December 1983
C j o l ^

C^ourie
OF

Superinten
N E W

dents

E N G L A N D ,

^dissociation
I N C .

Sponsors and administrators of the Lawrence S.
Dickinson Scholarship Fund — A w a r d e d yearly
to deserving Turf Management Students.

That 'Silva' Lining's in Sight
No one will ever accuse Brian Silva of being a shrinking
voilet.
Let's see now. Wasn't it a nine-year-old Brian Silva who
told noted golf course architect Geoffrey Cornish, "one of
your greens is wrong?"
Silva 'fessed up to that one recently when trying to recall his first meeting with the man with whom he's formed
a partnership. Yes siree, That's Cornish and Silva, Inc.
painted onto the shingle of one of the game's most respected and renowned golf course design teams.
Brian Silva is worth a line or two for his presence, alone.
He has been close to the golf course superintendent's profession, taught at two different turf schools, served the
United States Golf Association as an agronomist and just
plain loves to talk golf.
The 30-year-old Silva is right at the top of his dreams.
" I always wanted to get into golf course design," he disclosed. "My father (John Silva) built several courses. I've
been around outstanding architects in my travels with the
USGA. And I feel I have something to contribute to the
game."
Silva knows what the game is all about from just about
every angle.
He got his start, working for Norm Mucciarone at Woodland and for a while thought he might be tempted to go full
time as a super. However, he drifted to the University of
Massachusetts where he made his mark and piled up degrees as a student of turf and landscape design.
After stuffing himself with knowledge, the Framingham
native went into the big, wide world to apply it. He taught
for two years at Stockbridge, did the same for three years
at Lake City Community College in Florida and then left
teaching for a post with the USGA.
" I really enjoyed working that job," he told. "I had a
chance to meet a lot of giants of the game and observe
them at work. But my most memorable experiences came
covering the New England courses. It was exciting, especially being part of the U.S. Amateur Championship last
year at The Country Club."
Actually, Brian and Cornish came together in a unique
way. Obviously, it wasn't staged.
" I was walking up the ninth fairway of the Springfield
Country Club with Geoff when he shot something out of
the blue," Silva recalled. "He just said, 'Brian, it's about
time you got involved in golf course design.' When he
asked how I felt about going into business together, I was
stunned. And it's worked out real well."
Silva has been a busy young man as an associate of a
golf course architect whose work is recognized around
the world. It's virtually an around-the-clock involvement
but Brian feels it's a learning experience beyond his wildest dreams.
Brian has no revolutionary ideas of his own but does admire the designs of such controversial monster-makers as
Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus.
"The things that Pete and Jack do are spectacular," he
remarked. "They want to get inside Golf Digest or create
something that brings a big tournament there or helps to
sell reed estate. In the end, it comes down to what the
client wants."

Brian doesn't believe there is anything purely innovative about modern golf course architecture other than the
ability of the designer to form a perfect blend of the old
and new.
"Most of the courses nowadays - except for those big,
man-eating layouts - constitute an attempt to gain the
middle ground between the old Scottish type links and the
traditional American type. However, there is an art and
feeling for it. I just follow Geoff around and I can appreciate that fact."
Silva also emphasizes the consideration given maintenance in the setup of new courses. "There has been a concentration on enhancing the playing conditions in the last
few years," he said. "It's all made with the superintendent
in mind. Most clubs are coming to the point where playing
conditions dictate their future. The needs of the golfer are
paramount. Consequently, the needs of the superintendent follow suit."
Although he admits he's a rookie in the field of design,
Brian has meaningful contributions in his immediate
sights. "I have some ideas that I think will have an impact
on golf," he told. "But I'm still in the learning process and
they can wait for now. Whatever, I couldn't be happier at
what I'm doing."
What the golf course superintendent's profession lost,
the field of golf course design has gained. Brian Silva's
name on a blueprint looks pretty impressive from here.
Watch for it.
Gerry Finn

Next Meeting
December 5, 1983
Franklin Country Club
Franklin, Ma.
Directors Meeting -10:30 am
Lunch - 12 noon
Membership Meeting - following
Lunch
Host - Gary Luccini
DIRECTIONS - From Rt. 495 take King St.
exit in Franklin. Heads towards Franklin
to Rt. 140 at light. Take a right on 140,
Club will be on right approx. 1 mile.

