APRIL, 1977
ourAe
OF

Superintendents
NEW

E N G L A N D ,

^AAocLatton

Sponsors a n d administrators of the Lawrence S.
Dickinson Scholarship Fund — A w a r d e d yearly
to deserving Turf M a n a g e m e n t Students.

INC.

No Hit or "Ms" Idea

A lady golfer swooped down on us recently. She had some very
constructive suggestions for golf course superintendents and even
shot a 1000-watt idea at the architectural wing of the ancient
sport.
Ms. Kay Kennedy, a member of the golf staff at John's Island
(Vero Beach, Florida), was well received, too, as one of the
featured speakers at the highly successful Massachusetts Turf
Conference.
Perhaps the most striking theme in her message to the
superintendents was a catchy dictum - "clean up when you can't
green up." Ms. Kennedy referred directly to the uncooperative
growing winter supers in Florida experienced this year. "The
grass was browned out," she disclosed, "and the superintendents
were not about to bring them back that quickly. So, what they did
was to clean up the courses, go on a kind of spring cleaning detail.
For the women, it was well worthwhile. After all, the woman
golfer notices those things much more than do men. She is always
aesthetic minded in viewing the course."
According to Ms. Kennedy, who aspires to a career in golf ("I
want to learn every phase of the game because I'm genuinely
interested in it."), the physical makeup of most golf courses as
such that it is the least noticed by women. "The hardest thing to
relate to for a woman is the playability of the course," she told a
packed house in Springfield's Civic Center. "And it is in this area
where perhaps some changes can be made to accommodate her."
Length of the golf course seems to be the burning issue here.
"It's very difficult for a woman to really enjoy the game when she
can hit the ball only 90 to 110 yards and has to play 380-yard parfour holes," Ms. Kennedy offered. "Not only that, some of the
hazards in front of tees make golf a back-breaker for the gal. I've
seen some holes where the woman would have to hit her Sundaybest drive to clear a pond. That's not fun; it's murder!"
The suggestion to alter modern courses in such a manner as to
make the golf round more pleasurable for the fair sex seems to
make sense. In fact, Bill Robinson - another member of Dr.
Joseph Troll's outstanding conference panel - agreed with Ms.
Kennedy's appeal to logic.
Robinson is a golf course architect. He has built some monsters
in his time, along with partner Geoffrey Cornish.But he has only
comfortable layouts on his mind these days. "The time of the big,
7000-yard course has passed," Robinson declared. "They have
become economically unsound, both from a standpoint of construction and maintenance. Then, too, the average member
thinks they're for the birds. . . er, I mean, bogies. Because that's
what they are for the typical club golfer."
The tee markers should be changed to four sets. This is how
Robinson would get the women into the ball park with the men. "I
don't think there's any need for a woman to have to play a course
up there in the 6000-yard range," Robinson explained. "I'd say the
ideal yardage would be in the 5000 to 5400 range. And in order to
achieve this balance, all we have to do is move the markers to
spots from where the woman is able to reach the normal landing
area."
The Robinson theory of equating the game for the woman. . as
well as the average and high handicap playing man . . has merit.
"All should be in an area where they can hit the same type of
approach shot to the green," Robinson opined. "Why should a
woman have to hit into a green with a three-wood when the green

is designed to accept shots in the seven-iron range?"
The markers should not be labeled "men, women", but instead
should carry the tag of "short, regular, long and championship."
Robinson realizes that prestige comes into play in reducing
yardage. However, the strategic placing of tee markers will be
such that all types of abilities are accommodated. "Besides,"
Robinson quips, "the member who supports the club the most is
the 12 and over handicapper. He's the one we should be concerned
about... he and the woman golfer.''
Golf for women, then, has room for improvement. . . from its
physical aspect or the golf course. "Ladies are sick of wearing out
their woods on the course," Ms. Kennedy concluded. "Just to be
able to hit an iron into the green is the greatest feeling."
Gerry Finn

Brian Cowan (left) of Eastward Ho receiving his plaque for completing the requirements of a Certified Golf Course Superintendent from Mel Lucas, a Director of
G.C.S.A.

Dr. Joseph Troll (left) of Stockbridge
School of Agriculture at U. receiving a
check for research from Wayne Zoppo,
President of G.C.S.A. New England.

