THE

NEWSLETTER

Golf Course Superintendents

Association OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.

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

NEXT MEETING

Thursday, January 18,1990
Nashawtuc C.C., Concord, MA
9:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 noon
1:00 pm

Director's meeting
Regular meeting
Lunch
Annual meeting

Host SuperintendentPaul Miller
Reservations Required—
Call by Friday, January 12,1990
508-369-6420

Paul has been
superintendent at
Nashawtuc C.C. for 2
years. Prior to
Nashawtuc Paul was
superintendent at
Tedesco C.C. for 11
years. Paul received his Associate Degree
in Agronomy from the Univ. of Mass and
L> currently Vice President of GCSANE .
Paul resides in Marblehead, MA with his
wife Sally, and children Jonathan, age 17
and Jennifer, age 13. In his spare time
Paul enjoys golf, tennis and skiing.
Directions: From Rte. 128 to Rte. 2 west,
follow 2 west to Rte. 117 exit, cross Rte.
117, club is on your left.

Those who are playing
in the GCSAA
Tournament in Orlando,
please contact
Bob DiRico for Chapter
team status.
r

December 1989

Word's Out—Charlie Likes it at Top
Charlie Passios likes
what he sees—in his
*
future.
:
He wants to expand
his turf.
"Right, I'm running
for national director,"
the shoot-from-the-hip Hyannisport Club
superintendent confirmed his entrance
into higher political fields. "Why? I like
being involved. I think I have some ideas
that will strengthen the golf course
superintendent's place on the professional ladder, as well as helping our national association keep climbing in the
right direction."
Passios has no platform as such.
"I suppose my calling card when they
get ready to elect a new board of directors
at the convention (February in Orlando)
will be my burning interest in the profession," Charlie explained. "Right now I'm
just trying to set up a plan to get the word
out that I'm a candidate."
Passios, of course, has been a dynamo
in bringing the golf course
superintendent's story to the Massachusetts state house, introducing the position
and its far-reaching effects on the environment to the state legislature and educate lawmakers on how the super works
with Mother Nature rather than against
her.
"The last few years have been an
education for me, too," Charlie referred to
his major role of letting state legislators
know where the superintendent stands on
issues affecting his conditioning procedures. "It's been a case of bringing people
up to date on what we do and what effect

it has on the environment. Before we got
on the ball and presented our ideas, many
of those legislators were misinformed."
One of Charlie's goals, if elected or
not, is to influence better cooperation
between the national association and local chapters on endeavors like better
understanding of environmental regulatory measures. His thought centers on the
necessity of cross-involvement by the
two parties.
"This is more of a communication
factor," he told. Sometimes a local chapter is up to its neck in a local issue that
could eventually have national repercussions. Take our (Cape Cod) long fight
over the ground water controversy. We
could have gotten help from the national,
some direction when we were setting up a
defense of our profession. I don't mean
this as criticism. It's simply citing my
feeling that the national should be aware
of regional problems or whatever."
The national did enter the Cape Cod
ground water situation, along with the
Cape Cod group and the Golf Course
Superintendents Association of New
England (that's us) when it reached a
make or break level.
"Actually, it was the golf course
superintendent profession that stepped in
and saved a study that will benefit the
interests of Barnstable County and the
EPA (Environmental Protection
Agency)," Charlie informed. "Funds
from the three superintendents' groups
saved it when it was about to be abandoned. We finished it and the results will
be released in January."
Continued on page 2

r

Golf Course Superintendents
of New England INC.

Association

page 2
CHARLIE LIKES IT AT TOP
Cont. from pg 1

Passios didn't go into detail but implied that the superintendent—all parties
for that matter—will be impressed with
the study. Its findings are positive, the
question of materials used by the golf
course superintendent resurfacing in
ground water is resolved and, in a nutshell, the superintendent is "cleared".
All of this was accomplished with
Passios at the helm. In fact, the Cape Cod
ground water situation developed so
much national interest it was considered
"the hottest question" on the University of
Michigan turf problem hotline.
Passios can relate to that hot issue in
addition to other subject matter covered
and illuminated by his input at all levels of
local and state government.
"That's the message I have to get
across when I get to Orlando," Charlie
touched on his political strategy. "Most of
the campaigning will be by word of
mouth and most of that will come from
my mouth. This isn't like a town, state or
national public election. There's no
funds, no announcements, no television
appearances. I have to go out and buttonhole people and that's what I intend to
do."
Naturally, Charlie has much support
from his Cape Cod colleagues and
NF.GCSA friends who'll be walking the
aisies and spreading the Passios gospel in
Orlando. Then, there's a "meet the candidate" session where Charlie hopes he can
attract votes.
"I've been practicing that speech all
fall and I' 11 be working on it right up to the
point when it's my turn to talk." Charlie
quipped. "I really want to win, I want to
serve my fellow superintendents and I
want to make a positive contribution to
my profession. That's it."
Hopefully, that's what makes for a
winning campaign.
GERRY FINN
PRESIDENT

