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.

August 1995

Tworig's career blossoms after he revives
"the worst golf course in the country"
August Meeting
M o n d a y , August 14,1995
P o n k a p o a g Club
Canton, Massachusetts
Host S u p e r i n t e n d e n t
Richard Tworig I I
9 a.m.
10 a.m.
11 a.m.
12 noon
1 p.m.

Board Meeting
Coffee & donuts
for general membership
Regular Meeting
Lunch
Golf
Cost: Lunch only - $13;
Golf & Lunch - $35

This day will be the
for the American Cancer

qualifier
Tournament

Reservations Required
Call b y A u g u s t 10,1995
(508) 632-0252
You must pay by check - No cash!
Checks payable to GCSANE

Richard Tworig has been the golf course superintendent at Ponkapoag Golf Club since
1993. Prior to that he was the superintendent
at Cedar Hill Golf Course for 31/, years. Richard also worked at Halifax Country Club for
seven years and at Taconic Golf Club in Williamstown, Mass. Richard was named Director of Golf Course Operations for the MDC in
July 1995. He now oversees both state-owned
facilities. Richard is a 1983 graduate of the
Stockbridge School of Agriculture. He and his
wife, Lisa, daughters Ashley (age 5), and
Brittney (age 2), reside in Pembroke, Mass. In
his spare time Richard enjoys golf and spending time with his family.
Directions: Rte. 128 South to Rte. 93 North,
Exit 2A to Rte. 138 South, lA mile to set of
lights, take left into parking lot.
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When Richard Tworig arrived at
Ponkapoag Golf Course, one of several
Massachusetts District Commission operations in the Greater Boston area, he
thought he might have run into a buzz saw.
"Just for openers, it was voted worst
golf course in the country," Tworig
shrugged. "But that's not all. Because
Ponkapoag has 36 holes, it should have
been tagged worst two golf courses in the
country. I mean, it was 'vintage ruin', a
mess."
But that was in the not-too-long-ago - a
little more than two years, in fact. In that
short space of time, the two Donald Rossdesigned Ponkapoag layouts have enjoyed
a remarkable conditioning turnaround, a
major facelift. So much so that Tworig's
career has taken off in a new and challenging direction. As of, say two months ago,
Richard was named to the newly created
position of Director of Golf Operations,
and another MDC and Ross-connected
course, Leo Martin, has been placed in his
care.
The new job, with its enormous upgrade
in responsibility, is something Tworig
looks forward to with renewed vigor and
confidence. "The title implies that I'm in
charge of everything at the two operations
and that's basically it," Richard explained.
"I'm running the whole show, from putting green to clubhouse. What I hope to do
is build on the positive things I managed to
create at Ponkapoag in restoring the
course to decent playing standards. I'll expand on that and see what happens."
The entire experience almost came
close to being a "never happen" job change
for Tworig, who left a successful tour at
Cedar Hill to jump into the fire raging at

"He did more to shape up
things in 18 months than had
been done in the last 15 years."
Jack Neville
Ponkapoag Golf Pro
Ponkapoag in 1993. "Yeah, it sort of was
up in the air for a while," he told. "My dad
(another Richard Tworig and super who
stirred up the profession's juices in his son
at the Taconic Golf Club) came down from
the Berkshires to see the place before I
signed on. He took one look and insisted I'd
be crazy to take the job. Well, he's changed
his tune since that day."
continued on page 2

Page 10

continued, from page 1

PRESIDENT
Edward L. Brearley
189 Matfleld Street, West Bridgewater, MA 02379
508-584-6568
Evergreen Valley Country Club
VICE PRESIDENT
Robert DiRioo, CGCS*
326 Fuller Street, West Newton, MA 02165
617-527-6968
Brae Burn Country Club
SECRETARY
Kevin F. Osgood
14 Inman Lane, Foxborough, Ma 02035
617-630-1950
Newton Commonwealth Golf Course
TREASURER
Robert Ruszala
69 Gelinas Drive, Chicopee, MA 01020
413-256-8654
Hickory Ridge Country Club
TRUSTEE
John T. Hassett
110 Montgomery Avenue, Lowell, MA 01851
508-458-7300
Mount Pleasant Golf Course
TRUSTEE
Scott Reynolds
543 Dedham Street, Newton Centre, Ma 02159
617-244-7741
Charles River Country Club
TRUSTEE
James B. Conant, CGCS*
606 River Road, Marstons Mills, MA 02648-1735
508-362-1136
King's Way Golf Club
FINANCE CHAIRMAN
James Fitzroy, CGCS*
357 W. Squantum St., North Quincy, MA 02171
617-328-1776
Presidents Golf Course
GOLF CHAIRMAN
Michael J. Hermanson
100 Eaton Street, Gardner, MA 01440
508-632-2713
Gardner Municipal Golf Course
EDUCATION CHAIRMAN
Richard Duggan, CGCS*
93 Warren Avenue, Marlboro, MA 01752
508-369-0879
Concord Country Club
NEWSLETTER CHAIRMAN
Michael Nagle, CGCS*
51 Lincoln Avenue, Holder), MA 01520
508-853-6574
Worcester Country Club
PAST PRESIDENT
Stephen A. Chlavaroli, CGCS*
6 Birch Street, Paxton, MA 01612
508-752-0031

Newsletter Editor . Michael F. Nagle, CGCS
Associate Editor . Stephen Chlavaroli, CGCS
Contributing Editor
Gerry Finn
Business Manager . . . . . . Robert Ruszala
Information contained in this publication may be
used freely, in whole or In part, without special
permission as long as the true context is maintained. We would appreciate a credit line.

