March, 1980 Qolf (bourse OF Superintenclenti NEW E N G L A N D , S^Moc'iation I N C . Sponsors a n d administrators of the Lawrence S. Dickinson Scholarship Fund — A w a r d e d yearly deserving Turf M a n a g e m e n t Students. to Lingering on the Links They moved New England to the Carolinas...at least for the first two months of winter as Mother Nature got her signals mixed and sent In sun instead of snow to the usually sockedin section. "This is just about the same weather they get in Pineburst," one avid golfer exclaimed as he took a January stroll around his favorite links. "In fact, I've been to Pinehurst just after Christmas and got snowed out. This is just great." So, while ski resort owners were about to tear their hair out in cursing the lack of snow, certain golf course owners had dollar-sign smiles on their faces. One owner realized a windfall in the unexpected extension of summer. " W e were really jammed with golfers between the first of December and the middle of January," Ted Perez of the East Mountain Country Club disclosed. " I was getting ready to take out a bank loan to get me over the winter expense hump. But we've had so much play that I don't need it. To people like me, this has been a blessing. But I feel sorry for the ski operators, too. It would be just like me getting rain every weekend in the middle of summer. I'd get killed!" Actually, the playable golf weather of winter did nothing financially for a course unless it was a public layout whose revenue depends largely on green fees. Perez operates such a course, so he took advantage of the situation by avoiding a big bank loan interest bite. The weather turnaround had little effect on golf course superintendents at most private clubs. There, the regular rule of playing on temporary greens in winter held force. In places, where regular greens remained open, the super was crossing his fingers and keeping them there until an appreciable snowfall. Doug Stachura, who recently took over as superintendent MEXT MEETINGS April - New Seabury May - Westover June - Cohasset July - Mt. Pleasant (Boyistonj No meeting in March. Be sure to attend Mass, Turf Conference March 4, 5 and 6. See details inside newsletter. at the Springfield Country Club, paid little attention to the fact that golfers were turning into a December-January cult. " W e don't have that many members who are serious about playing golf when the temperature is just over 40," he told. " A s far as I can see, the only reason people are out on the course is just to be able to say that they played golf in January. Otherwise, with the frost-defrost process going on, our course is very muddy and uncomfortable. But I have the temporary greens there if members want to play." This seemed to be the popular superintendent reaction in those sections of New England which ordinarily are thinking more than snow and probably shovelling it when the calendar is zeroed into the dead of winter. Strangely, some courses were wishing for snow...almost as much as the snow-starved ski resorts. With the influx of the trend to provide year-round recreational activity for their members, certain clubs had envisioned profitable cross country ski seasons while their golf courses slept. "I have $10,000 worth of skis that are still in the box," reported Tony Strycharz who owns the semi-private Oak Ridge Country Club. "In fact, I bought them last year. We never did get enough snow for cross country skiing then, even though there was just enough to keep the golfers from playing." Strycharz, who said he wasn't turning enough full green fees to make prolonged summer worthwhile, would just as soon see it snow. "For a couple of reasons," he explained. "I know just enough about golf course conditioning to realize that we need a good snow cover before we get severe freeze-ups and coatings of ice on the turf. My super has to live with this thing...long after winter finally arrives. I can appreciate golfers getting a bonus, but in the long run it won't be worth it." Longmeadow Country Club veteran superintendent Leon St. Pierre wasn't too excited about looking out his maintenance building window and seeing green and brown instead of white. " I know we haven't had snow yet," he remarked. "But I don't see where it's any fun playing golf when the temperature's around 40. We have a few diehards here and we accommodate them with temporary greens. There's no flocking to the course. After all, there's a time and place for everything and our members live by that rule." Some of the winter golf tales already were taking hold. At the Suffieid Country Club, where no one is around to check member identity or collect green fees, an amusing incident occurred. One golfer was complaining about slow play on the nine-hole layout. "Funny thing," a Suffieid regular noted. "The guy was a stranger. He