September 1981
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Sponsors and administrators of the Lawrence S.
Dickinson Scholarship Fund — Awarded yearly
to deserving Turf Management Students.

Red"

The cigarette would be couched as usual between his index and second finger. The top third of the index finger
had been fashioned into a stub many years ago. He would
take his customary long drag and with the same motion of
the muted digit guide the rim of his glasses into a comfortable seat on the bridge of his nose. This natural
characteristic would continue with intermittent precision
for the entire conversation except for an occasional blinking, grimace or twitch of the nose which was, of course,
the reason for the unusual posture of the glasses. He told
me one time, that as a youth he had accompanied his
father to work at a restaurant in Woburn where he was
employed as a Pastry Chef. It seemed that his curiosity
was aroused by an exhaust fan that was siphoning the
heat, smoke and flies from the kitchen. His desire to know
prompted him to insert his finger into the rear of the
mechanized blade resulting in the involuntary amputation of the first joint. I sensed at the time that he was
somewhat embarrassed with the recollection of the incident but I laughed anyway.
He would dominate any discussion and as one got to
know him he would find it easier to listen than to compete
with argument. He dealt only in facts and absolutes and
would not permit his mind to entertain any unsubstantiated probabilities. It was always either black or white,
yes or no or right or wrong. He was not an easy man to
know. He was of Dutch and Irish heritage and as stubborn
as granite. He would not go to you. You became his friend
only after submitting to his personal doctrine of appraisal. I doubt that he could ever verbalize such an acceptance. You knew only when he would share a confidence
that a bond of respect and trust had been consummated.
He developed solid friendships and when you got to really
know him you had to like him. I have a sense of regret for
those who were denied the luxury of perceiving and
understanding the various facets of character of this
unusual individual.
He possessed a pride, not the shallow ego reflected from
a mirror, but rather a pride of accomplishment, a self
gratification in positive achievement augmented by a
strong will and dogged determination. I would estimate
that his pride was his greatest asset and strength. He was
irascible of nature and at times recalcitrant as he suffered
annually through his appointed supervisors who more
often than not knew less than nothing of his profession.
He harbored an insatiable curiosity and could not
countenance a problem without a solution.
It seems ironic that it was such a "problem" with no
solution that contributed to his death. He was vigorous
and energetic and demanded of his employees the same
degree of dedication which he exhibited. He was also a
great competitor. I played a number of years with him as
his four-ball partner. We would leave the first tee and he
would have total concentration and desire until the match
was finished. He would speak to no one and if spoken to,
he would perhaps grunt. And you had better make sure
that you played by the rules because he knew them all. On
occasion when someone did violate a regulation of golf, he
would not hesitate to tell them with adamant conviction to

put the ball in his pocket and go to the next tee; that, "he
was out of the hole." He did not lose easily nor gracefully
and only the passing of time could pacify his agitation.
The psychological benefits gleaned from such encounters
were both amusing and beneficial. He really was
something else. And he had a sense of humor. He possessed a duckhook that could travel across two counties; and
once in the City Tournament coming off nine, he lugged
two out of bounds and after hitting five off the tee, he put
his next shot into the trap to the right of the green and
was lying six. Now, with the crowd encircling the green,
and full of anger, concentration and confidence, he proceeded to knock the next one into the jar for a seven
amidst the wild applause from the gallery. He exited the
trap with a tip of the cap and a big wide grin knowing the
crowd thought he made a magnificent birdie when in realty, he had made triple bogey.
I believe that it was in 1956 that Meindert Francis
Schults was hired to fill the position that was then referred to as Greenskeeper at Mount Pleasant Golf Club in
Lowell, Mass. "Red" was perhaps twenty-nine or thirty
years old at the time and had left a job at Raytheon to
assume this position. He had lived adjacent to the old
number five and six fairways since he was eight or nine
and had spent a great part of his youth caddying, playing
continued on page 2

NOTICE
Pro-Super Tournament
Oct. 16, 1981 Brae Burn C.C.
West Newton, Mass.

