DATES

TO

REMEMBER

October 7
Regular Meeting Cancelled

October 8
G C S A N E Invitational T o u r n a m e n t
The Kittansett Club
M a r i o n , Mass.

October 18
N.E. Pro-Superintendent T o u r n a m e n t
Brae Burn C.C.
W . Newton, Mass.

November 4
G C S A N E Regular Meeting
Lexington C.C.
Lexington, Mass.

November 21-22
R I G C S A / G C S A A Irrigation Seminar
Providence M a r r i o t inn
Providence, R.L

— N E X T

M E E T I N G —

GCSANE
Invitational Tournament
The Kittansett Club
Marion, Mass.
11:30 Lunch
12:30 Golf
6:00 Dinner (Cash Bar Available)
Reservation Deadline w/Payment
Oct. 2, 1985
Superintendent Profile: After 32 yrs. at
Kittansett the old grasscutter says he
has almost forgotten where he started in
the business. We have heard, however,
that it was under the direction of Felix
T h o m p s o n at Greenfield (Mass.) C.C.
Old Lenny still plays to a respectable 10
Hdcp. when he isn't aching. Lenny
resides in Lakeville.
Directions to Ciub: F r o m the North
take Route 495 to 195 West. Exit at
Route 105 and go right off ramp to
R o u t e 6. At this intersection turn left
and proceed to next set of lights. Go
right to end of road and Kittansett.
• • •

—Ethics Doing Disappearing Act—
Is your j o b up for grabs?
In all likelihood, it's not. And, probably, it never will be - until you see fit to make
that arrangement.
However, every four or five years the j o b market in the golf course
superintendents' profession takes off like a screaming eagle, although no one can
verify the flight.
Also, rumors are flying - again. And, for all you know, those whispers and closequarters verbal exchanges could have you going out the door. It happens. We're
told it's happening around the otherwise yawning, late-season confines of the New
England Golf Course Superintendents Association.
For some inexplicable reason, the approaching close of the golf season
sometimes brings with it an assault on the ethical code of the association. It surfaces
in backyard gossip-like sniping which signals the opening of a job and follows up
with the ridiculous claim that applications for the alleged opening are being
accepted.
This brings to the front a review of the N E G C S A's bylaws, specifically Article III
which states: "A member shall be deemed to have violated the Code of Ethics b y . . .
applying for a position without the definite knowledge of its vacancy."
Furthermore: "A member of this association ( N E G C S A) accepts and fully agrees
to abide by the Code of Ethics and pledges himself . . . to abstain f r o m the
debasement of, or encroachment upon, the professional reputation, practice of
employment of another superintendent."
Okay, that's the backdrop for this discussion. In a word, it is not in the best moral
interest of the individual or the association for a member to seek a j o b that, in effect,
isn't there. And, in doing so, he violates the trust, comararaderie and social
wellbeing that membership in the N E G C S A entails.
The on-going incidences of such violation are many.
For example, not too long ago, a prominent golf course - employing a prominent
golf course superintendent - experienced a severe maintenance breakdown during
which several greens were lost.
That started the snowballing toward unethical behavior by several persons within the club and on its perimeter.
First, it was rumored that the greens were lost because of sheer neglect, thus
pinpointing the superintendent as the source of the problem.
Next, the rumors were escalated to a level where the superintendent's j o b was in
the process of being lost, along with the greens. They soared to the height where he
would be terminated when the normal date for closing the course was reached.
Then, just to compound the injustice, word spread that the club was accepting
applications for the "soon-to-be-vacated" position. This prompted a certain
amount of response, mostly f r o m superintendents who were desperate in their
attempts to change jobs.
Fortunately, the club acted quickly and judiciously. Actually, the destruction of
the greens was the result of an application of inferior chemicals, whose low-level
characteristics were unbeknown to the superintendent.
That cleared the situation in a hurry. Yet, the club has been caught up in a storm
of unnecessary controversy. Even some of its members had been deceived by the
original rumors and had to be reassured that the superintendent was blameless in
the weakened condition of the greens.
N o one knows who started this vicious string of falsehoods which preyed on the
Ethics con't. on page 3—

