October 1978

ourie Superintendents
OF

N E W

E N G L A N D ,

ocia tion
I N C

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

Put Your PR to Work
--It's time for the golf course superintendent to establish a little
job security on his own. That's right. Never mind wishing for
long-term contracts and court-proof binding verbal agreements.
You have the best safeguard against pink slips in your own
hands-the hands that shape the conditional destiny of the club
where you apply your particular experience and expertise.
"The trouble with a lot of us," says one astute superintendent,
"is that we don't communicate with our members. We just sit
back and let the uneducated snipers take pot shots at us about
our work and then wait for the consequences. That's almost
promoting self-destruction."
Getting to know your members. That's the first step in
creating a line of communication. And the best method to
initiate such a much-needed meshing of personalities and exchange of thoughts is to be seen on your golf course.
"I make it a point to be conspicuous by my presence instead of
my absence," the same super advised. "Too often we restrict
our appearances on the course to the wee hours of the morning
when we go out with the crew to line up the day's work. That's all
well and good but the only other form of life on the course at that
time of day is the squirrels and rabbits."
An occasional tour of the playing area during the height of the
day's action gives the superintendent the exposure, plus the
impression to members that he is interested in how the golfer
reacts to the condition of the course. In fact, just a friendly hello
and inquiry on how play is going is enough to start the public
relations movement get off the ground.
Since most of the complaints concerning the course are
initiated by the average member, he should be the target of the
superintendent's effort to sell himself. "I try to nip a complaint
in the bud," another super revealed. "Obviously, my course
isn't perfect. But when a member approaches me for the answers to turf problems he might encounter during a round, I'm
there for his benefit...and my own. I try to explain the reasons
for the brown spot or the roughness in the green. And, usually,
I've sent one satisfied customer back to his game."
The gradual involvement by all members in the conditioning
process of the course has been nurtured by a new awareness to
the complexities the superintendent's task encompasses. In the
past, golfers paid little attention to the grooming of a golf course
except for commenting on the end result. But the superintendent-through vehicles such as this Newsletter-now finds the
member showing interest in his job and actually familiarizing
himself with the overall input.
"I think the superintendent lives under a false assumption
that silence from the members translates into satisfaction on
their part," and super added.."And that's where we're all
wrong. I just don't like the idea of hiding out in the maintenance
building in order to avoid contact with the members. It's not a
healthy situation and sooner or later it comes back to haunt us."
So, is there an established formula for promoting rapport
between superintendent and member? Not really. However, the
super should make himself available to members on an informal
basis. This doesn't mean rushing to the 19th hole at the end of the

playing day and conducting a seminar. That's the extreme and
very dangerous. But the superintendent should entertain
inquiries and offer explanations in a friendly manner.
Perhaps some superintendents might shudder in horror over
the possibility of having to subject himself to the third degree
every time a trouble spot appears on the course. Naturally, this
is not the intent of drawing a line of communication. On the
contrary, the contact should be casual and not contrived.
What it boils down to is a form of educating the members to
the conditioning problems so that they understand that such
problems often are unavoidable and their solutions sometimes
are a matter of cooperation from Mother Nature and the
elements. This is far better than leaving the member to draw his
own conclusion which, more often than not, places the super
under extreme pressure and possible loss of job.
Therefore, the superintendent should put public relations to
work, himself. And, as everyone realizes, a little PR never hurt
anybody. Don't wait to meet and converse with your member
until it's on the receiving end of a dismissal notice. Make him
know you appreciate his presence and he'll retaliate. It's just
another touch of professionalism which all of us can utilize in
any job situation.
Gerry Finn
NEXTMEETING
MOV. 6,1978

Foxboro Country Club

Host Superintendent - Bill Carter
Director's Meeting 9:30
Regular Meeting 10:30
Lunch 11:30
Golf following lunch

Directions:

Off Rte. 95 take exit for Rte. 140 North. Take
first left onto Walnut St. and follow to club.
Reservations for lunch must be in by Nov. 3
Call or write:
Bill Carter
33 Walnut St.
Foxboro, Mass. 02035
Tel. 543-5068

