I
JULY, 1976
( j o i f

C o u r s e
OF

S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s
N E W

E N G L A N D ,

^ s 4 s s o c i a t i o
I N C .

Sponsors a n d a d m i n i s t r a t o r s o f the L a w r e n c e S.
Dickinson S c h o l a r s h i p Fund — A w a r d e d y e a r l y
to d e s e r v i n g Turf M a n a g e m e n t Students.

Pesticides...A Pesty Situation
At one time in this world--so say the environmentalists-there
was this so-called balance of nature in relationship to the green,
green grass of home, forest and golf course.
This is how it was: The seed was planted, the germination
followed, the roots took hold and the flowers peeked their little
heads out of the earth. Survival was a succession of insect participation. One provided the breaks for invasion of another, the
other came with deposits of nourishment to strengthen the plant
and every blade of grass lived happily ever after. So they say.
And it is this balance of nature which is causing much concern
with both sides of the eventual pesticide war-those who
manufacture and use pesticides and those who think they are a
scourge to the future.
There is a situation now where some panic is evident. Most of it
comes from the chemical company people who are afraid the
environmentalists just might be winning the war. They call it the
overreaction syndrome-being played by federal and state
governmental agencies who want to ban every pesticide in sight.
So far, there has been only a few outright banned chemicals but
the association of them with others has caused much confusion in
the ranks of turf managers...which is where the golf course
superintendent enters the picture.
A pesticide task force has been assembled in Massachusetts.
One of its members is Dr. Joseph Troll of the University of
Massachusetts. Dr. Troll is busy trying to get legislatures
together in an attempt to establish some clear-cut rules for
pesticide use. So far, or at least on the date of publication, things
were in a nebulous state.

Results of Superintendent
& Chairman Tournament

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A spokesman for Dr. Troll's office pointed out that there still
appears to be some question over the strength of federal vs. local
laws in the pesticide war. As yet, no one can figure out whether a
national restrictive law applies when a state law differs from it.
What is needed, was the comment, was a clarification of law
application.
So while the feds and locals battle it out as to who has control of
things, the chemical companies are pushing for participation in
influencing restrictive decisions. And that participation is being
sought from the golf course superintendent.
Interest groups have taken over in many areas of pesticides
where data had been originated for such purpose. And so the
warring goes, with a hopeful balance of concession on both sides.
One interesting aside to the argument and extreme causes of
the two parties is the revelation that a golf course (which shall go
unnamed) recently became "evidence" in the environmentalists'
arguments.
This course went along with a natural maintenance program for
10 years. The program consisted only of cutting grasses and occasional mowing and watering of them. The fairways were a
bright fescue and the greens bent. During the 10 years the condition-rating by those playing the course was a sound "good"—
not Augusta National by any means but not your basic cow
pasture, either.
Such results have tended to swing certain superintendents over
to a leaning on the side of more stringent controls of pesticides.
One unnamed super stated flatly that over-pampered (pesticide
dependent) courses were inclined to create more problems than
• were encountered before the introduction of pesticides.
There also was emphasized the dangers found in the application
of certain chemicals by workers below the skilled level. Phrases,
such as "morally wrong" and "irresponsible guidance", were
thrown into the "other look" at the pesticide vs. nature problem.
And here is where the war stands—at loggerheads. At the most
vital stage of it lies the gray area of legislation. It would seem that
government—some government—should get down to earth and
get things settled. A pesty situation? Definitely.
Gerry Finn

NEXT MEETING
m
mmmm
i

First Net - Schofield & Ryan, Wellesley CC 63
Second Net - Luccini & Goldstein, Franklin CC 64
Connally & Keating, Woburn CC 64
Frist Gross - Cowan & Thayer, Eastward Ho CC 72
Second Gross - Carter & Grimsley, Foxboro CC 73
First Individual Net - Butler - Larchmont Engineering, 71
Second Individual Net - Petrelli, Milton Hoosic GC, 72

Agawam Hunt, East Providence, R.I.
July 12, 1976
Directors Meeting 9:30
Regular Membership Meeting 10:30
Golf and lunch following
Evening - Clambake at Francis Farm in Rehoboth,
Mass.
Joint Meeting with Rhode Island and you may bring a
guest.

