Golf Course Superintendents

LETTER

Association OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.
January 1990

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

House with Job... Super or Not?

NEXT MEETING

4

Tuesday, February 6, 1990
Mt. Pleasant G.C., Lowell, MA
9:00 am
Director's meeting
10:30 am
Regular meeting
12:00 Noon Lunch
After Lunch Educational, Session
Host Superintendent—Jack Hassett
Reservations Required by Jan. 31—
(508) 458-7300
Jack attended the
winter school at Univ.
of Mass., and has an
associate degree in
business
administration.
Jack was the supt. at Manderley on the
Green, Ontario, Canada for 5 years. He
was born in Lowell, MA and still resides
there with his wife Monique and 12 year
old daughter, Julia. In his spare time Jack
enjoys golf and skiing.
Directions—From 495 & 128, take Rte. 3
north to exit 32 (North ChelmsfordWestford). Enter rotary-take first right
which is Westford Rd. (Lowell). Follow
for 8/10 mile passing Ford & Hyundai
Dealerships and take a right at 'Y' onto
Westford St. Follow for 1/2 mile, take
your 6th right onto Staples St., club is at
end of street.

An opportunist is
someSody who dots
zvfiat you zvere going to
do, one of these days
J/

T h e house we live in.
If you are a golf course superintendent, life and the house you live in
can be complicated.
Take the plight of Tatnuck's Steve
Chiavaroli.
Eleven years ago,
Steve agreed to take
over the super's role at
Tatnuck under an
arrangement where part
of his compensatory
package was full use of
a house with all utilities
paid for by the club. Good deal?
"At the time it was for me," explained
Chiavaroli the other week as he looked
forward to another Christmas with his
wife and five children at the old
homestead. "I think that overall the
benefits outweighed the loss of other
things attached to home ownership, like
equity. Certainly, it gave us financial
independence in the fact that we were able
to buy other items without worrying
where the payments would come from."
As the years and Steve's family grew,
it appeared that the combination of house
and salary was working well for them.
The house was big enough to
accommodate the increase in the size of
the Chiavaroli household and the
television sets, refrigerators and cars
always took on that brand-new look.
However, while Steve held up to the
bargain, the house or its physical
properties didn't. Recently, Tatnuck
officials asked him to check out housing,
prices et al in the area because of the
possibility the club-owned property had
gone beyond reasonably-priced repair.

9

"In a word, the house suddenly got as
old as it looked," Steve said. "Actually,
it's 200 years old and the club has to
wonder whether or not it's worth the
money to dive into extensive repairs. The
last amount I heard was something like
$60,000. But, according to some
estimates, the range could be anywhere
from that to $150,000."
Something else popped into the
situation when soundness of structure
became somewhat of an issue. So, when
Chiavaroli heard of this, he began to
wonder what would be in store for him
and his family over the next few months
or the lead-in to the next school year.
"That's the big hang-up as far as we 're
concerned," Steve alluded to the
inconvenience of relocating in the middle
of the school year. "It definitely would be
a hardship thing for us and the kids. I
know the decision's a tough one for the
club but I'm hoping they make it soon."
Regardless of the uncertainty he faced
under those conditions, Chiavaroli says
he wouldn't mind it if the house could be
refurbished and his family stayed put
under the old house-salary agreement.
"I really haven't come to any
conclusion about how much I'd need in a
salary increase to offset the loss of the
house and the other things that go with it,"
Steve offered. "I know for me to go out
and buy a house in the same area would be
tough. As for equity, that's a personal
thing. There are other ways to build equity
besides buying a house."
An altogether different set of
circumstances underline the experience
of Dick Duggan in the house-salary
Continued on page 2

page 2
HOUSE WITH JOB?
Cont.from pg 1
arrangement versus the sole-salary
contract agreement.
Duggan admits a
real hassle developed
while he was in
negotiations with
Concord Country Club
officials when he
sought the superintendent's position there
six years ago.
The problem arose when the club
assumed Duggan would want to continue
an age-old custom there—living in a
house on the grounds and accepting it as
an appreciable part of the salary structure.
On the contrary, Dick was against it from
the start and said there was no way he
could come to Concord under those
conditions.
"One of the real problems at that time
was trying to put a face value on the house
that each party would be happy with,"
Duggan told. "They asked me to come in
with a figure and there was no way I could

