LETTER
Golf Course Superintendents

Association

S p o n s o r s a n d a d m i n i s t r a t o r s of the T r o l l - D i c k i n s o n S c h o l a r s h i p
Fund
A w a r d e d yearly t o deserving T u r f M a n a g e m e n t S t u d e n t s .

OF NEW E N G L A N D , INC.

February 1991

March Meeting'
T h u r s d a y , M a r c h 21, 1 9 9 1
N a s h a w t u c C.C., C o n c o r d , MA
9:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
12:00 noon
1:00 p.m.

Director's Meeting
Regular Meeting
Lunch
Education

Host Superintendent
P a u l Miller
Speaker
J o h n Kenny
Chief Inspector
Mass. Pesticide Bureau
Reservations Required
C a l l by M a r c h 15, 1 9 9 1
(617) 5 2 7 - 6 9 6 8

P a u l has been superintendent at
N ashawtuc C .C. for three 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.
a n d is c u r r e n t l y P r e s i d e n t of
GCSANE. Paul resides in M a r b l e
head, MA with his wife Sally and
children J o n a t h a n , age 18, a n d
Jennifer, age 14.In his spare time
Paul enjoys golf, tennis, and skiing.

D i r e c t i o n s : F r o m Route 128 to
Route 2 west, follow 2 west to Route
117 exit, cross Route 117, club is on
your left.

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Doug Johnson
expands his horizons
Doug J o h n s o n ' s
been there before.
" I t ' s a learning
experience,''
J o h n s o n said one
day last month
after reviewing his
last three years as
a superintendent
without a green chairman. "This is the
only way to go, at least for me. But you
take your chances. I guess t h a t ' s the
price you pay for your independence."
J o h n s o n pulled several years on the
country club side of the street as a golf
course superintendent, but always felt
the urge to strike out on his own.
T h a t option presented itself three
years ago when he stepped into the
contract management waters. He made
a bid to m a n a g e the grounds at the Sky
Meadow Country Club in Merrimack,
New Hampshire. It was accepted and
he's been overseeing that operation ever
since.
" T h a t was my first try to go on my
own, so to speak," Doug explained.
"Until t h a t opportunity came along, my
job and I were at the mercy of a third and
sometimes fourth and fifth party. Not
only did I have to make sure my conditioning work met specifications, I had
to c o m p l e m e n t t h a t w i t h a n o t h e r
successful attempt to make people like
me. I'm talking about the green chairm a n and others on the various country
c l u b b o a r d s . A f t e r p l e a s i n g one
chairman, there'd be a change and I'd
h a v e to learn to live with the next guy's
whims and self-declared turf expertise."

Now, that's all changed and Doug's on
his own. He even has the luxury of
second-guessing himself.
"Yeah, I can even do t h a t , " he
remarked. "But, to tell the truth, I don't
have time for a n y t h i n g like t h a t kind of
stuff. In fact, with independence comes
more responsibility. I'm on the go seven
days a week at the height of the season.
Sometimes it's hectic, but I love it."
Johnson takes to the course management business as if he has been in it all
of his life. Since bringing Sky Meadow
conditions up to satisfactory levels, he's
taken on a second client, if you will—the
Locust Valley Golf Course in Attleboro.
Then, there's the possibility of a third
venture. At press time, Doug h a d
submitted a bid to take the South Shore
Country Club nder his wing and was
waiting on a decision there. So, he's
expanding his horizons, one leap at a
time.

"With independence comes
more responsibility."
Doug Johnson
"Well, I'm into this type of thing and
there's a lot of opportunity out there to
build on my ambitions," Doug told. "But
t h e r e are two d i f f e r e n t o p e r a t i o n s
involved. My contract at Sky Meadow is
a straight-out fee setup. I submit a figure

continued on page 2

continued from page 1

PRESIDENT
Paul Miller, OGCS
1 Leicester Road, Marblehead, MA 01945
(H) 617-631-7910 — (W) 508-369-5704
Club Affiliation - Nashawtuc C.C.
VICE PRESIDENT
Charles T. Passios, CGCS
218 Camelback Road, Marston Mills, MA 02648
(H) 508-420-3210 — (W) 508-775-5116
Club Affiliation - Hyannisport Club
SECRETARY
Stephen A. Chiavaroli CGCS
100 Airport Drive, Worcester, MA 01602
(H) 508-752-0031 — (W) 508-791-5373
Club Affiliation - Tatnuck C.C.
TREASURER
Ronald E. Milenski, CGCS
65 Rocky Pond Road, Princeton, MA 01541
(H) 508-464-5312 — (W) 508-779-6911
Club Affiliation - The International
TRUSTEE
Edward L. Brearly
189 Matfield Street, W. Bridgewater, MA 02379
(H) 508-584-6568 — (W) 508-295-7010
Club Affiliation - Bay Pointe C.C.
TRUSTEE
Eric E. Newell, C G C S
113 Cross Street, Hanover, MA 02339
(H) 617-826-7207 — (W) 617-878-5836
Club Affiliation - Rockland C.C.
TRUSTEE
Robert Ruszala
69 Gelinas Drive, Chicopee, MA 01020
(H) 413-592-5780 — Office Phone 413-256-8654
Club Affiliation - Hickory Ridge G.C.
FINANCE
CHAIRMAN
Paul Jamrog
P. O. Box 38, Belchertown, MA 01007
(H) 413-323-8519 — (W) 413-536-4195
Club Affiliation - The Orchards G.C.
GOLF
CHAIRMAN
Robert DiRico, CGCS
185 Hemenway Street, Marlboro, MA 01752
(H) 508-485-2605 — (W) 617-244-0680
Club Affiliation - Brae Burn C.C.
EDUCATIONAL
CHAIRMAN
Kevin F. Osgood
62 Maple Street, Hyde Park, MA 02136
(H) 617-364-4859— (W) 617-254-0925
Club Affiliation - Newton Comm. G.C.
NEWSLETTER
CHAIRMAN
Kip Tyler, CGCS
P. O. Box 671, Peabody, MA 01960
(H) 508-462-9272 — (W) 508-532-2236
Club Affiliation - Salem C.C.
PAST PRESIDENT
Richard Zepp, CGCS
27 Fowler Road, Northbridge, MA 01534
(H) 508-234-8490 - (W) 508-234-2533
Club Affiliation - Whitinsville, G.C.