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Tworig, himself, insists that two factors
put the conditioning train on the right
track at Ponkapoag - common sense and
hard work. He also got a helping hand from
the MDC and its golf commissioner, David
Belfour. The commish saw to it that his
new super got the go-ahead on an outlay of
$130,000 in equipment and a steady increase in the number of work crew
personnel. At first it was doubled to 12,
then rose to its present size (18) as the
course took on the shape of a top-notch
layout in the remaking.
"I even have to laugh at the way things
had been handled before I got here," Richard commented. "There was no
superintendent as such, one greens mower
to take care of 36 holes, and a few hired
hands who had no direction. Before I came
their day consisted of turning on a few
antiquated irrigation valves, most of which
didn't work, mow a few greens and go
home. No wonder this place was a s disaster area."
Things could only get better at that
point in time and they did.
"There was a noticeable improvement
in the condition of the course after about
three months," Tworig recalled. "Things
began to look up, the golfers became aware
of our attempt to give them a credible
version of a Donald Ross course and spirits
all around the place started to lift."
Ponkapoag pro Jack Neville remembers
the pre-Richard Tworig days. "This place
was an embarrassment before Richard arrived," Neville said. "He did more to shape
up things in 18 months than had been done
in the last 15 years. I can remember people
coming here, playing a couple of holes and
asking for their money back. That doesn't
happen anymore."
Neville also is encouraged by the fact
the MDC chose Tworig to assume his new
54-hole command post because of his ability, not h i s familiarity with t h e
powers-to-be that operate the commission.
"That's something I really get a kick out
of," Jack informed. "And why not? I've
been here 21 years and have never seen the
course in better shape."
Another Tworig booster is Gary Doak,
the former Boston Bruin who came aboard
the MDC as its director of recreation last
year. "They tell me that Ponkapoag was
the worst course around," Doak remarked.
"Well, I played nine holes on Course No. 2
the other day and I really was impressed.
They tell me that the No. 1 course is even
better. From everything that I see, Richard
has done a fantastic job. Now, he's headed
for Leo Martin which may even be a bigger
challenge than Ponkapoag. However, we

feel he'll get that course turned around,
too."
Tworig, who is steeped in golf course
conditioning tradition, was the driving
force behind another restoration project at
Cedar Hill, a nine-hole municipal spread in
Stoughton. When he took the job there,
Cedar Hill was doing $100,000 a year in
green fees. When he left, the golf course
revenues had zoomed to $240,000.
"I feel with the Donald Ross link to the
basis for good golf courses, I'm one-up in
my attempt to give our golfers top-notch
playing conditions," he said. "But I have no
magic formula, no magic wand to bring
about a quick and lasting improvement. I
just put my faith in the experience I gained
as a kid growing up at Taconic, the plant
and soil-related education I got at UMass,
and what I've done in my travels as a super.
You also need a little luck and I'll welcome
all I can get as my responsibilities expand."
Richard plans to delegate some authority in his every day obligations on the
course, but he also believes he has to divide
his time between head super duties and
management chores. "That's how I hope to
bring everything up to snuff," he added.
"I'll have to work harder, but that's what
success is all about. I wouldn't want it any
other way."
GERRY FINN

Calendar
Aug. 14

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
Ponkapoag G.C.
Canton, Mass.

Sept. 11

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
& Team of T w o
Championship Tournament
Westminster C.C.
Westminster, Mass.

Oct. 16

GCSANE
Turf Research Tournament
Salem C.C.
Peabody, Mass.

Oct. 18

Shanahan M e m o r i a l
Pro-Superintendent Tournament
Willowbend Club
Cotuit, Mass.

Nov. 6

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
Hopedale C.C.
Hopedale, Mass.

Nov.
28-29

G C S A A Regional Seminar
Golf History, Theory, Construction,
and Maintenance
The International
Bolton, Mass.

Jan.
15-17,
1996

65th Mass. T u r f C o n f e r e n c e
& 20th Industrial S h o w
Boston Marriott - Copley Place
Boston, Mass.

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Page 10

The Super Speaks Out:
This month's question: What is the attitude of golfers on your course as to the sometimes
controversial green speed syndrome - now that the phenomenon has had a chance to sink in?
Brian Giblin, Country Club of New
Bedford: "I've been here only six months,
so I really don't have anything to go on in
judging present green speed attitudes to
what was popular in the past.
"However, I'm very aware of the comments members make about the condition
of the greens and other parts of the golf
course. So far the reaction appears to be
one of satisfaction because of the improved
condition of the greens. It appears that
members are tuned in more to the overall
puttability of the greens instead of how fast
or slow they're putting.
"I've been taking stimpmeter readings
here and have set an 8V2 speed as my guideline. Therefore, I'd say that the speed is on
the moderate side and not greased lightning like you hear about.
"Ah, but. But now and then I hear whispers like, 'maybe they could speed 'em up
a little' by some members. Sure, I hear
them, but my top priority remains the
same as when I took this job. That's to get
the greens in shape and keep them that
way. Right now I'd say green speed is secondary."

