February, 1981
ouròe
OF

Superiti
NEW

ten denti

E N G L A N D ,

òòoclalion
N C

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.

Golden in More Ways Than One
It was the late Professor Lawrence Dickinson's baby, so
to speak. Now, it's Dr. Joseph Troll's grandchild.
The object of both men's affection and dedication, of
course, is the University of Massachusetts Turf Conference. And, would you believe?, it's moving into its 50th
anniversary presentation this year.
The conference will be staged March 3-5 at the Springfield Civic Center. Dr. Troll will whip up the golden anniversary effort with another blockbuster of a show.
"We're trying to add a reunion touch for the big occasion," Dr. Troll reveals. "We'd like to have as many UMass
grads or those who have taken turf-related courses there
on hand. We're especially interested in inviting our
pioneers, the first students to use the university program
as a launching pad to the superintendent's profession."
The conference, whose profits are directed toward turf
research and education, began in the late 1920's. Dr.
Troll's not sure whether Professor Dickinson was a oneman director, one-man audience or not when he took the
lid off his brilliant idea.
In those early years, the conference was held on the
campus in Amherst. Students and turf people were in attendance and the agenda consisted solely of discussion
and debate.
" I do know that there was one industrial show then,"
Dr. Troll discloses. "They took up the wooden floor at the
old Curry Hicks Cage and used that. However, somewhere
along the line that phase of the venture stopped. And it
wasn't revived until we could go full tilt at the Springfield
Civic Center five years ago."
Leon St. Pierre, the Longmeadow Country Club's able
super, remembers some of the conferences when Professor Dickinson utilized the charm of surrounding
locales to enhance the project.
"We'd have the conferences in Bowker Auditorium at
Stockbridge Hall," he recalled. "Then, the windup banquet would move to either the Hotel Northampton or the

MEXT MEETING

Feb. 5, 1981
Holiday Inn - Dedham
Jet. Rts. 1 & 128
9:30 Directors Meeting
10:30 Regular Meeting
12:00 Lunch
Educational Session after lunch

r

Lord Jeffery Inn. That was in the late 40's and early 50's.
And, believe me, they are memorable moments for a lot of
us."
Dr. Troll arrived on the UMass scene in 1957. By then
Elliott Roberts had taken over directorship of the conference. When he left the University in 1959, Dr. Troll
assumed command.
"Of course, Professor Dickinson and Elliott got the
thing running and in good working order," Dr. Troll advises. " I just expanded it and conformed to the changing
times. As the conference grew larger, we had to spread our
wings and seek larger accommodations."
Eventually, the conference moved from the UMass campus to other sites. It was held at the White House Inn in
Chicopee, the old High Point Motor Inn in the same city,
Springfield's Marriott Hotel and finally to the Civic
Center.
Attendance has soared, especially in the last several
years.
"We had 180 at the Student Union at UMass in 1959, my
first year directing," Dr. Troll discloses. "From there, the
increase was amazing. And the dedication by participants
was just as incredible."
Dr. Troll recalls a show at the High Point during three
days of intense ice storms. "I couldn't believe my eyes
when people started showing up," he remarks. "We had
500 over those three days. Even Canadian members came
down. And some had to stay three extra days before they
could get back home!"
Now, the conference takes an enormous amount of
preparation and a full-scaled committee including
members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association
of New England. Last year it attracted 1600.
Dr. Troll's wife, Lonnie, does a lion's share of the leadup work. "She dives into a sea of papers in June and
doesn't come up for air until we're ready to roll in March,"
he laughs. "But we get input from a lot of people. After all,
this is a big project. There aren't too many of its size and
stature at the regional level."
Over the years, Dr. Troll has attempted to bring to his
audience some of the finest minds in the turf world,as well
as some of the most entertaining speakers for the conference banquet. Among the seminar leaders have been
such distinguished English golfing figures as course architect Fred Hawtree and former St. Andrews greenskeeper John Campbell.
We bring 'em in from anywhere and everywhere, just as
long as they have something to say," Dr. Troll quips.
So, the UMass Conference celebrates its 50th this year.
Fifty golden years it's been. Such an effort should be applauded. Let's hear it for Dr. Troll and his winning team.
Gerry Finn

Çatf

C^ourôe Superiti

ten den tâ ^lôâocia

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Julius Aksten on December 26, 1980. "Jule"
was a friend to all who knew him, and enjoyed life to
the hilt for nearly 70 years. He was an avid golfer,
whose handicap never seemed to be high enough;
but yet always managed to win something in our
monthly tournaments. Jule served as superintendent at St. Mark's Golf Course for nearly 20 years
and was recently employed at the Framingham C.C.
His passing has left a great void and he will be missed by his many friends.