( j o i f Course

Superin

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lion

More on the GM Advance
Recently, we pointed out the gradual advancement of the
general manager concept in the operation of country clubs. The
crux of that presentation was the fact that the clubhouse
manager-through the inspiration and influence of his national
association-is readying himself for a thrust at becoming the
logical candidate for such a high and mighty position.
Now, we must busy ourselves with the reasons why there
seems to be a need for the GM type of operation. It is apparent
that clubs around the country are slowly turning to such a
program with the latest count up around 20 percent in moving in
that direction and the figure steadily on the increase.
There is solid backing of the general manager arrangement
mounting from within the country club ranks because of a
segregated three-ply operation from the individual efforts of
clubhouse
superintendent. There is growing concern among club officials
that the three positions are functioning too independently from
the others and that the whole thing must be tied together with
the establishment of a general manager and its director.
What has happend is that the golf professional appears to
approach his duties as those separate from the effect on the
clubhouse manager and superintendent. In turn, the others
assume the same attitude of isolationist and they go along on
their merry way.
Club officials sense this lack of cohesion among the three
principals and envision the danger of one either running away
from the other or lagging far behind. In this instance, too, they
also see an example of competition-unplanned that it may betaking hold and damaging the overall operation.
The popular observation running through many clubs is that
one facet of the three-way management becomes more interested in its particular goals than the general goal of all
concerned-to contribute to the success of the complete
operation.
Just as in business and industry, there has to be one man or
w )man at the top to oversee the entire production or service
sc ene. He is the person responsible for the melting of each indi vidual effort into the final product. And, in the club, the final
p oduct is a happy and contented membership.
In some clubs, the satisfaction of the member often breaks
down to the results of the offerings of the professional, clubhouse
manager and superintendent. He likes what he sees in the pro
shop and what emulates from there in way of service. However,
he doesn't like the way the dining room is operating. And,"then,"
he may not be too rosy in his assessment of the course's condition. Whatever the reaction, it can be just as isolated as the
operational arrangement.
Realistically, such feeling is prevalent in the present
arrangement of threefold direction. How many superintendents
really are concerned with the way the clubhouse is run or how
the golf shop treats its customers? And, in the same train of
thought, are there many clubhouse managers who give a damn
whether or not the greens are putting true?
There is strong reason to believe that eventually the three
leaders of the one-way streets in country club operation will
have to direct their efforts toward that previously mentioned
common goal. Obviously, it will necessitate the naming of a
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
DEAN ROBERTSON
24 Riverview Drive
Newbury, Mass. 01950
Home Phone 462-4540
Office Phone 745-7289
Club Affiliation
Kernwood Country Club

RONALD KIRKMAN
25Groen St.
Needham, Mass. 02192
Home Phone 444-8412
Office Phone 444-5548
Club Affiliation
Needham Golf Club

S E C O N D V I C E PRESIDENT
BRIAN C O W A N CGCS
Robins Way
Harwich, Mass. 02645
Home Phone 432-9041
Office Phone 945-9230
Club Affiliation
Eastward Ho!

SECRETARY
DAVE BARBER CGCS
P.O. Box 221
Wayland. Mass. 01778
Home Phone 358-7678
Office Phone 358-4882
Club Affiliation
Wayland Country Club

coordinator for such a concentrated and cooperative effort
because there must be someone applying the string to the
drawing together of the three.
Perhaps the clubhouse managers are clairvoyanti preparing
for a future where the general manager concept will be the rule
rather than the exception. And this is not meant to demean such
outlook and foresight in advancing their particular profession.
And since there is a growing feeling among club officials that
the general manager is the answer to one of their pressing
problems, it would do the superintendent well to follow suit,
Surely, not all supers are interested in such ascension. But
those, who want to better themselves economically and
professionally, should look into the future with the idea of
making themselves ready to become GM material.
effects are considered. There just has to be one boss man at the
top of the chain of command.
Gerry Finn
Job Opening
Salem Country Club, Salem, Mass.
Position open - Professional Agronomist
Write to:
Mr. Arthur Connelly, Chairman
Ad Hoc Committee
Salem Country Club
P.O. Box671
Peabody, Mass. 01960

Super/Super Championship
Tournament Results
Gross

1st - Mel O'Kelly & Art Washburn
2nd - Bruce Carlson & Linny Blodgett
Net
1st - Ron Kirkman & Bob Mucciarone
2nd - Tony Carranci & Wayne Zoppo
3rd - J. P. Jones & George Machado
4th - Dave Barber & Bob Connolly

72
73
58
62
64
65

CONGRATULATIONS to Henry Coffin, superintendent at
Chestnut Hill Country Club who was voted in as a regular
member at the last meeting.
TO BE VOTED at the next meeting will be John Pluta,
superintendent at Westover Golf Club. He is to be an
Associate Member.

