LETTER
Golf Course Superintendents

Association

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

O F NEW ENGLAND, INC.

March 1988

Heam Leaves GCSAA Ship In
Good Shape
T h e waters carrying our ship are
calm."
So did Don
**
Hearn characterize
!
jr • *
the stabilized condiv % ' \
tion of the Golf
^ ^ ^
Course Superinten. "" *•, I H B
dents Association of
America one day last
month in Houston as he moved to that
corner of the administrative table where
the group's immediate past-president
resides.
The administration of the Weston
Golf Club super, then, has come to an
end—kaput.
Eventful, ex-prez?
"I'd say it was arelatively quiet year,"
Hearn scratched his head trying to recall
some act, some move that might have
shapen his profession's world—even
caused it to tilt a little. "I'd take that to
mean most of our members are satisfied
with the way I ran the show."
This isn't to suggest that Hearn's was
a rocking-chair administration.
"On the contrary," Don respond. "If I
got paid for this job and sitting was part of
it, I'd have gone broke. No way was this
a passive experience. I went at it like I've
approached everything in my life. I was
on the go from the moment last year's
conference was winding down and I was
winding up to begin my term as president."
After all, leading an upbeat organization like the GCSAA lends itself to burning the midnight oil. It also marks the man

doing the leading as something special.
"Oh, yeah," Hearn laughed. "I was up
there in the clouds—for about 90 seconds.
I came down to earth in a hurry. Hey,
don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the exposure, the position. It always will be the
highlight of my career, one of a kind stuff.
But it didn't change me as a person. At
least I don't think I acted any differently."
The GCSAA waters were calm, too.
Probably Hearn's handling of the presidency had much to do with a no-rumble
year. However,it wasn'tas if the GCSAA
was anchored all year.
"Are you kidding?" Hearn remarked.
"Have you read some of those government regulations, environmental specs
and all the other restriction-laced directives and proposals the golf course super-

Don Hearn & Family (GCSAA Banquet)

intendent must deal with? Just a nodding
acquaintance with them points out how
important our educational programs are
to the future of golf and the present, plus
the future of the superintendent."
Of course, the on-going education of
the golf course superintendent has become a bolder and bolder underlining
theme of the profession.
"No doubt, the profession is moving
further and further away from a strict
'school of hard knocks' mentality,"
Hearn observed. "There's no getting
away from the fact that the superintendent
has to build on his experience with knowledge gleaned only from an educational
endeavor and an appreciation of what an
educational program can effect."
Continued on page 2

page 2

r

DON HEARN Com. from page 1

-COMMERCIAL

Which could be a lead-in to one of
Hearn's favorite topics—the GCSAA's
certification status.
"It's gaining in stature," Don told. "I
think the number of certified superintendents is approaching 900. Right. That's
not enough. However, little by little the
public is coming to know and recognize
our program.
"This is evident by the increased
number of referrals and requests for certified superintendents when there's a job to
be filled. Believe me, the certified super is
something special and the golf community is beginning to recognize the people
in our profession who take that extra step
to self-improvement."
Improvement of another kind has been
one of the true accomplishments of
Hearn's administration—improved association and personal relations with the
Professional Golf Association and its
members.
"Yes, I think you can say this is one
area where I made an efforttobring about
a more harmonious relationship," Don
disclosed. "I really can't explain why
there was a strain in the relationship. I
suspect it was a case of bruised egos.
However, the line of communication has
been opened and it's working."
Hearn says the two groups are working together in an attempt to downplay the
rivalry between factions at the country
club but he accepts the natural feeling that
superintendents want their members to
think they are THE person-position in the
club.
So, progress in all areas—both sensitive and insensitive—walked hand in
hand with Don Hearn for the past 12
months and that progress occurred without histrionics. Which is one way of describing the man's personality, character
and work ethics. In his own effective way,
Don Hearn got the job done without fanfare. Bravo!
GERRY FINN

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.
Marblehead, MA01945
H o m e P h o n e 631-7910
O f f i c e P h o n e 369-5704
Ciub Affiliation
Nashawtuc C.C.

