April, 1980
ourSe •Superintendents
—luperinl
OF

NEW

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^dissociation
INC

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 Snowless Winter
Several weeks ago. they wheeled the patient into the laboratory
at Rutgers University. There, Dr.Spencer Davis was waiting to
make his diagnosis.
'Hmmmmm," Dr. Davis looked over his results. "Severe swelling here, no signs of life there. However, there just might be a
spark left to save them."
What Dr.Davis — actually a pathologist but serving as a turf
diagnostician at the time — was examining was a number of
plug samples gathered from the Metropolitan New York golfing
area. The examination was inspired by the unusually low snow
cover this winter in virtually the whole Northeast section of the
country.
"Dr. Davis' findings are most interesting," offered Stan Zontek
during his visit to last month's UMass Turf Conference. "He put
those plugs in a growth chamber and observed the growth process, if any. There definitely was swelling in the roots and some of
the grasses were victims of dessication. But enough survived to
overpower the desiccation."
So. Zontek found some hope for the immediate future of
grasses on courses which were deprived of valuable snow cover.
"I'm not trying to sound like acockeyed optimist" the Northeastern Director for the USGA Green Section said. "But I'm hopeful

NEXT
MEETING
April 7, 1980
New Seebury C.C.
Directors Meeting 10:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
Regular Meeting
12:00 Noon
Lunch
Golf After Lunch
Note**
We still need a course for August
meeting. If yours is available
contact Ken Mooradian.

the damage won't be as devastating as some fear. It is a cause for
concern. However, it is not a cause for panic. And there is something the superintendent can do about it."
Zontek strongly suggests loading greens with water. "Of
course, the ideal situation would be a full measure of rain in late .
winter and early spring," he told. "But the superintendent can
use spray tanks to keep his greens moist. That's where most of
the stress is expected. The limited nature of spraying water
without use of the regular irrigation system should make it
obvious that concentration be on the greens."
This application will serve the conditioning purpose of the golf
course and the mental outlook of the superintendent. "First, it
might help those grasses not hit by dessication to survive and
eventually flourish." Zontek explained. "Second, it will give the
superintendent a certain feeling of peace of mind. He won't want
to find himself saying. 'I should have done it' if he has major
problems. He will have covered all bases with a heavy watering
program."
Zontek advises supers to let nature have its way in regard to
the spring recovery of fairways.. "Mother Nature has been in
control of this situation for too many years." he laughed. "The
superintendent realizes that all of us are pawns of Mother
Nature, anyway. So, keeping his fingers crossed probably is his
best bet in hoping that his fairways spring back to normal."
There had been other fears attached to the snowless conditions. One, feared most by farmers, was the windswept open
fields and loss of top soil there. "They have every right to worry
about this problem." Zontek referred to the farmers. But I don't
think this should bother the superintendent.
"There is little or no loss of top soil because of the makeup of
golf turf. It holds the top soil together. I think we've madeastudy
of this and the loss was minimal. . .something like four pounds
per acre per year. So. we don't get hit there."
This was an unkind winter, though. "Similar to the winter of
1968—69." Zontek reminded. "We had an open season with no
snow. There was plenty of dessication, as I recall. And the ice was
a factor. That was rough. When the thawthatyearfinallycame.it
was very harmful. Most of the water in the frozen state went from
solid to vapor. In other words, the ice thawed without going
through the liquid state. This was the cause of severe
dessication."
Zontek termed the six weeks between the first of March and
the 15 th of April as very critical, weatherwise. 'We will be looking
for moisture in the form of rain," he said. "But, this is when the
golf course superintendent might have to rely on his own source
of getting moisture to the plant. I have every confidence in the
world that the superintendent will give it his all in trying to
overcome the unfavorable winter we've experienced."
Snowless winter it was. Rainless spring it shouldn't be. Whatever. the superintendent has his job cut out for him. Mother
Nature strikes again!
Gerry Finn