ourSe

S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s

Spiked Shoes Lose
Shine
A couple of months back, golf course superintendents
were weighing the effects of the latest, revolutionary product to hit the pro shop - the spikeless golf shoe. At the
time, little did they know that the most damaging type of
footwear had been staring them in the face - lo these many
years.
Spikeless, of course, is only a matter of relativity in the
true meaning of the term. There are three kinds of the species:
1. Composition sole with approximately 108 short, blunt
studs which produce a medium surface contact area.
2. Composition sole with the same number and size of
studs which produce a medium surface contact area.
3. Composition sole with 750, tiny round, hollow rubber
cups which make for a high surface contact. Then, there
is:
4. Conventional spiked with 11 or 12 per shoe and protruding shoulders influencing a low surface contact area.
Recently, the United States Golf Association conducted
a series of tests in an attempt to discover the perfect golf
shoe in regard to reducing the margin of physical error on
greens for putting and minimizing damage to turf. It's still
out there somewhere.
Strangely, the spikeless variety tested out more favorably than the full-spiked version on all counts.
Golfers, taking part in the experiment, found that spiked
shoes left the line of their putts in a sad state which played
havoc with their accuracy.
Furthermore, the spiked brogans were the most damaging of all tested. They also caused the most lasting damage with signs of it noticeable four weeks after its first
stages.
Shoes Nos. 1 and 2 were superior to the spiked ones in
both aspects. However, they, too, inflicted damage and
caused a larger area of compaction than the spike shoes.
The champion was the No. 3 shoe. Since its protruding
studs area almost impossible to detect, the design creates
a virtually smooth area of contact with the putting surface.
The USGA, then, has submitted proof contrary to the
original reaction of certain superintendents who were so
dismayed with the spikeless shoe they suggested banning
it from their courses.
In the same report, the USGA didn't go as far as a
straight-out endorsement of the hollow cup shoes (No. 3).
But its findings have to suggest that the old fashioned,
long-spiked product could become an endangered species,
cies.
In emphasizing the effects of the damage wrought by the
conventional golf shoe, the USGA Journal recalled a study
conducted by the Green Committee of the Irvine Country
Club in Newport Beach, California. The comments are interesting and worth repeating:
"The average golf shoe has 12 spikes or 24 spikes per
golfer. We have found that golfers take an average of 26
full steps or 52 paces per green. Therefore, each golfer
leaves 624 spike marks on each green.
"On 18 greens, he leaves 11,232 spike marks. If 200
rounds of golf are played during a day, 2,246,400 spike
marks are left behind. If the goes on for 30 days, you have
67,392,000 spike marks per month. And you wonder why
you can't hole a putt?"

PRESIDENT
Brian Cowan CGCS
Robins Way
Harwich. Mass 02645
Home Phone 432-9041
Office Phone 945-9230
Club Affiliation
Eastward Ho

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Donald Hearn CGCS
4TopekaRd.
Chelmsford, Mass 01824
Home Phone 256-8709
Office Phone 894-5906
Club Affiliation
Weston Golf Club

SECOND VICE PRESII
David Barber CGCS
145DedhamSt.
Canton, Mass 02021
Home Phone 828-7266
Office Phone 828-6540
Club Affiliation
Blue Hill C.C.

SECRETARY
Richard C. Zepp
21 Fowler Rd.
Northbridge, Mass 01534
Home Phone 234-8490
Office Phone 234-2533
Club Affiliation
Whitinsville G.C.

^ A s s o c i a t i o n

Never mind that, with that accumulation of wounds to a
precious part of the golfing real estate, one has to wonder
how the golf course superintendent faces up to the task of
keeping his greens from transforming into a washboard
overnight!
So, going spikeless may not be so bad after all, in light of
the results of the USGA test. Yet, there are still some complaints heard from both the golfer and the superintendent
concerning the waffle effect studded shoes leave on the
putting surface. In isolated instances, superintendents
seem to prefer spike marks over the matted-down deposits and have barred spikeless shoes.
Whatever the route the superintendent or green committee takes, it's apparent there is no such thing as the
perfect golf shoe. In some way, every variety contributed
damage to the green and had an adverse effect on putting
accuracy.
Perhaps the only solution is a return to the dark ages
and playing barefooted. Spiked, spikeless, studded, hollow-cupped shoes? Looks like it's dealer's choice unless
something better comes along.
Gerry Finn

