LETTER
Golf Course Superintendents

Association

OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.

August/September 1998

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

Weather
plays G md tune on this
M WGt@rl©gg®d Norwood
Country
B a c k there in March, when 1998's
bizarre weather pattern was eating up
logic and spitting out senselessness, Joe
Piana couldn't believe his eyes. He looked
at the thermometer and the mercury was
straining to reach 85 degrees,
- v "I should have known then," the ninejar Norwood Country Club golf course
superintendent recalled that dog day of
summer, when the calendar said it was
still winter. "I should have known I'd pay
for that bonus time, seeing golfers on
the course as if it were the height of the
season. 1 knew it was too good to be true.
Unfortunately, I was right"
Piana was right on the money with
that negative thought. Almost from the
moment that it looked as though this was
going to be an endless summer, favorable
conditions reversed themselves.
The month of April was neither kind
nor unkind to Norwood and Piana. The
course managed to hold its own in the
competitive market that public layouts

In this Issue 0 . .
Page
Calendar of Events
2
The Super Speaks Out
3
Selecting Turfgrasses, Part I . . . . 4
Chemical Infractions to Avoid . . . 5
Remember When?
J
Divot Drift
6
Government Relations
. . . . . . 8

share with other enterprising rivals . . .
mainly the outing business. However,
May was a different story and a sad one
for Piana.
That's when the rains took over the
weather picture. Norwood just happened
to lie in the vortex of stormy eruptions.
It was at the center of every storm, and
torrential downpours were the rule rather
than the exception.
"We were closed 10 days in May,"
Piana reported. "We had continuous
rainstorms that led to other problems.
The Neponsett River rose and overflowed.
The excess water always seemed to find a
route to the golf course. Then, there were
runoffs from Route 1 and from an airport
that abuts our 12th hole. Put all of that
together and it made play impossible."
The golfing regulars at Norwood, its
members, knew what was going on and
lost much playing time. But the big bite
into the course's coffers was the loss of
revenue-turning golf outings. That made

Pimm
Club

for much misery for the Vidata Management Company, which leases the popular
public course.
Even at that the future took on hope
of recovery because weather conditions
always seem to even out in the matter of
good and bad days.
Not so in Norwood's case and future.
"June was the worst month of all for
us," Piana told. "It all started June 12
when we had a six-inch rainfall. The next
day it rained another seven inches, and
we'd had over a foot of rain in just over
24 hours. The river added big problems to
the overall effect. We just had to sit there
and wait for it to recede. It was a horrible
feeling and sight."
Norwood lost 23 days in this outbreak
of bad luck. The tally sheet was a horror
story . . . 11 fairways and four tees were
completely lost, and others severely
damaged. The golf course had some
company in the unplayable department
continued

on page 2

"We had continuous rainstorms thai led to other
problems. The Neponset River rose and overflowed„
The em ess water always seemd f© find a route to the
golf eosjrseo Then there were runoffs from Rte. I and
from an airport that abuts our S 2th hole. Put all of
that together and it made play impossible/*
foe Plana
Norwood Country Club

Pagel
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continued

PRESIDENT
K e v i n F. O s g o o d
14 Inman Lane, Foxborough, M A 02035
617-630-1950
Fax 8 1 7 - 9 6 9 - 8 7 5 6
N e w t o n C o m m o n w e a l t h Golf C o u r s e
VICE PRESIDENT
Robert Ruszala
69 Gelinas Drive, Chlcope®, M A 0 1 0 2 0
413-256-8654
Fax 4 1 3 - 5 9 2 - 5 7 8 0
Hickery Ridge Country Club
SECRETARY
J a m e s Fltzroy, C G C S
3 5 7 W . S q u a n t u m Street, North Qulnoy, M A 02171
617-328-1776
Fare 6 1 7 - 3 2 8 - 9 4 7 9
Presidents Golf C o u r s e
TREASURER
M i c h a e l V. l a c o n o , C G C S
42 N e w t o n Street, Weston, M A 02193
781 - 8 9 9 - 7 9 1 3
Fax 781 - 6 4 7 - 0 6 0 2
Pine B r o o k C o u n t r y C l u b
TRUSTEE
A r t h u r Silva, C G C S
35 Pennacook Road, Tewksbury, MA 01876
781-484-5440
Fax 781-484-6613
Belmont Country Club
TRUSTEE
David C o m e e
65 Marquette Road, Gardner, M A 01440
978-297-1223
Fax 978-297-0911
The Winchendon School Country Club
TRUSTEE
Gregory Mlsodoulakis
44 Wilson Road
Londonderry, NH 03053
781-245-2114
Fax 7 8 1 - 2 4 6 - 3 9 2 0
B e a r Hill G o l f C l u b
FINANCE CHAIRMAN
Daniel Higgins, C G C S
68 H u t c h i n s o n R o a d , W i n c h e s t e r , M A 01 8 9 0
781-729-3809
Fax 7 8 1 - 7 2 1 - 1 5 6 1
Winchester Country Club
GOLF C H A I R M A N
M i c h a e l J. H e r m a n s o n
100 Eaton Street, Gardner, M A 01440
978-632-271 3
Fax 9 7 8 - 6 3 2 - 2 0 2 9
Gardner M u n i c i p a l Golf C o u r s e
EDUCATION CHAIRMAN
R o n a l d P. D o b o s z , Jr.
1137 Park Street, Stoughton, M A 0 2 0 7 2
781 -341 - 8 5 6 4
Fax 781 - 3 4 4 - 5 0 4 8
C e d a r Hill G o l f C o u r s e
NEWSLETTER CHAIRMAN
W a y n e F. L a C r o I x , C G C S
97 Gould Road, A n d o v e r , M A 0 1 8 1 0
978-475-6638
Fax 9 7 8 - 4 7 5 - 9 4 8 8
Andover Country Club
PAST PRESIDENT
Robert DIRioo, C G C S
3 2 6 Fuller Street, W e s t N e w t o n , M A 0 2 1 6 5
617-527-6968
Fax 6 1 7 - 5 2 7 - 0 0 6 9
Brae Burn Country Club

