Golf Course Superintendents LETTER Association OF NEW ENGLAND, INC. Sponsors and administrators of the Troll-Dickinson Scholarship Fund — Awarded yearly to deserving Turf Management Students. DATES TO REMEMBER AUG. 24 Univ. of R.I. Turfgrass Field Day, Turfgrass Research Farm, Kingston, R.I. SEPT. 19 Superintendents & Club Managers Annual Meeting Blue Hill Country Club Divot Drift Special thanks to Steve Carr, superintcndentPocassetG.C. for hosting theclub official tournament in June. On very short notice we were able to have 75% of the available positions filled. The team from Woodland G.C. won low gross. First net was won by the team from Woods Hole G.C. Second net was the team from Franklin G.C. and third net was captured by the team from Needham Golf Club. Onward to Gardner Muni G.C. for the first round of the associations championship. Another hot, humid day. The championship flight has Bob Garrity leading in the gross division and Mike Hermanson placing first in the net division followed by Paul Jamrog. In the first flight, Mike Nagle is at the top and Don Levangie is leading in the net division with Ron Milenski a close second. The seniors division has Max Mierzwa on top in the gross division and Jim Beane running away in the net division. In the sales division the leader is Steve Butler from Larchmont Eng. and Lesco's Ron Tumiski is leading in the net tournament. Doug Johnson had the skins game going and the winners were Mike Hermanson, Steve Murphy, Bob Garrity, Ron Tumiski, Ron Kirkman and Len Blodget. Robin Hayes, formerly from I & E Supply is now with Boston Irrigation. August 1988 Good Relationship Grows in Weston Bob Bullard didn't hesitate. "What's the function of the green chairman?" he repeated the question. "That's easy. It's to act as cheerleader for the golf course superintendent." It follows, then, that a lot of "sisboom-bahs" are heard around the Weston Golf Club these days. Which has to mean that Bob Bullard's right on top of his job. B ullard is, by the way, Weston' s green chairman and one of the refreshing results of his two-term tenure is the ideal relationship he's nurtured between him and golf course superintendent Don Hearn. Each claims the other is the catalyst for an association where everyone and everything at Weston, especially the golf course, benefits. "I've tried to create an atmosphere where our members realize golf course maintenance comes first at Weston," Bullard explained his approach to heading the green committee. "I try to tell members, 'if the pro shop closed its doors tomorrow, we'd still play golf. But if the maintenance isn't there, we're not going to play golf, guys.' That's a fact of country club life." The green chairman and the superintendent at Weston are friends, all right, but not to the extent that their friendship gets in the way of their common denominator—the best interests of the club. "Communication", Bullard emphasized. "That's the key. That's where it all begins between Donny and me. That's where it should start in every green chairman-superintendent situation. After all, if you can't talk with each other, there's little hope a joint-effort in the direction of improving and maintaining playing conditions will work." Therefore, Bullard and Hearn talk it up. "I don't think there's a morning that my green chairman doesn't stop by my office," Hearn told. "And a lot of the time the visit has nothing to do with golf. We just like to keep in touch." Bullard embellishes that explanation with another fact of life at Weston. "Donny Hearn brews a good cup of coffee," he flapped. On a more topical note, Bullard suggests that the first line of communication should come from the superintendent. "The superintendent must be a communicator," he continued. "Donny has made me take an interest in maintenance by encouraging my participation. Of course, it helps that I'm a golf nut and see things beyond the numbers on a scorecard when I look at the course. Maybe I'm just a frustrated golf course architect and superintendent." Obviously, Hearn has sold himself to Bullard because the green chairman does everything within reason to provide the support the superintendent needs to give Weston members the best possible playing conditions. "Another of my functions is to get every penny Donny needs to condition the course," Bullard said. "When it's time, he and I sit down and work up a budget. So far, a lot of good things have come to Weston because we were successful at it." Weston has a maintenance complex Continued on page 2 page 2 GOOD RELATIONS Cont.from p. 1 that's the talk of the superintendent's profession. It's the result of Bullard's influence on the rest of the board of directors. Another Bullard touch surfaces in an equipment replacement program that's added to the overall effectiveness of Hearn's maintenance effort. Speaking of budgets, there is built into Weston's funds for the green chairman to attend the annual national turf conference of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. "I've gone four or five times," Bullard disclosed. "What an education that is. I've met a lot of people and through those meetings a worthwhile exchange of ideas has taken place. Well, where do you think I learned that a mower costs more than a Mercedes?" Bullard points to Hearn as an exemplary