tossed.)
It is ludicrous to conclude that a "clique" exists among such
men and personalities as Thomas Curran, Wayne Zoppo, Lucien
Duval, Max Mierzwa and Brian Cowan. As a matter of fact, the
directorship and all the command that goes with the heads of
various committees comprise an undisputable cross-section of
members of different ages, experience, likes, views, dislikes and
modus operandi. If they are part of any clique, it is a wonder in
itself.
In the same breath, though, the very act of suggesting that a
clique is working the administrative hallways of the organization
calls for some thought on the part of every member. The thought
should be that you, as a member, can prevent cliques forming.
There are 114 eligible voters in NEGCSA. Russian elections can
be avoided and so-called cliques averted with full membership
involvement.
Next Meeting
May 7, 1975 At Dedham Polo and Country Club.
9:30 — Demonstration of Vibratory Plow by
Trenching and Equipment Co.
10:30— Directors Meeting
11:00 - Regular Meeting
1 2 : 0 0 - Buffet
After lunch Dr. Troll will talk briefly on Pesticide Certification.
Also after lunch Grounds Equipment will demonstrate the Snowco Utility Vehicle.

Getting back to constructive trailers of the issue, it should have
been the belief of one and all that dwindling participation by
existing members in monthly meetings had nothing to do with
membership makeup.
The original summons of a committee to explore means of increasing monthly meeting attendance was not presented with the
thought of going outside the association to get the numbers. Above
all, this fact appears to have been lost in the hue and cry over the
pros and cons concerning the admission of salesmen. And if this
be a criticism of the committee, let it be that.
It becomes increasingly puzzling that the salesman-member
merger was thrust into the spotlight from the beginning. If the
rising tide feel the lack of attendance at meetings were reaching a
critical point, then and only then should measures dealing with
supplementing the ranks with salesmen or anyone have been
considered.
On the surface, there probably is nothing wrong with a
salesman showing his face at a meeting. However, there is
nothing in his presence there that does anything to promote the
attendance of the superintendent. If the plan were to bring the
ranks of the monthly meetings to the highest possible number, the
association should have said. . . "okay, let's invite our assistants
and mechanics and whomever we can enlist to our meetings."
Surely, their participation would be more constructive than that
of a salesman.
Back to the original track. Just the mere thought that it took a
piece of controversial cake to get the membership to nibbling in
responsive chords is encouraging to the future of the NEGCSA.
Now, if the members can only find time to react to issues other
than those affecting their organizational standing, participation
will increase. . . like 100 percent!
Gerry Finn
Host Spot
Our host this month is Bob Mucciarone. Bob has
been in the business for 25 years, with his last 15
at Dedham.
Prior to Dedham, Bob was at Wellfleet, Wayland
and Merrimack Valley.
Bob is married with 3 children. He is always
active in association work as he belongs to the New
England, Cape Cod, and the National associations.

Directions to Dedham
From route 128, take route 109 towards Westwood.
Take first right. Club is one mile on left.