ktTHE I

NEWSLETTER
GCSANE Headquarter®

175 Highland Avenue, N e e d h a m , M A 02492-3034
(781) 4 5 3 - 8 6 6 8
Fax (617) 4 4 9 - 4 0 2 0
Newsletter Editor . . . W a y n e L a C m l x , C G C S
Contributing Editor
Gerry Finn
Business M a n a g e r
. . Michael V. Iacono, C Q C S
I n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a i n e d in this p u b l i c a t i o n m a y b a
u s e d freely, in w h o l e o r in p a r t , w i t h o u t s p e c i a l
p e r m i s s i o n a s l o n g a s t h e t r u e c o n t e x t Is m a i n t a i n e d . W e w o u l d a p p r e c i a t e a c r e d i t line.

from page 1

That adjacent airport was so saturated it
was closed for one week.
Plana also encountered more woes in
his overall maintenance program. Since
there were periods when no course work
could even be attempted, Joe was forced
to cut down on his crew. There was
nothing else he could do; the water just
stood there as his patience started to
wear thin.
"It's ironic but this is not the first time
I got hit with high tides and overflowing
waters," he said. "I was the super at
Brook Meadow (Walpole, Mass.) in

"'June was the worst month
©fail for us. It ail started
jane 12 when we had a

6-inch rainfall The next
day it rained another
7 inches, and we'd had
over a foot ©f rain in just
over 24 hours. Th® river
added big problems f®
the overall effect. W e just
had f@ sit there and wast
for it to recede. It was a
horrible feeling and sight."
joe Plana
Norwood C.C.

the early 1980s when we got similar
outbreaks of bad weather. That was also
a flood situation. I lost six fairways in
that battle during a three-day storm which
isolated many holes. In fact, for awhile
we had to use boats to haul equipment
and workers to get certain greens
mowed."
Joe figures that this year's waterlogged first half of the season wiped out
May, June, and half of July. In fact, when
interviewed for this story, he was sweating
out the possibility of more rainstorms.
"When we finally were able to get
some kind of recovery action going in
early July, all I could envision were
more storms to set us back again," he

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remarked. "But there was some kind of
light at the end of the tunnel.
"The plan was to concentrate on
seeding and aerifying with sights set on
getting nine of our 18 holes ready to
play. It meant going out and hiring
college kids for a full work assault
There's little chance of full recovery,
but I'm looking to have four holes on
the front nine and five on the back in
full playing condition for the rest of
the season."
By the middle of July, Plana and his
crew were in the midst of 10-hour work
days with one eye on the task at hand
and the other looking over the shoulder
for the dark clouds trumpeting the return
of rain.
"This was a different sort of flood
situation for me," Piana explained. "Back
when I had the same problem at Brook
Meadow, the water didn't stay around
that long. This time it just sat there for
day after day. That was the frustrating
part, waiting for the turf to dry out
enough to get into a recovery mode.
"Eventually, it did get better, with
the most encouraging sign being the
sight of golfers returning to the fairways
and greens. Just to see them out there
gave all of us a big lift. Regardless,
the losses were huge. I figure we lost
a full month of outings. When you're a
public golf course, that's a real kick in
the pants."
Piana, then, experienced a summer
to end all summers this year. Back then
(almost 15 years ago) Joe had thought
he'd seen it all when he had to bail
out Brook Meadow. But he was mistaken.
Maybe, just maybe, he's seen it all
this time.
GEKRY FINN

CúlendúF
October 5

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
Joint Meeting with N.H.
Vesper Country Club
Tyngsboro, Mass.
Supt. - Bert Frederick

October 21

Pro/Superintendent Toirniament
Site TBA

November 2

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
Whitinsville Golf Club
Whitinsville, Mass.
S u p t - Paul Wilson

Page 1
Liiiii

/ / I d ® Smet
This mmih3$

Speesks

Outs

question:

How do you handle weekend scheduling, and how is the present economy
affecting seasonal help recruitment?
Todd Saner, Mt. Pleasant Country Club:
"Rotation. That's the name of the game
when you have to get a weekend crew
on the job for what's probably the most
critical time in the matter of having the
course in peak condition.
"I rotate my regular staff on a one
weekend-on, one weekend-off basis. This
seems to be the fairest way of getting
people to work weekends, because, let's
face it, nobody likes to work weekends.
"Here at Mt. Pleasant I have a little
kicker in reserve that allows me to spread
out the weekend load. I have a few
individuals who are strictly part-time
and commit to working strictly on week.—ends. So that gives me enough help on
op of my regular crew.
"Nowadays it's not all that easy to get
the seasonal help that was there just for
the asking a few years ago. Simply put,
we have to compete with other employers
for summer help. Sometimes, it can be
a problem.
"However, I've found that taking out
ads in suburban newspapers brought
me excellent results. There's a summer
work force out there, and the ads draw
them here.
"One other plus that's helped me in
overall scheduling is the training I had
under my old boss, Jim Beane. I learned
from observation at first. Then Jim gave
me the responsibility of handling all the
scheduling when he was the head super.
That was invaluable, because it was one
of the facets of this job I'd experienced
as an assistant.
As for other aids in nailing down
reliable summer help, the opportunity
for free playing privileges is definitely a
perk, Most of the college kids I hire are
interested in golf and enjoy playing the
tame. Therefore, I hit two nails on the
•mead with one swing. The kids like to
play and I've always thought that workers
who know the game bring something
extra to the task they're assigned to do."

