ourse .Superin ten denti ^^Siociation
O F

N E W

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

September 1977
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.

Leaving It To Chance
Too many golf courses are leaving their irrigation programs to
chance. Eventually, it will catch up with them. Hopefully, it won't
take an act of tragedy to convince them that manual watering
went out with horse drawn plows and hand-sewing.
This should not be taken as a commercial for the automatic
irrigation industry, although at times it might sound like one.
Obviously, the business of supplying and installing dial-a-rain
systems is a spiraling one with competition within its ranks. Thus,
we are not indorsing the company; we are promoting the product
and idea behind it.
The disadvantages of a manual dependence on irrigation are
many.
Probably, the most glaring adversity attached is the labor
problem it nurtures. Since the hours are weird (late night, early
morning shifts make the job about as attractive as cleaning
stables), there is bound to be constant turnover in personnel —
hand-placing sprinklers and running around the course to set
them in motion.
The trend erodes further along labor lines because of the
minimum appeal the job presents, often forcing the golf course
superintendent to hire applicants who are less than appealing,
themselves. This results in slipshod handling of the cranky chores
and the super usually winds up being a watchdog watching over
his hired hand. So, the quality of the work suffers.
Another disadvantage - more aptly a hazard - is the danger
involved in manual course watering. Only recently a crew of two
(that's the least number as dictated by state law) at a nearby club
was involved in an accident in which one member met an untimely death. The two-man buddy system wasn't a factor here
But what if the job were solo and the worker had been seriously
injured. . . caught in a tipped over truck in the dead of night with
no one aware of his plight?
The danger factor leaks over to plain uncomfortable and
uninviting conditions by the very nature of the time and place.
Sometime ago, at an Eastern course (obviously where two-man
crews weren't mandatory), a lone worker was found . . . chained
to a tree, beaten and scared half out of his mind after being
mugged while watering the layout.
Aside from the personnel woes, which account for enough
ammunition to switch to automatic irrigation in themselves, the
manual application simply does not do an adequate job. Working
in the dark (most watering of fairways and roughs takes place
after 8 p.m. and on into the wee hours), the laborer finds himself
exposed to the possibility of a helter-skelter performance. And, if
he is not motivated properly, that performance can go all out of
whack.
Mind you, the automatic irrigation system does require occasional "touch-up" services by hand. It is not perfect but so close
to it that a uniform watering of the target area is had virtually by
every kick of the switch. Thus, installation of the equipment
overshadows convenience by performing a task which is almost
impossible to complete by hand without encountering major flaws
and problems.
The automatic irrigation program is not a luxury, as some club
members and purse watchers claim. Rather, it is a highly refined
method of safeguarding the health of the course when Mother
Nature gets to putting a squeeze on the plant by shutting off her

water supply. It has been a veritable lifesaver for many a course
and a help in retaining the sanity of many a superintendent.
The combination of performance and elimination of labor
problems makes it well worth the while for clubs without
automatic systems to study the possibility of switching to them.
In the long run, they save a lot of headaches . . . and heartaches.
They should be considered an integral part of the super's arsenal
in his never-ending quest to present and perpetuate the very best
playing conditions his know how and Mother Nature's cooperation
can bring about.
Gerry Finn

NEXTMEETING

S E P T E M B E R 19,1977
H A M P D E N COUNTRY CLUB
HOST S U P E R I N T E N D E N T — BOB JOHNSTON
DIRECTOR'S M E E T I N G 9 : 3 0
M E M B E R S H I P M E E T I N G 11:00
LUNCH (RESERVATIONS PLEASE) 12:00
GOLF, after lunch
E V E N I N G on your own
DIRECTIONS: Take Mass Pike west to Palmer
exit, #8. Take right from exit and follow to
Palmer center. At center turn right onto route
20 (west) and follow approximately 6 miles to
Main Street, Wilbraham (on left). This road
lead directly to golf course which is approximately 8 miles.
Bob Johnston is our host
for the September meeting.
Bob
graduated
from
Stockbridge in 1969. He then
spent 1 year as assistant for
Wayne Ripley at Blue Hill
Country Club. Bob then
went to Winnisuket Country
Club in S. Bellingham, Mass. as superintendent. After spending 4 years there he went to
Hampden Country Club and has been there
since.
I'm sure our members are looking forward to
visiting Bob and playing his fine golf course.