TREASURER

TR

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

TRUSTEE
PAUL J O H N S O N
4 Judith Dr.
No. Reading, Mass. 01864
Home Phone 664-6664
Office Phone 777-1134
ClubAffiliaton
Ferncroft Country Club

MAX MIER2WA
106Crestwood St.
Chicopee, Mass. 01020
Home Phone 594-4996
Office Phone 592-9540
Club Affiliation
Chicopee Country Club

FIANCE CHAIRMAN

BERT FREDERICK
45 Stoney Brook Rd.
Nabnaset, Mass 01861
Home Phone 692-6445
Office Phone 453-1231
Club Affiliation
Vesper Country Club

ROBERT J O H N S T O N
128Wilbraham Rd.
Hampden, Mass. 01036
Home Phone 566-3075
Office Phone 566-3096
Club Affiliation
Hampden Country Club

NEW

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

Nary Sperandio Honored
Last August one of my favorite people was honored on his 65
birthday by family, friends, and fellow superintendents. I am
speaking of Nary Sperandio, superintendent at Concord Country
Club. This was a surprise party and by the look on Nary's face
when he entered the room was living proof that he had the wool
pulled over his eyes. The party was planned by his wife Phyllis,
son James Alan and daughter-in-law Linda, and daughter Karen
Lee and son-in-law Dick.
Nary is a graduate of Stockbridge School of Agriculture. He
and Phyllis were married in 1941 and they settled in Marlboro.
He was owner of Marlboro Country Club and was one of the first
golf courses to have a rope ski tow which Nary put in himself.
In 1943 Nary sold the club when he was called to service where
he served the Navy Seabees during World War II. After
discharge from the service he settled in Framingham and began
employment as a milkman.
In 1945 Concord Country Club called Nary for an interview. He
didn't have the gas which was rationed at that time to get to
Concord. So the club sent him the necessary stamps to buy gas
to come for the interview. Ever since Nary has maintained
Concord Country Club giving the members one of the finest golf
courses in the area. Along with the golf course, Nary has saved
the club a lot of expense by doing work without the help of outside contractors. Examples are installation of an automatic
irrigation, clay tennis courts, and reconstruction of areas of the
golf course that needed to be rebuilt.
Nary has been an active member of our association over
years. He has served in almost every capacity including
president from 1960 to 1962. He worked in organizing and raising
money when the national turn conference was held in Boston in
1950. It is a rare occasion if you go to a meeting, conference or
seminar and Nary is not present. He and Phyllis did miss one
meeting that was held on Martha's Vineyard. Seems they were
late and were left standing on shore as the boat sailed off to the
island!
His golfing career has had its ups and downs. In 1950 he was
named Most Consistent Golfer and was nicknamed Nary
"Routine" Sperandio. But later on he played in a tournament at
Bellevue Golf Club shooting 48 on the first nine and 38 on the
back nine. That doesn't sound very consistent to me, and worse
than that he later found out it was a 9 hole tournament! Nary
played in the first John Shanahan Memorial Superintendent/Pro Tournament in 1935 with pro Jack Harvey
representing Marlboro Country Club finishing in fourth place. In
1946 he lost in a playoff and finally last year he and his pro Jock
Hopkins took first place. I had the pleasure of playing with Nary
at International Golf Club during the Superintendent and Greens
Chairman Tournament when he had his hole in one. I will tell
you one thing, if there ever was a perfect hole in one, that was.
The shot was in all the way!
At age 65 Nary isn't thinking of retiring. His health is excellent
and looking at him you would guess him to be 55. He and his wife
Phyllis spend a lot of their time enjoying 4 lovely grandchildren.
They are Robyn Lee age 6 and Colin age 1, daughter and son of
Jimmy and his wife Linda; and Kerry Anne age 5 and Michelle
Lee age 3, daughters of Karen and her husband Dick. They also
spend their leisure time traveling and playing golf together.

If there ever was a model superintendent, Nary Sperandio is
the one. A true professional at his job and dedicated to our
association. He has left an impression on many of us. On behalf
of our association, Nary we are looking forward to many, many
more years together.
Larry Bunn,
Newsletter Chairman

Newsletter Notes
Want to wish Pete Coste, superintendent at The Country Club
a speedy recovery from an accident that happened at work. Pete
suffered torn cartlidge to the left knee. Hope you will be up and
around soon.
Edward Buecher, who held membership in the GCSAA, GCSA
of N.E. and GCSA of N.H. of which he was a Charter Member,
passed away on June 28. He was a retired member having been
employed by the Manchester Country Club, Manchester, N.H.
for more than 50 years.
"The New Hampshire turf Seminar will be held on January 11
and 12,1979, at the Sheraton-Wayfarer Motor Inn, Bedford, New
Hampshire. This year the sponsors of the seminar have decided
that all proceeds will go toward a scholarship for Jennifer
Warren, the daughter of Dr. Clifford Warren, in memory of our
past Extension Turfgrass Specialist."
Want to clear up a yearly problem that has developed again.
Our association has a rule that states the following: "Members
may bring prospective members to one meeting. The
prospective member may partake in all activities, except the
right to vote.'' We have members and Friends of the Association
who bring guests to meetings who are not prospective members.
When someone calls the host superintendent and asks to bring
some friends to play golf at the meeting he is putting the host in
an uneasy situation. If they say no they feel as if they are offending that person. Members of our association are extended
the privilege of playing golf at the host club without paying a
greens fee. For people to bring friends to play and not pay a
greens fee, is over extending the association's privileges. In the
future, no guests, and please don't call the host superintendent
and put him in an embarrassing situation.

