Golf Course Superintendents

LETTER
Association

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

OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.

November 1990

Supers Learn to Live With Leaves

There was a time
when Orrin Ellis had
horrible visions.
"That's when 1 was
working at Lexington
(Golf Club)," Ellis
recalled his 15 years
as golf course superintendent there.
"Actually, I was playing a little game
with myself, you know, like count the
number of jelly beans in a jar. Only I
was thinking of leaves.
"I figured that over the years 1 had
raked, blown, plowed, and even wished
about 10,000 square feet of leaves into

a pile more than 50 feet high. I have to
laugh when I look back at the problem
1 had because now it's all together
different."
Ellis is in his first year as superintendent at the Pine Meadows Country
Club where he says life among the
falling leaves isn't so tough after all.
"There are a lot of factors involved,"
he told. "Probably the most important
is where the breezes blow and where
the course is situated. Here I find that
the leaves usually blow into the woods
by themselves. So far, the leaves don't
present a problem. We have them, all

DECEMBER MEETING
December 11,1990
Presidents Golf Club
Quincy, Massachusetts
Board Meeting
Regular Meeting
Lunch
Education

9:30
11:00
12:00
1:00

a.m.
a.m.
noon
p.m.

DIRECTIONS:
From South and West:

128 South to Route 3 North to Exit 9
(North Quincy/Milton). Follow to when it
turns into a two way street and take a right
onto Squantum Street. Club is 1/2 mile on
left.

Boston and points North:

Take Expressway to Exit 11 A. At first stop
light, take a left onto W. Squantum Street.
Club is 1/2 mile on left.

Host Superintendent
Jim Fitzroy, CGCS
Reservations Required
(617) 527-6968

Following a stint at Pleasant Valley in
1973 and a position with the Hart Seed Co.
in 1974, Jim settled in at the President's
Club where he is currently serving his 15th
season as superintendent.
He graduated from the Stockbridge Turf
Program in 1967 and received his BS f r o m
UMass in 1970 with a minor in Park
Administration. Jim achieved the C G C S
status in 1976.
Born in Pittsfield, he and his wife Pat
now reside in Franklin with their three
children, Tim age 17, Katyage 13, and Pete
age 5.
Jim enjoys golf, photography, spectating
at his children's sports events, and keeps
busy over the winter as a High School
Basketball Referee.

right, but we get rid of them with a
minimum of trouble."
A quick check around New England
super country revealed that, for the
most part, leaf removal doesn't make
the typical list of a maintenance
program's top ten headaches.
Ocean Edge's Jeff
Carlson has a lot of
o p e n a r e a at his
domain and blows
leaves into it. They
find their way to
either disappearing
or becoming part of the winter scenery.
However, Jeff reports that presently
leaves are the least of his worries.
"Pine needles?" he added. "That's a
different story."
Carlson estimates that the distribution of trees at Ocean Edge follows a
50-50 pattern between the conventional
types like oak and pine trees.
"We have a slew of pine needles," he
continued. "They're of a heavier
texture, so blowing them gets to be a
tedious and time-consuming process.
Therefore, we have to go to the rakes to
get rid of them. That's a big job, but...."
But Jeff has an ace up his sleeve
when it comes to taking care of the pine
needle invasion.
" M y m e m b e r s , " he explained.
"Some of them are crazy about pine
needles and use them in a decorative
manner in their yards. Don't ask me
why, but they seem to prefer spreading
pine needles around bare spots on their
property instead of growing grass.
"Not only that, we have members
who volunteer to clear the golf course

Page 2
Continued from page 1
of pine needles if they can get to keep
them and haul them away for their own
use. At one time 1 thought of making a
compost of a combination of leaves
and pine needles. However, 1 understand the needles have a high acidity
count, so 1 never tried it."
Carlson doesn't mean to imply that
the leaf and pine needle season is a
complete lark in his maintenance
program.
"The leaves aren't that plentiful," he
said. "But they can pose a problem
because of the large number of pot
bunkers we have. That causes the
leaves to collect in hard-to-get-at
places. Therefore, the only way we can
clean them out is to go into the bunkers
and carry them out."

Position of
—SUPERINTENDENT—
A vailable
The Farms Country Club
180 Cheshire Road
Wallingford, CT 06492
18-HoIe Private Country Club
Irrigation System
100% Automatic
Buckner, Toro, Rainbird Sprinklers
Toro Controllers
Salary Range
Salary commensurate with experience
and negotiable
Benefits include Blue Cross/Blue
Shield, Life Insurance, Vehicle
Professional Benefits
Educational benefits provided
Send Resume and References to:
Michael Goslin, General Manager
The Farms Country Club, Inc.
180 Cheshire Road
Wallingford, CT 06492
V

.

___

PRESIDENT
Paul Miller. CGCS
1 Leicester Road
Marblehead MA 01945
Home Phone 617-631-7910
Office Phone 508-369-5704
Club Affiliation
Nashawtuc C.C

_ ..

