NEWCLETTER wiTHE \ Golf Course Superintendents Association Sponsors and administrators of the Troll-Dickinson Scholarship Fund — Awarded yearly to deserving Turf Management Students. -NEXT 9:00 10:45 12:00 1:00 MEETING- Tuesday, January 5,1988 Wellesley C.C. Directors Meeting Annual Meeting Lunch Educational Directions to Club: 128 to route 9 west— take 2nd right on rte. 9—Cedar St. (Needham, Dover exit) go over rte.9 and follow double yellow line to club—about 2 miles from rte. 9. Host Superintendent Tom Schofield CGCS Reservations Required (617) 235-2487 Divot Drift T h e November meeting was held at Needham Golf Club. It was back to reality after playing The Country Club and Brae Burn C.C. a few weeks before. We had 57 players test their golfing skills on this gorgeous November day. The tournament was an individual quota and the winners were—Mel O'Kelly, Marshfield C.C. plus 6. In at plus 4 for second place was Jim O'Kelly, Brae Burn C.C. Third spot was captured by Tony Caranci at plus 2, Ledgemont C.C. Fourth spot at plus 1 went to Mike Iacono, Metacomet C.C. In fifth position, at 0 (even quota) was Bob Mucciarone, Dedham Polo Club. Closest to the pin on #2 went to Mike Iacono, Metacomet C.C. Closest to the pin on #7 was awarded to Kevin Continued on page 2 k OF NEW ENGLAND, INC. December 1987 Smooth Sailing on Super Love Boat W h a t ' s this? Despite the possibility of facing up to the stress, strain, tribulations, even tragedies which might come with the job, the Newsletter has discovered that being married to a golf course superintendent "ain't" that bad, after all. In fact, according to reactions within the New England ranks, there is only one word for it—"Super". So says Cheryl Johnson whose husband, Doug, is there for the greening of the Pine Brook Country Club every golf season. "Agree", chimes Carolyn Murphy who's been right there waiting at the front door with a cheery greeting for Larry Gannon Municipal's stellar superintendent, Steve, for the past 15 years. "I wouldn't want it any other way," tells Blanche Mucciarone after raising nine children and never seeing her love boat rock while sailing through life with Woodland's staunch course groomer, Norm. "Make it four on the positive side," adds Sally Miller who's been side-by-side with Tedesco Country Club superintendent, Paul, since they began dating at Sandwich High School. Therefore, it's unanimous. Wedded bliss runneth over where super and spouse are concerned. The Millers are living testimonial to the typical rosy relationship that blooms on and off the golf course. Sally, who has her own career as an art director for an advertising agency, gives the superintendent's profession high marks. "It's wonderful," she explains. "I'm sure there are guys in business suits riding by the club who envy Paul and his work. I also know that he's well respected by the members at Tedesco. But it should be that way. It's not all that easy a job, although it's rewarding." So rewarding, by the way, that Sally reports another Miller appears to be following in his father's footsteps. "Oh, our son, Jon," she discloses. "He's working on the course and thinks he wants to become a superintendent. Me? I'm all for it." Blanche Mucciarone embraces a big plus from her life with Norm. "Norm's job introduced me to playing golf," Blanche says. "It gave me the opportunity to be with my husband in an atmosphere where we share talking about what we do in our daily lifestyles. Sure, we have private conversations about his job and that's part of the whole picture. "Of course, we're very happy with our style of life. We've been able to bring up our children in a favorable environment and seen its benefits. I'm just delighted Norm's doing something he likes. He's dedicated, you know. And I share his enthusiasm for his job." Like the other superintendent wives, Carolyn Murphy admits that her only complaint centers on the