THE

NEWSLETTER
(Gourde
OF

periti ten den tô
NEW

E N G L A N D ,

February

— DA TES TO REMEMBER
February

—

10th

GCSANE Regular Meeting
Franklin C.C.
Franklin. Mass.
»RESERVATIONS REQUIRED*
March 1
MGA Spring Conference & Luncheon
Mar. 3-6 (Newton-Marriott Hotel)
U-Mass. Conference & Show
Springfield, Mass.
•—No Regular Meeting in March —

— NEXT MEETING —
Franklin C.C.
Franklin, Mass.
Host Superintendent-Gary Lucipi
10:30 A.M. - Directors Meeting
12:00 Noon - Lunch
1:00 P.M. »Program: Retaining Wall
Construction - Dean
Robertson,
G.C.S., Kernwood C.C.
»1985 Golf Awards
RESER VA TIONS REQUIRED
617-528-6110 o r Gary at home - 617-528-6110
Directions to Club: From Rte. 495 take
King St. exit. Go North to traffic light
and turn right on Route 140. Club is
appx. one mile on right.
— Position A vailable —
Assistant
Superintendent
Andover C.C.
And over, Mass.
Contact:
Mr. Tony DeBettencourt, Supt.
Office (617) 475-6638
Home 603-424-5380

— Position A vailable —
Golf Course Mechanic
(Cart Experience Preferred)
Andover C.C., Andover, Mass.
Contact:
Mr. Tony DeBettencourt, Supt.
Office: (617) 475-6638
Home: 603-424-5380

-^lôôociation
INC.

-1986

- S A N T O S HAS CRANBERRY UNDER C O N T R O L Frank Santos admits his course sometimes gets the same verbal abuse which is
considered the divine right of country club members.
"I get the screaming and hollering, not much, but just enough to call for a
response," the Cranberry Valley superintendent explained. "That's when I point to
that Golf Digest article, the one saying we're in the 'top hundred' again, and the
screaming and hollering go away."
Perhaps, this is oversimplifying the course of action Santos takes when golfers
think the lanes aren't fast enough at Cranberry Valley - the pride of the municipal
layout family in Harwich. Actually, he doesn't get that much flak. Why should lie?
Cranberry Valley comes with credentials - a slew of them, in fact.
Santos, who says he's been at Cranberry since it was "dirt", climbed aboard the
Bill Robinson-designed course in 1973. He was there for its conception, birth and
maturation. Indeed, his hand has been in there in the development of Cranberry as
one of the outstanding municipal golf courses in the country.
The layout has been included in recognition ratings three different times, the
latest coming during the just-concluded season. Which means Santos must be
doing something right. Amazing, too.
Cranberry is one the busiest courses on Cape Cod, that condition only natural
because of the way Robinson designed it and the way Santos continues to adorn it
with the finishing touch.
Since it opened, the course has grossed in excess of $4 million in green and
membership fees and marches to a drummer's profitable beat.
"I wish I owned it." Santos flapped. "No kidding, the people come flocking here
in numbers you can't believe. We run about 50,000 rounds a year, peaking at 10,000
for the month of July, alone. Last year, we turned $604,000 for a net of $186,000.
The town's doing all right by the course but it's a two-way street.
Santos doesn't have a green chairman to work with since the course is townowned. He does fall under the authority of a golf commission, appointed by the
Harwich Board of. Selectmen.
"The relationship with the commission is good," Santos remarked. "But it has the
last word in decisions and I must abide by them. The members are hand-picked,
though, and they take a sensible approach to their responsibilities.
"They hire professionals to operate the golf course and let the results stem from
that. The course is inspected once or twice a year, there are discussions if they are
needed to make a change or improvement and it's up to me to carry out whatever
needs to be done."
Because Cranberry is a municipal course, residents of Harwich are accorded
more than reasonable access to it. They can buy a membership for $220 which gives
them around-the-year golf privileges.
"The course is closed in January and February to everyone except resident
members," Santos described the unique arrangement. "We don't take green fee
players those months but residents are allowed to play - using temporary greens, of
course."
That means Santos has some relief from a dizzying conditioning schedule,
although there is no conditioning work, as such, conducted in the winter months.
Otherwise, keeping the grass green and the putting runways smooth at Cranberry
challenges all the expertise at Santos' command.
"We have so much play, our crews literally have to sneak into openings to get
their work done," Santos disclosed. "It's nothing to have four foursomes playing a
Santos con't. on page 2