KIP TYLER, CGCS
Newsletter Editor
RONALD MILENSKI, CGCS
Business Manager

GERRY FINN
Contributing Editor

Information contained in this publication may be used
freely, in whole or in part, without special permission as
long as the 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 credit line.

to take care of the grounds, only. If it's
accepted, that represents my budget. So
I have to stay within it to make it worth
my while. There's a slight risk, but my
experience with budgets should carry
me through. That's the situation at Sky
Meadow. Locust Valley. That's
different."
There, Johnson leases the nine-hole
course outright. He's in charge of the
entire operation—from top to bottom,
soup to nuts. He runs the golf course
maintenance program, pro shop, and
everything else.
Which just happens to be the more
intriguing, the more challenging aspect
of contract management.
"I look at Sky Meadow, where I have
responsibility only in maintaining the
golf course as the morestable part of my
b u s i n e s s , " fioug d i s c l o s e d . " T h e
financial results are pretty much cut and
dried. I know just about how much it's
going to cost to groom the course and
how much I'll have left to draw as my
salary. Leasing is much different.
"Leasing is as close as you can get to
outright owning a golf course without
making a huge investment. As it is, I pay
Locut Valley a rent figure and after that
it's up to me to cover it or surpass it with
revenue from operating the course. Hey,
I could get burned or I could do all right.
So far, I'm not getting hurt, but I'm not
getting rich. However, I'm learning how
to run my own business and depending
on the experience to make it a solid
investment of my money and time."
There's a definite difference in the
grooming specs at Sky Meadow and
Locust Valley. Sky Meadow is part of a
condominium development t h a t went
through troubled times and is now
owned by a bank. However, it h a s highlevel grooming expectations because of
the demands set by about 200 resident
club members and guest green fees in the
$40 to $50 range.
"I really have to give those people a
top-notch course," Johnson revealed.
"So far, so good. They seem to like the
way the course looks and plays. And,
remember, when I f i r s t took t h a t
account, there were only 12 holes in play.
Therefore, I had to bring in the other
eight and still make ends meet as far as
my f i n a n c i a l c o m m i t m e n t w a s
concerned."
On the other hand, Locust Valley is in
the up and coming course category, not
nearly as active as Sky Meadows is. Sky
Meadows, for example, played to almost
30,000 rounds this past season. Johnson
hopes for t h a t kind of action once he's
h a d time to lay a heavy h a n d on
grooming Locust Valley.

" L o c u s t V a l l e y is m o r e in t h e
moderate class of golf course," Doug
explained. "It has a membership of
about 105 and is a public course in the
sense that the main source of revenue
comes from green fees. I have four people
working there and the first year was a
relatively successful one. In fact, my
lease was just renewed for another year.
"This is where I really have to watch
my budget because I'm responsible for
everything connected with the course.
I've hired a pro and superintendent and
it's working out well. But I have to keep
telling myself that I must always be
aware of the fact that any mistake along
financial lines is a mistake I'll pay for
dearly because it comes out of my pocket.
However, I prefer this type of operation
because of the equity in the setup. In
other words, I should get as much out of
Locust Valley as I put into it."
And that's a lot—on both sides of
Doug's management business.
The two courses are about one hour
and 15 minutes of travel time apart.
Johnson usually sets up his work day,
starting at Sky Meadows and finishing
at Locust Valley. It makes for long days,
too. And there's no such thing as a short
week. But Doug appears to be in it to stay
and is trying to lift his effort into a
thriving business.
"I'm feeling real good these days," he
concluded. "My f a m i l y ' s been great
about, very supportive. In fact, for my
40th birthday my wife gave me a week at
the Red Sox F a n t a s y Camp in Florida.
What a present, huh? I'm really looking
forward to that. This can be a good life,
right?"
It can be and right now is for Doug
Johnson who apparently is working
harder t h a n ever but enjoying it more
t h a n ever, too.
GERRY FINN

Calendar
Feb. 20

Regular Meeting
Monoosnock C.C.
Leominster, MA
Lunch
M a r . 5 - 7 Mass. T u r f g r a s s
Conference
MGA Spring Meeting
Mar. 9
Newton Marriot
Newton, MA
M a r . 2 1 Regular Meeting
N a s h a w t u c C.C.
Concord, MA
Lunch
M a r . 2 5 GCSANE a n d N E P G A
J o i n t Education Day
Colonial C.C.
Wakefield, MA
USGARegionalSeminar
Apr. 4
Weston C.C.
Weston, MA

