ourSe Super in ten denIs ^Association
OF

NEW

ENGLAND,

INC

Budget Trend. . .Hold The Line

MAY 1976
Sponsors and administrators of the Lawrence S.
Dickinson Scholarship Fund — A w a r d e d yearly
to deserving Turf Management Students.

If you be a golf course superintendent - club master - ad- prolonged life of equipment and a return to the original state of
ministrator or just plain interested observer, you will find that the the game as positive results of the program.
annual cost of operating ( maintaining) a country club will be the
"That's what it looks like for '76," Crosby concludes. "I think
same as a season ago.
the golfer won't be short-changed, either. I have a lot of conThis should be good news in the light of the fact that for the past fidence in our superintendents."
six seasons the costs have spiraled at an average rate of 12% per
Gerry Finn
year. As for a closer look at the maintenance budget, for which
the superintendent is responsible, a recent study reveals it has
NEXT MEETING
increased 96% between the 1969 and 1975 seasons.
So, the plan this year is to hold the line.
M A Y 3, 1976
The trend to get along with what you have is revealed in a
H A M P D E N COUNTRY CLUB
survey, conducted by the Massachusetts Golf Association. In the
HOST S U P E R I N T E N D E N T — BOB JOHNprocess of coming to a cross-section finding, MGA assistant
executive director Richard A. Crosby polled approximately 60
STON
clubs in the state. Included in his sound-out was a separate
DIRECTOR'S M E E T I N G 9: 30
response from superintendents involved in the budget problem.
M E M B E R S H I P M E E T I N G 11: 00
"There wasn't a percentage sway of five one way or the other,"
LUNCH ( R E S E R V A T I O N S P L E A S E ) 12: 00
Crosby told the Newsletter. "That is, there might have been some
G O L F , after lunch
clubs reporting an increase of five percent and others coming in
E V E N I N G on your own
with a decrease of five percent. The majority seemed to be
holding at the same 1975 figure. It turned into a stabilizing effect."
D I R E C T I O N S : Take Mass Pike west to Palmer
All right, then. How, pray tell, does a superintendent offer the
exit. # 8. Take right f r o m exit and follow to
club member the same well-groomed, hand-fashioned course he
Palmer center. A t center turn right onto route 20
did this season ... at 1975 prices?
(
west) and follow approximately 6 miles to
Crosby thinks there won't be much of a difference in the
Main
Street, Wilbraham ( on left) . This road
finished product. In fact, he flatly states that the subtle changes in
leads directly to golf course which is apthe condition and beauty of the course will fail to catch the eyes of
proximately 8 miles.
the majority of club members.
First, though, he tackles an old tag-on malady in the health
charts of the private country club. Everyone wants his club to be
the best in condition and layout. Pride rises above everything.
Bob Johnston is our host for the M a y meeting.
"I think members are aware of the economic pinch," Crosby
Bob graduated f r o m Stockbridge in 1969. He then
tells. "Most private club people are involved in business and
spent 1 year as assistant for Wayne Ripley at
certainly they have been touched by the present economy. All
they have to do is relate business conditions to club conditions.
Blue Hill Country Club. Bob then went to WinAnd, when they realize the cost involved, they may lose the desire
nisuket Country Club in S. Bellingham, Mass. as
to insist on having their course overwhelm the others, conditionsuperintendent. A f t e r spending 4 years there he
wise."
went to Hampden Country Club and has been
Holding the line on the budget will mean that certain "luxuries"
there since. This is a club we haven't been to and
of golfers will have to be reduced . . . or as the popular superinI'm sure our members are looking f o r w a r d to
tendent comment says . . . "altered".
visiting
Bob and playing his fine golf course.
Examples of cutback in services have already been listed here
in other reports on the cost cycle. However, let's review a few.
Cutting of cups will be reduced. Crosby: "It's foolish to expect
new cups every day of the week."
N E X T M E E T I N G DATES
Cutting of fairways will be sliced. Crosby: "So, the golfer won't
have an automatic 'tee' lie in the fairway! Maybe this will help
JUNE 7
him in the end. Improve his concentration."
Ferncroft Country Club, Superintendent and
Cutting of banks of hazards, tees and other areas will be
reduced. "Here's where about 15 percent of the membership will
Chairman Tournament
notice the difference," Crosby continues. "But, really, these
cutbacks will only affect appearance rather than actual playing
JULY 12
conditions. I really can't distinguish the aesthetic value between a
A g a w a m Hunt
bank with a two-inch cut or one with a three-inch growth."
Joint meeting w i t h Rhode Island Golf Course
With the leveling off of turning the golf course into a carpet
Superintendents
launching pad for birdies, the labor problem could be aided.
Crosby sees a reduction in number of part-time employes,

