THE

NEWSLETTER

Q o t f

(Gourde

^Suiperintenclentó

OF

NEW

E N G L A N D ,

^iôôociation
INC.

— DECEMBER -1985 —

DATES TO

REMEMBER

December 13
GCSANE Christmas Party
The Stadium Club, Foxboro, Mass.
RSVP Mr. Tom Schofield
December 16
GCSANE Regular Meeting
Franklin C.C.
Franklin, Mass.
December 16
News Deadling
News Deadline
GCSANE "The Newsletter"
Jan. 13, 1986
GCSANE Annual MeetingElection of Officers
Franklin C.C.
Franklin, Mass.
Jan. 27-Feb. 4,1986
GCSAA Conference and Show
San Francisco, CA
March 3-6, 1986
U-Mass Conference and Show
Springfield, Mass.

-

NEXT MEETING

-

Franklin C.C.
Franklin, Mass.
10:00 A.M. Directors Meeting
11:00 A.M. Regular Meeting
11:30 Program-Dr. Richard Cooper, UMass.
12:00 Lunch
Directions to Club: From Rte. 495 take
King St. exit. Go north to traffic light
and turn right on Route 140. Club is
appx. 1 mile on right.

—Position Opening —
Assistant Superintendent
Ferncroft C.C.
Please send resume to, or call
Mr. Paul Johnson, G.C.S.
c/o Sheraton Tara Hotel and Resort
Ferncroft Rd.
Danvers, MA 01923
Tel: 617-777-2500, Ext. 7906

Rich Cooper Hopes to "Grow" on NEGCSA
His official title at the University of Massachusetts reads right out of the
educational hopper - Dr. Richard Cooper, Assistant Professor of Turf Grass
Science.
"That's a mouthful," the recent addition to the world of the New England golf
course superintendent advised. "So let's cut it down to, 'Rich', and leave it go at
that."
You'll beitteetAg Rich soon or those members of the New England Golf Course
Superintendents Association, who take in the December meeting will. He's the
educational speaker of the month and he comes into the fold with a playful
warning, "I like to talk".
Rich, just in case you haven't noticed the passing of time and Dr. Joseph Troll's
retirement, steps into Joe's shoes at UMass and hopes they're a comfortable fit.
"I'm succeeding sort of a legend as far as the golf course superintendents are
concerned," Rich remarked. "Everybody knows and liked Joe. He gets around to a
lot of golf courses and he's been in constant touch with the profession.
"He also has a very large number of UMass grads in the field. Joe Troll's been
their connection between them and the immediate source of turf grass education.
Eventually, I'd like to assume that role."
Dr. Cooper comes to UMass at an opportune time for himself, his students and
the corps of New England superintendents. He just completed his doctorate
requirements after a one-two-three educational leap from Penn State to Rhode
Island to Ohio State and holds himself as a bug for research and spreading its word
through association with those who benefit from it.
"I'm a people person," Rich disclosed. "I like getting out to see what life's all
about away from the classroom and research lab. I'm happy to speaking before the
superintendents and I'm lining up some other appearances. I want to get as much
practical experience as I can and the sooner the better."
Practical experience may be second nature for the 29-year-old Pittsburgh native
who had his fair share of it as he made his way up the educational ladder sometimes two rungs at a time,
"I went right to the grass roots of the situation and worked on a golf course for
one summer while I was going to school," Rich revealed. "It was near Pittsburgh a nice course, called Valley Brook Country Club. It was really an education for me.
"Besides, it's part of my philosophy. If you intend working with people around
golf courses, you should get yourself acquainted with what they do. So, what better
way for me to touch the superintendent than to become a member of his crew?"
Rich also intends to take his golf clubs out of mothballs and tee it up again.
"Oh, it has nothing to do with improving my game," he laughed. "I'll always be a
hacker. But, now that I have the heavy, book-bound part of my education behind
me, I should be able to find some time to play. It's not only part of my philosophy,
it's fun."
Rich had a UMass connection almost from the beginning of his association with
the turf field.
"My adviser at Penn State was Don Waddington," Rich said. "And he's a UMass
grad. He helped me a lot and when I got my bachelor's degree, I was convinced there
was much more to learn. So, I went to Rhode Island for my masters.
Dr. Cooper took a couple of years off the educational beat to work as a
technician in a research lab at Ohio State but eventually went the book route again
in quest of his doctor's degree.
"Now I'm ready to put all this learning to work," Rich explained. "My duties at
—Rich Cooper con't. on page 5—