ouróe

* up erin ten den tâ ^ydôô ocia ti on •
- C H I P

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

President's
JMessage
Donald Hearn
October,

1985

The G C S A A has asked all chapters
wishing to schedule a regional seminar
to do so by November 1. The Directors
of the G C S A of New England feel the
following would have the most appeal
to our members: Advanced Irrigation
System
Management,
Basic
Horticultural Methods for the Golf
Course Superintendent,
Basic
Turfgrass Botany and Physiology,
Budgeting and Forecasting, Disease
Identification and Control, Familiarization with Accounting Procedures,
Financial Management, Golf Car Fleet
Operations, I D of Turfgrasses and
Varietal Uses, Insect Identification and
Control, Insect Pests of Turf and Ornamentals I: Introduction to Principals of
Control,
Managerial
Productivity,
Negotiation, Personal and Managerial
Productivity, Personnel Policies and
Procedures, Plant Nutrition, Ornamental Pest M a n a g e m e n t .
Basic
Horticultural Methods for the Golf
Course Superintendent, Budgeting and
Forecasting, Familiarization with Accounting Procedures, Negotiation, and
Personal and Managerial Productivity
are one day seminars. All the others are
two day seminars. If there is enough
interest G C S A A can custom design a
seminar to meet our needs. Please call
or drop me a note by October 21, letting

PRESIDENT
D o n a l d E Hearn. CGCS
4 Topeka Rd.
Chelmsford. M A 0 1 8 2 4
H o m e Phone 2 5 6 - 8 7 0 9
O f f i c e Phone 8 9 4 - 5 9 0 6
Club Affiliation
Weston G o l f C l u b

FIRST VICE
PRESIDENT
David Barber. CGCS
145 D 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.

S H O T S —

A pro-greens
Superintendent
Appreciation day was held recently at
the Gannon G.C. in Lynn. Tournament
proceeds were presented to G C S A N E
member Steve Murphy and Golf pro
Mike Foster . . . Last month's pictures
of Dr. Troll and company were lent to
the e d i t o r by D e a n R o b e r t s o n ,
Kernwood C.C. Dean has quite a few
oldies in his files and every now and
then we'll publish a few . . . A handful of
G C S A N E members ventured West to
the joint meeting w / t h e C G C S A at
W a m p a n o a g C.C. Sept. 10 in West
Hartford. The rain held off all day and,
although wet, gave us the chance to
have a great luncheon buffet and play
on a real fun golf course. Host
Superintendent Bob Johnston served
me know which topic you would be
most interested in. It is expected the
seminar would be scheduled for some
time in November 1986.
T h e G C S A of N e w E n g l a n d
Nominating Committee will be chaired
by T o m Schofield. Other members of
the committee are Gary Luccini, Gary
M o n d o r , Dean Robertson and Dick
Zepp. Anyone having suggestions for
future board members should pass them
on to the members of this committee.
Printed elsewhere in this issue of the
N E W S L E T T E R are bylaw changes
submitted by the Bylaws Committee.
The effect of the changes would
eliminate the position of 2nd Vice
President and allow a grace period for a
board member who may become
unemployed. These changes will be
discussed and voted on at the November
meeting. Any comment or question on
these changes should be addressed to
D a v e B a r b e r , c h a i r m a n of the
committee.
As many of you know G C S A A began
television advertising promoting the
golf course superintendent in August.
Commercials were shown during the
P G A Championship, Buick Open and
Inside the P G A T O U R . All the ads were
aired on E S P N . Reaction to the concept
has been very positive. I would be
interested in hearing f r o m anyone
wishing to comment on what was done
as well as ideas for the future.