Q J f (Gourde ^SLper in ten den td ^IdSocia

tion

The Bad Seed Decision
An arbitrary phase-out of open-field burning in Oregon has
created a crisis in the grass seed business.
Dr. Fred Grau of the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council foresees
a gradual deterioration of all grasses because of the inferior seeds
produced without open-field burning. In turn, he fears a low yield
of seeds in general which would skyrocket prices.
In a letter to Oregon Governor, Robert Straub, Dr. Grau notes
the damaging results of projected elimination of open-field
burning - a process that enhances the regermination of grass
seeds and rids the ground of stubble. The burning cuts down on the
introduction of new diseases and the control of old ones. It is the
backbone phase of the grass seed growing business.
Dr. Grau cites: "If the seed industry in Oregon is forced to shut
down because of these arbitrary regulations, we will be forced to
buy from less reliable sources. One bag of weedy, low-quality
seed - once planted - will take years to correct. And we would
like to reduce our dependence on chemicals for weed control."
The experience with other sources of so-called high-grade seed
has been a disaster for Dr. Grau and the people with which he is
associated. "We have had hard times coming out of this," he
reports. "We get unidentifiable and undesirable varieties; too
many weeds that we never had before, more new diseases and too
much inert matter."
So, Dr. Grau is concerned... more than that.
However, Steve Hart of the Hart Seed Company is even more
fearful of the open-field burning ban. "It could be the death knell
of an industry," he warns.
The ban is ecology-inspired. Oregon is very environmentallyminded ... as are most of the states in the Pacific Northwest. And
this is what alarms Hart even more.
"The bulk of the seed production in the country takes place in
Oregon, Washington and Idaho," Hart reveals. "If Oregon puts a
ban on open-field burning, what's to stop the others from doing the
same thing? It certainly is something to think about."
The ban has taken the form of a scaled-down implementation in
a gradual phasing out of the process. The drop in production of the
rich grasses - associated with the Oregon product - will also
come gradually. With the complete elimination of burning, the
decrease could fall to as low as 50% yield before the ban took
effect.
The seed-growing industry in Oregon has offered to take steps
to comply with environmental-saving standards but cannot
survive with such demanding restrictions as the open-field burning ban. In its business endeavors, it has contributed to erosioncontrol and genera! beautification of the state. Thus, it is strange
to see the state government implement such a drastic measure as
the burning ban.
There has been talk of switching to an incinerator type of
burning rather than open field. However, the industry has found
that this would be too costly. "Virtually impossible," is the finding.
So, what does the grass industry and people - dependent on it
( which amounts to everyone) - do? "I would hope that as many
persons as possible would drop a letter to Gov. Straub of Oregon
( State Capitol, Salem, Oregon 97303) suggesting to him that the
ban on open-field burning creates a serious problem," Dr. Grau
says. "I think that every person is affected by it, even though he
may not be directly involved in turf. Grass is a part of our environment ... on golf courses, athletic fields, playgrounds, parks,
home lawns. It is the concern of all."
First Vice President
W A Y N E 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 Pnone 462-4540
Office Phone 254-3678
Club Affiliation
Chestnut H i l l Country Club

RONALD K I R K M A N , CGCS
25 Green St.
Needham, Mass. 02192
Home Phone 444-8412
Office Phone 444-5548
Club Affiliation
Needham Golf Club

Sounds like a bad seed decision. Hopefully, it will be converted
into a good one by banning the ban.
Gerry Finn

Left to Right: Paul Johnson, Phil Dubie,
Bunn, Neal Wendall.

Larry

RESULTSOFTHE APRIL
GOLF T O U R N A M E N T
F i r s t Place

Neal Wendall
Paul Johnson
Phil Dubie
L a r r y Bunn

Best Ball Handicap
Score of 60

Second Place Bill Carter
Best Ball Handicap
Lennie Blodgett Score of 60
Dave Loker
Julie Aksten
T h i r d Place

Mel O ' K e l l y
Best Ball Handicap
John Petriatis Score of 62
Doug Johnson
Nary Sperandio

The tie for f i r s t place was broken by matching
cards.

