NOVEMBER 1984

ourS e Superintendent
OF

NEW

E N G L A N D ,

dóóociation
INC

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

"Things Ain't What They Used to Be"
Progress. Dictionaries tell us the word connotes
movement forward nearer a goal - improvement along
the way of a means to an end, if you will.
One now-generation golf couise superintendent remarked on progress at a recent GCSANE meeting. His
comments were interesting, not to mention controversial.
" I don't want to be quoted on this," he sought and
was granted anonymity. "But the best description of
progress lies in the state of our profession. Progress, in
my mind, is exemplified by the modern-day acceptance
of what makes and what doesn't make a satisfactorilyconditioned golf course.
"What was considered a well-groomed course, say
20 or 30 years ago, would be looked at as a pasture
today. It's the truth. I've heard old time members say
they wish they had the conditions they have now when
they were younger because it's almost impossible to
blame a bad shot on the golf course now.''
That view may be exaggerated, as well as slightly
ajar of an open-minded nad neutral approach. However, the main thrust seems reasonable. Golfers of the
present generation enjoy playing conditions far superior to their predecessors. And, just as their accessibility of those conditions have increased, so have their
demands to even improve on them.
This matter of the superintendent's input having to
mesh with the club member's demands has resulted in
a natural order of progress. It is brought up as a reminder to both parties that getting the two factors together wasn't all that simple.
For one thing, educating the golfer on the importance
of the technical knowledge a superintendent imparts
on a course has been an ongoing project. Sometimes, it
has failed. Sorry to say that there is still that segment
of the playing fraternity which adheres to the principle
trumpeting Mother Nature as the guiding force behind
favorable playing conditions.
Yes sir - and ma'am - there are some people who still
regard the gold course superintendent as a spinoff of
their local lawn service. Their conversion to the contrary, unfortunately, hasn't been caught up in the rest
of the progress syndrome.
And it never will catch up for a certain few. They insist on clinging to the archaic notion that the only thing
professional about a country club is its membership.
Anything else must be considered subordinate and,
therefore, subject to change at a moment's notice.
Ah - but progress has passed them by and taken hold
on the rest of the golfing populace.

In order to appreciate progress in a field and a profession, one must become familiar with its beginnings.
For example, one must revel in the simple start of the
grooming domain at The Country Club. Obviously, you
must chuckle at the recall of the start of golf there in
1892 when a six-hole layout was constructed at a cost
of $50 and golf clubs (the club owned one full set) were
rented at twenty-five cents an hour.
That progress rocked The Country Club is documented one year later with the addition of three holes
to make a full nine. Cost for those instruments of progress "skyrocketed" to Si00. Grooming followed suit
with an increase in the flock of sheep the club owned
and employed to keep the fairways cropped short. Superintendents? They were four-legged!
In order to put the task of grooming a golf course in
its proper perspective, it should be noted that no mention of the superintendent can be found in writings depicting the game's early times in the United States. In
fact, H.B. Martin, who penned "Fifty Years of American Golf' (1885-1935), mentions only that the golf
professionals of that era were "catchalls" or a combination of player, teacher, architect and greenkeeper.
Therefore, the formation of the "Greenskeepers Club
of New England" in 1924 probably serves as a starting
point to follow the progress of the golf course superintendent in this area. Since then it has gone on to recognition and success at breakneck pace.
The superintendent, suppliers of equipment and
other maintenance aids and the golfer have come a
long way since those days when the sheep determined
the cut of the greens at The Country Club and other
courses of the sport's infancy in New England.
Sure, "things ain't what they used to be" in many
facets of the profession and its outlook. And they won't
be fifty years from now, either. Progress comes with the
program. It's the original man in motion and all of golf
has prospered by it. Next stop - perfection, if there is
such a stop.
Gerry Finn

October Meeting
Unfortunately our golf tournament was cancelled due to
rain. We did manage to have a fine educational program with
Dick Haskell and Dick Crosby of the MGA our guest speakers.
Everyone did have lunch and a few brave souls even played
golf. Our thanks to Pete Coste and THE COUNTRY
CLUB for being our host.

ouròe

JS^uperintenclentò

YMCA pool
to be dedicated

Editor's Note: Our congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Chet
Sawtelle on this honor. Chet has been a longtime friend
of the association, therefore, I saw only fit to include
this in our newsletter.

