April 1979
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E N G L A N D ,

^Association
I N C

Sponsors a n d a d m i n i s t r a t o r s o f t h e L a w r e n c e S.
Dickinson S c h o l a r s h i p Fund — A w a r d e d y e a r l y
to d e s e r v i n g Turf M a n a g e m e n t Students.

The Ethics Snydrome
Violations of accepted ethics among golf course superintendents are on the increase. Why?
TPs baffling to me," offered Bob Mitchell. "I look around
at my profession and I see a lot of fine, dedicated, decent
people. Yet, reports of unethical behavior are beginning to
flood the country. I wish I could pinpoint the reason."
Mitchell, a former president of the Gold Course Superintendents Association of America, presented some in-depth
information on the state of ethics during the University of
Massachusetts Turf Conference. And from the very beginning of his treatment, he admitted that too many variables
entered the problem and its solution.
"This is a controversial subject," he sighed. "And when
you attempt to come to a conclusion, there is a myriad of
principles to be considered. I suppose it all boils down to the
affected parties. One sees it one way, the other sees it differently."
Mitchell, presently the superintendent at The Greenbrier
in White Sulphur Springs, West Va., told of a number of test
cases in which the GCSAA's code of ethics was challenged.
The results of those confrontations reflect no cut and dried
decisions. In most, no severe penalties were handed alleged
violators. It's as Mitchell suggests ... no one can prove that
the verdicts are indisputable.
For example, is it a violation of the code of ethics if a
superintendent takes his expertise to another course under
the urging of that club's members and the knowledge of their
own super? In one section of the country, the double-dipperif you will-was suspended from the local chapter.
"If someone asked me to provoe that such a practice was
wrong, I'd have a tough time doing it," Mitchell remarked.
"Naturally, I am in agreement with the feeling that one job
has been eliminated by a super taking over an additional
course. But, in the long run, does it really hurt the
profession? And, more important, how can we control the
hiring methods and philosophies of the employer? Frankly,
it's none of our business even though it raises the question of
an ethics violation."
Mitchell is the second of a third-generation golf course
superintendent family. His father has had a successful and
rewarding career, he is in the midst of duplicating and
perhaps surpassing that and his son shows signs of eclipsing
dad and grandfather.
What has this to do with the ethics' situation?
"Well, is just might be that attitudes change from
generation to generation," Mitchell proposed. "I look back at
my father and see a different outlook than I have now. He's
from the old school which treats the profession as a religion.
I inherited some of that outlook but leaned heavily on
education. But my son approaches the profession as part of a
business. Don't get me wrong. He's good, darned good. But
he can be good without offering as much input into the job as
my father and I have."
It is this evolvement of attitudes that perhaps answered the
r

question of why ethical violations are more prevalent today
than they were in the past. "I'm only guessing at this,"
Mitchell cautioned. "But I suspect that the younger supers
don't have the same traits as their predecessors. Call it lack
of compassion or whatever. And, then again, maybe I'm all
wrong."
Mitchell's perplexity in determining the reasons for the
unethical upswing is matched by the lack of a definitive
method of determining the social malady. "It all goes back to
the cases I mentioned," he said. "You can listen to both sides
of an ethical-associated accusation and have a difficult time
deciding whether it is a violation in the true spirit of the
code."
Nonetheless, it's a documented fact that the GCSAA has
seen fit to rewrite its code of ethics in the face of a continuing
incidence of alleged violations. And this is justifiable reason
in itself for all members of the profession to show some
concern.
"I believe that GCSSA members have an obligation to
themselves, their profession and their national organization
to become acquainted with our code of ethics," Mitchell
summed up his personal view. "If a super accepts membership in the GSCAA, he should accept the responsibility of
adhering to its bylaws and its code of ethics. If all the rules
are followed, there will be no need for a discussion of ethics."
Despite the human flaw in recognizing violations of the
code, the problem does exist. It is high time that these
violations be accepted as such and every attempt made to
prevent their recurrence.
Gerry Finn
Next Meeting
Eastward Ho C.C.
Aprils, 1979
Directors Meeting 9:30
Regular Meeting 10:15
Lunch 11:30 Golf after lunch
NOTE Business meeting and lunch will not be at the club
but will be at the Wayside Inn in Chatham.
Directions
Route 6 t o exit 11. Go left on route 137 for 50 yards to
Pleasant Bay Road. Follow to Route 28. Go right on route 28
to golf course on Fox Hill Road.
To Wayside Inn. Go past Fox Hill Road to first traffic light.
Go right to Chatham rotary. Go around rotary t h r o u g h town.
Inn is on left. Parking in rear.
Host Supt. Brian Cowan
Tel. # Home 432-9041
O f f i c e 945-9230
Call for lunch reservations. Cut off Date April 2, 1979

