LETTER
Golf Courge Superintendents

Association

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

Superintendents
for IPM

Natural turf is making a comeback, a trip
which shouldn't surprise the golf course
superintendent because in his professional
world the thought of replacing mowers
with vacuum cleaners never entered his
mind.
So why all the noise about natural turf
getting back in the good graces of the
athlete and those who build and maintain
his field of battle? Simple. Away from the
golf course, where it never had a chance
anyway, the romance with artificial turf
has hit the skids in many circles.
This, according to Mary Owen, a
founding member of the New England
Sports Turf Management Association and
University of Massachusetts Extension
educator and team leader for its turf
segment educational program.
"Oh, don't get me wrong," Mary
cautioned over the telephone from Phoenix,
where she was taking part in a conference
of sports turf management experts. "I don't

In this issue . . 0
Page
Calendar of Events
2
The Super Speaks Out
3
Open Green Space
4
From the Archives
4
UMass Extension IPM Project . . . 5
Remember When?
J
Information Resources
6
Divot Drift
6
Host Superintendent Profile . . . . 8

February 1999

can thank

education

OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.

Mary

& information

mean to imply that there's no need for
artificial turf. On the contrary, it is a must
in many locations where seasonal weather
factors make it impossible for athletes to
perform on natural turf. There are still
some fine artificial turf stadiums and fields
around New England.
"Some of the colleges couldn't operate
spring soccer programs without artificial
turf on their fields. In places where
athletes have to get on the field around
the clock or in every season of the year,
artificial turf is the answer. However, it
(artificial turf) is not sweeping the country
like it used to. Improved maintenance and

"Naturally9 IPM has ecological
overtones, and we know
the superintendent is
interested in any measure
thai will enhance the
environment, in a ward,
IPM is intended t© cut
down on the use of
pesticides, while providing
the same kind of control
that superintendents
are
accustomed to experiencing
Mary Owen
University of Massachusetts
Extension Service

Owen
r&mrces

management conditions have caused
sports turf management people to convert
many fields back to natural turf. After all,
when conditions are right, nothing is as
good and safe as natural turf."
Mary Owen? The name should ring
a bell with golf course superintendents
because she has touched them with her
deep involvement in Integrated Pest
Management (IPM). Mary has been
concentrating on the outreach arm of
the UMass Extension machine and
presenting IPM as a viable tool for golf
course superintendents in their turf
maintenance efforts.
"What IPM does is propose a variety
of remedies for pest control, other than
relying solely on pesticides as a cure-all
for the problem," she explained. "Naturally,
IPM has ecological overtones and we
know the superintendent is interested
in any measure that will enhance the
environment. In a word, IPM is intended
to cut down on the use of pesticides
while providing the same kind of control
that superintendents are accustomed to
experiencing."
Apparently the golf course superintendent has responded well to the efforts of
Mary and others promoting IPM as a
regular part of his maintenance schedule.
The program has been well-received
and Mary feels that eventually 1PM will
become protocol with the super when
he addresses pest control problems.
Such interest in the well being of the
golf course is a carryover from Mary's
involvement with similar problems on the
continued
MÜAUMUÍMLLIIÚALAALLAIÚAlíjlLLU