o

Divot Drift. . . •The '83 golfing meetings are now
history. Out thanks to all who hosted a meeting. A reminder that anyone who would like to have a meeting in
1984 should contact Steve Murphy as soon as possible....
The Christmas party will be held at the Needham Golf Club
on December 9th. Anyone who hasn't made a reservation
should do so... I would like to thank our contributing editor, Gerry Firm, for his fine work again this year. I have received many positive comments on certain articles from
all over the country. Gerry has a great talent
Kevin
Lyons is doing all he can to shake the snowman image. At
Tatnuck he made a serious effort to get off the 8's. But
come now, snowy, 9's and 10's are not the answer... Finally, Happy Holidays to everyone.

TREASURER
Pete Coste' CGCS
121 Granite St.
Medfield, Mass 02052
Home Phone 359-7247
Office Phone 566-0240
Club Affiliation
The Country Club

TRUSTEE
Tom Schofield CGCS
290 North Rd.
Sudbury, Mass 01776
Home Phone 443-3712
Office Phone 235-7333
Club Affiliation
Wellesley C.C.

TRUSTEE
Paul Miller
173 Salem St.
Swampscot, Mass 01907
Home Phone 581 -2808
Office Phone 595-3107
Club Affiliation
TedescoC.C.

TRUSTEE
Stephen A. Chiavaroli. Jr.
100 Airport Dr.
Worcester, Mass 01602
Home Phone 752-0031
Office Phone 791-5373
Club Affiliation
Tatnuck C.C.

FINANCE CHAIRMAN
Robert Johnston CGCS
128Wilbraham Rd.
Hampden, Mass 01036
Home Phone 566-3075
Office Phone 566-3096
Club Affiliation
Hampden C.C.

O F

N E W

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

November Meeting at
Tatnuck

Non £ itions For
1984 Officers
The GCSANE Nominating Committee has announced it
nominations for 1984. The committee consisting of Ron
Kirkman, Dave Barber, Bob Mucciarone, Ken Mooridian
and Bert Frederick has nominated the following:
President - Don Hearn, CGCS
1st VP - David Barber, CGCS
2nd VP - Pete Coste, CGCS
Treasurer - Tom Schofield, CGCS
Scretary - Richard Zepp, CGCS
Trustee - 3 yr. Mark Klim
Finance Chairman - Robert Johnston, CGCS
Golf Chairman - Stephen Murphy
Educational Chairman - Edward Brearley
Newsletter Chairman - Douglas Johnson, CGCS

We had 37 for golf. The format was the best ball of 2
players per group. Our thanks to Steve Chiavoroli and the
staff at Tatnuck for being our hosts.
The Winning team was - Ron Kirkman, Dave Barber, Don
Levangie, Tom Schofield and Steve Butler.

A reminder that a person can be nominated from the floor
at the time of the election.

Beiivue Golf Club

Can't yon

{ o r q e t

c j o l i

Job Openings
Mt. Pleasant Golf Club - 9 Hole
141 Staples St., Lowell, Ma. 01851
Attn: Ray Silva
Melrose, Ma.
Contact: Jerry Kaestner
30 Elmcrest Circle, Melrose, Ma. 02176
Tel. 662-6367

lonq

e n o u q h

tc

f a k e

b/m To ike dentisif /"
GOLF CHAIRMAN
Stephen M. Murphy
75 Woodland Ave.
Lynn, Mass. 01904
Home Phone 592-2554
Office Phone 592-8238
Club Affiliation
The Gannon G.C.

EDUCATIONAL CHAIRMAN
Antone DeBettencourt
7 Country Club Ln.
Merrimack, N.H. 03054
Home Phone 603-424-5380
Office Phone 475-6638
Club Affiliation
Andover C.C.

NEWSLETTER CHAIRMAN
Douglas W. Johnson, CGCS
50 Newton St.
Weston. Mass 02193
Home Phone 894-7377
Office Phone 893-8264
Club Affiliation
Pine Brook C.C.

