LETTER
Golf Course Superintendents

Association

OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.

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

May 1994

Foreign intrigue: Dave Copeland
enjoys his turf management adventure
June Meeting
Monday, June 27, 1994
Gardner Municipal Golf Course
Gardner, Massachusetts
Host Superintendent
Michael J. Hermanson
9:00 AM
11:30 AM

Board Meeting
Golf with Cookout to follow

(Cost is $37. For cookout only, $17.)
Reservations Required
Call by June 22,1994
(617) 328-9479
You must pay be check—No Cash!
Checks payable to GCSANE
Mike Hermanson has been the golf course
superintendent at Gardner G.C. for 23 years.
He is a 1970 graduate of Stockbridge. Mike
and his wife Susan have two sons, Matthew,
age 8, and Scott, age 5. in his spare time Mike
enjoys golf, fishing, and spending time with
his family.
Directions: From the Boston area take
Route 2 West. In Westminster, take Route 140
North. Go through two sets of traffic lights.
Approximately 1/2 mile after second set of
lights, turn left onto Matthews Street. Follow
Matthews Street to the end and go right. Continue approximately one mile, then turn left
on Eaton Street. Club is on your left. From
Western Massachusetts, take Route 2 East
into Gardner. Take second Gardner exit, #23.
At bottom of exit ramp, bear left and go
around rotary following Pearson Blvd. north
signs. Halfway around rotary, go right under
railroad bridge. Follow one quarter mile to
traffic lights. Go right at traffic lights for 2.2
miles, then take left on Eaton Street. Club is
on your left.

L i k e a little foreign i n t r i g u e w i t h y o u r

volved in golf course construction.

t r a v e l s of D a v e C o p e l a n d on his t u r f m a n -

T e d M a n n i n g told m e w h a t the planning

agement, magical flying carpet.

b o a r d in P o r t u g a l consisted of, I c o u l d n ' t

Copeland—by
Mass.;

Colorado

Montana;

way

of

Springs,

Westminster,
Col.;

and various other

stops—recently

When

w a i t to get t h e r e . "

Billings,

So, Copeland j u s t u p a n d left a position

interesting

he had held for six years ( 1 9 8 6 - 1 9 9 1 ) and

returned from

Portugal

w h e r e he plied his f a v o r i t e t a l e n t of golf
course construction in a n a d v e n t u r e

un-

derwritten by Independent Leisure Group
and its project m a n a g e r T e d Manning.
Located on 2600-acres in the
a r e a is t h e G o l d E a g l e G o l f a n d

Lisbon
Country

struck out for the relative unknown.
T h e s t a y i n P o r t u g a l l a s t e d f r o m f a l l of
1 9 9 1 t h r o u g h D e c e m b e r of 1 9 9 3 .

During

that period, D a v e w a s involved in virtually
every phase of the Golden E a g l e building
process, concentrating on such details as
shaping,

building,

and maintaining

all

Club. Copeland w a s aboard for the course's

greens, traps, a n d certain hazards as well

conception and baptism, starting in

a s p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n t h e o v e r a l l s e t u p of a

1991

w h e n h e left t h e c o m p a r a t i v e c a l m of t h e

top-notch grooming program.

head superintendent's job at Monoosnock

"Originally, Golden Eagle w a s planned

C o u n t r y Club for the more inviting chal-

a s a very, v e r y p r i v a t e course," D a v e said.

l e n g e o f s t a n d i n g o n t h e g r o u n d floor o f a

" T h e idea w a s to create a n ultra-exclusive

soon-to-be golfing skyscraper.

club, y o u k n o w w h e r e t h e n u m b e r of y e a r l y

" O h , it w a s n ' t b e c a u s e I w a s d i s s a t i s f i e d

continued on page 2

or b o r e d w i t h m y old j o b , " D a v e explained.

te

Ï 7 7' 7

¡••I
IIIITNUII^II^INIJJJILII^IIIIJILITLIL^I.

" I t ' s j u s t t h i s k i c k i n g inside m e to b e in-

monthly Newsletter read? T h e n follow the

F

:

7

7 7:7 "7 V

:

MNHHË

A panoramic view of the 14th hole at Golden Eagle C.C. in Portugal, where Dave Copeland spent the past two years.

Page 10

Edward L. Brearley
189 Matfield Street, W e s t Bridgewater, M A 0 2 3 7 9
508-584-6568

VICE PRESIDENT

continued from page 1

and thefact I've always been fascinated b y

rounds never exceed 2000. I n fact, t h e en-

the a r t of putting a golf course together."

tire 2600 acres t h e project required w a s

T h e Portugal experience certainly m e t

completely f e n c e d in. T h a t ' s a lot of fence.

that need, together with a good look a t the

B u t t h a t ' s t h e w a y t h e o w n e r s w a n t e d it.

other

side of n a t u r e ' s

input.

"Yeah,

I

" T h e y also w a n t e d the best in turf for a

learned something about golf course grow-

course that measures 6800 yards from the

ing and maintenance conditions a t Golden

blue (back) tees. S o , I seeded t h e tees a n d

Eagle,"

fairways

around Lisbon presents t h e ideal

with

Penneagle

and

used

Dave

told.

