January 1984
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E N G L A N D ,

Adociation
I N C .

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

The Course Is Still No. 1
Every now and then isolated incidents surface requiring
another refresher program in the appreciation of the golf
course.
It's hard to fathom, but there still are people who believe in a warped sense of priorities. They insist, and often
in dogmatic fashion, that the clubhouse and its attending
facilities are the backbone of the country club.
Let this corner be the first to remind them that without
a golf course, there would be no country club. Alas, fourfoot putts take precedence over the 4-to-l martini. And,
as far as individual jobs are concerned, the golf course superintendent's responsibilities stand head and shoulder
above those of their colleagues making points with members while the real foundation of the club (course) lies in
wait to provide the most enjoyable hours of a member's
day.
True, it takes several representatives of the country
club employment wing to work together and blend their
talents in the common goal of establishing and maintaining a prestige-bathed meeting place for its members.
There have to be organizational-oriented club managers,
glib-tongued maitre des hotel, fancy-stepping waiters,
wall-to-wall smiling pros and gourmet starred chefs to give
the clubhouse and pro shop the all-efficient look.
The assumption, definitely false — by the way, sometimes suggests that the golf course takes care of itself and
that its caretaker (superintendent) is nothing more than
an overseer in the means to that end.
The disturbing aside to this attitude is that some members (obviously, those uneducated in the accepted guidelines to country club operation) share that outlook with
the doltes initiating it. Often, those members are placed in
policy-making positions and the recognition of responsibility takes a damaging turn for the worse.
This unsettling situation leads to an attention gap between the board of governors and the superintendent.
Eventually, there is heavy concentration on the operation
of the clubhouse and pro shop, leaving the golf course on
the outside looking in.
There are several examples, all documented, that qualify as proof the golf course is uppermost in the minds of
members when unscheduled disasters come to call.
There is the story of the country club that was sold,
leaving employees in the dark as to their future employment there. The first to be re hired was the golf couse superintendent as the new owners sought to keep things just
as the old owners had left them.
Another incident concerns a country club that was leveled by a devastating fire. The club president was out of
town at the time and was informed of the catestrophe by
telephone. He was told that the clubhouse, pro shop ...
every building on the premises had been wiped out.
"And the golf course?" the upset president pleaded.
"Nothing happened to it," was the reply. "Oh, I'm relieved," he sighed. " W e can always build another clubhouse, the pro can work out of a trailer. But we could
never replace that layout. It's the one thing we can't do
without."

r

The truth of the matter is that in situations where country clubs Dlunge into financial difficulty, usually the cause
of the crisis is traced to an overemphasis on providing
members services that originate in the clubhouse.
And, more often than not, the upkeep and improvement
of the golf course gets lost in the lopsided attention given
that club's social offerings. As a result, the course goes to
seed, so to speak, and its fading appeal leads to a drop in
membership ... sometimes reaching the point where drastic and expensive recuperative measures are necessary to
return things to normal.
"If a club is in trouble," one veteran country club
squire declared, "look around the clubhouse and you can
spot its source. Usually, its members have gone beserk
trying to upgrade foods, drink and services while the golf
course goes begging for attention. A club cannot succeed
without seeing to the needs of the course before everything else. It's the starting point; no doubt about that."
A restated word to the wise, then, should be sufficient.
Sure, the filet mignon must come out of the kitchen ready
to slice with a fork. And, yes, the 4-to-l martini just might
make a member's day if it's prepared perfectly. However,
without the conditions to make that four-foot putt, service-splashed country clubs will soon see dues-paying
members doing a slow fade. The golf course is No. 1 and
don't you ever forget it.
Refresher course class is dismissed!
Gerry Finn

Nest Meeting Annual Meeting
January 9, 1984
Franklin Country Club
Rt. 140, Franklin, Mass
Directors Meeting -10:30 a.m.
Lunch -11:45 a.m.
Annual Meeting - after lunch
Host - Gary Luccini
DIRECTIONS - From Rt. 495 take King St.
exit in Franklin. Head towards Franklin
to Rt. 140 at light. Take a right on 140,
Club will be on right approx. 1 mile.

C^folf? Course

Superintendents

Association

President's Message
As the last few days of the
1983 season draw to a close, let
me take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to the
Officers, Board of Directors, and
the entire membership of GCSA
of N.E. for their continued support during my reign as your
President. They were certainly
two years I will long remember.
The future of our Association,
as well as our profession, looks very bright. However, the
new officers and directors will continue to need and look
for your in-put, suggestions, and new ideas.
Also, I wish to thank, Dick Haskell and Dick Crosby, as
well as the Executive Committee of the MCA for including
the President of GCSA of N.E. into their future plans, It
was a pleasure to work with and meet so many nice people.
In closing, I wish to thank all the Superintendents that
hosted meetings and provided such excellent golf courses,
and a special note of thanks to Dave Barber (1982) and
Ron Kirkman (1983) for two really nice Christmas Parties.
Here's wishing everyone the Happiest and most prosperous New Year in '84!
See you at the Annual Meeting!
Brian Cowan, CGCS
President. GCSA of NE