J

Finance Chairman
DAVE BARBER
1 Muriel Road .
Chelmsford, Mass. 01824
Home Phone 256-4417
Office Phone 358-4882

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

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

ARTHUR W A S H B U R N , CGCS
520 No. M a i n 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

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

O F

TO BE V O T E D ON A T N E X T M E E T I N G
Gerald Richardson, Associate Member
M a y n a r d Country Club
E l m i r o Silva, Associate Member
Belmont Country Club
Stephan Koziak, Associate Member
Oxford Country Club

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 as a new member Robert
Barber of Wayland Country Club. A number of us know Bob
already, as he is the brother of Dave Barber our Secretary. I'm
sure Bob will be an active member for our association. The April
meeting was a terrific start for our outdoor season. Charlie
Gardner, host superintendent at Oyster Harbor Country Club, had
an excellent course to play, a fine lunch, and the people of his club
offered us excellent hospitality. If you didn't make the meeting
you missed out on a great time There are a few things that
should be improved on by our members. Charlie received 44
reservations for lunch. Seven did not show! In addition to that, a
total of 57 did eat! That can make it very hard for the host
superintendent and his club. Fortunately Charlie and Oyster
Harbor Country Club were able to compensate for the extra
people. I think it is only proper, that if you have a last minute
change to call the host superintendent and let him know your
plans.
Brian Cowan our golf chairman does a tremendous job in
running our golf tournaments. However, we as members need to

Solf Chairman
BRIAN C O W A N
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
145 Dedham St.
Canton, Mass. 02021
Home Phone 828-7266
Office Phone 828-6540
Club Affiliation
Blue Hill Country Club

Past President
T H O M A S CURRAN
Fox Chase Rd.
South Sutton, N . H . 03273
Home Phone 938-5436
Office Phone 863-4500

NEW

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

be more courteous and help make things easier for Brian. After
all he would like to enjoy the day also. First of all when you arrive
tell Brian if you are playing golf so he can make up the parings for
the tournament. When he reads off the teams, please wait til all
teams are announced! The last meeting after 3 or 4 teams were
announced people started heading for the first tee. It was mass
confusion and very hard for those waiting to hear what team they
were on. Brian will announce what tee each group will start on, so
please be patient and above all please remain quiet until he is
through. Brian also needs to explain what type of tournament you
are playing. Each team captain should keep all scores and total
each score of those playing on his team. Finally, the team captain
should mark his team score on the card and sign the score card
along with another member of his team. If it is a handicap tournament figure the score with the handicap. All the handicaps of
the members of your team will be provided before you start. With
a little co-operation from everyone there will be less confusion
and more fun for everybody....
It was nice to see some of the "old timers" at the meeting. Ed
Finney was present and Ed has been a member since 1927.... Hope
to see more of the older members this season. There was a
discussion on the dues increase by the GCSAA. Dues will go up
from $ 65 to $ 90 this coming year. Some felt it was too much of an
increase at one time. It was pointed out that this was the first dues
increase by the GCSAA in 6 or 7 years. Everyone is well aware of
the rising costs over this period of time. The vote at the GCSAA
membership meeting in Minneapolis was in favor of the increase
by a large majority. It was pointed out, that in the future, some
consideration be given to smaller increases over shorter periods
of time may be easier to cope with. It was also pointed out that
only 1 out of every 5 superintendents was a member of GCSAA.
Members of GCSAA should make every effort to try and interest a
fellow superintendent in joining GCSAA.... President Wayne
Zoppo has appointed Art Washburn to study our present bylaws.
A number of members feel there are some bylaws that need a
change.... There was a lot of talk about ice damage from the
winter. A number of golf courses had damage. Those that have
the damage reported greens with poor drainage, greens with
pocket areas, and greens in shaded areas suffered the most
damage. Unless these areas are sodded, golfers will have to be
patient for the damaged areas to return to its normal condition....
I visited with Jim Fitzroy who is in the Quincy Hospital with injuries from an automobile accident. Jim received a broken hip,
cuts, and bruises. He is in traction and will remain in the hospital
for another 4 or 5 weeks. If you're in the area try and stop in to see
Jim. I am sure he would like your company. If you can't make it
send a card or letter. He'll be glad to hear from you.... Brian
Cowan is lookiing for courses for a meeting in August and
November. If your course is available and you would like to host a
meeting call Brian.... Had a discussion at dinner with 8
superintendents after the last meeting on pay that summer help
received. The low starting salary was $ 2.30 per hour to a high of
$ 3.00 per hour. The average starting pay for summer help was
$ 2.60 per hour. Pay for summer help who returned each year or
experienced help ranged from a low of $ 2.75 to a high of $ 3.30
per hour. Their average pay was $ 3.00 per hour. This may give
you an idea what other superintendents pay at their club.... Hope
to see as many of you as possible at Hampden Country Club May
3. Please try and remember to make last minute changes with the
host superintendent if necessary. Also, try to be a little more
helpful to our golf chairman and his committee.
Larry Bunn
Newsletter Editor
Information contained in this publication may be used
freely, in whole or in part, without special permission as long
as the true context is maintained. We would appreciate a
credit line.