Q o i f

(Gourde

Superintendents

tion

Golfs Changing Design

It used to be that the golf course architect had it relatively
easy in putting his creativity to work.
"When the money was there and the restrictions were
minimal, we could really let ourselves go," remembers Dr.
Marvin Ferguson whose drawing board genius is recognized
throughout his profession."But now, it's a little different. The
economics of setting up a course and its attachments has
formed its own barriers. Actually, it's more of a challenge
and often it produces a stronger product."
Dr. Ferguson, a panelist at the University of
Massachusetts Turf Conference, points to the financial
cutback as the most influential additive in the construction of
new golf courses.
"When the building budget is tight, we concentrate on the
vital areas of the layout," Dr. Ferguson explained. "Greens
are the one thing that never can be neglected. They are the
focal points lending themselves to determining the players
reaction to the course. That's why we have to make sure
they're right.. .maybe above anything else."
In a confined spending situation, Dr. Ferguson also chooses
to eliminate as many high maintenance sources as possible.
"The trend today is to go with as few sand traps as we can get
away with," he told. "And the alternative to them is to work a
maximum number of natural hazards into the plan."
Dr. Ferguson's golf course design philosophy is based on
three factors. . . .playability, maintenance and beauty. "We
all like to think of the aesthetic effect the course presents,"
he offered. "But sometimes the playability and maintenance
requirements are such that it has to be driven down there in
third place in matter of priority."
The typical new golf course must have flexibility and Dr.
Ferguson works his design with this in mind. "We have to set
up the layout so that we can change the strength of the course
without changing its original physical concept," he said.
"You can do this many ways. . .the cut of the fairways and
height of rough along with strategic placing of teeing areas
and pin placements. This has to be arranged in the early
stages of construction, though."
Dr. Ferguson notes that a swingback to more moderate
approach in determining the length of the course and size of
greens is sweeping his profession. "There was a time when
everybody thought a course had to be long in order to be
difficult," he remarked. "But the strength of a course can
rely on many other factors. As for the greens, we seem to be
compromising out at around 6000-6500 square feet in size."
Obviously, the move to producing a more compact golf
course is in the best interest of maintaining it. "We are well
aware of the spiraling costs in conditioning the course and
keeping it that way," Dr. Ferguson continued. "And, we have
the golf course superintendent in mind from the top of the
drawing to the bottom."
Dr. Ferguson also notes that course design follows the
dictate of playing traffic. . .and the dreaded golf car. "We
pay attention to the proposed pace of play and the means to
meeting its requirements," he advised. "I think we all have
to agree that the golf car is here to stay and that its overall
effect is positive. The most positive happens to be the
revenue it generates."
He recalled an interesting incident in the Southwest, his
home country since he is from Texas. "Robert Goldwater
PRESIDENT

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

DEAN ROBERTSON
24 Riverview Drive
Newbury, Mass. 01950
Home phone 462-4540
Office phone 745-7289
Club Affiliation
<ernwood C.C.

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

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY
BRIAN COWAN CGCS
DAVID BARBER CGCS
Robins Way
Box 221
Harwich, Mass. 02645
Wayland, Mass. 01778
Home phone 432-9041
Home phone 326-1348
Office phone 945-9230
Office phone 358-4882
Club Affiliation
Club Affiliation
Eastward Ho.
Wayland C.C.

(Barry's brother) fought golf cars to the very end at the
Phoenix Country Club," Dr. Ferguson revealed. "And he
kept them out for a long time. But he finally gave in. . .with
one stipulation. That was an agreement to return all golf car
revenue to the maintenance budget.
"Well, the first year the revenue from them was in excess of
$100,000 which was more than the original maintenance
budget. I don't have to tell you that Phoenix was in pretty
good shape for a couple of years. But eventually the money
was funneled elsewhere. Wouldn't to be great if all courses
revived that arrangement?"
Dr. Ferguson admits that the call for country club courses
has weakened somewhat and that the trendy condominium
layouts appear to be in demand. "I don't know about that,"
he frowned. "I think the original purpose there is real estate
and selling homesites. Thus, the design of the course
becomes secondary . But this is only one of many things that
are turning corners in this business."
Golf course designing. . .another profession bending under
the force of the changing times.
Gerry Finn
The New England Golf Course Superintendents
Association wish to express their deepest sympathy to the
family of Tony Caranci on their recent loss.