It's Wrong Not to Write
Yup, when you went to sleep last night, the world didn't
stop. Nor did the calendar remain on hold. Sure, it's still
you you're looking at in the mirror, but the time has
changed ... into another year, in fact, and still another verbal venture to update the membership of the New England
Golf Course Superintendents Association on where your
Newsletter has been and where it's going.
You say, the messages you receive have been onesided? Right. Put 100% at the top of your paper and go to
the head of the class.
In a quicky review, this vehicle never has been in a stall.
We have tried to keep you abreast of the contributions
and projects of certain colleagues by way of occasional
profiles. If you have not been among the subjects, it's not
because we've forgotten you. Another time, another word
picture of the most important man on the golf course ...
you!
Along the way, too, we have taken the liberty of laying
pertinent commentary material on you. Sometimes you
may agree and sometimes not. However, sad to say,
there's no way for us to sift through the orchids and the
onions. Alas, for the most part, your views, opinions and
the like are hidden behind a strange veil of silence.
Absolutely, you may sit back now and say, "he's singing
our song."
Right again. Each year at this time the Newsletter
makes its annual plea for membership involvement in its
contents. The attempt is genuine. It is not intended to
bathe the responsive member in embarrassment or to expose him as a perennial complainer. It's offered in the
spirit of obtaining constructive criticism, suggestions,
humorous stories etc and relaying them to your fellow
professionals.

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
4 Topeka Rd.
Chelmsford, Mass 01824
Home Phone 256-8709
Office Phone 894-5906
Club Affiliation
Weston Golf Club

SECOND VICE PRESII
David Barber CGCS
145 Dedham St.
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.

Problems are right up our alley. If you have one, know of
someone who has or think something's amiss in the world
of the golf course superintendent, it's almost your duty to
share it with us and the rest of the membership.
Obviously, there is a burning issue that just won't go
out. Along the way, we've heard of a recognition gap
haunting certain superintendents. Surely, the victims of
this unjust situation should be heard. How? Right here. By
writing that wrong.
Apparently, the reluctance to sound off carries with it a
fear that job security would be threatened should the
writer's views be made public. No problem there. Any and
all submitted material will be printed without the name of
the sender, if that request is made. So, you can throw out
barbs and brickbats to your heart's content without any
danger of it causing a backlash effect.
There is a scolding aspect of this plea, too. You didn't
think you were going to get away without that, did you?
Too often, association officers and Newsletter personnel hear of your complaints through the grapevine, second-hand sources and other forms of indirect communication.
Regardless of the subject matter, those views certainly
can't be accorded creditability under the above conditions of expressing them.
This is not to suggest that the association expects to be
privy to private conversations and the like. However, if the
matter is too important that it lends itself to amplification
outside the realm of normal channels, certainly it's worthy of your sounding board which is located on the pages
you're reading now.
An association-wide sharing of ideas and opinions
should be the basis for much of the material in this publication. And, many of those ideas and opinions must come
from you. Too many members are unaware of their expertise and the importance of spreading it among their fellow
supers. We think you know your business. In fact, we're
sure of it. That's why we're making this plea.
So, don't throw this away or stash it in that file where
you bury things to do tomorrow which never get done. We
need your voice to upgrade your Newsletter.
Your input will make for a better product which just
happens to be at the top of our agenda for things to do
today. A better publication means a better association
and this is what we're all striving for.
Thanks for your time ... and Happy New Year.
Gerry Finn

Divot Drift...

I hope everyone has had a happy holiday season. Our thanks to Ron Kirkman and Needham
Golf Club for hosting our Christmas Party. Everyone had a
great time
Winter is certainly here. Not only is the
snow and cold a sure sign, but also the word out of Medfield that the "helicopter" has taken to the basement
nets. The report we got is that Pete is hitting 200 balls a
night and that he will be out to avenge his embarrassing
performance at last years GCSAA tournament ..... Our
congratulations to Bobby Johnston on his new position at
Wampanaug in Conn. Bob has been very acti ve in GCSANE
serving as finance chairman and will surely be missed .....
GCSANE will have a large contingent once again headed to
Phoenix for the golf tournament and then on to Las Vegas
for the convention. Hope to see you there ..... Finally our
thanks to Gary Luccini and Franklin Country Club for
being our December host.

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
Tedesco C.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
128WilbrahamRd.
Hampden, Mass 01036
Home Phone 566-3075
Office Phone 566-3096
Club Affiliation
Hampden C.C.

