THE

NEWSLETTER
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August — 1985
DA TES TO REMEMBER
August 1-4
Senior PGA
Digital Seniors Classic
Nashawtuc C.C., Concord, Mass.
A ugust 5
GCSANE Regular Meeting
Hickory Ridge C.C., Amherst, Mass.
August 12
News Deadline for September Newsletter
August 21
Rhode Island Turfgrass Field Day
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, R.I.
September

4

GCSANE/ RIGCSA Joint Meeting
Wannamoisett C.C.
Rumford, R.I.
September 19
GCSANE/CGCSA Joint Meeting
Wampanoag C.C.
W. Hartford, Conn.

—LAST MEETING—
Dedfram Golf & Polo Club
Dedham, Mass.
July 8, 1985
During the morning meeting, Bruce
Packard, Supt. of Amherst G.C. was
given his first reading as a regular
member and Allen Singer of Cedar Glen
G.C. was voted into the GCSANE as an
Associate Member. Our educational
session featured Jeff Heine of Micro
Trac Systems with a demonstration of
their new sprayer regulating system.
The House Staff at Dedham then ended
the morning session with a real fine
buffet lunch - Thank You!
Golf Results
GCSANE Championship
1st Net
Gary Lucini
68 Net
(Match of
Rick Arzillo
Cards)
Leroy Allen
1st Gross
Paul Miller
75
Seniors
Jim Bean
66 Net
Commercial Mike Hannigan 64 Net
Our hats off to host super Bob
Mucciaroni: (If I ever wallpaper my
office with bentgrass).

The Nature of Summer Patch: A Status Report
Houston B. Couch: Professor of Plant Pathology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061

The hot, dry weather of the past few summers has managed to bring out the worst
in Kentucky bluegrass in many sections of the country. Loss of turf quality in both
professionally managed grass and home lawns under the care of husband, wife and
children has been common. There has been a "fringe benefit" from all of this,
however, for the situation has sparked an increased research interest in the nature
of these types of disorders and the development of procedures for preventing them
from happening.
In New York, a hot weather, dying-out condition of Kentucky bluegrass has been
assigned the name "summer patch." The researchers at Cornell University have
suggested that this same disorder may be occuring in other northeastern states as
well as New England. Reports from Michigan State University indicate that
summer patch may also be a problem in certain midwestern and north central
states.
Outbreaks of what is being referred to as "summer patch" develop during July
and August during prolonged periods of hot, dry weather. The symptoms described
for this disorder are irregular patches of dull tan to brown grass. The individual
areas may be more or less circular in outline and extend up to several feet in
diameter. Within the diseased stand of grass, there may be patches that show the
basic "frog-eye" pattern of blighted grass with center tufts of apparently healthy
plants.
The research at Cornell University indicates that summer patch might be brought
on by periods of high air temperature stress and then the colonization of the
weakened plants by the fungus Phialophora graminicola. This fungus species is
commonly found in association with the root systems of grasses. Its potential for
affecting the health of plants has been the subject of considerable research by plant
pathologists in England.
The research in England has shown that Phialophora graminicola is a very weak
pathogen. In fact when it is placed in the soil, it actually protects the turfgrass plants
from take all patch (Ophiobolus patch). Also, when the soil is infested with
Phialophora graminicola, the growth rates of fescue and bentgrass are increased.
This is thought to be due to the fact the fungus enhances nutrient uptake by the root
system.
The laboratory and field research procedures described by the workers at Cornell
University to bring about death of Kentucky bluegrass by Phialophora graminicola
have been of the type that place severe stress on the plants. For example, in one
series of pathogenicity experiments, the tests were conducted on Kentucky
bluegrass field-grown sod cut at a depth of % inch and then placed over a 3/8 inch
layer of soil in plastic containers. These plants were then held in growth chambers
under a continuous day-night air temperature of 85 degrees F. for 15 weeks. During
this time, the leaves were maintained at a x/i inch cutting height.
In view of the extreme stress placed on the growth systems of the plants in these
tests, it is not surprising that Phialophora graminicola switch from its normal role
as a beneficial soil-inhabiting fungus to an active Kentucky bluegrass root
colonizer.
These various research findings place summer patch in the category of turfgrass
diseases known as "Senescence Syndromes". The diseases in this grouping are
caused by a combination of acute plant stress followed by colonization of the
weakened tissue by various microorganisms. Examples of other senescence
The Nature—con't.