Late Winter - Early Spring
Damage to Golf Turf grass
By J.R.WATSON
Vice President, The Toro Company
During late winter-early spring, fluctuating temperatures
and waterlogged, partially frozen soil produce conditions
that cause the loss of turf. This loss may be the direct or
indirect result of one or more of these phenomena. Direct
damage or kill of the permanent grass may occur at any
point of the freeze - frozen - thaw cycle so characteristic of
this season. In direct injury may result from attacks by
disease producing organisms (mostly snowmold and other
low temperature fungi) and by traffic on frozen and partially
frozen turf grass areas.
Causes Relating to Temperature Variations
Turfgrass may be destroyed - at the time it freezes, during
the time it's frozen, during the time it's thawing, or after it's
thawed and growth has begun. Some killing probably occurs
during each of these periods. This cycle of freezing, frozen,
thawing may be repeated several times during each winter
and early spring. When associated with intermittent growth
in late winter-early spring, damage may be severe. Death as
the plant freezes happens most often in the late fall-early
winter, but may occur after a period of growth (particularly
rapid growth) in the spring when a sudden drop in tem-

TREASURER

TRUSTEE

TRUSTEE

DONALDHEARNCGCS
4TopekaRd.
Chelmsford, Mass. 01824
Home phone 256-8709
Office phone 894-5906
Club Affiliation
Weston Golf Club

MAX MIERZWA
106CrestwoodSt.
Chicopee, Mass. 01020
Home phone 594-4996
Office phone 592-9540
Club Affiliation
Chicopee C.C.

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

TRUSTEE
MEINDERT F. SCHULTS
737 Princeton Blvd.
Lowell, Mass. 01851
Home phone 458-7605
Office phone 452-8228
Club Affiliation
Mt. Pleasant G.C.

FINANCE CHAIRMAN
ROBERTJOHNSON
128 Wilbraham Rd.
Hampden, Mass. 01036
Home phone 566-3075
Office phone 566-3096
Club Affiliation
Hampden C.C.

OF

perature occurs. This is most damaging when the grass
plants are in a non-hardened condition. Ice crystals form
within the cells and this disruption of the protoplasm may
cause death. Too, repeated cycles in the spring will exhaust
food reserves upon which the plants must draw to initiate
growth. For this reason, Poa annua is especially vulnerable.
Death during the time the plant is frozen is unlikely to
occur unless it is subjected to traffic. This will seldom occur
if a good snow cover exists, which is the case most often
during the winter months. However, play during the time
period under discussion may cause mechanical damage
either by attrition or from pressure which forces the ice
crystals through the cells, thereby puncturing them and
causing death. Play during time the grass is covered with
frost has the same effect.
Death at the time of thawing depends on the amount and
the state of the "bound" water within the cell (intra-cellular
water). Unless adequate bound water is present in the
protoplasm, death may result if thawing is rapid or if intercellular water re-enters the cell too rapidly. In the latter
case, the cell wall is permeable but the protoplasm is unable
to absorb the water. Prolonged cold may be conducive to
death because it contributes to brittleness of the protoplasm
and, if contact (from traffic) is made, the plant is highly
susceptible to damage.
Causes Relating to Traffic
Grass will initiate growth during the warmer periods of
late winter-early spring. If the season is characterized by
widely fluctuating temperatures, the grass is vulnerable to
the freez-frozen-thaw growth cycle with its attendent
problems. Too, the environment produced is highly conducive to disease development. Thus, this may be the most
critical phase of the turf management program facing the
golf course superintendent. And, he often finds his turf
management programs (and, therefore, himself) in direct
conflict with the golfing membership, especially those
desirous of playing a few early rounds.
Mechanical injury by traffic on partially frozen or wet soil
may be immediately evident (visible) or delayed (invisible).
Visible injuries (soil displacement) are the footprints and
ruts caused by foot and vehicular traffic - sliding and slipping, walking or rolling - on partially frozen or saturated soil.
Invisible injury stems from soil compaction.
Although this type of mechanical damage is not confined to
the winter months, soil compaction may be far more
damaging during this period than generally recognized.
Traffic on partially frozen or wet soil, without the protection
of living grass, will exert greater pressure (hence, more
compacting force) than during the normal growing season.
This results, subsequently, in poor growth and may explain
"problem areas" which show up in spring and summer for no
apparent reason. Cupping areas are particularly vulnerable
in this respect.
Traffic on frosted turf causes the frost crystals to puncture
leaf cells and kill the grass. Removal of frost, or preventing
play when the grass is frosted, is essential.
Reminder

