JUNE 1976
ourSe
OF

Japt
Superin
N E W

tenclenti

E N G L A N D ,

\iociation
I N C

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

Grass Greener on the Other Side?
What makes the grass greener on the other side?
To the seasoned golf course superintendent, the variables for
such a situation are incalculable. Weather, budgets, timing,
budgets, luck, budgets. And, oh yes, budgets.
What brings about the mere mention of club members looking
to greener pastures - in most cases going no farther than their
living rooms - is the reverse influx of televised golf on the whole
course conditioning picture.
The television scene beams into Augusta and the site of the
famed Masters Tournament. There the viewer sees the
manicured, finished product at its glowing best. The Augusta
National Golf Course serves as a monument to tender care. Its
fairways are made of broadloom, it appears. Its greens are as
"smooth as a baby's e a r " -- as the TV commercial goes. Tees are
immaculate. Roughs are cut back as if tapered by a hair stylist.
In a word, the course is perfect.
Now, the scene switches to the viewer's home course and,
naturally, the grass on the other side of the fence, ( six or seven
states to the other side) is greener. And the viewer, who happens
to be a member, wonders out loud: "Why can't we have a course
like Augusta National?"
All right, sir. It's possible. F i r s t of all, you would have to
transport the Georgia spring to New England - no small feat in
itself. Now, you must complement the present working force of
your own course with 20 to 30 men. Next, you throw in twenty or
thirty thousand dollars for materials and special equipment. And,
there you have i t . . . Augusta National on wheels!
Oh, oh. There was a forget-me-not omitted up there. In order
to have the manpower of a television course supplied with a most
important additive - time, you close down your course for two
weeks. That's to make for perfect grooming conditions. Workers
don't have time to wait for golfers on their merry rounds. They,
not the members, must have the grounds to themselves.
Such a situation among members has been on the upswing over
the past several years. The popularity of the weekend golf tournament beamed into the golfer's den or rec room has given the
member a chance to exaggerate his expectations about the
condition of his own course. "It happens every spring in Augusta,
why not here?" This is becoming the first sign of spring and the
club m e m b e r . . . in the eyes of the course superintendent.
And, just as ridiculous a thought as bringing Augusta National
closer to home, is the fact that the average budget in the New
England golfing environs hasn't increased in the last five years.
While the member takes the super to task for not providing him
the penthouse conditions of Augusta National, he is all for holding
the line on budgets and suggesting cutbacks in manpower, not to
mention a moratorium on the purchase of new and better
equipment.
"It may sound like we're a bunch of cry babies," one super told
after being exposed to the TV course routine. "But, I feel the club
member must be made aware of the behind-the-scenes picture at
the courses where televised tour tournaments are held. I'd be
willing to bet my reputation . . . and my job . . . that I could
produce the same kind of playing conditions if I had the constant
flow of weather and money which goes into the priming of
Augusta National."

To be candid about the whole thing, club members should look
away from the TV screen and return to reality. This is New
England, the dawn of spring on the calendar and - for the most
part - a tight money situation when it comes to financing mantenance programs. It is not possible to have an Augusta National
in Newton, Longmeadow or anywhere else in this locale.
Sure, the grass is greener on the other side. And the water is
bluer and warmer in Miami in December. As far as we are concerned, Augusta National is for enjoying, but only through the TV
tube.
Gerry Finn

