0

t e e m e d

1,1976
ourse
OF

S uf pu pe i r i n t e n d e n t i
N E W

E N G L A N D ,

^Ahdociation
I N C .

Sponsors and administrators of the Lawrence S.
Dickinson Scholarship Fund — Awarded yearly
to deserving Turf Management Students.

An Educational Gold Mine
It's not that far off, not the distant future... to be sure.
But come some pre-game planning and maybe a snowfall or two
and the 48th International Turfgrass Conference and Show of the
GCSAA will be sitting there on the other side of the mountain Rockies, I think.
Anyway, the educational gold mine waiting in Portland, Oregon
shapes up as the most significant item on the golf course
superintendent's continuing education agenda. The dates are
February 6-11 and from the looks of the program, those days will
be filled with worthwhile transfer of information and knowledge.
Some 70 experts in the field of turfgrass will be on hand to exchange know-how, implementation of same with what figures to
be a collective audience in excess of 5,000. And, as GCSAA
President Richard Malpass, emphasizes, "This is the most important turfgrass event of the year." We second the motion.
The GCSAA conference planners are sure to receive on-the-spot
commendation when Heywood Hale Broun kicks off the week as
the event's keynote speaker. The erudite Broun is known for his
command of the language and unique presentation of it. His topic .
. . "The Role of Big Games in Society." This should be an experience in itself.
This only serves to gather up the probing steam for the rest of
the speaking program, because the topics are spread out from
opening to home hole and hold special interest for everyone at one
phase or another.
Some of them deserve advance notice.
Richard H. Hurley, super at Tavistock Country Club in New
Jersey, should have an audience eager to hear of his thoughts on
"A Superintendent's View of the Professional Golf Tour."
One close to home will feature Bob Osterman of Connecticut's
Golf Club at Aspetuck. His topic should draw a crowd: "Hard to
Maintain Golf Courses in the New England Area."
There is something for everyone interested in today's environmental problems in the subject matter of two superintendents on the speaking card. Gary Grandstaff of Waterwood
Natural Country Club in Texas has chosen: "Maintaining Nature
Within the Course" while Maurice A. Spence of Hillcrest CC,
Nebraska tells of: "A Superintendent's Responsibility to the
Environment."
Richard Trevarthan, super at the Prestwick Country Club in
Illinois will touch on a familiar problem — "Wet Wilt." And
George Prieskorn of Burroughs Farm Golf Club, Michigan is sure
to brighten some futures with "The Superintendent: A
Promoter."
The esteem, pride and value of it all will come to light when
Alexander Radko of the USGA Green Section embarks on: "Great
Golf Courses and What Makes Them That Way."
New England will have more local flavor in the undertaking
with our own Don Hearn of Weston on the Turf Management
conference board and Tony Caranci of Ledgemont working on the
Thinking Superintendent segment. And, old friend Dr. Joseph
Troll will be a panelist in "Another Look at Nematodes in Turfgrasses."
In addition to the on-scene offerings, the Portland area gives
visiting superintendents the opportunity to take in living topics.
Since the climate in winter brings an unusual amount of rainfall,

the golf course tour should enlighten visitors on drainage and
irrigation. These problems are synonymous with the downpours
experienced in New England.
Then, there is the free tour of the Oregon Seed Industry.
Viewers here will get a look at seed cleaning, plots and different
types of grasses under various maintenance conditions. This is a
must since Oregon is one of the leading grass producers in the
world.
From top to bottom, the conference leans toward being an
educational experience conference-goers will long remember and
refer to in the common work occurrences back home. The GCSAA
must be congratulated for what looms as, indeed, the turfgrass
event of the year. All superintendents should make a special effort to attend this one.
Gerry Finn

To Be Voted on i t Next Meeting
Assistant Member - Anthony DeBettencourt,
Vesper C.C.

Tournament Results-Milton
Bruce Petrelli
Lynn Blodgett
Ron Kirkman
Brian Cowan
Pete Coste
Guy Tedesco

Hoosic G.C.

