LETTER
Golf Course Superintendents

Association

Sponsors and administrators of the Troll-Dickinson Scholarship
Fund — Awarded yearly to deserving T u r f Management Students.

OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.

February 1994

In 60-plus years around the golf course
Ma! Wendell did it all and then some
March Meeting
M o n d a y , M a r c h 7,1994
M o u n t Pleasant C o u n t r y Club
L o w e l l , Mass.

Host Superintendent:
J o h n T . Hassett

9:00 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m.

Board Meeting
Lunch
Regular Meeting
Education to Follow
"Marking the Golf Course"

Reservations Required
Call b y M a r c h 4,1994
(617) 328-9479

You must pay by check - No Cash!
Checks payable to GCSANE

Jack Hassett has been the golf course superintendent at Mount Pleasant for the past nine
years. Prior to that, Jack worked at Manderlyon-the-Green, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada for
five years. He has an Associates Degree from
the University of Lowell and is a graduate of
the Turf Winter School at UMass. Jack has
one daughter, Julia, who is 16 years-old. He
enjoys skiing and golfing.
Directions: From either Route 128 or 1-495
take Route 3 to Exit 32 (N. Chelmsford-Westford). At the rotary immediately off the exit,
head toward Lowell by taking a right onto
Westford Road. Go past a shopping center and
Lowell Ford and take a right on Westford
Street. Take the 4th or 5th street on the right
(either will get you there) and follow to the end
and Mt. Pleasant C.C.
IJIIIIIIUIITIL.IJDIIDIIIIDIIDIDII.IIJIIDLIIIDII

Mai Wendell was the golf course superintendent at the Rhode Island Country
Club for only the last eight years. However,
when he followed through on his threat to
retire last November, members there reacted as if some strange kind of turf disease
had destroyed all of the course's greens.
So, the 66-year-old jack and master of
many golf trades was looked upon as an
overnight legend. In fact, the venerable
club is still in a state of shock, even though
it wound up with the super Mai recommended to succeed him—Peter Lund.
"My retirement may have raised a stir,"
Wendell conceded. "But I gave them [members] fair warning. I remember when I
went to the board in September of 1992
telling everyone I was leaving at the end of
'93. No one believed me. I couldn't convince them I was 'serious. But when I
finally finished out this season and said I
was gone, I think they got the message."
Needless to say, Mai's decision to smell
the roses for a while (actually, he intends
to spend much of his free time playing golf
with wife Dorothy at the Wannamoisett
Country Club where they've been members for 17 years) had nothing to do with
job fatigue, burnout, or any of those fancysounding vocational ailments that might
lead to retirement. When he left a profession which came second nature to him, he
was at the height of his career. He could
have remained at Rhode Island till the
cows came home.
"Heck, I've been around golf doing one
job or another all my life, except for a
couple of years when I tried being a lumber
salesman," Mai told. "I was five years old
when my family (father Deden Wendell)
built the Locust Valley course (Attleboro)

in 1932 and I was cutting greens there
when I was 10. So, when I got up to the
retiring age, I just thought I'd take a
breather. It's been a two-way street
through all those years. Golf has been good
to me and I've returned the favor."
That Mai Wendell draws raves, respect,
and admiration for his knowledge of the
game and the twin-professions of home pro
and course superintendent stands as a
given. And Mai doesn't mince words when
it comes to explaining where all his acknowledged expertise comes from.
continued on page 2

Page 10

continued from page 1

hosting

right," M a i explained. "I grew up watching

the j o b of getting the course u p to U S G A
snuff.

a surprise to realize his credentials

were

that attractive. " B u t I took the job.

The

i n g w i t h e d u c a t i o n of a n o t h e r kind. I w e n t

c o u r s e (a s e c o n d D o n a l d R o s s l a y o u t o v e r

to every seminar I could find. Heck, at one

which

time

groom) responded and everything worked

I was

working

on a streak

of

28

straight U M a s s T u r f Conferences. I even
took things a step further and tried

my

h a n d at being a golf pro."

VICE PRESIDENT

fine."

In b e t w e e n all these m o v e s a n d career
a n d i n s p i r a t i o n f o r t h e s u c c e s s of h i s son
Neil who followed giant footsteps to

til his f a m i l y

super.

sold the

layout

in

1955.

his

Incidentally, t h e sale m a r k e d t h e e n d of a n

" W h i c h b r i n g s m e b a c k to s q u a r e one

era for the Locust Valley land. It had been

a n d t h e a n a t o m y of m y o w n c a r e e r , " M a i

in the Wendell family since the early 1900s

commented. "It's been an 'All in the F a m -

w h e n t h e W e n d e l l B r o t h e r s F a r m h e l d po-

ily' golf life for the Wendells. W h a t

sition as the largest dairy f a r m in

c o u r s e s got f r o m m e w a s t h e b e s t of t w o

New

maintenance

worlds—the

golf

old school

learned f r o m j u s t doing and the n e w school

business in 1 9 5 5 , 1 t h o u g h t I should do the

I digested f r o m listening to Neil a n d others

s a m e thing, so I t r i e d m y h a n d at
(lumber)," M a i disclosed.

sales

of h i s g e n e r a t i o n . S o , I h a d it g o i n g f o r m e

was

both ways. It w a s quite a career. I h a v e no

" B u t that

only a passing shot. T w o years later, while

regrets, only pleasant memories."

George Paige was leasing Locust Valley, I

G E R R Y

FINN

w e n t b a c k to b e c o m e the superintendent.

TRUSTEE

Then, in 1 9 6 0 , 1 m a d e another move. T h i s
t i m e it w a s t o W a n n a m o i s e t t a s s u p e r i n -

FINANCE CHAIRMAN

another career idea in 1 9 7 0 . "

tendent

Paul J a m r o g
500 Veterans Memorial Parkway
E. P r o v i d e n c e , Rl 0 2 9 1 4
401-438-7285
M e t a c o m e t Country Club

and I stayed

Wendell,

who

had

there until I
developed

got

into

talents into three N e w E n g l a n d

superin-

tendent c h a m p i o n s h i p s , got a call to

R i c h a r d P. T w o r l g II
5 4 7 W a s h i n g t o n Street, P e m b r o k e , M A 0 2 3 5 9
61 7 - 8 2 8 - 4 2 4 2
P o n k a p o a g Golf C o u r s e

Calendar

a

scratch golfer exploiting a n o t h e r side of his

GOLF CHAIRMAN

Feb. 28,
March 1 & 2

63rd Massachusetts
Ttirfgrass Conference
and 18th Industrial Show
Springfield, Mass.
Info: Dr. Joseph Troll
(413) 549-5295

March 5

MGA Spring Conference
Newton Marriott,
Newton, Mass.

