October 1977
ourie
OF

Superintendents
NEW

ENGLAND,

—^Mociation

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.

Too Many Cooks In Golf
The superintendent in question and on the scene, too, was
having himself a helping of fire-eating thought. "You know," he
fumed, "one thing I've learned in life is to stay out of the kitchen.
But apparently a lot of golfers haven't realized that too many
cooks spoil the broth. At least, certain of them don't know the
difference between assuming responsibility and letting it slip
away from them."
The occasion of country club boards of governors following the
too-many-cooks route usually happens around the end of the golf
season. Too often they bring their decision-making into the 19th
hole or - much worse - to the dinner table at home. So, the question
arises as to who is running the show, anyway?
Because the act of making a decision and holding to it involves a
strain on personal relationships and plain popularity with the rest
of the membership, being on a board of governors, directors or
whatever carries an obligation to a number of people and to a
number of causes. It is not a post for the weak.
What the superintendent would like to bring about in his
relationship with those who approve or disapprove his methods of
conditioning the course is is an orderly, if not firm understanding
of what their ideas on the matter are. Too often the super is forced
to operate on a whim rather than a solid, thought-out decision.
The whim, as such, can originate in a number of places. One of
those is the 19th hole where golfers gather to replay their rounds
and sometimes reshape the operation methods of the superintendent. "If it's happened once it's happened a thousand times,"
is a popular cry of the super. "I've just completed mowing the
greens and some member of the board thinks they should be
l/32nd of an inch shorter. And, in my position, I'm required to
make another cut. I know where such foolishness started. A few
members get to talking and before you know it, the board
member gets trapped into accepting their opinions on how the
course should be groomed."
It's obvious that many members have become acquainted with
some of the conditioning techniques, products and other tools the
super uses on the job. The task of keeping the grass green and the
putting surfaces smooth has become so sophisticated and complicated that the member feels duty-bound to become an instant
expert in the field. And it is this particular member who puts heat
on the board people.
The board of governors constitutes the highest form of
authority on the golf course. Therefore, its actions and conduct
should equal the esteem in which the position is held. Sorry to say
but certain board members - probably locked into more pressing
personal or business matters - have been known to let their
families relieve them of country club chores.
This is not to suggest that women (i.e. wives) are not capable of
performing the duties of a board member. But is is to suggest that
they should not have a strong voice in critical decisions involving
the operation of the club. . . whether it be in the clubhouse, pro
shop or on the course. . . when they haven't been elected or appointed to do so. To lean on a family relationship is a discredit to
the board member and a disservice to the club.
What is being said here is that the board of governors should get

away from dependence on others and do the job without
procrastination and pussyfoot stalling. And. . . the authority the
title encompasses.. . must not be delegated to "wives", "friends"
or "business associates." Too many cooks spoil the broth and too
many voices pouring orders in nine different directions can upset
the superintendent to the point of exasperation and disgust. He
only has two hands. . . and two ears. Why burn them?
Gerry Finn

NEXT MEETING

JOHN SHANAHAN
M E M O R I A L TOUR N A M E N T
SUPERINTENDENT/PRO
OCTOBER 14,1977
BRAE BURN COUNTRY CLUB

Bt

Host Superintendent
Bob Grant, CGCS

Call George Wemyss at 245-5441 for starting
times.
Some Carts w i l l be available, bring your own
caddies.