"I think

that

area
condi-

Penncross on the greens. There w a s no

tions f o r turf. I t ' s just the s a m e a s the

sparing the expense, either. All t h e mate-

conditions around A n a h e i m . . . w a r m

rial needed to get t h e grass system going

cool n i g h t s ,

and the equipment

blessing a s all supers k n o w . "

to maintain

it w a s

shipped over from Atlanta."

a n d no humidity.

days,

That's

a

Copeland, w h ow a r m e d u p for a return

Copeland spent t h e last t w o months of

to this a r e a helping old friend P h i l DiRico

Robert DiRico, CGCS*
326 Fuller Street, W e s t Newton, M A 02165
617-527-6968
Brae Burn Country Club

his

as

at t h e H a m p d e n Country Club, h a s signed

Golden Eagle's superintendent. H e had a

on a s t h e head superintendent a t Wedge-

SECRETARY

golf course w o r k c r e w of 1 4 a n d a n addi-

wood

tional 2 0 people to keep t h e rest of t h e

construction.

Kevin F. O s g o o d
62 Maple Street, Hyde 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 Course

TREASURER
Robert Ruszala
69 Gelinas Drive, Chicopee, M A 0 1 0 2 0
413-256-8654
Hickory Ridge Country Club

TRUSTEE
John T. Hassett
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 Golf Course

TRUSTEE

two-year

Portugal

commitment

spread h a v e b e e n s h a p e d a n d p l a n s call f o r

cided to r e t u r n to t h e states a n d p u r s u e a

In the meantime, Dave's renewing hissu-

superintendent/construction

per's

chief

path.

Recently, h e landed such a n opportunity

gardless, it's good to b e b a c k again...doing

golf course c o m m u n i t y of Stow, Mass.
Golf

and turf

construction/mainte-

nance always has been on Copeland's front
High

School

golf t e a m

h o m e t o w n of Westminster in t h e late 70s.
"How

good w a s I ? " he repeated the

question. "Well, I think I c a n s a y some of

Richard P. Tworig II
547 Washington Street, Pembroke, M A 02359
617-828-4242
Ponkapoag Golf Course

w e r e playing o n t h e local circuit."

matches. A n dthat might have come naturally

because

m y mother

w h a t I like to do best."
Welcome home, uh, stranger.

GERRY

Calendar
June 13

SuperintendentGreen Chairman Tournament
Belmont C.C., Belmont, Mass.

June 27

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

July 13

Superintendent
Appreciation Day
Shaker Farms G.C., Springfield, Mass.

Aug. 1

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
Dedham Polo and Country Club
Dedham, Mass.

Aug. 16

2nd Annual GCSANE
Scholarship & Benevolence
Fund Tournament
Wachusett C.C., W. Boylston, Mass.

Sept. 6

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
Twin Hills C.C., Longmeadow, Mass.

Sept. 26

6th Annual GCSANE
Turf Research Tournament
Worcester C.C., Worcester, Mass.

Oct. 11

Superintendent - 3 Club Officials
Blue Hill C.C., Canton, Mass.

Oct. 17

NEPGA Pro-Supt. Tournament
Spring Valley C.C., Sharon, Mass.

Nov. 7

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
Mount Pleasant GC, Lowell, Mass.

and father
they

D a v e w e n t f r o m high school to t h e twoyear

turf

management

program

at

Stockbridge a n d h a d a couple interesting
internships,

one at Broadmoor

Country

Club (Colorado Springs), a n d another at
the H i g h l a n d Club (Billings). T h e n it w a s
on to t h e real w o r l d of t h e superintendent.
A two-year

assistant-foreman stay at

International

under

R o n Milenski got

Copeland's super career in motion. A twoyear stint w i t h F r a n k A d a m s at Wianno
followed, a n dthen D a v e decided to branch
out a little. H e t o o k 1 9 8 4 a n d 1 9 8 5 o u t of
the super picture a n d spent t w o years in
the landscape construction business. B u t

Nl^JETTER

by 1986, he w a s back in a superintendent
mode a n dr e s u m e d h i s career with six seasons of g r e e n i n g t h e nine-hole M o n o o s n o c k
layout in Leominster.

Newsletter Editor . Michael F. Nagle, CGCS
Associate Editor . Stephen Chlavaroli, CGCS
Contributing Editor
Gerry Finn
Business M a n a g e r
Robert Ruszala
Information c o n t a i n e d in this publication m a y b e
used freely, in w h o l e or in part, w i t h o u t s p e c i a l
permission as long a s the true c o n t e x t is m a i n tained, W e w o u l d appreciate a credit line.

T h e call f r o m M a n n i n g a n d P o r t u g a l
came just after Manning had been working
the Northern

S p y project in

Townsend.

T h e only explanation for the sudden move,
and

a drastic

one at that,

mirrors

Copeland's outlook. " I guess I have a great
sense of adventure," h e quipped.

FINN

in his

brought home a f e w trophies when

S t e p h e n A. Chlavaroli, CGCS*
6 Birch Street, Paxton, M A 01612
508-752-0031
Tatnuck Country Club

my

disclosed. " A n d I expect t o b e b a c k i n t h e

GOLF CHAIRMAN

PAST PRESIDENT

retained

N e w E n g l a n d ( G C S A N E ) very soon. Re-

my putts helped w i n a f e w championship

Michael Nagle, CGCS*
51 Lincoln Avenue, Holden, M A 01520
508-853-6574
W o r c e s t e r Country Club

"I've always

Country

Wedgewood

Paul J a m r o g
500 Veterans Memorial Parkway
East Providence, RI 02914
401-438-7285
M e t a c o m e t Country Club

NEWSLETTER CHAIRMAN

vows.

membership in thenational (GCSAA)," he

Club, another addition to the burgeoning

with the budding

Regional

Richard Duggan, CGCS*
93 Warren Avenue, Marlboro, M A 0 1 7 5 2
508-369-0879
Concord Country Club

in its
18-hole

opening nine holes sometime in October.