Cjoff

Course

.Superintendents

-dissociation

-

Important Decisions Ahead
The Golf Course Superintendents of Association of New England has some mighty important decisions coming up .
whether certain of its members think they're necessary or not.
"We are going to put it to the membership." NEGCSA president Ron Kirkman emphasizes. "We're not trying to shove anything down anybody's throat. This association belongs to the
members. So, they will have to do some high-powered thinking
on this thing."
"This thing," as Kirkman kicks over the outlook of the association. is a review and possible rewrite of the NEGCSA's bylaws.
They haven't been touched in 13 years. Meanwhile, there have
been a number of changes in the structure and philosophy of the
profession. What was the applicable strain of bylaws 13 years ago
may not be today.
Kirkman has assembled a crackerjack group of supers to serve
as a bylaws committee with Bob Grant of Brae Burn as chair-maH. WorkingAvit-h-BGb-ar&DonTiearruQl^
rone of Woodlawn, Bob Mucciarone of Dedham and Tom
Schofield ofWellesley.
"I think we might have a pretty good cross—section ofopinion
in those people." Kirkman offers. "And they'll probably have a lot
of battles of their own before they come to the membership with
their findings. It just might be that they'll leave things as they
are. I can't express my feelings. I'm really an observer in this
matter."
Although no one is pressing to present it. the waiting period of
five years for full membership privileges for new members
appears to be a possible key issue. Presently, a newcomer to the
association is accepted as an associate member. He/she has the
right to contribute input at monthly meetings and the like but
there is no voting rights allowed until the members has been
active for five years.
In effect, the new super on the block becomes a lame—duck
member in that he/she can pay dues, make suggestions, discuss
similar on—the—job problems with others but be left out when
it comes time to make decisions affecting the organization.
Some superintendents believe this to be unfair. Others think the
waiting time weeds out the fly—by—night intruders to the
profession.
Some partial observers trace the relatively small membership
total to this so—called "second class citizen" label a new member
wears for five years.
Presently, there are 150 members in the NEGCSA. Of these,
•-abo u t"l"30 a-i e employed by public and private-eottrsesin-Massa—
chusetts. "Dr. Troll (UMass professor of agronomy) tells me there
are something like 300 courses in Massachusetts," Kirkman
remarks. "That means we don't even have half of their superintendents as members. Something must be wrong somewhere.
We should be getting more new members."
Kirkman stresses the point that he is not placing himself in
the position of influencing the bylaws committee or the general
membership which might be asked to vote on the "five—year—
gag rule." "I am only trying to make everyone aware of a unique
situation." he adds, "and I think it's unique when we have less
than half of the working supers in the state as members."
Conversely, there is a section of the present membership
which retains an outlook of selectivity in bringing about the
complete making of an association member. One super, who
asked not to be identified, thinks the five— year waiting period

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT
Brian Cowan CGCS
Ronald K i r k m a n
R o b i n s Way
25 Green St.
Needham, Mass. 02192 Harwich, Mass. 02645
H o m e Phone 432-9041
H o m e Phone 444-8412
O f f i c e Phone 945-9230
O f f i c e Phone 444-5548
Club Affiliation
Club Affiliation
Eastward Ho.
N e e d h a m Golf C l u b

k

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Donald Hearn CGCS
4 Topeka Rd.
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
Club Affiliation
W e s t o n Golf Club

SECRETARY
David Barber CGCS
145 Dedham St.
Canton. Mass. 02021
H o m e Phone 828-7266
O f f i c e Phone 828-6540
Club Affiliation
Blue Hills C.C.

has been effective in keeping "job hoppers" out of the very important membership function of contributing to major decisions.
"I can name a number of guys who have been in and out of the
profession in a matter of a couple of years." he charges. "I even
know a few who have made U—turns, regularly. That has to tell
you something about the value of our voting franchise. If we
didn't have restrictions, we could see our association run by a
bunch of transients."
That's the kind of banter — pro and con —which will be flying
around the committee's listening and ladling sessions and on
into the decisive membership meeting to determine if changes
are warranted. Of course, there could be other items — including
the super—owner membership restriction — on the committee's agenda. At the present time, only its members know what's
cooking.
Regardless, the project will come to a head with the vote by the
- membership_'T±LQpeall o u r m e m b e r s i e e p abreast_of this situation," Kirkman concluded. "It will be to their advantage and the
good of the association if they do. This is very important to all of
us and the future of the New England superintendent's group."
Gerry Finn

He's Our Guy
The NEGCSA is button—popping proud these days over the
appointment of Guy Tedesco to the executive committee of the
Massachusetts Golf Association.
This marks the first time that the MGA has seen fit to include
a golf course superintendent on this veiy influential committee
and the NEGCSA views it as another sign of advanced recognition for the profession.
Guy Tedesco is the golf director at New Seabury and one of the
most respected superintendents in the countiy. His leadership
qualities and knowledge of his work field have been hailed by one
and all.
"I'm most happy to serve on the MGA committee," Tedesco
commented while soaking up the UMass Turf Conference festivities. "And I'll be in there pitching for the golf course superintendent. What I hope to do is make all golfers aware of the
magnitude of our job as superintendents on the basis of things
over which he has no control. I'd like to change all of that."
Congratulations are in order for one of our own. He's our"Guy" and we're mighty proud of him.