MARBLEHEAD - Marblehead-Swampscott YMCA officials and staffers will honor longtime YMCA benefactor and advisor Chester M. Sawtelle and his wife Harriet Sunday, when the new pool on Children's Island is
dedicated in their names.
About 150 guests are expected to attend the dedication on the island, which was purchased under Sawtelle's leadership in 1956.
Sawtelle, a local resident and chairman of the board
of Sawtelle Brothers Inc. in Swampscott, has been involved in YMCA affairs since 1943, when he joined its
board. He remained an active board member for 25
years and has since stayed involved as an honorary
member.
His leadership and advice has made Children's Island a model camp and recreation facility, YMCA officials say. The new $135,000 pool completes the upgrading of the facilities.
"He led the group that purchased the island for
$12,000, and from that point forward he was the one
individual who continued to see that the facilities were
kept up," said Darryl Gallant, YMCA director. "If it
weren't for Chet Sawtelle, Children's Island would
never have survived.
"His own company put equipment out there. He held
company parties to cut the grass and do other chores,"
said Gallant. "During the 1960s and 1970s, when the
island was not financially sound, Chet would make
sure that things got done.
"He has been a financial supporter, he has worked
very hard himself. We went to the public for contributions for a brand new pool, and he was a major contributor and steering committee member," he said.
"The facilities are now what we consider top notch.
Children's Island is in fantastic shape," he said.
"We are pleased to be able to turn around and say to
this gentleman and his wife, 'thank you, for your years
of contributions,'" Gallant said.
The new pool was completed July 1, the day before
the summer camp programs began. It's a salt-water collegiate style lap pool that measures 10 by 25 yards. It
has four large lanes for swimming and a 10-foot deck
surrounding it. It replaces an archaic water cistern.
About 125 children attend the day camp on the island and an additional 40 attend the YMCA sailing
program. On most days, an additional 30 staffers and
15 leaders are present, bringing the island's daytime
summer population to 210.
The YMCA also runs an overnight camping program
and allows Marblehead and Swampscott schools and
local Scouts to use the facilities.
A ranger program for older children teaches them
building, boating and camping skills.
Aug. 5, the YMCA will open up the island to local
youngsters who wish to participate in an all-day swim
meet.
DAILY EVENING ITEM, Lynn, Mass.

PRESIDENT
Donald E. Hearn. CGCS
4 Topeka Rd.
Chelmsford. MA 01824
Home Phone 256-8709
Office Phone 894-5906
Club Affiliation
Weston Golf Club

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
David Barber, CGCS
145 Dedham St.
Canton, MA 02021
Home Phone 828-7266
Office Phone 828-6540
Club Affiliation
Blue Hill C.C.

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Pierre Coste, CGCS
121 Granite St.
Medfield, MA 02052
Home Phone 359-7247
Office Phone 566-0240
Club Affiliation
The Country Club

s4óóociation

SECRETARY
Richard C. Zepp, CGCS
27 Fowler Rd.
Northbridge, MA 01534
Home Phone 234-8490
Office Phone 234-2533
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Whitinsville Golf Club

m
GCSAA's
56th I N T E R N A T I O N A L
G O L F COURSE
CONFERENCE & SHOW

February 5-13, 1985
W a s h i n g t o n Convention Center
W a s h i n g t o n , D.C.

W O R L D ' S PREMIERE G O L F COURSE INDUSTRY EVENT
S p o n s o r e d by The Golf C o u r s e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s A s s o c i a t i o n of A m e r i c a

"ft DIVERSE E D U C A T I O N A L S E S S I O N S
"ft 21 S E M I N A R S
"ft E X P A N D E D E Q U I P M E N T S H O W
•ft USGA G R E E N S E C T I O N P R O G R A M
•ft EXCITING SPOUSE P R O G R A M
-ft CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF

TOURNAMENT

"ft G A L A B A N Q U E T & S H O W

"ft

For f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n c a l l t o l l free:
1-800-GSA-SUPT

"ft " O L D T O M M O R R I S " A W A R D
P R E S E N T A T I O N TO
PRESIDENT G E R A L D FORD

I'm interested in attending GCSAA's
56th International Golf Course Conference & Show in Washington, D.C.
Please send me your conference
brochure.
Name,
Title
Address.