ourse

Superintendents

S ìA
association

— The Super Speaks Out —

Sponsors and administrators of the TrollDickinson Scholarship Fund - Awarded yearly
to deserving Turf Management Students.

President's
Message
Donald Hearn
December.

1985

The attendance at our November
meeting held at the Lexington Golf
Club was excellent. I suspect many were
interested in seeing the results of some
of the unique practices used by
Superintendent Orrin Ellis. My hat is
off to anyone brave enough to convert a
putting surface using Roundup.
The deadline for our association to
request a GCSAA Regional Seminar
has passed. There was not enough
interest from the membership to
warrant us sponsoring one next year.
It's interesting to note that some of
the f r u s t r a t i o n s experienced by
superintendents in this country are
experienced by superintendents all over
the world. Talking to others during my
recent trip to Scotland I realized very
quickly that golfers in America don't
have a monopoly on suggestions for
improving course conditions.
E v e r y o n e s h o u l d a t t e n d the
December meeting at Franklin Country
Club. Our guest speaker will be Dr.
Richard Cooper, Assistant Professor of
Turfgrass Science at the University of
Massachusetts. This will be an ideal
time to meet Dr. Cooper and share your
ideas with him.

(Welcome to The Super Speaks Out a monthly feature which offers the golf
course superintendent a forum to
express his views on topics and issues
relating to his profession.)
This month's question: What do you
like and dislike about the The
Newsletter and what, if any, topics
would you like covered in future issues?
Dean Robertson, Kernwood
Country Club: "I'll get the dislikes out
of the way, because they're easy and
quick.
"Mostly, it has to do with the color. I
don't like that dark, dark black type and
other frills. I think it could be livened
up, the appearances, with some more
green. The paper could be a little more
richer, but it's passable.
"Actually, the gripes are minor.
There are a lot of positive things in the
publication. I like the new front page;
Dates to Remember column. That's
right on the button.
"Of course, I've always thought the
quality of the feature articles and the
writing was the very best. It's the same
now.
"The Super Speaks Out" is another
good addition. It enlists an expression
from the membership and it's one way
of getting more members involved, plus
getting them exposure. However, I did
like the old 'letters' thing better.
"I guess the only advice and hope I
have for future articles is more pumping
up of the image and one of the ways is
promoting more professionalism in the
profession. Specifically, harp on our
dress code until everyone, including the
associate members, get the message."
Gary Luccini, Franklin Country
Club: "I honestly have to say that I can't
find too much fault with the way you
guys are doing the job.
"Everything comes out on target - on
center. The Super Speaks Out is just the
right stuff for the lifting of our
profession in the eyes of the members. I
see that Newsletters are being posted in
a lot of 19th holes and locker rooms, so
it must be hitting home.
"I would like to see more discussion
and revelations about budgets. This is a
subject of interest to all of the
s u p e r i n t e n d e n t s , as well as the