:

John Hassett, who
keeps the Mt. Pleasant
golfers happy with his
course conditioning
touch, doesn't have
too much of a problem
with leaves because of

logistics.
"We have a lot of parallel fairways
and we're surrounded by woods,"
Hassett explained. "So blowing them
into the woods takes care of any
accumulation possibility. As for
compost, 1 really don't have enough to
bother with it.
"Of course, leaves'are one thing and
pine needles another. We collect the
pine needles and put them to use as a
mulch. The acidity content doesn't
seem to hurt. However, we do have a
counter attack if it's there by adding
lime and fertilizer to the collection."
*

^

The flower beds at
Quaboag Country
Club have never
looked better.
"Thanks to our leaf
p r o g r a m , " spouted
QCC superintendent
Bob Heeley. "Three years ago we
started to make the leaves work for us.
We seldom blow them, collecting them
instead and using them and pine
needles as the basis for a working
compost heap.
"We add fertilizer and lime and we
also get clippings into the mix. The
result has been some of the most
beautiful and healthiest flower beds
we've ever had at Quaboag. As far as
I'm concerned, leaves and needles are
r e n e w a b l e p r o d u c t s and w o r t h
whatever it takes to collect them."
The golf course superintendent,
then, is learning to live with the
leaves...sometimes even prospering by
the association.

...

VICE PRESIDENT
Charles T Passios, CGCS
218Camelback Road
Marston Mills. MA 02648
Home Phone 508-420-3210
Office Phone 508-775-5116
Club Affiliation
Hyannisport Club

!

SECRETARY
Stephen A. Chiavaroli CGCS
100 Airport Drive
Worcester, MA 01602
Home Phone 508-752-0031
Office Phone 508-791-5373
Club Affiliation
Tatnuck C.C.

The Super
Speaks Out

This month's question: How are
you handling the regulation requiring
all golf course superintendents to make
members and golfers aware that
pesticides are being used as part of the
conditioning process on certain days of
the season?
Ed Eardley, Wampatuck Country
Club: "We use the bulletin board i
method here and it's right where every
golfer can see it—at the first tee. In
fact, I have a sign up all the time as a
reminder, then on days pesticides are
being used, I designate the specific
locations on a chalkboard.
"There's no doubt in my mind that
the regulation should trigger only
positive reaction from both the golfer
and the golf course superintendent. I
think anything we can do to protect the
membership and ourselves has to be
good.
"I know that as a concerned parent I
can see the positive effects from a
Continued on page 3

CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
Nov. 13

Dec. 11
Jan. 22

GERRY FINN
TREASURER
Ronald E. Milenski. CGCS
65 Rocky Pond Road
Princeton, MA 01541
Home Phone 508-464-5312
Office Phone 508-779-6911
Club Affiliation
The International

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

GCSANE & NEPGA
Joint Board Meeting
Colonial Hilton
Lynnfield, MA
Dinner
Regular Meeting
Presidents Club, Lunch
Annual Meeting
Blue Hill C.C.
Lunch

_
TRUSTEE
Eric E. Newell. C G C S
113 Cross Street
Hanover, MA 02339
Home Phone 617-826-7207
Office Phone 617-878-5836
Club Affiliation
Rockland C.C

_

J

TRUSTEE
Robert Ruszala
69 G e l i r a s Drive
Chicopee, MA 01020
Home Phone 413-592-5780
Off ice Phone 413-256-8654
Club Affiliation
Hickory Ridge G.C

Page 3
Continued from page 2
program of making the public aware
that pesticides are present in a
particular region and that precautions
should be taken. I'd hate to have my
children pick out a strand of grass from
a treated area and put it in their
mouths. That's scary.
"My members have reacted to the
process favorably and I think most of
them make it a point to pay attention
to the fact that regulations like this one
and others are designed for their
protection and welfare. My schedule
for using pesticides varies, but over the
long haul I'd say they're being applied
every ten days to two weeks.
"As far as I know, none of my
members or staff has reported an
allergy p r o b l e m connected with
exposure to pesticides. However, that's
one of the reasons for posting the signs.
They're doing the job, too, if only to
educate golfers and golf course
workers on the refinements of an everchanging course-grooming process."
Dave Barber, Blue
Hill Country Club:
"I've seen nothing but
positive reaction to
the posting of pesticidein-use signs. Mine is
right there in a highly
visible place—in the starter's area.
"The effects have been in keeping
with the purpose of the regulation, to
make people aware of the possible
negative spinoffs from exposure to
pesticides. I'm not talking just about
the golfers, but the people who are
applying the pesticides. They, too,
have become educated about the

POSITION OPEN
Assistant Superintendent
Worcester Country Club
Contact:
Michael Nagle, CGCS
(508) 853-6574

properties of chemicals. They're more
conscious of how important it is to do
the job right.
"We have an advantage at Blue Hill,
an advantage shared by members,
guests, workers, and myself. We close
Wednesday mornings and usually no
one is on the course when we spray
because I try to schedule applications
on Wednesday.
"And that brings up another factor
or result of the sign-posting regulation.
I think that down the road all golf
courses will have to set aside days when
they close for those periods when
pesticides are being used. It's not all
that bad an idea, either.
"As for personal reaction from
members about the process, I have had
sporadic response. Some would like to
know just what chemical is being
applied. That's good. They want to
know what's out there and what they
should do to avoid harmful contact.
"The biggest benefit from all of this
is a new thrust of awareness on the part
of all concerned. Now all we have to do
is determine the level of responsibility
the superintendent carries in case
something does happen. Maybe we, as
a group, should address this soon."

