AUGUST, 1976
Super in tendenti

~^$s5ociation

Mr.lnside and Mr.Outside

If G r a n t l a n d Rice or Red Smith w e r e writing of this p a r t i c u l a r
pest, they might throw in a little j a r g o n of their own ... like Mr.
Inside and Mr. Outside. Only thing, this isn't a g a m e w e ' r e
playing a n d the high incidence of grub-beetle a p p e a r a n c e on the
turf scene this y e a r has to be of m a j o r concern to New E n g l a n d
golf course superintendents.
According to USGA Green Section N o r t h e a s t e r n Director Stan
Zontek, the surging tide of beetle invasion is working itself all
a c r o s s the entire northeastern section of the country. And the
m o v e m e n t is picking up speed.
"We h e a r d of the beetles coming into New Haven one day and
t h r e e days later they w e r e up into New London," Zontek relayed
f r o m his New J e r s e y office. "This definitely is a y e a r of the insect.
If you said they w e r e about to inherit the earth, you wouldn't be
just joking. Our evidence of unusual over-population is s e c u r e . "
Zontek says that his field crew h a s seen everything f r o m the
J a p a n e s e beetle to the chinch bug in its travels this s u m m e r .
" T h r e e course in the i m m e d i a t e a r e a (New York-Philadelphia)
have been eaten alive by grubs u n d e r n e a t h the turf and above it
when they c h a n g e into p u p a e , " Stan warned. "And f r o m what I
can m a k e of it, the entire Northeast will be invaded ... if it h a s n ' t
already."
The warning is sound, too. Courses in the Western
M a s s a c h u s e t t s a r e a have seen the sickening occurrence of beetles
coming into their foliage-destroying form. One p a r t i c u l a r layout
is loaded with them a n d h a s taken e m e r g e n c y m e a s u r e s to
c o m b a t the horde.
"This is the y e a r when the golf course superintendent h a s to
become a better m a n a g e r in recognizing pesticides and identifying the species in order to r e m e d y the situation," Zontek adds.
"This is a real crisis with some of us. And the method of combatting this insect infestation is a touchy item, what with the
Our next meeting will be held a t Weston
Golf Course. Donald H e a r n will be our
host. Don has been at this very fine club
since the fall of 1972. P r i o r to that, he
was s u p e r i n t e n d e n t at Lexington
Country Club for four years. He w a s
assistant superintendent at Bellview
Country Club for two years, worked at
Thompson Golf Club and worked at
Woburn Country Club. He g r a d u a t e d
f r o m t h e S t o c k b r i d g e School of
Agriculture Winter School in 1968. He is
very active in our association serving
on m a n y c o m m i t t e e s a n d a t the present
time is the Business M a n a g e r of the
Newsletter and holds the office of
treasurer.
W e s t o n Golf C l u b is
recognized as one of the finest golf
courses in the s t a t e and I ' m sure
e v e r y o n e will e n j o y p l a y i n g our
championship tournament
there.
Direction: Take exit 49 West off 128.
This exit is north of Mass. Pike. Take
left at first set of t r a f f i c lights. Take
first left and club is straight ahead.