Next Meeting
Oct. 13, 1981
The International
Host Super
* Ron Milenski
8:30
9:00
10:00
11:30

Directors Meeting
Regular Meeting
Brunch
Golf - Member/Member
(Arthur Anderson Trophy)

Please call Ron at 617-365-3060 before Oct. 10 and
let him know that you are coming. The cost for food,
carts, and refreshment is $20.00. Don't cause unnecessary embarrassment by not calling ahead.
Directions: From 495 take exit 27 (Bolton) to Rt.
117. Take 117 through Bolton center, follow The International signs to the front gate.

(joff (Gourde Superintendents -dissociatio
continued from page 1

and working at the Course. That, in total, represented his
entire practical experience and I doubt that he would have
even been considered in today's market. The intangibles
he possesses were obvious only to the astute. I doubt that
in the history of Mt. Pleasant a more beneficial decision
was ever made than the hiring of the "Redhead." How I
wish I could adequately describe with words, the conditions under which he began, and document the evolution
that he orchestrated, which brought Character to Mount
Pleasant.
In 1956 there was no water and when someone would
discard a cigarette on three, it would ignite a peat fire that
would burn all season. There was little or no grass. The
hill and fairway on four, and the fairways on five, eight,
nine and two would be burnt and dry, and all had clay
tees. The old two, three and six greens would all fit into today's number seven. He had no budget, very little equipment and no help and was paid not much more than a
nickel an hour. But, there I go trying to draw a picture that
could never be really done accurately. The older members
will know my reference.
_
^ ,
One had to really experience the changes to fully comprehend the startling transformation that evolved from
the talent of this self-taught man. He initiated his system,
budgeted his needs, and with the cooperation of the
various Boards received the equipment he needed to progress. We have Meindert Francis "Red" Schults to thank
for developing this most beautiful and competitive ninehole golf course, perhaps one of the best in the Country
and most certainly in New England. He accomplished it all
with limited budget and minimum assistance; developing
new tees, new and longer fairways, a water system, new
and larger greens and traps and added the aesthetics of
trees and flowers. He did indeed convert the sows ear into
the silk purse, and along the way he developed the friendship and respect of his fellow Superintendents across the
Country.
I would estimate that the replacement of Meindert Francis Schults as Course Superintendent will be considerably

more expensive than was ever contemplated. The void he
has left will become more manifest with each passing day,
and perhaps finally the realization of his true worth will
be made apparent.
Death fosters varied emotions. "Red" had a beautiful
Mass and Funeral. The Church was full of his friends. It
was especially nice to see all the Golf Course
Superintendents, some from Connecticut and New York in
attendance and the wonderful representation from Mount
Pleasant was a real tribute. He lies about a wedge behind
the Chapel at St. Patrick's Cemetery a soft chip in from
the left hand side of the road. I left the cemetery finding it
difficult to believe he was not going to be around any
more. He fought such a tough fight. I did not feel like going
back to work immediately and I drove back to the Club
after passing by "Red's" garage. Such irony. It was City
Tournament Day at Mount Pleasant, and it was a beautiful
day. The hustle and bustle going on was in anticipation of
the crowd that would be coming. Beer Coolers, Tables,
Chairs and Umbrellas were moved here and there. I
grabbed a Chair and sat down to the right of number one
tee and looked out at Red's Golf Course. They were
finishing manicuring the rough on the left of number one.
The Flowers were beautiful along the wall and around the
flag pole and the entire Course looked magnificent. I
thought to myself how many times I had seen him plod
across the various fairways with a stride likened to that of
a farmer and wondered if there possibly could be one inch
of ground that he has not traversed in his forty-five years
around Mount Pleasant. And then, for the first time, the
realization of what he had accomplished was evident. It
was all there in front of me. I felt a contentment for "Red"
because I knew he would always be there as long as there
is a Mount Pleasant. This indeed was the legacy from Golf
Course Superintendent, Meindert Francis Schults. I could
picture him tipping his cap with his big wide grin and
winking at me. I felt elated as I drove back to work realizing it was City Tournament day, the Golf Course was at its
zenith, and "Red" was with his Maker.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Bill Neary
Lowell, Mass.