wasn't a member and he hadn't paid a green fee. That's rich." That's golf in January...in New England, yet. Gerry Finn (Gourde Superintendents s^AAocia lion USGA Makes its Rules Mark Every now and then the United States Golf Association {USGA} takes a look at the rules of the game and makes fitting alterations. Usually, one rule change comes about so as to make it consistent with the definition found in another rule...sort of the left hand knowing what the right hand is doing. The governing body of golf has made a couple of changes in the Rules of Golf for 1980 which should be noted by the golf course superintendent. In fact, there is one that could result in making his job a little easier-if that is possible. Anyway, the superintendent should be aware that the definition o f ' ' ground under repair'' has been amended to provide that stakes and lines defining such area are considered part of the area. In other words, the superintendent should take into consideration the plight of the golfer landing in or near Aground under repair.'' If the stakes or lines are placed within the confines of the affected area, the golfer receives legal relief. However, if they are set in places so as to question the true "repair" area, the golfer is allowed relief not in the true spirit of the game. A note to the superintendent, regarding this rule, also should be helpful in staking out the golf course. "Ground under repair" includes material piled for removal and any holes made by a superintendent or course worker...that is, in addition to the normal conditioning or improving factors which made an area unplayable in the first place. Both superintendent and golfer should be aware of another aspect of the "ground under repair" protection. Although it is generally assumed that grass cuttings and other materials left on the course come under the " r e l i e f ' clause, they do not...unless they are marked as "ground under repair." This is particularly essential in tournament play setup where arguments could arise in situations where clear markings have not been made. Another change in definition pertains to hazards. Again, under the new standard, all stakes and lines defining hazards are now considered to be part of the hazard. This should eliminate any question as to a ball being within or outside the hazard should it lie in line with the markers. In the same rule, superintendents also are reminded that specific colors have been recommended by the USGA to be used in pain Ling hazard markers and lines. T h i s is to avoid confusion and bring some consistency into marking throughout the country. Perhaps the most important change in the 1980 rules, one which the superintendent surely will support is a broadening of Rule 35-lc~Damage to the Putting Green. The rule has been expanded to permit the player to repair old ball marks or hole plugs as well as damage caused by the impact of his own shot. Of course, this will take some of the element of luck out of putting in that it assures the player of not having to roll his ball through someone else's ball mark or other damaging residue. More vital to the superintendent is the fact that the rule change invites the player to do something more than just repair his own impact mark. It should encourage the player PRESIDENT FIRST VICE 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 H a r w i c h , 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 Club 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 A f f i l i a t i o n Blue Hills C-C. to tidy up the green after others have played it. Ball marks have been a particular source of conditioning headache to the superintendent ever since the start of golf. Marks, left unrepaired, leave scars that often take months to grow over. In fact, the country club member has been taken to task-almost to the point of being threatened by fine or suspension-for ignoring the unwritten law that he repair his ball mark. One other minor change should interest the superintendent, even though it comes under the heading of common sense recovery. Regardless, there always lives the golfer who doesn't practice common sense and often makes others suffer because of it. This change involves re-dropping the golf ball. In rare instances, re-dropping could find the ball coming to rest on a green other than the immediate goal of the golfer. The,rule now states that the ball must be re-dropped, if it does wind up on the green. This eliminates, of course, the lightweight who might think that he is required to play the re-drop wherever it lands. So, the rules have been arranged to give the superintendent some aid and comfort. Intended or not, the ball mark repair change certainly will help in keeping the putting surface from resembling a battlefield. And. for that, the superintendent applauds the USGA. Gerry Finn Congratulations to Mark Spaulding Voted in as An Associate member To be voted on next month Srice Barnes - Assistant Member TREASURER P e t e C o s t e ' CGCS 121 G r a n i t e S t . 