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Pierre Coste. CGCS
121 Granite St.
Medf.eld, M A 02052
H o m e Phone 3 5 9 - 7 2 4 7

SECRETARY
R i c h a r d C Zepp. CGCS
27 F o w l e r R d
N o r t h b n d g e . M A 01 5 3 4
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 Affiliation
Whitmsville Golf Club

TREASURER
Thomas S c h o f i e l d , CGCS
2 9 0 N o r t h Rd.
Sudbury. M A 01 776
H o m e Phone 4 4 3 - 3 7 1 2
Office Phone 235-2487
C l u b Affiliation
W e l l e s l e y C.C.

up some of the best turf we've played on
this year. Guest speaker was G C S A A
Board Member D o n Hearn (CGCS,
Weston G.C.) who concentrated his
comments on the progress and changes
in the certification program and
updated us on the status of the G C S A A
Mid Year Show in Indianapolis . . .
member Frank M u r p h y (C.C. of
Halifax) was seen coming off the course
w / a very dejected look on his puss.
Must be that his son (who attends
school in the area )lightened Frank's
p o c k e t s d u r i n g t h e i r m a t c h at
W a m p a n o a g . . . Thanks again Bob
Johnston! . . . Anyone willing to host a
regular meeting in 1986 please contact
D o n Hearn or Steve M u r p h y . . .
Crestview C.C. sounds like a must in '86
- What do you say, Gary? . . . Mel
O'Kelly and daughter Beth won the
state Father-Daughter Championship
held at D e d h a m C.C. last month with a
74 - Congratulations ! !

• • •

—LAST MEETING—
Wannamoisett C.C., Rumford, R.I.
September 3, 1985
New Members Voted in:
Bill Rolland, Ass. Member
Mt. Pleasant G.C.
T o m Bachli, Ass. Member
Holden Hills C.C.
1st Readings for:
Jeffrey Carlson, Regular Member
Ocean Edge G.C., Brewster, Mass.
Stephen Carr, Regular Member
Pocasset G.C. Pocasset, Mass.
O u r congratulations to Bill & T o m Welcome aboard and hope to see you at
future meetings.
Many thanks to Host Super Neil
Wendell for a superbly groomed golf
course. ( W a n n a m o i s e t t has been
designated one of the top 50 golf courses
in the country by "Golf Digest"
magazine).
Although Ye Ed was unable to attend
after golf activities, my understanding
was that the meal and program were
both outstanding.
Golf results were unavailable at press
time.

TRUSTEE
Paul Miller
173 Salem St.
Swampscott. M A 01907
H o m e Phone 5 8 1 2 8 0 8
Office Phone 595-3107
Club Affiliation
Tedesco C.C.

• • •
TRUSTEE
Stephen A C h i a v a r o l i . CGCS
100 A i r p o r t Or
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 A f f i l i a t i o n
T a t n u c k C.C

TRUSTEE
Mark J. K l i m m
P.O. Box 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. o f N o w Seabury