w

Courôe

Superintendents

ocia ti on

PR Manual for Superintendents

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

— LAST MEETING —
Franklin C.C., Jan. 13, 1986
Another full house packed Franklin
for the GCSANE Annual Meeting and
Election of Officers, and to hear Kip
Tyler, G.C.S., Salem C.C. give a very
interesting talk and slide presentation on the U.S. Women's Open held at
Salem in 1984.
25 Year Membership Awards were
presented to A1 Auger, Beverly Golf
and Tennis Club; Tom Curran,
Eastman C.C., New London, N.H.. and
Ron Kirkman, Needham G.C.
William Largy, G.C.S.. VA Golf
Course at Bedford was voted into our
association as a regular member, and
Richard Rockwood, Asst. Superintendent, Foxboro C.C. was voted in as
an Associate Member - Congratulations to all!!
ELECTION
RESULTS
Officers and Directors
GCSA of New England
—1986—
President
David Barber
Vice President
Richard Zepp
Secretary
Paul Miller
Treasurer
Thomas Schofield
Trustee
Stephen Chiavorali
Trustee
Mark Klimm
Trustee
Kip Tyler
Finance Chairman
Joseph G.
Mondor
Golf Chairman
James O'Kelly
Educational Chairman
Edward
Brearley
Newsletter Chairman
Ronald
Kirkman

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
Dav.d Barber. CGCS
145 Dedham St.
Canton. MA 02021
Home Phone 828-7266
Office Phone 828-6540
Club Affiliation
Blue Hill C.C.

Golf course superintendents around
the world, are scheduled soon to receive
a public relations manual written
specifically for them.
The manual contains basic
information and how-to steps to follow
in obtaining favorable publicity for the
superintendent as an individual and for
the profession. To contain 10 sections
when completed, the manual discusses
such subjects as relationships with the
news media, how to write news releases,
public speaking, how to prepare and
present reports, and other subjects
related to promoting the professional
image of the golf course superintendent.
Eugene D. Baston, CGCS, President
of GCSA A, said of the new manual:
"The PR Manual for Superintendents
will, I'm sure, prove to be an invaluable
source of information to our members."
Although the manual is not yet
complete, the first mailing contains
important sections that will allow the
s u p e r i n t e n d e n t to d e v e l o p a
comprehensive PR plan, or to improve
an existing plan. The remaining sections
are to be completed and mailed to
members no later than February 1986.
The manual is free to all 1986 Class A,
Class B and Associate members as
another benefit of membership. Other
GCSAA members may purchase the
manual for $45. The manual will be
made available to non-members in
March 1986 at a cost of $95.
For further information, contact
Billy J. Shelton, Media Relations
Manager.
_a-n_n

—The Super Speaks Out(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: A re you for or
against unionization of golf course
maintenance personnel?
Bob Ruszala, Hickory Ridge Golf
Club: "This really is a loaded question
because there are so many spinoffs of
the topic to be dealt with.
"However, I'd be inclined to lean
a g a i n s t h a v i n g u n i o n s in t h e
maintenance department because in the
end, it would result in a decline in
productivity.
"At my course, I have two full time
people - a mechanic and an assistant.
Traditionally, I concentrate on getting
more benefits for them since they are
important in the overall operation.
"I think .unionization would mean
courses have to have all full time help
and that would be a drain on the budget.
In that case, I'd have a tough time
convincing the course owners they have
to finance a year-round crew.
"The idea of unions on the course just
doesn't hit a.responsive chord. I don't
know about any trends in that direction
but one I would like to see is more job
security involvement by the national in
r e g a r d s to t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t .
However, that wasn't in the question,
was it?"
Paul Miller, Tedesco Country Club:
"Unions mean setting standards and, to
The Super con't. on page 3—

—Santos con't from page 1

par five hole in the height of the season. And. needless to say, vacation time means
golfers are out at the crack of dawn."
At one time, Santos tried to get his work force to hit the course at 5 in the
morning but union restrictions wiped that out. Now, his men begin at six o'clock
and hope they find enough working room to keep Cranberry in Triple-A shape.
"I have four full time workers and the rest are seasonal," Santos explained the
makeup of his crew. "During the peak season I hope to have a crew of 11 but usually
wind up with eight. Whatever, we do with what we have around here and hope for
the best."
Apparently, there's more to it than hope because Cranberry Valley gets rave
reviews wherever golfers gather to rate courses. Obviously, Santos has things under
control - whether it be January or July.
— GERRY FINN

SECOND
VICE
PRESIDENT
Pierre Coste. CGCS
121 Granite St.
Medfieid. MA 02052
Home Phone 359-7247

SECRETARY
Richard C Zepp. CGCS
27 Fowler Rd
Northbndge. MA 01534
Home Phone 234-8490
Office Phone 234 2533
Club Affiliation
Wh.t.nsville 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 St.
Swampscott. MA 01907
Home Phone 581 2808
Office Phone 595-3107
Club Affiliation
Tedesco C.C

TRUSTEE
Stephen A Chiavaroh. CGCS
100 Airport Dr
Worcester. MA 01602
Home Phone 752 0031
Office Phone 791 5373
Club Affiliation
Tatnuck C.C