CLIPPINGS-

Sawtelle Brothers, Inc. Wins TFC Financing Award
Racine, WI—Sawtelle Brothers, Inc., Lawrence, MA, was presented with an award for being
the Jacobsen Distributor with the highest volume of Textron Financial Corp. financing for 1987.
The award was presented February 6, 1988, at Jacobsen's Annual Distributor Awards Breakfast
held in conjunction with the GCSAA's 59th International Golf Course Conference and Show in
Houston, TX.

Pictured are (from left to right): Dan McCullough, Vice President of Field Marketing for TFC;
Robert Brown, Vice President of Sawtelle Brothers; M. Frank Higgins, President of Sawtelle
Brothers; and Russ Maloney, Assistant Vice President of Field Marketing for TFC.

GCSAA News
John A. Segui, CGCS, Berwyn, Pa.,
was elected president of the Golf Course
Superintendents Association of America
(GCSAA) during the association's 59th
International Golf Course Conference
and Show held in Houston, Texas, on Feb.
1-8. Segui succeeds Donald E. Hearn,
CGCS, Weston GC, Mass., who as immediate past president will continue to serve
for a year as a director. Dennis D. Lyon,
CGCS, City of Aurora Parks Department
in Colorado, was elected vice president.
Re-elected as a director and appointed
secretary/treasurer was Gerald L. Faubel,
CGCS, Saginaw CC in Michigan. Also
re-elected as a director was William R.
Roberts, CGCS, golf course/grounds

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
Tatnuck C.C.

TREASURER
Thomas Schofield, CGCS
290 N o r t h Rd.
S u d b u r y , M A 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
Wellesiey C . C .

manager for SentryWorld (Sentry Insurance), Stevens Point, Wis.
Elected as a director for the first time
was Joseph G. Baidy, CGCS Acacia CC
Lyndhurst, Ohio.
Kenneth A. Sakai, CGCS, Sunnyvale
GC in California, was appointed to serve
Lyon's one year unexpired term as a director. Stephen G. Cadenelli, CGCS,
Metedeconk GC, Manasquan, N.J., and
Randy Nichols, CGCS, Cherokee Town
& CC, Donwoody, Ga., continue serving
terms as directors.
Officers serve one-year terms, and
directors are elected to two-year terms.
The Golf Course Superintendents
Association of America is an international organization of more than 7,500
members. Its headquarters is in Lawrence, Kan.

TRUSTEE
Kip Tyier
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
Salem C.C.

TRUSTEE
C h a r l e s T. P a s s i o s 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 , MA 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
Ciub Affiliation
B r o c k t o n C.C.

Page 3

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: It's that antsy
time again for golfers, so as the day to
open your course approaches how do
you keep the eager beavers off regular
greens and other sensitive areas??
Tony DeBettencourt,Andover
Country Club: "I don't have to worry
about having to explain why members
can't play the regular greens here
because I have one steadfast rule. All
the frost has to be gone before any
golfer steps foot on the course—
anywhere.
"Which means, of course, that we
use regular greens or we don't use any
greens at all.
"There's a one-owner arrangement
at our club and that makes it easier for
me to cope with any pressures members
might put on me regarding when, how
or whatever about opening the course.
"Actually, I make the decision. But
our owner is in complete agreement
with that decision to open or close our
doors.
"We don't pinpoint any opening
date, either. It could be anywhere from
the first of April to the 15th. I'd say
we're about two weeks behind in
weather factors, compared to places on
the Cape (Cod).
"We've had plenty of snow cover
this winter and the frost should be
coming out of the ground as golfers
begin thinking about how nice it would
be to get playing again. Oh, I get a few
squawks here and there when the course
isn't ready according to my standards
but ready when members apply theirs.
But it's nothing serious,
"The bottom line is that as long as
we have frost no one gets to play. I
never compromise by using such things