March 7

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
at Mt. Pleasant C.C.,
Lowell, Mass.

March
14,15,16

Maine Turf Conference
Samoset Resort,
Rockport, Maine
Contact: Pat Lewis
(207) 781-5881

April 5

USGA Regional Seminar
Holiday Inn, Taunton, Mass.

April 19

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
at Pine Ridge C.C.,
Oxford, Mass.

May

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
Ipswich C.C., Ipswich, Mass.

June
(tentative)

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
Gardner Municipal G.C.,
Gardner, Mass.

do

double d u t y b a c k in Attleboro at the Highland Country

Club.

H e turned pro

became pro-super, a two-tiered

EDUCATION CHAIRMAN
Richard Duggan, CGCS
93 Warren Avenue, Marlboro, M A 01752
508-369-0879
Concord Country Club

and

responsi-

bility he held for 1 1 of the 1 6 y e a r s he spent
in w h a t actually w p s his o w n b a c k yard.
"That

NEWSLETTER CHAIRMAN

was

strictly

an

economic

ven-

Michael Nagle, CGCS
51 L i n c o l n A v e n u e , H o l d e n , M A 0 1 5 2 0
508-853-6574
Worcester Country Club

ture," M a i said. " I doubled m y stake in the

PAST PRESIDENT

of doing b o t h j o b s a n d w e n t strictly to t h e

club as to responsibilities b u t also doubled
m y income. B u t a s t i m e w o r e on I got sick

S t e v e n A . Chlavaroli, C G C S
6 Birch Street, Paxton, M A 0 1 6 1 2
508-752-0031
Tatnuck Country Club

superintendent side of the street m y last
five

years."
All the time, M a i w a s caught up in the

technological

changes

that

were

slowly

t u r n i n g g o l f c o u r s e m a i n t e n a n c e into a science. Smartly, he rolled with the modern
punches, slapping a w a y at the traditional
w a y s of g r o o m i n g t h e f a i r w a y s a n d g r e e n s
and became just as sophisticated in
w a y s as the y o u n g lionish supers

N e w s l e t t e r Edltor . M i c h a e l F. N a s i ® , C G C S
A s s o c i a t e Editor . S t e p h e n C h l a v a r o l i , C G C S
C o n t r i b u t i n g Editor
Gerry Finn
Business Manager
Robert Ruszaia

his

coming

out of two- a n d f o u r - y e a r college t u r f programs.
The Rhode Island Country

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 b e
u s e d freely, in w h o l e o r In p a r t , w i t h o u t s p e c i a l
p e r m i s s i o n a s l o n g a s t h e t r u e c o n t e x t is m a i n t a i n e d . W e w o u l d a p p r e c i a t e a c r e d i t line.

Club

was

well a w a r e of M a i ' s a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s a n d
initiated the next a n d
11

I

golf

J a m e s Fitzroy, C G C S
3 5 7 W . S q u a n t u m St., N. Q u l n c y , M A 0 2 1 7 1
617-328-1776
P r e s i d e n t s Golf C o u r s e

FFIILRILKULIULDL.FIDLLJLLLHIL,LATRILI

to

present post as Point Judith Country Club

" W h e n t h e f a m i l y got o u t of t h e

TRUSTEE

ability

honing his superintendent skills there un-

England.

Scott Reynolds
4 8 3 D e d h a m Street, N e w t o n C e n t r e , M A 0 2 1 5 9
617-244-7741
C h a r l e s River C o u n t r y C l u b

out just

a natural

course, growing u p on Locust Valley, and

TRUSTEE
J o h n T. H a s s e t t
110 M o n t g o m e r y Avenue, Lowell, M A 01851
508-458-7300
M o u n t Pleasant Country Club

he displayed

advancements, Mai w a s the driving force

M a i tells it r i g h t . H e w a s b o r n to t h e golf

Robert Ruszala
6 9 G e l l n a s Drive, C h i c o p e e , M A 0 1 0 2 0
413-256-8654
H i c k o r y R i d g e Golf C l u b

came

I c o m p l e m e n t e d all t h a t on-the-job train-

E d w a r d L. B r e a r l e y
1 8 9 M a t f i e l d Street, W . B r i d g e w a t e r , M A 0 2 3 7 9
(H) 5 0 8 - 5 8 4 - 6 5 6 8
B a y Pointe C o u n t r y C l u b

TREASURER

" I w a s 5 9 y e a r s old w h e n t h e y

a f t e r m e , " M a i recalled t h a t it w a s k i n d of

like the [Sam] Mitchell family. Eventually,

PRESIDENT

Kevin F. O s g o o d
6 2 M a p l e Street, H y d e Park, M A 0 2 1 3 6
617-630-1950
N e w t o n C o m m o n w e a l t h Golf C o u r s e

Amateur

h o w a golf course w a s groomed a n d learned
t h a t I associated w i t h the right golf people