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The Super Speaks Out:
This month's question —
"With a recession aiready accepted as being real and viable
across the country, how do present economic conditions affect
your maintenance program and the organization of your budget?"
R o n K i r k m a n , N e e d h a m Golf
Club: "So far there doesn't seem to be
any kind of a spinoff action from the
so-called economic slowdown, and I'd
c l a s s i f y t h e budget a n d f i n a n c i a l
spending outlook here as normal.
"The feeling at Needham always has
been to give employee compensation top
priority in setting up annual budgets.
This is reflected in a 9.9 percent payroll
hike for people working on the golf
course. I should note t h a t this approach
was one taken by a former green chairman, J i m Cotter. Obviously, his
philosophy must be a popular one with
the membership since he is our in-coming
club president.
"Incidentally, our membership is as
strong as ever in numbers. At the
present time the overall figure stands at
395, remember we are a nine-hole golf
course, and it is closed with a waiting
list.
" T h e r e w a s n ' t a n y m e n t i o n of
economic conditions when my budget
was being considered, although I understand there could be changes should the
situation affect our revenue intake.
Then I would expect some cutbacks. In
what areas? I haven't even given t h a t a
thought.
"The total budget for this year shows
an overall increase of 7.4 percent. This is
right in line with the 1990 budget, so I
have to consider this a normal year as
far as spending futures are concerned.
"There also is no change in our new
projects or improvement outlook. The
increase h a s been pegged at 8.9 percent,
but no major projects are on the drawing
board. There always is talk of such
things as car paths and reconstructing
the entire practice area. However, we
look at those as being way down the
road.
" T h e big difference here is t h a t
Needham makes no claims to being a
luxury or status club. We h a v e no
swimming pool, tennis courts, or other
e x t r a v a g a n t facilities for members.
Therefore, we never have to worry about
maintaining or upgrading t h a t type of
facility. It means a big savings all the
way down the line.
"So, there are no signs of a recession or

effects of one here. If and when they
come, we'll be ready to deal with them."
Roy Mackintosh,
Twin
Hills
C o u n t r y Club: "If
I tell you my
a p p r o a c h to t h e
maintenance
p r o g r a m at Twin
Hills this year is to
be a little smarter
and work a little harder, you have our
reaction to the recession.
"In our minds, there's no question
about it. The country is in an economic
slide, slow down... whatever they want to
call it, and we're feeling its effects.
"I can't give you an exact percentage
f i g u r e , b u t we d e f i n i t e l y will be
operating on a 'softer' budget this year.
Perhaps the most telling item in the new
budget is the fact that we're seeing no
raises for anyone. We sat down in an
executive session and, frankly, the key
word in matter of financial outlay was
'pruning'. T h a t we did. T h a t everyone
thought we had to do.
"We've felt the economics' change in
many ways, but especially our membership figures. They have slipped a little
and we have to operate according to a
more prudent approach to maintaining
the golf course.
"I've been told that high standards in
that area have been established here.
Therefore, the challenge this year is a
little stronger t h a n in the past. Regardless, I don't see any change in the
condition of the course. That's where a
more heady approach to the job and
exemplary work ethic come into play.
"Actually, we are coming off one of our
better years. It was a good year for
revenues, but these were offset somewhat by a real estate evaluation t h a t
made for much higher taxes t h a n in the
past.
"Overall, then, this will be a year
when capital expenditures are held to a
bare minimum and we get the job done
on what we have in the equipment field.
It's not a crisis, just a time to be a little
more diligent and mindful t h a t we can't
set up budgets as if we're operating out
of an endless financial well. I'm looking
forward to it, really."

Eric Newell,
R o c k l a n d Golf
Club: "We're just
coming off one of
our m o s t a c t i v e
years in the area of
improving conditions
which means that
our o w n e r s h i p
invested in a lot of projects—like
planting trees, rebuilding greens, and
getting our drainage system streamlined
and on track.
"Since we are privately owned, the
custom in the past was to work with
owners on an informal budget basis. I n
other words, money was spent as the
occasion arose and things just fell into
place almost by themselves.
"However, presently I'm engaged in
setting up my first formal budget in the
nine years I've been at Rockland. I
haven't gotten to a bottom line, so I can't
talk about financial outlay, not even
increases because there never h a s been a
budget as such here.
"I do know we are aware of economic
conditions and t h a t they will affect
spending to the point t h a t I've been told
not to plan for any major projects or to
purchase any new equipment.
" I n other words, the program here this
year will be one where I concentrate on
maintenance and keeping playing conditions at the high level our members
(250) and guests have come to expect.
"We are unique in t h a t we are a parthree golf course. But being the longest
par three layout in the country means
t h a t m a i n t e n a n c e requirements and
input are no different t h a n a regulationsized course.
"So, there's no panic here over the
economy. We're doing business as usual
but showing restraint as far as major
capital outlay goes. I'm looking forward
to what I would call a normal year."
GERRY FINN

From the Editor...
There is a new look to "The Newsletter" starting this month. We will
make better use of our available space by
eliminating the inside border on each
page, thereby expanding our printed
area. There will be a darker green and
black print used. Regular monthly items
such as "Next Meeting" will be located
on the same page each month with
bolder headlines. There will also be a
section called Divot Drift t h a t will house
announcements, educational seminars,
job opportunities, tournament results,
and miscellaneous items of interest to
the membership. T h a n k s to Zip Type
Service in Newburyport, MA for their
assistance.

