May, 1980

ourAe Superintendents
OF

NEW

E N G L A N D ,

iAociatlon
INC.

Sponsors a n d administrators 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.

Hurts to Pay the Price
Has the cost of dues at your club increased hand in h a n d w i t h

structure of the country club, those e m e r g e n c y measures have

the country's spiraling rate of i n f l a t i o n ? If not, in all probability

surfaced in the form of expensive loans w h o s e interest com-

m e m b e r s are n o w b i t i n g the bullet a n d c o m i n g away w i t h severe

pounds the eternal m o n e y problem.

tooth problems.

Reports have been r u n n i n g a breakneck-speed course at clubs

S o m e clubs find themselves in critical financial straits for the

w h o find themselves strapped for w o r k i n g funds. At today's

sins of the recent past. T h o s e could be clubs w h i c h prided them-

g o i n g rate, for example, a loan for $100,000 could cost a club

selves on h o l d i n g the dues a n d assessment lines in the w a k e of

anywhere f r o m fifteen to twenty thousand dollars in annual

obvious hikes in the cost to m a i n t a i n life at the course a n d

interest. W h o m u s t pay the price? T h e members, of course.

d i n i n g r o o m at an affluent level. Now. it is c o m i n g back to haunt
them.

S o m e of the stories e m a n a t i n g f r o m certain clubs are unbe
lievable. One. in particular, has not had a dues increase in the

In this case, foresight has been a b a n d o n e d and hindsight has

last fiveyears. D u r i n g that period, b u d g e t s have increased along

taken over in the f o r m of huge drains on a club's w o r k i n g capital.

w i t h services d e m a n d e d by its members. And. all of a sudden, the

Isolated instances of this lack of p l a n n i n g and hard-nosed reac-

club f i n d s itself in a h u g e financial hole. T h e i m m e d i a t e r e m e d y

tion to reality are p o p p i n g up all over the place, resulting in

is a loan...but at interest rates w h i c h have to result in a crash

e m e r g e n c y measures that figure to sock m e m b e r s in the long

hike in dues a n d probably an a c c o m p a n y i n g assessment.

run.

T h e sad part of this situation stems f r o m the fact that for the

W i t h o u t a regulated p r o g r a m of gradual increases in the dues

past several country club seasons m e m b e r s have been

condi-

tioned to p a y i n g a set dues fee. Now. w i t h m o n e y needed to keep

President's Message
T h e Bylaws C o m m i t t e e has drafted seven (7) p r o p o s e d amendm e n t s to the existing Bylaws for c o n s i d e r a t i o n at the Associations next m e e t i n g at West over.
Passage of each a m e n d m e n t will require an a f f i r m a t i v e v o t e of
two-thirds of all voting m e m b e r s present, a n d w e will deal w i t h
as m a n y Bylaws as time permits.
A t future m e e t i n g s there will be m o r e proposed a m e n d m e n t s
and the m e m b e r s h i p shall be so n o t i f i e d of these.
W e k n o w m a n y m e m b e r s do not have Bylaw books a n d the
A s s o c i a t i o n has no extra copies. Hopefully, by years end w e can
solve this p r o b l e m

R o n Kirkman
President G C S A N E

the country club living pace at an expected level, those m e m b e r s
must d i g d o w n t h r o u g h the b o t t o m of their pocket. S o m e can
afford the jolt, most cannot.
Under the strain of this financial drain on members, the al'orem e n t i o n e d club -

plus m a n y like it in the same fix -

must

re-evaluate their position to meet the challenge of survival.
T h e q u e s t i o n arises: "are they willing to pay the price?"
O u t l a n d i s h financial holes can't b e filled w i t h h o p e f o r a break
in the rate of inflation or s o m e unexpected windfall from one or
two p h i l a n t h r o p i c members. T h e y must b e met w i t h a realistic
approach to operational p r o g r a m s w i t h either a f i r m t i g h t e n i n g
of the belt or a concession o n the part of club directors to the
effect that m e m b e r s be made aware they have to foot the bills.
T i g h t e n i n g the belt could be touchy. T h e country club can't
offer filet m i g n o n at M c D o n a l d ' s prices. Therefore, quality of
g o o d s a n d services must b e aligned w i t h the price m e m b e r s are

NEXT MEETING
Westover C.C.
Host Supt. John Pluta
May 13, 1980
Directors meeting
9:00 a.m.
Regular meeting
10:00(Sharp)
Lunch
'
12:00 Noon
Golf
After Lunch
Directions

Take exit 6 from the Mass. Pike. Springfield
exit. Bear right on Burnett Rd. Go to end to
intersection take first left. Go 4.6 miles
through Granby. Bear left on New Ludlow
Road. Course 1/8 miles on right.