SECRETARY

XJSGA Women's

C h a m p i o n s h i p in 1 9 8 7 and tapped h i m for

b y o b s e r v a t i o n . I a l w a y s m a d e sure, too,

Robert DiRIco, C G C S
3 2 6 Fuller Street, W e s t N e w t o n , M A 0 2 1 6 5
617-527-6968
Brae Burn Country Club

the

" I ' m f r o m t h e school of h a r d k n o c k s , all

final

move in

his

career in 1986. T h e club w a s committed to

IIIIÄITLIIIÜIIIU^IIIIIIIÜTIIIIIIIIIIIÜIILIILAU

Page 3

The Super Speaks Out:
This month's question: Continuing to explore the topic of job
security, this month the Newsletter looks at the subject
through the eyes of the municipal golf course
superintendent.
Max Mierzwa, Chicopee Country
C l u b : "I a m covered u n d e r t h e civil service
system and have been ever since I applied
to b e a n d w a s appointed the second golf
course superintendent at Chicopee.
"Civil service appears to be a pretty
good f o r m of i n s u r i n g t h a t I will keep m y
job just as long as I perform m y duties and
live u p to m y responsibilities in a professional manner. Since I've been on the s a m e
job for the past 30 years, I guess I'd have
to s a y t h e s y s t e m is w o r k i n g .
" E a r n i n g civil service s t a t u s w a s n ' t a
h a n d o u t t h i n g . W h e n it a p p e a r e d I w a s i n
line to get the job, I took a written test, one
w h e r e I h a d t o do s o m e b o n i n g u p o n t h e
t e c h n i c a l side of t h e p r o f e s s i o n . H o w e v e r ,
since m y expertise already h a d been established at other courses, I used m y
experience to c a r r y m e t h r o u g h the e x a m .
" C i v i l service is a s t r o n g e x a m p l e of
solid job protection b e c a u s e it does a w a y
w i t h s o m e of t h e b a s e l e s s r e a s o n s t h a t golf
course superintendents lose their positions
w h e n w o r k i n g in the private sector. T h e r e
(country clubs and resort-type courses)
you step on somebody's toes and you're
gone. N o questions a s k e d and no a n s w e r s
to w h y y o u were fired given.
" H o w e v e r , t h e civil service s y s t e m h a s
its d o w n side. I n m o s t i n s t a n c e s of civil
service protection, high salaries don't go
with the program. So, in a way, a superint e n d e n t u n d e r civil service trades the

"Civil service is a strong
example of solid job protection
because it does away with
some of the baseless reasons
golf course superintendents
lose their positions when
working in the private sector."
Max Mierzwa
Chicopee Country Club

opportunity to c o m m a n d a high s a l a r y for
more job security.
" H e r e a t C h i c o p e e w e h a v e five p a r k
c o m m i s s i o n e r s w h o oversee the golf course
operation and they are m y bosses. I a m
subject to periodic salary reviews and a n y
raises are a w a r d e d on a group basis since I
a m one of several d e p a r t m e n t heads. T h e
city h a s set u p a retirement program where
I allocate m o n e y f o r m y pension a n d it
matches that
figure.
" I can't really say whether or not m y
a r r a n g e m e n t is t h e w a y t o go i n s t e a d of t h e
c o n t r a c t s e t u p of p r i v a t e c o u r s e s u p e r i n tendents. As I said earlier, it's a
t r a d e o f f — m o r e job protection for less
money."

D a v e D e v i n , Brockton Country
C l u b (but until recently the B r a i n t r e e M u nicipal Course): "I left Braintree for
B r o c k t o n j u s t l a s t A u g u s t , so I a m v e r y
familiar with the private-municipal job
package for superintendents.
" I came up from the ranks at Braintree,
meaning that I started out as a laborer and
k e p t i m p r o v i n g m y g r a s p of the overall
a d m i n i s t r a t i v e a s p e c t of t h e p r o f e s s i o n a s
I w e n t along. T h e n , w h e n the superintend e n t ' s position opened up, I replied to a
p o s t i n g of t h e j o b , w a s r e g a r d e d a s t h e m o s t
q u a l i f i e d of t h e a p p l i c a n t s , a n d got t h e
appointment.
" M y first a p p o i n t m e n t b y t h e t o w n p a r k
commission w a s for one year; and, after
s o m e c o n f u s i n g delays a n d overlapping of
n e g o t i a t i o n s , I finally c a m e t o a n a g r e e m e n t at three years. I considered that
contract p r e t t y solid j o b security, a l t h o u g h
I h a d to l e a v e civil service s t a t u s b e c a u s e ,
according to t o w n by-laws, m a n a g e m e n t
t y p e e m p l o y e e s w e r e n ' t eligible to r e m a i n
u n d e r its protection.
" R e g a r d l e s s , t h i s s u i t e d m e fine j u s t a s
long a s both sides lived u p to their ends of
t h e b a r g a i n . I n the t o w n ' s case, it provided
a pension plan and established a salary
i m p r o v e m e n t plan t h a t leveled off to one
b a s e d o n the cost of living.
" S o , w h y did I leave? Well, I f o u n d t h a t
m y responsibilities ballooned to the point
that I w a s handling practically everything
on the course a n d inside the club while m y

salary only inched up. W h e n the Brockton
o p p o r t u n i t y p o p p e d u p , I t o o k it b o t h a s a
c h a l l e n g e to m y e x p e r t i s e to r i g h t s o m e
w r o n g s t h e r e a n d a c h a n c e to t r y t h e priv a t e side of t h e p r o f e s s i o n . S o f a r so good.
I ' m into a full contract for 1994 with an
optional renewal attached."

Dick Drew, S a l e m Municipal Golf
C o u r s e : " I ' m t h e first p e r s o n t o b e i n
c h a r g e o f t h e S a l e m c o u r s e w i t h t h e t i t l e of
golf course superintendent and, therefore,
do n o t f a l l u n d e r t h e p r o t e c t i o n o f c i v i l
service.
" B e f o r e I c a m e on the scene, the m a n in
control carried the j o b title of f o r e m a n and
t h a t position w a s covered b y civil service.
Which means that, basically, I have no job
p r o t e c t i o n a t all.
"However, I seem to have survived the
fact that each y e a r I come u p for appointm e n t a n d m y f a t e r e s t s i n t h e h a n d s of a
five-man
commission appointed b y t h e city
mayor. This a r r a n g e m e n t has stood the
t e s t of time, s o m e w h a t , since I ' m i n m y
1 1 t h season.