A message
from
the President
I would like to
take this opportunity
to encourage everyone to t a k e a
moment
and
consider the quest i o n of p e s t i c i d e
e x p o s u r e . We all
presently practice
posting and right to know, but I feel we
s h o u l d p r e p a r e a procedure if an
employee or golfer should suffer a
reaction. In the wake of constant sensationalism by the press, we must be
prepared to identify the symptoms (by
MSDS) and encourage treatment. We
want everyone in golf to feel as comfortable around necessary chemicals as
we do. I think a significant part of this
comfort range is informing everyone in
your Club of a contamination and
treatment plan. The following is a procedure I would like you to consider:
P o s t i n g - In an obvious place.
R i g h t t o K n o w - Familiarizing the
golf professional and his staff with
m a t e r i a l safety d a t a sheets and
encourage him to have them available on request.
S y m p t o m s - As stated on MSDS.
D i a g n o s i s - Hospital, trauma
center, or doctor should be familiar
with all chemicals you are using and
eager to administer any- treatment
necessary. MSDS should accompany
the individual for treatment. Speed is
one of the most important factors in
exposure, so selection of the treatment center and its location is vital to
the success of this procedure.
C o m m u n i c a t i o n - Reinforcing to
everyone that this is only a safeguard
procedure and hopefully will never
h a v e to be implemented. Do not
overreact!
I think t h a t everyone in our business
is a dedicated humanitarian. We have
been educated to recognize turf grass
reaction to chemicals, but h u m a n tolerances are varied. If we have this type of
procedure in place, everyone should be
as comfortable around pesticides as we
are.
PAUL MILLER

GCSANE 2 5 Y e a r Pin r e c i p i e n t s - W a y n e Z o p p o ( l e f t ) a n d D a v i d B a r b e r .

Proposed by-law changes
A r t i c l e V I I I , S e c t i o n 3, P a r a g r a p h s
T U R F RESEARCH COMMITTEE

N e w A r t i c l e IV, S e c t i o n 9 t o b e
inserted shall read:

N o w R e a d s : An advisory committee
shall consist of the Vice President
(Chairman), Immediate Past President,
one trustee of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England,
two commercial representatives, and the
head of the University of Massachusetts
Turf Department. The two commercial
representatives shall be appointed by
the Board of Directors for a term of two
years. The committee shall represent the
Association on all matters pertaining to
turf research and the solicitation of
funds for turf research. A Turf Research
Fund shall be established to fund and
support research, teaching, and
e x t e n s i o n a c t i v i t i e s in t u r f g r a s s
management.

STUDENT MEMBERS. A Student
Member shall be a full-time student
pursuing a degree in turf management
or shall have completed such a degree
within the previous one year and is not
employed as a golf course superintendent or assistant. He or she shall have
such privileges as established by the
Association and shall pay initiation fees
a n d d u e s a s e s t a b l i s h e d by t h e
Association.

C h a n g e d to r e a d : An advisory
committee shall consist of the Vice
President (Chairman), Immediate Past
President, one trustee of the Golf Course
Superintendents Association of New
England, one Golf Course Superintendents Association of New E n g l a n d
m e m b e r at large, two commercial
representatives, and a university turfrelated program representative. The
Board of Directors shall appoint the
trustee, member at large, two commercial representatives, and the university
representative for one year terms. The
committee shall represent the Association on all matters pertaining to turf
research and the solicitation of funds for
turf research. A Turf Research Fund
shall be established to fund and support
research, teaching, and extension
activities in turfgrass management.

1991

Officers and Directors
G C S A of N e w E n g l a n d
President
P a u l Miller, CGCS, N a s h a w t u c C.C.
Vice President
C h a r l e s Passios, CGCS, H y a n n i s p o r t Club
Secretary
Stephen Chiavaroli, CGCS, T a t n u c k C.C.
Treasurer
E r i c Newell, CGCS, Rockland C.C.
Trustee
Robert Ruszala, Hickory Ridge C.C.
T r u s t e e (3 y e a r s )
E d w a r d Brearly, B a y P o i n t e C.C.
Finance Chairman
P a u l J a m r o g , T h e O r c h a r d s G.C.
Golf C h a i r m a n
Bob DiRico, CGCS, Brae B u r n C.C.
Educational Chairman
Kevin Osgood, N e w t o n C o m m o n w e a l t h C.C.
Newsletter Chairman
Kip Tyler, CGCS, Salem C.C.
Past President
Richard Zepp, CGCS, Whitinsville G.C.

Friends of the Month
Bartlett Tree Experts
T h e F.A. B a r t l e t t T r e e E x p e r t
Company was founded by Dr. F.A.
Bartlett in 1907. Initially the company
supplied services to t h e s o u t h e r n
Connecticut, Westchester County, and
Long Island, New York areas. Currently
the company has offices from Vermont
and New Hampshire, south to Georgia,
west to Illinois, and also in Texas and
California.
Bartlett Tree Experts offer quality
scientific care for both ornamental or
shade trees and shrubs, and for public
utility companies. Of specific interest to
the golf industry is the care provided to
ornamental trees and shrubs. This type
of care we call our general tree care or
GTC. It includes all types of pruning
from removal of hazardous deadwood to
whole crown reduction to a simple limb
removal for clearance or visibility. We
are equipped for tree removals, stump
removals, tree or shrub installation,
cabling, bracing, lightning protection,
or simply a consultation by a thoroughly
trained tree care professional.
We also provide excellent pest and
disease management through effective
use of our spray, fertilization, and integrated pest m a n a g e m e n t (IPM)
programs.
All of our tree care techniques and
materials are constantly tested and
updated at the Bartlett Tree Care Laboratories located in Charlotte, North
Carolina. The labs were established in
1927 and have helped set us apart as a
superior tree care provider since their
existence.
Our services are offered year round.
We look forward to being of service to the
Golf Course Superintendents of New
England.