on page 2

PageS

continued

- F

PRESIDENT
K e v i n F. O s g o o d
14 Inman Lane, Foxborough, M A 0 2 0 3 5
617-630-1950
Fax 6 1 7 - 9 6 9 - 6 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
6 9 Gellnas Drive, C h l c o p e e , M A 0 1 0 2 0
413-256-8654
Fax 4 1 3 - 5 9 2 - 5 7 8 0
Hickory Ridge Country Club
SECRETARY
J a m e s Fltzroy, C G C S
357 w . S q u a n t u m Street, North Qulncy, M A 02171
617-328-1776
Fax 617-328-9479
Presidents Golf C o u r s e
TREASURER
M i c h a e l V. lacono, C G C S
42 N e w t o n Street, Weston, M A 0 2 1 9 3
781-899-7913
Fax 781 - 6 4 7 - 0 6 0 2
Pine Brook Country Club
TRUSTEE
A r t h u r Silva, C G C S
35 Pennacook Road, Tewksbury, M A 01876
781 -484-5440
Fax 781 - 4 8 4 - 6 6 1 3
Belmont Country Club
TRUSTEE
David C o m e e
65 Marquette Road, Gardner, M A 01440
978-297-1223
Fax 9 7 8 - 2 9 7 - 0 9 1 1
The Wlnchendon School Country Club
TRUSTEE
W a y n e F. L a C r o i x , C G C S
P. O . B o x 4 2 2 4 , 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
FINANCE CHAIRMAN
Daniel Higgins, C G C S
68 Hutchinson Road, Winchester, M A 01890
781-729-3809
Fax 781-721-1561
Winchester Country Club
GOLF CHAIRMAN
M i c h a e l J. H e r m a n s o n
100 Eaton Street, Gardner, M A 0 1 4 4 0
978-632-2713
Fax 9 7 8 - 6 3 2 - 2 0 2 9
G a r d n e r Municipal 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 -8564
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
Russell Heller
59 Park Street, Melrose, M A 0 2 1 7 6
781 -979-9048
Fax 781 - 9 7 9 - 9 0 4 8
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 B u m Country Club

NEWSLETTER
M R T H E I

GCSANE Headquarters

175 Highland Avenue, N e e d h a m , M A 02494-3034
(781 ) 4 5 3 - 8 6 6 8
F a x (61 7) 4 4 9 - 4 0 2 0
N e w s l e t t e r Editor
Contributing Editor
Business Manager

Russell Heller
Gerry Finn
. . M i c h a e l V. Saoono, C G 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 e
u s e d f r e e l y , in w h o l e o r i n 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.

.LILI 1 1 ,

II.Ulli,il,.Ulli.

M ü a L I M I I Í M L L M Í I A L I M I L Ú I Ú A L
ém
M

from page 1

sports turf management front. There,
she has conducted and taken part in
numerous seminars and turf field days.
Mary notes that municipalities are
spending increasing numbers of dollars
in constructing and conditioning sports
fields, much of the thrust headed for
natural turf facilities.
She has been instrumental in
arranging and conducting educational
meetings to showcase the increasing
reliance on natural turf like the rotating
UMass Turf Field Day which this year
will be staged in Nashua, N.H., where a
monumental renovation project is
gathering attention.
Mary is also involved in the lawn
care professionals' wants and needs, being
part of that profession's seminar programs
during which IPM always seems to be an
integral segment of her presentation.
Also on deck is the New England
Turf Conference where Mary has occupied
an educational chair and put together
educational programs at all levels of turf
management.
However, Mary tells that the heavy
emphasis of her contribution to the field

"What IPM does is propose
a variety of remedies for
pest control, other than
relying solely on pesticides
m a cure-all for the
problem/9
Mary Owen
UMrns Extension
remains in sports turf management, where
she says the biggest breakthrough in the
last 10 years has been the emergence of
streamlined electronic communications.
From an educational and practical
sense, then, the ever-widening field
of sports turf management is in good
hands. Mary Owen, a new friend of
the golf course superintendent, has seen
to that.
GEMMY

F I N N

Calenëm
F e b . 8-14

7 0 t h GCSAA International
Golf C o u r s e C o n f e r e n c e & S h o w

GCSANE News

O r l a n d o , Fla.

The ¡Newsletter
publishing schedule
for 1999 announced

February 9

of A g r i c u l t u r e J o b F a i r
A m h e r s t , Mass.
March 9

MGA Spring Conference
Westin Copley
B o s t o n , Mass.

T o get The Newsletter to your mailboxes
in time, it has become necessary to put
together the following publishing
schedule. If you intend on submitting
anything for publication, please adhere
to these deadline dates. Also, if you are
supposed to have an interview with Gerry
Finn, please realize that deadlines must
be met. Give Gerry that interview as soon
as possible.

Feb. 23

March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

April 2 6

February 19
March 12
April 9
May 7
June 11
July 9
August 6
September 10
October 8
November 5

Stockbridge School

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
H e r i t a g e Hill C o u n t r y C l u b
Lakeville, M a s s .
Supt. - Brian Linehan

March 2 4

New E n g l a n d Regional
Turfgrass Conference & Show
R h o d e Island Convention Center
P r o v i d e n c e , R.I.