O F

N E W

E N G L A N D

I N C

— The Super Speaks Out —
(Welcome to The Super Speaks Out - there and we have the kind of
Mike Legere, Holden Hills Country
a monthly feature which offers the golf membership that pulls together - for the Club: "I've always thought any
course superintendent a forum to good of the profession.
participation in the association is of
express his views on topics and issues
"As for required attendance, I say no value to members. I try to attend as
relating to his profession.)
- simply because I think it's up to the many meetings as possible, but there are
This m o n t h ' s q u e s t i o n : H o w individual if he wants to take advantage times when I just can't get away.
"I'm in favor of as much educational
important is it for members to of this golden opportunity. Actually,
participate in the New England Golf guys missing the meetings only are input at meetings as we can arrange
Course Superintendents Association hurting themselves, because there's so because the superintendent must always
be aware of the changing times and keep
and if need be, shouldn't members be much to get out of them."
Dave Comee, Winchendon Country in step with them. The association is our
required to attend a minimum number
of group meetings during the calendar Club: "You're talking to the wrong meal ticket in that respect.
person, because I don't make nearly as
year?
"Requiring members to make a
certain number of meetings is touchy.
Kevin Osgood, Newton Common- many meetings as I would like.
"I'd say I'm lucky if I'm able to get Travel can be rough, especially on
wealth Golf Course: "I've always
away
twice a year. I know this sounds people from Central and Western
thought being a member of the
association is a big plus - both for my like a copout, but thisjob is a seven-day- Massachusetts. Seems we get to travel
knowledge of my job and methods to a-week situation. Our course is owned the longest, more often. So, I'd like to
improve the way I do it. Consequently, by a private school and the golf course is see more meetings out our way.
"At any rate, participation in the
it's a big plus for my golf course, too. just a part of my responsibility.
"I have athletic fields to take care of association's activities gets a solid
"I make a point to make all the
meetings. I realize everyone can't get and off-campus residences. You name it endorsement from me. I figure every
away all the time. However, I think the and my hand is in there. It's just the other superintendent should feel the
benefits of going far out - weigh the nature of this job, so free time comes same. There's no reason why he
shouldn't."
- G E R R Y FINN
inconvenience that may have to be hard for me.
"Anyway, this doesn't mean that I
considered.
"I just get a lot out of seeing other don't miss going to the meetings. I'm all
—•Position Wanted—
courses, observing what the other guys for them and, on the few occasions I can
Superintendent:
are doing on their courses and perhaps make one, I get as much out of talking Assistant
taking advantage of the varying degrees and observing as I can. The educational Experienced Construction Project
Manager, and former golf professional,
and amounts of expertise I come in benefits of being a member of our
contact with. I just can't say enough for association really hit the nail on the with e d u c a t i o n a l b a c k g r o u n d in
agronomy,
landscape
architecture,
the education benefits that come with head.
"For obvious reasons, I can't endorse forestry and horticulture seeks a
regular participation.
"I'm not too sure about making a meeting requirement move. I think position in the metropolitan Boston
attendance at meetings a requirement missing meetings for a legitimate reason area. Motivated, and interested in
learning all aspects of the trade. Call
for association membership. However, is punishment enough."
Mark Watson at (617) 479-7152.
I don't see any reason why someone
couldn't make at least three meetings a —Ethics con't. from page I
year, Heck, if anything, it keeps you in job security of the unsuspecting superintendent and left him with many a sleepless
touch with the times. That's important, night until the matter was resolved. Neither does anyone know why such situations
mighty important in this day and age." develop.
Max Mierzwa, Chicopee Country
It could be that members, within the confidential walls of club directorship, are
Club: "I think we have the ideal setup the culprits - especially in the case of maximum-salaried superintendents being
with our schedule of meetings - in the sacrificed in order to hire someone who comes at a cheap rate at the bottom of the
summer and winter. Just the exchange profession's ladder.
of ideas is worth any trip I have to make.
Then, too, over-ambitious colleagues of the targeted superintendent could plant
"Actually, I enjoy playing somebody the seeds and see them grow to the point where they might sneak into a betterelse's course. For one thing, I'm relaxed paying position.
there. Besides, it doesn't hurt to get
Regardless of where the instigation lies, somewhere in the disgusting turn of
away from your own course, even if it's events the association's Code of Ethics has been violated and some form of
only one day a month.
disciplinary retaliation should be launched when the perpetrators are discovered.
"Whatever the situation, I try not to In any case, the incidence of those violations is a black mark on the profession.
miss getting together with the rest of the Certainly, it is a revolting development.
guys. There's just too much to learn out
— G E R R Y FINN
FINANCE
CHAIRMAN
J o h n S t r w t e r , CGCS
86 F a ï h i o n Dr
Warwick. R! 02886
H o m e Phone (4011 738 8 3 8 6
O f f i c e Phone ( 4 0 1 Ï 9 4 3 4 Ï 0 5 S
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
The A l p i n e C C

GOLF
CHAIRMAN
Stephen M M u r p h y
4 Juniper R d
Lynnfield. 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

EDUCATIONAL
CHAIRMAN
E d w a r d L. Brearley
2 7 9 T o r r e y St.
Brockton. MA 02401
H o m e Phone 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.

NEWSLETTER
CHAIRMAN
M i c h a e l F. N a g l e
51 L i n c o l n Ave.
Holden, MA 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 C o w a n , CGCS
R o b i n s Way
Harwich. MA 02645
H o m e P h o n e 432.-9041
O f f i c e 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.