"My fate rests in the hands of
a five-man commission
appointed by the city mayor. "
Dick Drew
Salem Municipal Golf Course
" O n e of t h e a d v a n t a g e s o f t h a t t i t l e
change was an increase in the salary the
s u p e r i n t e n d e n t t a g b r o u g h t to t h e job. I t
didn't end there, either, because I received
a r a i s e e v e r y y e a r a f t e r m y first a p p o i n t ment except for the economy-riddled last
three years.
" B u t even t h a t slight s e t b a c k is in for a
change. Recently, the city s u r v e y e d the
salary structure for superintendents in m y
job description a r e a a n d found that I w a s
eight to nine percent below the average.
T h e y voted m e a nine percent raise last
J u l y . T h a t ' s the good news. T h e b a d news:
T h e y ' r e still t r y i n g to f u n d it. I ' m p a t i e n t ,
though.
" I n other aspects, I ' m in p r e t t y good
shape. I fall u n d e r the city retirement plan,
c a n c o n t r i b u t e t o it v o l u n t a r i l y , a n d t h e
city p a y s 90% of m y health insurance. It
also pays m y N e w E n g l a n d association
dues and I get four weeks' vacation.
" T r u e , there's nothing in w r i t i n g protecting m y job. B u t I can live with the
o v e r a l l s i t u a t i o n . U h , I h a v e n o c h o i c e , do

I?"
GERRY FINN

Page 10

A message
from
the President
It is a n h o n o r a n d a privilege to represent this association for the next two years.
I w o u l d like to t h a n k
the m e m b e r s of t h e
a s s o c i a t i o n f o r selecting m e president.
I will regard the responsibility
that
comes w i t h this position a s highly as did
m y predecessors.
T h e s t r e n g t h of
a n a s s o c i a t i o n is det e r m i n e d by its members, t h r o u g h support
a n d participation. E v i d e n c e of t h i s h a s
b e e n g r o w i n g e v e r y y e a r . A g o a l of m i n e
t h i s y e a r is to see a c o n t i n u e d g r o w t h i n o u r
membership—to invite supers that h a v e
n e v e r j o i n e d to be a p a r t of o u r association.
A larger representation at our monthly
m e e t i n g s is also v e r y i m p o r t a n t to o u r h o s t
c l u b s a n d s u p e r s . Y o u r s u p p o r t of t h e R e search F u n d has been very generous. A
s i m i l a r a m o u n t of i n t e r e s t is a l s o d e s e r v i n g
for the Scholarship and Benevolent fund
which w a s established as a benefit for the
members.

A t t h e r e c e n t j o i n t m e e t i n g of t h e
G C S A N E a n d N E P G A B o a r d of D i r e c t o r s ,
t h e f u t u r e of b o t h o r g a n i z a t i o n s w a s discussed w i t h respect to communication,
education, a n d support. A l t h o u g h attendees battled snow, sleet, a n d r a i n to get to
the Newton Marriott, the annual Ouimet
Scholarship Banquet was a tremendous
success. Connor Fitzgerald, f r o m the N e w ton Commonwealth Golf Course, received
the Joseph Morrill J r . Award. This award
is f o r a O u i m e t S c h o l a r w h o is attending
t u r f g r a s s o r a g r o n o m y school w i t h a n int e n t i o n of a c a r e e r as a
course
superintendent.
T h e M a s s Turf Conference, scheduled
f o r F e b r u a r y 28 to M a r c h 2 in Springfield,
has a great program. A n y member who can

Edward Brearly
GCSANE president

I look f o r w a r d to s e r v i n g w i t h t h e n e w
B o a r d of D i r e c t o r s f o r t h e n e x t t w o y e a r s
a n d hope t h a t I will he able to continue the
f o r w a r d p r o g r e s s of t h i s association.

GCSANE Board of Directors
& proposed by-laws for 1994
The 1994 officers of the
Golf Course Superintendents
Association of New England are:
President

. . . . . . . .

Edward Brearly

Vice President . . . Robert DiRico, C G C S

Treasurer

"A goal of mine is to see a
continued growth in our
membership — to invite supers
who have never joined to be a
part of our association."

T h e M G A S p r i n g C o n f e r e n c e is on
M a r c h 5th at the N e w t o n Marriott. Noted
s p e a k e r s will b e R o n Dodson, P r e s i d e n t of
New York Audubon Society; Susan
W e g r z y n of the N a t i o n a l C l u b Association;
and J a m e s McLaughlin, Golf Consultant.
W a l t e r U h l e i n , P r e s i d e n t of T i t l e i s t , will
also be a guest speaker and will present the
a w a r d s of recognition to superintendents
hosting the M a s s A m a t e u r and M a s s Open.
Finally, a panel discussion on maximizing
p l a y i n g t i m e will also b e held.

EDWARD BREARLY

Secretary

"The strength of an
association is determined by
its members, through support
and participation."

donate some time at the conference should
contact B o b DiRico.

K e v i n Osgood
. . . . . . . .

Trustees

Robert Ruszala

• % . . . .
J o h n Hassett
. Scott Reynolds
J a m e s Fitzroy, C G C S

Educational
Chairman

. . . .

Richard Duggan, C G C S

Finance
Chairman

. . . . . . . . . .

Golf
Chairman

. . . . . . . .

Paul Jamrog

Richard Tworig

Newsletter
Chairman

. . . . .

Michael Nagle, C G C S

Past
President

. . Stephen Chiavaroli, C G C S .

New by-law amendements
are as follows:
First reading, J a n u a r y 18, 1994. To be
placed in next newsletter a n d voted on at
following meeting.
Amendment # 1 ; Article VIII - Committees; Section 2 - S t a n d i n g Committees;
Paragraph 1 - The Standing Committees
s h a l l b e a s follows: a. M e m b e r s h i p , b. Fin a n c e , c. E d u c a t i o n a l , d. G o l f , e.
N e w s l e t t e r , f . W e l f a r e , g. E m p l o y m e n t , h .
P u b l i c i t y , i. T u r f R e s e a r c h . * * A D D * * L e t ter j. Scholarship and Benevolence.
Amendment # 2 ; Article VIII - Committees;
Section
3
Duties
and
Responsibilities. * * A D D * * Paragraph 1 0 S c h o l a r s h i p a n d Benevolence. T h i s comm i t t e e s h a l l consist of the P r e s i d e n t ,
immediate P a s t President, the three Trust e e s of t h e W e l f a r e C o m m i t t e e , a n d t w o
A f f i l i a t e M e m b e r s of t h e Association. T h e
two Affiliate M e m b e r s shall be appointed
b y the B o a r d of Directors of the Association
f o r a t e r m of two y e a r s . T h i s committee
shall represent the Association on all matt e r s p e r t a i n i n g to t h e a w a r d i n g of
s c h o l a r s h i p s a n d t h e g r a n t i n g of b e n e v o lent aid a n d to the solicitation of f u n d s f o r
these purposes. All g r a n t s and scholarships shall be awarded b y a majority vote
of t h e S c h o l a r s h i p a n d B e n e v o l e n c e Committee and shall be approved by a majority
v o t e of t h e B o a r d of D i r e c t o r s of t h e A s s o ciation.