Mike lacono, Pine Brook Country
Club: "I think the green speed question is
about the same it was
when the fast-as-canbe theory first became
popular. At least I can
see no back-off signs
from my members.
"My approach to
green speed also remains the same. I
have to arrive at a
situation where the
speed of the greens coincides with the
greens' physical condition or its health.
Often this means that speed must be sacrificed in order to maintain consistency in
the other factors affecting putting, chipping, and approach shots. If that boils
down to finding a speed somewhere in the
middle of fast and slow, so be it.
"Our members have left it up to me to
reach that middle ground, although there
still is a certain number that wants to see
the greens scraped down to the point they
attain a 'fast-as-can-be' quality.

"The only time I use a stimpmeter is
when I think the greens may be getting a
little slower than they normally are. Regardless, I'm still in that mind set where I
bring the greens up to speed while making
sure the greens make it through the season. Definitely, the end result (loss of a
green) is not worth the risk presented because you want to move it up a notch on
the stimpmeter. At least it's not worth it to
me."
Scott Merrill, Way land Country
Club: 'I've been here nine years and the
complaints about the greens never change.
They only come when the golfers think the
greens are putting too slow.
"We're a public golf course and that
means the traffic usually is in that all-timehigh mode. Therefore, keeping up the
health of the greens becomes more important as the wear and tear grinds on.
"I try to set the speed of the greens
according to the situation or what kind of
play is going on at the moment.
"So, I must admit I speed them up for
certain events, like our member-guest
tournament. This means double cutting
them, rolling after and getting some zip
into putting attempts. It's normal for low
handicap golfers, especially when they're
showing off the course at member-guest
time, to want incredibly fast greens. The
thinking there is that the faster the greens,
the harder the course becomes.

"I try to set the speed of the
greens according to the
situation, or what kind of play
is going on at the moment.
So I must admit ! speed them
up for certain events..."
Scott Merrill
Wayland C.C.

"However, I never get them to the point
where they're super-fast and for the most
part I keep them somewhere in the middle
of being too fast and too slow. I don't use a
stimpmeter, either. I just go by observation
and feel. You can tell. You don't have to
play a numbers game."
Ron Kirkman, Needham Golf Club:
"First of all, allow me to suggest that the
speed of greens stands
as a bragging point for
most member-golfers.
It's got so far and so
ridiculous that I've
heard of golfers who
four-putt a green and
then brag about it because of the green's
super speed. That's
life on the golf course. Who can explain it?
"Here, there is a constant call to keep
the greens fast. I do, too, when I can assure
myself that putting a slick cut on them
won't result in serious damage to the
green's turf.
"Personally, I like consistency in the
greens and I strive to reach that situation
throughout the golf season. And, yes, I
speed up the greens for certain tournaments. Remember those things I said
about a bragging point?
"Of course, the weather is a big factor,
and I use it as my guideline to the speed of
our greens. The weather and the heavy
traffic that pounds the golf course tell me
just how fast I can allow the greens to
become.
"One thing is apparent and everyone
knows it, too. The slower the greens, the
healthier the turf. In contrast, the faster
the greens the more prone the greens are
to damage and disease. So, perhaps getting
there to Mr. In-between in speed should be
the typical superintendent's goal.
"Oh, another ingredient that goes into
the speed of our greens. It's the fact that I
cut the greens every day of the week (except Monday). So, Tuesday through
Sunday golfers get a fresh look at their
putting assignments. That tells you something about my concern for giving
members the fastest greens I can afford to
give them without losing them altogether."
GERRY FINN

Page

10

Former DEC inspector explains how
to survive a random pesticide inspection
by Mike Cook,
former inspector, N.Y. State DEC
You've just dropped by the shop for a
quick cup of coffee and an unfamiliar face
makes an appearance at the door. As you're
preparing an "I'm too busy to talk" excuse
for what you believe to be a new sales rep,
the fellow flips out a photo ID and identifies himself as a pesticide enforcement
inspector with the DEC (Department of
Environmental Conservation), or DEP
(Department of Environmental Protection), if you're in New Jersey or
Connecticut. The jig's up.
Your operation is about to undergo a
surprise inspection for compliance with
federal and/or state pesticide regulations.
If you think this is one of those "It'll
never happen to me" scenarios, think
again. All it takes to prompt a DEC inspection is a call from a disgruntled employee
or a neighbor who believes chemicals are
being misapplied or mishandled.
On rare occasions, you'll receive a warning call. But more often than not, an
inspector will just show up at your door.
The reason is obvious: The DEC wants to
see how you really operate.
To help you inspection-proof your operation, Mike Cook of Alpine, the Care of
Trees, draws from experience as a pesticide
inspector for the New York DEC to offer
insight into what to expect, and how to
conduct yourself, when an inspector calls.
First Things First. When a DEC inspector walks through your door - and it's
usually during the thick of the season,
when you're at your busiest - your worst
mistake would be to treat this person as an
unwelcome guest. Work hard at being cordial and cooperative. And know that you'll
be expected to drop everything - even if
your greens are wilting - for the duration
of the inspection.
Inspections are generally a minimum of
one hour, but will vary depending on the
size of your operation, the readiness of
your records, and the overall appearance of
your facility.
The inspector will first want general
information pertaining to your business,
including:
3
Type of operation: public or private?
• Certification and/or business registration numbers

