JULY, 1979 (bourse ^uperintendenti OF NEW E N G L A N D , hiociati Otl INC. Sponsors a n d a d m i n i s t r a t o r s 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. Let's Get Together There was a wave of suspicion accompanying anticipation of the meeting of New England golf course superintendents and clubhouse managers last month at the Metacomet Club in East Providence. Those fears or whatever were unfounded. The session was well worth the trip, whether you wheeled in from the western part of Massachusetts or other nearby ports. The clubhouse managers were not there to m a k e a pitch for the general manager concept, nor were they sounding out the superintendents in an effort to take a stranglehold on that position. The meeting proved successful on both a social and business level. In fact, the most prominent comment at day's end was the desire to get together again and perhaps m a k e the event an annual affiar. For one of the r a r e moments under similar conditions, the superintendents had the opportunity to air some of their problems. And, in like manner, the managers bared their drawbacks on the execution of their jobs. The biggest problem among superintendents appears to be in the area of compensation, both for their help and themselves. But, for this moment, the supers preferred to concentrate on the labor force. Clubhouse managers agreed that the super is being called upon to operated under the burden of offering scab wages to his help. An interesting comparison was noted, one which comes out appalling when you think of it. It was revealed that workers on the course a r e lucky if they a r e paid $3.50 an hour for certain jobs that require expertise in the handling of expensive and dangerous equipment. The ludicrous nature of such a scale was realized when one clubhouse manager disclosed that he was paying his waitresses as much as $6 an hour. When one considers that the golf course is the backbone of the country club and that its playing condition sets the tempo for the amount of business in the clubhouse, the gap between those two jobs in remuneration is incredible. "You shouldn't take that from the m e m b e r s , " one manager told the superintendents. "We find that depriving members of top notch service results in our ability to offer higher wages to our help. I wouldn't want to suggest that you hold back on your conditioning services to members. But it's a thought. After all, there is no legitimate reason why a waitress should make more money than a man spraying with fungicides or cutting the rough on a treacherous hill." There was strong agreement, then, on that matter. And there was considerable sympathy accorded the superintendent in another troubled area - that of too much play on the golf course. One super and his discussion partner clubhouse manager told of a situation where their club staged three different shotgun-type tournaments on one day. "Getting our kitchen and help to do an adequate job was almost an impossibility," the manager moaned. "Did you ever try to keep up with the flow of delivering golf carts and mowing fairways with over 250 golfers on the course?'' the superintendent replied. Also touched upon was the line of communications between clubhouse manager and superintendent. It was unanimous that those lines become clear and remain in working order. "We're not trying to create situations where we have to depend on one another," a super told. "But each of us should be aware of the other's particular problem whether it's related or not. And very often one solution is effective in solving similar problems. We have to operate as two factions working together, not factions torn a p a r t by jealousy and other foolish things." com. on page 2 NEXTMEETING J U L Y 16,1979 MARSHFI ELD COUNTRY CLUB Directors Meeting: 10 a.m. Regular Meeting: 11 a.m. Lunch:12 noon Golf: 1 p.m. Directions: Rt. 128 to Rt. 3. Take M a r s h f i e l d E x i t 32, Rt. 139. Follow 139 toward Marshfield. A t second light, t u r n right. Bear left at fork. Course I mile on the right. Cjoff^ (Gourde Superintendents dissociation Whereas Charlie?... He's Everywhere One of the welcomed star attractions at the meeting of New England golf course superintendents and clubhouse managers was the president of the Golf Course Superintendent's Association of America, Charlie Tadge. Metacomet, the site of the session, is one of about 80 stops Tadge will make in spreading the gospel of his profession during his one year tenure as GCSAA prexy. "Fortunately, I have two assistants and a foreman at my club," Charlie explained his nationwide availability. "And my club understands the situation. This is a source of recognition for them. B u t . . . they still want a good golf course. Doesn't every member?" Tadge has been superintendent at the Mayfield Country Club in South Euclid, Ohio - a suburb of Cleveland lor 13 years. "My members were a little leery about my taking this job at first," Charlie continued. "But I've convinced them that someone has to be working for the whole golf business. That's why they gave me the go-ahead sign. Everyone in golf wants to see the game improve and prosper. That's one of the superintendent's goals. After all, it is our business, too." The president doesn't plan any drastic moves while he serves the GCSAA. However, he has initiated a study which could result in a vigorous reorganization in the future. "I've set up a committee to study the organizational Structure of the GCSAA," Charlie revealed. "It's going to take a long time and it may result in only minimal change. One item, which I'm concerned with, is the sectional or chapter wings. I think they should be more clearly defined and should have requirements which place all of their members under the big tent of the GCSAA. I want to see this made mandatory. There's little sense to superintendents joining a section with some members of the national and others ignoring it. My goal is to get every golf course superintendent interested and active in our organization. Our strength lies with our membership and that strength often is measured in numbers." Charlie is completely satisfied with the progress of the superintendent in his quest to be recognized by club members as a vital and integral part of the club operational facet. "I'd say we've come a long way in recent years," he that the superintendent is the best business manager on the premises. . . better than the clubhouse manager or the golf professional. Our image is clouded only by the national recognition the touring pros get. Too many people associate the touring pro with the club pro. They're two different wings of one profession. But it's no big deal as far as I'm concerned. As I go around the country, I find that the super is growing in acceptance and stature." Although the term "greenkeeper" continues to overshadow use of the term "golf course superintendent," the situation doesn't bother Tadge. "The greenkeeper name may even be better than superintendent," he laughed. "Sure, it doesn't sound as refined or fancy. But it tells it all. Some of our PRESIDENT FIRST VICE PRESIDENT DEAN ROBERTSON 24 Riverview Drive Newbury, Mass. 01950 Home phone 462-4540 Office phone 745-7289 Club Affiliation