seasonal aspects of her husband's profession—that summer vacations and social life that time of year is married life's forbidden fruit. "But Steve and I work around little snags like that," explains Carolyn who is a teacher in the Swampscott school Continued on page 2 25 Year Pin Award to be presented at annual meeting to Mauel Francis Jr. and Max Mierzwa THE SUPER continued "In the end, the condition of the course is the superintendent's responsibility. Therefore, if he has the manpower and expertise to assume that responsibility in his absence, there's no reason why he can't get away for a little while. "I think it's therapy to be able to take a break in the middle of the season. After all, this is a dawn-to-dusk, day-in and dayout job and a change in that program just may be what the superintendent needs to do the job to the best of his ability. Chip Brearley, Brockton Country Club: "Oh, boy. This is really one you can chew on and never really come up with the right answer. "Personally, I think that taking a full week's vacation in the middle of summer is stretching the limit. I know, a lot of guys may not agree with my thinking, but summer is the peak time of our business and that time of year when the course needs the superintendent's attention most. "Not that I'm against getting away from it all. "So, yes, I believe the superintendent needs a break when the season is in high gear. But I don't think he should be able to push the break to a full week. "If you want to pin me down to specifics, I'd say three days at a time are enough. To tell the truth, I get bored when I'm away for more than that amount of time. "Naturally, all the discussion about summer vacations, how long they should be and what not has to depend on the individual situation, meaning that no one can leave the course for any extended time unless they can leave it in good hands. "Right now, with the labor shortage conditions, unless I have an excellent FINANCE CHAIRMAN Douglas W. Johnson CGCS 50 Newton S t Weston, MA 02193 Home Phone 894-7377 Office Phone 899-7913 Club Affiliation Pine Brook C.C. GOLF CHAIRMAN James O'Kelly 201 Indian RockRd. Merrimack, N.H. 03054 Home Phone 603-429-2453 Office Phone 244-0680 Club Affiiiation Brae Bum C.C. crew and someone to direct them when I'm not here, I don't think I'm going anywhere. "I'm still stuck on that week business, too. I know I'd feel guilty asking for anything more than three days at the peak of the season. But this is just one man's opinion." Bob Heeley, Quaboag Country Club: "Situation. That's the key. "I think most green chairmen respect the needs of the superintendent and one of those needs is to get away from the course for a while. "Here at Quaboag, I deal with the owner, Ih fact, just last August I went to him and told him I needed some time off. The reason was that I thought I was going stale. "He let me call the shots. So, I took three days off, went to the Cape with my wife and returned feeling a lot better. "That break re-charged my batteries. When I got back to the course, I was really full of anticipation and drive. As a matter of fact, I couldn't wait to tackle my fall work. -POSITION OPENINGS- 18 Holes, Poquoy Brook G.C. Leonard Street, Lakeville, MA 02347 Contact: Ray Maroos 18 Holes, Tedesco C.C. Send resumes to: Green Chairman Mr. James Feran,154 Tedesco Street Marblehead, MA 01945 Ellinwood C.C. Send resumes to: Green Chairman Mr. Thomas L. Day, 251 Marshall Street Athol, MA 01331, (617) 249-8983 Assistant Supt., Foxboro C.C. Send resumes to: Bill Rolland-Supt. Roxboro C.C., Walnut Street Foxboro, MA 02035 EDUCATIONAL CHAIRMAN Edward L Br early 189 Matfield St. W. Bridgewater, MA 02379 Home Phone584-6563 Office Phone 588-6439 Club Affiliation Brockton C.C. PASTPRESIDENT Donald E. Hearn, CGCS 4Topeka Rd. Chelmsford, MA01824 Home Phone 256-8709 Office Phone 894-5906 Club Affiliation Weston G d f C l u b NEWSLETTER CHAIRMAN