JANUARY 1978 ourAe JSmper in ten~>up clen ti srf.ij ocia tion OF N E W E N G L A N D , N C Sponsors and administrators of the Lawrence S. Dickinson Scholarship Fund — Awarded yearly to deserving Turf Management Students. Where is Everybody? So, don't be a "Gloomy Gus" when speaking of your profession. There just seemed to be too much gloom everywhere in the social surroundings that preceded and followed the annual It is in a fine state . .. moving ahead and picking up a remarkable number of supporters. The morale? It should be sky-high. meeting last month in Dedham. Tables at lunch were filled with the usual professional wonGerry Finn derings of why so few were in attendance and what good was the continuation of a professional association like the NEGCSA when the majority of the membership chose to stay at home. NEXTMEETING It's time, then, to take a morale-building pill. Get yourself - if you are a super - out of the rut of spreading gloom and back on the JAN. 9,1978 track of dealing positive thoughts here, there and everywhere. For example, you will be happy, maybe even relieved, to learn D E D H A M INN, D E D H A M , MASS. that the golf course superintendent probably has realized more D I R E C T O R ' S M E E T I N G 10:00 A.M. advancement and recognition during the last 10 years than any L U N C H O N Y Q U R Q W N 12:00 NOON other wing of the country club service setup. M E M B E R S H I P M E E T I N G 1:00 P.M. Dean Robertson, the NEGCSA's incoming president, shrugged off the suggestion that the status of the super has grown in leaps E D U C A T I O N A L M E E T ! N G 2 : 0 0 P.M. and bounds of late. "I've always been under the impression that Guest speaker from King Communications, the super creates and maintains his own status," Robertson will give talk on Weather Forecasting. proposed. "But I guess other factors come into consideration. I know at my club the members give me a feeling of confidence and respect. I hope that this result is a combination of my individual 1978 Elected Board of Directors effort and an assist from the public relations image of the job which has surfaced recently." Dean Robertson President It would be all super-nice to come right out and make the stark Ron K i r k m a n CGCS First Vice President declaration that, "the golf course superintendent is the key man Brian Cowan CGCS Second Vice President in the operation of the country club." But that may be assuming Secretary Dave Barber CGCS too much of a mouthful. Then again, the trend appears to be Treasurer Donald Hearn CGCS drawing more attention and recognition in the direction of the Robert Johnston Fiance Chairman super's office. Ken Mooradian Golf Chairman Well, there certainly were signs of this transfiguration ocPete Coste CGCS Educational Chairman curring over the summer when certain examples of super-respect , L a r r y Bunn Newsletter Chairman and recognition were displayed. Bert Fredericks Trustee One such outpouring of appreciation was sent the way of Roy Mackintosh who is the superintendent at the Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow, Mass. The membership there was so pleased with Roy's performance (and after all, the super is on M A N Y T H A N K S to the F O L L O W I N G stage every summer) that they staged a tournament in his honor. F R I E N D S of the A S S O C I A T I O N "We just thought that the condition of the course was so good who sponsored the cocktail hour at that Roy should know about it through this type of expression," said one TH member. "We also wanted him to share in our delight the H O L I D A Y P A R T Y over the golf course by being the guest of honor and a participant in a very tournament of his own. And, you know what? He reacted L A R C H M O N T E N G I N E E R I N G CO. to a gift we gave him in typical fashion? He donated it to a favorite charity. So, we must have honored him for being OLD FOX C H E M I C A L INC. something more than an outstanding superintendent . . . an T O M SRWIN INC. outstanding citizen and human being as well." W HITETURF ENGINEERING Maybe this isolated example won't grab the masses. However, it shows that the superintendent is slowly making his way into C L A P P E R CO. such prominence that his value to golf and individual clubs is fully P H I