First Net
Second Net
Third Net

69
71
72

Fourth Net

76

Low Gross

79

Christmas &

New Year Greeting

ourSe

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

d d o c i a t i o n

Review from Nov. 76 "Golf AAagazine""
The following is a review of an article taken from "Golf
Magazine" the November 1976 issue. The article titled "An
Amateur Replies to the Pros" written by Frank Hannigan. Mr.
Hannigan joined the USGA in 1961 and has been its Assistant
Director until recently, but now will head its Special Projects
program. He has been a frequent contributor to the USGA's Golf
Journal, and his satirical piece of a decade ago "Golf through TV
Eyes" is regarded as a classic.
The article refers to the over abundance of complaints from
touring pros playing in the U. S. Open held at Atlanta Athletic
Club this past summer. The pros found fault with the course
conditions in addition to leveling criticism of the USGA for not
being capable of running a tournament of this stature. (The USGA
has run the tournament since 1894).
The USGA not only recognizes but also agrees that the pros are
entitled to the best playing conditions that are possible. If these
conditions are not met the USGA feels the pros are entitled to
make their feelings known.
On the first day of the tournament, shortly after play had
started it became apparent that the fairways, which had been cut
the night before, were mowed about 1/4 of an inch too high. The
USGA and the golf course superintendent looked into the problem
and found that the new wheels that were installed on the fairway
mowers were 18 inches instead of 17 inches which the superintendent had ordered. When the mowers were set for the 1/2 inch
cut the USGA wanted, the setting used was based on 17 inch
wheels. The USGA recognized the error, apologized, and the only
consolation was that everyone played the same golf course.
On Friday, the second day of the tournament, an adjustment
was made to mow the fairways at the 1/2 inch that everyone
expected. After all the complaining from the pros about having to
play the "flying lie" (a new expression learned by millions of
golfers) there seemed to be little difference from the scores
posted on the first day when the conditions were lousy as compared to the scores posted on the second day, when the conditions
were judged superior. The average score in the second round was
17 one hundredths of a stroke lower than during the first round!
Last year, when the Open was held at Medinah C.C. where the
fairways were the same height every day, the average scored
dropped 1/2 a stroke in round two. Also, on the first day there
were 230 birdies as compared to 224 when the pros didn't have any
"flying lies!" Another noteworthy fact is that amateur Mike Reid
shot 67 the first day. Fairway height didn't seem to bother his
round.
The reaction of some of the players to the explanation given for
the error of height of cut was very questionable. Frank Beard felt
the USGA did it on purpose to keep the scores high. Don January,
Bruce Devlin and Hale Irwin were among those who didn't buy
the explanation. Charles Coody felt the USGA's explanation insulted the intelligence of him and the rest of the players in the
field.
The USGA or the superintendent is not above making an error,
the same as anybody or any business. But to accuse the USGA of
"trickery" is totally out of line. The USGA runs the tournament
with a highly qualified staff and would be foolish to operate any
other way. Take a look at some of those people on the staff that
ran the tournament.
P. J. Boatwright, USGA Executive Director, 17 years with the
USGA. Primarily responsible for the setup of Open courses. Good
enough as a player to have made the cut in the U. S. Open and set
two of the course records in Pinehurst. Knows more about the
Rules of Golf than any man alive.
Jim Gaquin, USGA Tournament Relations Manager. Has spent
8 years with the USGA and serves as direct and continuing liaison
First Vice President
WAYNEZOPPO
9 A Village Green N o r t h
E. Providence, R.I. 02915
H o m e Phone 434-1759
Office Phone 434-8512
Club Affiliation
Agawam Hunt