TRUSTEE

EDUCATION CHAIRMAN

of the

construction process w a s history, h e de-

burner since h e played on the Oakmont

FINANCE CHAIRMAN

will b e involved

S i x holes

grounds u p to snuff. However, after the

Scott Reynolds
62 Maple Street, Hyde Park, M A 02136
61 7 - 2 4 4 - 7 7 4 1
Charles River Country Club
J a m e s Fltzroy, CGCS*
357 W . S q u a n t u m St., North Qulncy, M A 02171
617-328-1776
Presidents Golf Course

b u t also

"That,

Dec. 7&8 GCSAA Regional Seminar
(Tentative)
Golf Course Construction
and Techniques
The International, Bolton, Mass.
,liiiJiiL,l.ailiiilJLÌilii,litmiilÌL.liililiilii,ilill

Page 10

The Super Speaks Out:
This

month's question:

How do you set up a snow removal program on your
golf course, what effect does the process have on
the timing of opening day, and how does it affect future
course
maintenance?
Dave Mucciarone, Woodland Golf
C l u b : " I k n o w a lot of people g e t n e r v o u s
w h e n y o u t a l k of t h r o w i n g a t r a c t o r on a
g r e e n in t h e d e a d of w i n t e r a n d s t a r t m o v ing snow every which way. It sounds risky,
b u t it isn't.

o n l y o n m y ' t r o u b l e ' g r e e n s o r t h o s e located in shady areas. A n o t h e r reason for
the early start w a s to avoid drift build-up.
T h a t w a y w e a l w a y s h a d a track to the
greens w h e r e w e needed to get e q u i p m e n t
in for plowing.

" W e ' v e b e e n u s i n g s n o w r e m o v a l equipment here for as long as I remember. When
I w a s 1 5 ( y e a r s old), m y d a d ( N o r m ) u s e d
to get a h e a d of the early m a i n t e n a n c e g a m e
by removing snow from the greens with an
old f r o n t - e n d loader. B u t h e h a d a r u l e then
that I've followed ever since I took over
from him. Y o u never, I mean never, plow
or snow-blow a green unless there's an
a p p r e c i a b l e t h i c k n e s s o f i c e o n it.

" T h e snow removal mentality helped
speed u p the course opening. We w e r e playi n g g r e e n s t h e second w e e k e n d in A p r i l
which f i g u r e s to b e a pretty good time set
c o n s i d e r i n g t h e a m o u n t of s n o w w e h a d . A t
that, I don't think this winter w a s the
'worst' either. W h e n I w a s helping m y dad
in the late 70s, I r e m e m b e r w i n t e r d a y s
w h e n w e h a d to w a l k to w o r k . N o v e h i c l e s
were moving.

" T h e w h o l e i d e a of c l e a r i n g s n o w f r o m
t h e g r e e n s a n d o t h e r a r e a s is to s p e e d u p
the t h a w i n g process. Once t h a t ' s done, y o u
c a n e i t h e r p o k e holes in t h e ice cover or let
M o t h e r N a t u r e t a k e over if the g r e e n s are
e x p o s e d to a lot of s u n l i g h t .

"Oh, t h e d a m a g e factor thing? T h e r e is
none. A t least I h a v e n ' t encountered any
for using plows and blowers. I think it's
safe."

" I ' m a l w a y s a w a r e of t h e f a c t t h a t I
c o u l d d a m a g e t h e g r e e n s if I s t a r t s n o w
r e m o v a l too e a r l y in the s t o r m season. A n d
I go b y a n o t h e r rule. I g u e s s it's m y own.
A n y w a y , w h e n there are f o u r inches or less
o n t h e g r e e n s a n d it g e t s t i m e t o t h i n k
about projecting an opening date, I only
u s e b l o w e r s to get rid of t h e s n o w cover.
" T h i s y e a r m a r k e d the second straight
w i n t e r that w e h a d excessive snow cover.
So, I started p u s h i n g s n o w in J a n u a r y but

"The whole idea of clearing
snow from the greens and
other areas is to speed up the
thawing process."
Dave Mucciarone
Woodland Golf Club

Jim Perez, East Mountain Country
Club: " L e t ' s s a y t h a t s n o w r e m o v a l i s c r i t i cal f o r us. Critical, b e c a u s e w e ' r e a
y e a r - r o u n d - o p e n public golf c o u r s e t h a t depends on green fees. If w e don't get those,
w e h a v e to d e p e n d on the b a n k . . . y o u k n o w
what I mean.
" T h e r e f o r e , getting rid of t h e s n o w is
p a r t of m y r e g u l a r m a i n t e n a n c e p r o g r a m .
T h e golf course h e r e is t h i r t y - s o m e t h i n g
y e a r s old, so w e ' v e b e e n p u s h i n g s n o w f o r
thirty-something years.
" T h i s y e a r w a s an u n u s u a l one for
snowfall out here in w e s t e r n M a s s a c h u setts. W e really got hit, a n d hard. E a r l y ,
too. W e w e r e able to k e e p t h e c o u r s e o p e n
until December 18. A f t e r that, we w e n t
d a r k b u t good.
"We started clearing with a pickup but
e v e n t u a l l y the s n o w piled on u s so h e a v y
w e h a d to go to a payloader. H o w e v e r , j u s t
when we thought the course w a s ready for
play a g a i n a n o t h e r storm w a s on its w a y .
T h a t ' s t h e w a y it w e n t a l l w i n t e r , m e a n i n g
n o o n e w a s a b l e t o t e e it u p b e t w e e n t h e
m i d d l e of D e c e m b e r a n d A p r i l 1 w h e n w e
had, for us, a late, late spring opening.