Average Cost per Hole 1975

NEWSLETTER NOTES
For those of you who missed the last meeting held at Ferncroft
Country Club, you've missed another enjoyable meeting. The only
thing you're ahead on is your diet!!! There were almost 100 for
dinner and everyone left the table quite prepared to go without
food for the next three days! The food was really great and Paul
Johnson, our host superintentendent, gave us a super golf course
to play. Paul has done a great job conditioning the course and the
landscaping with flowers really added the final touches. We give
our thanks to Paul and the people of Ferncroft Country Club for
making an enjoyable day for everyone.
We are saddened by the death of a former member of our
association. Daniel Richard (Dick) Silvar died of a heart attack at
his home last month. He was a native of Massachusetts and a
graduate of Stockbridge School of Agriculture. He was superintendent at Bellow Falls CC (Vt.), and Oak Hill CC, Fitchburg,
Mass. He is a past member of the board of directors and also
served as educational chairman. Mr. Silvar was superintendent
of the famed Pinehurst CC at the time of his death. The members
of our association send their respects to his family.
There was a lot of talk at the last meeting about the lack of
growth we've had this spring. Seems no matter what you do the
grass just isn't growing and color is lacking. The weather has
really varied this spring and hasn't been ideal for growing grass.
There was also a lot of talk of members comparing their golf
course with other courses. Seems members of country club A feel
their course is not in very good shape and will play country club B
finding that course in great shape. But the members of country
club B feel their course is in not very good shape and they will
play country club A and find that course in great shape. One
superintendent who has been in the business over 25 years, says
he just can't understand some of his members. It always seems
the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Not only do they
compare the condition of the course, they compare the number of
workers at each course, the budgets, the number of times they
mow greens and fairways. There are so many things to consider
when comparing courses and budgets. A new course was probably
built to be maintained with the equipment that is available today.
An old course would have a lot of areas that are maintained by
hand equipment. This would reflect in the number of workers
needed on a course. The type of irrigation system, the type of
maintenance programs on a course, the number of rounds on a
course during a season, the number of golf carts, drainage, and
the amount and condition of maintenance equipment all reflect on
the budget and the number of workers needed to maintain a golf
course. You have to consider the type of soil structure, types of
grass on a course, and even the location of a course. There are
many more factors that have to be considered when comparing
courses and budgets. I don't want to bore the members of the
golfing public with "shop talk", but when you want to compare
you have to look beyond what you see on the surface.
Here are some interesting figures on the poll done by Harris,
Kerr, Forster & Company concerning golf course maintenance
costs for 1975. New England states are in a group with New York,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the two Virginia
states. On a per-hole basis, the current year's maintenance costs
averaged $7,962. across the nation. The average for the East was
$6,985. These figures v/ere derived from 5 categories.

Golf Chairman
BRIAN COWAN
Robins Way
Harwich, Mass. 02645
Home Phone 432-9041
Office Phone 945-9230
Club Affiliation
Eastward Ho Country Club

Educational Chairman
PETE COSTE, CGCS
89 Pleasant St.
Medfield, Mass. 02052
Home Phone 359-7247
Office Phone 566-0240
Club Affiliation
The Country Club

Newsletter Chairman
LARRY BUNN
145DedhamSt.
Canton, Mass. 02021
Home Phone 828-7266
Office Phone 828-6540
Club Affiliation
Blue Hill Country Club

National Average

Payroll
Payroll Taxes & Employee
Benefits
Course Supplies & Contracts
Repairs to Equipment, Course
Buildings, Water & Drainage
Systems, Etc.
All Other Expenses
Total Golf Course
Maintenance

East Average

$4,653

$4,065

665

1,228
810

655
1,147
658

606

460

$7,962

$6,985

+ 7.4%

+ 6.0%

+10.3%
+13.2%

+ 9.9%
+12.1%

+10.1%
+14.3%

+21.4%

+ 9.3%

+ 8.4%

Percentage Variation 1975 Based on 1974
Payroll
Payroll Taxes & Employee
Benefits
Course Supplies & Contracts
Repairs to Equipment, Course
Buildings, Water & Drainage Systems, Etc.
All Other Expenses
Total Golf Course
Maintenance