-

LAST MEETING

-

Lexington C.C. 10/4/85
Despite threatening weather a large
contingent of GCSANE members
attended the October meeting at
Lexington, and were treated to a nice
buffet lunch and a well groomed golf
course.
Host Orrin Ellis gave a brief
presentation on his "Roundup" green
and answered as many questions as he
could. Thank you Orrin!
Meeting Notes
• The membership unanimously
approved the bylaw changes which were
published in last months "Newsletter".
• 1st readings for membership were
read for:
Gary Dorn - Asst., Brae Burn C.C.
Peter Hasak - Asst., Hamden C.C.
Daniel Higgins - Asst., Cohasse C.C.
Ron Sherman - Supt., Plymouth C.C.
• Voted in as regular members:
Jeff Carlsen, Supt. Ocean Edge G.C.,
Brewster, MA
Steve Car, Supt. Pocassett C.C.,
Pocasset, MA
A. Roy MacKintosh, Supt. Twin Hills
C.C., Longmeadow MA
Congratulations,
and
Welcome
Aboard!
Golf Results
1 Gross - Dick Duggan, Concord C.C.
2 Gross - Mark Klimm, C.C. of New
Seabury
3 Gross - Doug Johnson, Pine Brook
C.C.
1 Net - Ron Kirkman, Needham G.C.
2 Net - Neil Loomis, Saddle Hill G.C.
3 Net - Don Levangie, Norfolk G.C.
Commercial Net - Kevin Lyons, Turf
Specialties.
Commercial Gross - Cameron Quinn,
T.P.C.

• a a

members. Many times budget figures
are deceptive and don't tell the whole
financial outlay story. Otherwise, I'm
one hundred percent in favor of the
Newsletter - as it is."
Joe Rybka, Thorny Lea Golf Club: "I
don't know if I'm the right person to be
part of this question. I'm kind of easy to
please because I know how hard it is for
you guys to do this (publish Newsletter)
month after month and make it
— The Super Speaks con't. on page 3

PRESIDENT

D o n a l d E Hearn. CGCS
4 Topeka Rd
Chelmsford. M A 01824
H o m e Phone 2 5 6 - 8 7 0 9
O f l i c e Phone 8 9 4 - 5 9 0 6
Club Affiliation
Weston Golf C l u b

FIRST

VICE

PRESIDENT

D a v i d Barber. CGCS
145 O e d h a m St
Canton. M A 0 2 0 2 1
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
Blue H i l l C C

SECOND

VICE

PRESIDENT SECRETARY

Pierre Coste. CGCS
121 G r a n n e St.
Medfield. M A 02052
H o m e Phone 3 5 9 - 7 2 4 7

R i c h a r d C Zepp. CGCS
27 F o w t e r R d
Northbridge, M A 01534
H o m e Phone 2 3 4 - 8 4 9 0
O f f i c e Phone 2 3 4 2 5 3 3
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Whitinsville Golf Club

TREASURER

Thomas S c h o f . e l d , CGCS
2 9 0 N o r t h Rd.
Sudburv. M A 01 776
Home phone 443-3712
Office Phone 235-2487
Club Affiliation
W e l l e s l e y C.C.

TRUSTEE

Paul Miller
173 Salem St.
Surampscott. M A 0 1 9 0 7
H o m e Phone 581 2 8 0 8
Office Phone 595-3107
Club Affiliation
Tedesco C C

TRUSTEE
Stephen A C h i a v a t o l i . CGCS
100 A i r p o r t Dr
Worcester, M A 0 1 6 0 2
H o m e Phone 752 0 0 3 1
O f f i c e Phone 791 5 3 7 3
Club Affiliation
Tatnuck C C

TRUSTEE

M a i k J. K l i m m
P O Boa 4 8 0
Mashpee. M A 0 2 6 4 9
H o m e 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. of N e w Seabury