on page 2—

ouróe

Superiti

President's
Message
Donald Hearn
August—1985

It is somewhat embarrassing to talk
about a dress code but some of the
sartorial delights seen at our recent
meetings begs the subject be addressed.
It's a free country and what one wears
is dictated by one's own sense of
appropriateness. For anyone to be the
arbiter of what may, or may not, be
appropriate would probably be a
mistake. Therefore, the following
comments are offered as suggestions.
Bathing trunks - these are usually
worn at the beach and poolside. Even
though the course to be played has a lot
of water hazards bathing trunks are not
considered golf attire.
T-shirts - colored or otherwise, some
clubs prohibit them. Leave the T-shirts
at home.
If you think this is directed to you,
you may be right.
The S u p e r i n t e n d e n t - M a n a g e r
meeting held at Rhode Island Country
Club was successful despite the thirty
minute rain and lightning delay.
Close to seventy people took part in
the golf and the dinner which followed.
Thanks to Superintendent Bob
Ainsworth for a superbly conditioned
golf course, Manager Maureen
Drummy for a delicious meal served,
and the entire staff of the Rhode Island
Country Club for their hospitality.

ten den tô

ocia lion •

— Chip Shots —

- N E X T MEETING-

Congratulations to Jim Fitzroy
C.G.C.S., The Presidents Club for
scoring his first Ace on Dedham Golfs
third hole during our July meeting there
- maybe the bar will stay open a little
longer at Hickory Ridge, Jim! . . . in an
effort to keep our membership more
informed of events and changes in the
golfing world. The Newsletter is now on
an exchange publication list with The
National Golf Foundation. We'll keep
you posted from time to time with
articles from their publication, The
Wedge . . . Our new membership
directory was distributed at the July
meeting, call a director for your copy...
Going to the National in San Francisco?
GCSANE Member Chip Brearley's
travel agent wife Nancy can give you
q u a l i f i e d help with your air
reservations, 584-6568 . . . just to help
quell the controversy surrounding the
GCSANE Commercial Division
Championship; the editor reserves the
right to edit all print ventilating wrath
on Golf and Handicap Chairman Steve
Murphy, the man works hard to do the
best job he can and should be heaped
with accolades, not cheap shots, right
Murph? . . . Congratulations to Steve

Team of Two Championship
Hickory Ridge C.C.
Amherst, Mass.
August 5, 1985
10:00 Directors Meeting
11:00 Regular Meeting
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Golf
(Reservations a MUST August 2nd Deadline)
Superintendent Profile: Bob Ruszala
has been keeper of the greenary at
Hickory Ridge for the past two years.
Prior to this position he spent seven
years as superintendent of Holyoke
C.C. He is a 1977 graduate of the
Stockbridge School of Agriculture and
is a member of both the GCSANE and
GCSAA.
Bob and his wife Denise make their
home, along with their two children in
Chicopee, Mass.
Directions: Mass. Pike to Chicopee
exit; follow Rte. 33 North to Rte. 116
North; go left on Pomeroy Lane
(opposite Dairy Mart) to club.

—The Nature—con't. from page 1

and Cindy Chiavaroli on the birth of
their daughter Hillary Ann (July 4) and,
Bob and Denise Ruszala on the birth of
their daughter Jaclyn Diane (July 3 ) . . .
• • •

syndrome diseases are Curvularia blight and anthracnose.
In assessing what can be done to control these types of diseases, the first question
that must be answered is whether or not the invading fungi or bacteria are actually
compounding the acute stress-induced problem by introducing an added measure
of tissue degradation, or if the initial environmental pressure was severe enough in
itself to lead to the ultimate death of the affected leaf, crown or root system.
In light of (i) the research reports from England that show Phialophora
graminicola to be beneficial to the growth and development of turfgrass, and (ii),
the work at Cornell that shows an extreme stress must be placed on the Kentucky
bluegrass plants in order to weaken them to such an extent that a major form of
colonization by this organism can take place, it would seem resonable to assume
that what is being called summer patch is a product of environmental stress rather
than the result of infection and colonization of the plants by either Phialophora
graminicola or any other microorganism.
What is evident is that much more field and laboratory research is needed before
the cause and nature of summer patch is adequately understood and a definite
determination made as to whether the problem that is being described is within the
realm of control by either spray programs with fungicides or the use of certain
management practices to help offset the damaging effects of environmental
stresses. In the meantime, in situations where it has been decided that the disease at
hand is indeed summer patch, the best advice on fungicidal control that can be
given is that if these attempts are made, one should keep the expectations for their
success to a minimum.