C o n n o r Fitzgerald, Chelmsford Country
Club: "I'd say it's kind of a hectic
situation, this matter of getting people
to work weekends. Certainly, most people
look forward to weekends when they
can put the work week behind them
and relax. If you work on a golf course,
you don't have that luxury.
"Therefore, I get everyone into the
act, including myself. I schedule my work
force on an every-other-weekend basis.
I also make sure that one supervisor or
assistant is on hand at every working
hour on weekends.
"Since we are a nine-hole course, I
can get along with two people, plus the
supervisor, working four-hour shifts on
Saturday and Sunday. That makes those
two days regular working days, and
the crew members are compensated by
getting time off during the week.
"My entire crew consists of myself,
two full-time workers, and four part-time
workers during the height of the season.
It's in the area of the part-time help that
hiring can be testy.
"My problem here is a combination of
things. One is the fact that Chelmsford is
a place where the work force is in full
swing all of the time. There aren't too
many slackers around here, it's a working
man's kind of environment, so I have to
look long and hard for those part-timers.
"Which brings us to the second part of
the problem. Most of the kids I hire are
non-repeaters. They work for me one
season and I never see them again. Most
also are high school kids. So, for the most
part, I spend a lot of my time training

"'Let's face it, nobody likes
to work on weekends."

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Todd Saner
Mt. Pleasant C.C.

them to do the job here, then lose them
when they've come close to letting it all
sink in.
"That's why it's hectic trying to nail
down seasonal help. There's a lot of
competition out there for that help. And
most of that competition can't outdo me
when it comes to talking paydays."
T o m Plait, Colonial Golf Club: "I have to
admit I really work at it when it comes to
establishing a work crew that will do the
job the way I expect to have it done.
"I'm kind of lucky in this respect, too,
because our owners never have eliminated
overtime during the busy part of the golf
season. That's a big help and part of
the reason my entire staff works six days
a week.
"That leaves the second half of the
weekend, and I hire people specifically
for that time slot in the work schedule.
So far I've had good results all the way
down the line.
"My seasonal help is made up of
college kids. Some of them are really in
the selective class, meaning that they've
been trained in such high-skilled tasks as
cup changing and green mowing. This is
very much an advantage for the overall
maintenance program because locating
the cup and placing it at the right depth
means favorable reaction from golfers
playing the course.
"I do have some turnover of seasonal
help, only because of the diversification
of college kids' interests. For the most
part, the perk of being able to play keeps
the work wheel spinning. However, it is
not essential.
"Rather, I concentrate on making
working conditions here as attractive
as possible. We try to make working
together fun. There's a lot of friendship
on my crew and a lot of good, productive
work comes from it. So, my scheduling
problem is no problem at all."
GERRY FINN

Page 1

UMass Extension Report

Turfgrass for low maintenance
by Mary Owen
Regional Turf Specialist
University of Massachusetts

Extension

Selection of turfgrass species depends
on several factors: the intended use of the
turf; the amount and duration of foot
and/or vehicle traffic; the type, depth and
condition of the soil and underlying
medium; the environmental sensitivity of
the site; the amount and frequency of fertilizer appiications necessary to maintain
quality; the availability of suppiemental
irrigation; and the amount of management
time and expertise avaiiable.
When conditions call for a functional
turfgrass cover requiring a minimum
of inputs and where traffic is low to
moderate, careful turfgrass selection is
critical to performance and persistence of
the turf. The intent of this article is to
provide information on types of grasses
suitable for successful growth under iow
maintenance, low input regimes.
The Inputs
Low maintenance turfs are generally
grown with a minimum of inputs. This
means that there is no or limited supplemental irrigation, that fertilizer is not applied or
is applied at low rates, that mowing height
is kept high, and mowing frequency is iow.
Other cultural practices such as aeration
are seldom performed. Pesticide applications
are rarely done, and damage from pests
and other stresses is often corrected by
renovation and/or overseeding.
Determine Site Use
These turfgrass sites requiring high
use such as athletic fields and heavily
trafficked yards will, because of the use
demands placed upon the turfgrass plants,
have a greater need for inputs in order for
the turf to perform well. The more traffic
and the more stressful the conditions, the
less well any grass will grow. The result
will be soil compaction, thinning turf,
and invasion of weeds and undesirable
grasses. Low maintenance grasses are
best suited for large park areas, moderately used yards, untrafficked areas, utility
areas, poor soil, and environmentaliy
sensitive sites where applications of plant
management materials are not permitted.