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 Club Select Trees For Sale 4-6' evergreens - Dig your onn Contact Bob Mucciarone - 329-9682 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 S c h u l t s 737 Princeton 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 Meivin O'Kelly 345 Plain St. Marshfield. Mass. 02050 H o m e phone 834-4229 O f f i c e Phone 837-3321 Club Affiliation Marshfield C.C F I N A N C E CHAIRMAN 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 A f f i l i a t i o n H a m p d e n C.C. -OF NEW E N G L A N D N C University of Massachusetts Turf Conference ami Industrial Show March 4, 5, and 6, 1980 Civic Center, Springfield, Massachusetts (1-91 Exit 6 from South / Columbus Avenue Exit from North) REGISTRATION Lobby - Plaza Entrance 8:30 AM - 4:00 m 8:00 AM - 4:00 rM ) Tuesday, March 4, 1980 Wednesday, March 5, 1980 TUESDAY, MARCH 4 -Eveni.ngBANQUET AND WINTER SCHOOL GRADUATION Banquet Room THE LIGHTER SIDE -Dr. John Denison, Director - Stockbridgc School University of Massachusetts WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5 -Morning) AM - 12:45 TW Industrial Show Open Exhibition Hall Snack Bar Available ALTERNATE SESSION College Room Chairman - Mr. Charles Mruk Boots Hercules Agrochemicals Co. Providence, RI -AfternoonGENERAL SESSION Banquet Room irman: Dr. Joseph Troll University of Massachusetts WELCOME -Dr. James B. Kring, Acting Dean College of Food and Natural Resources University of Massachusetts EFFECTIVE LISTENING: DEVELOPING YOUR EAR-Q -Dr. Lyman Steil Communications Cons. Association St. Paul, MN -MorningTURFGRASS CULTIVARS AND SEED -Mr. Eugene W. Mayer O. M. Scott and Sons Marysville, OH IAWN BROWN SPOTS - DISEASE, STRESS OR INSECTS? -Dr. James Tenstermacher Chemlawn Corp. Wickford, RI LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT IN LARGE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES -Mr. W . Chuck Wilson, Manager Landscape Service Leisure Technology Corp. Los Angeles, CA 2:45 BREAK 3:00 MAINTENANCE A T THE GOLDEN HORSESHOE COUNTRY CLUB -Mr. David C. Harmon Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Golf Course Williamsburg, VA 11:00 - 2:00 - 6:30 Industrial Show Open Exhibition Hall Cocktails Available ANNUAL MEETING -Massachusetts Turf and Law Banquet Hal 1 Industrial Show Open -AfternoonMAINTENANCE PRACTICES AT HERSHEY GARDENS -Mr. William Bowman, General Manager Hershey Gardens Hershey, PA 12,000 YEARS OF FOREST HISTORY IV NEW ENGLAND -Dr. Robinson J. Hindle University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI PAINTING ATHLETIC FIELDS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS -Mr. George P. Toma, Stadium Supt. Kansas City Royals Baseball Club Kansas City, MO RIDING ALONG THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE -Mr. David Grimm New Jersey Turnpike Commission Hightstown, NJ Grass Council WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5 GOLF COURSE SESSION Banquet Room rman: f»: 30 FAIRWAY RENOVATION -Mr. David Portz Biuokside Country Club Allentown, PA ROOT PRUNING AROUND GREENS -Mr. Larry Bunn R. F. Morse and Co. Wareham, MA COMMUNICATION - IN ORBIT! -Mr. Francis Gallagher Wilmington, DE 11:00 -Afternoon- 11:45 LONG RANGE PLANNING G. Cadenelli, CGCS Club of New Canaan CT PERENNIAL RYEGRASS: A CULTURAL PRACTICE ON NEW ENGLAND GOLF COURSES -Dr. Kirk Hurto University of Massachusetts BENTGRASSES -Dr. Joseph DuiVh Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA 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 Affiliation Hopedale C.C. 10:20 Industrial Show Open FINE POINTS OF UNION CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS -Mr. Edward Horton, CGCS Westchester Country Club Rye, NY 4:30 - 6:30 Industrial Show Open 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 T e d e s c o 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 Wellesley C.C. Industrial Show Open GOLF COURSE SESSION Banquet Room Chairman - Dr, Kirk Hurto University of Massachusetts 10:00 EFFECTS OF PHOSPHATE PLACEMENT ON ESTABLISHMENT OF ANNUAL TREES, AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE GOLF COURSE SCENE -Mr. James Snow, Agronomist USGA Green Section Far Hills, NJ INPLEMENTING -Mr. Stephen The Country New Canaan, Opoi THURSDAY, MARCH 6 8:30 - 10:00 AM -Morning- 11:00 - 2:00 Jndustr ProF. John M. Zak University of Massachusetts PAST PRESIDENT Dean R o b e r t s o n 24 Riverview Drive N e w b u r y , Mass. 01950 H o m e Phone 462-4540 O f f i c e Phone 745-7289 Club Affiliation K e r n w o o d C.C. BLUEGRASS AND PENNCROSS CREEPING BENTGRASS -ProF. John M. Zak University of Massachusetts RESEARCH AND OBSERVATIONS ON WATERING AND FERTILIZATION FOR