ourSe Superintendent

ociati on

Max and the March Madness
The day-or rather the night of infamy in Max Mierzwa's life
struck a crushing blow to the Chicopee Country Club. The date
was March 16 and Max can bring it to a precise countdown of
11: 27 p.m.
At that hour a fire of mysterious origin did a complete wipeout
job on the maintenance building at the municipal layout-rated as
one of the best of its kind in New England. Nothing was saved
...equipment, materials, Max's valuable maintenance records
and some personal items that can't be replaced.
Mierzwa, who has been the superintendent at Chicopee since its
inception, tells that the heat from the blaze was so intense it
warped steel beams and columns.
"The whole thing is all the more harder to take because of its
suspicious nature, "-Max remarks. "We had two space heaters in
the building and two propane gas tanks outside. The heaters were
checked and had no leaks. And the gas tanks were untouched. So,
you can put two and two together and come out with arson.''
Compounding the disaster has been a delay in settlement with
the insurance company protecting the building. "I've been going
through so much red tape over this I'm dizzy," Max spiels. "The
cause of the fire is one thing holding up a settlement. And then
there's the paper work in determining depreciation and what not.
It's discouraging."
Mierzwa says the fire set back the opening of the course at least
two weeks. But, more important, it has placed him in an awkward
position in his conditioning program. "You never know how
important a maintenance building is until you have to operate
without one," Max reveals. "I am using two trailers at the
present. But they hardly are the answer. We have to take starting
devices out of all machinery at night and even take some things
home with us. The situation is a gold mine for vandals. So, that's
another thing to worry about."
While the factor of operating under a municipal setup is a
natural setback when such a catastrophe occurs, Max discloses
that the city of Chicopee came through with an emergency grant
of $ 11,000 that helped him rise from the ashes. "The city fathers
have to be praised for that," Mierzwa remarks. "It was rough for
them because the city is in a financial bind."
Rough wasn't the word for Max's state. "It was impossible", he

cracks. "But I took my four permanent workers aside, had a
conference with an exchange of ideas on how to tackle the
problem and we rolled up our sleeves to get things moving."
Coming to Max's aid were the Toro and Jacobsen people. "I
have to say both have been great in this crisis," Mierzwa explains. "They have been lending me equipment right along. But
storage is the biggest headache. Those two trailers can hold just
so much."
Consequently Mierzwa has had to whip Chicopee into shape
with half the ordinary equipment. "Instead of two fairway units,
we had to work with one," he tells. "And it was like that all the
way down the line. I'm really hurting because of the lack of a
maintenance building."
Despite the adverse working conditions, Mierzwa has managed
to come up with another banner opening of the Chicopee layout. "I
must be blessed," he manages a laugh. "But I think we might be
in as good shape this year as we ever have been at this time of the
season. I only hope I can survive under these conditions the rest of
the year. And it looks as though I'll have to be with the settlement
delay and all. I'm only glad that no one was hurt in the fire. You
can replace all the other things. But a human life, that's
something out of your hands."
So, Mierzwa toils on after a shocking experience. "Rub of the
green," he grins. And a bad rub at that, Max. You certainly have
some long putts coming after this!
Gerry Finn

Paul Johnson is our host for the
June meeting. Paul started
working on golf courses at
Whaling City in New Bedford
where he grew up. He
graduated from the 2 year
program at Stockbridge School
of Agriculture in 1965. Paul then
worked at White Cliffs for 5
years and in the fall of 1970
came to Ferncroft Country
Club. This Robert Trent Jones
designed course is considered
one of the finest courses in New
England. This is the third time
in the last four years Paul has
been our host which shows you
how popular Ferncroft Country
Club is with the association.
Paul serves our association as a
T r u s t e e on the Board of
Directors. Make plans to attend, this promises to be an
enjoyable day for all.

TO BE VOTED ON AT NEXT MEETING
Neil Wendell, Assistant Member
Highland Country Club
Bruce Carlson, Regular Member
Heather Hill Golf Course

First Vice President
W A Y N E ZOPPO
9 A V i l l a g e Green North
E. Providence, R.I. 02915
H o m e Phone 434-1759
Office Phone 434-8512
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Agawam Hunt

Second Vice President

R O N A L D K I R K M A N , CGCS
D E A N ROBERTSON
25 Green St.
24 Riverview D r i v e
Needham, Mass. 02192
N e w b u r y , Mass. 01950
H o m e Phone 444-8412
H o m e Phone 462-4540
Office Phone 444-5548
Office Phone 254-3678
Club Affiliation
Club Affiliation
Chestnut H i l l C o u n t r y C l u b Needham Golf Club

rustee

!
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
Wavland Country Cluh

DONALDHEARN
4 Topeka Road
Chelmsford. Mass, 01824
H o m e Phone 256-8709
Office Phone 894-5906.
Club Affiliation
W e s t o n Goif 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 Affiliation
Ferncroft Country Club