TRUSTEE
Mark J. Klimm
P O Box 480
Mashpee. MA 02649
Home Phone 477-3516
Office Phone 4 / 7 0919 .
Club Affiliation
C.C. of Now Seabury

NEW
—The Super con't. from page 2

me, standards (especially those set by
union input) take motivation and drive
out of performance.
"Maybe my outlook is different, but i
don't see how having unions would
contribute anything positive in the way
of guaranteeing that we don't come up
short on workers in the height of the
season. Besides, how many clubs could
afford to go full-bore in maintenance
employment without heavy financial
drains on the treasury?
"There's a certain amount of
independence that's lost in joining
unions. Why, I have some retired guys
(making $4.50 or so an hour) who can't
wait to come out here and cut grass.
Some of my college summer help stays
on, even though they could get ten
bucks an hour somewhere else.
"So, the motivation factor is vital in
my views of having unions. They're not
for me and not for the maintenance
process."
Bob St. Thomas, Hyannisport Club:
"First, let me be clear about the fact I
am not endorsing unions or do I think
they would work in our association
area. I'm not and they would not.
"However, I have seen them in action
and seen them work. And I have worked
with them - for 10 years when I was
superintendent at New Sunningdale
(Scarsdale, N.Y.).
"In fact, in all that time I can't
remember any serious problem relating
to the presence of the union - it was the
Building Service Employees Union, to
be precise.
"It's true, too, that the decent wages
going with a union contract equalled
better help for me.
"The only rub was and is the cost to
the club. Big budget clubs could affort it
in New York. But that was New York.
Under our union setup there, I had 10
full time workers. That would be a load
up here when you consider how much
we rely on seasonal help.
"Whatever the pros and cons, I don't
see unions coming here because of the
cost factor. I'm not a union man,
myself. However, from my personal
experiences with the idea, I am not
against the theory."
Bob Mucciarone, Dedham Polo and
FINANCE
CHAIRMAN
John Streeter. CGCS
86 Fashion Dr
Warwick. Rl 02886
Homo Phone [401 1 738 8386
Office Phone 14011 943-0059
Cfub Affiliation
The Alpine C C

GOLF
CHAIRMAN
Stephen M Murphy
4 Juniper Rd
Lvnnfield, MA 01940
Home Phone 334-4836
Office phone 592-1433
Club Affiliation
Larry Gannon Municipal G C

Ban Sought on Bird-Killing
Pesticide on Golf Courses—
The E n v i r o n m e n t a l P r o t e c t i o n
Agency, seeking to protect migratory
birds that flock to grassy areas for food,
said yesterday it wants to halt use of the
pesticide diazinon on golf courses and
sod farms.
The substance, used to control a
variety of insects at agricultural and
non-agricultural sites, is considered
highly toxic to waterfowl and other
birds, the EPA said.
The agency said it has received 60
reports of bird kills in 18 states in which
diazinon was "confirmed or strongly
implicated" as the chief cause of death.
Twenty-three species of birds were
involved, including the Canada goose,
snow goose, ring-necked pheasant, and
great blue heron.
"Most of the reported mortalities
were associated with large grassy open
sites, such as golf courses, which are
preferred feeding sites because they are
easily located from the air and are stable
and reliable food sources." the EPA
said.

• • •
Country Club: "I'm not a union man
and I don't like them.
"I don't know. Maybe I'm oldfashioned. I know I've been around a
long time. But early in my life, I had
experience with unions in the
construction business. The unions
controlled things there, told who would
work, when and on what. So, how could
anyone want that kind of condition
around a golf course?
"I admit that I have trouble getting
help in the summer but I live with it and
we get by here. We have a lot to do, too,
not only in the peak of the golf season
because this is a year-round facility.
"I have people who have to look after
tennis and platform tennis courts,
bowling alleys, a skating pond. You
name it and we do it. How could we
make it, if the union told me I could use
only one man on one specific job? It's
ridiculous. That's unionization to me
and frankly, I don't want any part of it."
— GERRY FINN

EDUCATIONAL
CHAIRMAN
Edward L Brearley
279 Torrey Si
Brockton. MA 02401
Home Phone 534 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
Robins Way
Harwich. MA 02645
Home Phone 432.-9041
Office Phone 945-9230
Club Affiliation
Eastward Ho

E N G L A N D ,

I N C .