OF

GCSAA News
Golf Course superintendents from all parts of the world
and other interested attendees will have the opportunity
to hear prominent author and futurist, Dr. Leon Martel,
address them at GCSAA's 55th International Turfgrass
Conference and Show to be held in Las Vegas January 28
through February 3, 1984. Dr. Martel will keynote the Conference at the opening session on Monday, January 30,
1984, at 9:00 a.m.
GCSAA expects up to 10,000 persons to attend the Conference and Show with more than 3,000 on hand for the
opening session to hear Dr. Martel. GCSAA's Conference
has featured a prominent keynote speaker for several
years, including Congressman Guy Vander Jagt from
Michigan last year and ABC sports commentator Jim
McKay in 1982.
Martel, in his speech, will be covering a long-term world
perspective and how problems such as population growth,
food production, energy resources and raw material supplies will affect the golf course industry. Dr. Martel will be
discussing ways golf course managers can plan realistically for the future in the context of their specific environments.
Martel is a noted author, with the books Lend-Lease.
Loans In The Cold War, The Next 200 Years, and Managing
Change: How To Prepare For The Future, to his credit at
this time. Martel has served as project leader for studies
for the President of the United States, Vice President and
the Secretary of Defense.
Martel believes that planning for the future requires
more than analyzing trends; it requires a new strategy —
specifically, a strategy of managing change. As he states
in his new book, Managing Change: How To Prepare For
The Future, this strategy must be a conscious, ongoing activity. It requires a new habit of mind, one that finds reason for action — not cause of fear — in change.
All conference attendees are invited to attend Martel's
keynote speech, which will be held in the Rotunda of the
Las Vegas Convention Center.
For further information on registration and participation in GCSAA's conference and show in Las Vegas call,
toll-free, 1-800-GSA SUPT if outside Kansas.

NEW

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

GCSAA to hold Golf
Championships
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) will hold its annual Golf Championships in
Scottsdale, Ariz., on Jan. 26-27, 1984.
Held annually in conjunction with GCSAA's International Turfgrass Conference and Show since 1938, the Golf
Tournament was established to provide fun and fellowship
among the membership and guests of the Association, and
to place a greater emphasis on the game of golf.
The 1984 tournament will be played on the Palm Course
at McCormick Ranch Golf Club and the Phoenician Golf &
Racquet Club, with the women's tournament being held at
the Orange Tree Golf Club.
The men's tournament will be a 36-hole stroke play
competition with shotgun starts. A strong field approaching the 288-player maximum is anticipated according to
tournament chairman, Riley Stottern, CGCS.
In 1954 the United States Golf Association provided a
beautiful traveling trophy, a replica of the U.S. Open
Championship trophy, that is presented to the winner
each year. Roger Null, the 1983 Champion, is currently in
possession of the coveted trophy but will have a tough job
in trying to keep it. No one has won the trophy two years
in a row since 1973.
Prizes are awarded in four championship flights with
low gross and low net awards in each of those flights.
Additionally, there are flights for seniors and exhibitors,
club officials and associate members of the Association.
Teams representing affiliated chapters of GCSAA also
will compete for the Chapter Team Championship and the
traveling Scottish Cup Trophy. Many chapters choose
team members through season-long competition to present their best golfers in the tournament, which has been
a part of the over-all championship since 1969.
For further information call, toll-free, 1-800-GSA-SUPT
if outside Kansas.

Position Openings
Furnace Brook, guincy, Ma.
9 holes
Contact: Paul Ceriani
25 Bowditch St.
Braintree, MA 02184
Wannamoisett C.C.
46 Hoyt Ave., Rumford, R.I.
Contact: Bill Looney

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 t e t u e p M t w H t j e FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Bacher Corporation
376 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 Golt Cars
Bordens Spreader Service
Maynard, Mass.
Tel. 617-897-2571
Sales Rep. Jack Borden
Bulk Limestone Dealer
C & J Lawnmover Service, Inc.
474 Main Street.. Wilmington, Mass. 01887
Eric Oman - Sales Representative
T e l . ® 7-658-2022
The Clapper Co.
1121 Washington St.
Newton. Mass.
617-244-7929
*

Geoffrey^TCofrtlsh S Brian S f l v a 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
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. 603-783-471 7
Weston, Mass 617-894-5474
The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
Weathersfield, Conn.
Bob Kennedy, Rep.
Roy Sibley, Rep.
Holliston Sand Co., Inc.
Lowland St., Holliston, Mass. 01746
Sand tor topdressing and bunkers

I & E Supply, Inc.
66 Erna Ave.
Box 9, Mitford, 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 Hill Road
Leominster, Mass. 01453
Sales Rep. Jerry Kolomick
Richey & Clapper, Inc.
28 Rutledge Rd., Natick, Mass. 01760

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

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

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

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
The Magovern Co. Inc.
27 Lawnacre Road
Windsor Locks, Conn. 06096
Tel. 1 -80®24®T7t®crrr-2©3v623--2508
Louis C. Rogers, Vice Pres.

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

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

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
61 7-297-0941

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

Philip Wogan
Golf Course Architect
31 Budleigh Ave., Beverly, Mass.

*

Contributors to the Lawrence S. Dickinson
Scholarship Fund

Return to:
DOUGLAS JOHNSON
50 Newton St.
Weston, MA 02193

First Class
U . S . Postage
M

PAID
F r a m i n g h a m , MA

FIRST CLASS

Weston, MA 02193
Home Phone 894-7377
Office Phone 893-8264
Club Affiliation
Pine Brook C.C.
PETECOSTE'
Business Manager
GERRY FINN
Contributing Editor

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