Second Vice President

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

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
N e e d h a m Golf Club

between the host club and the USGA. He lives at the club nearly 2
months preparing a tournament. Was the first PGA tour
secretary, later ran the PGA tournament bureau and was
Executive Director of the Royal Canadian Golf Association.
A1 Radko, National Director of the USGA Green Section. He has
spent 30 years with the USGA. He is cited here only symbolically
because the USGA agronomist who lives and dies with the Open
may be Radko or one of four other regional directors. All are
expert beyond belief.
The list goes on and on. As you can see, the USGA is quite
qualified to run the U. S. Open.
Some of the pros do not like how the USGA determines the
starting field of 150 golfers. Maybe 25 or 30 players do not have to
qualify. The rest of the starting field has to qualify at the local and
sectional level, many at just the latter.
The USGA feels that this method will truly keep the U. S. Open
everyman's championship, pro and amateur alike. They feel this
gives tham a solid field of not just the touring pros, but the club
pro and amateurs .There's a rub, those club pros and amateur.
George Thomas, a club pro from South Bend, Indiana who
survived the qualifying rounds, was told by a young touring pro
that he had no business being in a U. S. Open field that lacked the
presence of Roger Maltbie. Back in 1967, when the Open was
played at Baltusrol, an unknown assistant pro by the name of Lee
Trevino picked up a check for $6,000. and then joined the tour.
Look at the thousands he has entertained while also being a credit
for the touring pros. Not all the best golfers are playing the tour.
On the other hand, there is John Schlee who is a tour regular. He
had to qualify at Los Rios C. C. in Dallas. After failing to make the
cut, he preceded to blister the course as one unworthy of a U. S.
Open sectional event. The members at Los Rios were very upset.
The course architect's reaction has not been reported. He is Don
January.
Touring pros versus amateur golfer. What an inappropriate
pairing! Should Winston Churchill be reincarnated as a golf
writer and examine the current state of affairs in big money golf,
it is likely that he might file his first piece with the lead, "Never in
the course of human events have so few owed so much to so
many."
Larry Bunn
Newsletter Editor
Mr. Gerry Finn, Contributing Editor
Newsletter GCSA of New England, Inc.
c/o 145 Dedham St
Canton, Mass. 02021
Dear Gerry:
The criticism expressed in your Editorial on the Certification
Syndrome makes me wonder where you were during the time
many of us were developing the Program. It should come to no
one's surprise that those "Certified" by GCSAA had certain
obligations to maintain Certification Status. The program was
designed to encourage superintendents to continue to grow by
attending seminars, conferences and to read. Several choices are
given to make it as easy as possible for the person to renew his
Certification.
You say "What's more, the certification renewal requirements
are such that they place a financial and time drain on the victim".
First, no Certified Superintendent is a victim of anything. He
voluntarily made application knowing what the program
required. Second, if anyone does not consider that our profession
is worth devoting some time and a small amount of money for
self-improvement, maybe he is in the wrong business. While

i

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

DONALD HEARN
4 Topeka Road
C h e l m s f o r d , Mass. 01824
H o m e Phone 256-8709
Office Phone 894-5906.
Club Affiliation
W e s t o n Golf Club

PAUL JOHNSON
RFD 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
F e r n r — ' r C o u n t r y Cfub

ARTHUR WASHBURN,CGCS
520 No. M a i n St.
Cohasset, Mass. 02025
H o m e Phone 383-9532
Office Phone 383-1870
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Cohasset Golf Club

MAX MIERZWA
106 Crestwood St.
Chicopee, Mass. 01020
H o m e Phone 594-4996
Office Phone 592-9540
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Chicopee Country C l u b

ALAUGER
3 A n d o v e r Rd.
Beverly, Mass. 01915
H o m e Phone 927-0060
Office Phone 922-8511
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Foily H i l l Country Club

OF
serving on the Executive Committee the most complaints I heard
from members had to do with low salaries and lack of recognition.
We recognized that the Certification program would not immediately correct those weak areas, but hopefully down the road
it would be a contributing factor.
In several states, doctors are required to attend a given number
of hours of seminars or workshops to maintain their license.
It seems to me that the person who passed the original Certification exam and has taken advantage of all the information
from local regional and national organizations would not need the
$114.00 worth of books, but what is wrong with having a library
since the superintendent is making this his life work.
It seems to me that the Certified status means more if all

NEW

ENGLAND,

INC.

superintendents are not Certified. The Certification Committee
recognized that many qualified superintendents would not have
the desire to participate and many others who are working as
superintendents do not share a genuine interest in the profession
and would not see the value of any program that might help them.
Have you ever seen any program get 100% participation?
As competition increases for superintendent jobs, Certified
status will become more important. It is my opinion that an
Editorial from you encouraging the fellows to renew their Certified status would have been more beneficial than what you
published.
Yours truly,
Clifford A. Wagoner, CGCS