• • •
PRESIDENT
Donald E Hearn. CGCS
4 Topeka Rd.
Chelmsfotd. 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 Cotte. CGCS
121 Granite St.
Medfield, MA 02052
Home Phone 359-7247

SECRETARY
Richard C Zepp, CGCS
27 Fowler Rd.
Northbridge, MA 01534
Home Phone 234-8490
Office Phone 234-2533
Club Affiliation
Whitintville Golf Club

TREASURER
Thomas Schofield. CGCS
290 North Rd.
Sudbury. MA 01 776
Home Phone 443-3712
Office Phone 235-2487
Club Affiliation
Wellesley C.C.

TRUSTEE
Paul Miller
173 Salem StSwamptcott, MA 01907
Home Phone 581 2806
Office Phone 595-3107
Club Affiliation
Tedesco C.C

TRUSTEE
Stephen A Chiavatoli. Ci
lOO Airport Dr
Worcester. MA 01602
Home Phone 752-0031
Office Phone 791 5373
Club Affiliation
Tatnuck C C

TRUSTEE
Mark J Klimm
P O Soa 480
Mashpee. MA 02649
Home Phone 477 3516
Office Phone 477 0919
Club Affiliation
C.C. of New Seabury

OF

NEW

health of the greens. There are times
when they need a rest, when they don't
(Welcome to The Super Speaks Out - have to be fighting for their lives day-in
a monthly feature which offers the golf and day-out.
course superintendent a forum to
"It's another political thing, too.
express his views on topics and issues People want to be able to sav the greens
relating to his profession.)
at their club are the fastest around. If it
This month's question: Do you feel gets any more critical, we'll have the
increased media coverage of national greens down to dirt. Interesting, huh?"
tournaments places new pressure on the
Doug Johnson, Pine Brook Country
local golf course superintendent to keep Club: "This is a funny question because
the speed of his greens in line with those I don't see where there's any issue
seen on TV events?
involved. I've always given my members
Don Hearu, Weston Golf Club: "No fast greens, so what's the problem?
question, the mystique - associated with
"I know that some courses maintain
fast greens - has overtaken us and the speed of their greens according to
exposure from the media certainly has the type of play on them. That means
been a factor in its coming into being. they're doctored to be fast for special
"We (supers) only can hope that this events and regular when the members
emphasis on fast greens is part of the are playing social golf.
maintenance cycle which keeps the
"Personally, Tve always thought of
spotlight rotating on different elements keeping my greens fast as a direct
of course conditioning.
challenge to my ability. To me, fast
" T h e r e a r e i n s t a n c e s w h e r e greens are a part of everyday
stimpmeter readings are posted on maintenance, so exposure on TV
clubhouse bulletin boards and I doesn't affect me or put any added
suppose the superintendent draws the pressure on me.
responsibility for putting them there.
"Besides, I don't think it's fair to the
The only catch is, instead of giving members to change the height of the cut
degrees of greens speed, in some cases, on the greens. Why should they have to
the s t i m p m e t e r has b e c o m e a adjust their putting stroke from week to
speedometer.
week or month to month?
"I just wonder whether putting such
"So, whatever event my members are
emphasis on speed of the greens doesn't watching, on TV or in person, doesn't
tax the average golfer, the 16-17 change the speed of our greens. They're
handicap player who feels more fast and always will be. Fast greens go
c o m f o r t a b l e on moderately-paced with the job, if you ask me."
greens. Whatever, greasing up the
Jim Beane, Mt. Pleasant Country
greens is the 'in thing' and we have to Club: "I'd have to say that TV events
live with it until something else comes turn on a certain segment of my
along to replace it."
membership, to the point where the
Tom Schofield, Wellesley Country pressure is there to speed up our greens.
Club:"
x o i lUllOlclj, inc CIlipiI05I5 UIT Idol
and their 'souped-up' greens have made greens is isolated. I can't say what it is
an impact on the member and he's on-the-button. But, whoever they are,
turned it over to the superintendent.
most them are lower handicapped
"So, now most of us have to keep our players who don't speak for the
greens as fast as they are on television majority.
which places another burden on the
"I've been cutting at 5/32nds for the
maintenance program. Frankly, it's past few years instead of the 1 / 8 when I
horrendous that the situation exists. first took over as superintendent. Heck,
However, I'm conforming to it, despite with our undulating greens, the present
the increased danger of losing the cut gives our members all they can
greens.
handle with a putter.
"It used to be that we'd speed up
"I know most of my members don't
greens for special events but that's want to putt on pool tables and they
carrying over to everyday play. This is a a r e n ' t i n t e r e s t e d in s t i m p m e t e r
costly operation and hazardous to the readings. All I know is that faster greens