Article Four... Another Test
It has been just about one year since the Golf Course
Superintendents Association of New England ran its bylaws through a detergent and cleaned up a few discrepancies, therein.
An enthusiastic turnout of 67 raced through a set of
revisions and brought the by-laws up to date with overwhelming vote ease in September of 1980.
"There's only one thing wrong," one judicious super
recalled the race to make several changes in wording and
redefinitions of requirements for membership. "There
was only a half-job completed on Article IV. The revamping of it should have gone all the way."
The Article IV issue pertained to the old waiting period
of five years for acceptance of new members. Before wiping it out, regular members became enfranchised to vote
and hold office in the association only if they had been a
superintendent five years. Under the new edict, that
holdup has been reduced to one year.
However, there is still criticism concerning the second
half of Artice IV. It states that an incoming member to the
New England group must also apply for and be accepted to
membership of the " N a t i o n a l " -- Golf Course
Superintendents Association of America.
The heat of that so-called penalty has become so intense
that the by-laws will come under renewed discussion and
possible revision when the NE supers gather October 13 at

PRESIDENT
Ronald Kirkman
25 G r e e n St.
N e e d h a m , M a s s . 02192
H o m e P h o n e 444-8412
O f f i c e P h o n e 444-5548
Club Affiliation
Needham Golf Club

FIRST VICE
PRESIDENT
Brian C o w a n C G C S
Robins Way
H a r w i c h , M a s s . 02645
H o m e P h o n e 432-9041
O f f i c e P h o n e 945-9230
Club Affiliation
E a s t w a r d Ho.

SECOND VICE
PRESIDENT
Donald Hearn C G C S
4 T o p e k a Rd.
C h e l m s f o r d . M a s s . 01824
H o m e P h o n e 256-8709
O f f i c e P h o n e 894-5906
Club Affiliation
W e s t o n Golf Club

SECRETARY
David Barber C G C S
145 D e d h a m S t .
C a n t o n , M a s s . 02021
H o m e P h o n e 828-7266
O f f i c e P h o n e 828-6540
Club Affiliation
Blue Hills C.C.

the International Golf Club in Bolton.
"We should have freedom of choice in this matter," offered one superintendent who has been an associate
member of the NEGCSA for 14 years and unable to take
meaningful part in the association. "After all, we are a
separate entity. The National owes us nothing; we owe it
nothing."
It is essential that the NEGCSA take a strong second
look at Article IV, since the stated opinion is not an
isolated one. There are a number of members, including
those locked into the National, who believe the two
associations should not be intertwined by this mandatory
rider.
Another super has been adamant about refusing to go
along with the requirement to join the National.
"I've been going to meetings for years and I'll continue
to attend them," he disclosed. "However, it is unfair that I
can contribute to discussion and offer my limited expertise to problems. Yet, when there is a vote coming up, I am
not allowed to express my views in that process. It's not a
case of being stubborn, either. There is principle involved.
In all probability, I might even join the National - if I have
freedom of choice. That's what the argument is all about."
Of course, there is some irony attached to the upcoming
session on the controversial amendment-to-be.
Because only regular members can vote on amending

TREASURER
Pete Coste' C G C S
121 G r a n i t e S t .
Medfield, M a s s . 02052
H o m e P h o n e 359-7247
O f f i c e P h o n e 566-0240
C l u b Affiliation
The Country Club

TRUSTEE
Meindert S c h u l t s
737 P r i n c e t o n B l v d .
L o w e l l . M a s s . 01851
H o m e P h o n e 458-7605
O t f i c e P h o n e 452-8228
Club Affiliation
Mt. P l e a s a n t G . C .