Richard Zepp, CGCS
27 Fowler Rd.
Northb ridge, MA 01534
Home Phone 508-234-8490
Office Phone 508-234-2533
Club Affiliation
Whitinsville G.C.

VICE

PRESIDENT

Paul Miller, CGCS
1 Leicester Rd.
Marblehead, MA 01945
Home Phone 617-631-7910
Office Phone 508-369-5704
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Nashawtuc C.C.

SECRETARY

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: With the coming
of winter the golf season seems to
disappear in many parts of-New England
but how ts the golf course_ conditioning
climate on Cape Cod and how do you deal
with it?
Tom Flaherty, Woods Hole Golf
Club: "If you mean, do we still keep the
conditioning light on later than courses
north of Boston and beyond, the answer
is, 'yes'.
"Well, you're calling me now and just
the other day (Nov. 1) we had a Cape ProAm League tournament here. This meant
that on the first day of November we were
still cutting greens and fairways. But
that's no big deal. We're still cutting into
November every year.
"I don't get too many complaints
around here because we don't have as
many diehards as some of the other
courses.
"The hottest issue with some of my
members at this time of year is when we
decide to close the regular greens and set
up temps. I have the backing of my board
on this and when I decide when ihe
temporary greens will be used, that's it.
Last year the date was Dec. 15 and the 20
or 25 players who make it to the course in
the snowless winter months stayed on
them until March.
"Of course, there's a difference in
approach to late-season grooming that's
dictated by the type of club involved.
Most of the private courses aren't geared
to accommodate large numbers of golfers

Stephen A. Chiavaroli, CGCS
100 A i r p o r t Dr.
Worcester, MA 01602
Home Phone 508-752-0031
Office Phone 508-791-5373
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Tatnuck C.C.

TREASURER

Thomas Schofield, CGCS
290 North Rd.
Sudbury, MA 01776
Home Phone 508-443-3712
Office Phone 617-235-2487
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Wellesley C.C.

TRUSTEE

in the winter. The public courses are, so
they put more man hours into winter
conditioning.
"It just so happens I used to be in
charge of the two (public) courses in
Dennis (Pines, Highlands). Play
continued on the regular greens there and
well into the winter. It showed (damage)
in the spring but I was stuck with it."
Charlie Gardner,
Oyster Harbor Golf
»
Club: "We really don't
pay too much attention
to the time of year here
other than to keep
cutting greens until
they stop growing.
"We have a membership that doesn't
hang around these parts in the winter, so
the season usually ends in October. When
you get to November, there's a fierce
drop-off in play. However, I can
remember cutting three times a week that
month.
"One thing, though. We never close
the course unless the frost comes out of
the ground and there's a danger of turf
damage because of it. If you want to know
about numbers, I'd say there are about 15
members who stick around and keep
golfing for as long as the weather
conditions allow.
"Otherwise, play fades when the
weather starts to turn in October. We get
a few guests, a few no-quit members. But
that's all. Winter's just not that busy."
Continued on page 3

-POSITION WANTEDAssistant Superintendent
Contact: Michael Gormley
200 Argilla Road
Ipswich, MA 01938
508-356-0579
B.S. Degree in Agronomy

Kip Tyler, CGCS
P.O. Box 671
Peabody, MA 01960
Home Phone 508-745-8089
Office Phone 508-532-2236
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Salem C.C.

TRUSTEE

Charles T. Passios, CGCS
218 Camelback Rd.
Marston Mills, MA 02648
Home Phone 508-420-3210
Office Phone 508-775-5116
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Hyannisport Club

TRUSTEE

Edward L. Brearly
189 Matfield St.
W. Bridgewater, MA 02379
Home Phone 508-584-6568
Office Phone 508-295-7010
Club Affiliation
Bay Pointe C.C.

