MAY 1984
our6e J^uperintendentd
luperinl

sdtSiociation

S p o n s o r s a n d a d m i n i s t r a t o r s o f t h e L a w r e n c e S.

c

to d e s e r v i n g Turf M a n a g e m e n t

Dickinson Scholarship

OF

NEW

E N G L A N D ,

i

N

Fund — A w a r d e d

yearly

Students.

Masters Mice b u t M i s l e a d i a g
A noted golf course superintendent once mused that
the Masters Tournament was nice, a blessing to the game
and a promotional tool for golf without equal.
"However," he added. "It's also an ogre in disguise, because of its overpowering beauty and playing condition.
An ogre can take many forms. This one feasts on the expectations of the millions of golfers watching the Masters
on TV. It can bring out the beast in them."
What our observer-at-large referred to was the misleading effects the Augusta National Golf Club (site of the Masters) has on the average country club member. What he
sees in Augusta in April he expects to see in Andover in
April.
From an aesthetic standpoint, few courses in the world
come close to the attractive lines of Augusta National. It is
the product of a myriad of experts in every phase of the
game of golf and underwritten by a financial force worthy
of unlimited credit.
For example, its tees and greens were lowered into their
final resting places only after extensive experimentation
by one of Augusta National's founders - the great Bobby
Jones. It's said Bobby hit more than 100 drives before
determining the best location for the eighth tee. Therefore, it is bathed in expertise and patience.
Obviously, the flower arrangements and other plant life
adorning the course didn't happen by accident. Their cultivation and care were provided by the Berckmans family
of Augusta. The Berckmans were highly-regarded nurserymen. One - Louis Alphonse - was chosen by the Rockefellers to select and set out all the trees and plants in
Radio City, New York.
Therefore, long before the Masters became a showcase
for the rolling terrain, velvet greens, exploding azalea
buds and eye-catching dogwoods in bloom it had been
vested in impressive roots. That was in 1932 when, incidentally, some of the labor on the course came at the
ridiculous price of 50 cents a day.
Since then, Augusta National has become the last word
in beauty and challenge for leading golfers. It also has exposed itself as a challenge to the unsuspecting golf course
superintendent, some of the species still battling the effects of winter with the reverse of them only a click of the
dial away from his severest critics.
So, it is not surprising that many supers prepare themselves for the annual march on their sanity or the inquiries from members as to why their course pales in comparison to Augusta National.
A s a matter of fact, coming down inquisitively on the superintendent at Masters time is one of the surest signs of
spring in the Northeast. A t certain clubs, the event has be

come ritual. In fact, it wouldn't be April if a super weren't
grilled to his cross while Jack, Arnie, Steve, Ben and the
rest of the boys tiptoe through the azaleas and dogwoods
digging for golfing gold in Georgia.
This is brought up here, not in defense of the superintendent, but in the interests of logic, reason and sanity.
Actually, few country members expect their course to
measure up to the aesthetic and artistic brilliance of Augusta National. However, there is a tendency - especially at
this time of year when the golf itch surfaces - for members
to he inspired by what they see while watching PGA Tomevents on television.
They forget where their courses are and under what
kind of flip-flop weather conditions their superintendent
must apply his skills in time for their first rounds of the
season. Not all, but some demand the smoothest path to
the hole or the most perfect lies from which to launch an
approach shot. After all, "if Nicklaus can carve his way to
a par without course-grooming complications, why can't
I?"

The Masters, then, is a two-faced harbinger of spring.
Certainly, it is a breathtaking experience to view Augusta
National at the peak of its splendor. But, on the other
hand, that scene can transfer into uncalled for demands
by country club members on their golf course superintendent.
What's needed here is proper perspective. A t this time
continued on page 2

Next Meeting
May 14, 1984
Green Harbor
Marshfield, MA
10 am
Directors Meeting
11:15 am Regular Meeting
Educational Program Dr. Richard Skogley,
University of Rhode Island
Subject - Grasses for golf
course use
12 noon Lunch
Golf
Shotgun
Blind Draw
Host
Dahn Tibbett