TRUSTEE
Melvin O'Kelly
345 P l a i n S t .
M a r s h f i e l d . M a s s . 02050
H o m e p h o n e 834-4229
O f f i c e P h o n e 837-3321
Club Affiliation
Marshfield C.C.

TRUSTEE
Tom Schofield C G C S
290 North R d .
S u d b u r y . M a s s . 01776
H o m e P h o n e 443-3712
O f f i c e P h o n e 235-7333
Club Affiliation
Wellesiey C.C.

FINANCE CHAIRMAN
Robert J o h n s t o n C G C S
128 W i l b r a h a m R d .
H a m p d e n , M a s s 01036
H o m e P h o n e 566-3075
O f f i c e P h o n e 566-3096
Club Affiliation
Hampden C.C.

OF
and revising the by-laws, only those belonging to the National have the privilege of deciding the budding issue and
the fate of those it affects.
" I always thought the first goal of the New England
Association was to concentrate on upgrading our own
group," another amendment booster declared. "The way
it's set up now we're nothing more than the tail of the dog
and the national's the head. Well, I don't want anyone
wagging my tail. I can do it myself."
Another strong point favoring the attempt to drop the
National-membership requirement is the occasional splitting of opinions on certain issues concerning the golf
course superintendents' profession. There are times when
the NEGCSA is abolutely in disagreement with proposals
set forth by the GCSAA.
"That may be stretching our argument a little fine," one
associate members said. "But I can name quite a few
situations where the stand of the National was in direct
conflict with ours. This is not to say that the new England
group adopts everything the National puts forth. But that
relationship, spurred by the requiremente to join GCSAA,
kind of gives us a hand-me-down feeling."
It is said that the Article IV rider is responsible for
several NEGCSA membership candidates not even bothering to apply. There even is talk of potential spinoff groups
forming over the failure to lift the restriction.
NEGCSA president Ron Kirkman is happy that the issue
has come out of the information discussion and argument
stage and put in front of the membership for action - one
way or the other.
"We're going to give this thing a thorough going over
before any change is proposed," Kirkman advised. "We
are a democratic organization and that process will be the
foundation for anything that happens at Bolton. It is an
important issue, though, and I'm looking for a large attendance."
So, Article IV gets another test. This one should be a
lively one.
Gerry Finn

Expanding Golf Etiquette
Your foursome dilly-dallies, either someone has lost a
ball or the pace has disintegrated into an agonizing creep
for the group behind you. So, you wave it through and one
of the game's prime rules of etiquette has been obeyed
-practiced to the f ull extent of its unwritten dictate.
Does golf etiquette begin and end there?
Unfortunately, many golfers restrict their display of etiquette to those areas concerning only behavior within the
framework of playing a round. They forget that etiquette
takes on more responsibility than keeping harmony
within the club's membership or retaining proper order of
shotmaking within a particular group.
Care and respect for the upkeep of the golf course often
are ignored in the golfer's definition of etiquette.
Probably the most abused understanding between
player and course maintenance is that he repair ball
marks on the green.
Time is of the essence in preventing extensive damage
when a shot turns up turf on the putting surface. If the
mark is repaired quickly - and it takes no more than 10
seconds to perform that remedial act - it will heal within
24 hours. If it goes unrepaired for more than one hour, the
recuperation period can run up to 15 days.
Footprints in a sand trap have been the curse of the
GOLF
CHAIRMAN
S t e p h e n M. M u r p h y
75 W o o d l a n d A v e .
L y n n , M a s s . 01904
H o m e P h o n e 592-2554
O f f i c e P h o n e 592-8238
Club Affiliation
The Gannon G.C.

EDUCATIONAL
CHAIRMAN
Richard C. Zepp
86E Sterling St.
W. Boylston, Mass. 01583
H o m e P h o n e 835-4980
O f f i c e P h o n e 234-2533
Club Affiliation
Whitinsville G.C.