Golf Course Superintendents
of New England INC.
THE SUPER, Cont.from pg 2
Steve Carr, Pocas| set Golf Club: "All I
mm
can say as a reaction to
the question is, 'what a
difference a year
makes'.
"Last year we were
still a public course and we were seeking
business. That meant we tried to keep the
course in the best condition possible. We
were in competition with other clubs and
winning that competition turned over
revenue. Therefore, our winters were
quite different than those for the supers
'up-state'.
"This year we turned private, so now
my winters are reserved for other things,
although we still plan to cut the greens
whenever we feel there's a need for it. In
the past, we've cut every month except
for February. This year? Who knows?
'We have no real problems of winter
gol'" and the only question at this time of
year is how many temporary greens we'll
set up for the few members who think of
golf as an endless season. Regardless,
we're focusing on preserving what we
have. Therefore, we won't expose the
course to damage for the sake of golfers
being able to play in the dead of winter.
'Going private is a relief, too. We
shouldn't have to worry too much about
snow removal. Note, I said 'shouldn't'.
The open time gives me a chance to brush
up rn pesticide regulations and other
pertinent items that go with regular
season grooming. So, naturally, I won't
miss priming the course for winter play. I
like it this way."
GERRY FINN

ggfP :

-Newly CertifiedBob DiRico
BraeBurn C.C.
FINANCE

CHAIRMAN

Paul Jamrog
Box 642, Siiverwood Terrace
S. Hadley, MA 01075
Home Phone 413-538-7567
Office Phone 413-536-4195
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
The Orchards G.C.

GOLF
CHAIRMAN
Robert DiRico
185 Hemenway St.
Marlboro, MA 01752
Home Phone 508-485-2605
Office Phone 617-244-0680
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
Brae Burn C.C.

J
EDUCATIONAL

Proposed slate of candidates
for the 1990 election:

President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Trustee (1 yr)
Trustee (2 yrs)
Trustee (3 yrs)
Finance Chairman
Golf Chairman
Education Chairman
Newsletter Chairman

-PbsiTION

Paul Miller \
/
Charles Passios \ /
Stephen ChiavarolK/
Ronald Milenski
Edward Brearley
Eric Newell v
Robert Ruszala
Paul Jamrog
f
Robert DiRico V
Kevin Osgood
Kip Tyler \ ]

OPENING-

Superintendent
Oxford C.C. 18 Holes
Salary Neg.-Housing Available.
Contact: R.H. Lowe Ent..
18 Webster Circle, Sudbury, MA 01776
508^43-7391
Superintendent
Sterling C.C.
New 18 Hole Championship Course,
Oversee Construction, Experience &
Managerial Skills Nec., Starting March 1.
Contact: Sterling C.C.
P.O. Box 905, Sterling, MA 01564
508-443-7391
Superintendent
Winchester C.C.
Contact: Mr. Peter A. McEachern
468 Mystic St., Winchester, MA 01890
617-729-1181, Resumes Required
Superintendent
Cedar HillG.C. 9 Holes
Minimum starting salary $30,000,
plus benefits
Contact: Cedar Hill Golf Course
Committee—Town of Stoughton
10 Pearl Street, Stoughton, MA 02072
CHAIRMAN

Ronald E. Milenski, CGCS
65 Rocky Pond Rd.
Princeton, MA 01541
Home Phone 508-464-5312
Office Phone 508-779-6911
Club A f f i l i a t i o n
The International

NEWSLETTER

CHAIRMAN

Ronald Kirkman
25 Green St.
Needham, MA 02192
Home .Phone 617-444-8412
Office Phone 617-444-5548
Club Affiliation
Needham C.C.

PAST

PRESIDENT

David Barber, CGCS
145 Dedham St.
Canton, MA 02021
Home Phone 617-828-7266
Office Phone 617-828-6540
Club Affiliation
Blue Hill C.C.