•
•
•
•

Types & quantities of equipment
Types & quantities of pesticides used
Type of storage area
Disposal procedures

Digging a Little Deeper. The inspector will then begin to look a little more
closely at your operation, starting with
your pesticide application records. This is
the portion of the inspection that, without
question, generates the most violations
and fines (and they can run from $2,000 to
$5,000 for each first offense). If you can
maintain your daily use pesticide records
in a fashion required by your state regulator, you can eliminate more than 50% of
potential violations.
Most state agencies require that your
records include the following specifics:
• Date of pesticide application
• Target organism
• Pesticide used
• Dosage rate
• Total quantity used
• Place and method of application
• Use of pesticide
Next in the lineup is your pesticide application equipment. Here, the inspector
will want to ensure every piece of equipment is:
• Clean of pesticide residuals that can
pose a contamination problem
• Equipped with an antisiphon device
• In good running order
The added bonus of keeping your spray
equipment in top-notch condition is that it
presents a favorable image to the inspector
and the public.
Storage Do's and Don'ts. With all
that said and done, the inspector will ask
to see your pesticide storage area. Though
some states, such as New York, do not have
specific regulations pertaining to pesticide
storage, most do have published recommendations that will guide you in setting
up a responsible storage facility. You could
also look to the pesticide container label for
guidance. It generally lists storage requirements - and, of course, instructions for
proper use and container disposal.
To pass an inspector's scrutiny of your
storage area, you should take the following
precautions:
• Lock and eliminate unauthorized access to your storage area.
• Post warning signs in and around the
facility.

• Be sure the storage area is both well
ventilated and heated to prevent the
• pesticides from freezing - and potentially altering their potency - during
the winter months.
• Store all pesticides in well-labeled, secure containers. All containers
should be examined monthly for signs
of deterioration.
• Post the telephone numbers of various emergency service agencies
police, fire, and local poison control
center.
• Keep sufficient spill control materials, such as kitty litter, on hand and a
fire extinguisher on the inside of the
storage facility.
• Follow proper protocol for container
disposal, such as triple rinsing all containers before discarding them.
• Store herbicides and insecticides
away from fertilizers to avoid crosscontamination.
• Store materials off the floor. Wooden
pallets, for example, can be used.
• Be sure personal protective equipment - gloves, respirators, goggles,
gloves, coveralls, aprons - are cleaned
after each use and stored away from
pesticides.
Once the Inspection is Complete.
When the inspection's finished, the inspector will ask that you sign a written
inspection form. Read the form carefully,
paying close attention to any violations
listed and any recommendations for correcting them.
Frequently, you're expected to send in
a written response at a later date, specifying the steps you've taken to correct
violations cited during the inspection. Reply as soon as possible, but most definitely
within the time requested by the inspector.
In the End. It's important to remember that there is no single article,
publication, or seminar that will cover
everything you must do to comply with
federal and/or state regulations. But by
constantly reading pesticide label directions, staying tuned to ever-changing
pesticide regulations, and attending educational seminars, you can substantially
reduce your risk of violation-or worse, a
series of costly fines.
Reprinted from Tee to Green,
MET GCSA Newsletter, July 1995

Page 10

I'm mad as hell, and...
When it comes to deflecting
environmental criticism,
the best defense is a good offense.
by Gary T. Grigg
President, GCSAA
Golf courses and golf course superintendents are getting an unfair reputation as
some sort of environmental barbarians
bent on pillaging the land through the use
of destructive technologies and I'm getting
- no, make that already - tired of it.
Golf course superintendents as a group
are environmentally responsible with respect to our role as resource managers and
good stewards of our golf courses and the
land they encompass. And while I'm certain that my peers realize that some
unreasonable people are taking their shots
at us, I'm not sure they realize that we've
had an environmental war declared on us.
I am speaking of the elitist environmentalists who believe that anything man does,
he does at nature's expense, and, as such,
they try to pass as many laws as possible
restricting this perceived undesirable activity.
These elitists categorize the main environmental problems facing the U.S. indeed, the world - as ozone depletion,
pesticide use, acid rain, global warming,
loss of wetlands and natural habitat, and
population growth.
Most of the salvos being fired at golf
course superintendents fall into two of
those classifications: pesticide use and the
loss of native land (whether they be wetlands or not).
Usually when you read about pesticides
the news is bad. Have you ever wondered
why, particularly in view of the fact that
we are the healthiest nation in the world?
The answer is that we are in the era of the
activist, and too many of them have discovered that there's big bucks in
environmentalism.
Today, there are 39 active environmental groups with annual revenues of
nearly 900 million dollars. They receive
grants from the top 19 environmental