BENTGRASS SURVIVAL -Dr. Ralph E. Engel Rutgers University New Brunswick, NJ DISEASE IS ABSOLUTE - HEALTH IS RELATIVE -Dr. Houston B. Couch Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA LESSONS FROM 1979 - APPLICATIONS IN 1980 -Mr. Stanley J. Zontek, Northeastern Director USGA Green Section Far Hills, NJ CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England Anthony B. Caranci Max Mierzwa Dean Robertson Massachusetts Turf and Lawn Grass Council Allan Cumps Jack Magovern Charles Mruk Robert Scagnetti University of Massachusetts Joseph Troll. Chairman Kirk A. Hurto John M. Zak I n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a i n e d i n t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n m a y be used f r e e l y , in w h o l e o r in p a r t , w i t h o u t special p e r m i s s i o n as l o n g as 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 c r e d i t line. Pteate J&dfWHize FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION Baker T r a c t o r Corp., Ford T r a c t o r s H a r l e y Davidson Golf Cars Swansea, Mass. * T o m I r w i n , Inc. 11B 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 E n g i n e e r i n g a n d 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. T e l . 617-897 2571 Sales R e p . J a c k B o r d e n Bulk Limestone Dealer T h e M a g o v e r n Co. Inc. 27 L a w n a c r e R o a d W i n d s o r L o c k s , C o n n . 06096 T h e C h a r l e s C. H a r t Seed Co. W e t h e r s f i e l d , Conn. Bob K e n n e d y , Rep. Roy Sibley, Rep. 203 529-2537 Tel. # 1-800-243-7718 or 1-800-623-2508 L o u i s C. R o g e r s , V i c e Pres. 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 T h e C l a p p e r Co. 1121 W a s h i n g t o n St. Newton, Mass. 617-244-7900 R. F . M o r s e & S o n , I n c . W . W a r e h a m , M a s s . 02576 T e l : 617-295-1553 J. W i l l e n R o e l l . R e p . Larry B u n n , Rep. G r o u n d s E q u i p m e n t Co., I n c . 383 B o y l s t o n St. Newton Center, Mass. G e o f f r e y S. C o r n i s h & W i l l i a m G. R o b i n s o n Golf Course A r c h i t e c t s F i d d l e r s G r e e n , A m h e r s t , M a s s . 01002 C.S. C u r r a n T.R.C. Products, Oils and Greases 7 L i n d e n St., F r a m i n g h a m , M a s s . Scotts P r o - T u r f D i v . R e p . E d W i a c e k 1-401 253-4284 R e p . A l l a n C u m p s 1-413 253-2995 N e w E n g l a n d S e a l c o a t i n g Co., I n c . T e n n i s C o u r t Const, and M a i n t e n a n c e Sealcoating - H i n g h a m Ind. Center H i n g h a m , M a s s . 749-6800 Now Chemical Corp. B i l l B r e n n a n : Rep. Tel. # 891-1275 a n y t i m e B o x 522 H o l l i s t o n , M a s s . 01746 Tel. # 429-2044 Scott Associates, Inc. 60 W a t e r S t r e e t , C l i n t o n , M a s s . 617-365-6341 Pumps-Sales, service Installation- Vertical Turbine pump specialists T u c k a h o e T u r f F a r m s , Inc. Slocum, R.I., Litchfield, N.H. 1 800-556 6985 Alan Anderson Sam Mitchell Tuco Products Corp. D i v . of t h e U p j o h n Co. Kalamazoo, Mich. David Sylvester __203J28-3790 T u r f Products Corp. 1496 J o h n F i t c h B l v d . S. W i n d s o r , C o n n . 06074 1-203-289-3471 J o h n P e r r y , Sales R e p . V a l l e y F a r m s N u r s e r y & S u p p l y , Inc. 133 H o p e m e a d o w St., R t . 10 S i m s b u r y , Ct. 06070 P u t t i n g G r e e n Sod f o r t h e P r o f e s s i o n a l Joe Bidwell Pres. Bus. - 203-651-8555 Res. 203-658-6886 * Old Fox C h e m i c a l Inc. F e r t i l i z e r s - Seeds - T u r f C h e m i c a l s G o l d S t a r Sod F a r m s , I n t . Sod & P i n e B a r k M u l c h C a n t e r b u r y , N . H . 603-783 4717 W e s t o n , M a s s . 617 894-5474 66 V a l l e y St. E . P r o v i d e n c e , R . I . 02914 H o l l i s t o n S a n d Co., I n c . L o w l a n d St., H o l l i s t o n , M a s s . 01746 Sand for top d r e s s i n g a n d b u n k e r s i & E Supply, Inc. 66 E r n a A v e . Box 9 M i l f o r d , C o n n . 06460 203-878-0658 HUt ( J " f f (bourse Or Superintendents Jufsenn NEW lENCLAKD. ^Association INC. TOM SCHOFIELD CGCS Newsletter Committee Chairman 290 North Road Sudbury, Mass. 01776 Home Phone 443-3712 Office Phone 235-7333 Club Affiliation Wellesiey Country Club PETECOSTE' Business Manager LEON ST. PIERRE Co-ordinator GERRY FINN Contributing Editor P r o - L a w n P r o d . , Inc. F r e d A n t h o n y , Sales R e p . 391 T r e m o n t St. N. D i g h t o n , M a s s . 02764 617-823-1348 Richey & C l a p p e r , Inc. 28 R u t l e d g e R d . N a t i c k , M a s s . 01760 WhiteTurf Engineering 5 S u m m e r D r i v e , W i n c h e n d o n , M a s s . 01475 617-297-0941 Phillip Wogan Golf Course A r c h i t e c t 21 B u d l e i g h A v e . , B e v e r l y , M a s s . *Contributors Scholarship to the Lawrence S. Fund Dickinson F i r s t Class "U. S. P8stage« in FIRST CLASS v JS S^M^: