LETTER
Golf ۩nrse Superintendents

Àgg©€5ÌSltÌ®SÌ OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.

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

January 1996

An appreciation of Manny Francis:
§ dreamer whose dreams all came true
January Meeting
GCSANE Ammisi Meeting
Wednesday, January 3,1996
Mount Pleasant Country Club
Lowell, Massachusetts
Host Superintendent
John T. Hassett
9:00 a . m .
12 n o o n
1:00 p . m .

. . Board Meeting
L u n c h , cost $ 1 3 . 5 0
. Regular Meeting

Reservations Required
Call b y D e c e m b e r 28,1996
(508) 832-6252
Winter Meeting Dress Code
Requires Coats and Ties
Y o u m u s t p a y b y check - N o cash!
Checks payable to G C S A N E

Jack Hassett has been t h e g o l f course superintendent of M o u n t P l e a s a n t f o r ten years.
P r i o r t o that, h e w o r k e d at M a n d e r l y - O n - T h e G r e e n , O t t a w a , O n t a r i o , C a n a d a , f o r five
years. Jack is a graduate o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f
L o w e l l and the T u r f W i n t e r School at U M a s s .
H e is in his third y e a r on t h e G C S A N E Board,
serving as a trustee. Jack has o n e daughter,
Julia (17), w h o is a recent G C S A N E scholarship recipient and is a t t e n d i n g t h e U n i v e r s i t y
of M i a m i . I n his f r e e t i m e Jack enjoys golf,
skiing, and catching large stripers and blues.
D i r e c t i o n s : F r o m either R t e . 128 o r 1-495,
take Rte. 3 to E x i t 32 ( N . Chelmsford/Westford). A t the Drum Hill rotary immediately off
the exit, head t o w a r d L o w e l l by t a k i n g a r i g h t
o n t o W e s t f o r d Road. G o past a shopping cent e r and L o w e l l F o r d and take a right on W e s t f o r d Street. By t a k i n g t h e 4th or 5th r i g h t a n d
f o l l o w i n g it to the end, y o u will arrive at
M o u n t Pleasant.

Bob G r a n t took it u p o n himself to h i t
t h e p r o v e r b i a l nail on t h e h e a d in capsuling
t h e long a n d laudable life of t h e late M a n n y
Francis, who p a s s e d a w a y a t t h e age of 9 1
i n October.
"We ( s u p e r i n t e n d e n t s ) all h a v e t h e
s a m e d r e a m , " t h e f o r m e r G C S A N E presid e n t r e f l e c t e d on M a n n y ' s m a n y
a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s . " S o m e d a y w e ' d all like
t o b u i l d a n d own a golf course. M a n n y
d r e a m e d t h a t d r e a m like t h e r e s t of us. B u t
h e also m a d e it c o m e t r u e . H i s m i n d n e v e r
stopped h u m m i n g . "
Francis, a d e c o r a t e d h e r o of t h e golf
course s u p e r i n t e n d e n t r a n k s w h o s e m a n y
h o n o r s include t h e p r o f e s s i o n ' s prestigious
D i s t i n g u i s h e d Service Award, w a s in f a c t a
d r e a m e r by n a t u r e . H e is p e r h a p s b e s t
r e m e m b e r e d for h i s d e v e l o p m e n t of t h e
highly r e g a r d e d g r a s s s t r a i n , V e s p e r Velvet
B e n t . However, his p e r s o n a l t o u c h comes
attached to many turf improvement methods.
" H e w a s 40 y e a r s a h e a d of his t i m e , "
r e m a r k e d B e r t Frederick, w h o w o r k e d a s
M a n n y ' s a s s i s t a n t a t t h e Vesper C o u n t r y
C l u b b e f o r e succeeding his m e n t o r as h e a d
superintendent. "They laughed at him
when he suggested that top-dressing
g r e e n s w i t h s a n d w a s t h e way to go. Now,
w e ' r e all doing it. B u t t h a t ' s only one of
m a n y innovative m e t h o d s for i m p r o v i n g
t u r f t h a t c a n be t r a c e d b a c k to M a n n y . H e
w a s a genius, all r i g h t , a n d a silent g e n i u s
at that."
Francis, w h o w a s b o r n a b o a r d a ship
b e t w e e n Brazil a n d P o r t u g a l in 1905, c a m e
to t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s w h e n h e w a s 16. H e
h a d n o f o r m a l b a c k g r o u n d in golf b u t
l a n d e d a j o b on a c o u r s e c o n s t r u c t i o n crew

while w o r k i n g in a D a n b u r y , Conn, h a t
factory. A f t e r t h a t , golf b e c a m e his life v i a
a succession of s u p e r i n t e n d e n t j o b s t h a t
passed through South Portland, Maine a n d
H a v e r h i l l b e f o r e t h e last a n d m o s t signific a n t stop a t Vesper.
O n c e he w a s e n t r e n c h e d in t h e
T y n g s b o r o layout M a n n y p u t his g r a s s
s t r a i n discovery to work. T h e Vesper
c o u r s e p r o s p e r e d a l o n g conditioning lines
continued on page 2

Page 2

PRESIDENT
Edward L. Breariey
189 Matfleld Street, West Bridgewater, MA 02379
508-584-8568
Evergreen Valley Country Club

VICE

PRESIDENT

Robert DIRIco, CGCS*
326 Fuller Street, West Newton, MA 02165
617-527-6968
Brae Burn Country Club

SECRETARY
Kevin F. Osgood
14 Inman Lane, Foxborough, M a 02035
617-630-1950
Newton Commonwealth Golf Course

TREASURER
Robert Ruszala
69 Gellnas Drive, Chlcopee, MA 01020
413-256-8654
Hickory Ridge Country Club

TRUSTEE
John i. 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 Fteroy, CGCS*
357 W . Squantum St., North Qulncy, 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, Holden, MA 01520
508-853-6574
Worcester Country Club

PAST

PRESIDENT

Stephen A. Chlavaroll, CGCS*
6 Birch Street, Paxton, MA 01612
508-752-0031
"denotes Certified Golf Course Superintendent

Newsletter Editor . M i c h a e l F. M a g i e , © O O S
Associate Edltor . Stephers C h l a v a r o l l , © G C S
Contributing Editor
Gerry Finn
Business Manager
Hobest RuasaSa
Information contained In this publication m a y be
used freely, In whole or In part, without special
permission as long as the true context Is maintained. W e would appreciate a credit line.

MütLläUkMÜAhAälUMUMlXuLlMLk

continued from page 1
b e c a u s e of it a n d soon t h e u n a s s u m i n g
s u p e r w a s looked u p o n as t h e p a r a g o n of
his profession.
" M a n n y also served as t h e b e n c h m a r k ,
if you will, f o r all s u p e r i n t e n d e n t s in t h e
w a y of r e c o g n i t i o n a n d r e w a r d , " commented another former association
p r e s i d e n t , Leon St. P i e r r e . " H e really u p lifted t h e profession. H e w a s supposed t o
b e t h e h i g h e s t paid s u p e r a r o u n d a n d t h e
r e s t of u s u s e d his c o m p e n s a t o r y skills t o
advance o u r s . "
" B u t even m o r e t h a n t h a t M a n n y w a s a
s t a u n c h s u p p o r t e r of t h e y o u n g s u p e r . H e
helped a lot of u s get o u r c a r e e r s going o n
t h e r i g h t t r a c k . H e always w a s t h e r e if a
p r o b l e m arose a n d t h e r e w a s n o k e e p i n g
h i m b a c k f r o m helping solve it. H e always
did it quietly, t h o u g h . H e d i d n ' t w a n t anyt h i n g in r e t u r n for his expertise. Y o u r
f r i e n d s h i p w a s his r e w a r d in t h a t sense. So,
h e m a d e a lot of f r i e n d s over t h e y e a r s . "

w a s t h e p r o a t t h e old U n i t e d Shoe course.
M a y b e t h a t ' s w h y M a n n y w a s such a good
golfer."
D u r i n g his 20-year stay at Vesper
M a n n y p u t t h e professional t o u c h e s on several f u t u r e head supers. Among them,
D a v e C l e m e n t of F r a m i n g h a m , D i c k
F r e n c h of L o n g Meadow, J a c k C r o n i n of
R.F. M o r s e Co., a n d n a t u r a l l y , Frederick,
w h o w a s in t o u c h w i t h M a n n y f r o m t n e day
h e m e t M m u n t i l virtually t h e day t h e
m a e s t r o died.
" H e w a s a t a s k m a s t e r , " Frederick described t h e situation b e t w e e n m e n t o r a n d
s t u d e n t . "But, if y o u showed t h e s a m e k i n d
of e n t h u s i a s m h e h a d for t h e job, you w e r e
t h e apple of his eye. H e w a s a perfectionist
in all t h i n g s a n d w a n t e d his a s s i s t a n t s to
strive for t h a t level. B u t h e w a s fair a n d h e
always m a d e you feel good b y giving you a
lot of responsibility. W h e n y o u left h i m t o
t a k e y o u r own job, y o u w e r e well equipped.
Believe me, t h a t ' s a n absolute fact."

A n o t h e r of M a n n y ' s countless f r i e n d s
a n d a d m i r e r s is P h i l Cassidy, w h o m a y
even h a v e preceded F r a n c i s in t h e t u r f
business, since h e was w o r k i n g i n t h e sup e r i n t e n d e n t ' s profession in 1924.
"I d o n ' t k n o w if t h e r e ever h a s b e e n a
golf course s u p e r i n t e n d e n t m o r e dedicated
to t h e profession t h a n M a n n y , " n o t e d Cassidy, w h o w a s G C S A N E p r e s i d e n t w h e n
F r a n c i s c a m e a b o a r d t h e association i n
1951. " E v e n t u a l l y h e b e c a m e a n inspirat i o n for all. H e w a s t h e r e w h e n e v e r a
p r o b l e m n e e d e d a t t e n t i o n a n d it d i d n ' t
m a t t e r h o w long it t o o k to help solve it. H e
w a s a s u p e r guy, o n e of t h e best. W e ' r e all
going to miss h i m . "
T h e d e m a n d s for M a n n y ' s c o n s u l t i n g
services s p r e a d f r o m one e n d of t h e c o u n t r y
t o t h e other, a n d even spilled over t o Mexico, w h e r e h e worked w o n d e r s w i t h t u r f
a n d o t h e r r e l a t e d golf club p r o b l e m s t h e r e .
I n fact, M a n n y was offered o n e of t h e m o s t
lucrative s u p e r i n t e n d e n t c o n t r a c t s t o rem a i n in Mexico. However, h e h a d o t h e r
ideas . . . related to his t w o loves, h i s
profession a n d his family.
"I'd say M a n n y h a d a h a n d in one w a y
or t h e o t h e r in 75 to 80 golf courses in t h i s
a n d o t h e r countries," F r e d e r i c k told. " H e
really h a d a log of i m p o r t a n t c o n s u l t i n g
jobs. I k n o w h e worked w i t h Donald Ross
on occasion a n d I really t h i n k a little of
Donald Ross r u b b e d off on M a n n y .
" B u t it w a s his fertile m i n d t h a t impressed me the most. He was always
t h i n k i n g t h e r e was a b e t t e r way t o do a job.
H i s w a s j u s t a n unbelievable m i n d . H e
couldn't stop m a k i n g it tick e i t h e r . H e w a s
always h e l p i n g people a n d n o t j u s t superi n t e n d e n t s . Two of his b e s t f r i e n d s w e r e
Les Kennedy, a f o r m e r p r e s i d e n t of t h e
New England PGA and Tom Mahan who

Francis, t h e n , w a s t h a t one of a k i n d
individual w h o s o u g h t n e i t h e r r e s p e c t n o r
recognition yet w a s accorded it because of
his m e r e presence in t h e golf course superi n t e n d e n t ' s world. As F r e d e r i c k n o t e d ,
M a n n y F r a n c i s w a s a silent genius. And
t h a t M a n n y F r a n c i s presence a m o n g his
p e e r s n e v e r will disappear. H e r e m a i n s imm o r t a l in t h a t respect.
GERRY

FINN

Calendar
Jan. 3

G C S A N E Ammanai M e e t i n g
Mt. Pleasant C.C.
Lowell, Mass.

Jan.
15-17,
1996

®5th Mas®. 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.

Feb.
5-11,
1996

8 7 t h A ramai I n t e r n a t i o n a l
Golf Course Conference & Show
Orange Cty. Convention Center
Orlando, Florida

Feb. 27

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
Stow Acres G.C.
Stow, Mass.

March 18

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
Franklin C.C.
Franklin, Mass.

A p r i l 18
GCSANE Joint Meeting
(tentative) w i t h G C M A o f C a p e C o d
Hyannis Golf Club
Hyannis, Mass.
April 30

Pro-Smpermtemdeiit-Media
Tostraamemi
Sterling Country Club
Sterling, Mass.

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Page 2

Ths SmpBr Bpmk§ Out:
This month's questionWhat's your policy, plan, strategy, and overall criteria for making capital equipment purchases?
T©m C o l o m b o , C o u i a t r y C l u b offN e w S e a b u r y : "Let's say my starting-off
point for landing a newpiece of major equipment is just like most
kids around this time
of year (Christmas). I
begin with a wish list
and take my wishes to
the golf director. After
that, it's up to the
owner.
"Owners or decision makers can vary in
their response according to just how much
the golf course means to them. In other
words, it's a harder sell when you're dealing with a non-golfer even though the golf
course is the base from which all of the
operations spring.
"Oh, before going to the next step, there
must be a plan for rotating equipment in a
timely fashion so t h a t everyone can have
some kind of handle on t h e capital expenditure picture. In our case the
superintendent-owner negotiating process
usually gets going in t h e fall and settles
into a solid decision by spring. Then, once
the approval is given, we get into the bidding phase.
"There is a tie-in with a finance company at New Seabury and sometimes this
has serious impact on which company gets
the purchase contract.
"Considering most major equipment,
we solicit bids from t h r e e top companies or
those distributors representing Jacobsen,
Toro, and J o h n Deere. Usually, when the
quality of the equipment is comparable,
the contract goes to t h e lowest bidder.
However, it's not t h a t r a r e when the bids
are so close t h a t a second bid is asked for.
"Price definitely is a factor in the final
decision, especially when t h e competing
companies offer products similar in quality, and service reflects t h a t quality. We
have no other factors, no gimmicks in our
thinking, once the cost and service are
considered.
"Over the long run, though, I think t h e
most important aspect of seeking and getting capital expenditures on a regular
rotatingbasis is the important overall commitment to the golf course. If t h a t ' s what
backbones the whole operation, keeping
that capital expenditure wheel spinning

isn't the struggle it is at places where maintenance of the golf course isn't No. 1 on the
priority list."
Peter Hasak, Tedesco Country
C l u b ; "We have a five-year plan for determining what piece of major equipment is
up for replacement, and t h e club pretty
much goes by t h a t life expectancy timetable in keeping our maintenance arsenal up
to date. Along t h a t line, too, I should mention t h a t m a n u f a c t u r e r s definitely are
making their big price tag items more durable, which means they're lasting longer.
T h a t ' s a help.
"The capital expenditure process here
begins in late August or when the golf
season still is in high swing. T h a t ' s really
the time of year to start thinking about
replacing equipment. Frankly, it's when
the golfers can see what having proper
equipment has to do with upgrading and
maintaining top playing conditions.
"The replacement plan, then, is set in
place. After that, it's a m a t t e r of deciding
which company makes t h e sale on a particular piece of equipment.
"Personally, I have a favorite manufacturer. I base my reliance on that company
on two factors: quality of product and quality of service backing up the product.
"Most of the time I have a specific piece
of equipment in mind, made by a specific
company. Then I look at the company's
competition and see if it measures u p or
maybe even surpasses the original product.
Another method I use is to test two or three
different items and stack t h e m against one
another.
"The non-factors in the process are such
things as color, personality of the sales

It boils down to the
established reputation of the
manufacturer, quality of its
products, and service..."
Peter Hasak
Tedesco Country Club

"Service comes up big
for me... It's not like the old
days when a mechanic would
show up at six in the morning
to put you back in business."
Bruce Packard
Stockbridge Golf Club
person, and unfounded comments about
particular products. It boils down to established r e p u t a t i o n of the m a n u f a c t u r e r ,
quality of its products, and service insuring
nonstop use of the item. We've been lucky
on all counts."
B r a c e P a c k a r d , Stoekbridge Golf
C l u b : "The replacement thinking process
at Stockbridge is a fall to spring happening.
Then once the go-ahead is given, I p u t a lot
of factors into use.
"I suppose t h e three most i m p o r t a n t
guidelines to major equipment purchases
are cost, availability of the item, and serviceability.
"To me, purchasing capital equipment
is almost like buying a car. I like to get a t
least two or three bids as far as the cost
goes. After that, I dig deeper into the service aspect of the transaction.
"There's even input from members of
my maintenance crew. It's important how
they react to a certain piece of equipment,
because after all, they're the ones who have
to live with it on a day-to-day basis.
"Service comes u p big for me when deciding on which company gets the sale. I
want to know things like access to help
when I have a problem, how expensive
parts can be, and the ease of repair. It's n o t
like the old days when a mechanic would
show up at six in the morning to put you
back in business.
"In the end it comes down to confidence
in the dealer or t h e assurance t h a t t h e
capital expenditure item delivers as i t ' s
advertised. That's my approach . . . a n u t s
and bolts mentality I guess you'd call it."

GERRY FINN

Paged

Randy Nichols & Paul Rieke to receive
GCSññ Distinguished Service Awards
T h e b o a r d of directors of t h e Golf
Course S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s Association of
A m e r i c a h a s selected S a n d y Nichols,
CGCS, and Paul E. Rieke, Ph.D., to receive
the association's 1998 Distinguished Service Awards.
The two will receive the awards in recognition of their outstanding contributions
to the advancement of t h e superintendent's profession and as an expression of
gratitude by GCSAA for the recipients'
many efforts and achievements.
The awards will be presented Wed.,
Feb. 7, during the Opening Session of
GCSAA's 67th International Golf Course
Conference and Show. The conference and
show will be held Feb. 5-11 at the Orange
County Convention Center in Orlando,
Fla.
GCSAA P r e s i d e n t G a r y T. Grigg,
CGCS, said: "On behalf of our members,
the GCSAA board of directors is very proud
to honor these two gentlemen with our
Distinguished Service Award. Their dedication and outstanding contributions have
had a tremendous impact on the industry
and our profession."
Randy Nichols, CGCS, golf course superintendent of Cherokee Town & Country
Club in Dun woody, Ga., has served the
profession on the local, state, and national
levels. Nichols has b e e n a m e m b e r of
GCSAA for 22 years and served on t h e
board of directors from 1987 until 1994. As
president of GCSAA in 1993-94, Nichols
focused on improving the association's responsiveness to members and enhancing
the value of the members' dues investment. He revived the member-led
committee system, initiated the now-annual Chapter Relations Meeting to discuss
chapter, GCSAA and member issues. He
also called for an organizational analysis
by A r t h u r Andersen & Co. S.C., which led
to improvements in systems, technologies
and member services.
"GCSAA is deeply indebted to Randy
Nichols," Grigg said. "His t e r m as president will be r e m e m b e r e d for his
unwavering focus on what this association
is all about - service to members."
As a GCSAA board member, Nichols
volunteered on several committees, acting
as chairman of the conference and show,
t o u r n a m e n t , membership, and government relations committees. Since his t e r m

"On behalf of ©m members,
the GCSAA board of directors
is very proud to honor these
two gentlemen with our
Distinguished Service Award
Their dedication and
outstanding contributions
have had a tremendous impact
on the industry and ©ur
profession."
Gary T. Griggs
GCSAA President
as GCSAA president, Nichols served on the
chapter relations committee and is curr e n t l y c h a i r m a n of t h e n o m i n a t i n g
committee. He holds a bachelor's degree in
turf management from Mississippi State
University.
Nichols also is a member of the Georgia
Golf Course Superintendents Association,
t h e Georgia T u r f g r a s s Association, the
Georgia State Golf Association, the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, and the United
States Golf Association (USGA) Green Section. From 1985 to 1988, he was president
of the Georgia GCSA, and was vice president of the Georgia Turfgrass Association
from 1988 to 1987. He also served on the
Advisory Committee of the Georgia State
Golf Association and the Nominating Committee of the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame.
Nichols was named 1993 Georgia Superintendent of the Year by t h e Georgia GCSA,
an honor that recognizes an outstanding
superintendent who has devoted his or her
life to the profession.
Paul Rieke, Ph.D., professional educator and researcher with Michigan State
University in East Lansing, Mich., has
taught the basics of turfgrass management
for 32 years. He has been a leader in the
development of high-quality, audio-tutorial laboratory exercises for MSU's basic
soils course, and his influence on students
has been fundamental to their successes.

Rieke and his team of scientists conducted research that resulted in a change
in the cultivation equipment and programs
used by the turf industry today. In addit i o n , Rieke served a key role in t h e
development of natural grass for use in the
Pontiac Silverdome for the World Cup Soccer Games in 1994.
Besides his research and teaching at
MSU, Rieke is a turf specialist for the
Cooperative Extension in Michigan and
has the distinction of being the first university researcher to serve on the USGA
Green Section Research Committee. Rieke
also has served as a member of both the
GCSAA publications/technical resource
advisory committee and the educational
advisory committee, has taught GCSAA
seminars, has been a speaker at GCSAA's
International Conference and Show and
has been a contributing author to Golf
Course Management magazine.
Among his many honors, Rieke received
the Award of Merit, MSU Cooperative Extension Service, for developing the "Turf
Tip" videotape series in 1986; t h e Outs t a n d i n g T e a c h e r Award, I n s t i t u t e of
Agricultural Technology, Michigan State
University in 1989; t h e Meritorious Service A w a r d f r o m b o t h t h e M i c h i g a n
Turfgrass Foundation and the Sod Growers Association of Michigan in 1994; and
the Meritorious Service Award from the
Michigan Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association in 1995.
He is a member of the American Society
of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of
America, the Soil Science Society of America a n d t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l T u r f g r a s s
Society. Rieke holds bachelor's and mast e r ' s d e g r e e s in a g r o n o m y f r o m t h e
University of Illinois and received his
Ph.D. in soil science in 1963 from MSU.
"Professor Rieke is an outstanding turfgrass soil scientist with a broad range of
contributions in teaching, research, and
extension service," Grigg said. "He has
distinguished himself as an expert in the
care of lawns, athletic fields, and golf
courses."
GCSAA members, affiliated chapters,
and allied associates submit nominations
for t h e GCSAA Distinguished Service
Award. GCSAA's board of directors selects
the recipients each year at their fall board
meeting.

Page 2

QCSÂÂ Environmental Session "crossfire"
to offer diverse viewpoints on critical issues
Leaders from the world of golf, repres e n t a t i v e s of e n v i r o n m e n t a l a c t i v i s t
groups and governmental agency officials
will offer solutions to environmental chall e n g e s d u r i n g t h e Golf
Course
Superintendents Association of America's
Environmental General Session.
A r t h u r R. Miller, Harvard law professor
and legal editor of ABC TV's "Good Morning America," will act as the moderator of
the session, which will take place Feb. 8,
1996, at the Orange County Convention
Center in Orlando, Fla. Building on a scenario presented by Miller, panelists will

explore one of the golf industry's most
critical issues: golf courses and the envir o n m e n t . M i l l e r ' s s i g n a t u r e "Socratic
dialogue" format, used on his public telev i s i o n p r o g r a m s , will s t i m u l a t e t h e
discussion.
Because of the diversity of the participants, the unrehearsed debate will feature
a variety of viewpoints.
Scheduled to take part are: Rich Budell,
a s s i s t a n t director, division of environmental services, Florida Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services; William "Tim" Hiers, CGCS, Collier's Reserve

GCSANE announces recipients
of S&B Fund scholarships for 1395
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England has announced the
first recipients of scholarships from its
Scholarship and Benevolence Fund.
The recipient of the Thomas Schofield
Memorial Scholarship of $1000 is Clayton
Chiavaroli, a t t e n d i n g Bentley College.
Awards of $500 were given to Timothy
Fitzroy, a student at Roger Williams Col-

lege, and Geoffrey Brearley, Coastal Carolina University. Scholarships of $250 were
presented to Bayna DeBeradinis, Fitchb u r g S t a t e College, and Julia Hassett,
University of Miami.
The spouses, children, or grandchildren
of GCSANE members are eligible for the
Scholarship & Benevolence Fund Scholarships.

C o u n t r y Club in Naples, Fla.; T o m
Hoogheem, field e n v i r o n m e n t a l operations director, Monsanto Co. in St. Louis,
Mo.; Michael Hurdzan, Ph.D., H u r d z a n
Golf Course Design in Columbus, Ohio;
Todd Miller, executive director, N o r t h
Carolina Coastal Federation; P a m Porter,
executive director, Wisconsin Environm e n t a l D e c a d e ; F r a n k Rossi, P h . D . ,
assistant professor, environmental mana g e m e n t of t u r f g r a s s , D e p a r t m e n t of
H o r t i c u l t u r e , University of WisconsinMadison; Curt Spalding, executive
director, Save the Bay in Providence, R.I.
The E n v i r o n m e n t a l General Session
will begin at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 8,
with t h e presentation of GCSAA's prestigious Environmental Steward Awards and
the announcement of the association's new
environmental programs and initiatives.
This session, one of many featured a t
GCSAA's 67th International Golf Course
Conference and Show being held Feb. 5-11,
will be presented in the evening so as to not
interfere with other conference and show
events.
Helping make the event possible a r e
GCSAA partners Ciba Turf & Ornamental
Products, Jacobsen Division of Textron,
Lebanon Turf Products, and Rain Bird.

The December Meeting at Thorny Lea Goti Club, Brockton, Mass.
Below, Son Dobosz and Lan Biodgetl are in the express lane of the chow line at Thorny Lea Golf Club.
At right, John Seid, president of Remote Sensing, Inc. explains infra-red technology on golf courses.

ß

Page 2

GCSÂÀ Government Relations Committee endorses
proactive advocacy to deal with government issues
The Government Relations Committee
of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America m e t a t association
headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., Oct. 6 - 7
to review government relations program
activities and implementation of the 198596 business plan.
The committee discussed ways in which
GCSAA could help members become more
proactive and improve their effectiveness
in dealing with government issues. A major
theme was how the association could help
members influence changes to laws and
regulations, r a t h e r t h a n just adapting to
changes.
The GCSAA board of directors agreed
with the committee's recommendation to
register the association and appropriate
staff as lobbyists in order to advocate posi-

tions on legislative issues in Congress. The
committee also supported taking advantage of opportunities to use the grassroots,
or member superintendents as voters, to
influence government decisions. A campaign was set in motion to encourage
GCSAA members to ask their senators and
representatives in Congress to urge the
Environmental Protection Agency to address a problem with the Worker
Protection Standard (WPS).
The WPS became an issue for GCSAA
when an Interpretative Guidance Work
Group determined t h a t WPS should cover
t h e portion of golf courses where sod, ornamentals, and kees are grown for
r e p l a c e m e n t p u r p o s e s as t h e s e p l a n t s
would normally have "commercial value."
Prior to this interpretation, golf courses

enjoyed an exception to WPS because the
regulation covers only agricultural workers, and the requirements do not apply
when plants are grown for other t h a n commercial or research purposes.
In addition, the 11-member committee
recommended t h a t GCSAA expand its influence by p a r t i c i p a t i n g in coalitions,
including t h e Alliance for Reasonable
Regulation, t h e Coalition of Occupational
Safety and Health, t h e Grassroots Endangered Species Act Coalition, and a coalition
to support environmental audit legislation.
The GCSAA already is active in Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment,
an alliance of specialty pesticide manufact u r e r s and user groups.

DIVOT DRIFT...announcements...educational seminars...pb
...tournament results...and miscellaneous items of Merest
MEMBERSHIP
P r o p o s e d f o r M e m b e r s h i p : Lawrence
Flannery, Assistant, Concord Country Club,
Concord, Mass.; John Leclair, Assistant,
Charles River Country Club, Newton Centre,
Mass.
W e l c o m e N e w M e m b e r s : Eric Brox, Regular, Hickory Hill Golf Course, Methuen,
Mass.; Steven Colangeli, Assistant, Country
Club of Darien, Darien, Conn.; Greg Albanese, Affiliate, P.I.E. Supply, Milford,
Conn.

INFORMATION
I f a n y m e m b e r would like to suggest a
GCSAA seminar to be held in our area in
1996, please call Dick Duggan at (508) 3690879 ASAP. He has to check for availability
of those seminars and try to make arrangements for the GCSANE to host it.
W e w e r e s a d d e n e d to hear of the passing
of Arthur Washburn in mid-December. Arthur was the l o n g t i m e G o l f Course
Superintendent at the Cohasset Golf Club,
retiring in 1992. Our condolences go out to
his family and friends.