Association
Page 3

Mass. Hort. Congress,
Royal Plaza Trade
Center, Marlboro, MA
January 23-25,1990

Sponsored by the University of Massachusetts
Cooperative Extension, the Massachusetts
Nurserymen's Association anu the
Massachusetts Arborists' Association.
The 16th Annual Mass. Hort. Congress
will feature outstanding educational seminars
by nationally known consultants and industry
members. Another integral part of the
Congress is the largest trade show in New
England displaying products and services for
all commercial horticulturists.
"The Challenge of Change" is this year's
theme with emphasis on business
management, employee compensation, sales
trends for the '90s, IPM, low maintenance
landscapes and water conservation, all priority
issues in the future. A new feature is an all day
educational seminar for nursery production
employees. Topics will include pruning shade
trees, nursery weed control, insects and
diseases, and handling micropropagated
plants.
The Hort. Congress is the most
comprehensive educational conference and
trade exposition available to all horticulturists
in New England. Nurserymen, arborists,
landscape contractors, turf managers, grounds
superintendents and government employees
can all benefit from their attendance.
The conference site is conveniently
located near the intersection of several major
highways: Mass. Turnpike, Interstate 495 and
290, for easy accessibility and daily
commuting.
Complete program details and preregistration forms are available upon request
to Mass. Hort. Congress, 715 Boylston Street,
Boston, MA 02116. CONTACT PERSONS:
Robert D. Fitzgerald, U/Mass Cooperative
Extension, 562 Maple Street, Hathome, MA
01937, Tel. (508) 777-8720 or Deborah M.
Fanning, Mass. Hort. Congress, 715 Boylston
St., Boston, MA 02116, Tel. (617) 266-6800.

I n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a i n e d in t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n m a y be
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 p e r 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 . W e
w o u l d appreciate a credit line.

r
Please patronize FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Agway Inc.
Greg Moore Rep.
Box 507 Sterling, MA
Fertilizer, Seed, Chemicals
800-225-CROP (MA) 617-422-7614
Allan Lawnmower Co., Inc.
197 Main St., Agawam, MA 01001
Professional Turf Equip.-Ransomes/
Bobcat, Salsco, Hustler, Tractors
Albert S. McLean, Territory Rep.
Eugene S. McLean, Sales Manager
Baker Golf Cars
40 Walker Street, Swansea, MA 02777
508-379-0092
Reps, Ray Chadwick, Paul Littlejohn
Bartlett Tree Experts
Tree Maintenance, Fertilization &
Consulting
153 Rumford Avenue, Newton, MA 02166
(617) 969-5990
*The Bordon Company
Maynard, MA, Tel: 508-897-2571
Sales Rep. Jack Borden
Bulk Limestone Dealer
Boston Irrigation Company
Dedham, MA
John Ramey, Paul Kenyon,617-461-1560
Robin Hayes, 617-477-4423
Distributor of Irrigation Supplies
and Accessories
The Cardinals, Inc.
166 River Road, P.O. Box 520
Unionville, CT 06085
Golf Course & Landscape Supplies
John Callahan 203-673-3699
C & J Equipment, Inc.
188 Main Street, Wilmington, MA 01887
John Deere Golf & Turf Equipment
508-658-2022—Eric Oman,
Mike Cornicelli, Kevin O'Donnell
•Geoffrey S. Cornish & Brian Silva
Golf Course Architects
Fiddlers Green, Amherst, MA 01002
Country Club Enterprises, Inc.
Club Oar Golf Cars, Carryalls/Utility Cars
P.O. :-.ox 400 W. Falmouth, MA 02574
508 563-2284
Chester Drake & Sons, Ins.
222 V\ Inut St, Framingham, MA 01701
Golf Course Construction
508-875-7929
Elanco Products Company
Stephen C. Dolinak
31 Old Town Trail, Narragansett, Rl 02882
401-789-9017

THE

Gold Star Sod Farms, Inc.
Sod & Pine Bark Mulch
Canterbury, N.H., 603-783-4717
Lexington, MA, 617-861 -1111
Greenway Irrigation Company
Irrigation, Drainage, Wire Laying
P.O. Box 8157
East Lynn, MA 01904
John Murphy 617-595-3010
Steve Murphy 617-598-6917
Hammond & Tilton, Inc.
P.O. Box 30, Exit 35W off I95
Fairfield, ME 04937
Tel: (207) 453-7131
John Deere Golf & Turf Equipment
Contact: Gary Hammond
The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
P.O. Box 9169
Weathersfield. Conn. 06109
1-800-326-HART
Roy Sibley, (203) 376-9525
Don Whinnem (603) 692-5097
Holliston Sand Co. Inc.
Lowland Street, Holliston, MA 01746
Sand for Topdressing & Bunkers
International Golf Const. Co.
Antonios Paganis, Rep.
5 Purcell Rd, Arlington, MA 02174
Golf Course Construction
617-648-2351 or 508-428-3022
"Tom Irwin, Inc.
11 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
"Leseo Inc.
20005 Lake Rd, Rocky River, OH 44116
Ron Tumiski, Rep., Mike Donahue, Rep.
800-825-3726
•Loft's Seed
20 Beck Road, Arlington, MA 02174
Victoria Wallace, Rep.
Lowden Tree & Landscape
433 Chestnut St., Needham, MA 02192
Tree maintenance, spraying, consulting,
landscaping, construction
Carl De Simons, Rep. 617-444-0402
Tha Magovern Co., Inc.
27 Lawnacre Road
Windsor Locks, CT 06096
Tel.: 800-243-7718 or 203-623-2508
Lew Varga, Rep.