"I've found that the only real danger
in the use of chemicals is when they're
mixed into tanks and whatever. Now
workers are equipped with gloves,
masks, special application suits,
goggles—a whole array of protective
clothing. What I like to emphasize is
that chemicals are safe when properly
mixed and applied.
"Overall, though, the regulation is
another example of the superintendent's ongoing attempt to convince his
members and all golfers that golf
course maintenance isn't so simple
anymore. The more they learn about it,
the better for all of us and the game
itself."

Bob Ruszala,
Hickory Ridge
Country Club: "If
anything, the regulation requiring signposting is a good
educational tool in
bringing golfers closer to the realities
of golf course grooming procedures.
"My signs are in a conspicuous
place—in a clubhouse area where all
golfers have to see them. I post them
the day pesticides are being used and
specific locations are included.
"Of course, the idea of awareness is
something our club has promoted all
along. We have a club newsletter and in
each edition there's a spot saved for
me. That's where I have the most input
with members as to bringing them up
to date with how the golf course is
groomed and what ingredients are used
in the process.

Low Gross - Dedham Polo & C.C. 146

GERRY FINN

Results of GCSANE
Superintendent and Three
Club Officials Tournament
Rhode Island C.C. Oct. 1,1990

Low Net - Belmont C.C. 120
2nd Net - Whitinsville C.C. 124
3rd Net - Blue Hill C.C. 124
4th Net - Walpole C.C. 125
5th Net - Foxboro C.C. 127
Long Drive Supt. - Charlie Passios
Long Drive Guest - John Drew
Closest to Pin Supt. - Ron Kirkman
Closest to Pin Guest - Joe Socha

CM*-oj[jfforNewslettermaterial is the
1st of each month. If there are any
topic suggestions for "Super Speaks
Out" or the front cover feature articles,
please call Kip Tyler at (508) 532-2236.
1 would also like to print material
written by superintendents or anyone
else who would care to contribute.

Page 4

Literally a One-Man Operation

President's
Message

by Gary Larrabee

On September 14
the GCSANE ran its
Second Annual
Research Tournament
at N a s h a w t u c
C o u n t r y Club. All
who attended had a
great Timer We were" able ~to raise
almost $13,000 due to the help of many
people. A special thanks to Dick Zepp
who chaired the T o u r n a m e n t
Committee and did an outstanding
job.
If research is to be conducted at local
universities in these times of financial
woes, contributions will be necessary.
Even though our Research Tournament was a large success, the donations
from our clubs have been lacking. The
Superintendent at each club should
have the desire to approach his club for
any kind of contribution (most have
been $200 or more) that they can
afford. With turf grass research the
beneficiary, I find it hard to believe
anyone would say no. We will be
entertaining any suggestions you may
have this winter at our open forum
meeting on how we can improve the
fund raising drive.
We are in the process of putting
together our winter meeting schedule
as well as our golf schedule for 1991.
Anyone interested in hosting either
please contact Kevin Osgood or Bob
DiRico. Please keep in mind our dress
code (winter meeting sport jacket
preferred) and continue calling in your
meeting reservations.

Wayne LaCroix's job as golf course
superintendent at Ipswich (Mass.)
Country Club is unique. Little did he
know just how unique until a few
weeks ago.
On October 15, to be exact. That's
the day he became a one-man operation. The day the owners/developers of
Ipswich Country Club's residential/
c o u n t r y club project clSsed the
complex down because of m a j o r
financial problems. No more golf. No
more use of the country club facilities.
That was the day LaCroix was told
by his bosses that he would have to let
go, indefinitely, his 27-person grounds
crew, leaving only the 30-year-old
native of Marblehead, Mass. to take
care of the golf course and grounds of
the 375-acre complex.
"It meant getting back to basics,"
says LaCroix, who as of press time was
one of only three employees on the
premises, the others being controller
J i m Boyle and the c o n s t r u c t i o n
supervisor for the roadways, Frank
Scalli.
"I've tried to maintain the critical
areas. The greens first, then the tee
areas, then the fairways. I've tried
cutting the greens twice a week (during
what has been an exceptionally warm
fall growing season), the tees once or
twice a week, and the fairways once a
week. Forget about the rough.
"Plus, I've got snow mold preventative to put down and I've got to blow
the irrigation systems out. That's only
on the golf course, too.