NEXT MEETING
Date April 11,1977
Place Eastward Ho, Cape C u d
Regular Membership Meeting 10:30 a.m.
Lunch 11:30 a.m.
Golf Shot Gun start at 12:30 p.m.
Our host for this month is Brian Cowan. Brian is a
graduate of Stockbridge School of Agriculture. He has
worked at Spring Valley C. C. and spent 2 years as
assistant at Eastward Ho under Louis Kent before
faking over as superintendent, a position he has held
for the last 7 years. He has been a board member of our
association for the last 3 years serving as golf chairman.
Just recently Brian has become a Certified Golf Course
Superintendent. This is one of the finest golf courses on
Cape Cod and I ' m sure our membership w i l l enjoy
the course.
Directions: Rte. 6 to exit 11 to Rte. 137. Left on Rte.
137 for 50 yards to Pleasant Bay Road. Pleasant Bay
Road to Rte. 28. Right on Rte. 28 to club. Golf course on
left after Pleasant Bay.

Club:

JOB OPENING

Send Resume to:

M i l t o n Hoosic Golf Club
Canton, Mass.
M r . Peter H. Powell
191 Old Farm Road
M i l t o n , Mass. 02186

ourde .Superintendents

-^Adociation

Central Park in Carolina

There are some mornings in Pinehurst when he thinks he's back
in New York which, in reality, is tucked miles and miles away in
his past.
"Yeah, sometimes I walk down the streets at Pinehurst and get
the feeling I'm in Central Park," Bob DePencier laughs. "It's not
that insane a feeling, either. The same guy who designed Central
Park designed the town of Pinehurst and the first golf course
there."
Thus, DePencier does get to touch the old green grass of home
now and then in his position of Golf Course Manager for the
sprawling North Carolina complex. Frankly, it's the biggest job of
its kind in the country.
Pinehurst has five courses in play now. A sixth is under construction and five more are on the drawing board. The
Diamondhead Corporation, which owns the massive golf community, also has interest in seven other courses around the United
States.
DePencier is an administrator first. "I have two superintendents working for me," he tells. "And right under them are
eight foremen. The crew size runs 46 in the winter and 80 at our
peak times. But, really, I'm a superintendent at heart. In fact, I
do all the talking with the owners and handle all the complaints.
Busy? Sure I am. But I am very happy in Pinehurst. It was an
immediate love affair."
There was slight hesitation in DePencier's acceptance cells
when he first contemplated the move from the Westchester Golf
Club to Pinehurst. He had been at Westchester for six years,
grown used to the big city life and appointments. "That's the only
second thought I had about leaving New York," he reveals. "I
realized there would be a change in two types of climate - weather
and social. But those thoughts were quickly forgotten once I
started my new job. The challenge is something else. So far, I've
been able to meet it."
One of the "headaches" of most superintendents - the bringing
up and loving care of golf cars - is something DePencier doesn't
have to be concerned with... at the moment. There are only 485 of
the mechanized monsters at Pinehurst. "That's the pro's
responsibility," DePencier sighs. "But I'll have them at the new
course. It's five miles away from the rest, so I guess I've been
elected."
Another asset for DePencier is that Carolina climate . . .
especially at the Pinehurst golf belt. "It's the best area in the

South to grow Bermuda grass," he explains. "The hotter it gets,
the better it is. So, our courses are in good condition most of the
time. I really haven't had too many problems along those lines . . .
nothing like the transitional zone up around Washington where it's
too cold for Bermuda and too hot for the northern grasses. Now
there's a place where I wouldn't like to work."
Pinehurst's spring season got underway March 1. It runs
through June and is the heavy tourism time. Because of the
unusually cold and balky winter in the North, Pinehurst was a
little busier than normal in February. "But," DePencier adds,
"we had it chilly, too. There was a little more traffic. When it's all
over, we'll have had the same 165,000 rounds or so of golf played
this year."
DePencier had the Westchester Classic to worry about when he
was there and now he has the new "Colgate-Palmolive Hall of
Fame Classic" at Pinehurst - an offshoot of the World Tournament. "We drew 80,000 lastyear," he discloses. "We don't have
much of a metropolitan population to draw from but I think we'll
do well with the new event. It's played the third week in August
and I don't expect any turf problems. Oh, we'll close the No. 2
course a month before . . . but that's just for publicity and
psyching the players. We don't need anytime to pump up that
course. It's ready for tournaments at all times. Hell, we play
summer rules 12 months a year."
So, Pinehurst is in good hands. DePencier appears to have
made the jump without touching the ground once. Central Park in
Carolina . . . sounds catchy and sounds like its golf course
manager has caught on solidly there.
Gerry Finn
PORTLAND GOLF COURSE TOUR

Elmira Silva,
Belmont C.C.