ourSe S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s

55ociation•

One Enjoys While The Other Endures
In a recent spoof on golf -- as a form of treat in the United States derstanding that exaggeration sometimes makes for more enand a downright test of tolerance in the British Isles -- London golf joyable reading. In either country golf remains a game of 18 holes
arid stroke-counting. And, in the end, to enjoy is to score well. . .
editor Peter Dobereiner touches a lot of familiar bases.
For example, he finds a shocking disagreement between the even though the joy of recounting might have to be experienced in
two countries in the club's quarters. Ah, England. Listen to his a 19th hole that resembles the Black Hole of Calcutta!
Gerry Finn
description of a club -- apparently in mourning: "The locker room
is usually a dungeon, dark as a burial vault and smelling like one.
By tradition, all the fittings are varnished dark brown and
covered with a heavy layer of dust. Old socks lie about, undisturbed for years. Every 25 years or so the secretary pries open
the lockers of long dead members -- revealing a motley collection
of guttie balls, rusting, hickory shafted irons and decaying garments. A grand bonfire is organized, the place is given another
coat of teownjvarnish and life settles down for another 25 years."
Contrast this, if you will, with your local Taj Mahal. Bag boys
there to greet you. . . club attendants ready to shower you with
service. . . carpets on the floor. . . card tables. . . bars. . . snacks
strategically placed to decorate the pushing off area of a beforeround drink and a television set in every corner reminding one
and all that playing the game may be only half the fun!
On the subject of handicaps, the American and Englishman go
their separate ways. The American enjoys the foolproof method
of computerizing stroke giveaways while the Englishman
depends on hand-me-down systems that do nothing more than
complicate things. The Britisher, in fact, finds a sense of pride in
being assessed a low handicap. "The bloke in England who is an
eight", spouts Dobereiner, "is usually unable to break 90."
The stations of club managers over here and over there are
about as far removed as the thousands of miles separating the two
countries. In the United States, the manager has training in
catering, course management, financial administration and often
is quite saturated with the social graces which he ladles on
members.
The British manager (secretary, if you please) usually comes
from military stock - retired with proper rank, of course. The
first qualification for his post, and first item to be filled upon
application, is a willingness to work for hardly any pay. This is
why his army pension, usually line two of the application, takes on
Meeting Pates
so much importance. Often over the hill in promoting club social
life, the secretary keeps it at a minimum.
Women and children are treated equally in England. At some
June 3 — LT.T. Country Club (Greens Chairman)
clubs, the girls even have a locker and shower room of their own.
But- it might be an old tractor-shed, converted-for t he femal^4n=July 7 = Halifax C.C. (Super C h a m p i o n s h i p }
vaders. However, the ladies aren't treated all that badly. On some
Aug. 6 - Mt. Pleasant C.C. (Lowell)
of the older courses, they have made headway - like being able to
Tedesco C.C. (press)
Sept.play anytime. . . after dark!
Hyannisport C.C.
Oct. The low-ranking of the woman at the British golf club is a
Brae-Burn
(Pro Supt.)
Oct.
pedestal compared to the status of the golf professional who,
Hopedale C.C.
according to our playful author, "rates on a par with the
Nov. greenkeeper's dog and I'm talking now of the better class of
club."
In some archaic environments, the professional still seeks a
working man's treatment. To members there, his place is in the
shop where he is to clean shoes and clubs and answer only to a
bark of his family name.
Jo Be Voted On At Next Meeting
It is in attitude, though, where the differences between the two
countries come out glaring. Enjoyment - spiced with a bit of
Robert McGuire
social climbing - is the motivation for the typical American club
Steve Murphy
golfer. On the other side of the Atlantic, it seems the British
swinger's plight is to endure. Any pleasure derived by the Briton
As associate members
is disguised as a duty and this is as it should be.
All of the above, too, should be tempered with logic and unTrustee

President

First Vice President

Second Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Trustee

THOMAS CURRAN
Fox Chase Road
South Sutton, N.H. 03273
Phone 938-5436
Eastham Golf Course

W A Y N E ZOPPO
9 A Village Green North
E, Providence, R . I . 02915
Phone 434-1759
Club Affiliation
Agawam Hunt

DEAN ROBERTSON
24 Riverview Drive
Newbury, Mass. 01950
Phone 4624540
Club Affiliation
Chestnut Hill Country Club

R O N A L D K I R K M A N CGCS
25 Green St.
Needham, Mass. 02192
Phone 444-8412
Club Affiliation
Needham Golf Club

LUCIEN DUVAL
12 Gault Road
Bedford, N.H. 03102
Phone 472-3454
Club Affiliation
York Golf & Tennis CIu

DAVE BARBER
MAX MIERZWA
1 Muriel Road
106 Crestwood Street
Chelmsford, Mass. 01824
Chicopee, Mass. 01020
Phone 256-4417
Phone 594-4996
Club Affiliation
Club Affiliation
Chicopee Country Club . Wayland Country Club

Trustee

Finance Chairman

ARTHUR WASBURN
520 No. Main St.
Cohasset, Mass. 02025
Phone 383-9532
Club Affiliation
Cohasset Golf Club