—The Super Speaks

FINANCE
CHAIRMAN
John Streeter. CGCS
86 Fashion Dr.
Warwick. Rl 02886
Home Phone (4011 738-8386
Office Phone '4011 943-0059
Club Affiliation
The Alpine C.C

Out—

GOLF
CHAIRMAN
Stephen M Murphy
4 Juniper Rd
Lynnfteld. MA 01940
Home Phone 334-4836
Ofl.ce Phone 592 1433
Club Affiliation
Larry Gannon Municipal G C

EDUCATIONAL
CHAIRMAN
Edward L. Brearley
279 Torrey St.
Brockton. MA 02401
Home Phone 584-6568
Office Phone 588-8439
Club Affiliation
Brockton C.C.

NEWSLETTER
CHAIRMAN
Michael F. Nagle
51 Lincoln Ave.
Holden. MA 01520
Home Phone 829-3995
Office Phone 853-6574
Club Affiliation
Worcester C.C.

PAST
PRESIDENT
Brian Cowan, CGCS
Robin, Wav
Harwich. MA 0 2 6 / 5
Home Phone 432.-904 1
Olfice Phone 945-9230
Club Affiliation
Eaitward Ho

E N G L A N D

I N C

Protect Tractor
Ignition Keys
Our wheel tractor was designed with
an ignition switch on the side of
instrument panel. After the ignition key
was broken off several times by the
operator climbing on and off the
tractor, we moved the ignition to the
front of the panel. This proved to be no
solution because the operator's knee
would hit the key.
After replacing a dozen keys, we
fastened a $2.00 hasp hinge to the panel
with metal screws. Then we poprivetted a U-shaped piece of strap iron
to the hasp hinge. This hinged guard
automatically swings down over the
key. A rubber-cushion over the strap
iron protects the operator's knee.
/Sheet metal screw
-Hasp hinge
-Pop rivet
.90° angle
4-in. length of
strap iron
4-in. length of rubber
bicycle inner tube

This shield saves the cost of many
$2.50 keys and prevents damage to the
ignition switch. More importantly,
however, it eliminates the frustrating
downtime during our already short
growing season.
A llan Klatt, Horticulturist,
County Gardens Nursery and Sod,
Anchorage, Alaska

are harder to maintain and more prone
to disease.
"Somehow, nearly everyone around
here is convinced fast isn't always best
when it comes to our greens. But, yes,
the media coverage gets the fast-green
talk going and I'm aware of it. It's just
part of the merry-go-round in our
business. So far, it's moving slowly
enough for me to keep up with it."
— GERRY FINN
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.