Page 10

Fitzgerald awarded Morrill Award
by Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund
Association. T h e Morrill A w a r d is f u n d e d

Ireland native is a full-time student
at U. of Mass. (Stockbridge)
and assistant course superintendent
at Newton Commonwealth Golf Course

b y p r o c e e d s of t h e B a y S t a t e S e n i o r s Golf
Association. Fitzgerald w a s presented with
a plaque by J o h n Perry, Sr., the

current

President of the B a y State Seniors. A cash
scholarship stipend will also b e sent to the
U n i v e r s i t y of M a s s a c h u s e t t s .
A total of 1 4 % of o u r O u i m e t S c h o l a r s
h a v e w o r k e d i n c o u r s e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t operations,

and the Ouimet F u n d

is

very

actively supported by the Golf Course SuW E S T O N , M a s s . — C o n o r F i t z g e r a l d of
Brighton

has

been awarded the

Joseph

Fitzgerald is s t u d y i n g in t h e T u r f g r a s s
M a n a g e m e n t program at Stockbridge.

He

perintendents Association. T h e
p r e s i d e n t of t h e Golf C o u r s e

outgoing

Superinten-

Morrill, J r . A w a r d by the Francis Ouimet

has worked full-time for the past four years

dents Association is S t e v e C h i a v a r o l i

Scholarship Fund. Fitzgerald works on the

as an assistant course superintendent

T a t n u c k , w h o is a O u i m e t A l u m n u s .

course

Newton

N e w t o n C o m m o n w e a l t h Golf Course. H e is

The Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund

attends

a n a t i v e of I r e l a n d w h o h a s b e e n living in

w a s f o u n d e d i n 1 9 4 9 . S i n c e t h a t t i m e it h a s

the Boston area since 1988.

a w a r d e d o f $ 6 . 4 m i l l i o n i n n e e d - b a s e d col-

superintendent

crew

at

Commonwealth Golf Course and

the U n i v e r s i t y of M a s s a c h u s e t t s at Stockbridge. T h e Morrill A w a r d is f o r a O u i m e t
Scholar

who

is a t t e n d i n g

turfgrass

a g r o n o m y school w i t h a n i n t e n t i o n of
career as a course superintendent.

or
a

The

Morrill Award

was

founded

1 9 8 2 . It is n a m e d a f t e r the late
Morrill, Jr., the founder and

at

in

Joseph

long-time

treasurer of the B a y S t a t e Seniors

Golf

of

lege t u i t i o n a s s i s t a n c e to 3 0 0 0 0 s t u d e n t s .
Ouimet

candidates are required to

give

three y e a r s "service to g o l f ' as caddies or
a s h e l p e r s in pro shop or c o u r s e superintendent

operations.

In

1993-94,

the

Ouimet F u n d awarded a record $370,000
to 2 4 0

are attending

108

colleges a n d w o r k e d at 1 0 5 courses.

students who

The

O u i m e t scholarship is competitive a n d is
considered t h e official golf c h a r i t y of M a s sachusetts.

The Morrill Award is for
a Ouimet scholar attending
turfgrass or agronomy school
with an intention of a career
as a course superintendent.

Accepting the Joseph Morrill, Jr. Award is Conor Fitzgerald of Brighton, Mass. Fitzgerald is studying turfgrass management
at the University of Massachusetts in Stockbridge. He has worked full-time for the past four years as an assistant course
superintendent at Newton Commonwealth Golf Course. He is a native of Ireland who has been living in the Boston area since
1988. The award is funded by the proceeds of the Bay State Seniors Golf Association. Presenting the award is John Perry, Sr.,
current president of the Bay State Seniors.

In 1993-94, the Ouimet Fund
awarded a record $370,000
to 240 students who are
attending 108 colleges and
worked at 105 golf courses.

Page 10

From the editor: member input welcome
From the Editor
A s I start m y second time around as
N e w s l e t t e r C h a i r m a n (I d i d t h i s a b o u t n i n e
y e a r s ago), I ' d like to t h a n k R o n K i r k m a n ,
Kip Tyler, and J i m Reinertson for their
i n p u t w i t h this publication. A n u m b e r of
m e m b e r s have already offered their assistance and support. I appreciate that and
will definitely take t h e m u p on their offer.

T h i s i s y o u r n e w s l e t t e r . I f t h e r e is s o m e t h i n g I ' v e missed, a n y t h i n g y o u ' d like to
s e e , o r if y o u h a v e s o m e t h i n g y o u f e e l i s
interesting or pertinent to the golf business, let me know. Y o u can call
5 0 8 - 8 5 3 - 6 5 7 4 , m a i l i t , o r f a x it t o 5 0 8 - 8 5 6 7170.

Gerry Finn and I have a few ideas for
upcoming issues, any suggestions would be
welcome. Items for "Divot D r i f t " will be
appreciated as well.
With y o u r help, I hope w e can m a k e this
as informative, interesting, and up-to-date
as possible. See you at M o u n t Pleasant!

O n e a r e a t h a t I do n e e d i d e a s f o r i s " T h e
Super Speaks Out" column. Although

MIKE NAGLE

DIVOT DRIFT...announcements...educational seminars...job opportunities
...tournament results...and miscellaneous items of interest to the membership.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Congratulations t o J i m Diorio, CGCS
and Bert Frederick on becoming GCSAA
Quarter Century Club members.