DONALD HEARN
4 Topeka Road
Chelmsford, Mass. 01824
Phone 256-8709
Club Affiliation
Weston Golf Club

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Sound Off
(This is the place where the reader comes into his own. Sound
Off was created for member, golfer, green chairman,
superintendent, salesman and anyone else with something to say concerning the grand and ancient game. Ground rules here are
simple. All letters should be signed and include address of sender.
One or the other or both will be withheld upon request. All views
should be sent to Newsletter Mail Bag, 290 North Street, Sudbury,
Mass. 01776. The Newsletter reserves the right to comment on all
published
letters.)

"I can remember the openings of the golf seasons in the past
and I must say that there is nothing close to it in the way the
season starts in this day of new things and advanced thinking.
"Traditionally, especially at my home course which happens
to be a municipal one, April 19 (Patriots Day) was set aside for
the first swings of spring. Our opening day would be marked with
clinics, exhibitions and the like. It was a definite occasion for all
of us hackers. Even the city officials would show up to kick off
things.
"But now tradition has been stampeded. We really never know
from one week to the next when the season will start. All we can
do is look in the newspaper every day and look for some word of
when the course will be ready for play.
"My question, therefore, is obvious. What ever happened to the
seasons of sports, more specifically the golf season which is never
sure of an official starting time any more?
"We used to be able to plan our whole summer around a set date
for the start of golfing. Now, this traditional date has gone into the
past and loss for the betterment of the now thinkers. What a
setback!"
JOE CRUGNALE
Springfield, Mass.
All sports tore up the calendar years ago, Joe. You can imagine
how the fluctuating opening dates affect the golf course
superintendent. He's as bewildered over the fact as you are.

"Ever since I heard of such expressions as compaction and
plant strangulation, I was wondering what we golfers can do to
help the super in his attempt to create better golfing conditions.
"I hear about this time of year being a most sensitive part of the
season as far as the turf and soil is concerned. It is not unusual to
see late spring frosts on the greens and sloppy going under foot
that seem to leave spike impressions and the like.
"Should the golfer be more aware of these hairy situations now
or is there another time of year when what we do and where we go
with our heavy loads make more of a difference? "
CARROLL CUMMINGS
Upton, Mass.
Naturally, all times of the season are a season for golfers to be
cognizant of their obligation to preserving pleasant playing
conditions. But the spring is most critical. Everything around the
course at this time of year shows wear and no growth. So, the
golfer might be fooled by this and think he can't hurt with his
disregard of the course. In a word, he should tread softly and
carefully.
Golf Chairman

Educational Chairman

B R I A N COWAN
Robins Wav
Harwich, Mass. 02645
Phone 432-9041
Club Affiliation
Eastward Ho Country Club

LARRY BUNN
145 Dedham Street
Canton, Mass. 02021
Phone 828-7266
Club Affiliation
Blue Hills Country Club

Newsletter Chairman
THOMAS SCHOFIELD
290 North Road
Sudbury, Mass. 01776
Phone 443-3712
Club Affiliation
Wellesley Country Club

Past President
R O B E R T G R A N T CGCS
22 Patricia Road
Sudbury, Mass. 01776
Phone 443-2671
Club Affiliation
Brae Burn Country Club

"As a golf course superintendent -- and now a tennis court
manager -- it would seem proper for all of us at this time to let
members know that different playgrounds require different
condition methods and different opening dates.
"There have been many inquiries (or there were when I sent
you this letter) into the fact that our golf course opened before our
tennis courts. Tennis players were irate over the fact that such a
small area would take all that time to get ready while the golfers
were set loose again to roam the vast acreage that makes up their
field of play.
"I don't wish to be identified here. But I think that all of the
superintendents with a similar problem should be fortified with
the right answers, just in case they are overwhelmed by an
avalanche of pleas for the combined opening of golf and tennis
areas.
"My courts still are too wet to even bother with. And, even
before we fool with putting up nets and taping lines we will have to
do some resurfacing. Tennis players are just as anxious to get out
and play as golfers are and I appreciate their enthusiasm.
However, they should be told that the two sport surfaces are as
unlike as the games, themselves. And they must cooperate even
more than golfers with that old girl who calls all the shots these
days - Mother Nature."
NAME WITHHELD
Club Withheld
Opening dates, it would seem, are a touchy item in all sports.
But at least the tennis players have the indoor courts working for
them while Mother Nature makes up her mind.