ourde Superintendents

s4sAocicition

The Golf Car Caper
One of life's pie-in-the-sky job possibilities broke the tedium of
another hot, summer day recently when opportunity presented
itself in the form of "test driver" for motor-powered golf cars. It
was an experience, although meaningless and purposeless to the
point where I was just driving for "feel" of this story.
This deals somewhat with an invasion into the golf car field of a
foreign model . . . sort of a play on the Jaguar coming into the
American lair of the Corvette. And, naturally, the victims (or
would-be victims since the car has had limited acceptance and
success) are concerned with the new competition.
The new wheels in town belong to a company called Melex. Its
American distributors import the qualified copy of the more
popular E-Z-Go from the Communist country of Poland. And,
please no Polish jokes about this crawling kielbasa.
Well, just for a first hand assessment of the car, I took the
wheel. I was impressed with the way the Melex handled, even
though it did seem to drag on uphill climbs. What turned my affirmative on was the way the steering system seemed to give me
complete control of the car. If you have ever known the experience of trying to keep a wavering front end on track, you get
the point here.
My next trip was in the E-Z-Go and, to tell the truth, I couldn't
notice much difference between the two . . . other than the more
solid wheel grip of the Melex. They ran about the same speed and
were equally balky on steep inclines.
So what, you ask?
Well, I find myself amazed at the way the golf car business has
developed ever since the world's golfers decided to go automotive
in their method of covering a course. What started out as a risky
effort - with a vehicle that strayed just above the putt-putt stage has become a highly competitive undertaking. It has reached the
fervor of the American automobile ad to ad combat zone. Not only
that, some of the deals would make your credit card curl.
The American case against Melex, for example, is the old highpriced parts spiel used to discourage purchase of foreign autos.
And it culminates with the mention of an anti-trust suit, suspicion
that the manufacturer is a fly-by-night outfit and keep your eye on
that grand old flag closing rider.
Remembering that this piece you're reading should not be
looked upon as involvement, it's kind of interesting to observe
what goes on when new competition poses a threat to the
established group of companies serving the course riding public.

For one thing, country clubs and public courses may be able to
do more window shopping when they are ready to reinforce their
golf car fleets. One more entry, especially if it comes in at a lower
price, makes for a little more bargaining power... which isn't all
that bad should you be at the purchasing end of the conversation.
It amuses me, too, to learn that certain clubs have drawn up
member-inspired specifications for the purchase of new golf cars.
One club is said to insist on all "bucket seats" for their models.
Another, it has been learned, will have nothing except four-wheel
jobs on its grounds.
There are many clubs who place the power of golf car purchase
in the hands of the superintendent. . . good sense since he usually
is the one responsible for its maintenance. Thus, the repair factors of cars must be taken into consideration. . . as well as the
levels of comfort and transporting performance.
The whole business has come around to the point where the golf
car takes almost as much of the super's time as his greens and
fairway manicuring efforts. Test driving them, though, takes
some of the drudgery out of decision-making in buying them.
Take one out for a spin sometime.
Gerry Finn

President Wayne Zoppo presenting 25 year pin from GCSAA
to Phil Cassidy.

RESULTSOF
SUPT. PRESS/CELEBRITY T O U R N A M E N T
ATTHECOUNTRYCLUB
First Low Net

GuyTedesco
Dave Forbes

First Low Gross

73

Mel O'Kelley
Ray Fitzgerald

First Low Net-Individual
ClosesttoPin
Longest Drive

66 Lenny Blodgett
Norm Mucciarone
Larry Bunn
President Wayne Zoppo presenting 50 year plaques from
GCSA of New England to Ed Phinney and John Latyis.