POSITION OPEN
A private 18-hole Golf Course in
Cohasset, MA is seeking applicants for
Course Superintendent to replace our
current Superintendent who retires
December 31, 1990. The course has an

automatic watering system, modern
equipment, and a permanent year
around staff. Competitive salary.
Please send resume to: D. Ralff, c/o
Cohasset Golf Club, P.O. Box 247,
Cohasset, MA 02025

"I've also got to try and maintain the
g r o u n d s / l a n d s c a p i n g a r o u n d the
clubhouse and the swimming/tennis
complex, as well as blow out their
irrigations before the cold comes."
That's only the beginning, however,
to what LaCroix is attempting to do
solo, remember, with nary a soul to
assist.
" W e ' r e also responsible for
maintaining the grounds around 30odd homes which are occupied, the
roadways, all flowers and shrubbery,
and once winter really hits, I'm
supposed to take care of snow removal
and any other problems homeowners
might encounter during the cold,"
LaCroix, who lives in Eliot, Maine
with his bride of nine months, Julie
(DiPrisco) of Swampscott, Mass.,
adds.
"I'm also supposed to assist the
operation of our own sewerage treatment plant for waste water on the
entire property. We have an outside
contractor to run it."
So LaCroix, who got his schooling
at the Stockbridge School at the
University of M a s s a c h u s e t t s and
assisted Paul Miller at Tedesco (Paul's
now running the course operation at
Nashawtuc) for seven years before
coming on board at Ipswich in 1987, is
taking it one day at a time, dealing with
what would safely be called a massive
undertaking.
"I'm going 10 and 12 hour days,
seven days a week," LaCroix said. "But
I can't let the situation overwhelm me.
I go one job at a time, an hour at a time
and do the best I can.
"One of the sadder aspects of this is
that it's been a great fall overall for golf
courses and ours, like most others at
least on the North Shore, is in fabulous
shape as we speak (the final few days of
O c t o b e r ) . The place is spotless,
actually. The grass is still growing—
t o o fast f o r my s i t u a t i o n — a n d ,
unfortunately, not a single golfer is out
here on some of the most beautiful fall
days in New England you will ever
have.

Page 5
Continued from page 4
"And anybody who has played
Ipswich can imagine how beautiful it
becomes in October, those huge white
pines and the foliage. On the other
hand, of course, if the place was open
and 1 was the only person maintaining
the course, I wouldn't be able to keep
the layout anywhere near the standards
we had all season."
P h y s i c a l l y , the j o b has been
incredibly demanding all season, let
alone what LaCroix has had to go
through since October 15. But LaCroix
has paid an equally heavy emotional
price.
"I've literally been here since day
one, since the earth was being moved
and seed planted back in 1987," he
recalls. "The amount of work going on
around here, with the course, the
clubhouse, swimming pool and tennis
courts, and home construction, was
chaotic. It was hard keeping stress
management under control. But it was
extremely exciting, too, watching this
magnificent project develop. It was a
privilege to be working alongside
R o b e r t Trent J o n e s (the course
designer and co-developer of the
project who is no longer associated
with the development) and Roger
Rulewich, his top assistant. I had the
chance to learn from the bottom floor
up how a course is truly developed.
"The kind of education I received
was priceless. I've been with the place
this long, I'll be damned if I'll give it up

GCSANE Research Tournament
Nashawtuc Country Club
The International
Ed Hopke
Brian Lynch
Bob Sanderson
Ron Milenski, Supt.

Low Gross
67

Kittansett Club
Low Net
Lenny Blodgett, Supt.

now. I feel a part of it. I want to stay
with it."
He's grateful, too, of course, that he
is still being paid, whereas many other
members of the staff have been
discharged.
"1 had a great staff that took three
years to develop," LaCroix notes. "I'm
hoping most of them, if not all, will be
back by spring. Those who aren't
rehired,* I hope to help them get
settled."
"After all I've gone through this
year, physically and mentally, I sit
back anri: almost begin to laugh," he

mused. "I wish I could write a book.
I he number of things I've gone
through up here is amazing—and
comical sometimes. The country club
membership and homeowners have
been supportive, thankfully. They've
helped keep me from becoming a
nervous wreck.
"I'm just going to keep going day by
day and hope for the best. It's a
remarkable piece of property we have
here. I want to see it get back on its feet
financially and help make it the
showcase golf course development in
New England."

A Different Approach

by Kevin J. Ross, CGCS
Falmouth Country Club,
Portland, Maine

Over the past few years, 1 have
become familiar with a different
seeding method: dormant seeding. It
can be defined as planting when soil
temperatures have declined to the level
where no seed germination occurs. The
theory of dormant seeding is for the
seed to r e m a i n in the soil and
germinate when conditions become
favorable in the spring.
The potential for a successful
establishment from dormant seeding
can be very good if favorable conditions occur. Primarily, the soil
temperature should be below the point
that germination would take place in
the fall. Other factors that may contribute to a positive outcome include:
dormant fertilization; minimizing
erosion of newly seeded areas by
mulching or using a turf cover or
erosion blanket; and the use of turf
covers immediately in the spring.
So why should dormant seeding by
considered? We first used this method
at Falmouth Country Club to seed the
last few holes during construction. The
results were very dramatic. In the
spring, the dormant seeded holes
germinated very quickly and turned
out to be a fine stand of turf. In fact,