Regular members may bring a prospective member to
one meeting only prior to his acceptance to the
association. No other guests are allowed.
OOLF CHAIRMAN
KEN MOORADIAN
134 Green St.
Hopedale, Mass. 01747
Home phone 473-2352
Office phone 473-3508
Club Affiliation
Hopedale C.C.

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

NEWSLETTER CHAIRMAN

PAST PRESIDENT

TOM SCHOFIELD CGCS
290 North Rd.
Sudbury, Mass. 01776
Home phone 443-3712
Office phone 235-7333
Club Affiliation
Wellesley C.C.

WAYNEZOPPO
9A Village Green No.
E. Providence, R.I. 02915
Home phone 434-1759
Office phone 438-8512
Club Affiliation
Agawam Hunt G.C.

NEW

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

Control of traffic during vulnerable periods does not
always contribute to harmony between early golfing
members and the less enthusiastic golfing and non-golfing
members. The responsibility for control rests with the club
officials-president, green chairman, superintendent and golf
professional.
Causes Relating to Ice Sheets and Ponded Water
Turfgrasses, although essentially dormant during the
winter months, nevertheless, carry on metabolic .(growth)
activity, particularly respiration. During late winter-early
spring, as growth activity increases, the grass may suffocate
(a) if diffusion of atmospheric and soil gases is reduced or
stopped; (b) if excess carbon dioxide accumulates, or (c) if
oxygen supplies are reduced to a minimum. Such conditions
exist under ice sheets in poorly drained areas where the soil
remains saturated for extended periods and, under flooded
conditions when ponded or standing water persists. The
higher the temperature, the shorter the period of time that
the grass can survive these adverse conditions.
Under limited (and rare) conditions, ice sheets and ponded
water may act as a lens. When this happens, the sun's rays
are magnified to the point where the excessive heat produced
may cause a burning or scalding of the turfgrass.
Causes Related to Reduced Water Intake
Desiccation is a "wilting" phenomenon. Like wilt, which
occurs during the normal growing season, desiccation occurs
when evapotranspiration exceeds water intake. This
inability of the roots to absorb water, or for the plant to
transport it to or through its system, may result from a
shallow, poorly branched root system; diseased vascular
system, or, from a reduced or restricted soil water supply.
Limited soil moisture may be the result of a "dry" soil (not
enough water) or of a frozen or partially frozen soil (water
unavailable to the root because of its physical state). Thus,
the roots simply cannot take in enough water to offset that
being lost by the plant and it "desiccates" or dries up - it
wilts. Although more serious during periods when the soil is
"on the dry side" or partially frozen, desiccation on high
windswept sites may occur at any time. The increased air
movement causes excessive transpiration and under limited
or reduced soil moisture conditions, the plants may die
unless protected.
In late winter-early spring, before the irrigation system
has been activated, damage from desiccation may be severe.
Water hauled in spray tanks or by other means and applied to
critical sites will prelude or minimize loss.
Protective Measures
Techniques and procedures that protect, avoid and correct
the damage that occurs in late winter-early spring are well
known to and understood by the golf course superintendent.
For the most part, protective measures relate to production
of a healthy vigorous grass and to the control, to the extent
possible, of the soil - plant environment. When these factors
are adversely impacted by anomalous conditions of weather,
poor construction or inadequate equipment and supplies, the
responsibility for loss of turfgrass must be shared.
Congratulations to

Thomas Olson, Sharon C.C.
Voted in at March Meeting
as a Jr. Associate Member

To be Voted on
Next Meeting

Orrin Ellis, Lexington G.C.
Jr. 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
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.

Pteate

FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Baker Tractor Corp., Ford Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Massachusetts

H o l l i s t o n S a n d C o m p a n y , Inc.
L o w l a n d S t r e e t , H o l l i s t o n , M a s s . 01746
Sands for top dressing and bunkers

Borden's Spreader Service
Maynard, Mass.
Tel. 617-897-2571
S a l e s Rep. - J a c k B o r d e n
B u l k L i m e s t o n e Dealer
o v e r 250 s a t i s f i e d g o l f c o u r s e s .