w i l l i n g to pay for them. If it m e a n s limited dinner menus, restriction of s e r v i n g h o u r s in the d i n i n g r o o m and general cutback in
m a i n t e n a n c e outlay on the course, the m e m b e r s must accept the
decline.
Obviously, the personal e c o n o m i c structure of the individual
m e m b e r c o m e s into play here. Those, who feel they can a f f o r d to
c o n t i n u e the plush country club life, must express willingness to
pay for it. T h o s e , w h o can't, must e i t h e r c o n v i n c e colleagues that
this is the logical road to travel or find themselves a n o t h e r club
in tune w i t h their s p e n d i n g habits.
T h e answer is really simple. If country club m e m b e r s insist o n
r e m a i n i n g in the upper social echelon - along w i t h a continuation of lavish b e n e f i t s that go w i t h that station, they must
a s s u m e the b u r d e n of f i n a n c i n g it. A n d the club's a d m i n i s t r a tors m u s t yield to the pressures of inflation b y setting up a
realistic p a y m e n t schedule. Otherwise, s o m e w h e r e d o w n the
road

they will b e c o m e

strapped.

1980 g o o d s a n d

services

d e m a n d 1980 prices. No one can escape this fact...not even the
affluent country club member.
Gerry Finn

C(Gourde

Superintendents

sQsAociation

Economics on the Golf Coarse
Item: The cost of chemical products, used to
ent is not blessed with the lofty budget of the PGA
enhance growth and fight disease on golf course
Tour circuit layouts, he has to begin to see light.
turf, has increased some 30 percent since April 1
That's when the superintendent can practice his
while coming off an already astronomical price
economics.
state.
Those can be put right to work on the purchase of
Item: The cost of repair parts for golf course maincertain products. One bright example — fungicides.
tenance equipment is 25 to 30 percent higher
Cutback in their use would result in a healthy savthan a year ago.
ing. Instead of spraying everything in sight, the
super could restrict dosages to greens, fairways and
Item: The cost of new golf course maintenance
maybe approaches to the putting surfaces.
equipment parallels the cost of repair parts to substain old equipment.
Another possibility is a re-examination of the use
Item: Many golf (~o u rses a re < > pera t i n g reft ri eri an d of water.RTghtlTow, golf courses"depend so muclT
on automatic irrigation methods and constant use
expensive equipment under the dependence of
of them that they are becoming over-lush. Again,
laborers who are paid an astonishing rate of $3.50
the member must accept this restriction in that he
an hour.
must live with greens that are not under the fall of
Item: Vandalism is on the upswing, keeping up a
consistent moisture and prone to disease.
trend that comes to light whenever economic conditions are unstable.
Soft greens are an invitation to damage and subsequent outlay of remedying materials and labor by
And the deadbeat goes on and on and on.
the superinendent. Sure, it looks all-pro to loft a
What can the golf course superintendent do
wedge shot to the green, make it stick and dig up a
about such by-products of a national economy
divot the size of a Mexican hat in the process. But
which is giving inflation its head and headed for a
what's the matter with the chip and run shot? It
point where ye old bubble bursts?
gets the same result even though it doesn't look
The situation causes more than a mild dilemma
picture-perfect. So what?
for the superintendent who often is asked to retain
the outstanding course conditions of the past as
Among other counter measures, which should be
his costs for it outdistances his operating budget.
available to the super, are allowing greens and fairTo be frank, the inflation rate is two times that
ways to grow higher — allowing roughs to grow into
which constitutes the average yearly budget
the perimeters of fairways — allowing fringes to
increase.
grow hairy and stepping up the golfer's obligation
to assist in keeping conditions at their best. The
Therefore, some changes and even some drastic
latter would include more effort into raking traps
measures must be entertained by the superintendafter shots and repairing ball marks on greens.
ent in order to give him a fighting chance at performing his prescribed duties. And the first tiling
Economics on the golf course, t hen, is a matter of
he must seek is a realistic look at the problem from
cooperation between golfer and superintendent
the people he has to satisfy - the countiy club
....and also a necessary additive to country club
members.
maintenance. In the end, both parties will enjoy the
setting more and the country club will benefit by it.
First, the member must refrain himself from
Gerry Finn
anticipating course conditions similar to those he
sees on televsision where the weekly PGA Tour
romps over manicured playgrounds. He doesn't
belong to those clubs. And, more important, he
The following personnel will be voted on at the next
meeting for membership.
doesn't have to pick up the tab at them. If one
Mark J. Klimm
Peter Ohlson
believes those TV courses thrive on ordinary finanManual Viveiros
David Comee
cial outlay, he has been into too many spirits while
Ed Brearley
Henry Stelline
observing them.
Charles Harukewicz
Frank Wingate
Once the member realizes that his superintendPRESIDENT
Ronald K i r k m a n
25 Green St.
Needham. Mass. 02192
H o m e Phone 444-8412
O f f i c e Phone 444-5548
Club Affiliation
Needham Golf Club

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Brian C o w a n C G C S
Robins Way
Harwich, Mass. 02645
H o m e Phone 432-9041
O f f i c e Phone 945-9230
Club Affiliation
Eastward Ho.

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Donald Hearn CGCS
4 T o p e k a Rd
C h e l m s f o r d , Mass. 01824
H o m e Phone 256-8709
Off ice Phone 894-5906
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
W e s t o n Golf C l u b

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.