these holes were soon in better shape
than the holes seeded early enough for
fall germination. Much of the seed that
germinated in the fall did not survive
the winter in such a juvenile state.
After observing this method of
seeding t h r o u g h c o n s t r u c t i o n , I
thought it could be very helpful in
some other areas. In the fall of 1988 we
experimented with aerifying and
dormant seeding some of our weaker
fairways. We also dormant seeded
divots on tees and a new target green
on the driving range. Again, the results
the following spring were dramatic.
While some fellow superintendents
were reseeding winter damaged greens
with bentgrass and getting poor
germination results, I was noticing
excellent germination in our experimental areas. These results were
noticed from early to mid-April, with
soil t e m p e r a t u r e s of only 40-45
degrees.
Due to our sucess with dormant
seeding, in the fall of 1989 we expanded
our dormant seeding program. In
addition to seeding some fairway areas
and divots on tees, we groove seeded
one of our practice range tees in two
directions. The following spring, both
germination and soil temperature were
monitored. Again, we had great results
with bentgrass germination in soil

Page 6
Continued from page 5
turfgrass plant. My theory is that when
temperatures ranging from 38-43 you dormant seed, the seed undergoes
degrees. The dormant seeded areas the aforementioned initial stages of
were mowable before I had germina- germination during late fall and early
tion from spring seeding on some winter. After these conditions occur,
winter damaged greens.
the seed goes into a frozen state
Starting this fall, we will be dormant throughout the winter. In this period,
seeding all greens and selected areas in the e n z y m e a n d c a r b o h y d r a t e
fairways and tees as an insurance processes that occur during the actual
policy against winter damage. Some g e r m i n a t i o n b e c o m e d o r m a n t .
individuals may say that this is a waste B e c a u s e t h e seed is p a r t i a l l y
of seed, but when your growing season germinated or primed in the fall, it is
is short, this method can be very three to five weeks ahead of a spring
planted seed.
valuable in some years.
A n o t h e r p o s s i b l e area where
The success of a^lormaiS seeding
dormant seeding can be used is in a will hinge on many factors including
bentgrass conversion program. There good quality seed, weakened or dead
are two possible ways to accomplish Poa, proper groove seeding techthis conversion: 1) For many years, niques, and extreme care in the spring.
superintendents have been aerifying I hope dormant seeding may be as
and over-seeding Poa annua populated beneficial to you as it has been to me
greens, tees, and f a i r w a y s with and our club.
bentgrass in late summer in hopes of
achieving greater bentgrass population. Rather than compete against Poa
at its strongest stage, it may be
a d v a n t a g e o u s to d o r m a n t seed.
Bentgrass germination in early spring
would then be competing against Poa
The 1990 GCSANE Second Annual
at its weakest stage. 2) Another Research Tournament was a fine
possibility is using Round-Up prior to success. Dick Zepp and Chip Brearley
turfgrass dormancy, followed by are to be congratulated on spending
dormant seeding. This can result in a many long hours in organizing this
significant bentgrass population.
event.
The proper timing for dormant
seeding will vary depending upon your
region. In Portland, Maine we have
Board of Governors held
had the best results seeding between a GCSANE
special
meeting
23rd at
November 8-12.1 would suggest trying N a s h a w t u c C . C . October
M
u
c
h
g
eneral
various dates and monitoring the business was discussed. One vote
that
germination in the spring. There seems was taken was to not have a Christmas
to be a certain date that will yield the
for 1990 due to the extreme lack
fastest results come spring. We had party
tried seeding in late November and of participation in past years.
noticed that our spring results were
much later than areas we seeded
between November 8-12.
Charlie Gardner, CGCS, is celebraWhy are dormant seeded areas so far ting his 25th year at Oyster Harbor
ahead of spring seeded areas? I have a G.C. this year.
couple of possible explanations. The
first step in the seed germination
process is when water is absorbed by
the seed. The second step is when the
Nick Bruni, past superintendent at
seed undergoes a swelling which Rockport Golf Course, Rockport,
initiates several biochemical and Massachusetts, recently won five
morphological events. They ultimately million dollars in the Massachusetts
result in the development of a seedling Lottery!