-POSITION
Superintendent
Cliffside C.C.—18 Hole
140 Nod Road
Simsbury, CT 06070
203-651-9393
Living quarters available, house built in
1982
Contact: Mr. Jay Roston, Chairman
of Greens Committee
Superintendent
Shaker Hills G.C., Harvard, MA
Send Resumes to: Bob McGinty
P.O. Box 327, Ayer, MA 01432
New 18 Hole Championship Golf
Course presently under construction
PRESIDENT
Richard Zepp, CGCS
27 Fowler Rd.
Northbridge, 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 Affiliation
Nashawtuc C.C.

The Super
Speaks Out

tell how much it was worth.
"However, the thing that threatened to
stymie the old deal was the location of the
house. Even if I wanted to 'come in and
live under the house-salary offer, I
couldn't ask my family to spend what
might be a long, long time in a house Welcome to The Super Speaks Out — a
monthly feature which offers the golf
practically set in a parking lot."
course
superintendent a forum to
Eventually, Duggan and Concord met
each other's price (minus the house) and express his or her views on topics and
the relationship has prospered since. The issues relating to their profession.
house is still there and being used as a club This month's question: Having had
office.
experience with contract arrangements
"I probably did them (Concord) a under which a house becomes part of your
favor when I turned down the house," - salary structure,-what is ymtr-opinion of
Dick added. "That office is something the practice?
they needed all along. They 're very happy
Dave Barber, Blue
with .-the way things turned out."
Hill Country Club:
The house-salary situation, then can
"I' 11 be starting my 11 th
lead to complications of a special kind.
year at Blue Hill in
But the issue is still even-stephen.
February and I have to
Chiavaroli could live in the house
say that I've been
Tatnuck gave him, Duggan couldn't at
happy living on the
Concord. Which probably is one of the
things that makes the golf course I've been here. course for as long as
superintendent's world go 'round.
"It seems to me that all we ever hear
GERRY FINN about this issue is the negative side of the
picture...things like not being able to
build equity and being too close to the job
to create a situation where the
superintendent becomes married to it.
OPENINGS"Well, neither of those disadvantages,
and
they're so-called as far as I'm
Superintendent
concerned,
ever bothered me.
Brockton C.C.—9 Hole
"Financially,
I've prepared for the
P.O. Box 3071
day,
if
it
ever
comes,
that I leave here. In
Brockton, MA 02403
other words, I wouldn't be in that much of
a bind if I had to go out and face a different
Contact:. Mr. Edward Mahoney _
world where I provide a house and
everything
that goes with it.
Superintendent
"As
for
the
fact that I'm as close to the
Norfolk Golf Club—9 Hole
job
as
the
nearest
call from a member, that
Westwood, MA
just never happened for me. In all my
years here I've never been buttonholed
Send Resumes to:
for the picayune things. It just doesn't
Tom Mulligan, Chairman of
work that way.
Greens Committee
"The neighborhood where I live is
139 Readville Street
very
conducive to bringing up a family
Hyde Park, MA 02136
the
way
we'd all like to and the club has
Office: 508-366-0596
made improvements to the house. They
Home: 617-361-6375
even built us a two-car garage.
Continued on page 3

SECRETARY
Stephen A. Chiavaroli, CGCS
100 Airport 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
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 506-420-3210
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 A f f i l i a t i o n
Bay Pointe C.C.