Assistant Superintendent, Presidents
G.G., Quincy, Mass. - Salaried position
with full benefits, including health & life
insurance, vacation, sick pay, and pension.
Position available in March. Send resume to
James Fitzroy, CGCS, 357 W. Squantum St.,
N. Quincy, MA 02171.

Springfield
Springfield Tech. Community College
Pearl St. Side of Campus

Paul Jamrog, formerly at The Orchards
G.C. in South Hadley, Massachusetts, is the
new golf course superintendent at Metacomet
C.C.
in
Rhode
Island.
Congratulations!

January 20 (snow date, January 21)
Application deadline January 31

Congratulations to Dave and Diane Farina
on the recent birth of twins, David and Allison.

Waltham
240 Beaver St., Waltham, Mass.
Waltham Field Station

David M. Bwinell of Wollaston Golf Club
has become a Certified Golf Course Superintendent. Congratulations!

February 10 (snow date, February 11)
Application deadline February 3

Golf Course Superintendent, The Orc h a r d s G o l f Course, S o u t h H a d l e y ,
Mass. - Send resume to The Orchards Golf
Course, P.O. Box 21, South Hadley, M A
01075, attn. Search Committee. Application
deadline is March 1, 1994.
Assistant Superintendent, Stockbridge
Golf Club, Stockbridge, Mass. - Minimum qualifications: Associates Degree in
Turf or five years experience on golf course.
Send resume to Marty Salvadore, P.O. Box
92, Stockbridge, M A 01262. Application
deadline is March 7,1994.

MEMBERSHIP
Proposed for Membership: Douglas Preston, Associate, Bedfordshire.
Welcome
New
Members:
Glen
LaChapelle, Assistant, Brae Burn C.C.;
Robert LeBlanc, Assistant, Westminster
C.C.

INFORMATION
J i m Connolly recently left the U S G A
Green Section. His replacement in New England will be Jim Skorulski.
Congratulations to D o n Hearn, CGCS,
Boh St. Thomas, Glen Ackley, and Bob
Healey who were awarded 25 year GCSANE
pins.

ULRIÜJJIILLIÜL.ILJJI.IÜILDLL^^

Recently recertified: Kip Tyler, CGCS of
Salem C.C. and Mike Nagle, CGCS of
Worcester C.C.

MEETING NOTES
A big "thank y o u " to Steve Murphy and
the entire staff at Larry Gannon G.C. for a
great meeting on January 18th.

June 1 . . . . Application deadline May 25

March 10 (snow date, March 11)
Application deadline March 3
March 31 (snow date, April 1)
Application deadline March 24
April 14 (snow date, April 15)
Application deadline April 7
May 19 . . .

. Application deadline May 12

August 18 . . ApplicationdeadlineAug.il
Sept. 22 . . . Application deadline Sept. 15

EXAM SCHEDULE
Exam Schedules for Massachusetts
Pesticide Certification/
License Program
Cape Cod
Cape Cod Community College
West Barnstable, Mass.
March 15 (snow date, March 16)
Application deadline March 8
August 3
. Application deadline August 24

October 20 (snow date, Oct. 21)
Application deadline Oct. 13
November 17 (snow date, Nov. 18)
Application deadline Nov. 10
December 15 (snow date, Dec. 16)
Application deadline Dec. 8
Quincy
August 12 . .

Application deadline Aug. 5

Reminders: Application must be at Pesticide Bureau by deadline date; Applicator
License and Dealer License exams begin at 1
p.m.; bring picture I.D.; bring # 2 pencils;
snow dates only if the department reschedules exam because of weather. Please note
the change of times.

Page 10

Please Patronize These FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION
A-OK Turt Equipment
8 Boulder Dr., Coventry, Rl 02816
Buy & Sell used turt equipment.
Mike Cornicelli - (401) 826-2584
AA Will Materials Corporation
168 Washington St., Stoughton, MA 02072
1 -800-4-AAWILL
Frank Will, Dan Grazlano, Kevin LaPorte
Top dressing & bunker sand, loam, decorative
stone, & landscape materials. Est. 1886.

F.D.I., Inc.
(Fairway Design Illustration)
55 Railroad Ave., Warren, Rl 02885
Custom Granite Signs & Markers
Joseph K. Martin, Robert Page
(401) 245-7890 or 1-800-358-8337
Gold Star Wholesale Nursery & Sod Farm
Bill Thompson
Lexington, M A - ( 6 1 7 ) 861-1111
Canterbury, NH - (603) 783-4717

Agriturf, Inc.
59 Dwight St., Hatfield, MA 01038
1-800-346-5048
Bruce Chapman, Lew Varga
Fertilizer, seed, and chemicals for turf.

Golf Direction Associates
54 N. Grove St., Foxboro, MA 02035
Golf forms designed to meet the industry's
specialized record keeping requirements.
Nora Berard - (508) 543-9822

Baker Golf Cars
40 Walker St., Swansea, MA 02777
(508) 379-0092
Reps.: Ray Chadwick, Bob Kinyoun

The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
P. O. Box 9169, Weathersfield, CT 06109
1 -800-326-HART
Roy Sibley, Don Whinnem, Dick Gurski

Bartlett Tree Experts
153 Rumford Ave., Newton, MA 02166
(617) 969-5990
Tree Maintenance, Fertilization & Consulting

Hunt and Hulteen, Inc.
Custom fertilizer applications, shade tree
spraying & pruning, irrigation, landscape design & construction. Bob Mann
1-800-696-3363 (In MA); (508) 580-1062