Mail to:

TREASURER
Thomas Schofield. CGCS
290 North Rd.
Sudbury, MA 01 776
Home Phone 443-3712
Office Phone 235-7333
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Wellesley C.C.

GCSAA,
1617 St. A n d r e w s Drive,
Lawrence, Kansas 66046

TRUSTEE
Paul Miller
173 Salem St.
Swampscott, MA 01907
Home Phone 581-2808
Office Phone 791-5373
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Tedesco C.C.

TRUSTEE
Stephen A Chiavaroli, CGCS
100 Airport Or
Worcester, M A 01602
Home Phone 752-0031
Office Phone 791-5373
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Tatnuck C.C.

TRUSTEE
Mark J. K l i m m
P O. Box 480
Mashpee. MA 02649
Home Phone 477-3516
Office Phone 477-0919
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
C.C. of New Seabury

O F

N E W

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

Gerald R. Ford Receives
Old Tom Morris Award

Former President of the United States Gerald R. Ford will
receive the Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents' Association of America (GCSAA). Ford is the
1985 recipient of this significant international award that is
identified throughout the golfing world with the true heritage
and traditional founding of the game.
"The award is presented to an individual who, through a
continuing, selfless commitment to the game of golf, has
helped to further the welfare of the game with the same dedication and zeal demonstrated by Old Tpm Morris," said
James W. Timmerman, CGCS, President of GCSAA.
Ford brought international attention to this popular leisure
time activity while serving as President of the United States.
His golf outings have been portrayed both positively and frequently by the press. Ford is renowned as a man of integrity,
and his association with the game of golf only results in further enhancing golfs attributes of honor and sportsmanship
in the eyes of the world.
During his term in the White House, he clearly expressed
his love for golf and his respect for the golf course superintendent. In a 1976 letter to GCSAA, President Ford explained,

"Countless numbers of Americans derive pleasure, relaxation
and exercise on our nation's golf courses. Evidence of the
sport's growing popularity is seen from the increasing numbers who play it, from the rising sales of golf equipment, and
from the media attention given to its major events. Holding a
fascination for players of all levels and every social background, golf has become an important part of our national
life."
' 'Much of the credit for this goes to you whose dedication
and concern for perfection have made our courses into beautiful and reliable playing areas. The imagination and energy
you bring to your tasks assure our nation's golf enthusiasts of
the world's finest courses."
Since leaving office, Ford has continued to bring international attention to golf through his participation in charitable
golfing events, as well as sponsoring his own charitable golf
tournament, the Jerry Ford Invitational Golf Tournament.
' President Ford was selected for this award because he exemplifies some of the same characteristics that Old Tom
demonstrated throughout his life. Ford's love for the game of
golf is known around the world. Mr. Ford, like Old Tom, is a
gentleman first, a gentleman last," said President Timmerman.
Old Tom Morris, one of golfs first greats, was a greenkeeper, golf professional, club and ball maker, golf course architect
and accomplished player who won four British Open Championships between 1861 and 1867. At the Royal and Ancient,
St. Andrews, Scotland, Old Tom acquired worldwide fame,
boosting the popularity of golf throughout the British Isles and
in many other parts of the world.
Golfing great Arnold Palmer and entertainer Bob Hope are
previous recipients of the Old Tom Morris Award.
President Ford will accept the Old Tom Morris Award during GCSAA's 56th International Golf Course Conference and
Show in Washington, D.C., February 5-13, 1985. The presentation will be made at GCSAA's annual banquet the evening
of February 12th at the Sheraton Washington Hotel. An international golf audience and representation of every major golf
association will be on hand for the banquet ceremonies. The
banquet attendance is expected to reach 2,000. Country and
western singer Tanya Tucker will be the evening's featured
entertainment.

1984 November Meeting
November 5, 1984
Segreggansett C.C.

Team of Two Championship
(make own group)

Taunton, Ma.

Directors' Meeting - 10 am
_.

.

, _

Membership Meeting -10:45 am
Lunch 11:30 a m
Golf-12 noon
FINANCE
CHAIRMAN
John Streeter, CGCS
" 8 6 Fashion Dr.
Warwick, R l 0 2 8 8 6
Home Phone (401 ) 738-8386
Office Phone (401! 943-0059
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
The A l p i n e C.C.