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

restrictions and whatnot clouding the use of insecticides It really
puts the superintendent on the spot."
Unless older labeled m a t e r i a l s a r e available (Chlordane), the
super m u s t rely on what Zontek calls "Shortlived insecticides "
Zontek points out that there a r e still insecticides on the m a r k e t
which cover a broad s p e c t r u m in insect control. However, thev
a r e not of the old one-shot family. The action m u s t be r e p e a t e d
and r e p e a t e d . The m o r e popular of the available m a t e r i a l s a r e
diazinon a n d dursban.
But why the b a n n e r y e a r for insects?
Zontek is reluctant to imply that the phasing out of certain insecticides could h a v e a strong hand in brining about a r e s u r g e n c e
in the population of insects. " I a m not in the position to suggest
that the banning of broad s p e c t r u m , long life insecticides h a s
m a d e it easier for the insect to survive and multiply," he stated
" T h e f a c t is there for everyone study and d r a w his own conclusions."
Stan could tempt a r g u m e n t f r o m the other side of the insecticide w a r r i n g parties. And the offering that the d a m a g e to the
b a l a n c e of n a t u r e by strong insecticides m u s t be considered when
we a t t e m p t to pinpoint a definite cause of the problem.
"One thing is evident, though," Zontek counters. "We can
a s s u m e , a n d with some authority attached, that the recent mild
winters have been somewhat of a catalyst for the increase in the
n u m b e r of insects surviving through the D e c e m b e r - M a r c h
c a l e n d a r cycle. Without the very deep frosts, the life expectancy
of in-ground insects is almost tripled."
Zontek notes that with a " d e e p hole w i n t e r " or heavy frost, the
a v e r a g e survival r a t e for insects is 20 out of 100. When the f r o s t
line resides at shallow levels, that r a t e j u m p s to 70 of 100.
" W e ' v e had two straight winters of shallow f r o s t " , Stan reveals.
"And now, in effect, w e ' r e paying for them. We've seen s o m e
beetles that h a v e n ' t been reported in 30 or more y e a r s . Thus, the
superintendent h a s to be a w a r e of the seriousness of the situation.
All of his knowledge a n d experience truly a r e being put to the
test."
Never a dull m o m e n t !
G e r r y Finn

To be v o t e d on n e x t m e e t i n g
F r a n k L. Santos, Superintendent at C r a n b e r r y Valley G.C.
Regular Member
Roger F. Niccoli, Superintendent at Norfolk G.C.
Regular Member
E d w a r d Wieloch, Superintendent at Nichols College G.C.
Associate M e m b e r

NEXT MEETING
Weston Golf Club, Weston, Mass.
Thursday, August 26, 1976
Host Superintendent: Don H e a r n
Directors Meeting: 9:30
Regular M e m b e r s h i p Meeting: 10:30
Buffet Lunch: 11:30 (Reservations please)
Golf: 12:30 (Championship T o u r n a m e n t )
Evening on your own

Q o i f

Course

. SLper

in ten den td

^^Adociation

Private to a point
When John Campbell made his rounds at the Massachusetts
Turf Conference last spring, he brought up somewhat of a
phenomenon in the operation of certain golf clubs on his British
side of the ocean.
Campbell, now the course m a n a g e r at the comparatively
streamlined Foxhills golf development, admits that his new
surroundings a r e quite a bit different than St. Andrews. There,
where Campbell spent 14 years clipping and grooming the
tradition of the ancient shrine, the battle of making ends meet was
secondary to maintaining historical splendor. As far as he knew,
"the bills just got paid and that was that."
Now in his second season at Foxhills, John admits that the idea
of the development is primarily commercial. "At St. Andrews, we
were in the business of promoting and preserving an international
l a n d m a r k , " he volunteered. "At Foxhills, we are in the business
of making money."
Foxhills, with its two 18-hole courses, has to be one of the rising
private clubs i n the-Isles. Its developers have gone, to g r e a t expense in order to offer members a combination of the old and new
in course architecture, plus a touch of the Americanization of the
country club with additives of swimming pool, tennis and squash
courts, etc. Therefore, it is with great expense that maintenance
is effected.
With this upper most in mind, Foxhills owners have turned over
the operational ground somewhat in making the club private to a
point. It does have m e m b e r s - s o m e 400 of t h e m - a n d they a r e
offered the existing privileges which membership guarantees.
However, the course (clubhouse, too) is operated on a semiprivate, semi-public basis. Those a r e the words Campbell used to
describe the arrangement.
The membership fees at Foxhills a r e set on an individual level.
So, comparison to the more popular family setup here is almost
impossible. But for the sake of discovering figures, the initiation
(entrance) fee is 135 pounds or approximately $270. And the annual dues is 120 pounds or somewhere around $240. Remember,
though, this is for an individual. At that, it might appear to be
most reasonable.
How, then, do m e m b e r s cotton to the inclusion of the public in
their daily club habits?
" I ' d say that the membership finds no fault whatsoever with the
public and visitors playing and using the facilities," Campbell
said surprisingly. "Of course, we must r e m e m b e r that we have 36
holes at the Foxhills layout. It would be something different with
18. But I've heard of some semi-private courses in America with
only 18 holes."
Visitors (non-members) playing Foxhills pay three different
-fees. Weekday play lists for six dollars a round. The amount-m—
creases to eight for Saturday and to a high of 10 dollars on Sunday.
And ... get this ... there is a 25% discount on the cost of a second
round during the same playing day. That's really merchandising
the course.
Campbell admits that Foxhills is depending on the public to turn
a profit. "It really is very different in our clubs," he mentioned.
" F o r one thing, most of the club members don't take their meals
at the club. So, we rely on visitors to eat there."
There is room at Foxhills, too, for a little double standard play
or at least double residency action. Eventually, there will be two
clubhouses on the grounds-one for members and the other for the
public.
The private member-visitor hassle never has come about and
Campbell cites economic conditions as the main reason. "Inflation in England is up some 25%," John disclosed. "And there is
encouragement to place limits on wages and salaries. So, the club
m e m b e r is f a r better off having to pay a set fee without the chance
of having large assessments dumped on him at the end of the
season. He can live under those circumstances, only because the
'resident
W A Y N E ZOPPO
9 A Village Green North
E. Providence, R.I. 02915
H o m e Phone 434-1759
Office Phone 434-8512
Club Affiliation
Agawam Hunt