ourde ^uperin

tendents

Eric G. Shiel nam©d
Director, Regional
Affairs, of the USGA
FAR HILLS, N.J. — Eric G. Shiel, of Marietta, Ga„ has
been named Director of Regional Affairs, of the United
States Golf Association, effective April 1.
Shiel replaces Jeffrey L. Rivard, who has accepted the
position of Executive Director of the Golf Association of
Michigan.
Shiel's primary responsibilities will include relations
with state, district and regional golf associations, communications with USGA Committee members, membership administration and the supervision of a staff of three
Regional Managers, with offices in Chicago, Pebble Beach
and Atlanta.
Shiel, who joined the USGA staff in August 1981, will
work out of Golf House in Far Hills, N.J.
A native of Carnoustie, Scotland, Shiel was a member of
the Committee of management of the New Taymouth Golf
Club in 1954-55 and the Carnoustie Golf Club in 1955-58.
He was also on the Handicap Committee at the Bush Hill
Park Golf Club in London and served as secretary/treasurer for the Middlesex County Golf Alliance from 19691971. He has also assisted the Virginia State Golf Association with the Rules of Golf.
An accomplished player, Shiel won four club championships in England and competed in both the British and
Scottish Amateur Championships. His current handicap is
six.
Shiel is a member of the Carnoustie Golf Club in Scotland, the Bush Hill Park Golf Club in London and the Rivermont Golf Club in Alpharetta, Ga.
The United States Golf Association, which was formed
in 1894, is a non-profit organization of more than 5,000
member clubs and golf courses. The USGA, among other
activities, conducts 12 national championships annually.

4'Guide

to Seed and Sod
in the U.S* and Canada"
now available
Marie Pompei, Research Agronomist with Lofts Inc. announces the 5th edition of the "Guide to Seed and Sod in
the U.S. and Canada" is now available to anyone who has
an interest in the growing and maintenance of turf. The
guide which she co-authored with Dr. Richard Hurley,
Lofts Director of Research, is a ready reference presenting
complete information for grass adaptation, recommended
uses, and planting rates and dates in a clear and concise
format.
For your free copy contact: Karen Ciosek, Lofts Inc.,
P.O. Box 146, Bound Brook, NJ 08805, (201)560-1590.

PRESIDENT
Donald E Hearn. CGCS
4 Topeka Rd.
Chelmsford. M A 01824
Home Phone 256-8709
O f f i c e Phone 8 9 4 - 5 9 0 6
Club Affiliation
Weston Golf Club

FIRST
VICE
PRESIDENT
David Barber. CGCS
1 4 5 D e d h a m St.
Canton, M A 02021
H o m e Phone 8 2 8 - 7 2 6 6
O f f i c e Phone 8 2 8 - 6 5 4 0
Club Affiliation
B l u e H i l l C.C.

SECOND
VICE
PRESIDENT
Pierre C o s t e , C G C S
1 2 1 G r a n i t e St.
Medfield, M A 02052
H o m e Phone 359-7247
Office Phone 5 6 6 - 0 2 4 0
Club Affiliation
The Country Club

SECRETARY
R i c h a r d C. Z e p p . C G C S
27 F o w l e r R d .
Northbridge. M A 01534
H o m e Phone 234-8490
Office Phone 234-2533
Club Affiliation
Whitinsville Golf Club

_4AAociation

GCSAA News
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the United States Golf Association have joined together in a joint effort to reuse funds to support turfgrass
research.
GCSAA supports the unprecedented research project
initiated by USGA to develop and produce quality golf
turfgrass that will thrive with minimum water and maintenance. GCSAA President James W. Timmerman, in a message to superintendents, said, "Accelerated research
leading to the development of grasses that are drought
tolerant, less costly and easier to maintain are crucial to
g o l f s survival."
The first phase of this research is being implemented in
1984 through a 8332,000 commitment by the USGA. Over
the next ten years, 85 million will be needed to accomplish
this much needed research.
GCSAA and USGA are jointly urging their members and
all others interested in the future of golf to contribute to
this research to insure that green golf courses and the
game of golf will always be a part of our lives.
"It is really important to us in working with GCSAA on
this joint project. It is the greatest cooperative effort ever
between USGA and GCSAA — it is truly a new era. The
joint project is important, not only to us, but the cementing force is what it will bring to the future of golf," so said
William H. Bengeyfield, National Director, USGA Green
Section.
The members of the Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield,
N.J., felt so strongly about this research and fund raising
effort that each member will donate 82.00 annually to the
USGA Turfgrass Research Program. A jointly-signed letter
by GCSAA President James W. Timmerman and USGA
President James R. Hand has been sent to all golf clubs via
the golf course superintendent urging each to consider donating funds to this vital research program in much the
same manner as the Baltusrol Golf Club.
The USGA Green Section's Turfgrass Research Committee developed the plans and recommendations for this
Turfgrass Research Program. GCSAA's Associate Executive Director James C. Prusa, CGCS, is a member of this
committee.
Individuals or organizations interested in supporting
turfgrass research may wish to contact Mr. Don Spencer,
USGA Golf House, Far Hills, N.J. 07931 for further details
on this joint effort.