NEWSLETTER
CHAIRMAN
Charles Lane
5 Goodnow Lane
F r a m i n g h a m , M a s s . 01701
H o m e P h o n e 872-7832
O f f i c e P h o n e 875-4490
Club Affiliation
Framingham C C

PAST
PRESIDENT
Dean Robertson
24 R i v e r v i e w Drive
N e w b u r y . M a s s . 01950
H o m e P h o n e 462-4540
O f f i c e P h o n e 745-7289
Club Affiliation
Kernwood C.C.

NEW

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

errant-shooting golfer almost from the beginning of golf's
popularity spread. In essence, raking holes and other
forms of unscheduled handicaps for doomed players
doesn't aid in the maintenance program.
However, the habit of raking all areas of the trap could
ayoid costly repair work. Golfers sometime leave a trap
from its deepest end, breaking down construction of that
particular side of the hazard which invites a number of
possible upkeep problems. Rule here is simple - leave via
the shallow end and rake everything behind you.
One of the careless acts of the golfer comes in the
manipulation of the flagstick on the green. Flagsticks
always should be held with the end still in the center of the
cup. Resting them on an angle behind the cup will scar and
leave an indentation in the spot. Eventually, this leads to
bumpy greens and screaming the golf course superinten
dent's name in vain during the 19th hole chatter.
It seems that the divot problem is eternal. Why?
Because many golfers allow divots to lay where they fall
or do not take enough time to replace them properly.
The practice of picking up a divot and dropping it in the
general area from where it was taken is almost as damaging as ignoring it completely.
The ideal replacing process is to take a little time and
return it to its original position.
Of course, the maintenance woes of a superintendent
can be multiplied by the number of golf car users who
operate the mechanized monsters in a reckless manner.
Obviously, golf cars should be restricted to cart paths
when at all feasible. When they are allowed to roam from
them and rough areas, the driver is responsible for keeping within reasonable distance of greens, tees and other
delicate spots.
Even more trying on a superintendent's nerves are the
pull cart cowboys of the great green way.
Pull cart users are notoriously noted for dragging their
bag carriers across tees and parking them on the fringes
of greens. Then, too, they have been seen traversing
bunkers with them and sometimes using them as riding
devices for young children.
The refresher course might appear to be a never-ending
trail of "don't do this and don't do that" for the golfer.
However, what it boils down to is the simple application of
common sense and respect for the golf course. There are
no heavy demands on the golfer in lending a hand to. the
maintenance of the course he plays.
In fact, the golfer actually does himself a favor in
recognizing his responsibility of doing everything he can
to avoid inflictiing damage to the course. In the private
club sector, he not only preserves the condition of his
layout, he helps prevent damage which could hurt him in
the pocketbook. The public player also benefits in that
lower maintenance outlay keeps the green fee he pays,
from soaring out of sight and beyond his means.
Golf etiquette, then, doesn't stop with being courteous
to fellow players. It extends to a feeling of respect and
pride for the golf course. Funny thing, all it costs is a little
timfe - a small price to pay for anything.
Gerry Finn

To be voted on next meeting:
Russell Bragdon - Assoc. Member
Furnace Brook Golf Club

I n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a i n e d in t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n m a y b e used
f r e e l y , in w h o l e or 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
credit line.