Congratulations to
Bob Connolly for winning
his Flight at the National
Golf Tournament.
Job Opening
9 Holes
Bear Hill Golf Club
5 North St., Stoneham, Mass. 02180
Tel. # 617-245-4295

TREASURER
Pete Coste' CGCS
121 Granite St.
Medfield, Mass. 02052
H o m e Phone 359-7247
O f f i c e Phone 566-0240
Club Affiliation
The C o u n t r y C l u b

TRUSTEE
Bert Frederick
45 Stoney Brook Rd.
Nabnaset. Mass. 01861
H o m e Phone 692-6445
O f f i c e Phone 453-1231
Club Affiliation
Vesper C.C.

TRUSTEE
Meindert Schults
737 P r i n c e t o n Blvd
Lowell. Mass. 01851
H o m e Phone 458-7605
O f f i c e Phone 452-8228
Club Affiliation
Mt. Pleasant G.C.

TRUSTEE
Melvin O ' K e l l y
345 Plain St.
Marshfield. Mass. 02050
H o m e p h o n e 834-4229
O f f i c e Phone 837-3321
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Marshfield C.C.

FIN A NCE CHAIRMA N
Robert J o h n s t o n CGCS
128 W i l b r a h a m Rd.
H a m p d e n . Mass. 01036
H o m e Phone 566-3075
O f f i c e Phone 566-3096
Club Affiliation
H a m p d e n C.C.

1

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Winter Injury
Turfgrass injury and kill during the winter are major problems for the northern turfgrass manager. It also m a y b e a problem in some southern areas where temperatures drop below
freezing for prolonged periods.

cell to the extracellular regions. T h i s causes contraction and
dehydration of the cell. Injury may also occur during the thaw
period w h e n cell walls expand faster than the protoplast, creating tension and possible rupture.

Winter injury or winterkill, as it is most commonly referred to.
can be caused by one or more factors w o r k i n g together or individually. However, one will usually be more dominant in a particular turf area and since the control measures vary for each type,
they should be distinguished according to cause.

Southern grasses can be damaged
weather, not necessarily freezing.

Major types of winter turf injury are:
DIRECT L O W T E M P E R A T U R E S
INJURY
W I N T E R DESICCATION
L O W T E M P E R A T U R E FUNGI
HEAVING
SMOTHERING
INJURY F R O M TRAFFIC
Before considering winter injuries and some of the cultural
practices to m i n i m i z e damage, it is important to understand
how the grass plant can protect itself.
Most cool season grasses have the unique capability of achieving certain stages of low level hardiness. T h i s hardiness is
attained through changes which occur in the protoplasm of
cells, causing the water content of the plant tissue to be reduced.
This condition, called "hardening," happens under the low
temperatures and shorter days of late fall.
Morphological, as well as physiological, changes can be associated with the degree of cold hardiness, such as cell size, type of
protein, amount of water in the tissue and carbohydrate level in
the crown and roots. T h e plants become a darker green, have
reduced leaf area and remain prostrate and less succulent.
Plant tissues composed of closely packed, thin—walled cells
generally have a higher hardiness level and cell size decreases
with hardening. Young leaves are generally more hardy than
older leaves, while stems and roots are less sensitive to injury.
Young grass seedlings are extremely sensitive to low temperature injury, so new growth should be well established before cold
weather.
Day length and temperature are major factors which influence
cold hardiness. With decreasing temperatures and shorter days,
hardening develops quite rapidly. When temperatures stay
between 35 and 40 degrees F for a two to four week period, shoot
growth ceases and carbohydrates are broken down into sugar
which accumulates in the cell. Therefore, there is a net reduction
in the water content of t he cell, which allows the tissue to become
low—temperature hardy. Water content is reduced 6 0 — 8 0 percent. Day length most likely triggers the hardening process while
temperatures determine the level.
Direct Low—Temperature Injury
Direct low—temperature injury is caused by ice crystal formations. either intracellular or extracellular
'Intracellular (within the cell) freezing occurs because of a high
level of water in tissues. These ice crystals cause disruption of
the cells and eventually death of the tissue. T h i s ice formation is
usually very rapid.
In extracellular (the area between and around the cells)'freezing . ice forms and because of the lower vapor pressure of the ice
compared to the liquid of the cell, water is drawn from within the

GOLF
CHAIRMAN
Ken M o o r a d i a n
134 Green St.
Hopedale. Mass 01747
H o m e Phone 473-2352
O f f i c e Phone 473-3508
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Hopedale C.C.