M a r c h 15

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
Hickory Ridge Country Club
A m h e r s t , Mass.
Supt. - Robert Ruszala
GCSANE Monthly Meeting
Joint meeting with Cape Cod
Eastward Ho Country Club
C h a t h a m , Mass.
Supt. - Brian Cowan, CGCS

May 5

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
Scholarship & Benevolence
Tournament
C y p r i a n K e y e s Golf C l u b
Boylston, Mass.
S u p t . - Dick Zepp. C G C S

Page 3

The §{HJp(Bf §p@@ks Quit
This mmihss questions Just how does the winter
shape up for you as a superintendent in matter of course
maintenance, winter preparation, and work schedules?
J o e Eckstrom, South Shore Country
Club: "This has been a pretty busy winter
for me with the emphasis on drainage
work. Try 3,000-and-counting feet of it.
"That's been our main project here.
But that's on top of the regular winter
schedule which takes in equipment repair,
general cleanup and pruning when the
weather allows and covering all of the
greens.
"The drainage commitment comes
because of this season's weather which
left us with a very wet situation. In fact,
one of our fairways (fifth) had to come in
for special attention. There was standing
water on it all season. It's a very low area
and attracts all kinds of water.
"One of the solutions was to push back
fill material enough to form a hill that
drains the water away from the fairways,
in effect, we reshaped the fairway and as
far as I can determine, it's working. But,
and there's always a but, we'li have to see
the final results when spring rolls around.
"Another pet project of ownership is
to change the image of the club and point
it into an all-season facility. We're doing
this now with the grooming of trails for
cross-country skiing. All we need is the
snow. We know the skiers will show up,
which is what we're hoping for.
"Add to this the sledding detail and it
looks like we're going full bore around
here. We've had as many as 400 kids
spinning down our hills on a weekend and
we're happy to have them available.
"We're a management group running
the course and it seems to be working
weli with Doug Johnson calling the shots.
"One of the pluses for my winter
schedule is the decision to close the
course on a set date. This past year it was
December 1. It helped in all areas because
there were good-weather days when we
could get out on the course and work at
the projects under manageable conditions.
Actually, it makes for a year-round
responsibility on our part. It's getting to
.liiiiiiL.ljtiiliiiJli jii.lidiLiLii.iiiLiiiilii,ijU

be that the only difference between
putting in time in the summer and winter
is the calendar. Maybe it's my cross to
bear, but this is my eighth year here, so it
can't be that heavy."
B o b Ruszala, Hickory Ridge Golf Club:
"Somebody once asked me what I did with
myself in the winter. Like there was nothing to do around here. Just shut down
shop and go to Florida for a few months.
"Well, nuts to that. Actually, I feel
like a housewife in the winter. My work
never ends. If it's not one thing to be
refurbished, painted or whatever it's
another. In fact, once I start lining up
projects when the golfers aren't in the
way, I start wishing winter would never
end. It's so much easier when the crew
has the golf course to itself. Anyway, my
winter schedule is almost as full as my
summer program.
"As for the ongoing winter projects,
our drainage concentration goes to the
top of the list
"This winter we're trying to establish
the right pitch so that water runs away
from the playing area. We're talking about
runoff ditches, drainage holes and everything else to relieve an acute situation.
"This year we'll have put in more than
2,200 feet of new drainage and it figures