P i e n t e f u d w U j e
Agway,

Inc.

Greg Moore, Rep.
Box 507 Sterling, MA
Fertilizer, Seed, Chemicals
800-225-CROP (MA) 617-422-7614
Bacher Corp.
876 Boston Rd.
Bi llerica, Mass. 01866
Baker Tractor Corp., Ford Tractors
Harley Davidson Golf Cars
Swansea, Mass.
Yamaha Golf Cars
*Bordens Spreader Service
Maynard. Mass.
Tel. 617-897-2571
Sales Rep. Jack Borden
Bulk Limestone Dealer
C i J Lawnmower Sen., Inc.
188 Main Street
Wilmington, Mass. 01887
Eric Oman-Sales Rep.
Tel. 617-658-2022
The Clapper Co.
1121 Washington S t
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
C.S. Curran
T.R.C. Products Oils & Greases
7 Unden S t
Framingham, Mass.
Chester Drake & Sons, Inc.
222 Walnut; St.
Framingham, Mass. 01701
Golf Course Construction
617-875-7929

FRIENDS OF THE

Elanco Prod. Co.
Scott Eicher
12 Jillson Circle
Milford, Mass. 01757

ASSOCIATION

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

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

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

Greenway
Irrigation
Irrigation, Drainage, Wire Laying.
Trenching
Peabody, Mass.
617-777-3639
The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
Weathersfield. Conn.
Bob Kennedy. Rep.
Roy Sibley, Rep.
Holliston Sand Co. Inc.
Lowland St.
Holliston, Mass. 01746
Sand For Topdressing & Bunkers
I & E Supply. Inc.
Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28)
W Wareham, MA 02576
(617) 295-2362
'Tom Irwin, Inc.
I I B A St., Burlington, Mass.
Jack Peterson
Dennis Friel Phone # 617-938-1751
Wayne Ripley
Larchmont Eng. 8 Irrig. Co.
Larchmont Lane
Lexington, Mass. 02173
617-862-2550

Mobay Chemical Co.
Gregory Pagano
50 Coburn Woods
Nashua, N.H 03063
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 Sea/coaling Co , Inc.
Tennis Courl Const. & Maint.
Sealcoating Ringham Inc Center
Hingham. Mass 749-6800
Nor-Am Chemical Co.
Wilmington, Delaware
David Sylvester, Rep.
203-828-8905
Norfolk Power Equip., Inc.
194 Main St.
Norfolk, Mass. 02056
Tel. 617-528-3120
Don Reynolds, Rep.

Scott Associates. Inc.
60 Water St.. Clinton, Mass.
617-365-6341
Pumps-Sales, Service
Installation-Vertical
Turbine Pumps Specialists
Scotts Pro-Tur! Div
Rep. Ed Wiacek 1-401-253-4284
Rep. Kevin Lyons 1-617-347-3697
Tuckahoe Tur1 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
* Turi Products Corp
36 Sword SI
Auburn. Mass 01501
617-791-2091
'Tur! Specialty, Inc
84 Merrimac St.
Hooksett. N.H 03106
Turf & Ornamental Supplies
Ken Turner
617-263-7526
White Turi Engineering
5 Summer Drive
Winchendon. Mass 01475
617-297-094
Philip Wogan
Golt Course Architect
21 Budleigh Ave.
Beverly, Mass. 01915

Old Fox Chemical Inc
Fertilizers-SeedsTurf-Chemicals
66 Valley St.
E. Providence. R.I. 02914

*Lesco, Inc.
20005 Lake Rd.
Rocky River, OH 44116
Ron Tumiski. Rep.
Mike Donahue, Rep.

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

'Loft's Seed
20 Beck Rd.
Arlington. Mass. 02174
Victoria Wallace, Rep.

'Contributors
to the
Scholarship Fund

Troll-Dickinson

'Sawtelle Bros
565 Humphrey St.
Swampscott Mass. 01907
617-599-4856

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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MICHAEL E. HANNIGAN
25 Thaxter Ave.
Abington. Mass. 02351

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