Trustee
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 A f f i l i a t i o n
Cohasset Golf Club

T

Finance Chairman
MAX MIERZWA
106 Crestwood 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 Club

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 A f f i l i a t i o n
Folly Hill Country Club

OF

NEWSLETTER NOTES
This column will be used for the purpose of communication
between the members of Golf Course Superintendents Association
of New England, Golf Course Superintendents Association of
America, and the golfing public. It can be of benefit to all through
the exchange of ideas and experiences. It is here for you to express yourself on your thoughts and ideas. In doing this, out of
necessity, there will be conflicting opinions. However, through
discussion solutions can be drawn that will be in the best interest
of the members, the associations, and the game of golf. Any letter
with the request, will be printed without the name and address of
the writer. Contents of this column do not necessarily reflect the
opinion of the editor or the Newsletter Committee. So whether
you're a superintendent, club official, commercial salesman, or a
member of the golfing public, let us here from you. Respond to
Newsletter Editor, 145 Dedham St., Canton, Mass. 02021.
We welcome to our association 3 new associate members. They
are Gerald Richardson from Maynard Country Club, Elmiro Silva
from Belmont Country Club, and Stephan Koziak from Oxford
Country Club. Hope to see all of you at future meetings.
Would like to pass on our respects to the family of Dan Keefe
who died several weeks ago. Mr. Keefe was Golf Professional at
Eastward Ho on Cape Cod. Mr. Keefe was very well known in the
golfing circles of New England and a friend of the superintendent.
Received a card from Jim Fitzroy who was in the hospital
recovering from injuries he received in an automobile accident.
Jim left Quincy Hospital April 23 and will be spending some time
at home. He hopes to start work on a part time basis very shortly .
. . I have received a letter from Fred Grau of The Pennsylvania
Turfgrass Council and W. Scott Lamb, Executive Secretary of the
Oregon Seed Council who would like to pass on an appreciation of
thanks to Gerry Finn who wrote an article in the April Newsletter
entitled "The Bad Seed Decision". The article was about the
arbitrary phase-out of open-field burning in Oregon. They would
like to remind you to drop a letter to Governor Straub, State
Capitol, Salem, Oregon 97303 explaining he is destroying a very
vital industry not only of Oregon, but of the world.
There was discussion at the last meeting about making a new
classification for membership in our association for the person
who is a superintendent now, but does not have the total number
of years as a superintendent and/or number of years of education.
As the bylaws now read a regular member must be a superin-

Golf Chairman
BRIAN C O W A N
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 A f f i l i a t i o n
Eastward Ho C o u n t r y C l u b

Educational C h a i r m a n
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 A f f i l i a t i o n
The C o u n t r y C l u b

Newsletter C h a i r m a n
LARRY B U N N
145 Dedham St.
Canton, Mass. 02021
H o m e Phone 828-7266
Office Phone 828-6540
Club Affiliation
Blue H i l l 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