-a.,..

GOLFCHAIRMAN
KEN MOORADIAN
134 Green St.
Hopedale. Mass. 01747
Home Phone 473-2352
Office Phone 473-3508
Club Affiliation
HopeOale Country Club

EDUCATIONAL CHAIRMAN
PETE COSTE
121 Granite St
Medfield, Mass 02052
Home Phone 359-7247
Office Phone 566-0240
Club Affiliation
The Country Club

NEWSLETTER CHAIRMAN
LARRY BUNN
145 DedhamSt
Canton, Mass. 02021
Home Phone 828-7266
Office Phone 828-6540
ClubAffiliation
Bfue Hill Country Club

PAST PRESIDENT
WAYNE20PP0
9A Village Green North
E. Providence, R I 02915
Home Phone 434-1759
Office Phone 434-8512
Club Affiliation
Agawam Hunt 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
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.

"Pletue
Baker Tractor Corp., Ford Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Massachusetts
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
I & E Supply, Inc.
66 Erna Ave.
P.O. Box 9
Milford, Conn. 0 6 4 6 0
Tele (203) 878-0658
Kenneth Barrie Corp.
249 Milton St., Dedham, Mass. 02026
Tel. (617) 364-3333
Tom Irwin, Inc.
1 I B A Street
Burlington, Mass.

Karandrew Turf Farms, Inc.
Sam Mitchell, Sales Representative
Geoffrey S. Cornish & William G. Robinson 15 Longmeadow Drive, Canton, Mass.
Golf Course Architects
Fiddlers Green, Amherst, Mass. 01002
Larchmont Irrigation Co.
Larchmont Ln., Lexington, Mass.
C. S. Curran
T. R. C. Products, Oils and Greases
Mallinckrodt, Inc.
7 Linden St , Framingham Maw
— Second and Mnlliiu kruui S t r e e t
St. Louis, Missouri 63147
E-Z-Go Golf Car
* Magovern Company, Inc.
Sales - Service - Rentals
Lawn Acre Road
Polaris/E-Z-Go Northeast
Windsor Lock, Conn.
2237 Route 28
West Wareham, Mass. 02576
D. L. Maher
Box 127, Concord St.
Scotts Pro-Turf D i v .
N. Reading, Mass. 01864
R e p E d . W i a c e k 1-401-253^1284
R e p A l l e n C u m p s 1-413-253-2995.

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

New England Sealcoating Co., Inc.
Tennis Court Const, and Maintenance
Sealcoating — Hingham Industrial Center
Hingham, Mass. Tel. 749-3236

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
Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Inc.
Slocum, R.I.
Litchfield, N.H.
Tel. 1-800-556-6985
Alan Anderson
Chris Beasley
Co.
Division of the Upjohn Company
Kalamazoo, Michigan
David Sylvester 203-828-3790
Turf Products Corp.
1496 John Fitch Blvd.
S. Windsor, Conn. 06074
Tel. 1-203-289-3471
Gary Braynt, Sales Rep.

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

Old Fox Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers - Seeds - Turf Chemicals
66 Valley Street
East Providence, Rhode Island 02914

White Turf Engineering
5 Summer Drive, Winchendon, Mass. 01475
617-297-0941

Holliston Sand Company, Inc.
Lowland Street, Holliston, Mass. 01746
Sand for Golf Bunkers and Traps

P & L Equipment Corp.
Golf Cars & Commercial Turf Equipment
80 Lynde Street, Melrose, Mass. 02176
Phone 617-665-5990

Philip A. Wogan
Golf Course Architect
21 Budleigh Ave., Beverly, Mass.

* Contributors to the Lawrence S. Dickinson Scholarship Fund

FIRST C L A S S

First Class
U . S . Postage

PAID
Maynard, M A
Permit
Canton, Mass. 02021
Home Phone 828-7266
Office Phone 828-6540
Club Affiliation
Blue Hill Country Club
DONALD HEARN
Business Manager
L E O N ST. P I E R R E
Co-ordinator
GERRY FINN
Contributing Editor

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