L I P A. WOGAN, A R C H I T E C T realized and publicly acclaimed. S A W T E L L E BROTHERS Obviously, there are not the best of conditions existing on all LOFTS P E D I G R E E D S E E D INC. points of the golf compass. Some clubs still look upon the superintendent as just another "hired hand." But such ignorance R I C H E Y & C L A P P E R INC. is being weeded out and replaced by thoughtful examination of O.M. SCOTTS PRO-TURF DIV. the facts with a changeover of reality. our$e Superintendents -^AAociation Take a Mora!e=BuiSdirtg Pill When Dean Robertson was the second party to the passing of the gavel of the New England Golf Course Superintendents Association, he probably looked around him and said to himself, "Where is everybody?" As a matter of fact, long before Robertson assumed the presidency in cordial exchange with outgoing leader Wayne Zoppo, he had expressed dismay and concern over the lack of involvement by the rank and file of the association. Therefore, this item will be his first under study along with a few other priorities as he takes up the cause of improving the steady growth of the group. "I hate to take this job and start jumping all over everybody right off the bat," Dean remarked. "But when we have 121 duespaying members and only a small percentage of them attending meetings, I have to raise an eyebrow . . . if not two." Almost a! the same moment ©£ noting the appalling number of absentees, Robertson also revealed that he wanted to get the association back on the right track in the field of turf research. "I'd like us to work closer with the University of Massachusetts extension program and Dr. Joseph Troll," the new prexy advised. "We haven't been living up to our commitments and responsibilities in that respect. What's more, we haven't taken a very active part in promoting research in turf and its related subjects. "If we don't do it, who can be expected to take such interest? We are in the turf business and anything coming out of research to improve turf is to our advantage. I'm looking forward to pushing for a big effort for more cooperation and involvement with the UMass. program. This is another essential for me." Robertson also intends to insert more clout into individual committees of the association. "I think we can work a little more getting committees to have regular meetings and submit regular reports," he related. "Too often committees wait until the day of the monthly meeting to start thinking of what they have to do. Some of us have been guilty of this in the past. I'm not talking about the past now. I'm concerned with the present and an active participation by all committee chairmen and members." The 35-year-old Robertson is a natural choice for the president's post. "I've always felt a responsibility to my profession and this association," he said. "And by becoming active in the administration I feel that I can make some meaningful contribution to the present and future of the group." Robertson has been the head superintendent at the Chestnut Hill Country Club for the past 10 years. He got his start in the profession under Manny Francis at the Belmont Country Club just after graduating from the StocKbridge School at UMass. Dean's first head position was at the Bradford Country Club. That was in 1962. Four seasons later he hooked on at the Old Newbury Golf Club, remained there for two years until he received and accepted the call from Chestnut Hill. His association involvement has been heavy and very valuable to his contemporaries. He served eight years as Newsletter editor - during an era when this publication took on compelling and effective dimension - and he traveled the executive route from second to first vice-president, then on to the presidency. Also active in civic and service organizational affairs in his adopted hometown of Newbury, with the help of his wife, Judy, manages to keep the home fires burning and churning with his family which includes three lovely daughters. Gerry Finn FIRST VICE PRESIDENT DEAN ROBERTSON 24 Rlverview Drive Newbury, Mass. 01950 H o m e Phone 462-4540 o f f i c e Phone 254-3678 Club Affiliation C h e s t n u t Hill C o u n t r y C l u b RONALD K I R K M A N 25 Green St. Needham, Mass. 02192 Home Phone 444-8412 O f f i c e Phone 444-5548 Club