ourSe

Superintendents

ociation

G o North, Young Man
The great trek north for a slice of a different challenge amid a picturesque setting
has taken hold of many golfers of late. And
one of the reasons for the sudden popularity
is that granddaddy of telegraph . . . word of
mouth. You go to the mountains once, let
everyone know about it and all of the appeal
of the experience is laid out for the masses.
Such an experience can be had in one of the budding golf
meccas of Vermont - the Quechee Lakes-Woodstock area. In a
matter of a few years the courses there have had the exposure to
an extent where golf is beginning to be associated with the Green
Mountain State just as is the firmly established sport of skiing.
It just so happens that the New England Association has a
Quechee-Woodstock connection^ Two former superintendents of
the Bay State have packed up their talents and fled to the
mountains. And the golfers, who have become attached to the
Vermont scene, are most happy with their presence.
Former national and sectional president Dick Blake is deep in
the process of transforming the Woodstock Country Club into one
of the best conditioned layouts in the Northeast.
Just a few miles down the road from Woodstock. Ron Hansen who prepped for the big job he now performs at several
Massachusetts courses - is whipping the Highland and Lakeland
spreads at Quechee Lakes into two of the finest tests anywhere.
The competitive strain at Quechee is such that the New England
Amateur Championship was staged there this year.
Blake's Woodstock real estate has undergone a number of
changes since he arrived there. The course is a Robert Trent
Jones masterpiece in that it combines the brilliance of the
mountains with a runaway brook to form an interesting golfing
test. There are 13 water holes in play and each issues a different
type of negotiating task to the player. Comparably short at 5915

yards, Woodstock performs the double duty of providing a
comfortable yet challenging golfing assignment.
The superintendent likes the idea of working under resortprivate club conditions. Blake, in fact, recommends it for those
members of his profession who have had crossfire action with
green chairmen.
"I report to only one person at Woodstock," Blake tells. "That's
the manager of the Woodstock Inn which operates the course. He
and the owner, Laurence Rockefeller, are the last word in
decision-making. I don't have to bother myself with flak from
members even though we do have over 200 at the club.''
The relationship between Blake and members can't be chilling.
In a little chat with one it was revealed that Dick has brought
about a marked improvement in playing conditions at Woodstock.
. "T'd say that in the last three years the course has-imnrovpd mnrp
than 50 percent," said one obviously satisfied member.
Down at Quechee echoes of the Blake endorsement follow
Hansen around the 36 holes of the Highland and Lakeland courses.
Quechee is only five years old, the original 18 holes - that is.
Eighteen new ones were opened two years ago to give Hansen
quite a challenge in themselves.
He has responded to it, too. Both courses - with their 12 acres of
penncross greens and tees - are in tournament shape most of the
time. "We cut the tees at the same height of the greens," Ron
discloses. "And they've held up pretty well. My only problem is
the manual watering system which is a drain on labor. But we've
worked out a schedule and so far there hasn't been any foulups."
Golf in Vermont - above the more established Manchester chain
of lovely courses - is making great gains. . . especiall at Woodstock and Quechee. And planked smack dab in the middle of the
action are two of our own - Dick Blake and Ron Hansen. Well
done, men.
Gerry Finn

Bylow Amendments

T O U R N A M E N T RESULTS
H A M P D E N COUNTRY CLUB
F i r s t Gross
Second Gross
F i r s t Net
Second Net
T h i r d Net
Fourth Net

L o r r y Bunn
Ken AAooradian
Bob Johnston
Wayne Zoppo
Burt Frederick
Ron K i r k m a n

74
76
68
69
70
71

Would like to thank host superintendent Bob
Johnston and the people of Hampden Country
Club for inviting us to their club. The friendly
hospitality and superb meal were really appreciated. Congratulations to Bob for the excellent condition of the golf course.

First Vice President
W A Y N E ZOPPO
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 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 Drive
Needham, Mass. 02192
Newbury, 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 Country C l u b Needham Golf Club

The following bylaws were voted on at the last meeting.
Both proposed bylaws were passed by the membership.
Proposed Bylaw
Page 8 - Article IV - Section 7 - Item 1
When a 25 year member retires as a Golf Course Superintendent or is permanently disabled, he becomes a Life Member. A
member with less than 25 years may become a Life member at
the discretion of the Board of Directors. He shall have all the
privileges of the Association except to hold office. He shall not pay
annual dues.
Proposed Bylaw
Junior Associate Member
1. A Junior Associate Member shall be employed as a
superintendent of a golf course and shall be primarily interested
in golf course maintenance. A Junior Associate Member will not
have the right to vote or hold office and shall pay the initiation fee
and the annual dues established by the Association. One who has
been a Junior Associate Member for three years shall
automatically qualify as an Associate Member.