Some dates you may want to keep
in mind:
Feb. 5S 1981 - N.E.G.C.S.A. meeting.
Feb. 17, 1981 - U.S.G.A. Greens Section
Conference, Wellesley, C.C., Wellesley,
Mass.
Feb. 19, 1981 - U.S.G.A. Greens Section
Conference, Westchester C.C. Rye, N.Y.
Mar. 3-5 - 50th Massachusetts Turf Conference, Springfield, Mass.
Mar. 7, 1981 - Mass. Golf Association
Spring Conference.

ti on

"Tribute to Joe"
They're going to do it up grand for Joe Troll.
Joe Troll, the man who makes the UMass Turf Conference speed ahead while its wheels never leave the
ground, is in formal introduction, Dr. Joseph Troll.
However, on Tuesday, March 3 he'll be just plain " J o e "
as guest of honor at a testimonial in Springfield's Oaks
Inn.
The well-deserved "tribute to Joe" is a brainchild of a
g r o u p of W e s t e r n M a s s a c h u s e t t s g o l f c o u r s e
superintendents. Longmeadow's Leon St. Pierre is serving
as general chairman. Bob Johnston of Hampden and Professor John Zak of the UMass plants and soil science
department are the co-chairmen.
"We're honoring Joe in the middle of the conference
he's helped put on the map," St. Pierre said. "And we'd
really like to see a big turnout for a man who has done so
much for our profession, as well as the whole turf and
plants field."
St. Pierre and his committee have planned an attractive
program which gets underway at 8 p.m. "We're going to
have a lot of surprises for everyone," he told. "It's just
one big party for one grand guy. There'll be music,
speeches (short but humorous) and plenty of time to allow
all of us to enjoy Joe and one another."
Tickets for the gala event are SI5. St. Pierre announces
that they will be available at all golf course
superintendents regional and local chapters through their
presidents. They also can be obtained by contacting either
St. Pierre or Johnston.
The Oaks Inn is within walking distance of the turf conference site (Civic Center) and Downtown Springfield. The
committee has even provided a map of the immediate area
on the back of testimonial tickets to help start the parade
of Joe Troll well-wishers to the Oaks.
Gerry Finn

Our thanks to Kevin Lyons, Ed Wiacek,
R.F. Morse, Sawtelle Bros., The Clapper
Company, Larchmont Irrigation, Richey
& Clapper, Turf Products Corporation,
and Tom Irwin Inc. for their support and
help with our Christmas party. Also, a
special well done and thanks to Ron
Kirkman and the entire staff at Needham
C.C. The Christmas party was a terrific
time and immensely enjoyed by all who
attended.

Congratulations and w e l c o m e to
William Berger and Thomas Flaherty,
both voted in at the last meeting.

PRESIDENT
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 C l u b

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Brian C o w a n CGCS
Robins Way
Harwich. Mass. 02645
H o m e Phone 432-9041
O f f i c e Phone 945-9230
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Eastward Ho.

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.

TREASURER
Pete Coste' CGCS
121 G r a n l t e S t .
Medfleld. Mass. 02052
H o m e Phone 359-7247
O f f i c e Phone 566-0240
Club Affiliation
The Country C l u b

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

TRUSTEE
Melndert S c h u l t s
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
C l u b A f f i l i a i ion
M a r s h f i e l d 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
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

Massachusetts

3:15- 3:45

TURF CONFERENCE
and
INDUSTRIAL SHOW
'"Better Turf Through

Research and £ducation

Fiftieth Annual Turf Conference
and
Fifth Industrial Show

3:45- 4:30

4:30-6:30
6:30- 7:30

E N G L A N D ,

ALTERNATE SESSION

Morning

SOIL TESTINGS:
INTERPRETING THE RESULTS
Dr. William Dest
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT
Industrial Show Open
Exhibition Hall

Chairman:

9:45-10:30

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1981

10:30-11:00

GOLF COURSE SESSION
Morning — Banquet Room

Springfield, Massachusetts

9:00- 9:45

(1-91, Exit 6 from South
Columbus Avenue Exit from North)
Sponsored by

9:45-10:30

Department of Plant and Soil Sciences,
University of Massachusetts/Amherst
Massachusetts Turf and Lawn Grass Council
Golf Course Superintendents Association

10:30-11:00

of New England

REGISTRATION
Lobby — Plaza Entrance
8:30 A.M. -4:00 P.M.

Tuesday, March 3

8:00 A.M.- 4:00 P.M.