Page

3—

Golf Course Superintendents A ssociation
OF

NEW

E N G L A N D ,

— Position Opening —
Golf Course Superintendent

Alpine C.C. Cranston, R.I.
Please send resume to:
Judge Anthony Sciaretta
c/o Alpine C.C.
251 Pippin Orchard Rd.
Cranston, R.I. 02910
— The Super Speaks con't. from page 2

interesting.
"The appearance is nice, everything
sets up to make it easy to read and that
calendar deal is great. I cut them out
every month, so I can remember what's
going on.
"The articles are good, Super Speaks
Out is a perfect place for a super to get
things off his chest - although most
complainers are the ones who never
have anything to offer in a positive vein.
"All in all, I think the Newsletter
makes a lot of sense. I get to it in time, I
must admit, because I'm not somebody
who races to the mail box just to be the
first to read it.
"Again, I know how hard something
like this is. Frankly, I take my hat off to
the people behind the Newsletter."
Bob Connolly, Winchester Country
Club: "I'm satisfied with the way the
Newsletter appears - for looks and
content. But everything is related to
budgets and the looks have to conform
in that direction.
"The question and answers column
(Super Speaks Out) is a good
e d u c a t i o n a l vehicle for the
superintendent and also gives him a
promotional boost.
"My feeling about the whole thing about articles and the like in the
publication - is that it should
concentrate on public relations for the
superintendent. We need it, because a
lot of our employers (members) are still
in the dark as to what our contributions
are all about.
"I'd like my members to know that
my crew can do a certain job which
saves the club two or three hundred
dollars it would have had to pay to an
outside contractor or professional.
That's the PR I'm referring to and
maybe the Newsletter should be a little
more informational along that line.
"Anyway, I read it regularly and I'm
impressed with the effort. It's a step in
the right direction and at least a positive
addition for the good and welfare of the
profession."
- G E R R Y FINN

Newsletter — DECEMBER

I N C .

- 1985 —

— UPDATE ON NEW ENGLAND NEMATODE SURVEY -rStan

Swier

'

Pa

< tittum, and Rob Wick

We are well into the first year of the
New England nematode survey and we
are beginning to learn about the
nematodes which are common on New
England golf courses. We are sampling
twelve golf courses (two in Maine, two
in New Hampshire, two in Vermont,
one in Connecticut, and five in
Massachusetts) every other week. These
regular samples began the first week in
May and include,three greens at each
golf course.
We have found a great deal of
variation within each golf course. Some
greens have very low numbers of
nematodes while other greens on the
same course may have moderate or
heavy populations. Also, some greens
on the same course may have five
different genera. These various genera
differ in their ability to weaken turf, so
the survey is counting each genus
separately.
It appears that Tylenchorenchus is
the genus about which we need to be
most concerned. It occasionally occurs
in high numbers, and apparently it is
one of the genera most capable of
damaging turf. Another genus which
has shown up in large numbers in some
samples and is almost equally damaging
is Hoplolaimus. Several other genera
show up in at least some of the samples
(Criconomella, Helicotylenchus,
L o n g i d o r u s , P r a t y l e n c h u s , and
Xiphinema), but in most cases the
numbers are very low and / or the genus
is not particularly damaging in turf
unless numbers are extremely high.
The sampling procedure we are using
(a 3/ 8 inch hollow aerifier tine attached
to a coffee can) seems to be providing us
with very representative samples
because we are able to take 60 to 75
cores from a green each time it is
sampled. This means that we are
randomly collecting soil from healthy
areas as well as any "hot spots", and can
get a more accurate idea of what is going
on. Incontrast some4-'A inch cup cutter
samples taken from "hot spots" have
yielded incredibly high nematode
counts, but when we went back and
sampled the same green with the aerifier
tine, numbers were much lower. (We
have had a few logistical problems with
the tines plugging up, but we are
refining the design and should have
some stronger samplers soon.)
We are just beginning to get a feel for