THE SUPER SPEAKS
Cout. from pg 2
"So, the arrangement has worked well
forme. Sure, I'm closer to the job but I've
worked that into an asset as well. The
biggest plus, though, is that my family
likes it, too. That makes it a plus allaround."
John Petraitis, Crestwood Country
Club: "You're talking to a man who's
had the both of the salary-house, solesalary life as a super and both sides have
selling points.
"My first 15 years here I lived in a
club-owned house and the experience
was such that it didn't have all that many
negatives.
"However, after those 15 years, I
thought I wanted to try it the other way.
That was in 1973.1 bought a lot for $5500,
the right time, too, because that same lot
goes for about $55,000 today.
"I followed up by building a house
there after what turned out to be positive
discussions with the club concerning the
change. I just wanted to own my own
home and Crestwood understood.
"I don't have to say too much about
the fact that living on club property and
not having to pay utilities did a lot for my
buying power. I traded the car more often
and bought things without hesitating
because of no way to pay for them.
"Then, too, Crestwood members
always were aware of the proximity of the
house to their needs. Yet, I can honestly
say they never came looking for me when
it was so easy to find me.
"Therefore, I can't complain about
either setup. I was happy living in their
house and I'm happy living in mine. I
guess that means it isn't an issue, right?"
John Streeter,
Woodbridge Country
Club: "How timely. I
|
mean your call. It came
f«! just as I had agreed to
\ . " move from Cliffside to
FINANCE
CHAIRMAN
Paul J a m r o g
Box 642, S i l v e r w o o d T e r r a c e
S. H a d l e y , MA 01075.
H o m e P h o n e 413-538-7567
O f f i c e P h o n e 413-536-4195
Club Affiliation
The Orchards G.C

GOLF
CHAIRMAN
Robert DiRico
185 H e m e n w a y St.
M a r l b o r o , MA 01752
Home Phone 508-485-2605
O f f i c e P h o n e 617-244-0680
Club Affiliation
Brae B u r n C.C.

Page 3

1990 Board of Directors
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Trustee (1 yr)
Trustee (2 yrs)
Trustee (3 yrs)
Finance Chairman
Golf Chairman
Education Chairman
Newsletter Chairman

Paul Miller
Charles Passios
Stephen Chiavaroli
Ronald Milenski
Edward Brearley
Eric Newell
Robert Ruszala
Paul Jamrog_
Robert DiRrco
Kevin Osgood
Kip Tyler

Woodbridge. And, guess what? A house
came with the job at Cliffside and same
goes at Woodbridge.
"That's okay with me, too. At first I
was a little leery about being so close to
the club and having to depend on someone
else to provide a home for me and my
family.
"But I've learned there's nothing
wrong with the situation, just as long as
the superintendent doesn't allow the club
to put too much emphasis on the value of
the house in contract negotiations.
"Once the super gets this straightened
out, that the arrangement doesn't
jeopardize the salary aspect of the
contract, the live-on-the-premises
agreement is something I recommend
highly.
"No travel time. That's a big positive
result for me. In fact, I even find myself
getting to the golf course early. I don't
know. It just keeps me on top of things
and, in reality, it even cuts down on my
overall hours spent on the course.
"As for loss of equity. No problem.
When I came to Connecticut, I bought
property even though I knew a house came
with the job. We rent that house, equity is
building and we're moving up on the
profession's salary ladder. Is all this right
for me? You said it."
GERRY FINN

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 508-464-5312
Office Phone 508-779-6911
Club Affiliation
The International

NEWSLETTER
CHAIRMAN
Ronald Kirkman
25 G r e e n St.
N e e d h a m , M A 02192
H o m e .Phone 617-444-8412
O f f i c e P h o n e 617-444-5548
Ciub Affiliation
Needham C.C.

GCSANE Joins Green
Industry Council

Phyllis M. Gillespie,
Executive Director
The Green Industry Council is pleased to
announce the formation of a Public Policy
Committee. This committee will serve as a
vital link between our industry and our
legislators. Specifically, the committee
W i l l involve our industry in the decision
making process enabling us to influence
policies and regulations in the best interest
of our industry, our clients and the
environment we enhance and maintain.
In the past, the GIC has been
instrumental in influencing the decisions in
the state. This Committee will strengthen
and organize that effort, putting us on top of
the issues and allowing us to act in a
proactive manner. We will stand with MA
Farm Bureau, the Cape Cod Cranberry
Growers Association and others as a group
concerned about the future of its industry.
Fully functioning by January 1, 1990,
the committee is currently setting
guidelines and operating procedures as
well as securing your participation. The
GIC strongly encourages all member
associations to participate in this coalition
so that all segments of the industry are
represented. A separate assessment, set by
the committee, will secure your voting seat
and provide the necessary fund- to operate
and secure the services of a professional
lobbyist.
The committee's agenda this month
includes the review of a new Pesticide
Reform bill presented by Representative
Steven Angelo, Chair of the House
Committee on Natural Resources and the
meeting of lobbyist Jeffrey Fleming of
Kevin Harrington ~ Associates. As
Executive Director of the GIC, I will sit on
the committee, keeping our membership
informed and providing the resources and
networking already established through the
GIC. It is our intent to work with all groups,
opening the lines of communication and
understanding in the development of
workable legislation and regulations.