Wednesday, March 4

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1981

11:00-2:00

Industrial Show Open
Exhibition Hall
Snack Bar Available

Dr.

Joseph

University

Massachusetts

1:00- 1:15

WELCOME — Dean William D. Tunis
University of Massachusetts

1:15- 2:15

ENVIRONMENTALISTS, PESTICIDES
AND INCREDIBLE NONSENSE
Mr. Walter Weber,
Registered

Professional

Indianapolis, IN

2:00- 2:45

THE LAWN CARE INDUSTRY
Mr. James Kelley
Lansdale, PA

2:45- 3:30

NATURAL GRASS ATHLETIC FIELDS
— A REALITY
Dr. Henry W. Indyk
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, Nj

3:30- 4:15

MAINTENANCE OF THE ORANGE
BOWL
Mr. Dale Sandin
Miami, FL
Industrial Show Open
Exhibition Hall

— Afternoon —

Industrial Show Open
Exhibition Hall
4:30-7:30

10:00-10:30

3:15- 3:45

MAINTENANCE AT MYRTLE BEACH
NATIONAL GOLF COURSE
Mr. Fred Meda
Myrtle Beach, SC

3:45- 4:30

DEVELOPING AN IRRIGATION
PROGRAM
Dr. Robert N. Carrow
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

10:30-11:00

TURFGRASS RESEARCH AT
BELTSVILLE
Dr. Jack Murray
Field Crops Laboratory
Beltsville, MD

11:00-11:45

EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT
THROUGH THE SYSTEMS
APPROACH
Dr. Robert C. Shearman
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, NB

11:45-12:30

GREENS MAINTENANCE —
YOUR COFFEE OR COFFIN
Dr. A. J. Poweli
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

4:30-7:00

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1981
GOLF COURSE SESSION
Morning — Banquet Room
Chairman:

NEWSLETTER
CHAIRMAN
Tom 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 A f f i l i a t i o n
Wellesley C.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 Affiliation
K e r n w o o d C.C.

of

Zak
Massachusetts

WATER PRIORITIES
Mr. Sherwood A. Moore
Winged Foot Golf Club
Mamaroneck, NY

Industrial Show Open
Exhibition Hall
BANQUET AND WINTER SCHOOL
CEREMONY
Dr. John Denison, M.C.
University of Massachusetts
NATIONAL BUSINESS HUMOR TEST
Bill Alexander

Prof. John M
University

— Evening —
8:00-

BREAK
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.

industrial Show Open
Exhibition Hall

MAINTENANCE OF A REGULATION
PAR-3
Mr. John O'Conneli
Blue Rock Golf Course
South Yarmouth, MA

Entomologist

HYPERODES AND OTHER
TURFCRASS INSECTS
Dr. Patricia Vlttum
Waltham Experiment Station
Waltham, MA

GOLF
CHAIRMAN
Ken Mooradian
134 Green St.
Hopedaie. 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
H o p e d a i e C.C

11:00-2:00

2:45- 3:15

Troll
of

UNUSUAL TURFGRASS SITUATIONS
Dr. John C. Harper II
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA

— Afternoon —

Banquet Room
Chairman:

MANAGEMENT OF HIGH TRAFFIC
AREAS
Dr. Robert N. Carrow
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

FERTILIZATION PRACTICES FOR
SEED AND SOD ESTABLISHMENT
Dr. Robert C. Shearman
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, NB

TURFGRASS DISEASES
Dr. Noel Jackson
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, Rl

—- Afternoon —

GENERAL SESSION

Hurto

DOES GOOD MANAGEMENT
APPLY TO CLUBS?
Dr. George Odiorne
University of Massachusetts

Corp.

PROPAGATION AND
DEVELOPMENT OF TREES
Mr. Harold Crane
Princeton Nurseries
Princeton, NJ

2:00- 2:45

— Morning -—
9:00 A.M.-12:45 P.M.

Dr. Kirk A.

— College Room

Mr. Charles Mruk,
Boots Hercules Agrochemicals

9:00- 9:45- GROWTH REGULATORS
Mr. John Jagschltz
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, Rl

50th Conference Cocktail Party
Lounge, Civic Center

Chairman:

I N C .

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1981

Director

USGA Green Section
Far Hills, Nj

Civic Center

3:00 -3:15

TURF MANAGEMENT FOR GOLF
Mr. Alexander Radko,
National

¡March 3, 4, and 5, 1981

2:15- 3:00

NEW

Information contained in this publication may be used
freely, in whole or in part, without special permission as long
as the true context is maintained. We would appreciate a
credit line.