NEW

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

tendent for at least 5 years. An associate member must be a
superintendent for at least 3 years. A superintendent having a
Bachelor of Science degree in Agrostology, Agronomy, Plant
Pathology shall be eligible to become an associate member. A
superintendent having an associate degree in turf management
will receive 2 years work experience credit towards an associate
membership. A new classification would eliminate the waiting
period for these people. A number of people feel we not only need
new members, but should open our doors to people who are employed as superintendents. In the long run it would be of benefit to
our profession . . . There was discussion on the SuperintendentPro tournament. If the super is not a member of the Golf Course
Superintendents' Association of New England he must present a
handicap card from his club or association. If a card is not
presented he will have to play from scratch. . . Dr. Troll and
Robert Carrow, Ass't. Professor from Stockbridge attended the
last meeting. They are planning to have booths at the turf conference next year. Dr. Troll also noted that 32 students attained
jobs this year upon graduating from Stockbridge. That says a lot
for the reputation Stockbridge has in our profession and the work
Dr. Troll and Professor Carrow do with the students. Also a
reminder that the U. of Mass. Field Day will be held on Wednesday, July 28, with a rain date on Thursday, July 29.
For those of you who did not attend the last meeting at Hampden Country Club where Bob Johnston was the host superintendent, missed another great time. Even though the weather
could have been better, everyone had a good time"hashing overall
the problems." This was our first visit to Hampden Country Club
and everyone was very impressed with the golf course. The lunch
that was served was outstanding! The golf was limited to just 9
holes for most, due to the rain. Some of the fellows stayed around
and played the other 9 in the evening. Brian Cowan, golf chairman, made the right decision calling the tournament after 9 holes
due to the weather. The results of the tournament was a tie between 3 teams. There were so many winners it would take too
much room to list them all. We certainly hope Bob will invite us
back again when the weather is more cooperative.
Some thoughts while watching the Pro tournaments on T.V.
Seems a lot of the new pros play exceptionally slow. The major
theme of the Mass. Golf Association this year is to speed up play.
This subject also draws a lot of concern across the United States. I
think both sides, the pro and the member of the golfing public,
need to improve their attitudes toward this matter. Naturally, a
great number of golfers pick up their mannerisisms from watching all that money and not he, the member of the golfing public.
Then again, the pro most realize the influence he has on the
member of the golfing public. If there is any way he can help the
game of golf, which provides him his living, he should be more
than willing to help. Today, slow play is hurting the game of golf
and everyone has to help correct the problem.
The July meeting at Agawam Hunt will be a joint meeting with
the Rhode Island Golf Course Superintendents Association. This
is something new and everyone is looking forward to the occasion.
At this meeting, we will be honoring two charter members and
one 50 year member of the Golf Course Superintendents
Association of New England. James McCormack and Howard
F a r r a n t were charter members when the organization was formed in 1924.
It was then called Greenkeepers Club of New
England. Elmer Fuller joined in 1926 and now has been a member
for 50 years These 3 gentlemen will be honored at the July
meeting, so make plans to attend. It should be a very good time
for all. See you at Ferncroft Country Club on June 7.
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 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.

P C e a t e f t a f o o t U j e FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

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
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Massachusetts

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

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
New England Power Sweeping C o . I n c .
Parking Lots and 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 K i d d Phone 332-1451

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

Gull Agricultural Service Co.
Allen Bonnell 6 1 7 - 3 6 2 - 2 1 8 1
J o e Silk 617—784-3966
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 C e n t e r
H i n g h a m , Mass. Tel. 7 4 9 - 3 2 3 6

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

Holliston Sand C o m p a n y , Inc.
L o w l a n d S t r e e t , H o l l i s t o n , Mass. 0 1 7 4 6
Sand for Golf B u n k e r s a n d T r a p s

Old F o x Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers — Seeds — T u r f Chemicals
66 Valley Street
East P r o v i d e n c e , R h o d e Island 0 2 9 1 4

Irrigation a n d E q u i p m e n t S u p p l y Co.
66 E r n a Ave.
P. O . Box 9
Milford, C o n n . 0 6 4 6 0
Tele (203) 8 7 8 - 0 6 5 8

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 S t r e e t , Melrose, Mass. 0 2 1 7 6
Phone 617-665-5990

K e n n e t h Barrie C o r p .
2 4 9 Milton St. D e d h a m , Mass 0 2 0 2 6
Tel. (617) 3 6 4 - 3 3 3 3

Sil Paulini, Inc.
6 M a n o r Avenue
Natick, Mass. 0 1 7 6 0

* 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 G r e e n 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 Golf Car
Sales - Service - R e n t a l s
Polaris / E-Z-Go 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

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

• T o m Irwin, Inc.
1 1 B A Street
Burlington, Mass.
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.
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 Corp.
Lee, Mass. (413) 2 4 3 - 0 0 5 3
2 Special Spreaders designed
for 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 .

to the Lawrence S. Dickinson

Scholarship

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 the 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.

Fund

First Class
U. S. Postage

PAID
Maynard, M A

FIRST C L A S S

Canton, Mass. 02021
Home Phone 828-7266
Office Phone 828-6540
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Btue Hill Country Club
DONALD HEARN
Business Manager
L E O N ST. PIERRE
Co-ordinator
GERRY FINN
Contributing} Editor

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