Paul Kenyan, a former golf course
superintendent and the other principal,
states: "We always intended to become a
one stop shop, and I feel we are there."
T h e c o m p a n y offers free delivery
(usually the same day), an 800 number
from all over New England, and knowledgeable, well-trained, and personable
people behind the counter and over the
phone.
An emerging force in the company is
the pump department" headed by Ed
Tierney. "With water more precious
than ever, the need for efficient pump

stations will increase," says Ed. The
pumping products include Grundfos,
Sta-Rite, and Watertronics, which offers
total pump packages.
The need for efficient, energy saving
pumping stations is becoming the
number one priority for the 90s. Other
golf pumping products include Data
Industrial (flow monitors), CLA-Valve,
Flo-Matic, Plum Creek Strainers, and
Lakos separators and filters. Recently,
drainage has become more important to
golf courses. Other product lines include
drainage highlighted by Eljen, and ADS
and outdoor lighting. Eljen, the fabric
wrapped composite drain, and ADS
have sold well. NDS Drainage Products
such as collection boxes, sumps, and
grates have become more and more
popular for draining surface water.

Proposed state regulation
would limit turf chemicals
from GCSAA

Briefing

A regulation proposed by the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture,
(333 CMR 12.00 Protection of Public
D r i n k i n g Water Supplies) m a y ban
approximately 21 products from use in
areas within a one-half mile radius of
any public drinking-water supply well.
Some of the proposed products include
chlorothalonil, alachlor, b e n t a z o n ,
metolachlor, simazine, f e n a m i p h o s ,
disulfoton, lindane, and terbufos. The

D e p a r t m e n t m a y g r a n t exceptions
(which must be renewed annually) when
there is no other viable alternative. After
filing paperwork for a variance (exception), the Department has 60 days to
make a decision. The Department held
public hearings in November and is
waiting for a report before submitting
the regulations to the Pesticide Board.
Because of t h e comments from the
Massachusetts Green Industry Council
during the hearing, they expect to make
some changes.

B o s t o n Irrigation Supply
Boston Irrigation Supply was incorporated in February 1985. The company,
located in Dedham, MA, has expanded
its inventory to over 5000 line items.
"This sounds like a lot, but it is needed to
serve the diverse needs of the golf course
superintendent and the irrigation
contractor," says John Ramey,
President of BISCO. The r a n g e of
products includes Weather-Matic,
Hunter, and Toro sprinkler heads,
valves, and controllers. All the accessories are available as well, i.e. fittings,
pipe valve boxes, galvanized copper,
brass, cements, wire trackers, and on
and on.

Dick Zepp ( l e f t ) p r e s e n t s to D r . Helgesen ( D e a n of the College of Food & N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e s ) a p e s t i c i d e storage b u i l d i n g
d o n a t e d by GCSANE l a s t f a l l to U. of M a s s . Looking on are Or. Craker a n d Dr. Richard Cooper.

Are we too swift
to be safe ?
by Scott Nesbiti
(Reprinted from Northern Turf Management magazine)

It was a p l e a s a n t mid-September
a f t e r n o o n a n d Michael Polski was
driving with the side window down.
Then the rock came.
A police dispatcher said the 4-pound
field stone apparently hit a door post
t h e n c o n t i n u e d t h r o u g h t h e open
window and struck Polski in the head,
killing him.
"If the window was up, the rock might
h a v e been deflected," the state police
dispatcher commented.
T h e car carrying t h e 71-year-old
victim ended up at the side of the road.
W h a t puts t h i s story into a turf
magazine is the fact t h a t the rock was
thrown by a mower.
The police dispatcher relating the
incident said he was not aware of any
charges being filed against the operator
of the mower, which was working in a
roadside field.
The officer said, though, t h a t he discussed the incident with an insurance
adjuster, and was told there is a Florida
court case pending in which a police

Two Cape towns hit
on fuel tank rules
from The Boston

Globe

In the first action of its kind in New
England, federal officials said yesterday t h a t they had issued complaints
against two Cape Cod towns and a
petroleum c o m p a n y for f a i l i n g to
comply with underground storage tank
regulations. Falmouth and Bourne have
each been fined approximately $3,700
and Sorenti Petroleum Inc. of Sagamore
was fined $23,521 for failing to test their
t a n k s for leaks by the December 1989
date mandated by the regulations.

officer was permanently disabled after
being struck by an object thrown by a
mower.
E l s e w h e r e in P e n n s y l v a n i a , t h e
people who maintain the grounds at the
Gettysburg Military Cemetery and the
adjacent Eisenhower historical site are
getting rid of rotary tow-behind mowers
and switching to flail mowers. The move
was hastened after the side of an expensive new car was ripped up by a rotary's
discharge. The risk of the same thing
happening to flesh, rather t h a n steel,
helped speed up the process.
I was reminded of these events the
other morning as I sat at a stop light and
watched a commercial operator mow the
lawn outside a restaurant. The lawn and
adjacent sidewalk were dead flat and
smooth. The only obstacle on the lawn
was a fire hydrant. The grass wasn't all
t h a t high, and seemed to be in good
shape for mowing, judging by the nice
smooth clipping discharge stream the
big multi-blade walk-behind mower was
producing.
For some reason, the operator had his
discharge chute deflector wired up, so
the clippings came gushing out in a
rooster-tail plume t h a t dusted clippings
all over the cars waiting at the stop light.
The physics of the situation are
f r i g h t e n i n g . Rotary mowers are
designed so the tips of their blades move
at a rate between 150 and 200 miles per
hour. At those speeds, a piece of straw
can be driven through a telephone post.
A discarded ball point pen picked up
from the grass can become a lethal
bullet. A few years ago, here in my
hometown, a piece of wire flung by a
rotary mower in a city park traveled
several dozen feet, hit a young boy, and
penetrated his heart.
T h a t boy lived. Michael Polski died.
Anyone sitting in one of those cars
waiting for the light to change could