Pieate
Baker Tractor Corp., Ford Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Mass.
Y a m a h a Golf Cars
Bordens Spreader Service
Maynard, Mass.
Tel. 617-897-2571
Sales Rep. Jack Borden
Bulk Limestone Dealer
C & J Lawnmower Service, Inc.
474 M a i n St., Wilmington, Mass. 01887
Eric O m a n - Sales Representative
Tel. 617-658-2022
The Clapper Co.
1121 Washington St.
Newton, Mass.
617-244-7929
Geoffrey S. Cornish &. William G. Robinson
Golf Course Architects
Fiddlers Green, Amherst, Mass. 01002
Country Club Enterprises
Club Car Golf Cars
Tennis & Leisure Equipment
P.O. Box 400, W. Falmouth,Ma. 02574
617-563-2284
C.S. Curran
T.R.C. Products, Oils a n d Greases
7 Linden St., Framingham, Mass.
Chester Drake & Sons, Inc.
222 Walnut St.
Framingham, Mass. 01701
Golf Course Construction
617-875-7929
Gold Star Sod Farms, Inc.
Sod & Pine Bark Mulch
Canterbury, N.H. 603-783-4717
Weston, Mass. 617-894-5474
Holliston Sand Co., Inc.
Lowland St., Holliston, Mass. 01746
Sand for topdresslng a n d bunkers
I 8< E Supply, Inc.
66 Erna Ave.
Box 9, Milford, Conn. 06460
203-878-0658

fcahoKcje

FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

* Tom Irwin, Inc.
11BASL
Burlington, Mass.
Lakeshore Equipment & Supply Co.
Mike Hannlgan, Rep.
Abington, Moss.
800-321-5325
Larchmont Engineering e n d Irrlg. Co.
Lorchmont 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.

* R. F. Morse & Son, Inc.
W. Wareham, Mass. 02576
Tel: 617-295-1553
J. Wlllen Roell, Rep.
Larry Bunn, Rep.
N.E. Chapter Land Improvement
Contractors of America
Professional Conservation of
Soil a n d Water
Contractor in your area,
call Peter Whiting, Pres.
617-877-5323
New England Sealcoating Co., Inc.
Tennis Court Const, a n d M a i n t e n a n c e
Sealcoating Hlngham Inc. Center
Hingham, Mass. 749-6800
Old Fox Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers - Seeds - Turf Chemicals
66 Valley St.
E. Providence, R.I. 02914

Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Inc.
Slocum, R.I., Litchfield, N.H.
1-800-556-6985
Alan Anderson
Sam Mitchell

* Turf Products Corp.
1496 John Fitch Blvd.
S. Windsor, Conn. 06074
1-203-289-3471
John Perry, Sales Rep.
* Turf Specialty, Inc.
84 Merrimac St.
Hooksett, N.H. 03106
Turf 8i Ornamental Supplies
Ken Turner 617-263-7526
Valley Farms Nursery & Supply, Inc.
133 H o p e m e a d o w St., Rt. 10
Simsbury, Ct. 06070
Putting Green Sod for the Professional
Joe Bidwell Pres.
Bus: 203-651-8555, Res: 203-658-6886
White Turf Engineering
5 Summer Drive, Winchendon, Mass. 01475
617-297-0941
Phillip Wogan
Golf Course Architect
31 Budleigh Ave., Beverly, Mass.

Richey & Clapper, Inc.
28 Rutledge Rd.
Natick, Mass. 01760
* Sawtelle Bros.
565 Humphrey St.
Swampscott, Mass.
617-599-4856

* Contributors to the Lawrence S. Dickinson
Scholarship Fund

t0:

CHARLES LANE

5 Goodnow Lane
Framingham, MA 01701

FIRST CLASS

Framingham, Mass. 01701
Home Phone 872-7832
Office Phone 875-4490
Club Affiliation
Framingham, C.C.
PETE COSTE'
Business Manager
LEON ST. PIERRE
Co-ordinator
GERRY FINN
Contributing Editor

Scotts Pro-Turf Div.
Rep. Ed Wiacek 1-401-253-4284
Rep. Kevin Lyons 1-617-366-4825

Tuco Products Corp.
Div. of the Upjohn Co.
Kalamazoo, Mich.
David Sylvester
203-828-3790

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

R e t u m

Scott Associates, Inc.
60 Water Street, Clinton, Mass.
617-365-6341
Pumps - Sales, service
Installation - Vertical
Turbine pumps specialists

First Class
First Class

U. S. Postage

PAID

Framingham, MA
Permit

209