Christmas Party A t Woodlawn C.C., 1930

A Christmas party was enjoyed at the Woodlawn C. C. workshop
on December 23, 1930. There were 18 present, including the employees, the pro, present chairman of the greens' committee and
his predecessor.
Howard Farrant, greenkeeper at The Country Club of
Brookline, served as waiter at an excellent turkey dinner. After
dinner, a Christmas tree held gifts for all, and a short jingle made
up by Carlton Treat to fit each man, made the party more merry.
At the ping pong tournament following, the champion of
Greater Boston still retained his crown, that champion being
Carlton Treat.
The employees presented Mr. Treat a five year diary, and it is
to be hoped that he has many pleasant items to write in it the next
five years.
The menu card, a copy of which was given each man present,
was headed "1930 Christmas Dinner, Greens' Gang, Woodland C.
C., Auburndale, Massachusetts". The second page the following:
"A Toast to the Men who will always be seen,
Just working away on Fairway and Green.
Here's to the Health and a Christmas of cheer,
May Good Luck be theirs all thru the New Year!"
The menu was given as follows:

Cream of Fungus Soup
Rollers
Selected Bamboo Pole Tips
Roast Turkey, Fairway Top Dressing
Castor Pomace
Weeds
German Bent

Nugreen
Chewing Fescue

Compost Pudding, Easy Sauce
Sand and Gravel Pie
Snow and Ice
Worm Eradicator
All present had a fine time, and felt that such a party would be
well worth while at any clun.
Paul F. Hayden

Newsletter Notes

Had a pretty good turn out despite the weather at the November
meeting held at Milton Hoosic. It was a cold, windy day. Those
who played golf should be given a medal for bravery! The course
was reported in good condition and many thanks to Bruce
Petrelli, host superintendent and the members of Milton Hoosic
Golf Club for having us at your club.
There was a discussion on re-certification. Some people felt that
the process of being re-certified is a little harsh. There are cases
where a certified superintendent's club does not give him expense
money to attend the national conference and therefore he will not
be able to pick up the 2 points that are available by attending
these conferences. It was mentioned that seminars in many cases
are out of state or again available at the national conferences. If
no expense money came from the superintendent's club, this
could result in a substantial outlay of money from the superintendent's own pocket. Some people felt that 5 years was too soon
to have to be re-certified.
A question was brought up about advertising a piece of
equipment a club might want to sell. This could be done in the
Newsletter. Also, if any member or club official has an idea for an
article, please send them along. You may also write an article
yourself. Just send me the information.
It was pointed out that we had considerable trouble getting
Golf Chairman
BRIAN COWAN
Robins W a y
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 C l u b

Educational Chairman
P E T E COSTE, CGCS
89 Pleasant St.
M e d f i e l d , Mass. 02052
H o m e Phone 359-7247
Office Phone 566-0240
Club Affiliation
T h e C o u n t r y Club

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

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

clubs for golf outings this year. This makes for very difficult
planning for everyone. Please start thinking about next year. If
you can have a meeting next year at your club, contact Brian
Cowan.
Please make note that when driving to the winter meetings at
the Dedham Inn, take exit #60 North, not South, as reported in the
last Newsletter. The Inn is visible from Route 128.
The date for the December meeting, which is the annual
meeting, is December 6, 1976. The membership meeting and
election of officers will start at 1:00 p.m. Lawrence S. Dickinson
Scholarships will be presented at this meeting also.
President Wayne Zoppo has appointed Dean Robertson as the
Voting Delegate to the national conference in Portland next
February and Larry Bunn as the alternate. Don Hearn has been
appointed to attend the Advisory Committee Meeting and Dave
Barber as the alternate.
Hope to see you all at the Christmas party at Mt. Pleasant C. C.
in Boylston on Friday, December 3, 1976. Cocktails at 7:00 and
dinner and dancing at 8:00.
Have a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.
Larry Bunn
Newsletter 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 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 maintained. We w o u l d appreciate a
credit line.