"Somebody once asked me
what I did with myself in
ihe winter„ Like there was
nothing to do around here.
Jmi shut down shop and go
f© Florida for a few months.
Well, nuts to that
Bob Ruszaia
Hickory Ridge C . C

to help us along economic lines. Over the
last 15 years we figure there's been three
miles of drainage work done here. The
payoff is revenue. It adds to an extra two
or three weeks of spring play when the
course will handle golf carts. That's
important.
"Away from drainage work there's the
usual repair work, cleaning and painting
equipment, ball washers, tee markers and
the like. Then, on seasonable days we're
out pruning and shaping trees. All this
between runs on plows to keep club
roads open.
"If I sound like I have a housewife's
agenda, it's no fluke. My work on the golf
course never ends. Whether it's the height
of the season or the dead of winter."
Manny Francis, Green Harbor Golf
Club: "My winter schedule is pretty well
set on an annual basis because I can plan
on it. Even though we're a public facility,
we don't put a strain on the weather. We
shut down the course in the middle of
December, regardless of the weather, and
we don't open it until the last traces of frost
are gone. That's usually the middle of March.
"Winter here means clean-up and
repair everything in sight that needs
attention. And there's always enough of
that to keep us busy for the three months
of playing shutdown.
"The rule of projects here is to work
inside when the weather is bad and move
outside when the weather is good. We're
fortunate at Green Harbor because of our
location. That translates into not much
snow and that's a blessing when you're
thinking of clearing brush, cleaning
basins, and opening up drainage ditches.
"Presently, there isn't any main project
on the board. But our motto here always
has been to improve quality, even when
you think it doesn't need improving.
That's the byword we got from my father
when we built the course and I've carried
on that theme to the point where our
players appear satisfied with everything
on the playing table.
"Of course, it doesn't hurt our
maintenance ambitions that we remain
perhaps the only course in the state
(Mass.) that doesn't allow golf carts.
That's been a given since the beginning.
Our players seem to like this philosophy
and certainly it's conducive to retaining
the best possible playing conditions."
GERRY FINN

Page 4
iliJiiiiijjijtilitlLllijiijtijtiiiitiJi^ialiiiji

ijil.ii 1 4 l . i l i i i i i l i . i i i ^ r f i i . l n i l i . i i J i ^ i . i i i X i i t J i . i

i

GCSANE's Open Green Space

The Newsletter inaugurates new forum
fw thoughts & ideas from membership
Seminar Review!
Enhancing Your
Value m 0
Golf Course
Superintendent

T h e Newsletter maintains a long standing
tradition of being produced by our members
to benefit the entire membership. This
new column is a call for your participation. We would like to fill this "Open
Green Space" with thoughts and ideas
from the general membership. We
invite and encourage members to submit
articles, letters of interest, editorial pieces,
or raise issues that are important to you
as turf managers. Express yourself.
Typewritten letters should include name,
address and telephone number for
confirmation purposes. They may be
mailed to: The Newsletter, c / o Russ
Heller, 59 Park Street, Melrose, MA
02176, or faxed to (781) 979-9048.

O n January 11,1999 the GCSAA, in
conjunction with the New Hampshire
superintendent's organization, hosted the
seminar entitled Enhancing Your Value as
Golf Course Superintendent. The guest
speaker was Tommy Witt, CGCS, of Still
Waters, Ala., formerly of Wynstone, located
outside of Chicago, 111.; Bent Tree Golf
Club; and Austin Country Club in Texas.

To inaugurate this column I have
submitted an article reviewing the main
points of the most recent seminar I
attended. I hope you find it useful. Enjoy!
MARK CASEY

Club oí N e w

"Superintendent as Profit Center".
By ascribing to a point of view contrary
to income statements, Witt outlines

England

Vol. 1. No. 1May, 1929-

Editor
Guy c. west
Associate Edite'»

James McCormack

Frank H j V M s o ^

b

lclhMM>*tf

°»"dt°

^

^

^

*
mes

to you with o M / " P ; a r i o u ^ m e e n t a y t h i s

This newsletter• comes to i

^

ofi varm

its members wel'1..

^

feeen

help

doing for your d u b .
. Help^
This then is your new*
f o r l t sre
others. Your suggestions
^
. H at the Charles B ' v e r
opportunity
attended a ^ P P ^
^
T h e May meeting held at
t

^

W i H W

^

C

^

Z
.

t h e J

T

S

Z

you - p

around.

u n U t e g , d Bear Hi,-Country Ciuh,

From the

GCSÄNE
(srchives

At left is a copy of the
cover page of the very first
issue of The Newsletter,
volume 1, number!,
published in May 1929 by
the Greenkeepers Club of
New England. The editor
was Guy C. West.
Associate editors were
Frank H. Wilson, Jr. and
James McCormack.