EDUCATIONAL
CHAIRMAN
Paul Miller
173 Salem St
S w a m p s c o t t , Mass. 01907
H o m e Phone 581-2808
O f f i c e Phone 595-3107
Club Affiliation
Tedesco C.C.

NEWSLETTER CHAIRMAN
Tom S c h o f i e l d CGCS
290 N o r t h Rd.
Sudbury. Mass. 01776
H o m e Phone 443-3712
O f f i c e Phone 235-7333
Club Affiliation
WellesleyC.C

PAST PRESIDENT
Dean Robertson
24 Riverview Drive
Newbury. Mass. 01950
H o m e Phone 462-4540
O f f i c e Phone 745-7289
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
K e r n w o o d C.C

from prolonged

cold

Desiccation
Desiccation injury occurs if there is an excessive water loss
from the plant tissue that cannot readily be replaced from the
soil. Desiccation occurs on windswept open turf and seldom
occurs when the area has a protective snow cover. Winter desiccation is usually most severe on elevated sites, areas exposed to
wind and areas of high surface runoff.
Low—Temperature Fungi
Some disease may build up under snow or at the margins of
melting snow. These include both pink and gray s n o w mold,
which can be minimized with the use of grasses which are
somewhat resistant, through cultural practices and with the use
of fungicides.
Heaving
Heaving occurs most often on fine—textured soils w h e n the
surface layer has a high moisture content. Temperatures fluctuate above and below freezing and the soil surface is not insulated
by snow or plant residues. Ice crystals formed during the night
actually cause the plants to be pushed upward, resulting in
broken roots.
Ice melts during the day and allows plants to be exposed to
desiccation or dehydration. Moisture lost during the day is not
capable of being replaced because of root injury. T h i s condition
will exist until new roots form or the grass is lightly rolled, or
heavily watered to renew soil contact. Heaving seldom occurs on
established turf, except on muck sod fields or an occasional golf
green. Young grass plants with a root system of one inch or less
may be lifted completely out of the ground.
Smothering
Smothering occurs w h e n ice sheets form on the soil and
remain for a period of time. Ice sheets most commonly form in
areas of poor drainage, where water collects and soils are frozen.
Plants may become encased and injured by the ice layer, or
completely smothered.Smothering injury results from a lack of
oxygen or a buildup of toxic by—products such as carbon dioxide. T h e accumulation of toxic gases is most probable.
Rhizomatous grasses may escape being killed because the
underground stems are below the ice layer, where oxygen
remains in the soil.
Ice cover injury has not been shown to be a major cause of
winter injury compared to desiccation, direct kill or fungi.
Injury from Traffic
Human or vehicular damage on frozen turf seldom results in
permanent damage. T h i s is because new growth starts from the
crown and not old blades. Damage can be avoided by diverting
traffic from areas w h e n leaf tissue is frozen. Light water applications will thaw tissue w h e n the soil is not frozen and air temperature is above freezing.
Traffic over slush—covered turf can cause injury to leaves,
crowns, rhizomes and stolons. Thus, all forms of traffic should
be withheld when wet, slushy conditions exist.
"ProTurf Issue Ten, published by O.M. Scott & Sons, ProTurf Division, Maryville, Ohio."

Information contained in this publication may be used
freely, in whole or in part, w i t h o u t special permission as long
as the true context is maintained. We w o u l d appreciate a
credit line.

P l e o ufrcUnaKifeFRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Baker T r a c t o r Corp., Ford T r a c t o r s
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Mass.

* T o m I r w i n , Inc.
11 B A St.
Burlington, Mass.