I & E S u p p l y , Inc.
66 Erna Ave.
P.O. B o x 9
M i l f o r d , C o n n . 06460
T e l e (203) 878-0658

T h e C h a r l e s C. H a r t S e e d C o .
Wethersfield, Conn.
B o b K e n n e d y , Rep.
Roy S i b l e y , Rep.
203-529-2537
T h e C l a p p e r Co.
1121 W a s h i n g t o n St.
G r o u n d s E q u i p m e n t Co., Inc.
383 B o y l s t o n St., N e w t o n Cen., M a s s .

* Sawtelle Brothers
565 H u m p h r e y S t r e e t
S w a m p s c o t t , Mass.
Tel. 617-599-4856
T r e n c h e r & E q u i p m e n t L e a s i n g , Inc.
Ditch W i t c h Trenchers
38 F a i r v i e w St., A g a w a m , M a s s . 01001
P h o n e 413-786-7314

K e n n e t h Barrie C o r p .
249 M i l t o n St., D e d h a m , M a s s . 02026
Tel. (617) 364-3333

T u c k a h o e T u r f F a r m s , Inc.
S l o c u m , R.I.
L i t c h f i e l d , N.H.
Bluegrass Blends/Penncross Bent Grass
Tel. 1-800-556-6985
Alan Anderson
Chris Beasley

T o m I r w i n , Inc.
11B A S t r e e t
Burlington, Mass.
L a r c h m o n t I r r i g a t i o n Co.L a r c h m o n t Ln., L e x i n g t o n ^ M a s s .

T u c o P r o d u c t s Co.
D i v i s i o n of t h e U p j o h n C o m p a n y
Kalamazoo, Michigan
David S y l v e s t e r 203-828-3790

Fiddlers Green, A m h e r s t , Mass.01002

M a g o v e r n C o m p a n y , Inc.
Lawn A c r e Road
W i n d s o r Lock, Conn.

C. S. C u r r a n
T.R.C. P r o d u c t s , O i l s a n d G r e a s e s
7 L i n d e n St., F r a m i n g h a m , M a s s .

D. L. M a h e r
B o x 127, C o n c o r d St.
N. R e a d i n g , M a s s . 01864

E-Z-Go G o l f Car
Sales - Service - Rentals
Polaris/E-Z-Go N o r t h e a s t
2237 R o u t e 28
W e s t W a r e h a m , M a s s . 02576

N e w E n g l a n d S e a l c o a t i n g Co., Inc.
Tennis Court Const, and Maintenance
Sealcoating — Hingham Industrial Center
H i n g h a m , M a s s . Tel. 749-3236

Golf Course A r c h i t e c t s

S c o t t s Pro-Turf Div.
Rep Ed. W i a c e k 1-401-253-4284
Rep A l l e n C u m p s 1-413-253-2995.
G o l d S t a r S o d F a r m s , Inc.
S o d & P i n e Bark M u l c h
Canterbury, New Hampshire
1-800-528-5205

O l d F o x C h e m i c a l Inc.
Fertilizers - Seeds - Turf Chemicals
66 V a l l e y S t r e e t
East P r o v i d e n c e , R h o d e I s l a n d 02914

W h i t e Turf Engineering
5 S u m m e r Drive, W i n c h e n d o n , M a s s . 01475
617-297-0941
P h i l i p A. W o g a n
Golf Course Architect
21 B u d l e i g h Ave., B e v e r l y , M a s s .

P r o - L a w n P r o d u c t s , Inc.
F r e d A n t h o n y , S a l e s Rep.
391 T r e m o n t St.
No. D i g h t o n , M a s s . 02764
Tel. 617-823-1348

Sudbury, Mass. 01776
Home Phone 443-3712
Office Phone 235-7333
Club Affiliation
Wellesley Country Club
DONALD HEARN
Business Manager
LEON ST. PIERRE
Co-ordlnator
GERRY FtNN
Contributing Editor

Turf Products Corp.
1496 J o h n F i t c h Blvd.
S. W i n d s o r , C o n n . 06074
Tel. 1-203-289-3471
J o h n Perry, S a l e s Rep.

* Contributors to the Lawrence S. Dickinson
Scholarship Fund