Divot Drift

NEPGA
SHAN AH AN MEMORIAL
TEAM GROSS

A1 Vallante and
Chris Holland
Jack Gale and
Steve Chiavaroli
John Frizzell and
Ted Ellis
Dave McBride and
Searfin Costa
Mike Egan and
Mike Hermanson
Bill May and
Kevin Ross
Bob Day and
Andy Langlois
Led
Reynolds
Ted
Price
Reggie
Colomband
and
John
Ottaviano
Ted O'Rourke and
Bob St. Thomas

75
76
76
77
77
77
77
78
78
78

TEAM NET

Mark L'Heureux and
Tom Rowell
Kirk Hanefeld and
Kip Tyler
Chris Doyle and
Barrie Robertson
Bob Lendzion and
Mark Fuller
John Wells and
Tom Brodeur
Ron Hallett and
Jeff Carlson
Art Harris and
Jim Beane
Bryan Abbott and
Ken Fliser
Paul Ballard and
Loren Mann
Dana Petratis
Quigley and
Tom

70
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Page 7

Friends of the Association
SAWTELLE BROTHERS INC.
(Excerpt April 1933 Newsletter)
Greenskeeper Club of New England
Established 1924

"Fourteen years ago, Golf in this
country began to increase in popularity,
and each year since that time a greater
number of people have taken up the
game...new golf courses were constructed, and old courses remodeled.
Golfers began to d e m a n d better
playing conditions, and large sums of
money were spent annually in maintaining these golf courses in satisfactory
condition. With the additional amount
of money at their disposal, greenskeepers introduced finer playing
c o n d i t i o n s t h a n had ever been
obtained before. We all have noticed
this upward trend, the golfers have
been educated through this period to a
high standard of maintenance. ..there is
little c o m p a r i s o n b e t w e e n the
conditions of the golf courses of today
and those of fifteen years ago."
Sound familiar? This article written
in the 1930s stands to remind us that
the more things seem to change, the
more they remain the same. The plight
of golf course superintendents back in
1933, dealing with increased play and
golfers demanding better "playing
conditions", is not unlike their plight
today. It is also interesting to note that
despite the depression, golf was
becoming more popular, course construction was on the rise, as was
remodeling, and there was a demand
for better playing conditions; similarly
despite the recession today, golf
rounds per year continue to increase,
course construction and remodeling is
on the rise, and golfers want better
"playing conditions".
FINANCE CHAIRMAN
Paul Jamrog
P. O- Box 38
Belchertown, MA 01007
Home Phone 413-323-8519
Office Phone 413-536-4195
Club Affiliation
The Orchards G.C.

GOLF CHAIRMAN
Robert DiRico, CGCS
185 Hemenway Street
Marlboro. MA 01752
Home Phone 508-485-2605
Office Phone 617-244-0680
Club Affiliation
Brae Burn C.C.

Sawtelle Brothers is proud to have
played a key role in helping New
England Golf Course Superintendents
provide better playing conditions by
supplying quality golf course equipment since 1932. Our many thanks to
the Golf Course, Superintendents of
New England for over 57 years of
support and helping to make Sawtelle
Brothers, Inc. the oldest operating golf
course distributor in the country.

E d i t o r ' s Note: Chet Sawtelle,
founder of Sawtelle Brothers, Inc. in
1932, and self-appointed golf historian
for New England, has, over the years,
accumulated a plethora of memorabilia
pertinent to New England Golf,
including newsletters (as quoted
above) from as early as 1930. Copies
are available upon request.
Our second Friend for this month
did not respond.

Bob Lobel d o n a t e s h i s t i m e as g u e s t s p e a k e r a t t h e

Research

T o u r n a m e n t d i n n e r at N a s h a w t u c C.C.

Letter to the Editor
The following is a letter from Robert
G. Helgesen, Dean of the University of
Massachusetts at Amherst to Paul
Miller, CGCS.

"On behalf of the College of Food
and Natural Resources I would like to
extend my sincerest appreciation to the
Golf Course Superintendents Association for the recent gift of a new
pesticide storage facility for the
College's Turfgrass Research Program.
We are quite proud of this program
and feel that resources are the only
limitations to continued growth and
accomplishments of the Turfgrass

EDUCA TIONAL CHAIRMAN
Kevin F. Osgood
62 Maple Street
Hyde Park. MA 02136
Home Phone 617-364-4859
Office Phone 617-254-0925
Club Affiliation
Newion Comm. G.C.

NEWSLETTER
CHAIRMAN
Kip Tyler, CGCS
P O. Box 671
Peabody. MA 01960
Home Phone 508-462-9272
Office Phone 508-532-2236
Club Affiliation
Salem C.C.

Research Program. Your contribution
has helped reduce those limitations.
As you know, Massachusetts, like
most states in New England, has
significantly curtailed their appropriations to higher education, including
our College. Your gift, at this time, is
particularly a p p r e c i a t e d . 1 look
forward to working with you and
Professor Cooper in continuing to
develop building opportunities for the
Turfgrass Research Program; opportunities that will help us help you and
the members of the Association.
Again, m a n y t h a n k s for your
support.

PAST PFIESIDENT
Richard Zepp. CGCS
27 Fowler Road
Northbridge, MA 01534
Home Phone 508-234-8490
Office Phone 508-234-2533
Club Affiliation
Whitinsville. G.C.