"Pteate

Alfco, Inc.
Fertilizers and Chemical Specialties
P.O. Box 267, Marietta, Ohio
Baker Tractor Corp., Ford Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Massachusetts
Chanderlin Seed Co., Inc., Division of
Lofts Pedigreed Seed, Inc.,
20 Beck Road, Arlington, Mass. 02174
Joe Moran—Rep.
The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
Wethersfield, Conn.
Bob Kennedy, Rep.
Steve Hart, Rep.
203-529-2537
* 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
Sales - Service - Rentals
Polaris/E-Z-Go Northeast
Box 817
North Falmouth, Mass. 02556
Farm Bureau Association
158 Lexington St., Waltham, Mass. 02154
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, New Hampshire
1-800-528-5205

FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Grounds Equipment Co., Inc.
New England Power Sweeping Co., Inc.
383 Boylston St., Newton Cen., Mass.
Parking Lots and Roadways
187 South Street
Gull Agricultural Service Co.
Needham, Mass. 02192
Allen Bonnell 617-362-2181
Jack Kidd Phone 332-1451
Joe Silk 617-784-3966
55 Freeman Road
New England Sealcoating Co., Inc.
Yarmouthport, Mass. 02675
Tennis Court Const, and Maintenance
Sealcoating — Hingham Industrial Center
Holliston Sand Company, Inc.
Hingham, Mass. Tel. 749-3236
Lowland Street, Hossiston, Mass. 01746
Sand for Golf Bunkers and Traps
Old Fox Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers - Seeds - Turf Chemicals
Irrigation and Equipment Supply Co.
66 Valley Street
66 Erna Ave.
East Providence, Rhode Island 02914
P.O. Box 9
Milford, Conn. 06460
P & L Equipment Corp.
Tele (203) 878-0658
Golf Cars & Commercial Turf Equipment
80 Lynde Street, Melrose, mass. 02176
Kenneth Barrie Corp.
Phone 617-665-5990
249 Milton St., Dedham, Mass. 02026
Tel. (617) 364-3333
Si! Panlini, Inc.
6 Manor Avenue
* Tom Irwin, Inc.
Natick, Mass. 01760
11B A Street
Burlington, Mass.
Richey & Clapper, Inc.
28 Rutledge Road
Karandrew Turf Farms, Inc.
Natick, Mass. 01760
Sam Mitchell, Sales Representative
15 Longmeadow Drive, Canton, Mass.
Trencher & Equipment Leasing, Inc.
Ditch Witch Trenchers
Larchmont Irrigation Co.
38 Fairview St.. Agawam, Mass. 01001
Larchmont Ln., Lexington, Mass.
Phone 413-786-8600
Lee Lime Corp,
* Sawtell Brothers
Lee, Mass. (413) 243-0053
565 Humphrey Street
2 Special Spreaders designed
Swampscott, Mass.
for Golf Courses
Tel. 617-599-4856
Rep. Bill Kershlis 413-253-7485
Tuco Products Co.
Mallinckrodt, Inc.
Division of the Upjohn Company
Second and Mallinckrodt Streets
Kalamazoo, Michigan
St. Louis, Missouri 63147
David Sylvester 203-828-3790
Magovern Company, Inc.
White Turf Engineering
Lawn Acre Road
5 Summer Drive, Winchendon, Mass. 01475
Windsor Lock, Conn.
617-292-0941
D. L. Maher
Philip A. Wogan
Box 127, Concord St.
Golf Course Architect
N. Reading, Mass. 01864
21 Budleigh Ave., Beverly, Mass.

First Class
U . S . Postage

PAID

FIRST CLASS
L A R R Y 8UNIM
Newsletter Committee Chairman
145 Dedham St.
Canton, Mass. 02021
Home Phone 828-7266
Office Phone 828-6540
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Blue Hill Country Club
DONALD HEARN
Business Manager
LEON ST. PIERRE
Coordinator
GERRY FINN
Contributing Editor

Maynard, M A
Permit # 1 7