First Vice President
WAYNEZOPPO
9 A V i l l a g e G r e e n North
E. Providence. R.I. 02915
H o m e Phone 434-1759
Office Phone 434-8512
Club Affiliation
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 A f f i l i a t i o n
Chestnut H i l l Country Club Needham Golf Club

Finance Chairman

i
DAVE BARBER
1 M u r i e l Road
C h e l m s f o r d , Mass. 01824
H o m e Phone 256-4417
Office Phone 358-4682

DONALDHEARN
4 Topeka Road
C h e l m s f o r d , 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
Weston Golf Club

PAUL JOHNSON
RFD 1 Locust St.
M i d d l e l o n , Mass. 01949
H o m e Phone 777-0902
O f f i c e P h o n e 777-1134
Club Affiliation
F e r n ' — f l Country C l u b

A R T H U R W A S H B U R N , CGCS
520NO. M a i n St.
Cohasset, Mass. 02025
H o m e Phone 363-9532
Office Phone 383-1870
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Cohasset Golf Club

MAX MIERZWA
106CrestwoodSt.
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 C o u n t r y C l u b

AL AUGER
3 A n d o v e r Rd.
Beverly, Mass. 01915
H o m e Phone 927-0060
Office Phonft922-8511
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Folly Hill Country Club

© F

NEW

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

What's A Superintendent To Do?

When Rising Expectations . . .
. . . Confront Declining Resources

You can almost always have a sure bet if you say that whenever
two or more golf course superintendents get together they will
eventually discuss the requests of their course's golfers and how
this conflicts with the budget they have to do the job.
A similar wager about those inside the clubhouse would
probably be just as safe, with the twist being that the clubhouse
dwellers would be concerned with how the superintendent fritters
away their funds while the man down the road is doing such a
superior job.
This is the confrontation of rising expectations and declining
resources. The golfers desire more and more, or at least make
unrealistic comparisons to other courses, while the superintendent is granted lower budgets and faced by higher costs for all
goods and services.
"What's a superintendent to do? " asks the headline. Certainly a
question easier to pose than answer, but nevertheless, a question
that deserves exploration and attempted answers.
This problem of rising expectations and declining resources is
not new, nor is it isolated strictly upon golf course superintendents. Each and everyone of us face it daily, just as almost
everyone else is bound to do sooner or later. Obviously, the
solution is not an easy one or the problem would not persist for so
long a time, nor with so broad of scope. A complicating factor
added to the problem is what works one place has no guarantee of
working anywhere else.
In the most basic of terms, a golf course superintendent faced
by this problem has few possible alternatives. He can rely upon
the reputation he has developed and trust that his recommendations will be accepted. He can arrange "test plots," and
"demonstrations." He can do whatever he believes is proper,
given a certain budget, even though the golfers may complain.
Or, he can follow the dictates of the golfers for as long as the
budget holds out and then tell them that that will be all of the
maintenance and management they can have until more money is
forthcoming.
Certainly, there are other possible solutions, but these basic
points probably get the idea across. The solution is not going to be
an easy one, and patience and understanding on everyone's part
will be required.
Of the above suggestions, probably only the first two have any
chance of working for the superintendent and the course.
Basically, both of the above suggestions rely upon "education" of
the member, by the superintendent.
Reliance upon a reputation is undoubtedly the best possible
position for anyone. If the superintendent's suggestions have
proven acceptable in the past, they will certainly have a better
chance in the future. However, superintendents cannot wait until
the last minute to try and build a basis for acceptance, it is a
continuously on-going proposition of informing the golfers what
Would like to thank Pierre Coste and the
members of The Country Club for being our
host at last month's meeting. Our members
found a well conditioned and challenging golf
course to play. Thank you for having us as your
guests.

