ourie —juperin Sunerintendenti OF NEW ^f E N G L A N D , hiociation INC March, 1979 Sponsors and administrators of the Lawrence S. Dickinson Scholarship Fund — Awarded yearly to deserving Turf Management Students. Another Wake-up Call Dr. Joseph Troll has been begging, borrowing. . . maybe even having a brush with stealing in an attempt to bring about a turf research facility of which all people in the profession can be button-popping proud. "Joe," as the golf-oriented populace knows him, is a professor of turf management at the University of Massachusetts. And there his own personal baby is located a research center that is the result of thousands of hours of pleas for the financial resources to see it become a reaility. "Don't get me wrong," Joe implored recently. "I'm not about to chew out anybody and get them made. And I don't want to mess up the situation when it comes to making another pitch for more funds. But we have our facility now. It's there for everyone. And our program is open. Now, all I need is some golf course superintendents to make it a complete success." Dr. Troll doesn't candy-coat his words. "I really believe that the golf course superintendent should get up here to Amherst and see what's going on," he remarked. "After all, anything related with turf relates to a superintendent's livelihood. And we have it all here for him to relate to." What Joe would like to throw out to the superintendents of the area is a simple demand. . . "a little more involvement, please." It seems the superintendent has been with the turf research project in every way except, perhaps, the most important - personal involvement. "All I'd like to see is the superintendent realize that this is his state university and he should take advantage of it," Dr. Troll reiterated. "I've had the financial support of the superintendent. So, the next thing should be his physical support. We have a lot to offer but apparently very few takers among the supers." One of Dr. Troll's pet ventures - in connection with the turf research program - is a summer Field Day. He recalls that last year's session atop Mt. Sugarloaf drew about 200 people. It was a refreshing and rewarding experience for all, most worthwhile. "But I didn't see too many superintendents," Joe added. "We had a great time. And there were a lot of things accomplished. It's too bad the supers couldn't come out in big numbers. It was to their advantage. It is their industry... the turf business." The Field Day, usually conducted in July, comes in the middle of the problem season as far as the golf course superintendent is concerned. It just happens to fall at that calendar juncture where winter's ills are still a fresh memory and summer's ailments beginning to perk. Those are turf diseases, not physical pains in the whatever. "The supers who do make it really get their time's worth," Joe explained. "The session is presented under ideal con- ditions and an unmatched atmosphere of mountains and sunshine. And it's a perfect setting for superintendents to exchange ideas. As far as I can see it, it's another exceptional educational experience for all who attend." In addition to the middle of the summer breaking of bread and swapping of opinions on turf-related subjects, Dr. Troll reminds one and all that the university is always available to superintendents for whatever needs they have. "I don't mean that the supers should shun the U.S.G.A. Green Section in their attempts to solve a turf problem," Joe declared. "I just think a superintendent would avail himself of our facilities... whether it is just an inspection of them or a test case. We have everything in the manner of turf projects and experiments. We have nine acres of land, more than half of it devoted to turf experimentation. Even in winter we have something popping.'' Over the years, Dr. Troll has been in the middle of raising in excess of $80,000 for the turf research center at UMass. And he reminds that he still is working in the direction of realizing more money in order to have the best facility available to those it has been designed to service. "Oh, I'll still be beating the bushes for money," Joe cautioned. "But at the moment, I'm more concerned with the superintendent's involvement. We have their money. Now, we want them. And it's to everyone's advantage. Our doors are always open." Gerry Finn Next Meeting March 12 Franklin C.C. Directors Meeting 9:30 Regular Meeting 11:00 Guest Speaker 1:30 Lou Wells on Pesticide Certification Gourde Superintendents ^ s$sdociation — Mechanized Madness ^ Now that the country club, public course, municipal layout or whatever has decided to plunge 60,000 fathoms deep into the golf car business, there should be a full whip put to the task of vindicating the commitment. In other words, the venture should not be slip-shod or helter-skelter in input by the club. It must be treated in the same manner as any other business investment with the accent on effecting a smooth and efficient operation. There is no looking back as far as the arrival of the golf car is concerned. In recent studies, it has been revealed that the golf car now generates more revenue for the country club than the pro shop. This makes the mechanized fleet of the club as much a part of a source of operational income as any other aspect of the total business. It has come to the attention of many observers that golf cars are taking on the character of an essenfial rather than the luxury it was when first introduced. In fact, many courses now declare it mandatory that a golf car be used in a round. Although this constitutes an infrigement on individual rights, those courses have seen fit to make members aware that their yearly dues might be contingent on the revenue turned over from car rentals. This trend began with the resort courses, mostly because of an aid to speed-up in play. However, once those establishments realized how much money they made with full ride clientele, it gradually leaked over to the private and public golfing sector. Thus, the mandatory attachment has mushroomed. . . much to the dismay of those who prefer walking and the right to select their method of course navigation. With the golf car entrenched, the country club must now take steps to insure proper implementation of a motorized system. And the beginning has to be found in maintaining a fleet of cars commensurate with the charges received for using them. There are many clubs who refuse to establish a golf car turnover program on the premise they will last forever just as long as the superintendent can keep them in working order. The average life of a golf car is in the four to five-year range, that is a life where constant repairs are not to be considered. So, it would profit the club to break out a new car as a replacement for a used one every fourth or fifth season. It also should be a requisite that a sizable storage area be provided in order to escape the expense and aggravation of continuous trips to the repair shop. That area should be covered since exposure to the winter elements is very apt to take months and maybe years from the life expectancy of the car. Those clubs, storing cars outside, do nothing more than assemble a fleet of potential junk. In the overall picture, the failure to activate a proper, off-season care and storage program defeats the revenue-generating purpose of the golf car. Another logical aid in perfecting the plan is to purchase one make of golf car. This does wonders in the aspect of an efficient maintenance system. Not only does it cut down on number of man hours spent, it eliminates incalculable PRESIDENT FIRST VICE PRESIDENT DEAN ROBERTSON 24 Riverview Drive Newbury. Mass. 01950 Home phone 462-4540 Office phone 745-7289 Club Affiliation t h e t r u e c o n t e x t is m a i n t a i n e d . W e w o u l d a p p r e c i a t e a redit l i n e . P(e