PCeate

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 — R e p .
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 H o m e 772-3605
Scotts Pro-Turf Div.
Rep. R o n Gagne 746-7000
R e p . Allen Cumps 413-253-2995

FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Gold Star Sod Farms, Inc.
Sod & Pine Bark Mulch
Canterbury, New Hampshire
1-800-528-5205
Grounds Equipment Co., Inc.
383 Boylston St., Newton Cen., Mass.
Gull Agricultural Service Co.
Allen Bonnell 6 1 7 - 3 6 2 - 2 1 8 1
Joe Silk 6 1 7 - 7 8 4 - 3 9 6 6
55 Freeman Road
Yarmouthport, Mass. 02675
Holliston Sand C o m p a n y , Inc.
Lowland Street, Holliston, Mass. 01746
Sand for Golf Bunkers and Traps
Irrigation & Equipment Supply Co.
P. O. Box 147 R o u t e 1
Walpole, Mass. 02081
Tel. 617-668-7814
Kenneth Barrie Corp.
249 Milton St. Dedham, Mass 0 2 0 2 6
Tel. (617) 3 6 4 - 3 3 3 3
*Tom Irwin, Inc.
1 I B A Street
Burlington, Mass.
Karandrew Turf Farms, Inc.
Sam Mitchell, Sales Representative
15 Longmeadow Drive, Canton, Mass.
Larchmont Irrigation Co.
Larchmont Ln., Lexington, Mass.
Lee Lime Corp.
Lee, Mass. (413) 243-0053
2 Special Spreaders designed
for Golf Courses
Rep. Bill Kershlis 413-253-7485
Mallinckrodt, Inc.
Second and Mallinckrodt Streets
St. Louis, Missouri 63147
Magovern C o m p a n y , Inc.
Lawn Acre Road
Windsor Lock, Conn.

* Contributors to the Lawrence S. Dickinson Scholarship Fund

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

D. L. Maher
Box 127, Concord St.
N. Reading, Mass. 0 1 8 6 4
New England Power Sweeping Co. Inc.
Parking Lots and Roadways
187 South Street
Needham, Mass. 02192
Jack Kidd Phone 332-1451
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 02914
P & L Equipment Corp.
Golf Cars & Commercial Turf Equipment
80 Lynde Street, Melrose, Mass. 021 76
Phone 617-665-5990
Sil Paulini, Inc.
6 Manor Avenue
Natick, Mass. 01760
Richey & Clapper, Inc.
28 Rutledge Road
Natick, Mass. 0 1 7 6 0
Trencher & Equipment Leasing, Inc.
Ditch Witch Trenchers
38 Fairview St., Agawam, Mass. 0 1 0 0 1
Phone 413-786-8600
*Sawtelle Brothers
565 Humphrey Street
Swampscott, Mass.
Tel. 6 1 7 / 5 9 9 4 8 5 6
Tuco Products Co.
Division of the Upjohn Company
Kalamazoo, Michigan
David Sylvester
203-828-3790
White Turf Engineering
5 Summer Drive, Winchendon, Mass. 01475
617-297-0941
Philip A. Wogan
Golf Course Architect
21 Budleigh Ave., Beverly, Mass.