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 used
freely, in w h o l e or in part, w i t h o u t special p e r m i s s i o n
as l o n g as t h e true c o n t e x t is m a i n t a i n e d We w o u l d
appreciate a c r e d i t line

Please patronize F R I E N D S O F T H E A S S O C I A T I O N
Baker Golf Cars
40 W a l k e r St., S w a n s e a , M A 0 2 7 7 7
(508) 3 7 9 - 0 0 9 2
Reps, Ray C h a d w i c k , Paul L i t t l e j o h n

Gold Star Wholesale Nursery & Sod Farm
Bill T h o m p s o n
L e x i n g t o n , M A , (617) 8 6 1 - 1 1 1 1
C a n t e r b u r y , N H , (603) 7 8 3 - 4 7 1 7

• L e s c o Inc.
20005 L a k e Rd., R o c k y River, O H 4 4 1 1 6
R o n T u m i s k i , Rep., M i k e D o n a h u e , Rep.
800-825-3726

Bartlett T r e e Experts
Tree Maintenance, Fertilization &
Consulting
153 R u m f o r d Ave., N e w t o n , M A 0 2 1 6 6
(617) 9 6 9 - 5 9 9 0

G r e e n w a y Irrigation C o m p a n y
Irrigation, Drainage, Wire Laying
P.O. B o x 8157
East L y n n , M A 0 1 9 0 4
J o h n M u r p h y , (617) 5 9 5 - 3 0 1 0
S t e v e M u r p h y , (617) 5 9 8 - 6 9 1 7

"Loft's S e e d
20 B e c k Rd., A r l i n g t o n , M A 0 2 1 7 4
V i c t o r i a W a l l a c e , Rep.

*The Bordon Company
M a y n a r d , M A , Tel: (508) 8 9 7 - 2 5 7 1
Sales Rep. J a c k B o r d e n
Bulk L i m e s t o n e Dealer
Boston Irrigation C o m p a n y
Dedham, MA
J o h n R a m e y , Paul K e n y o n
(617) 4 6 1 - 1 5 6 0
D i s t r i b u t o r of I r r i g a t i o n S u p p l i e s
and Accessories
T h e C a r d i n a l s , Inc^
166 River Rd., P.O. B o x 5 2 0
Unionville, C T 06085
Golf Course & Landscape Supplies
J o h n C a l l a h a n (203) 6 7 3 - 3 6 9 9
C a J E q u i p m e n t , Inc.
188 M a i n St., W i l m i n g t o n , M A 0 1 8 8 7
J o h n Deere Golf & Turf Equipment
(508) 6 5 8 - 2 0 2 2 — E r i c O m a n ,
Mike Cornicelli, Kevin O ' D o n n e l l
' G e o f f r e y S. C o r n i s h & B r i a n Silva
Golf Course Architects
Fiddlers Green, Amherst, MA 01002
C o u n t r y C l u b Enterprises, Inc.
C l u b C a r G o l f Cars, C a r r y a l l s / U t i l i t y C a r s
P.O. B o x 400, W. F a l m o u t h , M A 0 2 5 7 4
(508) 5 6 3 - 2 2 8 4
C h e s t e r D r a k e & Sons, inc.
222 W a l n u t St., F r a m i n g h a m , M A 0 1 7 0 1
Golf Course Construction
(508) 8 7 5 - 7 9 2 9
Elanco Products C o m p a n y
S t e p h e n C. D o l i n a k
31 O l d T o w n Trail, N a r r a g a n s e t t , Rl 0 2 8 8 2
(401) 7 8 9 - 9 0 1 7

H a m m o n d & Tilton, Inc.
P.O. B o x 30, E x i t 3 5 W o f f I95
Fairfield, ME 04937
T e l : (207) 4 5 3 - 7 1 3 1
J o h n Deere Golf & Turf Equipment
Contact: Gary H a m m o n d
T h e Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
P.O. B o x 9169
W e a t h e r s f i e l d , C T 06109
1-800-326-HART
Roy Sfbley, {203^376-9525
D o n W h i n n e m , (603) 6 9 2 - 5 0 9 7
Holliston S a n d Co., Inc.
P.O. B o x 393, T r i f f t Rd., S l a t e r s v i l l e , Rl
(401) 766-5010/Topdressing & Bunker Sand
International Golf Const. Co.
A n t o n i o s P a g a n i s , Rep.
5 P u r c e l l Rd., A r l i n g t o n , M A 0 2 1 7 4
Golf Course Construction
(617) 6 4 8 - 2 3 5 1 o r (508) 4 2 8 - 3 0 2 2
Irrigation Maintenance & Service
21 LakeviewAve., Natick, MA, (508) 653-0625
Irrigation consultation, design, and
system evaluation - Bob Healey, A S I C
" T o m Irwin, Inc.
11B A St., B u r l i n g t o n , MA
Jack Peterson
Dennis Friel Phone: 617-938-1751
Wayne Ripley, Paul Skafas