PAST
PRESIDENT
David B a r b e r , C G C S
145 D e d h a m St.
C a n t o n , MA 02021
Home Phone 617-828-7266
Office Phone 617-828-6540
Club Affiliation
B l u e H i l l 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 as l o n g as 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 o u l d appreciate a credit

line.

be

perWe

Please patronize FRIENDS OF THE A S S O C I A T I O N

Agway Inc.
Greg Moore Rep.
Box 507 Sterling, MA
Fertilizer, Seed, Chemicals
8OO-225-CROP (MA) 617-422-7614
Allen 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 8
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 Car Golf Cars, Carryalls/Utility Cars
P.O. Box 400 W. Falmouth, MA 02574
508-563-2284
Chester Drake & Sons, ins.
222 Walnut 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

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-HAR
Roy Sibley, (203) .176-9525
Don Whinnem (603) 692-5097
Holliston Sand Co. Inc.
Lowland Street, Hoiiiston, MA 01746'—
Sand for Topdressing & Bunkers
International Golf Const. Co.
Antonios Paganis, Rep. ,
5 Purcell Rd., ASSngton, MA 02174
Golf Course Construction
617-648-2351 or 508-428-3022
"Tom Irwin, Inc.
11 B A St., Burlington, MA
Jack Peterson
Dennis Friei Phone: 617-938-1751
Wayne Ripley
Larchmont Eng. & Irrig. Co.
Larchmont Lane, Lexington, MA 02173
617-862-2550
*Lesco 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 Simone, Rep. 617-444-0402
The Magovern Co., inc.
27 Lawnacre Road
Windsor Locks, CT 06096
Tel.: 800-243-7718 or 203-623-2508
Lew Varga, Rep.

Newsletter
—tTHE ,

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

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

Scotts Pro-Turf Div.
Allan Cumps, Regional Director
Rep. Scott Brown 401-294-3606
Rep. Richard Forni 413-534-8896
Steiner Turf 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.
Nor-Am Chemical Co.
Exeter, R.I. Litchfield, N.H.
Wilmington, Delaware
West Suffield, CT
David Sylvester, Rep.
800-556-6985
203-828-8905
Largest Producer of Penncross in
New England
Norfolk Pflwer Equip., IriC.
"Owen Regan
194 Main Street, Norfolk, MA 02056
508-528-3120
Turf Inc.
!
Don Reynolds, Rep. ' 1 ?>
• " ; t •' } South County Trail, Slocum, Rl 02877
Rep. Bruce Roberts
Old Fox Chemical inc.
•Turf Products Corp.
Fertilizers-Seeds-Turf-Chemicals
7 Coppage Drive, Worcester, MA 01603
66 Valley Street
508-791-2091
E. Providence, R.I. 02914
Partac Golf Course Top Dressing
•Turf Specialty inc.
Kelsev Park
60 Merrimac Street, Hooksett, N.H. 03106
Great'Meadows, N.J. 07838
Turf & Ornamental Supplies
1-800-228-6656
Jim Kelsey, 1-800-247-2326
Bob Flanagan, Kevin Lyons,
P.I.E. Supply Co.
Dave Schermerhorn, Ed Wiacek
Dedicated to sales and service of quality .
irrigation equipment. (203) 878-0658
Philip Wogan
John Lensing (401) 246-0864 for your
Golf Course Architect
irrigation needs.
17 Walker Road, Topsfield, MA 01983
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 Glenn Street, Lawrence, MA 01843
508-682-9296
Scott Associates, Inc.
60 Water Street, Clinton, MA 01510
508-365-6341
Pumps-Sales, Service installation, Vertical
Turbine Pumps Specialists

Return to:
RONALD W. KIRKMAN
25 GREEN STREET
NEEDHAM, MA 02192

FIRST CLASS

Winding Brook Turf Farm, Inc.
240 Griswold Rd, Wethersfield, CT 06109
800-243-0232, Alan Anderson

' C o n t r i b u t o r s to t h e Troll-Dickinson
S c h o l a r s h i p Fund

First Class Mail
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Boston, MA
Permit No. 52848