NEWSLETTER
RONALD W. KIRKMAN
Newsletter Editor
KIP TYLER CGCS
Associate Editor
THOMAS SCHOFIELD CGCS
Business Manager
GERRY FINN
Contributing Editor

r

*D.L. Maher Co.
Box 127, Concord Street
N. Reading, MA 01864
617-933-3210
Water Supply Specialists
Water Wells & Pumping Equipment

c

Mobay Chemical Co.
Greg Ellis
67 Primrose Drive
Warwick, Rl 02818
R.F. Morse & Sons Inc.
W. Wareham, MA 02576
508-295-1553
Reps., Larry Anshewitz, Jack Cronin
"Nardone Sand & Gravel Co. Inc.
37 Power Road, Westford, MA 01886
508-692-8221
Specializing in Topdressing Sand
Nor-Am Chemical Co.
Wilmington, Delaware
David Sylvester, Rep.
203-828-8905
Norfolk Power Equip., Inc.
194 M"in Street, Norfolk, MA 02056
508-1^3120
Don Reynolds, Rep.
Old Fox Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers-Seeds-Turf-Chemicals
66 Valley Street
E. Providence, R.i. 02914
Partac Golf Course Top Dressing
Kelsey Park
Great Meadows, N.J. 07838
Jim Kelsey, 1-800-247-2326
P.I.E. Supply Co.
Dedicated to sales and service of quality
irrigation equipment. (203) 878-0658
John Lensing (401) 246-0864 for your
irrigation needs.
Read Sand & Gravel, Inc.
171 VFW Drive, Rockland, MA 02370
Top Dressg Loam; Sand, concrete and
brick; Stone, crushed, washed, colored;
Same day service, Sat. deliveries.
John A. Moon, Sales Mgr 617-878-2955
Sawtelle Bros.
65 Gienn Street, Lawrence, MA 01843
508-682-9296

Scotts Pro-Turf Div.
Allan Cumps, Regional Director
Rep. Scott Brown 401-294-3606
Rep. Richard Forni 413-534-8896
SteinerTurf Equipment
Sales & Service, Vernons, Inc.
13 School Street, Danvers, MA 01923
Dick Leigh, (508) 774-4410
Stormy Acres
Putting green quality sod grown on a
fumigated sand base
West Haven, Vermont 05743
Kevin Gun, 802-265-3046
Sudbury Nurseries, Inc.
381 Maynard Road, Sudbury, MA 01716
508-443-2021
Wholesale growers of trees and shrubs
Tuckahoe Turf Farms Inc.
Exeter, R.I. Litchfield, N.H.
West Suffield, CT
800-556-6985
Largest Producer of Penncross in
New England
Owen Regan
Turf Inc.
South County Trail, Slocum, Rl 02877
Rep. Bruce Roberts
T u r f Products Corp.
7 Coppage Drive, Worcester, MA 01603
508-791-2091
T u r f Specialty Inc.
60 Merrimac Street, Hooksett, N.H. 03106
Turf & Ornamental Supplies
1-800-228-6656
Bob Flanagan, Kevin Lyons,
Dave Schermerhorn, Ed Wiacek
Philip Wogan
Golf Course Architect
17 Walker Road, Topsfield, MA 01983
Winding Brook Turf Farm, Inc.
240 Griswold Rd, Wethersfield, CT 06109
800-243-0232, Alan Anderson

Scott Associates, Inc.
60 Water Street, Clinton, MA 01510
508-365-6341
Pumps-Sales, Service installation, Vertical 'Contributors to the Troll-Dickinson •
Turbine Pumps Specialists
Scholarship Fund

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R O N A L D W. K I R K M A N
25 G R E E N S T R E E T
N E E D H A M , MA 02192

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