" W e d o n ' t u s e a n y artificial g r e e n covers, so w e h a d to b e v e r y c a r e f u l w h e n
p l o w i n g greens. I o n l y did it w h e n t h e r e
w a s e n o u g h ice cover to h a n d l e t h e s t r a i n .
Once we had a green cleared, we'd pour
o r g a n i c f e r t i l i z e r o n it, a t t r a c t t h e heat,
a n d the ice w a s g o n e in a m a t t e r of f o u r
d a y s or so.
"Oh, I did plow one f a i r w a y , a dogleg
h o l e t h a t g e t s no s u n a t all. T h a t w o r k e d so
well, I ' m p l a n n i n g on e x p a n d i n g the fairw a y plowing and also moving onto the
driving range next winter.
"So far, and I'm talking 30-plus years,
w e h a v e n ' t experienced a n y d a m a g e by implementing a snow removal program. Like
I said, o u r p r i o r i t y is to g i v e t h e p u b l i c a s
m a n y golfing days as possible."
Scott Reynolds, Charles
River
C o u n t r y C l u b : "Clearing snow from the
g r e e n s is a n end-of-the-season t h i n g f o r
m e . B y t h a t I m e a n t h e e n d of t h e s n o w s t o r m season...if t h e r e is such a thing.
" T h i s y e a r we started plowing on M a r c h
15. We used a front-end payloader, but
worked on only those greens that fall in
s h a d y a r e a s . I n o u r c a s e , t h a t ' s five g r e e n s .
" B y t h a t t i m e t h e r e w a s a couple of
i n c h e s of ice on t h e g r e e n s , p l u s t h e artificial covers w e u s e on t h e entire course. So,
there n e v e r w a s a n y d a n g e r of h u r t i n g the
surface or damaging the root system. Regardless, w e ' d h a d a h e a v y snowfall all
winter and those greens had to be cleared.
" T h e r e s u l t w a s t h a t i n s t e a d of o p e n i n g
t h e c o u r s e a r o u n d t h e first o f M a y , w e w e r e
able to allow partial play the second weekend in A p r i l a n d p l a n f o r f u l l o p e n i n g a
w e e k later.
" T h a t ' s the b o t t o m line a s f a r as I ' m
c o n c e r n e d . M y g o a l is to get t h e golf c o u r s e
i n p l a y a s s o o n a s p o s s i b l e . S i n c e I find t h a t
p l o w i n g g r e e n s (I n e v e r do a n y f a i r w a y s )
helps m e realize t h a t goal without inflicting any turf damage, I'm a snow removal
p r o m o t e r . A f t e r a l l , it g i v e s o u r m e m b e r s
t w o m o r e w e e k s of play. T h a t ' s m y job. T o
s e e t h a t it h a p p e n s . "
GERRY

FINN

"Our priority is to give the
public as many golfing days
as possible."
dim Perez
East Mountain Country Club

Page 10

Executive Summary:

Presenting an integrated approach
to controlling summer patch
by Bruce B. Clarke, Ph.D.,
Rutgers, the State University
New Brunswick, New Jersey

w h e n golf g r e e n s a n d f a i r w a y s are cut at or
a b o v e 5 / 3 2 a n d 3/8 i n c h e s , r e s p e c t i v e l y .

Summer patch is one of the most destructive diseases of
cool-season turf in North America. Prior to 1984, it was an
unidentified component of the disease Fusarium Blight
Summer patch has been reported on annual bluegrass,
Kentucky bluegrass, and fine fescue.
Symptomatology:
I n m i x e d s t r a n d s of a n n u a l b l u e g r a s s
and bentgrass maintained under putting
g r e e n conditions, patches are circular and
r a n g e f r o m 1 to 1 2 inches in diameter. A s
a n n u a l bluegrass yellows and declines,
b e n t g r a s s species frequently recolonize
p a t c h c e n t e r s . O n f a i r w a y s , r i n g s or
patches m a y not develop. In such cases,
symptoms may appear as diffuse patterns
of yellowed or straw-colored t u r f t h a t are
easily confused with heat stress, insect
d a m a g e , or other diseases.
Infection c o m m e n c e s in late s p r i n g
w h e n soil t e m p e r a t u r e s stabilize b e t w e e n
65° and 68°F. S y m p t o m s develop during
h o t (86° to 9 5 ° F ) , r a i n y w e a t h e r o r w h e n
h i g h t e m p e r a t u r e s f o l l o w periods of h e a v y
rainfall. P a t c h e s m a y continue to e x p a n d
through the s u m m e r and early a u t u m n
a n d a r e o f t e n still evident t h e following
growing season.

temperatures should be monitored at a two
inch d e p t h d u r i n g t h e w a r m e s t p a r t of t h e
day. Fungicides should be repeated t w o to
t h r e e t i m e s a t 2 1 to 2 8 d a y i n t e r v a l s f o r
best results. E f f i c a c y is e n h a n c e d w h e n
p r o d u c t s a r e a p p l i e d i n 4 t o 5 g a l l o n s of
water per 1000 square feet. Post-treatment
irrigation has not been shown to increase
disease control a n d m a y , at excessive levels
(i.e., 1 / 2 t o 1 i n c h o f w a t e r ) , a c t u a l l y d e crease fungicide effectiveness.

