January 1982

ourAe
OF

Superin
uperinl ten clen td
NEW

ENGLAND,

^y^AA ocict lion
INC

Profile of a New
President

Brian Cowan of Eastward Ho in Chatham, Mass. is the
newly elected president of GCSANE. Cowan officially took
over for Ron Kirkman of the Needham Golf Club after elections on January 5, 1982 at the Andover Country Club.
Brian began his career in 1962 at Spring Valley C.C. in
Sharon, MA where he was a member of John Callahan's
staff for three years. With some experience under his belt,
he moved on to the Hampshire Club in Mamaroneck, New
York, where he became assistant superintendent. After
one year Brian received an opportunity to construct a golf
course, so off he went to Fiddler's Green in Hyannis where
he and Frank Murphy were instrumental in building and
developing the golf course. Brian supervised the operation
for a year after construction when he left for what has become his home...Eastward Ho. He was hired by Lou Kent
as assistant superintendent and two years later when Lou
retired, the membership looked no further than Brian.
Thirteen years have passed and he is still on the j o b as superintendent. Brian has just completed this past season,
the installation of an automatic sprinkler system on the
course, an accomplishment his membership is very proud
of.
Along with being a past president of the Cape Cod Turf
Managers Association, he has been very active in our association. Brian has served as golf chairman and vice
president prior to his newly elected position. Brian looks
forward to the challenge and hopes he can carry on the
tradition of those before him of having an active membership.
Being an avid golfer and sporting a handicap of five,
Brian is a member of Cranberry Valley G.C., where he has
been club champion the past three years. He resides in
Harwich with his wife Joan and children Christopher,
Cheryl and Jennifer.
Congratulations and good luck.

Sponsors a n d a d m i n i s t r a t o r s of the L a w r e n c e S.
Dickinson Scholarship Fund — A w a r d e d y e a r l y
to deserving Turf M a n a g e m e n t Students.

Golf and the Super
- Alive and Well
It costs more to play, its maintenance budget is said to
border on the unbearable and its competition reportedly
is on the verge of replacing it as a viable source of recreation and entertainment for the typical American family.
However, someone forgot to tell the game of golf its
popularity is on the wane and that it is ready to occupy an
insignificant place in our society. Alas - golf is alive, well
and experiencing a period of growth which contradicts the
state of the nation's economy.
So insist the latest research results of the National Golf
Foundation which reports that people are playing the
grand and ancient game more and apparently surviving
the backlash of general economic decline around them.
Here, in the Northeast section of the country, the first
three quarters of 1981 showed an increse of 8.8% in golfing activity. That figure compares favorably with the national mark of a 10.3% gain in number of rounds played. It
also tells the golf course superintendent that he must be
doing something right.
He's doing it right because, on the whole, playing conditions around the New England golf loop this past season
were among the best the area's participants in the sport
have enjoyed in many a moon.
Why? The perennial skeptic might point to a summer
when the weather cooperated by failing to do any loop-deloops in matter of producing stages of incessant rain or
continual suppressive heat. It was, as a matter of fact, a
typically attractive New England summer weatherwise no extremes, so to speak.
However, with or without the aid of Mother Nature, your
local golf course superintendent has reached that plateau
in technical performance where his knowledge, experi-

continued on page two

Next Meeting
February 17, 1982
Franklin C.C.
Host Supt. Gary Luccini
Directors meeting - 9:30 a.m.
Regular meeting - 10:30 a.m.
Lunch
Educational program - 1 p.m.
Guest Speaker - Jeff Carlson from the Pesticide
Board
Directions
From Rt. 495 King St. Exit to Rt. 140, club will be on
right. From Rt. 95, take Rt. 1 to Rt. 140, club will be
on left.