+ 8.2%

So you can see that payroll increases for the East are lower than
the average of the nation and our percentage of operating expenses increased more than the average of the nation.
The GCSAA Executive Committee confirmed the appointment
of Clifford A. Wagoner, CGCS, as nominating committee chairman for 1977 at its spring meeting. This notice marks the first call
to Chapters requesting nominations for offices of President, VicePresident, and Director of GCSAA. All nominations must be
received by the Nominating Committee Chairman no later than
September 1, 1976.
"50 Years of Progress" is the theme for the Golden Anniversary
Celebration. The site of the celebration will be Sylvania Country
Club in Toledo, Ohio on September 13, 1976. This is where our
association was founded and a plaque will be presented to the club
and will be permanently mounted on a large stone to commemorate GCSAA's founding at Sylvania Country Club. The
activities for the day will be equipment demonstrations, golf
tournament, and an evening banquet featuring a keynote address
by Arnold Palmer. The golf tournament will be 2 days, September
14 and 15.
Last month I reported that the joint meeting with Rhode Island
superintendents was something new. Actually, this started back
on August 4, 1930 at Agawam Hunt. Somehow the event was
dropped along the way. So here we are 46 years later, reviving the
event and everyone should try and make this meeting. Wayne
Zoppo has planned a super day for us with golf during the day
followed by a clambake in the evening. Don't forget you are
allowed to bring a guest to this meeting. But the day really has a
special event, in that we are honoring three retired members.
James McCormack and Howard Farrant were charter members
when the association was formed in 1924. It was the first
organization of its kind. Elmer Fuller joined in 1926 and is now a
50 year member. To honor these gentlemen and say hello to them
will be a special treat for everyone. I'm sure a lot of old timers are
looking forward to visiting and for the younger people it should be
very interesting meeting these gentlemen who helped our
association back in its beginning. The presentation of plaques will
be made at the regular membership meeting at 10:30 in the
morning. Hope to see everyone there.
Larry Bunn
Newsletter Editor

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

Information contained in this publication 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 context is maintained. We w o u l d appreciate a
credit line.

ourSe

• S u p e r i n t e n d e n / j

~ ^ 5 5 o c i c i t i o n

Mark, Measure and Rate
Heavens knows, the golfer can't do it all...that is, get himself
around the golf course in one scoring piece without a little help.
And why bring this up here? Simple. The golf course superintendent is very much part of a marking, measuring and rating
system which is useful to the member, guest or walk-on golfer in
his daily trials and tribulations with par. It should be added, too,
that the three playing aids add some order to the overall course
and country club picture.
Unfortunately, marking of the course to define hazards, out of
bounds, ground under repair and other consequential aspects of
playing the game have been neglected by a good many green
committees. This is why a brush-up operation is suggested.
Since a number of markers pull a disappearing act at one time
or another and conditions are always on the change, it is a good
idea for all of us to initiate a check system for markers. And while
at it," some uniformity should be installed in the marking
procedure.
For example, how many courses have you encountered where
there is debate raised as to water being a plain water hazard or a
parallel water hazard? Most of the occasions of such frustration
are triggered by the fact the hazard is designated by the same
color marker or not designated at all. Different colored markers
should stand for different rulings...i.e. white stakes for OB,
orange for hazards, red for GUP and so on.
However, the most important phase of the marking responsibility should be periodic checkups of those places designed by
stakes. And this should be more than an annual operation.
Measurement also is essential to the well-being of the golfer's
score and the reputation of the club. Because the USGA has ruled
that it now tolerates fairway measurement markers, all clubs will
benefit by initiating such a system or improving on the present
one.
What should the measurement markers consist of? Good
question and one that doesn't seem to have a conclusive answer.
Some courses have relied on a traditional source of information
to guide golfers in the selection of clubs. There's the rose bush 82
yards from the green at one, the weeping willow adjacent to the
fairway at five that's 220 yards from the center of the putting
surface...and so on. Very nice, if you've played golf there 50
years.
This is far from adequate. The ideal situation would be a
blending of terrain and natural makeup of trees or bushes exactly
150 yards from a point in the fairway to the middle of the targeted
green. The USGA has used 150 yards as a arbitrary figure but
does not insist on it.
One suggestion is to keep with the natural markers (a tree that
has been on the scene for more than a few years). Signs could be
made with the appropriate yardage (even identifying the tree to
add to the aesthetic properties of the sport) and attached thereto
to give the golfer a fighting knowledge of the flight task ahead.
Whatever the method, there should be one. The extreme would
be the insertion of stakes with numbers on them. This should be
avoided, if possible.
On to the rating and here again some inconsistencies are
evident.
Rating of a course should be provided by the state golf
association in which the particular layout resides. However,
ratings should be undertaken by a neutral committee and not
those familiar with the course to be tested.
There have been instances of members contributing to the
rating process of their own course which makes for an unrealistic