Cultural Control:
B e c a u s e s u m m e r p a t c h is a root disease,
cultural practices that alleviate stress and
promote good root development will reduce
d i s e a s e severity. S i n c e l o w m o w i n g enhances symptom expression, avoid mowing
turf below recommended heights, particularly during periods of h e a t stress. In the
northeast, symptoms are less apparent

S u m m e r patch is m o s t severe on poorly
drained, c o m p a c t e d sites. A e r i f i c a t i o n over
a p e r i o d of s e v e r a l y e a r s s h o u l d r e d u c e
compaction and decrease the incidence and
s e v e r i t y of this disease. S p r i n g a n d s p r i n g
plus fall aerification schedules are more
effective t h a n fall aerification in reducing
disease development. S u m m e r patch is
s t i m u l a t e d at h i g h soil p H . T h e r e f o r e , f o r
b e s t r e s u l t s , m a i n t a i n soil p H b e t w e e n 5 . 5
a n d 6.0 w i t h the application of a m m o n i u m
sulfate or a slow-release nitrogen source
such as sulfur-coated urea. Irrigate deeply
and as infrequently as possible without
i n d u c i n g d r o u g h t stress. C o n v e r s i o n of golf
areas f r o m a n n u a l bluegrass to b e n t g r a s s
will f u r t h e r reduce disease incidence.

Reducing Fungicide Rates:
T h e u s e of f u n g i c i d e s t o c o n t r o l s u m m e r
patch can be reduced through the implem e n t a t i o n of good c u l t u r a l p r a c t i c e s s u c h
a s aerification, r a i s i n g t h e h e i g h t of cut,
and fertilizing with acidifying nitrogen
sources. Although cultural m a n a g e m e n t
practices m a y t a k e two to three y e a r s to
reduce disease severity, they represent an
e n v i r o n m e n t a l l y s o u n d m e a n s of i m p r o v ing turfgrass vigor and reducing fungicide
r a t e s 2 5 t o 5 0 % . T h e i n t e g r a t i o n of a c i d i f y ing and systemic fungicides has also been
u s e d on golf g r e e n s to effectively control
s u m m e r patch and increase the population
of b e n t g r a s s 1 0 to 2 0 % o v e r a t h r e e y e a r
period.
KEVIN LYONS
T U R F SPECIALTY, INC.

Management:
Systemic fungicides, such as fenarimol
(Rubigan), propiconazole (Banner), triadim e f o n (Bayleton), and benzimidazoles
(i.e., T e r s a n 1 9 9 1 , F u n g o 50, a n d C l e a r y
3 3 3 6 ) , h a v e p r o v e n to be most effective
w h e n applied at label rates. Applications
s h o u l d c o m m e n c e on a preventive basis in
late spring or early s u m m e r w h e n the
m a x i m u m daily soil t e m p e r a t u r e e x c e e d s
6 0 ° F f o r f o u r t o five c o n s e c u t i v e d a y s . S o i l

Systemic fungicides

Aerification program

Proper mowing height

Proper pH maintenance

Page 10

Poisonous plants and flowers abound;
chemical company compiles checklist

T h e little girl filled w i t h pride at the
play l u n c h she h a d a r r a n g e d in t h e b a c k y a r d — an apple, a radish, and some berries
she had picked f r o m a shrub in her
mother's garden.
F o u r hours later she w e n t into a coma.
T h r e e hours a f t e r that she w a s dead.
T h e child died f r o m t h e berries f r o m a
d a p h n e p l a n t w h i c h is c u l t i v a t e d in h o m e
ornamental gardens and grows wild
t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t i y . I t is o n e of m o r e
than 700 flowers and plants that can cause
death or severe illness.
The Minnesota Safety Council has
w a r n e d that plants have replaced aspirin
a s t h e m o s t c o m m o n c a u s e of p o i s o n i n g t o
children.
" T h e i r colorful leaves and bright flowers are a m a g n e t to children, w h o o f t e n
can't resist the t e m p t a t i o n to p u t t h e m into
their m o u t h s , " said the council, w h i c h
u r g e d p a r e n t to t e a c h c h i l d r e n n o t to e a t
plants or flowers.
"If you have small children, place
houseplants out of their reach. K e e p a n eye
on y o u r c h i l d r e n in t h e g a r d e n , too, since
t h e l e a v e s of potato a n d t o m a t o p l a n t s a r e
highly poisonous."
T h e lily-of-the-valley, long a gentle
s y m b o l of s p r i n g t i m e , c a n b e f a t a l . T h e
diffenbachia, a popular house plant, can be
a killer. A n d t h e l e a v e s of r h u b a r b — t h e
most dangerous plant in the vegetable garden — contain oxalic acid, which
c r y s t a l i z e s i n t h e "kidneys a n d c a n c a u s e
convulsions, coma, a n d quick death.

T h e l e a v e s of t h e colorful o l e a n d e r cont a i n a h e a r t s t i m u l a n t that could kill a
c h i l d . T h e C i b y - G e i g y c h e m i c a l firm i n
Ardsley, N.Y. said there have been adults
w h o h a v e died f r o m eating barbecued
steaks skewered on oleander twigs.
Castor bean seeds — frequently made
i n t o n e c k l a c e s f o r c h i l d r e n — a r e d e a d l y if
chewed or swallowed. S a g e berries also can
be fatal.
Other common plants and flowers that
can cause death or serious illness include
hyacinth, narcissus, daffodil, elephant ear,
l a r k s p u r , m o n k s h o o d , iris, foxglove, bleeding heart, dutchman's breeches, wisteria,
laurels, rhododendron, azaleas, wild and
cultivated cherries, oaks, elderberry, jackin-the-pulpit, M a y apple, buttercups,
nightshade, w a t e r and poison hemlock,
a n d j i m s o n w e e d (thorne apple).
H e r e is a list
Geigy chemical
household plants
dangerous — and
by children.

prepared b y the Cibac o m p a n y of c o m m o n
and flowers that can b e
o f t e n f a t a l — if i n g e s t e d

R o s a r y pea, c a s t o r b e a n (seeds): c a n b e
fatal.