A f f i l i a t i o n Needham Golf Club S E C O N D VICE PRESIDENT BRIAN C O W A N CGCS Robins Way Harwich, Mass. 02645 H o m e Phone 432-9041 O f f i c e Phone 945-9230 Club A f f i l i a t i o n Eastward Ho! SECRETARY DAVE B A R B E R C G C S P.O. Box 221 Wayland, Mass. 01778 H o m e Phone 358-7678 O f f i c e Phone 358-4882 Club A f f i l i a t i o n Wayland C o u n t r y C l u b TREASURER President Dean the right with William Hamm cond from the Dr. JoseptrTrollon Robertson on^the teftand Lawrence S. Dickinson Scholarship winners Jr. second from left and Susan Mitchell seright. President Wayne Zoppo on the right presenting Grant, Superintendent at Brae Burn Country Club his tification placque. Robert Recer- President Wayne Zoppo on the right presenting Arthur Anderson, retired Superintendent of Brae Burn Country Club his 50 year placque as a member of the New England Golf Course superintendent's Association. TR D O N A L D H E A R N CGCS 4 T o p e k a Road C h e l m s f o r d , Mass. 01824 H o m e Phone 256-8709 O f f i c e Phone 894-5906 ClubAffiliaton W e s t o n Golf Club FIANCE C H A I R M A N PAUL J O H N S O N 4 J u d i t h Dr. No. Reading, Mass 01864 H o m e Phone 664-6664 O f f i c e Phone 777-1134 ClubAffiliaton Ferncroft C o u n t r y Club MAX MIERZWA 1 0 6 C r e s t w o o d St. C h i c o p e e , Mass. 01020 H o m e Phone 594-4996 O f f i c e Phone 592-9540 Club A f f i l i a t i o n C h i c o p e e C o u n t r y Club BERT FREDERICK 4 5 S t o n e y Brook Rd. Nabnaset, Mass. 01861 H o m e Phone 692-6445 O f f i c e Phone 453-1231 Club A f f i l i a t i o n Vesper C o u n t r y C l u b ROBERT J O H N S T O N 128 W i l b r a h a m Rd. H a m p d e n , Mass. 01036 H o m e Pitone 566-3075 O f f i c e Phone 566-3096 Club A f f i l i a t i o n H a m p d e n C o u n t r y Club ©F Presidents Message I am taking the opportunity through the Newsletter to express my thanks for the honor and privilege of serving as your President for the coming year. The board of directors and the members of the G.C.S.A. of N.E. are to be commented for a job well done in years past. Only through your efforts could we be one of the top associations in the country. As we, begin a new season, I encourage all members to attend all of our monthly meetings. These meetings are for your benefit and you might discover something new and useful to bring back to your club. There are also many meetings to attend in the winter that the chemical companies sponsor to tell us about new products and procedures; team up with a neighbor and plan to be at the next one! A couple of special meetings to be thinking about are the National Turf Conference to be held in San Antonio, Texas in February; the Annual Massachusetts Turf Conference and the Massachusetts Lawn and Turf Grass Council Annual Meeting to be held in March at the Springfield Civic Center. Support your Turf Grass Council and make it the biggest year ever! Dr. Troll puts a lot of time into this program and we should support him, for it is through his efforts that we benefit. As president, it is my duty to appoint the necessary committees that make our association. The committee members are listed in this newsletter and it is the duty of each chairman to call meetings and submit reports frequently to the association. I am looking forward to working with you and wish you a prosperous New Year. Dean Robertson NEWSLETTER NOTES Would like to welcome new board members Robert Johnston, Ken Mooradian, and Bert Fredericks. I am sure they will serve the membership well. New and fresh ideas will help the association move forward in attaining its goals. Would like to thank Past President Tom Curran who certainly has served the association with many long hours of dedication. Arthur Washburn and A1 Auger leave the board also and they have been instrumental in the progress of the association. Hopefully leaving the board doesn't mean these gentlemen will not remain involved in the association. Their leadership qualities will always be needed. Outgoing President Wayne Zoppo will remain on the board as Past President. The work he has done the last two years as President certainly has been appreciated by the board members he worked with so closely. Wayne represented our association in a highly professional