nematode counts and their significance
to turf vigor. The counts throughout
New England are on the increase right
now (early August), and we believe this
reflects the normal life cycle, where a
second generation has been produced
and perhaps will produce yet a third
generation later this summer. The
threshold numbers (the number of
nematodes collected in a sample which
indicates a need for treatment) have not
been worked out for New England. The
southeastern United States has a major
problem with nematodes and has
worked out threshold numbers for its
conditions, but these numbers are not
suitable for the Northeast because our
climate is so very different. For one
thing, nematodes in the Northeast will
go through a five or six month period in
the winter when they do not continue to
develop or reproduce.
We are concerned that some golf
courses in New England are sampling
for menatode activity and are deciding
to treat all the greens as a result of seeing
relatively high nematode counts on
some of the greens. Nematicides which
are currently available are very
expensive and very toxic, both to the
environment and to the applicator.
Nematicides will completely change the
micro-environment within a green,
killing virtually all the insects (both
h a r m f u l and beneficial) and
earthworms as well as much of the
nematode population.
These
materialsmust be handled with a great
deal of care, because birds, squirrels and
other wildlife will come in contact with
the material. If a nematicide is used,
please be very careful to adhere to all of
the label statements concerning
application. In particular, be sure you
water in the material very thoroughly
and immediately.
Finally, please try to avoid treating
all of the greens on your golf course
unless you have had all of them tested
for nematode activity and the tests
indicate that the numbers warrant
treatment. While the details have not
yet been worked out, it appears that the
Nematode Lab in Waltham will be
forced to charge something in the
neighborhood of $5 per sample for large
scale nematode testing. If a course
decides to sample more than three

UPDATE

con V. on page 4—

P a g e —4 —

Golf Course Superintendents
OF

NEW

ENGLAND,

A ssociation

Newsletter

INC.

— DECEMBER -1985

Ä VISIT BY THE FACTORY REP
BY BILL SMART

SETTING: ANY G O L F COURSE
CHARACTERS: A GREENKEEPER, A FACTORY REP
AND AN OLD TIME GREENSMAN.
GRKP This machine has been a real problem, one
problem after another.
OTG We oughta junk it, that's what.
REP Well really now, we have sold over 4000 of them in
40 states, and except for a few minor problems they are
working satisfactory.
OTG Bull-—.
GRKP How come the wheels make a gouge in the fairways
every time-we make a turn?
REP See those two trunnion brace vertical arm holding
brackets? The ends must be adjusted every 14 '/a hours to
exactly 62 and Vz inches for normal cut and 62 and lA
inches for a heavy cut.
OTG For God's sake.
GRKP How do you get at them, with all those cables,
housings and junk welded around them?
REP We can supply our TBV-47 special adjusting spanner
for that, for $87.35 FOB the factory . . . immediate
delivery.
GRKP OK, look at these roller ends, the bearings are
popping-out all over the fairways.
OTG Just like a steel eatin' rabbit . . . let's junk it.
REP Every 7 V'a hours of operating time you should grease

the A-47B shaft end collar retainer - with our 007 cavity
grease.
GRKP How? There are no grease fittings and besides, the
manual says the bearings are lifetime lubricated.
OTG Yeah, the lifetime of a monarch butterfly.
REP Well, we did goof on that one, but the new model has
fittings. Just drill and tap the ends, but dissasemble them
so the drill chips won't get inside.
GRKP And what's with the seat? It joggles up and down so
much that Old Will there is sexed-up all the time he is
mowing.
OTG Makes me sexy just lookin' at it . . . only thing it's
good for.
REP Yes. Well, we have a kit,U-69 that will make the seat
more rigid and the driver less.
GRKP The rear end makes a humming noise. What's that?
REP Well, our synchro-mesh precision gears are made out
of the finest Swedish steel and are so finely meshed that
unfortunately they do hum a bit - we do not recommend
it, but the factory found that a pound of sawdust in the
rear end gearbox does help.
GRKP Excuse me, I'm going to get some sawdust.
REP You're going to put it in the Tractor's rear end?
GRKP NO. Yours!
OTG I'll help
reprinted from the January, 1967 Foreground.