Turfgrass Selection
Turfgrass areas can be maintained in
a low maintenance regime provided initial
selection of grasses or selection of grasses
for overseeding is made with care. Grasses
grown in low maintenance situations
should be relatively quick to establish and
form a dense, persistent cover; perform
well with limited fertility and moisture;
be resistant to drought; and be abie to
tolerate poor and slightly acidic soils.
Fine Leaved Fescues, The fine leaved
fescues (Chewings, hard, creeping red,
and sheep) as a group exhibit a high level,
of drought resistance. These narrow
bladed grasses are able to survive and to
withstand periods of water stress. They
are typically slower growing than other
cool season turfgrasses such as Kentucky
bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, and
so require less frequent mowing. Their
nutrient requirements, especially their
nitrogen requirement, is lower than most
other cool season turfgrasses. They
tolerate infertile, slightly acidic soils.
The fine leaved fescues are basically
bunch-type grasses. They spread by
tillering, by forming new stems attached
to the mother plant. With the exception
of creeping red fescue which does form
some rhizomes, fine leaved fescues do not
spread by stolons or rhizomes as do some
other grasses. This growth habit, along
with very fine leaf texture, makes it more
difficult for them to recover from wear
and injury associated with heavy traffic.
Creeping red fescue is capable of forming a dense, high quality turf. Though its
vertical shoot growth is slower than most
other cool season turfgrasses, it wiil establish fairly rapidly, and develop a dense,
fibrous root system where conditions
ailow. Creeping red fescue is well adapted
to growing in shady conditions, but will
be of higher quality in full sun. It will not
tolerate wet, poorly drained or saline soils.
Creeping red fescue will not hold up
well under high fertility and high water
regimes. It requires about 0.2 to 0.5 lbs.
of nitrogen per growing month for maintenance of quality. It should be mown at 1.5
to 2.5 inches; somewhat higher when
growing in the shade.

sites, Part I
Chewing® fescue also is capable of
forming dense turf. It performs well in
shade and under dry conditions. This
grass tends to become bunchy under
conditions which do not favor its growth,
such as higher maintenance regimes. Its
culture is similar to creeping red fescue.
Chewings fescue is tolerant of lower
mowings and more traffic than other fine
leaved fescues.
Sheep fescue is often used in mixes
with other fine fescues or quite successfully in the proper location (very low use
areas) by itself. It is a tough bladed, slow
growing grass, and tends to be very bunchy.
When used on very low maintenance sites
where mown appearance is not critical, it
performs well with a single mowing per
year. It will not, in fact, tolerate frequent
or low mowing. Sheep fescue has poor
heat tolerance, but is extremely drought
resistant. It grows best on sandy, gravelly,
infertile, slightly acidic soils. Though best *"
for low use areas, it does show fairly good
wear tolerance. Sheep fescue will perform
best under unirrigated conditions and
poor soil fertility, with little or no supplemental nitrogen fertilizer.
Hard fescue has the capability of forming a dense turf stand with an extensive
root system. Its drought resistance is somewhat less than sheep fescue but greater
than red fescue, will tolerate turfgrass
height mowing, and is adapted to shaded
sites. Its nitrogen requirement is similar
to that of creeping red fescue.
Creeping red, Chewings, and hard
fescues are often used in combination
with Kentucky bluegrasses and/or
perennial ryegrasses for lawns and other
areas which experience some use and
traffic, or large areas where topography,
soil types, and amount of shade vary.
Under more high maintenance regimes
the bluegrasses or ryegrasses will tend to
dominate the turf stand. When grown
under poor soil and drought conditions,
the fescues will tend to dominate.
Any of the fine fescues may be mixed
with one another to provide a seed mix
suitable for very low maintenance areas,
such as roadside areas, or non-use areas.
(Part II in next month Ss Newsletter)
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PageS

EPA's top I © chemical
T h e golf course superintendent manages
and maintains the most valuable asset
in the game of golf - the golf course.
Remember, the superintendent's role
as an environmental steward requires
proper knowledge of and training in the
chemicals used on the golf course. He or
she is crucial to the success of the facility
and, more importantly, the heath of
the environment. Listed below are 10
common infractions of pesticide laws
found by inspectors in one EPA region.
Invalid business or applicator license.
Your superintendent is responsible for
keeping it renewed and accessible.
Label violation. The labels for many
pesticides have been changed over the
past four to five years as a result of
the EPA's re-registration program.
Consequently, many uses for products,
such as diazinon and malathion, have
ren eliminated. Yet some applicators
may continue to buy and use products
on plants (sites) that are no longer on
the label.
Improper mixing. Problems can come
from prohibited tank mixes that cause
interactions. There can be plant reactions
from combinations of certain classes of
pesticides that are applied days, or even
weeks, apart.
Failure to survey the site before
applying a pesticide. For instance, overlooking or forgetting area wetlands.
Poor preparation for spills or other
emergencies. How many application rigs
carry some soap, water, disposable towels,
and an eyewash kit? Worker protection
standards now are very specific about
providing decontamination materials.
Applicators should be familiar with how
to handle spills of pesticides.
Drift complaints. Knowledge of
product characteristics and attention to
environmental conditions such as wind
speeds or inversions will reduce the
potential for problems. Be aware of
sensitive nearby crops or plants.
Incomplete or missing records.
Private and commercial applicators must
keep appropriate record of pesticide
applications.

infractions

Spray tank not properly cleaned; applicator not familiar with tank's history.
This can also lead to plant damage or
illegal residues. When purchasing used
spray equipment, determine the types of
products that have been applied by the
previous owner.
Sales representative makes erroneous
product safety claims. Lack of familiarity
with the label may be a major reason for
unrealistic claims. Look critically for
cautions or warnings, such as sensitivity
or effects of specific weather conditions
on applications or product efficacy.
Failure to use personal protective
equipment. Specifications may even
require specific types of gloves or spray

to avoid

units. Use quality equipment and keep it
clean and functional. Replace it as needed.
Warnings The penalty for using a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its
labeling can include fines up to $1,000
per offense for private applicators: owners/operators of golf courses. Check your
local and state laws and regulations.
Keys Be sure to allocate a budget for
your superintendent to provide for ongoing training for applicators.
From Kentucky Pest News,
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Svc.,
Number 762, Nov. 25, 1996;
North Carolina Turfgrass,
Nov./Dec. 1997.