Flowers
L a r k s p u r (plant, seeds): m a y be fatal.
M o n k s h o o d (fleshy roots): digestive upset,
nervous excitement.
C r o c u s (bulbs): v o m i t i n g , n e r v o u s excitement.
Lily-of-the-valley (leaves, flowers): irregular heartbeat

and pulse; upset

mental

confusion.
Iris (underground stems): digestive upset.
F o x g l o v e (leaves): m a y be fatal.
B l e e d i n g h e a r t ( f o l i a g e , r o o t s ) : m a y b e poisonous.

Vegetable Plants
R h u b a r b (leaf blade): f a t a l .

Ornamental Plants
D a p h n e (berries): fatal; a f e w berries can
kill.
W i s t e r i a (seeds, pods): digestive u p s e t .
Golden chain (bean-like capsules): severe

House Plants
H y a c i n t h , N a r c i s s u s (bulbs): n a u s e a , vom-

poisoning; m a y be fatal.

iting, diarrhea.

L a u r e l s , r h o d o d e n d r o n , a z a l e a s (all p a r t s ) :

Daffodil: m a y be fatal.

fatal; nausea, vomiting, prostration, coma.

Oleander

J e s s a m i n e (berries): fatal.

(leaves, branches):

extremely

dangerous; affects heart; can cause death.
D i f f e n b a c h i a , e l e p h a n t e a r (all p a r t s ) : i n -

R e d sage (green berries): fatal.

t e n s e b u r n i n g a n d i r r i t a t i o n of t h e m o u t h

Trees and Shrubs

and tongue; can be fatal.

Cherries (twigs, foliage): fatal.
O a k s (foliage, acorns): t a k e s large a m o u n t s
to poison.

Athletic Turf Management Field Day
scheduled for Aug. Win Worcester
On Wednesday, August 10, 1994, the
New England Sports Turf Managers Association, t h e U n i v e r s i t y of M a s s a c h u s e t t s
Cooperative Extension System, and the
College of the Holy C r o s s will host the third
annual New England Sports Turf Managers Association Athletic T u r f M a n a g e m e n t
Field Day.
T h e day-long event will include sessions
on developing a n d m a i n t a i n i n g a successf u l m u n i c i p a l a t h l e t i c field m a n a g e m e n t
program, as well as a presentation on the
maintenance practices for the Holy Cross

n a t i o n a l l y a w a r d w i n n i n g fields. D e m o n strations will feature field m a r k i n g a n d
painting, irrigation and sprinkler head
comparison, as well as a tour of Holy C r o s s
facilities. A t t e n d e e s w i l l be able to v i s i t
w i t h a wide r a n g e of exhibitors on site.
F o r registration information, contact
M a r y Owen, T u r f Specialist, U M a s s Cooperative Extension System, 800 Pleasant
S t r e e t , Rochdale, M A 0 1 5 4 2 (508) 8920382. Exhibitors please contact J a c k
Schmidgall, T o w n of D a n v e r s , (508) 7 7 7 0 0 0 1 , extension 3 0 1 4 , o r (508) 4 6 5 - 1 6 5 3 .

Elderberry (bark, shoots, leaves): nausea,
digestive upset.
B l a c k locust (bark, sprouts, leaves): nausea, weakness, depression.

Wildflowers, Plants
J a c k - i n - t h e - p u l p i t (all p a r t s ) : o r a l b u r n i n g
irritation.
M a y a p p l e (all p a r t s ) : d i a r r h e a .
B u t t e r c u p s (all p a r t s ) : s e v e r e d i g e t s i v e injury.
N i g h t s h a d e (all p a r t s ) : f a t a l ; d i g e s t i v e disturbance, nervous symptoms.
J i m s o n w e e d (all parts): c a n b e f a t a l .

From PAT LUCAS, CGCS
(Reprinted from Soundwaves,
Old Greenwich School Newspaper)

Page 10

European anthrax epidemic leads to suspension of
cattle by-product shipments, including Bov-A-Mura;
U.S. production facility underway, reports PBi-Gordon
To: All sales personnel & all customers
F r o m : Al Mullican, Vice President, Agricultural & Professional Products, P B I
Gordon Corp.

Subject: B o v - A - M u r a

To our valued customers:
It is w i t h r e g r e t t h a t I m u s t i n f o r m y o u
that P B I - G o r d o n Corporation must cancel
all orders f o r B o v - A - M u r a , b o t h c u r r e n t
and b a c k orders, u n t i l f u r t h e r notice. T h i s

i s a r e s u l t of a r u l i n g b y t h e F D A D e p t .
prohibiting all s h i p m e n t s of cattle by-produ c t s in t h e U S A f r o m E u r o p e . T h i s is
b e c a u s e of t h e " m a d c o w " v i r u s ( A n t h r a x )
t h a t h a s b e c o m e of e p i d e m i c p r o p o r t i o n s i n
Europe.
We at P B I - G o r d o n apologize for a n y
inconvenience this m a y cause y o u or y o u r
customers. We h a d little or no w a r n i n g
prior to this ruling.
At the current time, we are awaiting the
c o m p l e t i o n of a p r o d u c t i o n f a c i l i t y i n t h e
U . S . A . T h i s i s n o w u n d e r w a y , b u t it w i l l b e
at least six months before completion.

A g a i n , a f t e r its completion, the product
should be available a n d in plentiful supply.
W e will k e e p y o u i n f o r m e d of t h e status.
P l e a s e c h e c k w i t h y o u r local P B I s a l e s m a n
f o r f u r t h e r updates on this product.
W e would like to t a k e this t i m e to t h a n k
you for your current and future business
w i t h P B I - G o r d o n . . . i t is appreciated!

News item submitted by
MIKE KROIAN
PROLAWN, INC.