grant makers and back in 1990, 2,937
grants totalling $238 million were funded.
But these numbers merely scratch the surface: environmental-related lobbying and
litigation costs have reached a staggering
$8 billion per year.
The elitists are good at appealing to the
core values that all people have in common.
And one of those values is your health and
safety. They tug at that particular heartstring by telling us that pesticides are
poisoning our environment - and therefore, poisoning us. They claim that
pesticide residues and the use of pesticides
in general are responsible for many things,
including cancer.
Environmental accusations, like the
stories that appear in the supermarket tabloids, are usually based on a small grain of
truth. The "headline" may shout, "Harmful Chemicals Found in Groundwater
Aquifers!" and it's probably true. But what
you don't hear is the incredibly small
amount that has been found - an amount
that poses no health risk whatsoever. In
fact, there have been times where parts per
trillion are used for ammunition in environmental horror stories. These people
should understand that I have to raise my
family in this world also. Many superintendents live right on the course. Would we
really endanger ourselves and our children?
It is time that golfers understand that
modern management allows our courses to
be in harmony with nature. Professional
golf course superintendents are true environmentalists. We are caretakers of the
land. We have kept up with the demands of
higher quality courses while cutting down
on the use of toxic materials. It takes a
skilled person to follow sound cultural
practices and reduce the use of chemicals.
Turf chemicals are very expensive and golf
course superintendents have an economic
incentive to apply them in moderation. Superintendents also give high priority to
select maintenance practices that do not

have a negative impact on the environment.
Today's golf course superintendent is
aware of and cares about the consequences
of overuse of pesticides and fertilizers.
Contrary to the opinion of some, there is
not a more environmentally aware and
sensitive group than today's golf course
superintendents.
But instead of merely refuting the irresponsible allegations hurled at us, we also
need to tell our story - that turfgrass has
many environmental and community
benefits. To those who say golf courses are
not good neighbors, we must counter with
the facts: they produce oxygen; they cool
and remove pollutants from the air; they
absorb sound and glare; prevent runoff
and erosion; stabilize dust; filter contaminants from irrigation water, and recharge
groundwater supplies.
Further, golf courses can be a conservatory for plant life as well as key sanctuaries
for wildlife - especially birds and fish. They
also provide thousands of skilled and semiskilled jobs and provide a multi-billion
dollar industry nationwide.
Golf courses also add value to land and
increase tax bases, as well as providing
important green space. They fill resort hotel rooms worldwide and provide billions in
tax revenues - dollars that we, as taxpayers, don't have to cough up. They're places
for community events which can fund major charities from contributions.
Additionally, the game provides for the
physical and mental well being of millions
of golfers as well as those who use the
course for non-golf activities such as jogging, walking, bird-watching, crosscountry skiing, and fishing.
Anyone who cares about the game of
golf must become active. We must address
these issues now in our own communities
before the environmental activists impede
the growth of the game. I am asking every
superintendent, golf professional, club
manager, golf writer, and, most importantly, every club member and golfer to
know the facts and tell others. I'm not
asking you to do this for me, but for every
person who has ever had the pleasure of
playing this wonderful game and for yourself.
0Gary T. Grigg is the superintendent at
Royal Poinciana Golf Club in Naples, Florida, and is the current President of the Golf
Course Superintendents Association of
America.)

From The Country Club,
March 1995.
Reprinted with permission of
Club Publications, Inc.

Page 10

Fazio to receive superintendents' highest honor
Tom Fazio, one of golfs top course designers, will receive the Old Tom Morris
Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
Fazio, of Hendersonville, N.C., will receive the award at the GCSAA's 1996
conference and show in Orlando, Fla.
GCSAA established the Old Tom Morris
Award to recognize outstanding contributions to the game. The award is named for
Old Tom Morris (1821-1908), greenkeeper
and golf professional at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland.

Morris, a four-time British Open winner
(1861, '62, '64 and '67), also was one of the
top links designers of the 19th century.
"GCSAA is honored to pay tribute to
Tom Fazio's lifelong contributions to the
game," said GCSAA President Gary T.
Grigg, CGCS. "His commitment to the
game and to his community - especially all
the personal time he devotes to the Boys
and Girls Clubs - is a great example of the
spirit that Old Tom brought to golf."
Fazio, a native of Norristown, Pa., began as a golf course designer with the Fazio

family firm in the 1960s, assisting his uncle
George Fazio in course construction. In
1972, he established his own firm.
Fazio has been involved with the detail
design and construction of golf courses all
over the U.S., including Shadow Creek,
Las Vegas, Nev.; Black Diamond, Lecanto,
Fla.; Wade Hampton, Cashiers, N.C.; The
Quarry at La Quinta, Calif.; Wild Dunes,
Charleston, S.C.; World Woods, Homosassa, Fla.; and many other prestigious
courses. In 1995, he was voted the best
present-day architect by Golf Digest.

DIVOT DRIFT...announcements...educational
seminars...job opportunities
...tournament results..,and miscellaneous items of interest to the membership.
MEMBERSHIP
P r o p o s e d f o r Membership: Craig Hicks,
Associate, Forest Park C.C., Adams, Mass.;
Thomas L. DiFonzo, Assistant, The Georgetown Club, Georgetown, Mass.
Welcome N e w Members: Advanced Agronomic Services, Friend, Princeton, Mass.;
Joseph F.Wagner, Affiliate, Sodco, Inc., Slocum, R.I.; Palmer Whitney, Affiliate, Turf
Products Corp., Worcester,Mass.; Michael
D.Luccini, Associate, Brookmeadow C.C.,
Canton, Mass.; Michael Drake Construction,
Inc., Friend, Framingham, Mass.; Michael
L.Drake, Affiliate, Michael Drake Const.,
Framingham, Mass.