a compelling argument that the
superintendent is in fact manager of a
substantial profit center. Armed with
survey results that show the American
golfer chooses a course to play based
upon #1 cost, and #2 course conditioning, he links revenue from greens fees,
carts, merchandise, and food & beverage,
directly to golf course conditions. The golf
course is the greatest asset of the private
club or municipality, attracting the people
and their money. The golf course is the
center of multi-million dollar real estate
developments which spring up on the
periphery. Witt explained that sales
generated at all revenue centers would
not be as great if superintendents did
not maintain courses with the level
of expertise as witnessed today. He
recommends obtaining annual reports
to see how your performance may be
positively linked to the fiscal well being
of employers.
Witt expressed the importance of
showing your best to employers from
first point of contact through your full
tenure at a job. Your resume and
interview create a first and lasting
impression on how you will be perceived
as a superintendent. How you present
yourself and the operation on the course
present an image with the membership.
For the greater portion of the membership
who are not in direct contact with the
superintendent and do not understand the
magnitude of the role, perception is reality.
Presenting a positive image and
maintaining open and fluid lines of
communication with the greens chair,
boards, committee members, and the
golf pro, has proven successful for
Witt. Through the use of newsletters,
documentation for capital proposals, and
memo's explaining budget variances, he
conveys the message and progress of
his department. The camera can be the
superintendent's greatest ally, producing
before and after pictures. How quickly
some players forget the old once they

continued on page 8

PageS

UMass Extension News

IPM Protocols for Golf Courses to b © field t e s t e d
at Mass. courses d u r i n g 1999 g r o w i n g season
This project is being conducted in
response to a growing demand from
industry and the private sector for the implementation and use of integrated pest
management systems in all aspects of
professional turf care. In 1998, the project
focused on the development of Integrated
Pest Management Protocols for Golf
Courses, a document designed to
aid in the writing, development and
implementation of site specific integrated

pest management systems. Integrated Pest
Management Protocols for Golf Courses
is intended also to be used as a tool to
document the use of IPM.
The UMass Extension Turf Team is
working closely with a Superintendent
Working Group in the development and
verification of these protocols. We would
like to thank Ron Dobosz, Daryn
Brown, Dan Higgins, Mike lacono, Pat
Kriksceonaitis, Charlie Passios, and Dick

Remember When?

Remember When?: GCSÂNE's past
Memember when? looks at significant
individuals and events of GCSANE's past.

25 years ago
A letter from USGA Green Section
official Dr. Alexander M. Radko takes up
the issue of damage to turf caused by
types of golf shoes. It reads in part:
"In 1958 tests were made on various
kinds of golf shoes - ripple, lug-soled,
spike shoe - which showed us that the
shoulder on the spike was the thing that
was causing most damage.
"This test emphasized the need for
more research and another test was set
up which included a modified spike
recommended by Dr. Marvin Ferguson
who conducted the tests. One type
recessed into the leather so that the spike
shoulder didn't protrude. This shoe, with
recessed spike, caused far less damage
than the shoe with the spike protruding.
"There is no doubt that the spikes with
recessed shoulders would be far less
damaging to turfgrasses on golf courses."

15 years ago
The USGA, realizing the need for a
strong line of communications between
the golf course superintendent and
golfers, has established guidelines to
establish that line.
In an advisory statement through its
president, the USGA notes that the ideal
situation presents an arrangement whereby
the club membership is represented by

a key person in an exchange of ideas
and opinions and the like between the
superintendent and golfer. Usually that
person is the green chairman. However,
some club members feel their input
should be recognized in every detail in
the grooming of the course.
Therefore, the USGA suggests that any
criticism on the condition of the golf
course should come from only one source
(chairman or owner). That source also
should be educated in the maintenance
field so as to be able and worthy to make
such criticism on a constructive basis.
Probably the most persistent complaint
by superintendents in relation to their main
function of improving and maintaining
playing conditions is that there are too
many bosses to deal with. The USGA
hopes it has helped ease that situation
with its latest advisory.