5

Finance C h a i r m a n
D A V E 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
Wayland Country Club

DONALD HEARN
4 Topeka Road
Chelmsford, Mass. 01824
H o m e Phone 256-8709
Office Phone 894-5906.
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
W e s t o n Golf C l u b

PAUL JOHNSON
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 Affiliation
Fern" Country C l u b

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 Affiliation
Cohasset Golf Club

MAX MIERZWA
106 Crest wood 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

A L AUGER
3 Andover Rd.
Beverly, Mass. 01915
H o m e Phone 927-0060
Office Phone 922-8511
Club Affiliation
Folly H i l l Country Club

OF

N E W

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

Do They Realize Whot They Soy?
In the last several years there seems to be an increasing
number of complaints from some golf pros about course conditions. These complaints cover height of cut on fairways, pin
placements, and the syringing of greens during play, just to name
a few. It is my opinion that many of their complaints are not
justified. I do realize that these fortunate individuals who are
playing for a first place prize of up to $100,000. are out on the golf
course earning a living for their families. However, there are
shortcomings in every man's profession that are uncontrollable.
First let's explain the three major complaints that are heard
more often. The first complaint refers to the height of cut in
fairways. This past summer a PGA tournament was held at
Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton. This course has
bluegrass fairways. Everybody in the business of growing golf
course turf realizes that bluegrass fairways can not be cut as low
as bentgrass fairways. They also know that it costs more to
maintain bentgrass fairways than oluegrass fairways. The pros
naturally prefer bentgrass fairways as they can be mowed at a
lower height. The higher mowed fairway results in what the pros
call a "flying lie." A "flying lie" results in naturally a shot called
a "flier." What happens is that when a shot is played from a
fairway mowed at a higher cut, grass is between the ball and club
face at impact. The results is there is less chance to attain
maximum backspin on the ball, therefore, when the ball lands on
the green it has less chance of stopping.
The second complaint is pin placements. I am sure the pros
sometimes feel that the person who places the cups is a very cruel
and inhuman person! First of all, the golf course superintendent
only locates the pin placement where he is told. The placement of
pins is done by the tournament committee, usually a representative from the pro's own association.
Syringing greens during play is the third complaint heard most
often. Again for those who are in the business of growing turf on a
golf course know that syringing a green may save the life of that
green. To "syringe a green" means to water it lightly for three to
five minutes. The problem is that greens need to be "syringed"
during the hot part of the day, which is right during the middle of
the players round. Naturally, the results are that with water on
the greens, they will putt slower until the water dries. Also to stop
play for the time needed to "syringe" greens will interrupt a
player's concentration.
Now that the complaints have been explained, let's look at the
other side of the coin. First, as mentioned, bluegrass fairways can
be maintained with less money than bentgrass fairways. The
greater majority of golf courses can not afford to maintain their
golf courses the way the pros expect. The money simply is not
there. Maintenance costs have increased greatly the last several
years and funds are not available as they were ten years ago.
There are a number of factors other than money that play a part
in the types of grass grown at each course. The climate, soil
conditions, the water capacity that is available all must be considered by each course when deciding the type of grass they wish
to grow. The amount of play, cart traffic, and size of greens can
determine the way a course is maintained. Greens cut as little as
one thirty-second higher and fairways cut as little as one-quarter
of an inch higher will require less water and fertilizer. With many
parts of the country trying to conserve water, the future will
certainly bring a rationing of water on golf courses. Natural gas is
used in the process of making fertilizer. This resource is
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 Country Club

Educational C h a i r m a n
PETE 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
Th& Country Club