INFORMATION
First, a retraction. In the July Divot Drift,
it was erroneously reported that Ron Kirkman was enrolled in a class to cure the fear
of flying in airplanes. The truth is that Ron
is accompanying a family member who is in
the class. Apologies to Capt. Kirk.
Rich Tworig of Ponkapoag G.C. is the new
handicap chairman on the Golf Committee.
Any scores, requests to establish a handicap,
questions about handicaps, etc. should be
directed to Rich at (617) 821-9957.
Your editor's fax machine hasn't exactly
been clogged with new Friends of the Association Profiles lately. Come on! Take a few
minutes out and type or hand-write a brief
(3-5 paragraph) blurb about your business,
its history and a sales representative with a
phone and/or fax number. You can't beat the
price of this advertising!
Jack Hassett wants to inform our membership again that forms are available for
benevolent aid and scholarships through the
GCSANE. For forms or more information
call Jack at (508-458-7300.
hilibiJlldihliUlbDLhiiliLiLJ^h.Hl^^

D u r i n g t h e U S G A Amateur Championship
at Newport Country Club, Newport R.I., the
Rhode Island GCSA will be sponsoring a hospitality tent August 26 and 27 on the club
grounds. RIGCSA President Vin Iacono
would like to extend to all members of the
GCSANE an invitation to stop by, relax and
have a cold drink during the last two days of
this prestigious tournament.
B o b D i R i c o is still accepting per hole
donations for his participation in Golf Marathon 3 at Stow Acres C.C. on August 16 to
benefit the Francis Ouimet Scholarship
Fund. Presently about 20% of Ouimet scholars are from the golf course maintenance
sector. This is a good opportunity for the
GCSANE to give something back to Ouimet.
As Bob stated in the letter you received about
a week ago, our target amount is $5,000.
Donations of$.25, $.50, or more per hole will
quickly add up. Please make a pledge to this
worthwhile fund if you can.
M a r y O w e n of LJMass Extension has announced that there'are a limited number of
openings in the Golf Course Turf I P M Scouting Workshop to be held at the Concord C.C.
on August 31 from 11:30 - 1:30. The session
will feature Drs. Noel Jackson, Pat Vittum,
and Prasanta Bhowmik, and will cover insects, w e e d s , diseases, and cultural
management. In addition, superintendent
Dick Duggan will show the results of his
renovation completed last year. The registration deadline is August 25, and pesticide
recertification credits/contact hours will be
available. Anyone interested can contact
Mary at (508) 892-0382.

POSITION AVAILABLE
Golf Course Superintendent - M i n k
Meadows Golf Club, Vineyard Haven, Mass.
Send resumes by Sept. 1,1995 to Christopher
D. Righter, MMGA Green Chmn., 826 Main
St., Winchester, M A 01690 (617-729-2513).

MEETING NOTES
A " T h a n k Y o u " to Roger Brink and all of
the folks at Indian Ridge C.C. for a great job
hosting the Superintendent Championship
on July 10. It was a beautiful day playing a
great golf course in spectacular condition.
Thanks again, Roger!

TOURNEY RESULTS
G r e e n Chairman/
Superintendent T o u r n a m e n t
June 29, Wachusett C.C., W. Boylston, Mass.
Low Gross
70 - Dick Gurski/Mike Gunn
(Hart Seed)
Low Net
60 - Gary Luccini/Ed Sheehan
(Match of Cards)
(Franklin C.C.)
2nd Net
Dave Barber/Robert Skolnick
(Wellesley C.C.)
3rd Net
Todd Sauer/Bob Frem
(Mt. Pleasant C.C.)
Closest-to-pin #4
John Havens
Closest-to-pin #6
Bob DiRico
Closest-to-pin #13
Mike Gunn
Closest-to-pin #18
Pat Scenna
Long Drive
Mike Cornicelli
Superintendent Championship
July 10, Indian Ridge C.C., Andover, Mass.
Superintendent Low Gross
(Tie)-79
Paul Miller & Mark Taylor
Low Net
66 - Dave Barber
Senior Supt. Low Gross . . . 80 - Ed Uhlman Sr.
Low Net
71- Jim Beane
Affiliate Low Gross
78 - Jim Casey
Low Net
(Tie) 72
Dave Farina & Jack Cronin
Closest-to-Pin #2
Mark Taylor
Closest-to-pin #7
Paul Skafas
Closest-to-Pin #13
Joe Piana
Closest-to-Pin #16
Bob Healey
Long Drive
Jay Snyder

1

Page 7

Please Patronize These FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION
Advanced Agronomic Services, Inc.
65 Rocky Pond Road, Princeton, MA 01541
Specializing in Verti-Drain deep-tine aerification
Jim Favreau - (508) 464-5159

Doerlng Equipment
P.O. Box N, Franklin, MA 02038
Distributor of John Deere goif & turf equipment.
Mark Doering - (508) 520-3629

A-OK Turf Equipment
8 Boulder Dr., Coventry, Rl 02816
Buy & sell used turf equipment.
Mike Comicelii- (401) 826-2584