^joff

Course

Superintendents

-Association

continued from page 1
ence and input finally supercede the elements.
Obviously, the conditon of the golf course has much to
do with the increased amount of play noted by the NGF's
most recent survey.
This is notably true in the private course or country
club sector where members are being exposed to a number of recreational outlets besides golf.
In the past 10 years, the country club has attempted to
become a year-round and varied sports meeting place for
its members. The high cost of gasoline and corresponding
fuel crunch have influenced many families to abandon
travel in pursuit of their recreational needs and funnel
their financial outlay for them to facilities closer to home.
Therefore, the country club has become the natural focal
point of those needs.
So, golf and the golf course superintendent have been
put on the spot. With tennis, swimming, spinoff racquet
sports and the like competing with golf for the member's
interest, the super has been faced with the challenge of
providing playing conditions conducive to keeping his
game the club's top participant attraction. And, according
to statistics, he's come through with flying colors.
It's important to note that golf in the Northeast during
the peak months of June, July and August (the same
months when tennis and swimming hit their high points)
recorded a substantial increase in number of rounds
played. This means, of course, that it prospered at a time
when the country club's other recreational offerings
should have eaten into its popularity.
Although the NGF breakdown in participation failed to
distinguish between golf participation on private and public courses, the latter sector is believed to have followed
the same trend as the country club.
Municipal and public courses have become a recreational refuge for senior citizens in that most offer reduced
rates and opportunities to take part in retired-age leagues
and tournaments.
For example, one Western New England group has developed a sliding competitive operation which gives seniors a chance to play some of the top public layouts in that
area. It's common to see more than 100 veteran swingers
show for a particular event and they are staged at least
once a week throughout the summer. This endeavor
alone, has contributed to the overall increase in play.
The game of golf, then, has awakened from a period of
dormant existence and is beginning to spread its wings
again. Improved weather conditions, increased memberships and commercial advertising are some of the reasons
for the general upswing in links activity.
However, in the middle of the spiral is the advanced
conditioning techniques and heartening results from some
of the golf course superintendents. The game itself, brings
a player to a course. The work of the superintendent,
though, brings him back time and time again.
Golf is in a healthy state and its doctor (the golf course
superintendent) has contributed a lion's share of input
into it. He has given it that much-needed professional
touch. And it shows, oh my, does it show.
Gerry Finn

PRESIDENT
Ronald Kirkman
25 Green St.
Needham, Mass. 02192
H o m e Phone 444-8412
O f f i c e Phone 444-5548
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Needham Golf Club

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Brian Cowan 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.
Chelmsford, Mass. 01824
H o m e Phone 256-8709
O f f i c e Phone 894-5906
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
W e s t o n Golf Club

SECRETARY
David Barber CGCS
145 Dedham St.
Canton, Mass. 02021
Home Phone 828-7266
Office Phone 828-6540
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Blue Hills C.C.

1981 Christmas Party
at Needham G.C.

Newsletter Wins Award
Our newsletter staff has won an award from the
GCSAA. Gene Baston CGCS, chairman of the editorial
committee for the national has notified us that we have
won an award for "Best Original Editorial Content." The
two people responsible are Chuck Lane and Gerry Finn.
Chuck will be presented the award in New Orleans during
the Convention. Congratulations to Chuck and Gerry for
an outstanding job.

Become Involved
The Newsletter staff welcomes all who would like to
participate. Got an idea? Write an article, send a picture, a
"turf tip," whatever. It's your newsletter, get involved.

Upcoming Events
The USGA Green Section will be holding a one day conference and luncheon on Tuesday, February 16, 1981 at
the Sheraton-Tara Hotel in Framingham. Registration will
be at 8:15-9 a.m. You can pay at the door, but it will cost
five dollars more, so if interested and you need a registration form, contact the USGA office at (201) 776-7770.
Dr. Troll's Mass. Turfgrass Conference and Industrial
Show will be on March 2, 3, and 4. The complete program
will be in our next newsletter.

TREASURER
Pete Coste' CGCS
121 Granite St.
Medfield. Mass. 02052
Home Phone 359-7247
Office Phone 566-0240
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
The Country Club

TRUSTEE
Meindert Schults
737 Princeton Blvd.
Lowell, Mass. 01851
H o m e Phone 458-7605
O f f i c e Phone 452-8228
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Mt. Pleasant G.C.

TRUSTEE
Melvin O'Kelly
345 Plain St.
Marshfield. Mass. 02050
Home phone 834-4229
Office Phone 837-3321
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Marshfield C.C.

TRUSTEE
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.

FINANCE CHAIRMAN
Robert J o h n s t o n CGCS
128 Wilbraham Rd.
Hampden, Mass. 01036
Home Phone 566-3075
Office Phone 566-3096
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Hampden C.C.