continued from page 1
of year, Augusta National is a view of another planet if you
take your seat in the Northeast TV room. The real world of
low flooding, freezing nighttime temperatures, reluctant
plant growth and every other aspect attached to the
wakening of spring is here when the grass isn't green - yetl
Ah, June and July can't come too soon - eh, Mr. Superintendent?
Gerry Finn

TREASURER
Thomas Schofield. CGCS
290 N o r t h Rd.
Sudbury, M A 01 776
H o m e Phone 4 4 3 - 3 7 1 2
O f f i c e Phone 2 3 5 - 7 3 3 3
Club Affiliation
Wellesley C . C .

TRUSTEE
Paul M i l l e r
173 S a l e m St.
Swampscott, M A 01907
H o m e Phone 581 -2808
O f f i c e Phone 791-5373
Club Affiliation
T e d e s c o C.C.

TRUSTEE
Stephen A Chiavaroli. C
1 0 0 A i r p o r t Or
Worcester, M A 0 1 6 0 2
H o m e Phone 752-0031
O f f i c e Phone 791-5373
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
T a t n u c k C.C.

TRUSTEE
M a r k J. K l i m m
P O. B o x 4 8 0
Mashpee. M A 0 2 6 4 9
Home Phone 4 7 7 - 3 5 1 6
O f f i c e Phone 4 7 7 - 0 9 1 9
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
C.C. o f N e w S e a b u r y

O F

N E W

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

Announcement
Nary Sperandio of Concord Country Club has announced he will be retiring from his position of golf course
superintendent, effective January 1985. Anyone interested should contact: Mr. Everett Parker, 116 Monument
St., Concord, MA 01742.

Divot Drift. ..The golf season is finally getting un-

derway. It's hard to believe May is here... A sure sign of
spring is our April golf meeting, and some of spring's
sounds. Examples - Pete Coste whirling a club high above
the clouds, Bobby Brown smacking a drive right into a
bunch of trees making that coconut sound and Ron Kirkman nicking a fairway wood just enough to move the ball
10 feet... A correction on the Ouimet bag tags, the price is
$20 and are available at the MGA office in Weston.... Poor
Art Washburn. He showed up at Hyannisport to play golf
and his three playing partners never showed. We won't
mention any names.... Finally, thanks to Bob St. Thomas
and Hyannisport for being our May host.

Patrick W. Kristy Receives
TUCO Turf Scholarship
Patrick Kristy, a senior in Turf Management at University of Massachusetts, received a TUCO Turf Scholarship
for 1984 from Dave Sylvester, TUCO representative. The
annual scholarship is sponsored by TUCO, Division of The
Upjohn Company, to assist turfgrass students in meeting
their educational needs. The scholarship is awarded for
scholastic ability, personal integrity, and professed career
interest in turfgrass management.
Kristy is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Kristy of 204
Hoyden's Lane, Fairfield, Ct.

1984 CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
1984 Massachusetts Golf Association Championships
Championship

Entries Close

Qualifying Round

Dxle* of Even!

Site

Open

May 23

June 4
Crestview
Crystal Springs
South Shore

June 25-27

Wollasion Gotf Club

Pubfic Links

June 4

Amateur

June 4

Junior

July 6

June 3 0 Julv 1

George Wright Gotf Course &
Ponkapoag GoM Course

June 18
Belmont
Far Corner
Frammgham
Marlborough
Marshfield
Waipole
Wyantenuck

July 10-14

Country Club of PtttsfhHd

July 23
Needham
North Andover
Oak Ridge
Pinecrest
Presidents
Woods Hole

August 6 - 8

Cohasset Goff Club

Hyannisport Results
The May meeting at Hyannisport was the qualifying for
the Guy Tedesco invitational to be held June 15, 1984 at
New Seabury. The following won a spot to represent
GCSANE.
Steve Chivaroli - low gross
Tony Caranci - first net
Ron Kirkman - second net
Mike Nagle - third net
Ron Lee - first commercial net