Elanco Products Company
31 Old Town Trail, Narragansett, Rl 02882
Stephen C. Dolinak - (401) 789-9017

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
Agriturf, Inc.
59 DwightSt., Hatfield, MA 01038
Fertilizer, seed, and chemicals for turf.
Bruce Chapman, Paul McDonough,
Chris Cowan
1-800-346-5048
Baker Golf Cars
40 Walker S t , Swansea, MA 02777
Steve Founier, Doug Hooper
(508) 379-0092
Bartlett Tree Experts
153 Rumford Ave., Newton, MA 02166
Tree maintenance, fertilization & consulting.
(617) 969-5990
Bayer Corporation
1516 Capella South, Goat Island
Newport, Rl 02840
Bayiaton, Merit, Dylox, Tempo, Nemacur.
Brad Herman - (401) 846-3515;
FAX (401) 846-8012
Best Bent Turf, Inc.
P.O. Box 318, Raymond, NH 03077
Alan Anderson - (603) 895-6220

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, N H - ( 6 0 3 ) 783-4717
Golf Direction Associates
54 N. Grove St., Foxboro, MA 02035
Business forms, graphics, reports, resumes.
Nora Berard - (508) 543-9822
FAX (508) 698-0402
The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
P. O. Box 9169, Weathersfield, CT 06109
Roy Sibley, Dick Gurski
1-800-326-HART
International Golf Construction Co.
5 Purcell Rd„ Arlington, MA 02174
Golf course construction.
Antonios Paganis
(617) 648-2351 or (508) 428-3022
Irrigation Management & Services
21 Lakeview Ave., Natick, MA 01760-4252
Irrigation consultation, design and
system evaluation.
Bob Healey, ASIC, CID - (508) 653-0625

The Borden Company
Maynard, MA
Bulk limestone dealer.
Jack Borden - (508) 897-2571

Tom Irwin, Inc.
11B A St., Burlington, MA
Jack Petersen, Wayne Ripley, Dennis Friel
Paul Skafas, Chris Petersen
1-800-582-5959

Boston Irrigation Company
Dedham, MA
Distributor, irrigation supplies & accessories.
John Ramey, Paul Kenyon, Robert Barbati
(617) 461-1560

Ken Jones Tire Co.
Worcester, MA
Distributor of tires for lawn & garden, trucks,
cars, industrial equipment, and golf carts.
Gerry Jones - (508) 755-5255

Brennan Sales
P. 0. Box 1082, Scarborough, ME 04070
Turf care products.
Bob Brennan - (207) 883-5799

Larchmont Eng. & Irrig. Co.
Larchmont Lane, Lexington, MA 02173
Steve Butler-(617) 862-2550

Caldwell Environmental
5 Cross St., Acton, MA
(508) 263-4586
The Cardinals, Inc.
166 River Rd„ P. 0. Box 520
Unionville, 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. 0. Box 820, Cataumet, MA 02534
Club Car golf cars, carryalls, utility cars.
Jim Casey, Dave Farina, Ed Maguire
(508) 563-2284
Country Golf, Inc.
4852 Westchester Dr., Traverse City, Ml 49684
Golf course construction & reconstruction;
specialists in Donald Ross courses.
Jerry Deemer- (616) 947-5751
Michael Drake Constuctlon, Inc.
240 Walnut Street, Framingham, MA 01701
Golf course reconstruction; professional shaper
Michael Drake - (508) 875-8247

The Lawn Co., Inc.
P. O. 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
D.L. Maher Co.
Box 127, Concord St., N. Reading 01864
Water supply specialists;
water wells & pumping equipment.
(617) 933-3210
Mass Natural
P. 0. Box 363, Westminster, MA 01473
Manufacturers & suppliers of organic compost, enriched topsoil, custom planting mixes.
(508) 874-0744

Lawrence R. McCoy & Co., Inc.
100 Front St., 700 Mechanics Tower
Worcester, MA 01608
Wholesale resource for railroad ties, timbers,
bagged or bulk mulches, fencing, stakes,
planters, and ice & snow melt.
1-800-346-2269
Modern Aeration Service, Inc.
212 KendrickSt., Newton, MA 02158
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, Convault aboveground fuel tank.
StevenS. Howitt- (508) 761-5554
R.F. Morse & Sons, Inc.
W. Wareham, MA 02576
Larry Anshewitz, Jack Cronin
(508) 295-1553
Nardone Sand & Gravel Co., Inc.
37 Power Rd„ Westford, MA 01886
Specializing in topdressing sand.
Greg Frederick - (508) 692-8221
Agr-Evo U.S.A. Co.
Wilmington, Delaware
David Sylvester - (203) 828-8905
Partac Golf Course Top-Dresslng
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
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