manner and the association greatly appreciates his dedication to serve the membership. Arthur Anderson was awarded his 50 year plaque at the last meeting. The amount of energy and time he has put into our profession and association is immeasurable. He has helped many of the younger superintendents starting out in the profession and is always willing to help fellow superintendents. Even after retirement he has remained active in the association. New M e m b e r Applications J o e Farina, South Shore Country Club, j r . Associate Member Leroy Allen, Norwood Country Club, J r . Associate Member Steve Hosington, Unicorn Golf Club, Associate Member. GOLF CHAIRMAN EDUCATIONAL C H A I R M A N KEN MOORADIAN 134 Green St. Hopedale, Mass. 01747 H o m e Phone 473-2352 O f f i c e Phone 473-3508 Club Affiliation PETE COSTE 121 Granite St. Medtield, Mass. 02052 Home Phone 359-7247 O f f i c e Phone 566-0240 ClubAffitiation Hopedale C o u n t r y Club The C o u n t r y Club NEWSLETTER C H A I R M A N LARRYBUNN 145 D e d h a m S t . Canton, Mass. 02021 H o m e Phone 828-7266 O f f i c e Phone 828-6540 Club Affiliation Blue Hill C o u n l r y C l u b N E W E N G L A N D , I N C . Congratulations, Arthur, our association needs people like you and your work is greatly appreciated as expressed by the standing ovation you received from the membership. . Congratulations to Robert Grant CGCS, Superintendent at Brae Burn Country Club who received his re-certification plaque at the last meeting. His accomplishment sets an excellent example for others to follow. At the last meeting in my report to the membership, I failed to recognize Don Hearn for the work he has done on the Newsletter Committee. Don is Business Manager and does a lot of work in the operation of the Newsletter. His work is greatly appreciated by myself and I apologize for the oversight. At the last meeting, a discussion was held on playing greens in the winter and on frost. Out of approximately 40 superintendents, only 1 allowed play on greens when there was frost. There were 12 superintendents who allowed play on greens in the winter, only when the ground was frozen. During times when the ground was soft from thawing, they kept play off the greens. On behalf of myself and Dean Robertson, who were cochairmen of the Holiday Party, and the club manager at Chestnut Hill Country Club, we would like to apologize to those who attended the party for the band that was provided. It certainly was not what we expected! We would like to thank those who were there who made the best of a bad situation. The meal was excellent and a big thanks to the Friends of the Association who sponsored the cocktail hour which lasted all night! Those who sponsored the cocktail hour are listed in the Newsletter. The 49th International Turfgrass Conference and Show will be held in San Antonio, Texas. If you haven't made plans to go or send your superintendent you should seriously consider doing so. The week long activities consist of educational lectures, industrial exhibits, and golf course tours. The theme for the conference is "Economy Through Ideas" and I am sure there will be something for everyone to learn in what is the best way to operate your golf course at the lowest cost in manpower, natural resources, and fiscal expenditures. There will be 38 speakers from universities, industry, and GCSAA. Over 180 exhibitors will be displaying millions of dollars worth of equipment, tools, and supplies for turfgrass management. The dates are February 1217,1978. Larry Bunn Newsletter Chairman Jobs Open Woonsocket C o u n t r y Club, 18 Holes A p p l y to: Woonsocket C o u n t r y Club 180 Paine St. S. B e l l i n g h a m , Mass. Attention M r . B e r t r a m Beaumont T a t n u c k C o u n t r y Club, 9 Holes A p p l y to: T a t n u c k C o u n t r y Club 1222 Pleasant St. W o r c e s t e r , Mass. 01602 A t t e n t i o n : M r . Wiggo Anderson K e r n w o o d C o u n t r y Club A p p l y to: K e r w o o d C o u n t r y Club Salem, Mass. Attention: M r . Irving Weisman PAST PRESIDENT WAYNEZOPPO 9AVillageGreen North E. Providence, R.I. 02915 Home Phone 434-1759 O f f i c e Phone434-8512 Glub A f f i l i a t i o n A g a w a m H u n t Golf Club 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. PCoZdc fxzb