DIVOT DRIFT...announcements...educational seminars...job opportunities
...tournament results...and miscellaneous items of interest to the membership.
PROPOSED
MEMBERS
P r o p o s e d f o r M e m b e r s h i p : Charles
Bramhall, Affiliate, Prolawn, Inc.; Donald
Dallaire, Affiliate, Golf Learning Center of
New England; Jason Adams, Assistant, The
Shattuck G.C.

WELCOME
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome N e w Members: Timothy Keating, Affiliate, Prolawn Inc.; Christopher
Cowan, A f f i l i a t e , A g r i T u r f , Inc.; Linda
Kelley, Associate, Bedrock G.C.; Joseph Borden, Associate, Strawberry Valley G.C.;
Thomas Morris, Regular, Berkshire Hills
C.C.; Gregory McKnight, Assistant, New
Sandy Burr G.C.; Jon Orkiseski, Assistant,
Worcester C.C.

MEETING NOTES
Thanks to Charlie Dickow and the staff
at Poquoy Brook G.C. for a fine job hosting
the May meeting.

INFORMATION
Eric Kleinsorge, formerly at the Sterling
C.C., is now the Associate Golf Course Superintendent at The International, Bolton,
Massachusetts. Congratulations!
Associate member Scott Brown, sales
rep for O.M. Scotts, has accepted a new position with Scotts in Florida. Good luck in the
sunny South!
Mary Owen, the Regional Turf Specialist of
the Mass. Cooperative Extension Service,
has received confirmation from Mark Buffone of the Mass. Dept. of Food and
Agriculture's Pesticide Bureau that there
were indeed Mass. pesticide applicator recert i f i c a t i o n contact hours awarded f o r
attendance at the New Hampshire Turf Conference. There were a total of 5 contact hours
in Category 37 for attendance at the entire
conference. Appropriate verification of attendance as distributed at the conference
will be necessary for applicators to claim
contact hours.
On t h e cover of the April issue of Golf
Course Management, did you notice any familiar faces in the lower left corner? I wonder
if they were looking at actual equipment or
just the Hooter's girls!
A reminder to all clubs and businesses that
have members of the GCSANE: Memberships are NOT transferable for A N Y class!

iàiiLilùAuiâiklMkLLxlAL J I T I L H I L L I L D L Ü D L L J U L I J L J I H L I H I L R I L ^

If any member does not receive their membership book, membership card, etc. contact
Scott Reynolds at (617) 244-7741.
Scott Reynolds would also like to announce
an Open House of his Maintenance Facility
at Charles River C.C. on July 12 from 10-2.
Coffee and doughnuts will be served.
The Turf Research Committee would
like to thank two businesses for their contributions to the Turf Research Fund: TRIMS
Grounds Management Software who made a
$100 donation in the name of Richard Derby,
Longmeadow C.C. and F.D.I., Inc. who donated money on behalf of Jack Hassett, Mt.
Pleasant G.C. and Phil Schultz, Sterling C.C.
This year's Scholarship and Benevolence
Fund Tournament at Wachusett C.C. on August 16 will be in memory of Don Marrone
Sr. and Robert Johnston.
The next Newsletter will be a double issue
for June and July. The August issue will have
the details of the August meeting.

TOURNAMENT
RESULTS
Unfortunately, no tournament results
were reported from the meeting at Poquoy
Brook.

Page 7

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

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
Fertilizer, seed, and chemicals for turf.
Bruce Chapman, Lew Varga
1-800-346-5048

Golf Direction Associates
54 N. Grove St., Foxboro, MA 02035
Business forms, graphics, reports, resumes.
Nora Berard - (508) 543-9822
FAX (508) 698-0402

Baker Golf Cars
40 Walker St., Swansea, MA 02777
Mark Farley, Doug Hooper
(508) 379-0092

The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
P. 0. Box 9169, Weathersfield, CT06109
Roy Sibley, Dick Gurski
1-800-326-HART

Bartlett Tree Experts
153 Rumford Ave., Newton, MA 02166
Tree maintenance, fertilization & consulting.
(617) 969-5990

International Golf Construction Co.
5 Purcell Rd., Arlington, MA 02174
Golt course construction.
Antonios Paganis
(617) 648-2351 or (508) 428-3022

Best Bent Turf, Inc.
P.O. Box 318, Raymond, NH 03077
Alan Anderson - (603) 895-6220
The Borden Company
Maynard, MA
Bulk limestone dealer.
Jack Borden - (508) 897-2571
Boston Irrigation Company
Dedham, MA
Distributor, irrigation supplies & accessories.
John Ramey, Paul Kenyon, Robert Barbati
(617) 461-1560
Brennan Sales
P. O. Box 1082, Scarborough, ME 04070
Turf care products.
Bob Brennan - (207) 883-5799
Caldwell Environmental
5 Cross St., Acton, MA
(508) 263-4586
The Cardinals, Inc.
166 River Rd., P. 0. Box 520
Unlonvllle, 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.
P. O. Box 400, West Falmouth, MA 02574
Club Car golf cars, carryalls, utility cars.
Jim Casey, Dave Farina, Ed Maguire
(508) 563-2284
Doering Equipment
P.O. Box N, Franklin, MA 02038
Distributor of John Deere golf & turf equipment.
Mark Doering - (508) 520-3629
Chester Drake & Sons, Inc.
222 Walnut St., Framingham, MA 01701
Golf course construction.
(508) 875-7929
Elanco Products Company
31 Old Town Trail, Narragansett, Rl 02882
Stephen C. Dollnak - (401) 789-9017