OF

NEW

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

Topdressing...A Double
Winner
A s a superintendent, I believe the most beneficial practice I can perform is topdressing. The majority of golfers
w h o play our courses will judge us on the playability of
our greens. T h e y want greens that hold, a smooth putting
surface and consistency of speed. I'm sure w e all have
heard negative comments concerning these factors. L e t ' s
l o o k at some of our problems. Thatch, compaction, poor
soil structure and disease activity, are just a few. What
better reasons to start a frequent, light topdressing program. Topdressing is, by no means, a cure-all for these
problems, but it is our most resourceful tool for achieving
what the golfer and the turf manager would like their
greens t o be.
Here at Pine Brook we have topdressed twenty-seven
times in t w o years. The results have been staggering. The
w e a k or in some cases no turf situation that persisted, is
being changed t o turf that will withstand a low height of
cut and hold during the stress period. Positive results
began t o show during the first year and have continued to
improve. It is also worthy t o note that I have incorporated
verti-cutting, aerifying and spiking into my topdressing
program. Once w e have built up a suitable layer of sand
w e can eliminate the aerification, if we choose.
My program begins in early April and continues every
t w o weeks through the month of September. The material
I use is a sand that meets USGA specifications. While
preferring sand myself, I believe each superintendent
must choose whichever material is best suited for his soil
conditions. A s long as it is as good or better than existing
conditions, positive results will be achieved. In the last
t w o years we have built up a minimum of one inch on all
our greens. Each time we topdress w e are putting down
approximately one-fifth yard of sand per thousand square
feet. This light application usually does not interfere with
the flow of play and on most occasions the golfer is not
even aware of it.
W e use a Cushman topdresser to spread the material on
greens and collars. It is worked in by hand using plug
pushers, then brushed in. Finally, we syringe. I have found
that by working the material in in this manner, there is
v e r y little pick-up when w e m o w the following day. I also
fertilize each time, putting down between one quarter and
one-half pound of nitrogen per thousand square feet. I feel
this keeps the turf growing ahead of the sand. Using bet w e e n four and seven men, the whole operation for all my
greens will take between six to nine hours.
While realizing that w e must deal with variables such as
amount of play, projects and regular maintenance and
that there aren't enough hours in the day to do all w e
would like, I have found that topdressing is a winner for
both the golfer and myself.
Doug Johnson, CGCS

Divot Drift...Congratulations to Dick Duggan and
his wife on the arrival of their new baby boy...There are
four new faces on our slate for 1982. They are: Paul Miller
of Tedesco, (a past educational chairman) and Steve Chiavaroli of Tatnuck, both Trustees, T o n y DeBettencourt of
A n d o v e r as Educational Chairman and Doug Johnson as
Newsletter Chairman...Congratulations are also in order
to past Newsletter Chairman, Chuck Lane, who won an
editorial award from the GCSAA...Golf Chairman Steve
Murphy awarded the following for the 1981 golf season:
Rick Arzillo, 1981 Champion; Kenny Mooridian and Gary
Luccini, Superintendent team of t w o champions; Larry
Bunn and Steve Butler, commercial team of t w o winners;
Mark Klimm, Pro-Supt. champ and Kenny Mooridian and
Robert Consoletti, Supt.-Greens Chairman winners...The
Murph added a new twist b y rewarding all superintendents
w h o were hosts to a golf meeting dining 1981. The recipients were: Brian Cowan, Mark Klimm, Doug Johnson,
Paul Miller, Wayne Zoppo, Mark Taylor, Ron Milinski, Bob
Grant and Jim Fitzroy. Steve did an excellent j o b this past
season and also showed some of his Irish humor when
asked where he lost the most turf during 1981. He had no
verbal answer but his eyeballs looked above to his
head...Thanks to J o e Troll for informing us on the pesticide certification credit situation. Our Feb. meeting
should prove interesting with Mr. Carlson as our guest...
Finally, hats off to Ronny Kirkman who did an excellent
j o b in planning the Christmas party at Needham. Everyone
who attended had a great time.
New member - Congratulations to Joseph Mondor of Crestview C.C. in Longmeadow, Mass.
Job Opening - Ould Newbury G.C.
Contact - Phillip Trussel, 369 High Rd., Newbury, MA
01950. Phone: 465-0368
Job Opening - Assistant Superintendent
Submit resume before Feb. 12. Apply to Robert Grant,
CGCS Brae Burn Country Club, West Newton, Mass.