GCSANE News

Remember when?: GCSANE's past
Remember when? looks at significant
events and individuals of GCSANE's past.
25 years ago
The next meeting of the GCSANE will
be Thursday, Aug. 9, 1973 at Crestview
Country Club, where the course comes
under the capable grooming and pampering of superintendent Dave Clement.
This will be a joint meeting of the New
England, Northeast, and Connecticut Golf
Course Superintendents Associations.
"Cocktails will be served at 6 p m., with
dinner following at 7 p.m. sharp. Cost for
dinner, golf, and tournament is $15.00."
A report from Joseph Troll, professor
in the Department of Plant and Soil
Sciences at the University of Massachusetts, suggests that the past two seasons
in New England have been difficult
years for growing fine turfgrass. Dr.
Troll says the consistent combination of
large amounts of rain and very high air
temperatures has produced extreme periods of stress on plants, resulting in a high
rate of turf kill. Recovery from these
conditions has been minimal, especially
at this time of year. It's proposed that
the remedy lies in fall and spring, when
it's advisable to aerify and fertilize
afflicted areas.

15 years ago
Bob Brown's winning score of 87-16-69
in the sales net division of last month's
meeting-tournament at Marshfield has
raised many an eyebrow, not to mention
the skeptics' scorn.
Some say it is beyond belief to think
that Brown of Sawtelle Bros, is the new
sales division champion. Either he sharpened his pencil and did plenty of pushing,
or he had a memory lapse and forgot to
register a few holes on his scorecard
along the way. Guys like Larry Bunn and
Steve Butler should be ashamed to lose to
a guy who normally can't break 100!
5 years ago
The always fun-filled ABCD best ball
tournament proved just that recently at
Thorny Lea, where Joe Rybka does the
superintendent's honors. Low gross went
to the foursome of Jack Hassett, Tuen
Garrity, Kevin Laporte, and Max Mierzwa.
First low net honors were garnered by
Dave Commee, Mike Hermanson, Dave
Kahrman, and Gary Luccini. Greg Misodoulakis, Mike Cornicelli, Steve Butler, and
Dick Zepp were third low net, followed by
the quartet of Tom Fox, Robin Hayes,
Tony Caranci, and Leroy Allen.
GERRY FINN

Page 1

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—

—

ÙBWQT DRIFT. .announcements...educational
seminars...job
opportunities
...tournament
results...and miscellaneous items ©f interest to the membership.
CONFERENCE
Annual New England Regional Turfgrass Conference & Show March 2-4, 1099. The second
annua! New England Regional Turfgrass Conference and Show (NERTCS) will take place March
24, 1999. Due to the overwhelming success of
1998, the show will remain at the Rhode Island
Convention Center in Providence, Rhode Island.
The three-day trade show will feature over 300
industry exhibitors from throughout the United
States, including professionals in the many phases
of turfgrass management and the latest in equipment, turf care products, and supplies. Those
professionals in the green industry: Landscape/lawn care, managers and designers, golf
course superintendents, and growers should pian
on attending. All interested exhibitors and attendees should call (401) 848-0004 to reserve their
space. Exhibit space is already 3 / 4 sold out!
The education/conference portion will offer industry seminars geared for turf professionals, and
recertification credits can be earned at these programs. Turf is our focus and seminars will feature
sessions on golf course management, lawn and
landscape care, Sports turf, athletic field and municipal turf management, as well as machinery &
shop maintenance.
Presented by the New England Regional Turfgrass
Foundation, the New England Regional Turfgrass
Conference & Show in cooperation with the University of Rhode Island and University of
Massachusetts, welcomes additional exhibitors
and ali interested attendees. Proceeds will be dedicated to support and develop turf research and
education. For additional information on the conference, please call the show office at (401)
848-0004.

SEMINARS
The GCSÂNE and GCSAÂ present two seminars.
Strategies for Managing the Turfgrass System will
be presented Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1998; code:
99RS113-04; member fee: $110, non-member fee:
$165; CEUs: 0.7. Developing Your Hazard Communication Program will be presented Wed., Nov.
18, 1998; code: 99RS012-01; member fee: $110,
non-member fee: $165; CEUs: 0.7. Both seminars
will be held at The International, Bolton, Mass.,
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, or to
register, call (800) 472-7878.