as temporary greens. That's the way it
is here and it's working."
Dick Duggan, Concord Country
CM>: "Okay, first of all, let me say that
temporary greens seldom are used at
Concord. About the only time we use
them is when I aerate. At that, some of
the new equipment helps us get the job
done so quickly there may come a day
when we won't have any use for temps.
"Anyway, I have my own little rule
for determining when those feet are
allowed to go tramping on the regular
greens. If I see footprints, it's no go. It
means the greens aren't ready, also that
the course remains closed.
"Opening day follows the dictate of
the presence of frost but we usually like
to zero in around April 1. Therefore, it
varies. I have had years when we
opened in the middle of March. Come
to think of it there have been times in
March when we opened and closed.
"Remember, we got about 10 inches
of rain at one sitting last year and that
closed half of the course. It's pretty
much a weather situation. Hey, anything
can happen in spring.
"The opening process works out
nicely. The green chairman and I
inspect the course, then make a decision. Once in a while we'll open just
one side (inner nine). Regardless, when
it's spring, we wait till the regular
greens are ready. Only then do we start
the season."
Frank Murphy, Country Club of
Halifax: "Having just gone private
you'd think it would open things up to a

\

lot of flak from the members in terms of
starting dates, conditioning and the like.
But it's minimal, believe me.
"Although we have the full boat of
member input—green chairman,
committees and the rest of it—we're
still a one-owner course and that means
control stays out of the clubhouse and
19th hole.
"Sure, we have a frost problem here
but it's- more a matter of ice than
anything. The rule is if everything's
solid, golfers are allowed on the course.
But once the thaw comes, everybody off
until I'm sure no damage will be
done—even when a golfer breathes on
our greens.
"We've had bad experiences with
temporary greens, so we never use
them. When we did, the darn things
grew so much they weren't very good to
putt on. So, we decided no more of
those things.
"Consequently, when we do open in
the spring—and we're talking somewhere as early as March 15 and late as
April 15—it's with the regular greens in
play. However, we stress that those
greens must be frost-free before we ring
the bell.
"In the end I'd say we let the
condition of the course tell us when to
open, not the anxieties of the members."

> V
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ift;/^
9
r
j g - ;

|

-fc

(L to R) Mr. & Mrs. Mark Klimm, Tom Colombo, Kip Tyler

GERRY FINN

Page 4

President's
Message
^ T h i s is my first opportunity to address
the members of the GCSA of New England and would like to thank them for
electing me the 31st president of our association. I also would like to thank Dave
Barber for the fine job he did as president
of the association.
Sofarin 1988, we have had theopportunity to attend several excellent,educational conferences. Special thanks should
be given to the organizers and volunteers
who put on the New Hampshire Turf
Conference, the GCSAA Conference and
Show, the MGA Spring Conference and
the Massachusetts Turf Conference. I also
would like to congratulate Don Hearn for
the great job he did as president of the
GCSAA and thank him for his years of
service to the GCSA of NE and the
GCSAA.
At the February meeting, we met with
Kathy Pappalardo of the New England
Agricultural Chemical Association. She
briefed us on the upcoming pesticide bills
in the Mass. Legislature and one thing is

clear! We all must be willing to spend a
little time watching these bills and also
must be willing to take the time to contact
our Representatives and Senators to tell
them how we feel about certain bills. If we
don't, our ability to manage our golf
courses may be severely restricted.
Finally, as we look forward to our
summer meetings, the Board of Directors
has decided to do something about reservations for the meetings. For 1988, every
person who is going to attend a meeting
must call the host superintendent and
make a reservation. If you fail to show up
for the meeting, you will be billed for its
cost. If you ao not make a reservation and
show up at the meeting, you will not be
allowed to eat lunch until those people
who have made reservations are served. If
there is a shortage of food, people without
reservations may not get fed. Also, people
without reservations will be the last to
sign up for golf and may be excluded if the
host club has set a limit to the number of
players. So do us all a favor and make
reservations for all meetings. I would like
to wish everyone a successful 1988 golf
season.
DICK ZEPP