5 years ago
Congratulations are in order for
Conor Fitzgerald, a crew member at
Newton Commonwealth, for his selection
as winner of the Joseph Morrill, Jr. Award
by the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund.
Fitzgerald, with eyes on the future as a
golf course superintendent, is a native of
Ireland who has been living in the Boston
area since 1988.
Hats off to Don Hearn, Bob St. Thomas,
Glen Ackley, and Bob Healey, who received
GCSANE 25-year membership pins.
GEKMY FINN

Zepp for their hard work during the
writing and revision process of the draft
IPM Protocols for Golf Courses and for
their commitment to participate in the
field testing segment of the project.
Integrated Pest Management
Protocols
for Golf Courses will be field tested and

IPM Management
Protocols
for S e l f Courses is intended
also to be used as a tool t©
document the use of IPM.
evaluated on several golf courses across
Massachusetts during the 1999 growing
season. We are currently expanding the
Superintendent Working Group so that
the protocols can be field tested at a
number of sites varying in geography,
course type and the degree of environmental sensitivity. Cooperating superintendents will implement the IPM practices
outlined in the document and commit to
working with the UMass Turf Team to
validate and refine the protocols. Many
aspects associated with the use, feasibility,
and practicality of the document will be
assessed.
This project is partially funded from
monies appropriated by the legislature
through Massachusetts Department of
Food and Agriculture and the UMass IPM
Steering Committee. We are also grateful
for support from the GCSANE/Lonnie
Troll Research Fund, which will not only
provide for project implementation, but
also for a final copy of IPM Protocols for
Golf Courses for each GCSANE regular
member.
if you are interested in being part
of the Superintendent Working Group
and a cooperator in the field testing
segment of the project, please contact
Mary Owen, Extension Turf Team Leader,
at (508) 892-0382, fax (508) 892-4218,
email: mowen@umext.umass.edu.;
or Randy Prostak, Extension 1PM Project
Technician, at (413) 545-2965, fax (413)
545-3075, email: rprstak@pssci.umass.edu.

I

Page 6
ÜIULU

ÉUUIÁÁAYÁÁ

N U E I «

Information Resources

A superintendent's
UMass Exteasion
Landscape, Nurseiy
& Urban Forestry Program
Pesticide Education Program . . . .
Turf Program
Soil Testing Lab
Turf Diagnostics

(413) 545-0895
(413) 545-1044
(508)892-0382
(413) 545-2311
(413)545-3208

Associations
Associated Landscape
Contractors of Mass
(508) 653-3373
Board of Registration
of Landscape Architects
(617) 727-3093
Cape Cod Landscape
Contractors' Association
(508) 428-3297
Ecological Landscaping Assn
(978) 874-1373
Massachusetts Arborists'Assn. . . . (508)653-3320
Mass. Association
of Lawn Care Professionals
(978)287-0127
Mass. Nursery & Landscape Assn. . (413) 369-4731
Mass. Flower Growers Assn
(508) 486-8216
Mass. Tree Wardens'
& Foresters' Association
(508) 365-2842

ÙBVQT

DRIFT..

...tournament

New England Golf Course
Superintendents Association .
New England Sports Turf
Managers Association
Sports Turf Managers Assn

MEMBERSHIP
P r o p o s e d f o r M e m b e r s h i p : Glenn Perry, CGCS,
S u p e r i n t e n d e n t , P o t o w o m u t G.C.; Timothy Hood,
S u p e r i n t e n d e n t , N e e d h a m G.C.; A n t h o n y DeDominicis, S u p e r i n t e n d e n t , Kelly Greens
By-The-Sea; Darrin Perry, S u p e r i n t e n d e n t , Wenh a m C.C.; Donna C a t r a m b o n e , S u p e r i n t e n d e n t ,
F o u r S e a s o n s Golf a n d L e a r n i n g C e n t e r ; Bo
Koloski, Affiliate, Turf P r o d u c t s Corp.
W e l c o m e New M e m b e r s : P a t r i c k Daly, Superint e n d e n t , Milton-Hoosic Club.

NOTES

T h a n k s t o Gary Luccini, General M a n a g e r Joe
Odachowski, and t h e entire staff of Franklin C.C.
for a f a b u l o u s Annual Meeting.