INFORMATION
Michael P. Nagle, superintendsnt at Worcester
Country Club, has completed a renewal process
for maintaining his status as a Certified Golf
Course Superintendent (CGCS) with the Golf
Course Superintendents Association of America
(GCSAA). Nagle has been superintendent at the
Worcester, Mass. course since 1983. He initially
achieved his title of CGCS in 1988.
The GCSAA instituted the certification program in
1971 to recognize outstanding and progressive
superintendents. More than 1,600 golf course superintendents currently hold CGCS status. To
become certified, a candidate must have at least
three years' experience as a golf course superintendent, be employed in that capacity, and meet
specific post secondary educational requirements
and/or continuing education unite (CEUs). The
candidate must then pass a rigorous six-hour examination covering knowledge of GCSAA and its
certification program; rules of golf; turfgrass management, pest control, safety, and compliance; and
financial and human resource management
To fulfill certification renewal requirements, Nagle
earned 10 CEUs, with at least seven coming from
GCSAA tested categories. Maintaining certified
status requires a renewal process be completed
every five years since initial certification.

1999 Environmental Steward Award Call for
Entries. Novartis Turf & Ornamental Products;
Rain Bird; Purseil Technologies, Inc.; and Textron
Turf Care & Specialty Products with Cushman,
Jacobsen, Ransomes, and Ryan brands; in partnership with the Golf Course Superintendents
Association of America, announce the 1999 Environmental Steward Award Cali for Entries.
The Environmental Steward Awards seek to recognize the accomplishments of golf course
superintendents around the world who have demonstrated a commitment to environmental
stewardship efforts on the golf course. Applicants
are evaluated for overall course management in
the areas of technology use, resource conservation, water quality management, integrated pest
management, wildlife habitat management and
education/outreach. Three national winners (representing one public, one private, and one resort
course facility), up to three winners from each of
GCSAA's 100 affiliated chapters, and a number of
merit winners will be selected for the 1999 awards.
Applications for the 1999 awards are available
through the GCSAA Service Center (8004727878) and from each of the participating sponsors.
The application also is available on the GCSAA
Web site (www.gcsaa.org) and may be printed out
or completed and returned electronically.

Winners will be formally recognized during the
Feb. 12 Golf, Government, and Environmental
General Session at GCSAA's 70th International
Golf Course Conference and Show, Feb. 7-14, in
Orlando, Fla.
Novartis Turf & Ornamental Products; Rain Bird;
Pursell Technologies, Inc.; and Textron Turf Care
& Specialty Products with Cushman, Jacobsen,
Ransomes, and Ryan brands, each will donate to
The GCSAA Foundation in the names of all national and chapter winners. In addition, all four
sponsoring companies each will donate $5,000 to
The GCSAA Foundation.
The GCSAA Foundation is committed to advancing
environmental and scientific developments in golf
course management, providing educational opportunities for superintendents and turfgrass students
and preserving the history of the profession. Since
1993, participating sponsors have contributed
more than $100,000 to The GCSAA Foundation,
and more than 180 goif course superintendents
have been recognized with Environmental Steward Awards. For additional information on the
1999 awards, contact Jeff Boilig or Kristi Frey at
the GCSAA, 1421 Research Park Drive, Lawrence,
KS 66049-3859; (800) 472-7878, ext 430 or 608;
Fax: (785) 832-3673; media(@gcsaa.org.

Turf Diagnostic Services at University of Massachusetts. Dr. Gail Shumann continues to provide
disease diagnostic services thanks to industry support She recommends you call before sending in
samples because some problems can be solved
over the phone, and to make sure that she is
available to accept the sample. Be sure to wrap
cup-cutter-size plugs (2-3" deep) or 6"x6" squares
of turf, including the lead edge of the problem.
Samples from the early stage of a disease and
before a fungicide application are most likely to
lead to an accurate diagnosis. Information sent
with the sample should include symptoms, weather
conditions at time of symptoms, turfgrass species,
and recent pesticide applications; plus phone, address, etc. of the person submitting the sample. A
diagnostic history sheet can be printed from the
Turf Program Website (http://www.umass.edu/
umext/turf) or Dr. Schumann will mail one to you.
Dr. Schumann can be reached by phone: (413)
545-3413 with voice mail; email: schumann@pltpath.umass.edu; and at her office: 209
Fernaid Hail, UMass. (There is a signed parking
place across the street for delivered samples.) Send
samples by overnight delivery to: Dr. Gail Schumann, Dept. of Microbiology, Morrill Hall IV-N203,
University of Massachusetts, Amherst MA 010035720. The cost is $50.00 per problem. Make check
payable to University of Massachusetts and mail to
Dr. Schumann The check does not need to accompany the sample.

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i

Page 1

Please patronize these FRIENDS of the ASSOCIATION
Advanced Agronomic Services, Inc.
91 Day St., Leominster, MA 01453
Deep-tine aerification, core aerification,
overseeding, and irrigation services.
Jim Favreau - (978) 840-0432

Country Golf, Sne.
4852 Westchester Dr., Traverse City, Ml 49684
Golf course construction & reconstruction;
specialists in Donald Ross courses.
Jerry Deemer - (616) 947-5751

A-OK Turf Equipment
9 Leuba Road, Coventry, Rl 02816
New England Articulator dealer,
Greens Sroomer Brush, & used equipment.
Mike Comicelll-(401) 826-2584

Douglas Equipment Corp.
90 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI02917
John Deere golf & turf equipment dealer
Paul T. Surablan, Pres.; Allen Vadala, Sales Rep.
(401) 232-3700

A.A. Will Materials Corporatlors
168 Washington St., Stoughton, MA 02072
Top dressing & bunker sand, loam, decorative
stone, a landscape materials. Est. 1886.
Frank Will, Charlie Downing, Denlse M. Cogliano
1-800-4-AAWILL