& Sawtelle Bros.
565 H u m p h r e y St.
Swampscott, Mass.
617-599-4856

L a r c h m o n t Engineering and I r r i g . Co.
L a r c h m o n t Lane, Lexington, Mass.
617-862 2550

Bordens Spreader Service
M a y n a r d , Mass.
Tel. 617 897-2571
Sales Rep. Jack Borden
Bulk Limestone Dealer

The Magovern Co. Inc.
27 Lawnacre Road
Windsor Locks, Conn. 06096
Tel. # 1-800-243-7718 or 1-203-623-2508
Louis C. Rogers, Vice Pres.

The Charles C. H a r t Seed Co.
Wethersfield, Conn.
Bob Kennedy, Rep.
Roy Sibley, Rep.
203-529 2537

D. L. Maher
Box 127, Concord St.
N. Reading, Mass. 01864

The Clapper Co.
1121 Washington St.
Newton, Mass.
617-244-7900

* R. F. Morse &Son, Inc.
W. W a r e h a m , Mass. 02576
Tel: 617-295-1553
J. Willen Roell. Rep.
Larry Bunn, Rep.

Grounds E q u i p m e n t Co., Inc.
383 BoyIston St.
Newton Center, Mass.
Geoffrey S. Cornish & W i l l i a m G. Robinson
Golf Course A r c h i t e c t s
Fiddlers Green, A m h e r s t , Mass. 01002
C.S. C u r r a n

T.R.C. Products, Oils and Greases
7 Linden St., F r a m i n g h a m , Mass.
Scotts Pro-Turf Div.
Rep. Ed Wiacek 1-401-253-4284
Rep. Allan Cumps 1-413-253-2995
Gold Star Sod F a r m s , Inc.
Sod & Pine Bark M u l c h
C a n t e r b u r y , N.H. 603-783-4717
Weston, Mass. 617-894-5474
Holliston Sand Co., Inc.
Lowland St., Holliston, Mass. 01746
Sand for top dressing and bunkers
I & E Supply, Inc.
66 Erna Ave.
Box 9 M i l f o r d , Conn. 06460
203-878-0658

New England Sealcoating Co., Inc.
Tennis Court Const, and Maintenance
Sealcoating - H i n g h a m Ind. Center
Hingham, Mass. 749-6800
Now Chemical Corp.
Bill Brennan: Rep.
Tel. # 891-1275 anytime
Box 522
Holliston, Mass. 01746
Tel. # 429-2044
* O l d F o x C h e m i c a l Inc.
Fertilizers - Seeds - T u r f Chemicals
66 Valley St.
E. Providence, R.I. 02914
n
Pro-Lawn Prod., Inc.
Fred Anthony, Sales Rep.
391 T r e m o n t St.
N. Dighton, Mass. 02764
617-823-1348
Richey & Clapper, Inc.
28 Rutledge Rd.
Natick, Mass. 01760

Scott Associates, Inc.
60 Water Street, Clinton, Mass.
617 365 6341
Pumps Sales, service
Installation V e r t i c a l
T u r b i n e pump specialists
Tuckahoe T u r f F a r m s , I nc.
Slocum, R.I., Litchfield, N.H.
1 800-556-6985
Alan Anderson
Sam M i t c h e l l
Tuco Products Corp.
Div. of the Upjohn Co.
Kalamazoo, Mich.
David Sylvester
203-828-3790
T u r f Products Corp.
1496 John Fitch Blvd.
S. Windsor, Conn. 06074
1-203-289-3471
John P e r r y , Sales Rep.
Valley Farms Nursery & Supply, Inc.
133 Hopemeadow St., Rt. 10
Simsbury, Ct. 06070
Putting Green Sod for the Professional
Joe Bidwell Pres.
Bus. - 203-651 8555 Res. - 203-658-6886
White T u r f Engineering
5 S u m m e r Drive, Winchendon, Mass. 01475
617-297-0941
Phillip Wogan
Golf Course A r c h i t e c t
21 Budleigh Ave., Beverly, Mass.
Contributors

to the Lawrence

Scholarship

Fund

S.

Dickinson

First Class
U. S. Postage

PAID
Maynard, M A

FIRST C L A S S
(jnlj

C^ourse SuperintendentJ

^Association

TOM SCHOFIELD CGCS
Newsletter Committee Chairman
290 North Road
Sudbury, Mass. 01776
Home Phone 443-3712
Office Phone 235-7333
Club Affiliation
Wellesley Country Club
PETE COSTE'
Business Manager
LEON ST. PIERRE
Co-ordinator
GERRY FINN
Contributing Editor

Permit # 1 7