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 A f f i l i a t i o n
The C o u n t r y Club

TRUSTEE
TRUSTEE
Meindert S c h u l t s
Bert Frederick
737 P r i n c e t o n Blvd
45 Stoney Brook Rd.
Nabnaset. Mass 01861 Lowell, Mass 01851
H o m e Phone 458-7605
H o m e Phone 692-6445
O f f i c e Phone 452-8228
O f f i c e Phone 453-1231
Club Affiliation
Club Affiliation
Mt Pleasant G O.
Vesper C.C

TRUSTEE
Melvin 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.

FINANCE
CHAIRMAN
Robert J o h n s t o n CGCS
128 W i l b r a h a m Rd
Hampden. 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

N E W

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

Manny Francis Sr. accepting his award
from past president Charlie Tadge.

Arthur Washburn, Don Hearn,
Burt Frederick and Manny
Francis Sr. congratulating
Mel Lucas on being elected
president of GCSAA.

Seated from left to right: Don Hearn,
second vice president; Ron Kirkman,
president; Dave Barber, secretaiy.
Standing: Pete Coste, treasurer, Brian
Cowan, first vice president.

Any Supt. wishing to attend the LPGA tournament
at Ferncroft C.C. may show their cards and be
admitted at no charge.
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.

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
T o m S c h o f i e l d CGCS
290 North 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.

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.

There will be another joint meeting with the
club managers June 9, 1980 at Metacomet
C.C. Rhode Island.

I n f o r m a t i o n contained in this publication 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 would appreciate a
credit line.

Pl&Me futtwxKije 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, M a s s .

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 . 61/ 897-2571
Sales Rep. J a c k B o r d e n
Bulk Limestone Dealer

The M a g o v e r n Co. Inc.
27 L a w n a c r e Road
W i n d s o r L o c k s , C o n n . 06096
Tel. # 1-800-243-7718 or 1 203-623-2508
L o u i s C. Rogers, V i c e Pres.

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 S i b l e y , Rep.
203 529-2537

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

* S a w t e l l e Bros.
565 H u m p h r e y St.
Swampscott, Mass.
617-599-4856
Scott A s s o c i a t e s , I n c .
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 M i t c h e l l

* R. F. M o r s e ^ S o n , Inc.
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 Roell. Rep.

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

Tuco Products Corp.
D i v . of t h e U p j o h n Co.
Kalamazoo, Mich.
David Sylvester
203-828-3790

Larry Bunn, Rep.
N e w E n g l a n d S e a l c o a t i n g Co., Inc.
T e n n i s C o u r t Const, a n d M a i n t e n a n c e
S e a l c o a t i n g - H i n g h a m Ind. C e n t e r
H i n g h a m , M a s s . 749-6800

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.
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 C o u r s e 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. 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 .

N o w C h e m i c a l Corp.
Bill Brennan: Rep.
Tel. # 891-1275 a n y t i m e
Box 522
H o l l i s t o n , Mass. 01746
Tel. # 429-2044

Scotts P r o - T u r f D i v .
Rep. E d W i a c e k 1-401-253-4284
Rep. A l l a n C u m p s 1-413-253-2995
G o l d Star Sod F a r m s , Inc.
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
H o l l i s t o n Sand 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 f o r top d r e s s i n g a n d b u n k e r s

* O l d 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
66 V a l l e y St.
E. P r o v i d e n c e , R . I . 02914
P r o - L a w n P r o d . , Inc.
F r e d A n t h o n y , Sales Rep.
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

I & E S u p p l y , Inc.
66 E r n a A v e .
Box 9 M i l f o r d , Conn. 06460
203 878 0658
*

N.E. C h a p t e r Land I m p r o v e m e n t
C o n t r a c t o r s of A m e r i c a
P r o f e s s i o n a l C o n s e r v a t i o n of
Soil and Water
C o n t r a c t o r in y o u r area,
call Peter W h i t i n g , Pres.
617-877-5323

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

R i c h e y & C l a p p e r , Inc.
28 R u t l e d g e Rd.
N a t i c k , M a s s . 01760

Return to:
T O M SCHOF IELD
290 North Road
S u d b u r y , M A 01 7 7 6

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 , Conn. 06074
1-203-289-3471
J o h n P e r r y , Sales Rep.
Turf S p e c i a l t i e s Inc.
84 M e r r i m a c k St.
H o o k s e t t N.H. 03106
Turf & Drainage s u p p l i e s
Ken T u r n e r 617-263-7526

V a l l e y F a r m s N u r s e r y & Supply, Inc.
133 H o p e m e a d o w St., Rt. 10
S i m s b u r y , Ct. 06070
P u t t i n g G r e e n Sod for the P r o f e s s i o n a l
Joe B i d w e l l Pres.
Bus. 203-651-8555 Res. - 203-658-6886
White Turf 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 C o u r s e 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.

Dickinson

Fund

First Class
U . S. Postage

PAID
Maynard, M A

FIRST CLASS
( C l o u r i e
or

Superintendents
NEW

ENCLAVE).

dissociation
INC.

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

Permit # 1 7