Phvliss and Nary Sperandio of Concord
C.C. (left and Barbara and Larry Bunn of
Blue Hill C.C. (right),

Bert Frederick (left) from Vesper C.C.
and Brian Cowan (right) from Eastward
Ho.

Dean Robertson (left) from Chestnut Hill
C.C. and Tony D'lnnocenzo from Clapper
Company.

'resident
WAYNEZOPPO
9A Village 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
AgawamHunt

First Vice President

SPRINGFIELD SHOW

Second Vice President

D E A N ROBERTSON
R O N A L D K I R K M A N , CGCS
24 Riverview Drive
25GreenSt.
Newbury, Mass. 01950
Needham, Mass. 02192
Home Phone 462-4540
H o m e Phone444-8412
Office Phone 254-3678
Office Phone 444-5548
Club Affiliation
ClubAffiliation
Chestnut H i l l Country C l u b Needham Golf Club

Secretary
DAVE BARBER
1 M u r i e l Road
Chelmsford, Mass. 01824
Home Phone 256-4417
Office Phone 358-4882
n i u h Affiliation
Wayland Country Club

Tom Curran, Eastman Golf
Club (left) and Richard Blake,
Woodstock C.C. (right)

Newsletter Notes

PORTLAND INDUSTRIAL SHOW

L to R, Tom Schofield of Wellesley C.C.,
Don Hearn of Weston G.C. and Dave Barber of Wayland C.C. These three have
completed requirements and now are
Certified Golf Course Superintendents.
Congratulations!

Leon St. Pierre,
Longmeadow C.

Congratulations are in order for 4 of our members who have
completed the requirements for certification. Brian Cowan of
from Wayland Country Club, and Tom Schofield from Wellesley
Country Club now have the title of Certified Golf Course
Superintendents. Brian received his plaque at the U. of Mass.
Turf Conference in Springfield and the other three will be
receiving theirs in the near future.
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England
would like to extend their sincere sympathy to the family of John
O'Connor, retired superintendent of Salem Country Club, who
passed away this last month. Mr. O'Connor was superintendent at
Salem Country Club for a number of years and was an active
member of our association.
More than 5,200 people, a record number, crowded into Portland, Oregon for the 48 International Turfgrass Conference and
Show, sponsored by the Golf Course Superintendents Association
of America last February. Some came from as far away as
Greece, Japan, and Sweden. Probably the best attended lecture

Treasurer
DONALOHEARN
4TopekaRoad
Chelmsford, Mass. 01824
H o m e Phone 256-8709
Office Phone 894-5906 .
Ciub A f f i l i a t i o n
Weston Golf Club

Trustee
PAULJOHNSON
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
Fern'nountryClub

Trustee
A R T H U R W A S H B U R N CGCS
520No.MainSt
'
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

Trustee
MAX MIERZWA
1«= Crestwood St
Chicopee Mass 01020
Home 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

Finance Chairman
ALAUGER
3AndoverRd
Beverlv Mass 01915
H o m e Phone 927-0060
Office Phone 922-8511
Club Affiliation
Folly H i l l Country Club

OF
was the one on Pesticide Update Session. Three experts from
leading universities spoke on this topic. Two other new topics
covered this year were nature and the use of effluent water for
golf course irrigation and the grass seed industry, which is centered in Portland.
A new Executive Committee was elected in Portland. Theodore
W. Woehrle, CGCS, Oakland Hills C.C., Birmingham, Mich., was
elected President. The vice president is George W. Cleaver,
CGCS, Chestnut Ridge C.C., Lutherville, Md., and the secretarytreasure is Louis Haines, CGCS, Denver (Colo.) C.C. Five
directors were elected, two for the first time. They are Michael R.
Bavier, CGCS, Inverness Golf Club, Palatine, 111., Habart T.
Burgan CGCS, Quail Creek Golf and Country Club, Oklahoma
City. Directors who were re-elected are David C. Holler, CGCS,
Gulph Mills Golf Club, King of Prussia, Pa., Melvin B. Lucas, Jr '
CGCS, The Garden City (N.Y.) Golf Club, and Charles H. Tadge,
CGCS, Mayfield Country Club, South Euclid, Ohio.
MEMBERS ACCEPT BYLAW PROPOSALS
AT ANNUAL MEETING.
Article I, Section 2 (Definitions) of the GCSAA Bylaws was
amended to add the following:
A "Golf Course Superintendent" is one who is entrusted
with the maintenance, operation and management of the
tract of land defined as a golf course. It is his responsibility
under general direction, to supervise the construction
and maintenance of a golf course (or courses); to supervise
the maintenance and repair of construction and maintenance equipment; and to do related work as required.