PAST PRESIDENT
Ronald Kirkman
25 Green St.
Needham, Mass 02192
Home Phone 444-8412
Office Phone 444-5548
Club Affiliation
Needham Golf Club

I n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a i n e d in this 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 s p e c i a l 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.

P C v M e fuifooHize FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Bacher Corporation
876 Boston Road
Billerica, Mass. 01866
Tel. 617-273-0398
Turf and Snow Equipment
Baker Tractor Corp., Ford Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Mass.
Yamaha Golf Cars
Bordens Spreader Service
Maynard, Mass.
Tel. 617-89.7-2571
Sales Rep. Jack Borden
Bulk Limestone Dealer
C &
474
Eric
Tel.

J Lawnmover Service, Inc.
Main Street., Wilmington, Mass. 01887
Oman - Sales Representative
617-658-2022

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

Geoffrey S. Cornish & Brian Silva
Golf Course Architects
Fiddlers Green, Amherst, Mass. 01002

*

Country Club Enterprises
Club Car Golf Cars
Tennis & Leisure Equipment
P.O. Box 400, W. Falmouth, Mass. 02574
617-563-2284
C.S. Curran
T.R.C. Products Oils and Greases
3 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. 603-783-471§L
Weston, Mass. 61 7-894-5474
The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
Weathersfield, Conn.
Bob Kennedy, Rep.
Roy Sibley, Rep.
Holliston Sand Co., Inc.
Lowland St., Holliston, Mass. 01746
Sand for topdressing and bunkers

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

Old Fox Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers-Seeds-Turf-Chemicals
66 Valley St.
E. Providence, R.I. 02914

Tom Irwin, Inc.
11B A St., Burlington, Mass.
Jack Peterson
Dennis Friel
Wayne Ripley

Pro-Lawn Products Inc.
18 Legate Flill Road
Leominster, Mass. 01453
Sales Rep. Jerry Kolomick

PETECOSTE'
GERRY FINN
Contributing Editor

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

David Loker
9 Crestview Drive
Millis, Mass. 02054

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

The Magovern Co. Inc.
27 Lawnacre Road
Windsor Locks, Conrw-06096
Tel. 1-800-243-7718 or 1-203-623-2508
Louis C. Rogers, Vice Pres.

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

R.F. Morse & Son, Inc.
W. Wareham, Mass. 02576
Tel. 617-295-1553
J. Willen Roell, Rep.
Larry Bunn, Rep.
Nardone Sand and Gravel Co. Inc.
37 Power Rd.
Westford, Mass. 01886
(617) 692-8221
Specializing in Topdressing Sand

_,

Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Inc.
Siocum, Rl/Litchfield, N.H./Suffield, Conn.
1 -800-556-6985
Largest Producer of Penncross in New England
Alan Anderson, Sam Mitchell

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.
*

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

Turf Specialty, Inc.
84 Merrimac St., Hooksett, N.H. 03106
Turf & Ornamental Supplies
Ken Turner 617-263-7526
White Turf Engineering
5 Summer Dr., Winchendon, Mass. 01475
617-297-0941
Philip Wogan
Golf Course Architect
31 Budleigh Ave., Beverly, Mass.

New England Sealcoating Co., Inc.
Tennis Court Const, and Maintenance
Sealcoating Hingham Inc. Center
Hingham, Mass. 749-6800
*

Contributors to the Lawrence S. Dickinson
Scholarship Fund

FIRST CLASS
DOUGLAS JOHNSON
Newsletter Chairman
5 0 Newton St.
Weston, M A 0 2 1 9 3
H o m e Phone 894-7377
Office Phone 893-8264
C l u b Affiliation
Pine Brook C.C.

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

Larchmont Engineering and Irrig. Co.
Larchmont Lane, Lexington, Mass.
617-862-2550

Return to:
DOUGLAS JOHNSON
5 0 N e w t o n St.
Weston, MA 02193

Cjoff Courtit Superintm/ienti Asiociatian
or Hurt E K t U K f t , I N C .

Richey & Clapper, Inc.
28 Rutledge Rd., Natick, Mass. 01760

Lakeshore Equipment & Supply Co.
Mike Ftannigan, Rep.
Abington, Mass.
800-321-5325

F i r s t Class
U . S . Postage

PAID
Framingham, MA
Permit

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