P l e a s e c o n t a c t our Golf Chairman, Mike
Herman son, if your club could host a golf
meeting in 1996. Mike's number is (508)
632-2713.
O u r s y m p a t h i e s go out to Matt Crowther,
formerly Mike lacono's Assistant at Pine
Brook, whose father passed away in November. This was particularly tough because it
happened just after he was named the new
S u p e r i n t e n d e n t at M i n k M e a d o w s on
Martha's Vineyard.
A t t h e annual c o n f e r e n c e and show in
February, GCSAA will be operating an Employment Board, Feb. 7-11, in the Career
Development Resource Center on the trade
show floor of the Orange County Convention
Center in Orlando. They will post your employment openings at no charge. Resumes
received for those openings will be forwarded
to you immediately after the conference, or
you can pick them up on site. Interview
rooms will also be available at no charge.
Additionally, these employment offerings
will be included in the Feb. 16 Employment
Referral Service Bulletin, again at no charge.
If you are seeking employment, stop by each
day and review any postings. Resumes can be
prepared for you at the Career Development
Resource Center for $25. If you would like to
advertise a position or reserve an interview
room, please contact Jerrie Lynn Johnston at
1 (800) 472-7878 or stop by the Career Development Resource Center at the show.

àilAL

to

opportunities
the membership.

O n F e b r u a r y 26, 1996, the Annual Lawn
Care Seminar and Show will be held at the
Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge, Mass.
This event is co-sponsored by UMass Cooperative Extension and the Mass. Association
of Lawn Care Professionals. A total of five
Mass. pesticide recertification contact hours
will be offered. The registration deadline is
February 12. For more information contact
Mary Owen at (508) 892-0382.
H o p e e v e r y o n e had happy and safe holidays. See you at the Boston Marriott-Copley
Place Jan. 15-17 for the Mass. Turf Confer-

MEETING NOTES
A " T h a n k Y o u " to Joe Rybka and the entire
staff at Thorny Lea for a terrific job hosting
the December meeting. The food and hospitality were both great. Thanks again.

EQUIPMENT WANTED
M i k e H e r m a n s © ! ! is looking for used Jacobsen Biitzer or fairway units, frames, and
parts including "oddball" parts. Contact
Mike at (508) 632-2713 if you have any you
would like to sell.

LLIAL^.LLILDL.LIDILQÜÜDL^LAULIQLLILDL.LJDLALLILALDIDIL,

=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

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

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

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

M 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
Agrifiirf, Inc.
59 Dwight St., Hatfield, MA 01038
Fertilizer, seed, and chemicals for turf.
Bruce Chapman, Paul McDonough,
Chris Cowan
1-800-346-5048
Baiter Go!! Cars
40 Walker St., Swansea, MA 02777
Steve Founler, Doug Hooper
(508) 379-0092
Bartlett I r a s Experts
153 Rumford Ave., Newton, MA 02166
Tree maintenance, fertilization & consulting.
(617) 969-5990
Bayer Corporation
1516 Capella South, Goat Island
Newport, Rl 02840
Baylaton, Merit Dylox, Tempo, Nemacur.
Brad Herman-(401) 846-3515;
FAX (401) 846-8012
l e s t l e n t Turf, Inc.
P.O. Box 318, Raymond, NH 03077
Alan Anderson - (603) 895-6220

F.Q.I., Inc.
(Fairway Design Illustration)
55 Railroad Ave., Warren, Rl 02885
Custom granite signs S markers.
Joseph K. Martin, Robert Page
(401) 245-7890 or 1-800-358-8337
Gold Star Wholesale Nursery & Sod Farm
Bill Thompson
Lexington, MA-(617) 861-1111
Canterbury, NH - (603) 783-4717
Golf Direction Associates
54 N. Grove St., Foxboro, MA 02035
Business forms, graphics, reports, resumes.
Nora Berard - (508) 543-9822
FAX (508) 598-0402
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 Purcel! Rd„ Arlington, MA 02174
Golf course construction.
Antonios Paganis
(617) 648-2351 or (508) 428-3022
Irrigation bianagement & Services
21 Lakeview Ave., Natick, MA 01760-4252
Irrigation consultation, design and
system evaluation.
Bob Healey, ASIC, CID - (508) 653-0625

IS® 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
Dsdham, MA
Distributor, Irrigation supplies S accessories.
John Ramey, Paul Kenyon, Robert Barbatl
(617)461-1560

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

Brennan i s l e s
P. O. Box 1082, Scarborough, ME 04070
Turf care products.
Bob Brennan - (207) 883-5799

l a n d m a r k Construction
42 Chamock St., Beverly, MA 01915
Cart path work, drainage, tree planting,
S landscape construction our specialty
Daniel Chapin - (617) 927-5052