Michael Drate Csnstustion, Inc.
240 Walnut Street, Framingham, MA 01701
Golf course reconstruction; professional shaper.
Michael Drake - (508) 875-8247

Aar-Evo U.S.A. 0®.
Wilmington, Delaware

David Sylvester • (203) 828-8905

Elanco Products Company
31 Old Town Trail, Narragansett, Rl 02882
Bob Scott-(401) 376-7290

Aortturi, Inc.
59 Dwight St., Hatfield, MA 01038
Fertilizer, seed, and chemicals for turf.
1-800-346-5048

F.D.I., Sne.
(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

Aliens Seed Stare, Inc.
Specializing in quality seed and related
golf course maintenance supplies.
Gregg Allen-(401) 294-2722
(car phone-(508) 577-1001)

Gold Star Wholesale Nursery
& Sod F a r m
Bill Thompson
Lexington, Mass.-(781) 861-1111
Canterbury, N.H, - (603) 783-4717

Baker Golf C a n
40 Walker St., Swansea, MA 02777
Steve Founler, Doug Hooper
(508) 379-0092

The Charles C. Hart Seed Co.
P. 0. Box 9169, Weathersfield, CT 06109
Roy Sibley, Dick Gurski
1 -800-326-HART

Barttett Tree Experts
153 Rumford Ave., Newton, MA 02166
Consulting, planning, IPM MoniTor®, pruning,
fertilization, & plant appraisal
Jack Kelly-(617) 969-5990

Hartnew Greymomt
433 Chestnut St., Needham, MA 02192
Tree care, landscape consruction, consulting.
Mark J. Tobin-(781) 444-1227

Bay State Organic / MWRA
100 First Ave., Cnartestown Navy Yard
Boston, MA 02129
Manufacturer & supplier of dry organic fertilizers
Amy Barad - (617) 241-6261
Bayer Corporation
118 Ellery Ave., Mlddletown, Rl 02842
Baylaton, Merit, Dylox, Tempo, Nemacur.
Brad Herman - (401) 846-3515;
FAX (401) 846-8012

International Golf Construction Co.
5 Purcell Rd., Arlington, MA 02174
Golf course construction.
Antonlos Paganis
(617) 648-2351 or (508) 428-3022
irrigation Management & Services
21 LakeviewAve., Natick, MA 01760-4252
Irrigation consultation, design & system
evaluation.
Bob Healey, ASIC, CID - (508) 653-0625

lycstt Environmental Research, Inc.
600 Charlton St., Southbridge, MA 01550
Environmental consulting services: lake Si
pond management, wetland studies, site
assessments, & laboratory analysis.
Lee Lyman, president - 1-800-462-8211
D.L. Waiter Co.
Box 127, Concord St., N. Reading 01864
Water supply specialists; water wells &
pumping equipment.
(781) 933-3210
McNulty Construction Corp.
19 Turner Rd., P.O. Box 3218
Framingham, MA 01701
Asphalt paving of cart paths, walkways,
and parking areas.
John McNulty - (508) 879-8875
Meets Environmental, Inc.
1119 Washington St., Weymouth, MA 02189
Installation of UST/AST, pump/tank upgrades,
and oil/water separator Installation.
Greg Murphy-(781)331-6446
Modern Aeration Service, tee.
212 Kenrick St., Newton, MA 02158
Featuring water injection aeration.
Kevin Osgood - (617) 630-1950
M e i a r n Tractor & Truck Service, Inc.
400 Pine St., Seekonk, MA 02771
Holllston 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 & Sons, Inc.
W. Wareham, MA 02576
Lany Anshewitz, Jack Cronin, Christopher Cowan
(508) 295-1553
Nardone Sand & Gravel Co., Inc.
37 Power Rd., Westford, MA 01886
Topdressing sand & mixes, bunker sands, rootzone mixes, loam, cart path materials, drainage stone
Greg Frederick - (978) 692-8221, (781) 648-6222
Itovartis Specialty Products, Inc.
394 Monson Tpk. Road, Ware, MA 01082
Banner MAXX, Sentinel, Barricade,
Subdue MAXX, & Primo
David Ravel - (413) 967-6745
www.cp.us.novartis.com

The Borisn Company
Maynard, MA
Bulk limestone dealer.
Jack Borden - (978) 897-2571

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

Partas Golt 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

Boston Irrigation Company
Dedham, MA
Distributor, irrigation supplies & accessories.
John Ramey, Paul Kenyon, Robert Barbati
(781) 461-1560

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

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

The Cardinals, Inn.
166 River Rd, P. 0. Box 520
Unionvllle, CT 06085
Golf course & landscape supplies.
John Callahan - (203) 673-3699

Landmark Construction
P. 0. Box 662, Winchester, MA 01890
Tee/bunker shaping & remodeling,
cart path work, drainage, tree planting,
6 landscape construction our specialty.
Daniel Champion - (781) 595-1079

Cavicchio Greenhouses, Inc.
110 Codjer Lane, Sudbury, MA 01776
Grower of annuals, perennials,
garden mums, & ground covers
Darren Young-(978) 443-7177
Cedar Lawn Tree Service, Inc.
32 Nickerson Road, Ashland, MA 01721
Paining, fertilization, removal,
& professional care.
William P. Maley-(508) 881-2622
Geoffrey S. Cornish § Brian Silva
God Course Architects
Fiddlers Green, Amherst, MA 01002
Country Club Enterprises, Inc.
P. 0. Box 820, Cataumet, MA 02534
Club Car golf cars, Carryall utility vehicles.
Steve Butler, Dave Farina, Ed McGuire
(800) 662-2585