have become the victim of t h a t commercial operator I watched the other
morning.
Manufacturers, acting voluntarily,
have begun installing some new safety
d e v i c e s on c o m m e r c i a l m o w e r s ,
generally as they come up with new
designs. Some mid-sized walk-behinds
have brakes t h a t automatically lock if
the operator releases the handles. Some
riders have interlocks that prevent the
engine from starting if the deck or
transmission is engaged. Some have
seat switches that kill the engine if the
operator's weight comes off the seat.
These and other safety devices will
become more common on new machines.
But none of the devices does a bit of
good if the people who operate the
machines on a daily basis aren't willing
to take the extra moment of time some of
those devices require. The operator who
wires a deflector chute up and leaves it
up is the same operator who is likely to
grab a roll of tape and defeat the safety
levers on a new mower.
The justification used for defeating
safety devices is generally t h a t they
require extra time, and everyone knows
t h a t "time is money."
Those who take t h a t position should
take some time during this off-season to
discuss the matter with their insurance
agents. Find out how much extra time
you'll have to spend working to pay for
an insurance premium increase if, say,
rocks tossed by your mower destroy the
paint job on a new Mercedes.
Better yet, discuss it with someone
else's insurance agent, because if your
agent finds you're running mowers with
wired-up deflectors, there's a chance
you'll find a cancellation notice in the
next days mail.

Scholarships available
for children
of GCSAA members
Please inform your members t h a t the
deadline for applications for the new
GCSAA Legacy Awards is April 1,1991.
The Legacy Awards were created to
give college scholarships to academically
talented children and grandchildren of
GCSAA members. T h e a w a r d s are
based on academic ability, community
and extracurricular involvement, and
an essay. Awards amounts can range up
to $5000, depending on financial need.
Interested GCSAA members m a y
contact the Office of Scholarship at
913/841-2240 to get a copy of the application or to find out more information.

mmmmmmm

DIVOT DRIFT. ..announcements...educational seminars...job opportunities
...tournament results...and miscellaneous items of interest to the membership.
POSITIONS A VAILABLE E EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
S h a k e r H i l l s Golf C l u b in Harvard, MA
is now looking for experienced golf course
workers for the 1991 season and beyond.
Shaker Hills GC is new, completed in
October 1990, and will be opening to the
public around July 1991.
- Cornish and Silva design
- P a r 71, 6850 yards
- Bentgrass greens, tees, and fairways
- Toro irrigation system
A s s i s t a n t S u p e r i n t e n d e n t , Assoc.
degree in Turf M a n a g e m e n t or t h e
equivalent in experience. Knowledge of
chemicals, irrigation a n d m e c h a n i c s
would be helpful. It will be required to
obtain a Massachusetts Pesticide Applicators License. Salary commensurate
with education and experience.
M e c h a n i c - Should be experienced with
hydraulics, reel grinding, etc. All equipment will be new in 1991 so the mechanic
will also work on the grounds. Having
your own tools would be a plus. Salary
commensurate with experience. Send
resume to: Paul Chesterton, Shaker Hills
Golf Club, P. O. Box 327, Ayer, MA 01432,
(508) 772-2227
A s s i s t a n t S u p e r i n t e n d e n t - Oakley
Country Club, Requirements:, Turf Grass
E d u c a t i o n , MA P e s t i c i d e L i c e n s e ,
2-3 years practical experience. Contact
Bob Piantedosi, Supt., 410 Belmont Street,
Watertown, MA 02172
G r e e n s K e e p e r for 1991 Season, Holyoke
C.C., Holyoke, MA. C o n t a c t J a m e s
Bartley, Holyoke C.C., P. O. Box 621,
Holyoke, MA 01041.
T h a n k you for your response to our notice
in November concerning the course superintendent position at Cohasset Golf Club.
We are no longer accepting resumes, but
the search committee is active. "Short
List" applicants should be hearing from
the Committee by February 25, 1991.

WANTED
C h i p B r e a r l e y is looking for old pictures
of GCSNE members and golf courses.
Candid shots are most appreciated. These
will be p u t in t h e a r c h i v e s of t h e
Association. Pictures will be returned.
Send to Chip Brearley, 189 Matfield
Street, West Bridgewater, MA 02379.

E q u i p m e n t f o r S a l e - (1) C u s h m a n
mounted top dresser. Very good condition,
$1500. (1) Cushman greensaver aerater
with weight boxes and extra tines. Good
condition, $1000. (3) Toro 105 hand greens
mowers. Condition varies, $300 to $600.
Extra parts available (1) Jacobsen Turf
King - make an offer. (2) Nationals 84"
parts machine - make an offer. E-Z-Go gas
golf cart parts and accessories - make an
offer. Contact Roger Brink, Supt., Indian
Ridge C.C., (508) 475-9493

INFORMATION
G e n e r a l I n f o r m a t i o n - Re: Water
M a n a g e m e n t P r o g r a m . All registered
water users were required to have a meter
i n s t a l l e d by J a n u a r y 1, 1991. By
J a n u a r y 1, 1993 you will be required to
supply the agency with two years of
metered withdrawal.
G C S A A c e r t i f i c a t i o n c r e d i t s will be
available at the Mass. Turf Conference
March 5, 6, 7. Sign up at registration
tables.