Caldwell Environmental
5 Cross St., Acton, MA
(508) 263-4586
H e Cardinals, inc.
166 River Rd„ P. 0. Box 520
Unionville, CT 06085
Golf course S landscape supplies.
John Callahan - (203) 673-3699
Geoffrey S. Cornish & Brian Sites
Golf Course Architects
Fiddlers Green, Amherst MA 01002
Country Club Enterprises, ins.
P. O. Box 820, Cataumet, MA 02534
Club Car golf cars, carryalls, utility cars.
Jim Casey, Dave Farina, Ed Magulre
(508) 563-2284
Country Golf, Ins.
4852 Westchester Dr., Traverse City, Ml 49684
Golf course construction S 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

AJUALÌMìLIUUALI^IMLLUììaLÌ^

Larchmont Eng. & Irrlg. Co.
Larchmont Lane, Lexington, MA 02173
Steve Butler-(617) 862-2550
The l a w n Co., Sue.
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
IESC0, 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 . Matter Co.
Box 127, Concord St., N. Reading 01864
Water supply specialists;
water wells & pumping equipment.
(617)933-3210

Mass Haturai
P. O. Box 363, Westminster, MA 01473
Manufacturers & suppliers of organic compost, enriched topsoil, custom planting mixes.
(508) 874-0744
Lawrence R. McCoy S 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 Kendrick St., Newton, MA 02158
Featuring water injection aeration.
Kevin Osgood-(617) 630-1950
Modern Tractor a 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.
Steven S. Howltt - (508) 761-5554
R.F. Morse a Sons, inc.
W. Wareham, MA 02576
Larry Anshewitz, Jack Cronin
(508) 295-1553
Nardons Sand & Gravel Co., Inc.
37 Power Rd., Westford, MA 01886
Specializing In topdressing sand.
Greg Frederick-(508) 692-8221

Sodco, inc.
P.O. Box 2, Slocum, Rl 02877
Matt Faherty, Joe Wagner
1-800-341-6900
Sports Club Management
104 Wyman Rd., Braintree, MA 02184
Hazcom and right-to-know
compliance implementation.
Ron Smith-(617) 848-5978
Sullivan Tire C®.
Goodyear specialty tires & tubes.
Tom Wilson
MA: 1-800-464-1144, (508) 580-2222
NE: 1-800-321-0042
Dahn Tibbett 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, bluegrass and blue/fescue sod.
Dave Wallace, Robin Hayes
(401) 789-8177
Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Inc.
Richmond, Rl
Chris Beasley -1-800-556-6985

Agr-Ev® U.S.A. Co.
Wilmington, Delaware
David Sylvester - (203) 828-8905

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

IFartac Qoif Course Top-Oressing
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

TurfNet Associates, Inc.
21 Brandywine Road, Skillman, NJ 08558
Communication...information...
market Intelligence
Peter L. McCormick - 1-800-314-7929

P.I.E. Supply Co.
For your Irrigation needs; dedicated to sales
and service of quality irrigation equipment.
Greg Albanese - (617) 964-8533 (phone & fax)

Turf Products Cerp.
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

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

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 Wiacek-(401) 254-1674

Safety Storage, Inc.
86 Sanderson Ave., Lynn, MA 01902
Prefabricated pesticide storage buildings,
gas & oil, storage cabinets.
(617) 599-5490

¥arney Bros. Sand, Gravel & Concrete
Bellingham, MA
Concrete golf cart paths.
Kenneth Mooradian -1-800-441-7373

Sani-Blate Supply, Inc.
88 Shrewsbury St., Worcester, MA
Distributor, Karcher hot high pressure equipment & bulk detergents, sales, service, 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

Winding Break Turf Farm, inc.
240 Griswold Rd„ Wethersfield, CT 06109
1-800-243-0232
Winfieid Nursery
1320 Mountain Rd„ Suffield, CT 06109
Wholesale nursery trees & shrubs.
Jeff Rogers
Philip Wogan
Golf Course Architecture
17 WalkerRd., Topsfieid, MA 01983
Zip Type Service
50 Kent St., Newburyport, MA 01950
Design, printing, mailing, ad specialties.
Sheila Johnson - (508) 462-9358

Paged

GCSAA Seminar Coming Soon
To Your Area

For a more
detailed
description
of seminars,
with dates and
registration
forms, please
refer to your
GCSAA
Professional
Development
Catalog 1995-96.
You may also
reference your
monthly issue of
Golf Course
Management.

Reel Mowers and Grinding Methods
March 7,1996
^
Farmington, Connecticut >4^ '
(Code #921)
Basic Turfgrass Botany & Physiology
March 7-8,1996
Farmington, Connecticut
(Code #853)
Calibration & Safety of Pesticide Application Equipment
April 9,1996
Norton, Massachusetts
(Code #927)

GCSAA^Sf

Watch your mail
for reminder
postcards
highlighting
seminars in
your area!

Register Today! Call 800/472-7878

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