President-Professional

August 10

August 16

Spring Vatfey Country Club

Four-Bail

August 9

August 23-26

Halifax Country Club

Father & Son

August 17

August 27

Essex County Club

Father 4 Daughter

August 17

August 30

Beverly Goff & Tennis Club

Seniors

August 27

September 10-11

Eastward Ho Country Club

Mid-Amateur

September 10

September 24-25 Country Club of New Seabury

Champion, h*p

ETtr«Oos«

Quefityvvg Round -

Ostes of Event

Open

April 25

May 21
Radisson-Ferncrofi

June 14-17

Winged Foot Golf Club (West C o u r s f )
Mamaroneck, NY

Senior Open

May 23

June IS
Pine Brook

June 28July 1

Oak Hftl Country Club
Rochester. NY

Public Unks

June 4

June 30-July i
George Wright
Ponkapoag

July 16-21

Indian Canyon Golf Course
Spokane, WA

1984 United States Golf Association Local Quafifytngs
s*»

Junior

June 20

July 10
Woodland

July 31 August 4

Wayzata Country Club
Wayzata. MM

Amateur

July 18

August 14
Oak Hi!!

August 28September 2

Oak Tree Goff Club
Edmond, OK

Senior Amateur

August 15

Septemoer 4
International

September 17-22

Birmingham Country Club
Birmingham, M l

Mid-Amateur

August 22

September 11
Andover

September 29October 4

Atlanta Athletic Club
Atlanta. GA

Chempronsntp

Errtrlen Oom

Date* of Event

3,in

NEGA Amateur

June 22

July 17-19

Brooklawn Country Club
Connecticut

NEGA Junior

invitational

August 28

Wethers fwkf Country Club
Connecticut

June 11, 1984
Mt. Pleasant CC
W. Boylston, MA
Supt. Green Chairmen Tournament
New Members - Congratulations to:

1984 N e w E n g l a n d Got! A s s o c i a t i o n E v e n t s

yNANCE
CHAIRMAN
o h n Streeter, CGCS
8 6 Fashion Dr.
Warwick, Rl 02886
Home Phone (401 ) 738-8386
Office Phone (401) 943-005S
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
T h e A l p i n e C.C.

GOLF
CHAIRMAN
Stephen M. M u r p h y
4 Juniper Rd.
Lynnfield, M A 01940
H o m e Phone 334-4836
Office Phone 592-1433
Club Affiliation
Larry Gannon Municipal G.C.

EDUCATIONAL

CHAIRMAN

E d w a r d L. B r e a r l e y
2 7 9 T o r r e y St.
Brockton, M A 02401
H o m e Phone 584-6568
Office Phone 8 2 3 - 0 4 6 6
Club Affiliation
Segreggansett C . C .

Upcoming Meeting

NEWSLETTER

Mike Hannigan, Brockton CC
Tom Jennings, Scituate GC
Pat Flannery, Club at Bedford

CHAIRMAN

Douglas W. Johnson, CGCS
5 0 N e w t o n St.
Weston, M A 0 2 1 9 3
Home Phone 8 9 4 - 7 3 7 7
O f f i c e Phone 8 9 3 - 8 2 6 4
Club Affiliation
Pine B r o o k C.C.

PAST

PRESIDENT

Brian Cowan, CGCS
Robins Way
Harwich, M A 02645
H o m e Phone 432-9041
Office Phone 9 4 5 - 9 2 3 0
Club Affiliation
Eastward Ho

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.

Ple^ue flabiOHize FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Baker Tractor Corp., Ford T r a c t o r s
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
S w a n s e a , Mass.
Y a m a h a Golf Cars

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

P r o - L a w n P r o d u c t s Inc.
18 L e g a t e Hill Road
Leominster, Mass 01453
Sales Rep. Jerry K o l o m i c k

B o r d e n s Spreader Service
M a y n a r d , Mass.
Tel. 617-897-2571
Sales Rep. Jack B o r d e n
Bulk Limestone Dealer

T o m Irwin, Inc.
11B A St., Burlington, Mass.
J a c k Peterson
D e n n i s Friel
W a y n e Ripley

Richey & Clapper, Inc.
28 R u t l e d g e Rd., Natick, Mass. 01760

C & J L a w n m o w e r Service, Inc.
474 M a i n Street, W i l m i n g t o n , Mass. 01887
Eric O m a n - Sales Representative
Tel. 617-658-2022

Scott C. W o l f r o m
99 1 /i Day St.
N o r w o o d , Mass. 02062

T h e Clapper Co.
1121 W a s h i n g t o n St.
N e w t o n , Mass.
617-244-7929
*