INFORMATION
G C S A N E s u p e r i n t e n d e n t s a n d t h e i r s p o u s e s will
be allowed Ryder C u p access.
M a k e s u r e you a t t e n d t h e March meeting at Hickory Ridge in Amherst, Mass. It will have t h e added
benefit of two pesticide credits available.
T h e B o a r d of D i r e c t o r s h a s passed a n e w law that
allows anyone joining t h e association after Sept e m b e r 1 to only pay half-price on dues.
C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s t o R o n D o b o s z on being n a m e d
S u p e r i n t e n d e n t of t h e Year by P a u l H a r b e r in the
B o s t o n Globe.

meé ph@ne numbers

(800) 833-4451
(401) 789-9301
(800) 323-3875

Chemicals
CHEMTREX (emergency spills, fires, leaks & explosions
Pesticide Emergency Network . . . (800) 424-9300
EPA Emergency
National Response Center
(800) 424-8802
EPA Emergency Treatment - Spills (617) 223-7265
National Pesticide
Telecommunication Network . . . (800) 858-7378
Pesticide Collection Program
(Safety Kleen)
(800) 243-5116

State of Massachusetts
Mass. Dept. of Employment
& Training
(800)322-4944
Mass. Dept. of Environmental Protection
(800) 462-0444 or (617) 338-2255
Western Region
(413) 784-1100
Central Region
(508) 792-7683
Northeast Region
(978) 661-7677
Southeast Region
(508) 946-2714
Mass. Dept of Food
& Agriculture - Pesticide . . . . . . (617) 727-3020
Mass. Dept.
of Industrial Accidents
(800)323-3249

Others
Dig Safe
New England Grows , . ,
New England
Regional Turf Conference .

Poisom Control Centers
Connecticut . . . (800) 343-2722 or (860) 679-3455
Maine
(800) 442-6305 or (207) 871-2381
Massachusetts . . (800) 682-9211 or (617) 232-2120
New Hampshire . (800) 562-8236 or (603) 650-5000
Rhode Island
(401) 444-5727
Vermont
(802) 658-3456

.announcements...educational

remits...and

MEETING

list of frequently

miscellaneous

of interest

P l e a s e m a k e s u r e t o R S V P to all monthly meetings by t h e d a t e s h o w n on t h e postcard. It can be
a hassle for b o t h t h e folks r u n n i n g t h e meeting
a n d t h e club staff w h e n m o r e people show up t h a n
w a s planned. R e m e m b e r , if you call in late, you are
n o t g u a r a n t e e d either a meal or golf.
C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s also t o S c o t t H u r t of Kettle
Brook G.C. on recently becoming a Certified Golf
Course Superintendent.
Mike Nagle, formerly at W o r c e s t e r C.C, h a s recently accepted a position at R.F. Morse, Inc.
Congratulations.
C h r i s T u f t s h a s left Willowbend C.C. to take t h e
s u p e r i n t e n d e n t position a t P l e a s a n t Valley C.C.
The LPGA m a k e s a stop a P l e a s a n t Valley this year,
so Chris should have his h a n d s full.
R i c h G a g n o n of Salem C.C. is now t h e p r o u d
father of a girl, Taylor Marie. C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s to
t h e entire Gagnon family.
" A S a l u t e t o t h e R y d e r C u p " . The Mass. Golf Assn.
3 7 t h Annual S p r i n g C o n f e r e n c e will be held Tuesday, March 9, 1999 at t h e Westin Copley Place,
Boston. F e a t u r e d guests include P e t e r Kessler of
T h e Golf Channel; Will Mann, president, PGA of
America; Rees Jones, r e n o w n e d golf c o u r s e architect; a n d J o h n C o r n i s h , T h e C o u n t r y C l u b ' s
General C h a i r m a n of t h e 3 3 r d Ryder Cup Matches.
Registration is at 3 p.m., a n d t h e conference begins
a t 4 p.m. At 6:30 p.m. is a reception with refreshments, h o r s d'oeuvres, a n d a silent auction. The
cost is $40 per ticket; with 10 tickets for $350.
Reserve tickets by fax, mail, or p h o n e to: Spring
Conference, Mass. Golf A s s n , 175 Highland A v e ,

,IÜX1 i l L . l j d i i . i l J i J i l L . i i d i l . i U l i . i L l i i i i i l , I j i i i l U i i i l L . i i i U i . i i J X i . i l l , l i d i i . i l J i

(401) 848-0004

Reprinted frosm the UMass Extension
Green Directory.

seminars...job
items

(888) 344-7233
(508) 653-3009

to the

opportunities
membership.