First Vice President

club is being subsidized by the public. It's almost as if one needs
the other. And it's working nicely."
Thus, the once " s t u f f y " British appear to be coming off it. At
least, at the private club level they a r e living in harmony with the
masses. The dollar (pound, if you please) dictates certain plunges
into conformity. And it thrives, especially when you're looking to
make a buck.
Gerry Finn

President Wayne Z o p p o presenting 50 year plaques t o H o w a r d Farrant o n
t h e left and Elmer Fuller on t h e right.

m

—

•

lltlflfi

Joe R y b k a t o o k o f f shoes and socks t o make a recovery shot f r o m a
b r o o k 'while p l a y i n g a t A g s w a m H u n t .

Do you wear gloves?
Do you wear gloves when handling pesticides? The persistence
of pesticides on the hands of some occupationally exposed people
was studied recently. It is found that chlordane and dieldrin have
apparently persisted on the hands of a former pest control
operator for at least two years. Methoxychlor, captan and
malathion persisted for at least seven days on the hands of a fruit
and vegetable grower. Parathion was found on the hands of a m a n
two months after his last known contact with it. Endosulfan, TDE,
Kelthane, Dacthal, Trithion, Imidan, and Guthion may have
persisted on the hands of some exposed workers from 1 to 112 days
a f t e r exposure.
Think about this the next time you wonder if you should wear
gloves!!!
Reprinted from the University of Connecticut Greenhouse
Extension Letter.

Second Vice President

D E A N ROBERTSON
24 Riverview Drive
N e w b u r y , Mass. 01950
H o m e Phone 462-4540
Office Phone 254-3678
Club Affiliation
Chestnut H i l l C o u n t r y C l u b

R O N A L D K I R K M A N , CGCS
25 Green St.
Needham, Mass. 02192
H o m e Phone 444-8412
Office Phone 444-5548
Club Affiliation
Needham Golf C l u b

Finance C h a i r m a n
DAVE BARBER
1 M u r i e l Road
Chelmsford, Mass. 01824
H o m e Phone 256-4417
Office Phone 358-4882
Club Affiliation
W a y l a n d Country Club

DONALDHEARN
4 Topeka Road
Chelmsford, Mass. 01824
H o m e Phone 256-8709
O f f i c e Phone 894-5906.
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
W e s t o n Golf Club

PAUL JOHNSON
R F D 1 Locust St.
M i d d l e t o n , Mass. 01949
H o m e Phone 777-0902
Office Phone 777-1134
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Ferncroft Country Club

A R T H U R W A S H B U R N , CGCS
520 No. M a i n St.
Cohasset, Mass. 02025
H o m e Phone 383-9532
Office Phone 383-1870
Club Affiliation
Cohasset Golf Club