Irrigation Maintenance & Service
21 Lakeview Ave., Natick, MA
Irrigation consultation, design and
system evaluation.
Bob Healy, ASIC - (508) 653-0625
Tom Irwin, Inc.
11B A St., Burlington, MA
Jack Petersen, Wayne Ripley, Dennis Friel
Paul Skafas, Chris Petersen
1-800-582-5959
John's Tree & Landscape Company
Tree & landscape experts; all employees
certified & insured.
John P . - ( 6 1 7 ) 739-7760
Ken Jones Tire Co.
Worcester, MA
Distributor of tires for lawn & garden, trucks,
cars, industrial equipment, and golf carts.
Gerry Jones - (508) 755-5255
Larchmont Eng. & Irrig. Co.
Larchmont Lane, Lexington, MA 02173
Steve Butler-(617) 862-2550
The Lawn Co., Inc.
P. 0. Box 1540, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
Fertilizers & pest controls applied;
fairway aeration & slice seeding.
Tom Fair- 1-800-660-TURF
Lazaro's Golf Course Accessories
dba Hammond Paint & Chem. Co., Inc.
738 Main St., Suite 223, Waltham, MA 02154
Joseph Lazaro - (617) 647-3361
LESCO, Inc.
20005 Lake Rd., Rocky River, OH 44116
Ron Tumiski, Mike Donohue
1-800-321-5325
Loft's Seed
22 Lantern Lane, Exeter, Rl 02822
Victoria Wallace - 1-800-648-7333
0 1 . Maher Co.
Box 127, Concord St., N. Reading 01864
Water supply specialists;
water wells & pumping equipment.
(617) 933-3210

ILULHLULL^LULIUILLILLI^LLLILLL^^^

Mass Natural
P. 0. Box 363, Westminster, MA 01473
Manufacturers & suppliers of organic compost, enriched topsoil, custom planting mixes.
(508) 874-0744

Sawtelle Bros.
85 Glenn St., Lawrence, MA 01843
Bob Brown, Larry Bunn, Mike Hannigan,
Frank Higgins, John Lenhart, Dave Parmlgiane
(508) 682-9296

Miles Specialty Products
1516 Capella South, Newport, Rl 02840
Baylaton, Dyrene, Dylox, Oftanol, Nemacur.
Greg Ellis - (401) 846-3515

Scotts Pro-Turf Div.
Allan Cumps, Regional Director
Scott Brown - (401) 294-3606
Richard Fornl - (413) 534-8896

Modern Aeration Service, Inc.
62 Maple St., Boston, MA 02136
Featuring water injection aeration.
Kevin Osgood - (617) 630-1950

Sod co. Inc.
P.O. Box 2, Slocum, Rl 02877
Owen Regan

Modern Tractor & Truck Service, inc.
400 Pine St., Seekonk, MA 02771
Holllston sand/loam topdresslng mixture, 1/2"
or 1/8" screened loam, underground tank
removal, Convault aboveground fuel tank.
Steven S. Howitt - (508) 761-5554
Ft.F. Morse & Sons, Inc.
W. Wareham, MA 02576
Larry Anshewitz, Jack Cronin
(508) 295-1553

Sports Club Management
104 Wyman Rd., Bralntree, MA 02184
Hazcom and right-to-know
compliance implementation.
Ron Smith
Sullivan Tire Co.
Goodyear specialty tires & tubes.
Tom Wilson
MA: 1-800-464-1144, (508) 580-2222
NE: 1-800-321-0042

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

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

Nor-Am Chemical Co.
Wilmington, Delaware
David Sylvester - (203) 828-8905

Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Inc.
Richmond, Rl
Chris Beasley - 1-800-556-6985

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

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

P.I.E. Supply Co.
For your irrigation needs; dedicated to sales
and service of quality irrigation equipment.
Frank Santos
(508) 420-0755 or (203) 878-0658
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-weathertesting-measurement & diagnostic equipment.
Barbara Piantedosi - (508) 456-6886
Safety Storage, Inc.
86 Sanderson Ave., Lynn, MA 01902
Prefabricated pesticide storage buildings,
gas & oil, storage cabinets.
(617) 599-5490
Sani-Mate Supply, Inc.
88 Shrewsbury St., Worcester, MA
Distributor of Karcher hot high pressure
equipment and bulk detergents, sales, service,
and rentals.
Barry Hackett - (508) 752-8888

Turf Products Corp.
7 Coppage Dr., Worcester, MA 01603
Distributors of Torn irrigation and maintenance
equipment, lightning detection systems, and
other golf-related products.
Tim Berge, Ed Fallow, Rick Moulton,
John Winskowicz, Dick Young
(508) 791-2091
Turf Specialty, Inc.
15 Londonderry Rd., Londonderry, NH 03053
Turf & ornamental supplies.
Bob Flanagan, Kevin Lyons,
Dave Schermerhom, John Lensing
1-800-228-6656
Varney Bros. Sand, Gravel & Concrete
Belllngham, MA
Concrete golf cart paths.
Kenneth Mooradlan - 1-800-441-7373
White Turf, Inc.
Barre, MA
Irrigation contractor, pump specialist.
(508) 355-6777
Winding Brook Turf Farm, Inc.
240 Griswold Rd., Wethersfleld, CT 06109
1-800-243-0232
Wlnfield Nursery
1320 Mountain Rd., Suffield, CT 06109
Wholesale nursery trees & shrubs.
Jeff Rogers
Philip Wogan
Golf Course Architecture
17 Walker Rd., Topsfield, MA 01983

Paged

Please mark your calendar!
Please keep in mind the following important dates:
Tuesday, August 16,1994 - 2nd Annual Scholarship and Benevolence Fund Tournament at
Wachusett Country Club, West Boylston, Mass.
Monday, September 26,1994 - 6th Annual Turf Research Tournament at Worcester Country Club,
Worcester, Mass.

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