Members in attendance at the Annual Meeting also voted to
accept the following recommended changes:
Article I, Section 3, paragraph 1 relating to qualification
for Class AA - Life Membership now states "...a member
must have reached age fifty-five (55), must have been a
regular or Charter Member for at least twenty-five (25)
years or a former member of the Executive Committee
and must have retired from active service as a Golf Course
Superintendent." (formerly there was no age stipulation).

Article I, Section 3, Paragraph 6 relating to qualification
for Class E - Retired Membership now reads "Any Class
A, B, D, or F Member reaching age fifty-five (55), who is
retired and no longer seeking employment within the
scope of activities of any Membership Class of this
Association, may apply to the Executive Committee in
writing for Class E Membership..."
Article III, Section 2 relating to Prohibited Conduct now
reads: "The following conduct is prohibited for Members
of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of
America:
a. Violations of the GCSAA of Ethics.
b. Use of the GCSAA affiliation for the
of

purpose
schemes, ideas or objects for the purposes of private

or collective gain.
Conduct that is prohibited shall be cause for disciplinary
action or expulsion from Membership in accordance with
the procedure set forth in Section 3 of this Article".
Article III, Section 3 relating to the Power of the Executive
Committee to Discipline or Expel a Member now reads"A Member may be disciplined or expelled by the
Executive Committee shall have the power to establish
standing rules for the conduct of proceedings under
this Section.

During the first week of March, Dr. Joseph Troll of Stockbridge
School of Agriculture at the U. of Mass. presented the finest turf
conference and industrial show the Northeast has ever seen The
convention was held at the Civic Center in Springfield, Mass. Over
1,300 attended the 3-day conference which included the first industrial show ever. There were 110 booths in the industrial show
for the superintendents to speak to factory representatives and
Golf Chairman
§™ANCpwAN
Robins W a y
H a r w i c h , Mass. 02645
H o m e Phone 432-9041
Phone 945-9230
Club Affiliation
Eastward Ho Country Ciub

Educational Chairman
PETE COSTE, CGCS
89 Pleasant St.
M e d f i e i d , Mass. 02052
Home Phone 359-7247
O1,,'»PI??ni|5«5-02«
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
The Country Club

Newsletter Chairman
LARRYBUNN
145DedhamSt.
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 H i l l Country C l u b

Past President
THOMASCURRAN
Fox Chase Rd
South Sutton N H 03273
H o m e Phone'938.5'436
Office Phone I S 4 5 0 0
Club Affiliation
Eastman Golf Club

NEW

E N G L A N D ,

INC.

commercial people first hand about their products. This was an
opportunity a great number of superintendents never had before.
Also, the speakers and topics were of extreme interest as shown
by the standing room attendance only at the lectures. Superintendents and exhibitors were very enthused with the results of the
conference and are already looking forward to next year. Dr.
Troll, we all thank you and appreciate the work you have done for
the superintendents. The following served on the planning
committee for the conference and should receive recognition also
Anthony Caranci, Max Mierzwa, Wayne Zoppo, Alan Cumps,
Dan Leone, Charles Mruk, Robert Scagnetti, and John Zak
Thank you for your efforts also.
One of the most interesting lectures was the one given by Paul
Boizelle, CGCS Far Hills, New Jersey. Mr. Boizelle is President of
the New Jersey GCSA and gave a talk on the unique character
structure he proposed and put to work for the New Jersey GCSA
His proposal was to divide the state into 8 districts and each
district would elect their own director to serve on the executive
board of the New Jersey GCSA. Besides major membership gains
and increased attendance at monthly meetings, Boizelle indicated
that other merits of a district organizational structure included:
1. Giving every geographic portion of the state organization a
representative voice in all local Association matters;
2. Creation of a higher degree of fellowship to develop between
members;
3. Allowing more individual participation;
4. Creation of a better forum for more constructive criticism by
the individual member which ultimately enhances growth and
development;
5. Permitting fellow superintendents the opportunity to compare labor problems that develop from a similar labor market6. Reducing of travel distance to meetings;
7. Giving the young, newly established superintendent an opportunity to develop leadership abilities through district participation;
8 Giving members of the same district, sharing somewhat
similar soil and climatic conditions, the opportunity to intelligently approach the realm of common problems and
solutions.
Personally, I feel that this type of structure would work very
well. It certainly has done wonders for the New Jersey GCSA
The banquet held Thursday evening was very entertaining. For
those who did not attend, you missed an evening full of laughs
Mr. Andy Bertoni of W.A. Cleary Chemical Corporation had
people rolling in the isles! They say laughter is the best medicine
well everyone had plenty that night!
The MGA held their annual spring meeting March 5 The
speakers were Wayne Zoppo, president of GCSA of New England
gave a talk on what to expect in the way of damage to the golf
course after the severe winter we have experienced Bill
Robinson, Golf Course Architect of Fiddlers Green, presented a
talk on design and types of structure of golf cart paths. Stan
Zontek, Eastern Director of the USGA, gave a talk on irrigation
systems. All three stressed the damage you can expect from the
past winter. There could be considerable damage from ice snow
mold disease, cart roads and irrigation pipes may have damage
from frost heaves. One of the most important points stressed was
not to open golf courses too early for play. There is 4 to 5 feet of
frost in the ground and it will be a while before it is gone and the
ground is firm. Too early of an opening will cause a considerable
amount of depressions from traffic, damage root sytems and soil
structure. The results will show in July and August when golfing
activitity is at its peack. So golfers, please be patient
Hope to see you at Eastward Ho for our first outdoor meeting of
the year.
Larry Bunn, Newsletter Chairman
&