— Position Opening —
UPDATE

con'l. from page 3—

greens, it should plan to pay for the
testing! In any case, we encourage you
to sample first before treating
everything, because the nematicide is
very expensive (you can expect the
material to cost in the neighborhood of
$50 per green) and very toxic. In the
courses we have been watching, there
have always been at least a few greens
which did not warrant treatment.
So please use discretion concerning
nematodes and nematicides. It appears
that turf can handle one or two stresses,
but it can't handle a third stress. In some
places nematodes may be providing that
third form of stress, and in those areas
the turf will respond visibly and
strikingly to a nematicide application.
In other areas attention to details which
remove one or two of the stresses (insect
or disease activity, improper watering,
inadequate or over-fertilization, very
low cutting heights) may allow the turf
to tolerate a surprising number of
nematodes.

• • •

Golf Course Superintendent
Taconic C.C., Williamstown, Mass.
Please send resumes to:
Mr. Richard Hunter
P.O. Box 183
Williamstown, Mass. 01267

FOM S A L E
Binar; Decoders, Clocks, and Portable
Operator,
Contact Mr. Rich Caughey, GCS
Hatherley Golf Club
617-545-7012

OF

-

CHIP SHOTS -

NEW

THE COMMUNICATION GAP

. . . Take a look at membership
participation in this months "Newsletter" - 1 hope it's the beginning of new
trend, as we really need and appreciate
your input . . . The "Worcester
Connection" dominated the ProS u p e r i n t e n d e n t T o u r n a m e n t held
recently at Brae Burn C.C. Not only did
the team of Steve Chiavarolli-Jack
Gale, (Tatnuc C.C.) take 1st net, Steve
won a very attractive golf bag donated
by tournament sponsor CLUB CAR for
being Low Gross Superintendent (73).
The other half of the "connection,"
Mike Nagle and Ray LaJoie (Worcester
C.C.) took 2nd n e t . .. Anyone wishing
to take black and white photos at
meetings please contact the editor, we
pay for film and developing, and we
would like to have more candids for
publication . . . Orrin Ellis (Lexington
G.C.) has a detailed cronology of his
"Round up Green" project. Due to
space limitations this month we
couldn't print it, but call Orrin for a
copy if you wish to . . . Ye Ed picked
several ideas on future articles at the last
meeting. We don't care if it's
controversial or not, if you have a topic
you would like addressed please contact
myself or Mike Nagle and we'll go to
work on it . . .

• • •
The GCSANE extends its sympathy to
the family of Phil Mitchell (Son of Life
Member Sam Mitchell) who recently
passed away.

Green Chairman—I thought we were
opening the tee on #8 for the
tournament this weekend.
Superintendent—What I said was Ï
would review it and would probably
open it.
Green Chairman—Well, I told the
tournament director we would open it.
Then, when we come to play #8, the tee
is closed and I have to hear "What's the
matter, don't you know what's going on
around here?" do you know how that
makes us look?
How many, of us have had this type of
situation happen in the past? Misunderstandings as I see it, have to be one of
the biggest problems in our jobs along
with overall club communication.
While I was at" Middleton G.C.
everything was one on one as far as
operating decisions went, Middleton
being a one owner operation. Now at
Cummaquid G.C. there are committees,
members, etc. that have the need to
know what's going on and why, which is
their right, as they are the owners in this
instance. From what I can gather, in the
past, the communication from the
Green Dept. has been nearly nonexistent keeping the dept. a mystery to
most and the cause of most problems
experienced in the eyes of many.
Following is a brief description of our
efforts as closing this Communication
Gap.
The first step was to communications
within our own dept., by informing all
of happenings where it concerned them.
Most importantly, involving the key

Rich Cooper con't. from page 1

UMass are more along applied lines. I'll be working in the South Deerfield turf
facility and making the rounds - as much as I can - and teaching, of course.
"Eventually, after gaining tenure, I would hope to get into extension service.
That's big in the midwest but hasn't caught on much here. However, I want to apply
the science and this means a closer contact with the golf course superintendent."
Dick and his wife, Ruth, like the country life around Amherst and hope to make
many new friends in what is anticipated as a long stay at UMass.
"Hey, we're both into this new job and surroundings," Rich quipped. "After all,
we met on a golf course when we both worked at Valley Brook. In fact, Ruth taught
me how to mow my first green. We can relate to the game and to the
superintendent."
Now, there are two relatives the superintendent are happy to have. Welcome
aboard, Rich and Ruth.
— GERRY FINN
FINANCE

CHAIRMAN

J o h n Streeter, C G C S
8 6 F a s h i o n Or
Warwick. RI 02886
H o m e Phone (401 1 7 3 8 - 8 3 8 6
O f f i c e Phone (401 ! 943-G05S
Club Affiliation
The A l p i n e C.C.