1-800-341-6900
Sports Club Management
104 Wyman Rd„ Braintree, MA 02184
Hazcom and right-to-know
compliance implementation.
Ron S m i t h - ( 6 1 7 ) 848-5978
Sullivan Tire Co.
Goodyear specialty tires & tubes.
Tom Wilson
MA: 1-800-464-1144, (508) 580-2222
NE: 1-800-321-0042
Dahn Tlbbett Professional Golf Services
d/b/a/ Weed & Feed, Inc.
20 Clark Lane, Marshfield, MA 02050
Specialists in golf course construction and
irrigation installation. We also offer a wire
tracing service.
(617) 837-3503, FAX (617) 834-2392
Tee and Green Sod, Inc.
Exeter, Rl 02822
Bentgrass, biuegrass and blue/fescue sod.
Dave Wallace, Robin Hayes
(401) 789-8177
Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Inc.
Richmond, Rl
Chris Beasley-1-800-556-6985
Turf Enhancement Enterprises
Featuring Floratine Products, Precision Small
Engine Co. & Trion Lifts.
Tom F o x - ( 5 0 8 ) 865-9150
TurfNet Associates, Inc.
21 Brandywine Road, Skillman, NJ 08558
Communication...information...
market intelligence
Peter L. McCormick - 1-800-314-7929

Pro-Lawn Products, Inc.
24 Johnathan Rd„ W. Greenwich, Rl 02817
Specializing in turf & ornamental needs.
(401) 397-8880

Turf Products Corp.
7 Coppage Dr., Worcester, MA 01603
Distributors of Toro irrigation and maintenance
equipment, lightning detection systems, and
other golf-related products.
Tim Berge, Ed Fallow, Rick Moulton,
John Winskowicz
(508) 791-2091

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

Turf Specialty, Inc.
15 Londonderry Rd„ Londonderry, NH 03053
Turf & ornamental supplies.
Bob Flanagan, Kevin Lyons,
Dave Schermerhorn, John Lensing
1-800-228-6656

J.P. Roberts Co.
Technical resource catalog; survey-weathertesting-measurement & diagnostic equipment.
Barbara Piantedosi - (508) 456-6886

United Horticultural Supply
P.O. Box 7, Sodus, NY 14551
Fertilizer, seed, chemicals, and IPM,
Glen Larabee - (508) 223-4931
Ed W i a c e k - ( 4 0 1 ) 254-1674

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
Sawtelle Bros.
65 Glenn St., Lawrence, MA 01843
Bob Brown, Larry Bunn, Mike Hannigan,
Frank Higgins, John Lenhart
(508)682-9296
Scotts Pro-Turf Dlv.
Allan Cumps, Regional Director
Randy Hamilton - (508) 528-4642
Richard Forni-(413) 534-8896
Sodco, Inc.
P.O. Box 2, Slocum, Rl 02877
Matt Faherty, Joe Wagner

Varney Bros. Sand, Gravel & Concrete
Bellingham, MA
Concrete golf cart paths.
Kenneth Mooradian - 1-800-441-7373
Winding Brook Turf Farm, Inc.
240 Griswold Rd„ Wethersfield, CT06109
1-800-243-0232
Winfield Nursery
1320 Mountain Rd„ Suffield, CT 06109
Wholesale nursery trees & shrubs.
Jeff Rogers
Philip Wogan
Golf Course Architecture
17 Walker Rd„ Topsfield, MA 01983
Zip Type Service
50 Kent St., Newbuiyport, MA 01950
Design, printing, mailing,
advertising specialties.
Sheila Johnson - (508) 462-9358

Page 10

GCSANE
Fishing Trip

JuneS
At right are the participants - and two of
the cod - aboard the Dolphin on the June
5 fishing trip out of Gloucester. At left, the
first mate throws back Daryn Brown's
date.

GCSAA makes major changes to conference schedule
The board of directors of the Golf
Course Superintendents Association of
America (GCSAA) recently approved a new
format for the association's annual conference and show. GCSAA's International
Golf Course Conference and Show will now
run on a Monday to Sunday schedule. Previously, the event had run Monday to
Monday.
GCSAA's 67th International Golf
Course Conference and Show is now scheduled for Feb. 5-11, 1996, at the Orange
County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla.
The change was made because research
had shown that a large majority of registrants currently leave on Sunday. By
leaving early, registrants missed activities
such as the final day of the trade show, the

association's annual meeting, the United
States Golf Association Green Section session, and the banquet and show.
"The new format was approved to allow
greater participation in these and other
important events," said GCSAA President
Gary T. Grigg, CGCS. "Now members can
leave the conference and show on Sunday
evening and not worry about missing anything."
Highlights of the new schedule, which will be implemented next year in Orlando, include:
Trade Show Hours Were

Will Be

Distributor Preview
Members Only
Open Hours:
Open Hours:
Open Hours:

Fri. a.m.
1-6 p.m.
(same)
9-3
(closed)

Fri. aft.
(New)
Sat. 9-5
Sun. 9-5
Mon. 9-1

Event

Was

Golf Championship
Mon.-Tues.
Seminars
Mon.-Thurs.
Opening Session
Thurs. eve.
Environmental General Session
Sun. morn.
President's Reception Sun. eve.
Banquet & Show
2nd Mon. eve.
Annual Meeting
2nd Mon. eve.
Concurrent Session
Fri. all day
Architects Session
Sun. aft.
Friends of the Foundation Reception
Sun. aft.
USGA Green Section Session
2nd Mon. aft.
National Golf Foundation Session
(New)

Will Be
(same)
(same)
Wed. eve.
Thurs. eve.
Fri. eve.
Sat. eve.
Sat. a.m.
Fri.- Sat. a.m.
Sat. morn.*
Sat. aft.
Sun. aft.
To be decided

"tentative

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