Divot Drift
congratulations to Arthur Silva who has
successfully completed the requirements
of the GCSAA Certification Program.
Attaining certified status is no minor
accomplishment. Successful completion
of the certification process indicates an
individual's willingness to be judged by
the. standards of fellow professionals and
assume a position of leadership in the
game of golf. Mr. Silva's attainment of
certified status demonstrates both desire
for personal advancement and also a
commitment to provide Belmont Country
Club with the highest level of golf course
management expertise available.
The superintendents that played in the
National golf tournament in Houston had
good weather, good scores and played
some great golf courses. Though no one
captured 1st. place, the golfers from our
association with a two month lay-off were
not at all rusty. In the Black Flight, Paul
Miller from Nashawtuc C.C. won 2nd
gross and Jim O'Kelly from Brae Burn
C.C. captured 4th gross. Paul Jamrog
from the Orchards C.C. won 2nd gross in
the Red Flight and Charlie Passios from
Hyannisport Club won 5th gross. Steve
Murphy from Larry Gannon G.C. won
3rd net in the Red Flight. In the Blue
Flight, Kip Tyler from Salem C.C. won
2nd net and Don Hearn from Weston G.C.
captured 3rd net. The chapter team of
O'Kelly, Jamrog, Murphy and Dave Barber won 3rd net. Other players were Steve
Chiavaroli, Tatnuck C.C. - Mike Legere,
Hoi den Hills C.C. - Tom Flaherty, Woods
hole G.C. Tom Schofield, Wellesley C.C.
- Dave Clement, Woodstock C.C. - Steve
Butler, Larchmont Eng. - Mark Taylor,
Haverhill C.C. - Bert Frederick, Vesper
C.C. - Barrie Robertson, Sky Meadow
C.C. - Tony DeBettencourt, Andover
C.C. - Tom Colombo and Mark Klimm,
New Seabury C.C. - Steve Carr, Pocasset
C.C.-DaveRobinson, The Captains G.C.
- Frank Higgins, Sawtelle Brothers - John
Pluta, C.C. of Pittsfield - Doug Stachura,
Springfield C.C. - Bob Ballard, Green
Chairman Weston C.C.- Bob Dirico,

Dick Zepp "typical president"

Continued on next page

Page 5
—

DIVOT DRIFT
Continued from page 4

-Proposed New Members-

Bellevue C.C. and R o n Milenski, International G.C. Dave Barber, Blue Hill C.C.
was captain of the winning chapter team.
On this last day of February, it appears
the golf courses in the Boston area have
survived the winter with little ice damage.
There is snow mold on fairways and tees
and some reports on greens but not as
severe as last year. M a n y courses are
reporting severe frost heaves. There could
be a lot of broken pipe. W e ' l l keep our
fingers crossed but right now everything
looks good.

.

. —

_ _ _ _ _ _

-BANQUET ALBUM-

Robert Mathews CGCS
Marshfield C.C.
John Kotoski
Berkshire Hills C.C.
Assistant Member
Eric Kleinsorge
Myopia Hunt Club

- N E W MEMBERSWelcome and congratulations to William C.
Rolland Foxboro C.C. and Arthur
Billingham, Pinecrest. C.C.
Tom Schofield

-POSITION

OPENINGS-

Assistant Superintendent
Charles River C.C. 18 hole
Newton, MA
Contact:

Scott Reynolds
(617)332-6899

Assistant Superintendent
Milford C.C. 9 hole
3 Country Club Lane
Milford, MA 01757
Contact:

Lianne Larson
(617)478-1250

Assistant Superintendent
Needham Golf Club 9 hole
Needham, MA 02192
Contact:

(L to R) Dave Barber, Ron Kirkman, Art Silva

Ron Kirkman
(617) 444-5548 days
(617) 444-8412 evenings

Assistant Superintendent
Holden Hills Country Club
1800 Main Street
Holden, MA 01522
Contact:

Michael R. Legere CGCS
(617) 829-2131 office
(617) 829-5800 home
Joe Rybka

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.
W e s t o n , M A 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 , M A 01541
H o m e P h o n e 464-5312
Office Phone 779-6911
Club Affiliation
International G.C.