MAX MIERZWA
106 Crest wood St.
Chicopee, Mass. 01020
H o m e Phone 594-4996
Office Phone 592-9540
Club Affiliation
Chicopee C o u n t r y C l u b

AL AUGER
3 A n d o v e r Rd.
Beverly, Mass. 01915
H o m e Phone 927-0060
Office Phone 922-8511
Club Affiliation
Folly H i l l Country Club

OF

NEWSLETTER NOTES
This Newsletter will be reaching you several weeks late due to
the difficulty of golf chairman Brian Cowan finding a place for a
meeting. Brian normally has the dates lined up for the year by the
end of May. This year he has been having trouble getting clubs for
meetings. You would think with a membership of 150 that Brian
would have no trouble finding 8 clubs that would open their doors
to our association. Whether the problem lies with the clubs or the
superintendents not wanting to be a host is unanswered. Also it
seems as if we a r e always returning to the same clubs every
several years. There are a number of clubs I'm sure our
association would enjoy visiting for a meeting. If anyone has any
suggestions on this m a t t e r please send them along to Brian or the
Newsletter.
The joint meeting with Rhode Island was a big success. There
were 110 that played golf and about 140 for dinner. Golf was interrupted by a rain, but we were able to finish after the rain
stopped. The dinner was excellent, with quite a variety of food and
plenty to eat. Again, nobody left hungry!!! Wayne Zoppo our host
had the golf course in excellent condition and everything you
heard about his fast greens is true. I had 5 three putts to prove it. I
also hope everyone had a chance to see the grass tennis courts.
They're as good as you will see anywhere. Thanks to the m e m b e r s
of Agawam Hunt Golf Club and Wayne for a very enjoyable day.
Our honored guests of the day, Howard F a r r a n t and E l m e r
Fuller had a very enjoyable day also. They were glad to be back
with the association and see old friends and meet new friends as
well. Both Howard and E l m e r stated how much the association
meant to them while they were working and encouraged the
m e m b e r s to use the association as a way of gaining knowledge
from each other. Both men a r e enjoying their retirement and are
in excellent health. They miss being around the fellows of the
association and eagerly await the arrival of the NEWSLETTER
every month in order to keep in touch with the association they
worked so hard in forming over 50 years ago. J a m e s McCormack
was to be honored also, but was not able to attend. We will honor
Mr. McCormack in the future at one of the meetings. We're sorry
he couldn't attend and look forward to when he will be able to
come to a meeting.
Want to wish Arthur Washburn, CGCS a speedy recovery from
an operation he had last month. He is at home resting and we hope
to see Art back with us in the near future. He is superintendent at
Cohasset Golf Club and serves our association as a Trustee. Also,
Steve Butler of Larchmont Engineering has been laid up for
several weeks with back trouble. Hope he is up again soon and we
a r e looking forward to seeing him at our meetings.
Would like to welcome two new members to our association.
Bruce Carlson of Heather Hill Golf Club in Attleboro, Mass. is a
regular m e m b e r and Neil Wendell of Highland Golf Club in Attleboro, Mass. is an assistant member. Hope you both will be
active members.
Chet Sawtelle will be a speaker at the 50 year anniversary
celebration to be held September 13 to 15 at Sylvania Country Club

Golf Chairman
BRIAN COWAN
RobinsWay
H a r w i c h , Mass. 02645
H o m e Phone 432-9041
Office Phone 945-9230
Club Affiliation
Eastward Ho C o u n t r y Club

Educational Chairman
PETE COSTE, CGCS
89 Pleasant St.
M e d t i e l d , Mass. 02052
Home Phone 359-7247
Office Phone 566-0240
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
The C o u n t r y Club

Newsletter Chairman
LARRY BUNN
145DedhamSt.
Canton, Mass. 02021
H o m e Phone 828-7266
Office Phone 628-6540
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Blue H i l l Country C l u b

Past President
THOMAS CURRAN
FoxChaseRd.
South Sutton. N . H . 03273
H o m e Phone 938-5436
Office Phone 863-4500
Club Affiliation
Eastman Golf Club