figure in his profession, perhaps one some superintendents would do well to emulate. "Aside from all the artistic gains Donny generates on the golf course, there is another important side of the man," Bullard noted. "Wherever you see him, -NEW APPLICANTLeo P. Waters Milton-Hoosic Club Canton, Mass. -NEW MEMBERSWelcome and congratulations to Patrick Lewis Portland C.C. Falmouth, Maine James Conant Kings Way G.C. Yarmouthport, Mass. -REINSTATEDJames Diorio CGCS Purpoodock Club Cape Elizabeth, Maine PRESIDENT Richard Zepp, CGCS 27 F o w l e r Rd. N o r t h b r i d g e , MA 01534 H o m e P h o n e 234-8490 O f f i c e P h o n e 234-2533 Club Affiliation W h i t i n s v i l l e G.C. VICE PRESIDENT Paul M i l l e r , C G C S 1 L e i c e s t e r Rd. M a r b l e h e a d , MA 01945 H o m e P h o n e 631-7910 O f f i c e P h o n e 369-5704 Club Affiliation N a s h a w t u c C.C. Donny always looks and plays the part of aprofessional. He's always presentable in dress and appearance. That's the image most green chairmen would prefer to see in their superintendent." Relationships at Weston abound with "the right stuff'. Hearn is one of four department heads to have a three-year contract and there is a pension plan for every employee on the grounds. Incidentally, Weston even provides course workers with club T-shirts. So, that's no odd couple out there when Bob Bullard and Don' Hearn get together at Weston. It's a relationship born out of mutual respect and a common goal to raise the golf course to its highest possible maintenance level. As Bullard tells, "we operate out of co-action, not reaction". Nothing could improve on that description. GERRY FINN The Super Speaks Out Welcome to The Super Speaks Out —- a monthly feature which offers the golf course superintendent a forum to express his or her views on topics and issues relating to their profession. This month's question: In light of the labor crunch, how have you handled the golf course labor problem this year and is there any connection between the quality of a part-timer's work and his knowledge of golf? Doug Stachura, Springfield Country Club: "Frankly, this is one of my worst years in the matter of having enough help, especially at the more critical times of the golf season. "Right now, I'm running one to two people short and not having much luck advertising to fill those holes. "My club realizes that a shortage exists and it has cooperated in spending SECRETARY S t e p h e n A. C h i a v a r o l i , CGCS 100 A i r p o r t Dr. W o r c e s t e r , MA 01602 H o m e P h o n e 752-0031 O f f i c e P h o n e 791-5373 Club Affiliation T a t n u c k C.C. TREASURER Thomas Schofiold, CGCS 290 N o r t h Rd. S u d b u r y , MA 01776 H o m e P h o n e 443-3712 O f f i c e P h o n e 235-2487 Club Affiliation Wellesley C.C. TRUSTEE Kip T y l e r P.O. Box 671 P e a b o d y , MA 01960 H o m e P h o n e 745-8089 Office Phone 532-2236 Club Affiliation S a l e m C.C. more money to relieve trying labor times. However, nothing seems to get applicants flocking to our door. "My part-time workers are a combination of old and young. My retirees seem to be more interested in incentives other than money—like being able to play the golf course and arrange flexible working hours. "Those playing privileges, which are another effort of the club to ease the situation, have been a big boost in landing people who take pride in their work. "That's tied in with a knowledge of the golf course and the game. Certainly, people familiar with golf, have a better idea of how a green should look after it's mowed or how a collar should be groomed. As far as I'm concerned, I'll take all the golfers I can get to work on the course just as long as they're responsible during working hours." . Bob Matthews, Marshfield Country Club. "What labor shortage are you talking about? Is there one here? "But let me explain. This is my first year at Marshfield after working on the (New) Jersey shore. Now, that's an area where help comes up short. I had that problem all the time I was there. "So, I was surprised when I turned up with more applicants than positions available this summer. I actually had a choice of part-time workers, which is a wonder in itself because the competition is stiff. "Perhaps one of the reasons I've had no problem is our club which meets those summer help wages. We pay an average of between 6 and 7 dollars an hour. We also encourage members' children to apply for work because it's worked out so well here in the past. "I definitely prefer golf-oriented people to do the part-time work. You know that if a worker's been around golf, Continued on page 3 TRUSTEE C h a r l e s T. Passios C G C S 218 C a m e l b a c k Rd. M a r s t o n M i l l s , MA 02648 H o m e P h o n e 420-3210 O f f i c e P h o n e 775-5116 Club Affiliation Hyannisport Club TRUSTEE E d w a r d L. B r e a r l y 189 M a t f i e l d St. W. B r i d g e w a t e r , M A 02379 H o m e P h o n e 584-6568 O f f i c e P h o n e 588-8439 Club Affiliation B r o c k t o n C.C. — - — THE SUPER Continued from page 2 things like being able to play on Mondays you're not going to wind up seeing a pin are that much of an incentive. All in all, placed in the middle of a mountain or a I've just lucked out with the present bunch I have. Maybe we've met the problem bunker. "Presently, we're running seven or head-on and licked it. I hope so." eight part-time workers in addition to GERRY FINN three retirees who stretch their work time over the whole year and average around 25 hours a week. "Therefore, I guess I'm lucky compared to some of the other superintendents I hear about. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, too, because I know how critical Score one for the good guys!! As you all it is to have enough help." may know, on July 13, 1988 the House Jack Pluta, Coun- Ways and Means Committee went into try Club of Pittsfield: executive session with many matters at "There's been some hand, one being the infamous Hodgkins talk about plenty of Bill. When the meeting the comhelp being available in mittee voted not to reportended out Hodgkin's the Berkshires but version of pesticide reform at this time don't you believe it. It's still tough to get due to the great controversies embracing part-timers up here. the legislation. This t>ccurrence is very "However, I'm very fortunate be- significant in that despite the continued cause of a work-scholarship arrangement pressure by Rep. Hodgkin and fellow the club has instituted to help me cope committee member Rep. Decasforimmewith the shortage. diate action of this matter, the other mem"I have seven or eight college kids and bers of the House Ways and Means because of the possibility of getting schol- Committee had the presences of mind to arship funds, I get a lot of the same ones recognize the problems surrounding this back summer after summer. Well, three of legislation. our guys qualified for scholarships this Congratulations to all of our memyear, so we have plenty of incentive for bers!!! Your efforts along with those of them to return. the coalition groups, we again have been "In fact, we even go beyond summer- temporarily successful. have a help boundaries. I've set up a plan where prime opportunity to setWethenow wheels in some of the same college students are able motion by communicating with the Joint to make a few dollars during vacations on Natural Resources that and school breaks. We have paddle tennis Committee House Ways Means have substantial courts here, there's always plowing and problems withand the Hodgkin's Bill and that painting to do in the winter and we also isn't it time that they released the more have a squash court. accepted realistic Pesticide Reform Bill, "Another plus for me is the quality of Senate Bill 1444. Also we should let the help I've managed to keep. I used to be members of the House Ways and Means against hiring member's children. But, Committee know that S.B.1444 is still hey, I was wrong. They've worked out being held by the Joint Committee on real well for me. Natural Resources and that if they want to "I guess you'd have to say those work- see a more realistic, problem solving, less ers are golf-oriented but I don't think controversial, more efficient, cost effec- Government Relation News FINANCE CHAIRMAN D o u g l a s W. J o h n s o n C G C S 50 N e w t o n St Weston, MA 02193 H o m e P h o n e 894-7377 O f f i c e P h o n e 899-7913 Club Affiliation Pine B r o o k C . C . GOLF CHAIRMAN James O'Kelly 201 I n d i a n R o c k Rd. M e r r i m a c k , N.H. 03054 Home Phone 603-429-2453 O f f i c e P h o n e 244-0680 Club Affiliation Brae B u r n C.C. EDUCATIONAL CHAIRMAN R o n a l d E. M i l e n s k i C G C S 65 R o c k y P o n d Rd. P r i n c e t o n , MA 01541 H o m e P h o n e 464-5312 O f f i c e P h o n e 779-6911 Club Affiliation I n t e r n a t i o n a l G.C. NEWSLETTER CHAIRMAN Ronald Kirkman 25 G r e e n St. N e e d h a m , MA 02192 H o m e P h o n e 444-8412 O f f i c e P h o n e 444-5548 Club Affiliation Needham C.C. PAST PRESIDENT David Barber, CGCS 145 D e d h a m St. C a n t o n , MA 02021 H o m e P h o n e 828-7266 O f f i c e P h o n e 828-6540 Club Affiliation B l u e H i l l s C.C. Page x3 ——— live, alternative to pesticide reform then they should demand to receive Senate Bill 1444. Also remind them that the reasons they didn't report H.B.4872 are not going to vanish unless the bill is amended to the point it will be rendered ineffective. Thank you for your support and efforts. Below are the members of the various committees mentioned in this message. NOTE!! The Hodgkin's Bill is no longer referred to as H.B.4872, it's new code is House Bill 6048. WE STILL DO SUPPORT SENATE BILL 1444 AND ENCOURAGE SWIFT ACTION NOW! CHARLES PASSIOS, C.G.C.S. House Ways and Means Committee REPRESENTATIVES Angelo M. Scaccia (Boston) Kenneth M. Lemanski (Chicopee) Anthony M. Scibelli (Springfield) Robert J. Bohigian (Worcester) Michael C. Creedon (Brockton) M. Joseph Manning (Milton) J. Michael Ruane (Salem) Barbara Gray (Framingham) Edward A. LeLacheur (Lowell) Marie E. Howe (Soroerville) W. Paul White (Boston) James R. Miceli (Wilmington) Joan M. Menard (Somerset) Charles N. Decas (Wareham) Iris K. Holland (Longmcadow) Paul E. Caron (Springfield) Byron Rushing (Boston) Chester A. Suhoski (Gardner) Thomas P. Kennedy (Brockton) Patricia G. Fiero (Gloucester) Richard T. Moore (Uxbridge) Christopher J. Hodgkins (Lee) Susan Rourke (Lowell) Joseph K. Mackey (Somerville) Patricia A. Walwrath (Stowe) Walter A. DeFilippi (West Springfield) Forrester H. d a r k (Hamilton) William Constantino, Jr. (Clinton) Joint Committee