Ronald Kirkman 25 Green S t Needham, MA 02192 Home Phone 444-8412 Office Phone 444-5548 Club Affiliation Needham C.C. f Page 3 "I also can see where some superintendents might need a full week to get revived, so to speak. You know, this was a tough year for some of us—the early ice damage, then the dry spell. I know it made for a lot of mental fatigue in the profession. "Under that situation, I'd be all for a superintendent taking a week's vacation in the middle of the summer. It would be beneficial, freshen him up pretty good. "Regardless of the length of time, though, I think a break is a very good idea. Speaking for myself, I've always found my time-off to be rewarding—for me and the job." GERRY FINN GCSAA News Gene Sarazen to receive old Tom Morris Award Legendary golfer Gene Sarazen has been selected to receive the old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Sarazen is the sixth recipient of the award, one of golf's most prestigious. The award will be presented to Sarazen on February 8, 1988, at the banquet closing GCSAA's 59th International Golf Course Conference and Show, which begins February 1 in Houston. The announcement was made October 9 during the GCSAA Board of Directors fall meeting in Houston. Sarazen joins Arnold Palmer, Bob Hope, GeraldFord, Patty Berg andRobert Trent Jones, Sr. as recipients of the coveted honor. Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family of Albert Allen who passed away last month. Mr. Allen was president of our association in 1959-1960. He was superintendent of Kernwood C.C. until his retirement in 1977. 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. 25 Year Pin Award to be presented at annual meeting to Mauel Francis Jr. and Max Mierzwa THE SUPER continued "In the end, the condition of the course is the superintendent's responsibility. Therefore, if he has the manpower and expertise to assume that responsibility in his absence, there's no reason why he can't get away for a little while. "I think it's therapy to be able to take a break in the middle of the season. After all, this is a dawn-to-dusk, day-in and dayout job and a change in that program just may be what the superintendent needs to do the job to the best of his ability. Chip Brearley, Brockton Country Club: "Oh, boy. This is really one you can chew on and never really come up with the right answer. "Personally, I think that taking a full week's vacation in the middle of summer is stretching the limit. I know, a lot of guys may not agree with my thinking, but summer is the peak time of our business and that time of year when the course needs the superintendent's attention most. "Not that I'm against getting away from it all. "So, yes, I believe the superintendent needs a break when the season is in high gear. But I don' t think he should be able to push the break to a full week. "If you want to pin me down to specifics, I'd say three days at a time are enough. To tell the truth, I get bored when I'm away for more than that amount of time. "Naturally, all the discussion about summer vacations, how long they should be and what not has to depend on the individual situation, meaning that no one can leave the course for any extended time unless they can leave it in good hands. "Right now, with the labor shortage conditions, unless I have an excellent FINANCE CHAIRMAN Douglas W. Johnson CGCS 50 Newton S t Weston, MA 02193 Home Phone 894-7377 Office Phone 899-7913 Club Affiliation Pine Brook C.C. GOLF CHAIRMAN James O'Kelly 201 Indian RockRd. Merrimack. N.H. 03054 Home Phone 603-429-2453 Office Phone 244-0680 Club Affiliation Brae Burn C.C. crew and someone to direct them when I'm not here, I don't think I'm going anywhere. "I'm still stuck on that week business, too. I know I'd feel guilty asking for anything more than three days at the peak of the season. But this is just one man's opinion." Bob Heeley, Quaboag Country Club: "Situation. That's the key. "I think most green chairmen respect the needs of the superintendent and one of those needs is to get away from the course for a while. "Here at Quaboag, I deal with the owner, lit fact, just last August I went to him and told him I needed some time off. The reason was that I thought I was going stale. "He let me call the shots. So, I took three days off, went to the Cape with my wife and returned feeling a lot better. "That break re-charged my batteries. When I got back to the course, I was really full of anticipation and drive. As a matter of fact, I couldn't wait to tackle my fall work. -POSITION OPENINGS- 18 Holes, Poquoy Brook G.C. Leonard Street, Lakeville, MA 02347 Contact: Ray Maroos 18 Holes, Tedesco C.C. Send resumes to: Green Chairman Mr. James Feran,154 Tedesco Street Marblehead, MA 01945 Ellinwood C.C. Send resumes to: Green Chairman Mr. Thomas L. Day, 251 Marshall Street Athol, MA 01331, (617) 249-8983 Assistant Supt., Foxboro C.C. Send resumes to: Bill Rolland-Supt. Roxboro C.C., Walnut Street Foxboro, MA 02035 EDUCA TIONAL CHAIRMAN Edward L Brearly 189 Matfield St. W. Bridgewater, MA 02379 Home Phone584-6568 Office Phone 588-8439 Club Affiliation Brockton C.C. NEWSLETTER CHAIRMAN Ronald Kirkman 25 Green S t Needham, MA 02192 Home Phone 444-8412 Office Phone 444-5548 C4ub Affiliation Needham C.C. PASTPRESIDENT Donald E. Hearn, CGCS 4TopekaRd. Chelmsford, MA01824 Home Phone 256-8709 Office Phone 894-5906 Club Affiliation Weston Golf Club Page 3 "I also can see where some superintendents might need a full week to get revived, so to speak. You know, this was a tough year for some of us—the early ice damage, then the dry spell. I know it made for a lot of mental fatigue in the profession. "Under that situation, I'd be all for a superintendent taking a week's vacation in the middle of the summer. It would be beneficial, freshen him up pretty good. "Regardless of the length of time, though, I think a break is a very good idea. Speaking for myself, I've always found my time-off to be rewarding—for me and the job." GERRY FINN GCSAA News Gene Sarazen to receive old Tom Morris Award Legendary golfer Gene Sarazen has been selected to receive the old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Sarazen is the sixth recipient of the award, one of golf's most prestigious. The award will be presented to Sarazen on February 8, 1988, at the banquet closing GCSAA's 59th International Golf Course Conference and Show, which begins February 1 in Houston. The announcement was made October 9 during the GCSAA Board of Directors fall meeting in Houston. Sarazen joins Arnold Palmer, Bob Hope, Gerald Ford, Patty Berg andRobert Trent Jones, Sr. as recipients of the coveted honor. Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family of Albert Allen who passed away last month. Mr. Allen was president of our association in 1959-1960. He was superintendent of Kernwood C.C. until his retirement in 1977. Information contained in this publication may be used freely, in whole or in part, without special permission as long as the true context is maintained. We would appreciate a credit line. Please patronize FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION Agway Inc. Greg Moore Rep. Box 507 Sterling, MA Fertilizer, Seed, Chemicals 8QO-225-CROP (MA) 617-422-7614 Elanco Products Company Stephen C. Dolinak 31 Old Town Trail Narragansett, Rl 02882 401-789-9017 Baker Golf Cars 2283 Gar Highway Swansea, MA 02777 Yamaha Golf Cars 617-678-5693 Gold Star Sod Farms, Inc. Sod & Pine Bark Mulch Canterbury, N.H. 603-783-4717 Lexington, MA 617-861-1111 *The Bordon Company Maynard, MA Tel: 617-897-2571 Sales Rep. Jack Borden Bulk Limestone Dealer Boston Irrigation Company Dedham, MA John Ramey - Paul Kenyon 617-461-1560 Distributor of irrigation Supplies and Accessories C & J Lawnmower Serv. Inc. 188 Main Street Wilmington, MA 01887 Eric Oman - Sales Rep. 617-658-2022 The Clapper Company 1121 Washington Street Newton, MA 617-244-7900 Connecticut Silica Company Ledyard, Conn. Sand, White Silica for Traps Chemically Inert Topdressing Jim Sinlowski - 203-536-2618 'Geoffrey S. Cornish & Brian Silva Golf Course Architects Fiddlers Green, Amherst, MA 01002 Country Club Enterprises Club Car Golf Cars Tennis & Leisure Equip. P.O. Box 400 W. Falmouth, MA 02574 617-563-2284 C.S. Curran T.R.C. Products Oils & Greases 7 Linden Street Framingham, MA Chester Drake & Sons, Ins. 222 Walnut Street Framingham, MA 01701 Golf Course Construction 617-875-7929 Greenway Irrigation Company Irrigation, Drainage, Wire Laying P.O. Box 8157 East Lynn, MA 01904 John Murphy 595-3010 Steve Murphy 598-6917 Hammond & Tilton, Inc. P.O. Box 30 Exit 35 off I95 Tel: (207) 453-7131 Contact: Gary Hammond The Charles C. Hart Seed C o . - " Weathersfield. Conn. j; Bob Kennedy, Rep., Roy Sibley, Rep. Holliston Sand Co. inc. Lowland Street Holliston, MA 01746 Sand for Topdressing & Bunkers I & E Supply Inc. Cranberry Highway (Rte. 28) W. Wareham, MA 02576 617-295-2362 International Golf Const. Co. Antonios Paganis, Rep. 5 Purcell Rd., Arlington, MA 02174 Golf Course Construction 617-648-2351 or 428-3022 'Tom Irwin, Inc. I I B A St., Burlington, MA Jack Peterson Dennis Friel Phone: 617-938-1751 Wayne Ripiey Larchmont Eng. & Irrig. Co. Larch mont Lane Lexington, MA 02173 617-862-2550 'Lesco Inc. 20005 Lake Road Rocky River, OH 44116 Ron Tumiski, Rep., Mike Donahue, Rep. 800-321-5325 NEWSLETTER THE RONALD W. KIRKMAN Newsletter Editor DOUG JOHNSON CGCS Associate Editor THOMAS SCHOFIELD CGCS Business Manager GERRY FINN Contributing Editor •Loft's Seed 20 Beck Road Arlington, MA 02174 Victoria Wallace, Rep. The Magovern Co., Inc. 27 Lawnacre Road Windsor Locks, CT 06096 Tel.: 800-243-7718 or 203-623-2508 *D.L. Maher Box 127, Concord Street N. Reading, MA 01864 Mobay Chemical Co. Greg Ellis. 67 Primrose Drive Warwick, Rl 02818 ' • E.B. Rotondi & Sons, Inc. 224 Forest Street Winchester, MA 01890 617-729-3330 Tennis Courts, Cart paths, Parking lots. Sawtelle Bros. 65 Glenn Street Lawrence, MA 01843 617-682-9296 Schmidt Golf & Turf 2399 G.A.R. Highway (Rte. 6) N. Swansea, MA 02777 Tel.: (617) 379-0959 John Deere Tractors, Mowers, Aerifiers, Sprayers, etc. R.F. Morse & Sons Inc. W. Wareham, MA 02576 617-295-1553 Larry Anshewitz, Rep. Jack Cronin, Rep. George Wise, Rep. Scott Associates, Inc. 60 Water Street Clinton, MA 01510 617-365-6341 Pumps-Sales, Service installation, Vertical Turbine Pumps Specialists "Nardone Sand S Gravet Co. Inc. 37 Power Road We'stford, MA 01886 617-692-8221 Specializing in Topdressing Sand Scotts Pro-Turf DLvRep. Ed Wiacek 401-253-4284 Rep. Dave Schermerhorn 413-436-7889 Nor-Am Chemical Co. Wilmington, Delaware David Sylvester, Rep. 203-828-8905 Norfolk Power Equip., Inc. 194 Main Street Norfolk, MA 02056 617-528-3120 Don Reynolds, Rep. Old Fox Chemical Inc. Fertilizers-Seeds-Turf-Chemicals 66 Valley Street E. Providence, R.I. 02914 Old Fox Golf Course Div. Custom Applications, Spraying, Aeration, Top Dressing, Slice Seeding Full Line of Materials Weymouth, MA 02190 800-462-5990 Partac Golf Course Top—Dressing Kelsey Park Great Meadows, N.J. 07838 Jim Kelsey, 1-800-247-2326 Greg Moore, 401-683-9496 Return to: RONALD W. KIRKMAN 25 GREEN STREET NEEDHAM, MA 02192 FIRST CLASS TuckahoeTurf Farms Inc. Exeter, R.I. Litchfield, N.H. West Suffield, CT 800-556-6985 Largest Producer of Penncross in New England Alan Anderson "Turf Products Corp. 7 Coppage Drive Worcester, MA 01602 617-791-2091 'Turf Specialty Inc. 84 Merrimac Street Hooksett, N.H. 03106 Turf & Ornamental Supplies 603-485-7866 (collect) Ken Turner-Kevin Lyons-Bob Lake Philip Wogan Golf Course Architect 17 Walker Road Topsfield, MA 01983 ' C o n t r i b u t o r s to the Troll-Dickinson Scholarship Fund First Class Mail U.S. POSTAGE PAID Boston, MA Permit No. 52848