GOLF

CHAIRMAN

EDUCATIONAL

CHAIRMAN

E d w a r d L. Brearley
2 7 9 Torrey St
Brockton. MA 02401
Home P h o n e 5 8 4 - 6 5 6 8
Office Phone 588-8439
Club Affiliation
L a r r y G a n n o n M u n i c i p a l G.C. B r o c k t o n C.C.

Stephen M M u r p h y
4 Juniper R d
Lynnfteld. MA 01940
H o m e Phone 3 3 4 - 4 8 3 6
O f f i c e Phone 5 9 2 1433
Club A f f i l i a t i o n

NEWSLETTER
CHAIR MAN
M i c h a e l F. N a g l e
51 L i n c o l n Ave.
Holden. M A 01520
Home Phone 829-3995
Office Phone 853-6574
C l u b Affiliation
W o r c e s t e r C.C.

PAST

PRESIDENT

Brian Cowan. CGCS
R o b m s Way
Harwich. MA 02645
H o m e Phone 432.-9041
O f f i c e Phone 9 4 5 - 9 2 3 0
Club Affiliation
Eastward Ho

E N G L A N D ,

INC.

people in the decision making, which,
didn't seem to be done in the past. Also,
reminding everyone what courtesy
means on the course, (no matter how
o b n o x i o u s situations seem) and
pointing out the long range results it will
produce. "Remember - SMILE - it
works"
Next was the Green Committee with
whom the problem was approached
from day one on both sides. I stressed
the need for our dept. to be able to
operate as a team on its own without
interferance, while working closely with
the committee. It was agreed and
strongly suggested that both parties,
now a team, keep all the cards face up
on the table. So far this attitude has
worked great, enforcing a strong
functioning bond between the two
entitites.
Last, not but least, is our improved
communication with the club through
personal contact and the establishment
of the Green Corner. Personal contact
was initiated by invitation from the club
to participate in pro-ams twice a week,
if time allowed. This was very effective
in a variety of ways, most of all in
getting to know members and them me.
Written communication is our
greatest asset in this area, thus, we have
the Green Corner. This attractively
framed corkboard, located on the porch
overlooking the 1st tee, makes it
possible to place articles of interest,
whether it be news clippings, home lawn
hints, or most importantly, happenings
on the golf course with dates ahead of
time, in a place for all to see.
The Green Corner has recently
expanded with an invitation for me to
write a column for the Smoke Signals,
the club's bi-annual newsletter.
These attempts have been very
welcome by all concerned, having made
my first year at Cummaquid one of
great success. One thing I have found
important to remember is to make
issues and answers as clear and as
simple as possible. "You know what you
mean but most don't!"
Charles Passios, GCS
Cummaquid G.C.

Inlormation 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.