Píeaáe fuibu>K¿2e FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION
B a k e r Tractor Corp., Ford Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Mass.
Y a m a h a Golf Cars
Bordens Spreader Service
M a y n a r d , Mass.
Tel. 617-897-2571
Sales Rep. J a c k Borden
Bulk Limestone Dealer
The Charles C. H a r t Seed Co.
Wethersfield, Conn.
Bob Kennedy, Rep.
Roy Sibley, Rep.
203-529-2537
Chester Drake & Sons Inc.
222 Walnut St.
Framlngham. Mass. 01701
Golf Course Construction
617-875-7929
The Clapper Co.
1121 Washington St.
Newton, Mass.
617 -244-2»00_.
Country Club Enterprises
Club Car Golf Cars
Tennis & Leisure Equipment
P.O. Box 400, W. Falmouth, Ma. 02574
617r563-2284
Geoffrey S. Cornish & W i l l i a m G. Robinson
Golif Course Architects
Fiddlers Green, Amherst, Mass. 01002
C S. C u r r a n
T . R . C . Products, Oils and Greases
7 L inden St., F r a m i n g h a m , M a s s .
Scotts Pro-Turf Div.
Rep. Ed Wiacek 1-401-253-4284
Rep. Kevin Lyons 1-617-366-4825
Gold Star Sod F a r m s , Inc.
Sod & P i n e B a r k M u l c h
Canterbury, N.H. 603-783-4717
Weston, Mass. 617-894-5474
I & E Supply, Inc.
66 E rna Ave.

Box 9 Milford, Conn. 06460
203-878-0658

*

•K Tom Irwin, Inc.
I I B A St.
Burlington, Mass.

Scott Associates, Inc.
60 W a t e r Street, Clinton, Mass.
617 365 6341
P u m p s Sales, service
Installation- V e r t i c a l
Turbine pump specialists

L a r c h m o n t Engineering and Irrig. Co.
Larchmont Lane, Lexington, Mass.
617-862-2550
* 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.

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

D. L. M a h e r
Box 127, Concord St
N. Reading, Mass. 01864
*

Tuco Products Corp.
Div. of the Upjohn Co.
Kalamazoo, Mich.
D a v i d Sylvester
203-828-3790

R. F . Morse &Son, Inc.
W. W a r e h a m , Mass. 02576
Tel: 617 295 1553

Turf Products Corp
1496 J o h n Fitch Blvd.
S. Windsor, Conn. 06074
1 203-289*3471
J o h n P e r r y , Sales Rep.

J . Willen Roell. Rep.
Larry Bunn, Rep.

New England Sealcoating Co., Inc.
Tennis Court Const, and Maintenance
Sealcoating Hingham Ind. Center
Hingham, Mass. 749-6800
N.E. Chapter Land Improvement
Contractors of America
Professional Conservation of
Soil and Water
Contractor in your area,
call Peter Whiting. Pres.
617-877-5323
Old Fox Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers Seeds Turf Chemicals
66 Valley St.
E . Providence, R . I . 02914
Pro-Lawn Prod., Inc
F r e d Anthony, Sales Rep.
391 Tremont St.
N. Dighton, Mass. 02764
617-823-1348
Richey & Clapper, Inc.
28 Rutledge Rd.
Natick, Mass. 01760

Sawtelle Bros.
565 Humphrey St.
Swampscott, Mass.
617-599-4856

*

Turf Specialty, Inc.
84 Merrimac St.
Hooksett, N.H. 03106
Turf & Ornamental Supplies
Ken Turner 617-263-7526
Valley F a r m s Nursery & Supply, Inc.
133 Hopemeadow St., Rt. 10
Simsbury, Ct. 06070
Putting Green Sod for the Professional
J o e Bidwell Pres.
Bus. - 203-651 -8555 Res. 203-658-6886
W h i t e T u r f Engineering
5 S u m m e r Drive, Winchendon, Mass. 01475
617-297 0941
Phillip Wogan
Golf Course Architect
21 Budleigh Ave., B e v e r l y , Mass.

* Contributors
Scholarship

to the Lawrence

S.

Dickinson

Fund

Return to:
TOM S C H O F I E L D
290 North Road
Sudbury, MA 01 776

First Class
U. S. Postage

FIRST C L A S S

Maynard, MA

PAID

Permit # 1 7
TOM SCHOFIELD CGCS
Newsletter Committee Chairman
290 North Road
Sudbury, Mass. 01776
Home Phone 443-3712
Office Phone 235-7333
Club Affiliation
Wellestey Country Club
PETE COSTE*
Business Manager
LEON ST. PIERRE
Co-ordinator
GERRY FINN
Contributing Editor