Larchmonf Eng. & Irrig. C®.
Larchmont Lane, LexInoton.MA 02173
Keith Savage - (781) 862-2550
Laiaro's Golf Course Accessories
dba Hammond Paint & Chem. Co., Inc.
738 Main St., Suite 223, Waltham, MA 02154
Joseph Lazaro - (781) 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

illJililii.IjiiiiiiiJJjilli,ijditiiiJi.i.ilJiiilJ.i,iiiLLliJiirill,ijiiiliiLliiili

Prescription Turf Services, inc.
Complete deep-tine and hydro-injection services,
custom fertilizer and pesticide applications,
fairway aeration, and top dressing operations.
Scott McCoy - (978) 777-1663
Pra-lawtt 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

Sawtelte Bros.
65 Glenn St., Lawrence, MA 01843
Bob Brown, Larry Bunn, Mike Hannigan,
Frank Hlgglns, John Lenhart
(978) 682-9296
SsoRs Pro-Turf Div.
Mike Peterson, Regional Director
Randy Hamilton - (508) 528-4642
Richard Forni - (413) 534-8896
Sodeo, Inc.
P.O. Box 2, Slocum, Rl 02877
Matt Faherty, Pat Hogan
Bluegrass/Fescue, Bluegrass/Rye,
Bluegrass/Fescue/Rye, Bentgrass
1-800-341-6900
Sports Club M a n a g e m e n t
104 Wyman Rd„ Braintree, MA 02184
Hazcom and right-to-know compliance
Implementation.
Ron Smith-(781) 848-5978
Data T i b t a t t
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.
(781) 837-3503
T e e and Green Sod, Inc.
Exeter, Rl 02822
Bentgrass, Bluegrass and Blue/Fescue sod.
Dave Wallace, Robin Hayes
(401)789-8177
Tuctehss® Turf Farms, Ine.
Richmond, Rl
Chris Beasley - 1-800-556-6985
Turf Enhancement Enterprises
Featuring Floratine Products, Precision Small
Engine Co. & Trion Lifts.
Tom Fox - (508) 865-9150
T u r f i g t Assssiates, Inc.
21 Brandywine Road, Skillman, NJ 08558
Communication, Information, market intelligence.
Peter L, McCormick - 1-800-314-7929
Turf Products Corp.
157 Moody Road, Enfield, CT 06082
Distributors of Toro irrigation and maintenance
equipment, lightning detection systems, and
other golf-related products.
Irrigation products: Tim Berge & Palmer Whitney;
Commercial products: Ed Fallow, Rick Moulton,
Mike Turner, & John Wlnskowicz; (860) 763-3581
Turf Specialty, Inc.
15 Londonderry Rd., Londonderry, NH 03053
Turf 8. ornamental supplies.
Scott Mackintosh, Kevin Lyons,
Dave Schermerhorn, John Lensing
1-800-228-6656
United Horticultural Supply
P.O. Box7,Sodus, NY 14551
Fertilizer, seed, chemicals, and IPM.
Glen Larabee - (508) 223-4931
Bruce Chapman - (401) 885-5245
Varney Bros. Sand, Grave! & Concrete
Bellingham, MA
Concrete golf cart paths.
Kenneth Mooradian - 1-800-441-7373
Winfieid Nursery
1320 Mountain Rd., Suffield, CT 06109
Wholesale nursery trees & shrubs.
Jeff Rogers

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

Philip W o g a n & George F. Sargent, Jr.
Golf Course Architects
17 Walker Rd., Topsfield, MA 01983
(978) 887-3672

S a n i - M a t e Supply, Inc.
88 Shrewsbury St., Worcester, MA
Distributor, Karcher hot high pressure equipment
& bulk detergents, sales, service, rentals
Barry Hackett - (508) 752-8888

Zip Type Service
50 Kent St., Newburyport, MA 01950
Design, printing, mailing, advertising specialties.
Sheila Johnson - (978) 462-9358

PageS

Government Relations

G C S A A monitors © range ©f legislative &
Golf courses may reap the benefits of
being labeled as beneficial "carbon
sinks", according to U.S. Senate staff
working on global warming issues. Citing
seven months of record-breaking heat,
Vice President A1 Gore last week called
on Congress to fully fund the program
of research and tax incentives to reduce
emissions that contribute to global
warming.
The EPA will shift staff and resources
from other agency programs to enforce
the December 1998 UST upgrade
requirements. A petroleum industry
group had asked EPA to take such

measures saying the lack of enforcement
personnel will make state level compliance
inconsistent and meaningless. The
additional staff will help states that do
not already have active UST enforcement
programs.
The EPA has launched a nationwide
program to reduce nutrient pollution in
water. A 1996 national water quality
report to Congress identified nutrients
as the second most significant contributor
to the impairment of water bodies.
Nitrogen and phosphorous, the main
nutrients of concern, are believed
responsible for fish kills, harmful algae

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activity

blooms, and reduced oxygen levels. States
will have until 2003 to develop numeric
criteria to determine the amounts of
nutrients that can be present in waters
without impairing their designated uses.
The criteria will also be used to develop
water quality standards and National
Pollution Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) limits for Clean Water Act
permits.

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