"It seems to me that the country clubs of our nation are in for
another big year and drain on their facilities. However, I do think
that country club members should be made aware of the terrible
responsibility placed on those people maintaining facilities, what
with the increased and concentrated use of them.
"As a country club member, I plan to use the golf course, tennis
courts and swimming pool this season more than ever. But I will
be mindful of the terrific strain I place on the people keeping these
facilities working and will do everything in my power to cooperate
with them.
"Hopefully, other members will take this same attitude. Thank
you."
JOSEPH KING
Westfield, Mass.
All country club members should be like you, Joe.
(That spins it down to the end for this time. Remember, you
make this feature, so let's hear from you. . . again and again.)
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.

Pieme

FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

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

Ron Gagne - Scotts Golf Course Div.
5 Kendall Park, Norton, Mass.
617-285-7466

Baker Tractor Corp., Ford Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Massachusetts

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

Grounds Equipment Co., Inc.
383 Boylston St., Newton Cen., Mass.

New England Power Sweeping Co. Inc.
Parking Lots and Roadways
187 South Street
Needham, Mass. 02192
JackKidd Phone 332-1451

Chanderlin Seed Co., Inc., Division of
Lofts Pedigreed Seed, Inc.,
20 Beck Road Arlington, Mass. 02174
Joe Moran — Rep.

Gull Agricultural Service Co.
Allen Bonnell 617-362-2181
Joe Silk 617-784-3966
55 Freeman Road
Yarmouthport, Mass. 02675

The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
Wethersfield, Conn.
James R. Fitzroy, Rep.
Bus. (203) - 529-2537

Holliston Sand Company, Inc.
Lowland Street, Holliston, Mass. 01746
Sand for Golf Bunkers and Traps

Corenco Corporation
525 Woburn Street
Tewksbury, Mass. 01876
S.W. Anthony
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.
Farm Bureau Association
158 Lexington St., Waltham, Mass. 02154
Fred Heyliger, Representative
Bus. 893-3570 Home 772-3605

* Contributors

Irrigation & Equipment Supply Co.
P . O . B o x 147 Route 1
Walpole, Mass. 02081
Tel. 617-668-7814
*Tom Irwin, Inc.
11B A Street
Burlington, Mass.
Karandrew Turf Farms, Inc.
Sam Mitchell, Sales Representative
15 Longmeadow Drive, Canton, Mass.
Kenneth Barrie Corp.
249 Milton St.
Dedham, Mass. 02026
Tel. (617) 364-3333
Larchmont Irrigation Co.
Larchmont Ln., Lexington, Mass.

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.
Man.ar-A.ven.ue-~
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
565 Humphrey Street
Swampscott, Mass.
Tel. 617/599-4856

Lee Lime Corp.
Lee, Mass. (413) 243-0053
2 Special Spreaders designed
for Golf Courses

Tuco Products Co.
Division of the Upjohn Company
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Purdy A. Outhouse (914) 462-7117

Mallinckrodt, Inc.
Second and Mallinckrodt Streets
St. Louis, Missouri 63147

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
21 Budleigh Ave., Beverly, Mass.

to the Lawrence S. Dickinson Scholarship

Fund

First Class

U. S. Postage

PAID

Maynard, M A

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TOM S C H O H E L D
Newsletter Committee Chairman
290 North Road
Sudbury, Mass. 01776
Phone 443-3712
Cfufa Affiliation
Wetlesley Country Club
DONALD H E A R N
Business Manager
LEON ST, P I E R R E
Co-ord5nator
G E R R Y 9INN
Contributing Editor

FIRST CLASS

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