Golf Chairman

Educational Chairman

BRIAN COWAN
Robins W a y
H a r w i c h , Mass. 02645
H o m e Phone 432-9041
Off ice Phone 945-9230
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
.
Eastward Ho Country Club

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
Clqb Affiliation
The C o u n t r y C l u b

Newsletter Chairman
LARRY BUNN
145DedhamSt.
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
Of f ice Phone 863^-4500
Club Affiliation
Eastman Golf Club

you are doing, why you are doing it and letting them brag about
the splendid results.
"Demonstration plotting," is another usually acceptable approach, providing there is sufficient time and even small amounts
of money for the project. More and more superintendents are
setting aside relatively small areas of the actual playing surface
from time to time and demonstrating the differences a particular
operation can make to the course. Following the application,
operation, or whatever, the golfers are asked to decide which of
the two areas they want, providing they are willing to pay for it.
Most often, if the superintendent has done his homework nad
knows the total cost figures, the golfers will opt for the improved
conditions because they can actually see the differences.
The only other serious problem a superintendent will have is to
educate his golfers on the effect just a few miles distance can
make in the maintenance budget of two courses. Natural terrain,
soil conditions, the course's maintenance history and even
rainfall can vary tremendously in short distances, and have
significant effects upon what a superintendent can or cannot do
given any amount of money. In fact, the whole idea of comparative golfing should be overcome, but because grass has
always been greener elsewhere, it is unlikely that such thinking
can be easily reversed today.

Bylaw Amendments
At the July meeting held at Halifax Country Club, President
Wayne Zoppo read the following bylaw proposal and addition. In
accordance with our bylaws as stated in Article XIII.
These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the
Regular Members at any Regular meeting of the Association
providing the amendments are included in the notice of said
meeting.
At the next Regular Meeting of our Association to be held
Monday, Sept. 19, 1977 at Hampden C.C., the following bylaw
changes or additions will be voted on.
Present Bylaw
Page 8 - Article IV - Section 7 - Item 1
When a 25 year member retired as a Golf Course Superintendent or is permanently disabled, he becomes a Life Member.
He shall have all the privileges of the Association except to hold
office. He shall not pay annual dues.
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.
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
f r e e l y , 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 u r f w u j e FRIENDS OF THE A S S O C I A T I O N

Grounds Equipment Co., Inc.
383 Boylston St., Newton Cen., Mass.

A l f c o , Inc.

Fertilizers and Chemical Specialties
P.O. Box 267, Marietta, Ohio

Gull Agricultural Service Co.
Allen Bonnell 617-362-2181
Joe Silk 617-784-3966
55 Freeman Road
Yarmouthport, Mass. 02675

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.

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 S. Cornish & William G. Robinson Tom Irwin Inc
Golf Course Architects
11B A Street
Fiddlers Green, Amherst, Mass. 01002
Burlin ton Mass
George E. Cull
Terra-Green Soil Conditioner
112 Green St., Abington, Mass.

Karandrew Turf Farms, Inc.
Sam Mitchell, Sales Representative
15 Longmeadow Drive, Canton, Mass.

C. S. Curran
T. R. C. Products, Oils and Greases
7 Linden St., Framingham, Mass.

* Larchmont Irrigation Co.
Larchmont Ln., Lexington, Mass.

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
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 Ed. Wiacek 1-401-253-4284
Rep Allen Cumps 1-413-253-2995.

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

PAID
Maynard, M A
Permit # 1 7

Superin
or

NEW

ten den ti

ENGLAND,

s^AAociation
INC.

LARRY BUNN
Newsletter C o m m i t t e e Chairman
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 A f f i l i a t i o n
Blue Hill C o u n t r y Club
DONALD HEARN
Business Manager
L E O N ST. P I E R R E
Co-ordinator
GERRY FINN
Contributing Editor

FIRST CLASS