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 perm ission 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 p a t w t i j e FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

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.

Grounds Equipment Co., Inc.
383 Boylston St., Newton Cen., Mass.
Gull Agricultural Service Co.
Allen Bonnell 617-362-2181
Joe Silk 617-784-3966
55 Freeman Road
Yarmouthport, Mass. 02675
Holliston Sand Company, Inc.
Lowland Street, Holliston, Mass. 01746
Sand for Golf Bunkers and Traps

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

I & E Supply, Inc.
66 Erna Ave.
P.O. Box 9
Milford, Conn. 06460
Tele (203) 878-0658

The Clapper Co.
1121 Washington St.
West Newton, Mass.

Kenneth Barrie Corp.
249 Milton St., Dedham, Mass. 02026
Tel. (617) 364-3333

Geoffrey
.
/ - Course
. i S.a Cornish
1 • & William G. Robinson r^11B
lornA Irwin,
Golr
Architects
Street Inc.
Fiddlers Green, Amherst, Mass. 01002
iwMass.
Burlington,
George E. Cull
Karandrew Turf Farms, Inc.
Terra-Green Soil Conditioner
Sam Mitchell, Sales Representative
112 Green St., Abington, Mass.
15 Longmeadow Drive, Canton, Mass.
C. S. Curran
T. R. C. Products, Oils and Greases
* Larchmont Irrigation Co.
7 Linden St., Framingham, Mass.
Larchmont Ln., Lexington, Mass.
x

T

D

E-Z-Go Golf Car
Sales - Service - Rentals
Polaris/E-Z-Go Northeast
Box 817
North Falmouth, Mass. 02556

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

Farm Bureau Association
158 Lexington St., Waltham, Mass. 02154
Fred Heyliger, Representative
Bus. 893-3570 Home 772-3605

Mallinckrodt, Inc.
Second and Mallinckrodt Streets
St. Louis, Missouri 63147

Scotts Pro-Turf Div.
Rep. Ron Gagne 746-7000
Rep. Allen Cumps 413-253-2995

Magovern Company, Inc.
Lawn Acre Road
Windsor Lock, Conn.

Gold Star Sod Farms, Inc.
Sod & Pine Bark Mulch
Canterbury, New Hampshire
1-800-528-5205

* D. L. Maher
Box 127, Concord St.
N. Reading, Mass. 01864

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 Fox 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. 02176
Phone 617-665-5990
Sil Paulini, Inc.
6 Manor Avenue
Natick, Mass. 01760
* Richey & Clapper, Inc.
28 Rutledge Road
Natick, Mass. 01760
Trencher & Equipment Leasing, Inc.
Ditch Witch Trenchers
38 Fairview St., Agawam, Mass. 01001
Phone 413-786-8600
* Sawtelle Brothers
565 Humphrey Street
Swampscott, Mass.
Tel. 617-599-4856
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.

* Contributors to the Lawrence S. Dickinson Scholarship Fund

First Class
U. S. Postage

FIRST CLASS
LARRY BUNN
Newsletter C o m m i t t e e C h a i r m a n
1 4 5 D e d h a m St.
C a n t o n , Mass. 0 2 0 2 1
.
H o m e Phone 8 2 8 - 7 2 6 6
O f f i c e Phone 8 2 8 - 6 5 4 0
Club Affiliation
Blue Hi!! C o u n t r y C l u b
DONALD HEARN
Business Manager
L E O N ST. P I E R R E
Coordinator
GERRY FINN
Contributing Editor

PAID

Maynard, M A
Permit # 1 7