GOLF
CHAIRMAN
EDUCATIONAL
CHAIRMAN
Stephen M. M u r p h y
Edward L. Brearley
4 Juniper R d .
279 Torrey St.
Lynnfield, MA 01940
B r o c k t o n . M A 02401
Home Phone 334-4836
Home Phone 584-6568
Office Phone 592-1433
Office Phone 8 2 3 - 0 4 6 6
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Larry Gannon Municipal G.C. Segreggansett C.C.

Directions - From Boston. Take Rt. 128 to
Rt. 24. Go to Rt. 44 South exit. Go south
o n R t 4 4 l i n t i l y o u c o m e t o t h e T a unton
Dog Track on left. The club will be on the
right.

NEWSLETTER
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
Office Phone 8 9 3 - 8 2 6 4
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Pine Brook C.C.

PAST
PRESIDENT
8 r i a n Cowan, CGCS
Robins Way
Harwich, M A 0 2 6 4 5
H o m e Phone 4 3 2 - 9 0 4 1
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,

Please

FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Baker Tractor Corp., Ford Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Mass.
Y a m a h a Golf Cars

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

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

Bordens Spreader Service
Maynard, Mass.
Tel. 617-897-2571
Sales Rep. Jack Borden
Bulk Limestone Dealer

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

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

C & J Lawnmower Service, Inc.
474 Main Street, Wilmington, Mass. 01887
Eric Oman - Sales Representative
Tel. 617-658-2022

Scott C . W o l f r o m
991/2 Day St.
N o r w o o d , Mass. 02062
L a r c h m o n t Engineering and Irrig. Co.
Larchmont Lane, Lexington, Mass.
671-862-2550

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

fra&wutje

Loft's Seed
20 Beck Rd.
Arlington, Mass.
Jim Sullivan, Rep.

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

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.

C.S. Curran
T.R.C. Products Oils and Greases
7 Linden St., Framlngham, Mass.

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

Chester Drake & Sons, Inc.
222 Walnut St.
Framingham, Mass. 01701
Golf Course Construction
617-875-7929

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

Gold Star Sod Farms, Inc.
Sod & Pine Bark Mulch
Canterbury, N.H. 603-783-4717
Lexington, Mass. 617-861 -1111

Nardone Sand ana Gravel Co. Inc.
37 Powder Rd.
Westford, Mass. 01886
(617) 692-8221
Specializing In Topdressing Sand

The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
Weathersfleld, Conn.
Bob Kennedy, Rep.
Roy Sibley, Rep.

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

Holliston Sand Co., Inc.
L o w l a n d St., Holliston, Mass. 01746
Sand for topdressing and bunkers

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

FIRST CLASS

I K S S ^ A S ^ !
( ( S o u r i e
or

S t i f » r i l l lnuli
NCW

'il •

i » r n m .

IN

DOUGLAS JOHNSON

Newsletter Chairman
50 Newton S i
Weston, MA 02193: J
Homo Phone 89A-t37f
Office Phone 893-8264

•psji^SijijsS
Pine Brook C €
IHOMAS SCBOFIELD
Business Manager

GERRY FINN

Contributing Editor

Ì>

iiitinn

Scott Associates, Inc.
60 Water Street, Clinton, Mass.
617-365-6341
Pumps-Sales, service
Installation-Vertical
Turbine pumps specialists
Scotts Pro-Turf Div.
Rep. Ed Wiacek 1-401-253-4284
Rep. Kevin Lyons 1-617-366-4825

David Loker
9 Crestvlew Drive
•MHIiSi MaeSi 02054

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

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

T u c k a h o e 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
T u c o Products Corp.
Div. of the Upjohn Co.
Kalamazoo, Mich.
David Sylvester, 203-828-3790
Turf Products Corp.
36 Sword St.
Auburn, Mass. 01501
617-791-2091
* Turf Specialty, Inc.
84 Merrlmac 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 W o g a n
Golf Course Architect
31 Budleigh Ave., Beverly, Mass.
* Contributors to the Lawrence S.. Dickinson
Scholarship Fund

First Class
U . S. Postage

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