GOLF CHAIRMAN
Stephen M. Murphy
75 Woodland Ave.
Lynn, Mass. 01904
Home Phone 592-2554
Office Phone 592-8238
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
The Gannon G.C.

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

NEWSLETTER CHAIRMAN
Charles Lane
5 G o o d n o w Lane
Framingham, Mass. 01701
H o m e Phone 872-7832
Office Phone 875-4490
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Framingham C.C.

PAST PRESIDENT
Dean Robertson
24 Riverview Drive
Newbury, Mass. 01950
Home Phone 462-4540
Office Phone 745-7289
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Kernwood C.C.

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 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.

futbuutije FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Bacher Corporation
876 Boston Road
Billerica, Mass. 01866
Tel. 617-273-0398
Turf a n d Snow Equipment
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 Main St., Wilmington, Mass 01887
Eric O m a n - Sales Representative
Tel. 617-658-2022

Holliston Sond Co., Inc.
Lowland St., Flolliston, Mass. 01746
Sand for fopdressing a n d bunkers

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

I & E Supply, Inc.
66 Erna Ave.
Box 9, Milford, Conn. 06460
203-878-0658

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

Tom Irwin, Inc.
11BAS1., Burlington, Mass.
Lakeshore Equipment & Supply Co.
Mike Hannigan, Rep.
Abington, Mass.
800-321-5325
Larchmont Engineering a n d Irrig. Co.
Larchmont Lane, Lexington, Mass.
617-862-2550

Scoffs Pro-Turf Div.
Rep. Ed Wiacek 1-401-253-4284
Rep. Kevin Lyons 1-617-366-4825
Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Inc.
Slocum, R.I., Litchfield, N.H.
1-800-556-6985
Alan Anderson, Sam Mitchell
Tuco Products Corp.
Div. of the Upjohn Co.
Kalamazoo, Mich.
David Sylvester, 203-828-3790

The Clapper Co.
1121 Washington St.
Newton. Mass.
617-244-7929

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.

Geoffrey S. Cornish & William G. Robinson
Golf Course Architects
Fiddlers Green, Amherst, Mass. 01002

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

* Turf Products Corp.
36 Sword St.
Auburn, Mass. 01501
617-791-2091
Charles Allen, Sales Rep.

Country Ciub Enterprises
Club Car Golf Cars
Tennis & Leisure Equipment
P.O. Box 400, W. Falmouth, Ma. 02574
617-563-2284

R. F. Morse 8c Son, Inc.
W. Wareham, Mass. 02576
Tel. 617-295-1553
J. Willen Roell, Rep.
Larry Bunn, Rep.

* Turf Specialty, Inc.
84 Merrimac St., Hooksett, N.H. 03106
Turf 8c Ornamental Supplies
Ken Turner 617-263-7526

C.S. Curran
T.R.C. Products, Oils a n d Greases
7 Linden St., Framingham, Mass.

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

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
The Charles C. Flart Seed Co.
Weathersfield, Conn.
Bob Kennedy, Rep.
Roy Sibley, Rep.

New England Sealcoating Co., Inc.
Tennis Court Const, a n d Maintenance
Sealcoating Hingham Inc. Center
Hingham, Mass. 749-6800
Old Fox Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers - Seeds - Turf Chemicals
66 Valley St.
E. Providence, R.I. 02914

Valley Farms Nursery 8c 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 Turf Engineering
5 Summer Dr., Winchendon, Mass. 01475
617-297-0941
Phillip Wogan
Golf Course Architect
31 Budieigh Ave., Beverly, Mass.
* Contributors to the Lawrence S. Dickinson
Scholarship Fund

Richey 8c Clapper, Inc.
28 Rutledge Rd., Natick, Mass. 01760

Return to:
CHARLES LANE

5 Goodnow Lane
Framingham, MA 01701

First Class
M r s t Class

U.S. Postage
PAED
Framingham, MA
Permit

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

209