Lowden Tree & Landscape
4 3 3 C h e s t n u t St., N e e d h a m , M A 0 2 1 9 2
Tree maintenance, spraying, consulting,
landscaping, construction
S c o t t A. S t o v e r , R e p , 6 1 7 - 4 4 4 - 0 4 0 2
T h e M a g o v e r n Co., Inc.
27 L a w n a c r e R o a d
Windsor Locks, C T 06096
T e l : 8 0 0 - 2 4 3 - 7 7 1 8 o r (203) 6 2 3 - 2 5 0 8
L e w V a r g a , Rep.
*D.L. Maher Co.
B o x 127, C o n c o r d St.
N. R e a d i n g , M A 0 1 8 6 4
TOT7) 9 3 3 - 3 2 1 0
Water Supply Specialists
W a t e r Wel'is & P u m p i n g E q u i p m e n t
Mobay Chemical Co.
G r e g Ellis
67 P r i m r o s e D r i v e
W a r w i c k , Rl 0 2 8 1 8
• N a r d o n e S a n d & Gravel C o . Inc.
37 P o w e r Rd., W e s t f o r d , M A 0 1 8 8 6
(508) 6 9 2 - 8 2 2 1
S p e c i a l i z i n g in T o p d r e s s i n g S a n d
Nor-Am Chemical Co.
Wilmington, Delaware
D a v i d S y l v e s t e r , Rep.
(203) 8 2 8 - 8 9 0 5
Old Fox C h e m i c a l Inc.
Fertilizers-Seeds-Turf-Chemicals
66 V a l l e y S t r e e t
E. P r o v i d e n c e , Rl 0 2 9 1 4

L a r c h m o n t E n g . & Irrig. C o .
L a r c h m o n t Lane, L e x i n g t o n , M A 02173
(617) 8 6 2 - 2 5 5 0
T h e L a w n Co. Inc.
P.O. 1540, B u z z a r d s B a y , M A 0 2 5 3 2
T o m Fair, 1 - 8 0 0 - 6 6 0 - T U R F
F e r t i l i z e r s & Pest C o n t r o l s A p p l i e d
Fairway Aeration & Slice Seeding

Partac Peat Corporation
Great M e a d o w s , N J 0 7 8 3 3 - 8 0 0 - 2 4 7 - 2 3 2 6
(201)637-4191—G.C. topdressing, const,
m i x e s , t e n n i s ct. s u p p l y

P.I.E. Supply C o .
D e d i c a t e d t o s a l e s a n d s e r v i c e of q u a l
i r r i g a t i o n e q u i p m e n t . (203) 8 7 8 - 0 6 5 8
J o h n L e n s i n g , (401) 2 4 6 - 0 8 6 4 f o r y o u
irrigation needs.
R e a d S a n d & Gravel, Inc.
171 V F W Dr., R o c k l a n d , M A 0 2 3 7 0
Top Dressg Loam; Sand, concrete a
brick; Stone, crushed, washed, colon
S a m e d a y s e r v i c e , Sat. d e l i v e r i e s .
M i k e D o n o v a n , (617) 8 7 8 - 2 9 5 5
Sawtelle Bros.
65 G l e n n St., L a w r e n c e , M A 0 1 8 4 3
(508) 6 8 2 - 9 2 9 6
Scotts P r o - T u r f Div.
A l l a n C u m p s , R e g i o n a l Dir.
Rep. S c o t t B r o w n , (401) 2 9 4 - 3 6 0 6
Rep. R i c h a r d F o r n i , (413) 5 3 4 - 8 8 9 6
Steiner Turf Equipment
S a l e s & S e r v i c e , V e r n o n s , Inc.
13 S c h o o l St., D a n v e r s , M A 0 1 9 2 3
D i c k L e i g h , (508) 7 7 4 - 4 4 1 0
T u c k a h o e Turf F a r m s Inc.
E x e t e r , Rl, L i t c h f i e l d , N H
West Suffield, C T
800-556-6985
L a r g e s t P r o d u c e r of P e n n c r o s s in
New England
O w e n Regan
•Turf Products Corp.
7 C o p p a g e Dr., W o r c e s t e r , M A 0 1 6 0 3
(508) 7 9 1 - 2 0 9 1
•Turf Specialty Inc.
60 M e r r i m a c St., H o o k s e t t , N H 0 3 1 0 6
Turf & Ornamental Supplies
1-800-228-6656
Bob Flanagan, Kevin Lyons,
D a v e S c h e r m e r h o r n , Ed W i a c e k
Philip W o g a n
Golf Course A r c h i t e c t u r e
17 W a l k e r Rd., T o p s f i e l d , M A 0 1 9 8 3
W i n d i n g Brook Turf Farm, Inc.
2 4 0 G r i s w o l d Rd., W e t h e r s f i e l d , C T 0 6 1
800-243-0232, Alan A n d e r s o n

•Contributors to the Troll-Dickinson
Scholarship Fund

THE

NEWSLETTER
KIP TYLER, C G C S
Newsletter Editor
PETER H A S A K
Associate Editor
R O N A L D MILENSKI, C G C S
Business Manager
GERRY FINN
C o n t r i b u t i n g Editor

Return to:
KIP TYLER, C G C S
P. O. BOX 671
PEABODY, MA 01960

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