THE

NEWSLETTER

G o f f

^

o u r A e

OF

•Superiti
N E W

ten den

E N G L A N D ,

tó

Sóàociation
I N C ,

DECEMBER -1985 —

DATES TO REMEMBER

Rich Cooper Hopes to "Grow" on NEGCSA

His official title at the University of Massachusetts reads right out of the
December 13
educational hopper - Dr. Richard Cooper, Assistant Professor of Turf Grass
GCSANE Christmas Party
Science.
The Stadium Club, Foxboro, Mass.
"That's a mouthful," the recent addition to the world of the New England golf
RSVP Mr. Tom Schofield
course superintendent advised. "So let's cut it down to, 'Rich', and leave it go at
December 16
that."
GCSANE Regular Meeting
You'll be-taeetUg Rich soon or those members of the New England Golf Course
Franklin C.C.
Superintendents Association, who take in the December meeting will. He's the
Franklin, Mass.
educational speaker of the month and he comes into the fold with a playful
December 16
warning, "I like to talk".
News Deadling
Rich, just in case you haven't noticed the passing of time and Dr. Joseph Troll's
News Deadline
retirement, steps into Joe's shoes at UMass and hopes they're a comfortable fit.
GCSANE "The Newsletter"
"I'm succeeding sort of a legend as far as the golf course superintendents are
Jan. 13, 1986
concerned," Rich remarked. "Everybody knows and liked Joe. He gets around to a
lot of golf courses and he's been in constant touch with the profession.
GCSANE Annual MeetingElection of Officers
"He also has a very large number of UMass grads in the field. Joe Troll's been
Franklin C.C.
their connection between them and the immediate source of turf grass education
Franklin, Mass.
Eventually, I'd like to assume that role."
Jan. 27-Feb. 4, 1986
Dr. Cooper comes to UMass at an opportune time for himself, his students and
the corps of New England superintendents. He just completed his doctorate
GCSAA Conference and Show
San Francisco, CA
requirements after a one-two-three educational leap from Penn State to Rhode
Island to Ohio State and holds himself as a bug for research and spreading its word
March 3-6, 1986
through association with those who benefit from it.
U-Mass Conference and Show
Springfield, Mass.
"I'm a people person," Rich disclosed. "I like getting out to see what life's all
. about away from the classroom and research lab. I'm happy to speaking before the
superintendents and I'm lining up some other appearances. I want to get as much
— NEXT MEETING —
practical experience as I can and the sooner the better."
Practical experience may be second nature for the 29-year-old Pittsburgh native
Franklin C.C.
who had his fair share of it as he made his way up the educational ladder
Franklin, Mass.
sometimes two rungs at a time.
10:00 A.M. Directors Meeting
"I went right to the grass roots of the situation and worked on a golf course for
11:00 A.M. Regular Meeting
one summer while I was going to school," Rich revealed. "It was near Pittsburgh 11:30 Program-Dr. Richard Cooper, Ua nice course, called Valley Brook Country Club. It was really an education for me.
Mass.
"Besides, it's part of my philosophy. If you intend working with people around
12:00 Lunch
golf
courses, you should get yourself acquainted with what they do. So, what better
Directions to Club: From Rte. 495 take
way
for me to touch the superintendent than to become a member of his crew?"
King St. exit. Go north to traffic light
Rich also intends to take his golf clubs out of mothballs and tee it up again.
and turn right on Route 140. Club is
"Oh, it has nothing to do with improving my game," he laughed. "I'll always be a
appx. 1 mile on right.
hacker. But, now that I have the heavy, book-bound part of my education behind
me J should be able to find some time to play. It's not only part of my philosophy,

—Position Opening —•
Assistant Superintendent
Ferncroft C.C.
Please send resume to, or call
Mr. Paul Johnson, G.C.S.
c/ o Sheraton Tara Hotel and Resort
Ferncroft Rd.
Danvers, MA 01923
Tel: 617-777-2500, Ext. 7906

Rich had a UMass connection almost from the beginning of his association with
the turf field.
"My adviser at Penn State was Don Waddington," Rich said. "And he's a UMass
grad. He helped me a lot and when I got my bachelor's degree, I was convinced there
was much more to learn. So, I went to Rhode Island for my masters.
Dr. Cooper took a couple of years off the educational beat to work as a
technician in a research lab at Ohio State but eventually went the book route again
in quest of his doctor's degree.
"Now I'm ready to put all this learning to work," Rich explained. "My duties at
..,„

„

|M

—Rich Cooper con't. on page 5 -