Best Bent Turf, Inc.
P.O. Box 318, Raymond, NH 03077
Rep.: Alan Anderson
The Borden Company
Maynard, MA - (508) 897-2571
Bulk Limestone Dealer, Jack Borden, Rep.
Boston Irrigation Company
Dedham, M A - ( 6 1 7 ) 461-1560
Distributor, Irrigation Supplies & Accessories.
John Ramey, Paul Kenyon, Robert Barbati
Brennan Sales
P. 0. Box 1082, Scarborough, ME 04070
Axis, Kel-Pak, Agroroots, Break-thru
Bob Brennan, Rep.
Caldwell Environmental
5 Cross St., Acton, MA
The Cardinals, Inc.
166 River Rd., P. 0. Box 520
Unlonville, CT 06085
Golf Course & Landscape Supplies.
John Callahan - (203) 673-3699
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, West Falmouth, MA 02574
(508) 563-2284
Jim Casey, Dave Farina, Ed Magulre
Doering Equipment
P.O. Box N, Franklin, MA 02038
(508) 520-3629
Distributor of John Deere golf & turf
equipment. Mark Doering, Rep.
Chester Drake & Sons, inc.
222 Walnut St., Framlngham, MA 01701
Golf Course Construction
(508) 875-7929
Elanco Products Company
Stephen C. Dollnak
31 Old Town Trail, Namagansett, Rl 02882
(401)789-9017

UdlirlLiiljihlldllrtllliriUihill.ii^

International Golf Construction Co.
5 Purcell Rd., Arlington, MA 02174
(617)648-2351 or (508) 428-3022
Golf Course Construction
Antonios Paganis, Rep.
Irrigation Maintenance & Service
21 Lakeview Ave., Natlck, MA
(508) 653-0625
Irrigation consultation, design and system
evaluation. Bob Healy, ASIC
Tom Irwin, Inc.
11B A St., Burlington, MA
1-800-582-5959
Jack Petersen, Wayne Ripley, Dennis Friel
Paul Skafas, Chris Petersen
John's Tree & Landscape Company
Tree & Landscape Experts
All employees certified & insured.
John P., Rep. - (617) 739-7760
Ken Jones Tire Co.
Worcester, MA
(508) 755-5255
Distributor of tires for lawn & garden, trucks,
cars, industrial equipment, and golf carts.
Gerry Jones, Rep.
Larchmont Eng. & Irrig. Co.
Larchmont Lane, Lexington, MA 02173
(617) 862-2550, Steve Butler, Sales Rep.
The Lawn Co., Inc.
P. O. Box 1540, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
Tom Fair - 1-800-660-TURF
Fertilizers & Pest Controls Applied
Fairway Aeration & Slice Seeding
Lazaro's Golf Course Accessories
dba Hammond Paint & Chem. Co., Inc.
738 Main St., Suite 223, Waltham, MA 02154
Joseph Lazaro - (617) 647-3361
LESC0, Inc.
20005 Lake Rd., Rocky River, OH 44116
Ron Tumiski, Rep. - Mike Donohue, Rep.
1-800-321-5325
Loft's Seed
22 Lantern Lane, Exeter, Rl 02822
Victoria Wallace, Rep.

D.L. Maher Co.
Box 127, Concord St., N. Reading 01864
(617) 933-3210
Water Supply Specialists
Water Wells & Pumping Equipment
Mass Natural
P. O. Box 363, Westminster, MA 01473
(508) 874-0744
Manufacturers & suppliers of organic compost, enriched topsoil, custom planting mixes.
Miles Specialty Products
1516 Capella South, Newport, Rl 02840
Greg Ellis, Rep. (401) 846-3515
Baylaton, Dyrene, Dylox, Oftanol, Nemacur
Modern Aeration Service, Inc.
62 Maple St., Boston, MA 02136
Featuring water injection aeration.
Kevin Osgood-(617) 630-1950
Modern Tractor & Truck Service, Inc.
400 Pine St., Seekonk, MA 02771
Holliston sand/loam topdressing mixture, 1/2"
or 1/8" screened loam, underground tank
removal, "convauit" aboveground fuel tank.
Steven S. Howitt- (508) 761-5554
R.F. Morse & Sons, Inc.
W. Wareham, MA 02576
(508) 295-1553
Reps. - Larry Anshewilz, Jack Cronin

Sani-Mate Supply, Inc.
88 Shrewsbury St., Worcester, MA
(508) 752-8888
Distributor of Karcher hot high pressure
equipment and bulk detergents, sales, service,
and rentals. Barry Hackett, Rep.
Sawielle Bros.
65 Glenn St., Lawrence, MA 01843
(508) 682-9296
Bob Brown, Lany Bunn, Mike Hannlgan,
Frank Higglns, John Lenhart, Dave Parmlgiane
Scotts Pro-Turf Div.
Allan Cumps, Regional Director
Rep. Scott Brown - (401) 294-3606
Rep. Richard Fomi - (401) 534-8896
Sodco, Inc.
P.O. Box 2, Slocum, Rl 02877
Owen Regan, Sales Rep.
Sports Club Management
104 Wyman Rd., Braintree, MA 02184
Hazcom and right-to-know compliance
Implementation. Ron Smith.
Sullivan Tire Co.
Goodyear Specialty Tires & Tubes
MA: 1-800-464-1144 - (508) 580-2222
NE:1-800-321-0042
Tom Wilson, Rep.

Nardone Sand & Gravel Co., Inc.
37 Power Rd., Westford, MA 01886
(508) 692-8221, Greg Frederick
Specializing In topdressing sand

Tee and Green Sod, inc.
Exeter, Rl 02822
(401) 789-8177
Bentgrass, bluegrass and blue/fescue sod.
Dave Wallace, Robin Hayes

Hor-Am Chemical Co.
Wilmington, Delaware
David Sylvester, Rep.
(203) 828-8905

Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Inc.
Richmond, Rl
Chris Beasley, Rep.
1-800-556-5985

Fartac Golf Course Top-Dressing
Kelsey Part, Great Meadows, NJ 07838
Jim Kelsey, 1-800-247-2326, (908) 637-4191
Heat treated top-dressing, golf hole targets,
turf blankets, and other specialty golf supplies.