P i c a r e f u t b i ö H t j e FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Agway, Inc.
Greg Moore, Rep.
Box 507 Sterling, MA
Fertilizer, Seed, Chemicals
800-225-CRCJP (MA) 617-422-7614
Bacher Corp.
876 Boston Rd.
Billerica, Mass. 01866
Baker Tractor Corp., Ford Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Mass.
Yamaha Golf Cars
*Borders Spreader
Service
Maynard, Mass.
Tel. 617-897-2571
Sales Rep. Jack Borden
Bulk Limestone Dealer
C & J Lawnmower Serv., Inc.
474 Main Street
Wilmington, Mass. 01887
Eric Oman-Sales Rep.
Tel. 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 Equip.
P.O. Box 400 W. Falmouth, Mass. 02574
617-563-2284
O.S. Curran
T.R.C. Products Oils & Greases
7 Linden St
Framing ham, Mass.
Chester Drake & Sons, Inc.
222 Walnut! St.
Framingham, Mass. 01701
Golf Course Construction
617-875-7929
Elanco Prod. Co.
Scott Eie her
12 Jillson Circle
Milford, Mass. 01757

Go Id Star Sod Farms, Inc.
Sod & Pine Bark Mulch
Canterbury, N.H.
603-783-4717
Lexington, Mass.
617-861-1111
Greenway
Irrigation
Irrigation, Drainage, Wire Laying,
Trenching
Peabody, Mass.
617-777-3639

Holliston Sand Co. Inc.
Lowland St.
Holliston, Mass. 01746
Sand For Topdressing & Bunkers

*Tom Irwin, Inc.
I I B A St., Burlington, Mass.
Jack Peterson
Dennis Friel
Wayne Ripley
Larchmont Eng. & Irrig. Co.
Larchmont Lane
Lexington, Mass. 02173
617-862-2550
*Lesco, Inc.
20005 Lake Rd.
Rocky River, OH 44116
Ron Tumiski, Rep.
Mike Donahue, Rep.
* Loft's Seed
20 Beck Rd.
Arlington, Mass. 02174
Jim Sullivan, Rep.
David Loker
9 Crestview Drive
Mlllis, Mass. 02054

Scotts Pro-Turf Dtv.
Rep. Ed Wiacek 1-401-253-4284
Rep. Kevin Lyons 1-617-347-3697

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

Tuckahoe Turt Farms. Inc.
Siocum. R I. Litchfield. N.H
Suffield. Conn
1-800-556-6985
Largest Producer of Penncross
In New England
Alan Anderson. Sam Mitchell

Mobay Chemical Co.
Gregory Pagano
50 Coburn Woods
Nashua, N.H. 03063

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

I & E Supply, Inc.
Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28)
W. Wareham, MA 02576
(617) 295-2362

The Magovern Co.. Inc.
27 Lawnacre Rd.
Windsor Locks, Conn 06096
Tel. 1-800-243-7718 or
1-203-623-2508

R.F. Morse & Sons Inc.
W. Wareham, Mass. 02576
Tel. 617-295-1553
J. Willen Roell. Rep.
*Nardone Sand & Gravel Co. Inc.
37 Power Rd.
Westford, Mass. 01886
617-692-8221
Specializing in Topdressing
Sand
New England Sealcoating Co.. Inc.
Tennis Court Const. 8 Maint.
Sealcoating Hingham Inc. Center
Hingham, Mass. 749-6800
Nor-Am Chemical Co.
Wilmington, Delaware
David Sylvester, Rep.
203-828-8905

* Turf Products Corp.
36 Sword St
Auburn, Mass 01501
617-791-2091
'Turl Specialty, Inc.
64 Merrimac St.
Hooksett, N H 03106
Turf 4 Ornamental Supplies
Ken Turner
617-263-7526
White Turt Engineering
5 Summer Drive
Winchendon, Mass. 01475
617-297-094
Phillip Wogan
Golf Course Architect
31 Budleigh Ave.
Beverly. Mass

Old Fox Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers-SeedsTurf-Chemicals
66 Valley St.
E. Providence, R.I. 02914
Richey & Clapper, Inc.
28 Rutledge Rd.
Natick. Mass. 01760
'Sawtelle
Bros
565 Humphrey St.
Swampscott, Mass. 01907
617-599-4856
Scott Associates, Inc.
60 Water St, Clinton, Mass.
617-365-6341
Pumps-Sales, Service
Installation-Vertical
Turbine Pumps Specialists

'Contributors
Scholarship

to the
Fund

Troll-Dickinson

THE

NEWSLETTER
MICHAEL E. HANNIGAN
Editor
MICHAEL F. NAGLE
Newsletter Chairman
Associate Editor
THOMAS SCHOFIELD CGCS
Business Manager
GERRY FINN
Contributing Editor

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