First Vice President
WAYNE ZOPPO
9A Village Green North
E. Providence, R.I. 02915
Home Phone 434-1759
Office Phone 434-8512
Club Affiliation
Agawam Hunt

Second Vice President

DEAN ROBERTSON
24 Riverview Drive
Newbury, Mass. 01950
Home Phone 462-4540
Office Phone 254-3678
Club Affiliation
Chestnut Hill Country Club

RONALD KIRKMAN, CGCS
25 Green St.
Needham, Mass. 02192
Home Phone 444-8412
Office Phone 444-5548
Club Affiliation
Needham Golf Club

situation, one that could work both for and against the true difficulty potential of the course. It's like being judged at a beauty
contest in which your wife is one of the contestants.
So, the tasks of marking, measuring and rating are seemingly
in need of review by those powers to be of the course whose
responsibilities include the preservation of the golfer's senses. It
will make for a better game all around.
Gerry Finn

Our host superintendent this month is Wayne Zoppo.
Wayne
is our President of
I the New England Golf Course
' Superintendents'
Association.
| He graduated from Stockbridge
j in 1964. After graduating Wayne
i worked for Richard Blake for 2
{years at Mt. Pleasant CC. In
j1966, Wayne started at Agawam
I Hunt GC. He not only maintains
: 18 holes but is responsible for 12
grass tennis courts, 2 clay
tennis courts, 2 paddle tennis
courts, and 2 indoor tennis
courts. In addition to being
President of our association he
has served as Secretary, and
served as P r e s i d e n t and
Secretary of the Rhode Island
Golf Course Superintendent
Association. Wayne has a great
golf course and has the
reputation of having the fastest
greens in New England. This
should be a good- challenge for
1
all you great putters!
Directions to Agawam Hunt:
From Boston — Take 95 South to Providence, then
take 195 East and go across Washington Bridge into E.
Providence. Take Broadway exit, at bottom of exit
take right. At first light turn right (N. Broadway)
continue through 3 full traffic lights. After the third
light, the club is on the left.
From Cape Cod — Take 195 West to E. Providence
exit. At bottom of exit take right, go through 3 full
traffic lights. After third light, the club is on the left.
From Worcester — Take 146 to 95 in Providence.
Then follow direction from Boston.

Finance Chairman

5
DAVE BARBER
1 Muriel Road
Chelmsford, Mass. 01824
Home Phone 256-4417
Office Phone 358-4882
Club Affiliation
Wavland Country Club

DONALD HEARN
4 Topeka Road
Chelmsford, Mass. 01824
Home Phone 256-8709
Office Phone 894-5906.
Club Affiliation
Weston Golf Club

PAUL JOHNSON
RFD 1 Locust St.
Middleton, Mass. 01949
Home Phone 777-0902
Office Phone 777-1134
Club Affiliation
Ferncrof t Country Club

ARTHUR WASHBURN, CGCS
520 No. Main St.
Cohasset, Mass. 02025
Home Phone 383-9532
Office Phone 383-1870
Club Affiliation
Cohasset Golf Club

MAX MIERZWA
106 Crest wood St.
Chicopee, Mass. 01020
Home Phone 594-4996
Office Phone 592-9540
Club Affiliation
Chicopee Country Club

AL AUGER
3 Andover Rd.
Beverly, Mass. 01915
Home Phone 927-0060
Office Phone 922-8511
Club Affiliation
Folly Hill Country Club

PUate

A l f c o , Inc.
Fertilizers and Chemical Specialties
P. O . Box 2 6 7 , M a r i e t t a , Ohio
Baker T r a c t o r C o r p . , F o r d Tractors
Hariey D a v i d s o n Golf Cars
Swansea, Massachusetts
Chanderlin Seed Co., Inc., Division of
L o f t s Pedigreed Seed, Inc.,
20 Beck R o a d A r l i n g t o n , Mass. 0 2 1 7 4
J o e Moran — R e p .
T h e Charles C. H a r t Seed C o .
Wethersfield, C o n n .
Bob Kennedy, Rep.
Steve H a r t , R e p .
203-529-2537
* T h e Clapper C o .
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 A r c h i t e c t s
F i d d l e r s ' G r e e n , A m h e r s t , Mass. 0 1 0 0 2