Newsletter Chairman
LARRYBUNN
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

becoming scarce and expensive. The use of fertilizer on golf
courses may be rationed in the future also. Again turf cut a little
higher will require less water and fertilizer.
Pin placements are not picked by the superintendent. A player
must realize that a pin placement should bring out the qualities of
the course they are playing. Also, it must bring out the talent of
each contestant. The pin placement must also reward the
properly played shot from the right position. The right position is
not a sandtrap or the rough around a green.
Syringing greens may save the life of a green. During extreme
hot weather, or even dry weather, the grass plant loses water in
its blades faster than it can replace the water from the soil
through its root system. The plant becomes very weak, wilts, and
dies. This can happen in a matter of minutes. A watering of three
to five minutes during mid-day can prevent this from happening.
Before the pros complain there are several things they should
remember. First of all they are a guest at the host club. I'm sure
the members don't want to hear their course criticized.Even if the
pros have to bite their tongues once in awhile. The proscriticism
reflects on the club and the people who work there. The conditions
at the clubs may be uncontrollable for reasons mentioned or even
other factors not mentioned. Without the clubs being the pros
host, where would they play their tournaments?
Everybody plays the same golf course! The complaints of high
fairways at Pleasant Valley Country Club were truly unfair. The
course record was broken the first day, and the tournament
record for 72 holes was also broken. The pros have been playing
this course for 9 or 10 years and playing it better all the time. Pin
placements, again, everybody plays the same course! One pro
who complained of poor pin placements at a recent tournament
wound up winning the tournament. They couldn't have been too
bad! As far as syringing greens, I would hope that the pros would
like to return the golf course to their hosts in as good a condition
as they found it. If a green needs to be watered in order for that
green to survive, then water the green! I don't feel it will greatly
upset your concentration, and again, with water on the green,
everybody is playing the same course! Maybe if the greens need
to be watered the pros should take a halftime break as pros do in
other sports. After break, the greens would be dry and play could
continue.
Professional athletes are looked up to by the weekend participant no matter what the sport. What they do and say can have
an impact on the good of that sport in which they compete. In golf,
the weekend golfer now uses the excuse of "flying lies" when he
has a bad shot. In reality, he doesn't have the ability to hit the
kind of shot he would like. I'm not putting the knock on the
weekend golfer, because I'm one of them myself. But the weekend
golfer doesn't know the reasons why a course isn't like the one he
sees on televsion and it is easy for them to be critical of their own
golf courses. They are unaware of what it really takes to make a
good golf course. The professionals, with their travel and experience should know. Therefore, before they speak out on a
course, they should make sure they have considered all aspects
related to the situation.
Club managers, golf professionals and superintendents must
work together in order to make golf, in Arnold Palmer's words,
"The greatest game mankind has ever invented."
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 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.

PCoswe

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.

FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

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
I & E Supply, Inc.
66 Erna Ave.
P.O. Box 9
Milford, Conn. 06460
Tele (203) 878-0658
Kenneth Barrie Corp
249 Milton St., Dedham, Mass. 02026
Tel. (617) 364-3333

* Geoffrey S. Cornish & William G. Robinson y i j i
Golf Course Architects
11B A Street
Fiddlers Green, Amherst, Mass. 01002
Burlington, Mass.
o m

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 Ed. Wiacek 1-401-253-4284
Rep Allen Cumps 1-413-253-2995.
Gold Star Sod Farms, Inc.
Sod & Pine Bark Mulch
Canterbury, New Hampshire
1-800-528-5205

r w

n

n c

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
Rep. Bill Kershlis 413-253-7485
Mallinckrodt, Inc.
Second and Mallinckrodt Streets
St. Louis, Missouri 63147
Magovern Company, Inc.
Lawn Acre Road
Windsor Lock, Conn.
* D. L. Maher
Box 127, Concord St.
N. Reading, Mass. 01864

* 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
Co-ordinator
GERRY FINN
Contributing Editor

_

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.