Mr. & Mrs. Steve Chiavaroli

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 Phone 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 , M A 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.

I n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a i n e d in this p u b l i c a t i o n m a y
u s e d freely, in w h o l e or in part, w i t h o u t s p e c i a l
m i s s i o n a s l o n g a s t h e t r u e c o n t e x t is m a i n t a i n e d .
would appreciate a credit

line.

be

perWe

Please patronize FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Agway Inc.
Greg Moore Rep.
Box 507 Sterling, MA
Fertilizer, Seed, Chemicals
80Q-225-CROP (MA) 617-422-7614
Baker Golf Cars
2283 Gar Highway
Swansea, MA 02777
Yamaha Golf Cars
617-678-5693
"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 Lawnmowar 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
•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
Elanco Products Company
Stephen C. Dolinak
31 Old Town Trail
Narragansett, Rl 02882
401-789-9017

Gold Star Sod Farms, Inc.
Sod & Pine Bark Mulch
Canterbury, N.H.
603-783-4717
Lexington, MA
617-861-1111
Gresnway Irrigation Company
Irrigation, Drainage, Wire Laying
P.O. Box 8157
East Lynn, MA 01904
John Murphy 595-3010
Steve Murphy 598-6917

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

international Golf Const. Co.
Antonios Paganis, Rep.
5 Purceii 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 Ripley
Larchmont Eng. & Irrig. Co.
Larchmont Lane
Lexington, MA 02173
617-862-2550
' L s s c o Inc.
20005 Lake Road
Rocky River, OH 44116
Ron Tumiski, Rep., Mike Donahue, Rf
800-321-5325

THE

Newcjletter
R O N A L D W. K I R K M A N
Newsletter Editor
DOUG JOHNSON CGCS
Associate Editor
THOMAS SCHOFIELD CGCS
Business M a n a g e r
GERRY FINN
Contributing Editor

r-

I & E Supply Inc.
Cranberry Highway (Rte. 28)
Irrigation & Pump Supplies
W. Wareham, MA 02576
Rep. Robin Hayes 617-295-2362

•Loft's Seed
20 Beck Road
Arlington, MA 02174
Victoria Wallace, Rep.

Sawtelle Bros.
65 Glenn Street
Lawrence, MA 01843
617-682-9296

*D.L. Maher
Box 127, Concord Street
N. Reading, MA 01864

Scott Associates, Inc.
60 Water Street
Clinton, MA 01510
617-365-6341
Pumps-Sales, Service installation,
Vertical Turbine Pumps Specialists

Mobay Chemical Co.
Greg Ellis
67 Primrose Drive
Warwick, Rl 02818

Hammond & Tilton, Inc.
P.O. Box 30, Exit 35 off I95
Tel: (207) 453-7131
Contact: Gary Hammond

Holliston Sand Co. Inc.
Lowland Street
Holliston, MA 01746
Sand for Topdressing & Bankers

The Magovern Co., Inc.
27 Lawnacre Road
Windsor Locks, CT 06096
Tel.: 800-243-7718 or 203-623-2508

R.F. Morse & Sons Inc.
W. Wareham, MA 02576
617-295-1553
Larry Anshewitz, Rep.
Jack Cronin, Rep.
George Wise, Rep.
•Nardone Sand & Gravel Co. Inc.
37 Power Road
Westford, MA 01886
617-692-8221
Specializing in Topdressing Sand
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

Scotts Pro-Turf Div.
Rep. Ed Wiacek 401-253-4284
Rep. Scott Brown 617-853-6654
Tuckahoe Turf 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

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
E.B. Rotondi & Sons, Inc.
224 Forest Street
Winchester, MA 01890
617-729-3330
Tennis Courts, Cart paths, Parking lots

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25 G R E E N STREET
N E E D H A M , MA 02192

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