W a y n e L a C r o i x , former superintendent
at the now closed Ipswich C.C., is the new
superintendent at AndoverC.C., Andover,
MA.
T i m M a s s u c c o is the new superintendent
at t h e Haverhill C.C., Haverhill, MA. Tim
was the superintendent at Stratton Mt.
Golf Course.
T e r r y B a k e r is the new superintendent
at Cohasse C.C. in Southbridge, MA.
Terry was formerly the assistant.
E r i c O m a n , formerly of C&J Equipment,
h a s taken a position with Hammond
Tilton, Fairfield, Maine.
S t e v e P u v o g e l , formerly of Prolawn Inc.,
is now a sales rep with Turf Specialty Inc.,
Hooksett, N H . Steve will cover t h e
Vermont and Albany, NY area.

COURSE OFFERING
A course is being offered to superintendents, assistants, and mechanics
focusing on "Kohler" engines. It is being
sponsored by W.J. Connell Co. in Foxboro
and promoted by the New England Golf
Course Mechanics Association (GCMA).
The course will consist of "hands on"
examination, teardown, failure analysis,
and updating of latest products and
improvements.
The tentative date for the one day course is
March 20,1991. The cost will be $20 which
will include lunch. The class will be
limited to the first 25 people who register.
Please contact Steve Lucas at Weston Golf
Club, 275 Meadowbrook Road, Weston,
MA 02193,1-617-894-2383 by March 6,1991.

CONFERENCE
1991 Maine T u r f g r a s s C o n f e r e n c e
M a r c h 19-20, 1 9 9 1
Holiday Inn, d o w n t o w n P o r t l a n d
A d v a n c e R e g i s t r a t i o n - $30/person, At
t h e Door $ 4 0 / p e r s o n , Wed. only
$20/person. Make checks payable to
M a i n e Golf C o u r s e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s
Association and mail to MGCSA, P. O.
Box 6164, Falmouth, ME 04105. Advance
registration is n o n - r e f u n d a b l e . Last day
for advance registration is March 12,1991.
For more information, contact Chuck
R a v i s (207) 395-4298 or K e v i n R o s s
(207) 829-3880.

CONGRATULATIONS
R e b e c c a a n d E r i c L a m o n t (Assistant
S u p e r i n t e n d e n t Brae B u r n C.C.) are
glowing with the recent birth of their
daughter Hayleigh Ilyse at 9 lb. 7 oz.

NEW MEMBERS
Welcome n e w m e m b e r J a m e s Carroll,
Assistant, Cohasset Golf Club, Cohasset,
MA.
Prospective New Member - David
M u c c i a r o n e , Assistant Superintendent,
Woodland Golf Club, Auburndale, MA.
A t t e n t i o n M e m b e r s - Any new member
who has not received a 1 9 9 0
M e m b e r s h i p D i r e c t o r y or G r e e n
By-Law Book, please contact Robert
Ruszala. My phone at work is (413) 256-8654.

Please Patronize These FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION^
Baker Golf Cars
40 Walker St., Swansea, M A 02777
(508) 379-0092
Reps, Ray C h a d w i c k , Paul Littlejohn
Bartlett Tree Experts
Tree Maintenance, Fertilization &
Consulting
153 R u m f o r d Ave., 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
J o h n Ramey, Paul Kenyon
(617) 461-1560
Distributor of Irrigation Supplies
and Accessories
The Cardinals, Inc.
166 River R d „ P.O. Box 520
Unionville, C T 06085
Golf Course & Landscape Supplies
J o h n Callahan (203) 673-3699

Hammond & Tilton, Inc.
P.O. Box 30, Exit 35W off I95
Fairfield, ME 04937
Tel: (207) 453-7131
J o h n Deere Golf & Turf E q u i p m e n t
C o n t a c t : Gary H a m m o n d
The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
P.O. Box 9169
Weathersfield, C T 06109
1-800-326-HART
Roy Sibley, (203) 376-9525
Don W h i n n e m , (603) 692-5097
Holliston Sand Co., Inc.
P.O. Box 393, Trifft Rd., Slatersville, Rl
(401) 766-5010/Topdressing & Bunker Sand
International Golf Const. Co.
A n t o n i o s Paganis, Rep.
5 Purcell Rd., A r l i n g t o n , MA 02174
Golf Course C o n s t r u c t i o n
(617) 648-2351 or (508) 428-3022
Irrigation Maintenance & Service
21 Lakeview Ave., Natick, MA, (508) 653-0625
Irrigation c o n s u l t a t i o n , design, and
system evaluation - Bob Healey, A S I C

C & J Equipment, Inc.
188 Main St., W i l m i n g t o n , MA 01887
J o h n Deere Golf & Turf E q u i p m e n t
(508) 658-2022—Eric Oman,
Mike Cornicelli, Kevin O ' D o n n e l l

"Torn Irwin, Inc.
11B A St., Burlington, MA
Jack Peterson
Dennis Friel Phone: 617-938-1751
Wayne Ripley, Paul Skafas

'Geoffrey S. Cornish & Brian Silva
Golf Course A r c h i t e c t s
Fiddlers Green, Amherst, MA 01002

Larchmont Eng. & irrig. Co.
L a r c h m o n t Lane, Lexington, MA 02173
(617) 862-2550