NEW

E N G L A N D ,

INC.

in Toledo, Ohio. He will give a slide presentation similar to the one
he gave at one of our winter meetings. That is one talk you could
hear twice and enjoy it the second time around. Two of our
m e m b e r s have children who a r e doing quite well in the junior golf
circles of NewEngland. MelO'Kelley, Superintendent at Marshfield C.C. has a son who is one of the top junior golfers and A1
Auger, Superintendent at Folly Hill C.C. has a daughter Robin
who was the first girl to qualify for the CYO Golf Tournament.
Robin won her first match before losing in the quarterfinals. The
women a r e here to stay!!! Another indication of this fact is according to MGA President Richard Haskell, the terminology for
ladies tees has been changed to front tees. The MGA along with
the USGA recommends that red m a r k e r s be used for front tees,
white m a r k e r s be used for middle tees, and blue m a r k e r s be used
for championship tees. Also, the color code they recommend for
marking the course is as follows: Out of Bounds use white
markers, Water Hazard use yellow markers, Lateral Water
Hazard use red markers, Ground Under Repair use blue m a r k e r s
and Obstructions use black markers. If everyone would use this
as a guideline it would make things a lot easier for all concerned.
It's a little late in the season, but four club have formed a softball league. Walpole C.C. and Royal Crest C.C. formed a team,
Brookmeadow C.C. and Norwood C.C. formed a team, Glen Ellen
C.C. has a team and Blue Hill C.C. has a team. The clubs have a
lot of fun and it really doesn't matter who wins. Rules and
arguments a r e usually settled over a few beers!! There is talk of
forming a golf tournament also. Blue Hill C.C. fields a volleyball
team and a hockey team if anyone is interested. I must warn you
that our hockey team is unbeatable! The idea is great and is a
good morale booster for the maintenance crews.
While playing at Agawam Hunt the last meeting and seeing the
lightning approach m a d e some people wonder what is the best
thing to do when caught out on the golf course. Of course the best
thing is to get to a building, inside a vehicle, or other structures
which offer protection against lightning. If this is impossible seek
shelter in dense woods, avoid isolated trees, stay in depressed
areas, avoid hilltops or high places. It is especially hazardous to
be riding a golf cart, tractor, or other similar vehicles. Raising
golf clubs or umbrellas above the head adds to the element of
personal hazard during electrical storms. The best thing to do is
use common sense and get off the golf course before the storm
arrives... In the last letter failed to mention the retirement of J i m
Lyons who was Superintendent at the M.D.C. Ponkapoag Golf
Course. J i m spent 14 years at this 36 hole golf course and saw over
1.500,000 rounds of golf played in that span of time. He said that he
-always felt that a big part of his job was to sell relaxation so the
golfer could enjoy himself and forget about his troubles while on
the golf course. The M.D.C. had a dinner to honor him for his
outstanding service as superintendent at Ponkapoag Golf
Course... A lot of talk at the last meeting about the lack of rain
over the last 2 months. Some areas have had only 2 inches since
the first of May! While we a r e talking about the weather doesn't it
seem strange that we can put a man on the moon but we can't
predict the weather in our own back yard? How many times have
you heard a forecast for rain this year and didn't get a drop?
Again my apologies for the Newsleter being late. But let's hope
everyone is more cooperate next year when it comes time to set
up a meeting schedule. Hope to see everyone at Weston Golf Club.
Larry Bunn, Editor

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 may be used
freely, in w h o l e or in part, w i t h o u t special permission as long
as the true c o n t e x t is maintained. We w o u l d appreciate a
credit line.

FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Pieade

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

G r o u n d s E q u i p m e n t Co., Inc.
3 8 3 Boylston St., Newton Cen., Mass.

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

Gull Agricultural Service Co.
Allen Bonnell 617-362-2181
J o e Silk 617-784-3966
55 Freeman Road
Y a r m o u t h p o r t , Mass. 0 2 6 7 5

Chanderlin Seed Co., Inc., Division of
L o f t s Pedigreed Seed, Inc.,
20 Beck Road, Arlington, Mass. 0 2 1 7 4
J o e Moran — Rep.