Geoffrey S. Cornish & Brian Silva
Golf C o u r s e Architects
Fiddlers Green, Amherst, Mass. 01002

* C o u n t r y Club Enterprises
C l u b Car Golf C a r s
T e n n i s & Leisure E q u i p m e n t
P.O. Box 400, W. Falmouth, Mass. 02574
617-563-2284
C.S. C u r r a n
T.R.C. P r o d u c t s Oils a n d Greases
7 L i n d e n St., F r a m i n g h a m , Mass:
Chester Drake & Sons, Inc.
222 W a l n u t St.
F r a m i n g h a m , Mass. 01701
Golf C o u r s e C o n s t r u c t i o n
61 7-875-7929
G o l d Star Sod Farms, Inc.
Sod & Pine Bark M u l c h
C a n t e r b u r y , N.H. 603-783-4717
L e x i n g t o n , Mass. 617-861-1111
T h e Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
Weathersfield, Conn.
B o b Kennedy, Rep.
Roy Sibley, Rep.
Holliston S a n d Co., Inc.
L o w l a n d St., Holliston, Mass. 01746
S a n d for t o p d r e s s i n g a n d b u n k e r s

L a r c h m o n t Engineering and Irrig. Co.
L a r c h m o n t Lane, L e x i n g t o n , Mass.
671-862-2550
L o f t ' s Seed
20 Beck Rd.
A r l i n g t o n , Mass.
J i m Sullivan, Rep.
David Loker
9 Crestview Drive
Miiiis, Mass. 02054
T h e M a g o v e m Co. Inc.
27 L a w n a c r e Road
W i n d s o r Locks, Conn. 06096
Tel. 1-800-243-7718 or 1-203-623-2508
L o u i s C. Rogers, Vice Pres.
D.L. M a h e r
Box 127, C o n c o r d St.
N. Reading, Mass. 01864
R.F. Morse & Son, Inc.
W. W a i e h a m , Mass. 02576
Tel. 617-295-1553
J. W i l l e n Roell, Rep.
N a r d o n e S a n d and Gravel Co. Inc.
37 P o w d e r Rd.
W e s t f o r d , Mass. 01886
(617) 692-8221
Specializing in T o p d r e s s i n g S a n d
New E n g l a n d Sealcoating Co., Inc.
T e n n i s Court Const, a n d M a i n t e n a n c e
S e a l c o a t i n g H i n g h a m Inc. Center
H i n g h a m , Mass. 749-6800
Old Fox Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers-Seeds-Turf-Chemicals
66 Valley St.
E. Providence. R.I. 02914

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

* Sawtelle Bros.
565 H u m p h r e y St., S w a m p s c o t t , Mass.
617-599-4856
Scott Associates, Inc.
60 W a t e r Street, Clinton, Mass.
617-365-6341
Pumps-Sales, service
Installation-Vertical
T u r b i n e p u m p s specialists
S c o t t s Pro-Turf Div.
Rep. Ed Wiacek 1-401-253-4284
Rep. Kevin Lyons 1-617-366-4825
T u c k a h o e Turf Farms, Inc.
S i o c u m , R l / L i t c h f i e l d , N . H . / S u f f i e l d , Conn.
1-800-556-6985
Largest P r o d u c e r of P e n n c r o s s in New E n g l a n d
A l a n A n d e r s o n , Sam Mitchell
T u c o P r o d u c t s Corp.
Div. of the U p j o h n Co.
K a l a m a z o o , Mich.
David Sylvester, 203-828-3790
Turf P r o d u c t s Corp.
36 S w o r d St.
A u b u r n , Mass. 01501
617-791-2091
* Turf Specialty, Inc.
84 M e r r i m a c S t . , Hooksett, N.H. 03106
Turf & Ornamental Supplies
Ken T u r n e r 617-263-7526
W h i t e Turf Engineering
5 S u m m e r Dr., W i n c h e n d o n , Mass. 01475
617-297-0941
Philip W o g a n
Golf C o u r s e A r c h i t e c t
31 B u d l e i g h Ave., Beverly, Mass.
* C o n t r i b u t o r s to the L a w r e n c e S. Dickinson
S c h o l a r s h i p Fund

F i r s t Class
U . S. Postage

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

FIRST CLASS
DOUGLAS JOHNSON
Newsletter Chairman
50 Newton St.
Weston. MA 02193
Home Phone 894-7377
Office Phone 893-6264
Club Affiliation
Pine Brook C.C.

PETE COSTE*
GERRY FINN

Contributing Editor

Permit

209