Country Club Enterprises, Inc.
C l u b Car Golf Cars, C a r r y a l l s / U t i l i t y Car:
P.O. Box 400, W. Falmouth, MA 02574
(508) 563-2284

The Lawn Co. Inc.
P.O. 1540, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
T o m Fair, 1-800-660-TURF
Fertilizers & Pest Controls A p p l i e d
Fairway Aeration & Slice Seeding

Chester Drake & Sons, Inc.
222 Walnut St., F r a m i n g h a m , MA 01701
Golf Course C o n s t r u c t i o n
(508) 875-7929
Elanco Products Company
Stephen C. Dolinak
31 Old T o w n Trail, Narragansett, Rl 02882
(401) 789-9017
Gold Star Wholesale Nursery & Sod Farm
Bill T h o m p s o n
Lexington, MA, (617) 861-1111
Canterbury, NH, (603) 783-4717
Greenway Irrigation Company
Irrigation, Drainage, Wire Laying
P.O. Box 8157
East Lynn, MA 01904
J o h n Murphy, (617) 595-3010
Steve M u r p h y , (617) 598-6917

Lazaro's Golf Course Accessories
d b a H a m m o n d Paint & C h e m . Co., Inc.
Ste.223/P.O. Box 9038, Waltham, MA 02154
J o s e p h Lazaro, 617-647-3361
*Lesco Inc.
20005 Lake Rd., Rocky River, O H 44116
Ron Tumiski, Rep., Mike Donahue, Rep.
800-825-3726
* Loft's Seed
20 Beck Rd., A r l i n g t o n , MA 02174
Victoria Wallace, Rep.
Lowden Tree & Landscape
433 Chestnut St., Needham, MA 02192
Tree maintenance, spraying, c o n s u l t i n g ,
landscaping, construction
Scott A. Stover, Rep. 617-444-0402

The Magovern Co., Inc.
27 Lawnacre Road
Windsor Locks, C T 06096
Tel: 800-243-7718 or (203) 623-2508
Lew Varga, Rep.
"D.L. Maher Co.
Box 127, C o n c o r d St.
N. Reading, MA 01864
(617) 933-3210
Water Supply Specialists
Water Wells & P u m p i n g E q u i p m e n t
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 C r o n i n
*Nardone Sand & Gravel Co. Inc.
37 Power Rd., Westford, MA 01886
(508) 692-8221
Specializing in T o p d r e s s i n g Sand •
Nor-Am Chemical Co.
W i l m i n g t o n , Delaware
D a v i d Sylvester, Rep.
(203) 828-8905
Norfolk Power Equip., Inc.
- W 4 Main Street, Norfolk, MA 02056
508-528-3120
Don Reynolds, Rep.
Old Fox Chemical Inc.
Fertilizers-Seeds-Turf-Chemicals
66 Valley Street
E. Providence, Rl 02914
Partac Peat Corporation
Great Meadows, NJ 0 7 8 3 3 - 8 0 0 - 2 4 7 - 2 3 2 6
(201) 637-4191 —G.C. topdressing, const.
mixes, tennis ct. supply
P.I.E. Supply Co.
Dedicated t o sales a n d service of qual
irrigation e q u i p m e n t . (203) 878-0658
J o h n Lensing, (401) 246-0864 for y o u
irrigation needs.

J. P. Roberta Co.
Technical Resource Catalog
Survey-Weather-Testing-Meas.&Diag. Equip.
Barbara Piantedosi (508) 456-6886
Sawtelle Bros.
65 G l e n n St., Lawrence, MA 01843
(508) 682-9296
Scotts Pro-Turf Div.
Allan C u m p s , Regional Dir.
Rep. Scott B r o w n , (401) 294-3606
Rep. Richard Forni, (413) 534-8896
Shemln Nurseries, Inc.
C o m p l e t e Hort. and Irrig. S u p p l y Ctr.
H u d s o n , M A 01749
Michael G i m m e l f a r b 1-800-274-3646
Steiner Turf Equipment
Sales & Service, Vernons, Inc.
13 S c h o o l St., Danvers, M A 01923
Dick Leigh, (508) 774-4410
Tuckahoe Turf Farms Inc.
Exeter, Rl, Litchfield, N H
West Suffield, C T
800-556-6985
Largest Producer of Penncross in
New England
O w e n Regan
"Turf Products Corp.
7 C o p p a g e Dr., Worcester, MA 01603
(508) 791-2091
*Turf Specialty Inc.
60 M e r r i m a c St., Hooksett, N H 03106
Turf & O r n a m e n t a l Supplies
1-800-228-6656
B o b Flanagan, Kevin Lyons,
Dave S c h e r m e r h o r n , Ed Wiacek
Philip Wogan
Golf Course A r c h i t e c t u r e
17 Walker Rd., T o p s f i e l d , MA 01983
Winding Brook Turf Farm, Inc.
240 Griswold Rd., Wethersfield, C T 0 6 1
800-243-0232, A l a n A n d e r s o n

Pro-Lawn Products Inc.
231 Heather Street, C r a n s t o n , Rl 02920
Specializing in turf & o r n a m e n t a l needs
C o n t a c t Mike Kroian, 401-944-9990
Read Sand & Gravel, Inc.
171 VFW Dr., Rockland, M A 02370
Top Dressg Loam; Sand, c o n c r e t e
b r i c k ; Stone, c r u s h e d , washed, color
Same day service, Sat. deliveries.
Mike Donovan, (617) 878-2955

'Contributors to the Troll-Dickinson
Scholarship Fund

l.illMim.iL.I^UU.UU.iLL^Ul^.bdl^

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