George E . Cull
Terra-Green Soil C o n d i t i o n e r
1 1 2 Green St., A b i n g 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 Linden St., F r a m i n g h a m , Mass.
E-Z-Go G o l f Car
Sales - Service - R e n t a l s
Polaris / E - Z - G o N o r t h e a s t
Box 8 1 7
N o r t h F a l m o u t h , Mass. 0 2 5 5 6
F a r m B u r e a u 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
Bus. 8 9 3 - 3 5 7 0 H o m e 7 7 2 - 3 6 0 5

S c o t t s Pro-Turf Div.
R e p . R o n Gagne 7 4 6 - 7 0 0 0
R e p . Allen C u m p s 4 1 3 - 2 5 3 - 2 9 9 5

* Contributors

FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Gold Star Sod F a r m s , Inc.
Sod & Pine Bark Mulch
Canterbury, New Hampshire
1-800-528-5205

D. L . Maher
Box 1 2 7 , C o n c o r d St.
N. R e a d i n g , Mass. 0 1 8 6 4

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 Cen., Mass.

N e w England P o w e r Sweeping Co. Inc.
Parking Lots a n d R o a d w a y s
1 8 7 S o u t h Street
N e e d h a m , Mass. 0 2 1 9 2
J a c k Kidd P h o n e 3 3 2 - 1 4 5 1

Gull Agricultural Service Co.
Allen Bonnell 6 1 7 - 3 6 2 - 2 1 8 1
J o e Silk 6 1 7 - 7 8 4 - 3 9 6 6
55 F r e e m a n R o a d
Y a r m o u t h p o r t , Mass. 0 2 6 7 5

New England Sealcoating Co., Inc.
T e n n i s C o u r t C o n s t , and M a i n t e n a n c e
Sealcoating - H i n g h a m Industrial Center
H i n g h a m , Mass. T e l . 7 4 9 - 3 2 3 6

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 B u n k e r s and Traps

Old F o x Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers - Seeds - T u r f Chemicals
66 Valley Street
East Providence, R h o d e Island 0 2 9 1 4

Irrigation and E q u i p m e n t S u p p l y Co.
6 6 Erna Ave.
P. O. Box 9
Milford, C o n n . 0 6 4 6 0
Tele (203) 8 7 8 - 0 6 5 8
K e n n e t h Barrie C o r p .
2 4 9 Milton S t . D e d h a m , Mass 0 2 0 2 6
Tel. (617) 3 6 4 - 3 3 3 3
* T o m Irwin, Inc.
1 1 B A Street
Burlington, Mass.

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.
Lee Lime C o r p ,
L e e , Mass. (413) 2 4 3 - 0 0 5 3
2 Special Spreaders designed
f o r Golf Courses
R e p . Bill Kershlis 4 1 3 - 2 5 3 - 7 4 8 5
Mallinckrodt, Inc.
S e c o n d a n d Mallinckrodt Streets
St. Louis, Missouri 6 3 1 4 7
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 .

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
L E O N ST. PIERRE
Coordinator
GERRY FINN
Contributing Editor

Scholarshio

Sil Paulini, Inc.
6 Manor A v e n u e
N a t i c k , Mass. 0 1 7 6 0
Richey & C l a p p e r , Inc.
28 R u t l e d g e R o a d
N a t i c k , Mass. 0 1 7 6 0

K a r a n d r e w T u r f F a r m s , Inc.
Sam 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.

to the Lawrence S. Dickinson

P & L Equipment Corp.
Golf Cars & C o m m e r c i a l T u r f E q u i p m e n t
80 L y n d e Street, Melrose, Mass. 0 2 1 7 6
Phone 617-665-5990

Fund

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
38 Fairview St., A g a w a m , Mass. 0 1 0 0 1
Phone 413-786-8600
*Sawtelle B r o t h e r s
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
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
David Sylvester
203-828-3790
White T u r f Engineering
5 S u m m e r Drive, W i n c h e n d o n , Mass. 0 1 4 7 5
617-297-0941
Philip A . Wogan
Golf Course A r c h i t e c t
21 Budleigh Ave., Beverly, Mass.