Turf Enhancement Enterprises
Featuring Floratine Products, Precision Small
Engine Co. & Trion Lifts.
Tom Fox - (508) 865-9150

P.I.E. Supply Co.
Dedicated to sales and service of quality
irrigation equipment. (203) 878-0658
Frank Santos - (508) 420-0755
For your Irrigation needs.
Pro-Lawn Products, Inc.
24 Johnathan Rd., W. Greenwich, Rl 02817
Specializing in turf & ornamental needs.
(401) 397-8880
Read Sand & Gravel, Inc.
171 VFW Dr., Rockland, MA 02370
Topdressing; root-zone mixes; bunker sand;
3/4 & 3/8 screened loams; cart path materials;
mulch; drainage stone.
Joe Farina- 1-800-660-2955
J.P. Roberts Co.
Technical Resource Catalog
Survey-weather-testlng-measurement
& diagnostic equipment
Barbara Plantedosi - (508) 456-6886
Safety Storage, Inc.
Prefabricated pesticide storage buildings, gas
8. oil, storage cabinets.
86 Sanderson Ave., Lynn, MA 01902
(617)599-5490

Turf Products Corp.
7 Coppage Dr., Worcester, MA 01603
(508) 791-2091
Tim Berge, Ed Fallow, Rick Moulton,
John Winskowicz, Dick Young
Turf Specialty, Inc.
15 Londonderry Rd., Londonderry, NH 03053
1-800-228-6656
Turf & Ornamental Supplies.
Bob Flanagan, Kevin Lyons,
Dave Schermerhom, John Lensing
Varney Bros. Sand, Gravel & Concrete
Bellingham, MA
1-800-441-7373
Concrete golf cart paths. Kenneth Mooradian
White Turf, Inc.
Barre, MA
Irrigation contractor, Pump specialist.
(508) 355-6777
Winding Brook Turf Farm, Inc.
240 Griswold Rd., Wethersfield, CT06109
1-800-243-0232
Winlield Nursery
1320 Mountain Rd., Suffield, CT 06109
Wholesale nursery trees & shrubs. Jeff Rogers
Philip Wogan
Golf Course Architecture
17 Walker Rd., Topsfield, MA 01983

Page 10

Friends of the Association profiles
Ken Jones Inc.
"An Old Reliable House"

m a r k e t s . T h e c o m p a n y h a s f o u n d its niche
by stocking tires in sizes a n d

quantities

n o r m a l l y f o u n d only in m a n u f a c t u r e r s in-

" A n old reliable h o u s e " — T h a t ' s the byw o r d of this W o r c e s t e r , M a s s a c h u s e t t s tire

ventories. It has earned a reputation

of

b e i n g the one to call w h e n in a bind. J o n e s

c o m p a n y . Its founder, K e n n e t h S. J o n e s , a

s a y s t h a t " T o d a y , m o r e t h a n e v e r before, it

manager for the Firestone Tire Company,

is n e c e s s a r y to be a complete distributor.

decided that the time had come to start a

This often means

business for himself. T h u s in 1 9 3 8

Ken

a n d hard-to-find items." J o n e s also feels

J o n e s Inc., c o m m o n l y k n o w n today as K e n

t h a t "it is equally i m p o r t a n t to b e able to

J o n e s Tire, started in business.

converse intelligently about a

N o sooner had the company begun to
operate on a sound footing w h e n

World

stocking

slow-moving

particular

tire problem. Such things as correct tread
d e s i g n , load capacity, a i r p r e s s u r e , etc. a r e

W a r II broke out. T h e g o v e r n m e n t imposed

all

tire rationing resulting in a supply short-

throughout New England use K e n

part

of t h e

service."

Tire

dealers
Jones

a g e for this fledgling company. Needing to

Tire as their primary source for specialty

find

tires. " I t ' s certainly easier to call o u r 800

additional tire sources, M r . Jones, on

a return train trip f r o m N e w Y o r k
stopped

in N e w

Haven,

city,

Connecticut.

small r u b b e r producer called

A

Armstrong

T i r e w a s expanding its passenger tire production. A n agreement w a s reached and in
1 9 4 2 Armstrong became a major supplier
to K e n J o n e s Inc. T h i s relationship continu e s today. K e n J o n e s T i r e is A r m s t r o n g ' s
largest distributor in N e w E n g l a n d a n d its
second

oldest

customer

in the

United

States.
T o d a y t h e c o m p a n y is r u n b y t h e son of
the founder, J e r r y Jones, and his

three

sons Steve, Brian, and Darren. T h e y service

2000

customers

throughout

the

northeast specializing in tires for the farm,
golf course, construction, and recreational

n u m b e r t h a n try to r e a c h a large m a n u f a c turer's order desk."
B e c a u s e of their direct association w i t h
Armstrong,

Firestone, Bridgestone,

Car-

lisle, a n d Dico, the c o m p a n y h a s a

wide

r a n g e of sources to choose f r o m . T h i s n e w
F r i e n d of t h e Association m a y b e able to
help with y o u r tire needs.
W h e n t h e r e is s n o w to b e m o v e d or g r a s s
to b e cut, it is c o m f o r t a b l e to k n o w t h a t y o u
can rely on " a n old reliable h o u s e " .

Sani-Mate Supply, Inc.
Sani-Mate
commercial

Supply

is a distributor

cleaning products that

b e e n in business for over 50 years.
trally

located

in

Worcestor,

of
has

Cen-

Mass.,

S a n i - M a t e is able to deliver to all of N e w
E n g l a n d in a timely manner.

Individual

sales representatives cover small

regions

in order to act quickly a n d to give
customers the immediate,

specific

our
solu-

t i o n s to all t y p e s of c l e a n i n g p r o b l e m s .
Although Sani-Mate carries a complete
i n v e n t o r y of c l e a n i n g e q u i p m e n t , supplies,
and

paper

goods, w e

specifically

carry

m a n y products for cleaning your machinery. T h e s e products include degreasers in
bulk and small quantities, hot and

cold

pressure washers, lubricants, greases, and
a n a s s o r t m e n t of heavy-duty h a n d cleaners.

We

also

carry

an

assortment

vacuums and extractors, Johnson's

Wax

f l o o r f i n i s h e s a n d a l l - p u r p o s e c l e a n e r s , disinfectants, and shower room cleaners, as
well as rest room supplies. A full catalog is
available to y o u

at y o u r request

at

With Sani-Mate's full satisfaction guarantee, y o u m u s t be completely satisfied or
a total r e f u n d will be r e t u r n e d to you. F o r
more information on w h a t Sani-Mate can
do for y o u please call B a r r y H a c k e t t
1-800-437-1004.

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