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

The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
Wethersfield, Conn.
Bob Kennedy, Rep.
Steve Hart, Rep.
203-529-2537

Irrigation and E q u i p m e n t Supply Co.
66 Erna Ave.
P.O. Box 9
Milford, Conn. 0 6 4 6 0
Tele (203) 878-0658

*The Clapper Co.
~tT21rWashmgto!r St7~
West N e w t o n , Mass.

Kenneth Barrie Corp.
249-Mfiron-St., Dedham, Mass. 0 2 0 2 6
Tel. (617) 3 6 4 - 3 3 3 3

*Geoffrey S. Cornish & William G. Robinson
*Tom Irwin, Inc.
Golf Course Architects
11B A Street
Fiddlers Green, Amherst, Mass. 0 1 0 0 2
Burlington, Mass.
George E. Cull
Terra-Green Soil Conditioner
112 Green St., Abington, Mass.

Karandrew Turf Farms, Inc.
Sam Mitchell, Sales Representative
15 L o n g m e a d o w Drive, Canton, Mass.

C. S. Curran
T. R. C. Products, Oils and Greases
7 Linden St., Framingham, Mass.
E-2-Go Golf Car
Sales - Service - Rentals
Polaris/E-Z-Go Northeast
Box 817
North F a l m o u t h , Mass. 0 2 5 5 6

Lee Lime Corp.
Lee, Mass. (413) 243-0053
2 Special Spreaders designed
for Golf Courses
Rep. Bill Kershlis 413-253-7485

F a r m Bureau Association
158 Lexington St., Waltham, Mass. 0 2 1 5 4
Fred Heyliger, Representative
Bus. 893-3570 Home 772-3605
Scotts Pro-Turf Div.
Rep. Ron Gagne 746-7000
Rep. Allen Cumps 413-253-2995
Gold Star Sod Farms, Inc.
Sod & Pine Bark Mulch
Canterbury, N e w Hampshire
1-800-528-5205

Contributors

..

to the Lawrence

.

Contribution Editor

L a r c h m o n t Irrigation Co.
L a r c h m o n t Ln., Lexington, Mass.

Mallinckrodt, Inc.
Second a n d Mallinckrodt Streets
St. Louis, Missouri 6 3 1 4 7 '
Magovern Company, Inc.
Lawn Acre Road
Windsor Lock, Conn.
D. L. Maher
Box 127, Concord St.
N. Reading, Mass. .01864

S. Dickinson

Scholarship

Fund

N e w England Power Sweeping Co., Inc.
Parking Lots and Roadways
187 South Street
Needham, Mass. 0 2 1 9 2
J a c k Kidd Phone 3 3 2 - 1 4 5 1
New England Sealcoating Co., Inc.
Tennis Court Const, and Maintenance
Sealcoating — Hingham Industrial Center
Hingham, Mass. Tel. 749-3236
Old F o x Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers - Seeds - Turf Chemicals
66 Valley Street
East Providence, Rhode Island 0 2 9 1 4
P & L E q u i p m e n t Corp.
Golf Cars & Commercial Turf E q u i p m e n t
80 Lynde Street, Melrose, Mass. 0 2 1 7 6
Phone 617-665-5990
Sil Faulini, Inc.
6 Manor Avenue
Natick, Mass. 0 1 7 6 0
Richey & Clapper, Inc.
28 Rutledge Road
Natick, Mass. 0 1 7 6 0
Trencher & E q u i p m e n t Leasing, Inc.
Ditch Witch Trenchers
3 8 Fairview St., Agawam, Mass. 0 1 0 0 1
Phone 413-786-8600
*Sawtelle Brothers
565 H u m p h r e y Street
Swampscott, Mass.
Tel. 617-599-4856
Tuco Products Co.
Division of the U p j o h n C o m p a n y
Kalamazoo, Michigan
David Sylvester 203-828-3790
White Turf Engineering
5 Summer Drive, Winchendon, Mass. 0 1 4 7 5
617-297-0941
Philip A. Wogan
Golf Course Architect
21 Budleigh Ave., Beverly, Mass.