— NOTICE —
REGIONAL SEMINAR IN
ALBANY, NEW YORK
"Golf Course Design Principles"
March 26-27, 1986
Sheraton Airport Hotel
The Northeast GCSA and Golf
Course Superintendents Association of
America announce the presentation of
the most popular seminar in the
GCSAA Continuing
Education
curriculum in March, 1986. "GOLF
COURSE DESIGN PRINCIPLES"
will be the subject of a two-day program
by Geoffrey S. Cornish and Robert
Muir Graves, internationally renowned
golf course architects, on March 26 and
27, 1986, at the Sheraton Airport Hotel,
Albany, New York.
This seminar will cover all facets of
golf course design including the history
of golf course architecture, the Great
Master Architects, c o n t e m p o r a r y
design concepts and construction,
c o u r s e l a y o u t , site s e l e c t i o n ,
reconstruction/ restoration, master
planning and construction management. Instructional techniques to
design their own 18-hole course.
Included in the registration fee are
luncheons on both Wednesday and
Thursday and a hardback copy of The
Golf Course by Cornish and Whitten, a
beautiful 320-page text retailing at
$35.00. Successful completion of the
seminar will earn participants two
Continuing Education units (CEUs)
and a Certificate of Achievement from
GCSAA.
Space is limited and registrations will
be confirmed on a first-come, firstserved basis. Refunds will be allowed
only for written cancellations received
two weeks in advance of the seminar.
NOTE: Registrants are responsible for
their own overnight accommodations.
A special rate of $56/night (single) and
$62/night (double) is available to
seminar participants. A reservation
card d o c u m e n t i n g your seminar
registration will be forwarded upon
receipt of your registration fee.
— REGISTER EARLY
Call 1-800-GSA-SUPT for more
m m

—
information,

•

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.

"Ptc44c

p a b u u U j c FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Agway, Inc.
Greg Moore, Rep.
Box 507 Sterling, MA
Fertilizer, Seed, Chemicals
SOO-225-CROP (MA) 617-422-7614

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

Bacher Corp.
876 Boston Rd.
Billerica, Mass. 01866

Gold Star Sod Farms, Inc.
Sod & Pine Bark Mulch
Canterbury, N.H.
603-783-4717
Lexington, Mass.
817-861-1111

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 & J Lawnmower Serv., Inc.
188 Main Street
Wilmington, Mass. 01887
Eric Oman-Sales Rep.
Tel. 617-858-2022
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
C.S. Curran
T.R.C. Products Oils & Greases
7 Undan St
Framing ham, Mass.
Cheater Drake & Sons, Inc.
222 Walnut St.
Framing ham, Mass. 01701
Golf Course Construction
617-875-7929
Connecticut Silica Co.
Ledyard, Conn.
Sand, White Silica for Traps,
Chemically inert Topdressing
Jim Sinlowski-203-536-2618

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

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 Phone # 617-938-1751
Wayne Ripley

'Lesco, Inc.
20005 Lake Rd
Rocky River, OH 44116
Ron Tumiski. Rep.
Mike Donahue, Rep.
(800) 321 -5325
"Loft's Seed
20 Beck Rd.
Arlington, Mass. 02174
Victoria Wallace, Rep.

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

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

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

Larchmont Eng. & irrig. Co.
Larchmont Lane
Lexington, Mass 02173
617-862-2550

Scotts Pro-Turf Div
Rep Ed Wiacek 1-401-253-4204
Rep. Dave Schermerhorn 617-347-5211

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

Greenway Irrigation
Irrigation, Drainage, Wire Laying,
Trenching
Peabody, Mass.
617-777-3639

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

Scott Associates, Inc.
60 Water St, Clinton, Mass.
617-365-6341
Pumps-Sales. Service
Installation-Vertical
Turbine Pumps Specialists

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

'Nardone Sand S Gravel Co Inc
37 Power Rd.
Westford, Mass 01886
617-692-8221
Specializing in Topdressing
Sand
New England Sealcoatmg Co . inc
Tennis Court Const. 4 Maint.
Sealcoating Hingham Inc Center
Hingham, Mass 749-6800
Nor-Am Chemical Co.
Wilmington, Delaware
David Sylvester, Rep.
203-828-8905

Rlchey 4 Clapper, inc.
28 Rutfedge Rd
Netick. Mass 01760

'Turi Specialty. Inc
84 Merrimac St
Hooksett. N.H 03106
Turf 4 Ornamental Supplies
Ken Turner
617-263-7526
White Turf Engineering
5 Summer Drive
Winchendon, Mass 01475
617-297-094

Norfolk Power Equip., Inc.
194 Main St.
Norfolk, Mass. 02056
Tel. 617-528-3120
Don Reynolds, Rep.
Old Fox Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers-SeedsTurf-Chemicals
66 Valley St.
E. Providence, R.I. 02914

• Turi Products Corp
36 Sword St
Auburn. Mass 01501
617-791-2091

Philip Wogan
Golf Course Architect
21 Budleigh Ave.
Beverly, Mass. 01915
New Ad~

Boston Irrigation Co.
Dedham, Mass.
John Ramey - Paul Kenyon
617-461-1560
Distributor of Irrigation Supplies
and Accessories
'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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