N e e d h a m , MA 02494. P h o n e : (800) 356-2201; Fax:
(781) 4 4 9 4 0 2 0 . Make checks payable to T h e Mass.
Golf Assn. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express cards are accepted.

POSITIONS

AVAILABLE

A s s i s t a n t S u p e r i n t e n d e n t . Maynard C . C , a 9-hole
semi-private course, seeks a qualified individual
with experience in fertilizer & pesticide application, irrigation repair, a n d staff supervision &
training. Individual m u s t have a two or four-year
d e g r e e in t u r f g r a s s m a n a g e m e n t or related field
a n d t h r e e years of c o u r s e m a i n t e n a n c e experience.
Experience a s assistant supt. is a plus. Individual
m u s t have c u r r e n t Mass. Pesticide applicator's
license. Salary c o m m e n s u r a t e with experience, including a comprehensive benefits package. Send
r e s u m e by March 2, 1999 to: Fred Murray, S u p t ,
Maynard C.C, P.O. Box 237, Maynard, MA 0 1 7 5 4 .
A r b o r i s t ; T w o turf m a i n t e n a n c e p o s i t i o n s . Winc h e s t e r C.C. is accepting applications for o n e
arborist a n d two new turf m a i n t e n a n c e positions.
The positions offer full-time, year-round employment, with a competitive wage (negotiable) a n d
benefits package, inclusing medical & dental insura n c e , y e a r - e n d b o n u s , r e t i r e m e n t plans, paid
vacation, uniforms, a n d golf privileges. W i n c h e s t e r
C.C. c o n d u c t s a n n u a l p e r f o r m a n c e evaluations
a n d provides raises. The positions r e m a i n o p e n
until filled. Please send r e s u m e to W i n c h e s t e r C.C,
c / o Mark Casey, 4 6 8 Mystic S t , Winchester, MA
01890.

¿LILII.IJIBLUÜILLRIÍMÍI.1

Page 8

Please Patronize these FRIENDS of the ASSOCIATION
A-QK Turf Equipment Inc.

SLeuba Rd., Coventry, Rl 02816
Articulator, Terra Topper, Greens Groomer
brush, & used equipment.
Mike Cornicelli-(401) 826-2584

A.A. Will Materials Corp.

168 Washington St., Stoughton, MA 02072-1748
Top dressing & bunker sand, decorative stone,
landscape materials.
Frank Will, Charlie Downing, Denise M. Cogliano
(800) 4-AA-WILL

Agr-Evo U.S.A. Co.

Wilmington, DE
Acclaim Extra, Banoi, ProStar, ProGrass,
Finale, Turcam, DeltaGard.
David Sylvester - (860) 828-8905

Allen's Seed Store Ins.

693 S. County Trail, Exeter, Rl 02822
Specializing in quality seed and related
golf course maintenance supplies.
Gregg Allen - (800) 527-3898

Bartlett Tree Expert Co.

153 Rumford Ave., Newton, MA 02466-1311
Consulting, planning, IPM MonlTor, pruning,
fertilization & appraisal.
Jack Kelly-(617) 969-5990

Douglas Equipment Corp.

90 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, Rl 02917
John Deere golf and turf equipment dealer.
Paul T. Surabian, Allen Vadala
(401) 232-3700

22 Lantern Lane, Exeter, Rl 02822
Victoria Wallace - (800) 648-7333

Michael Drafts Construction, Inc.

71 Concord S t , P. 0. Box 127
North Reading, MA 01864-0127
Water supply specialists; water wells
& pumping equipment.
(781) 933-3210

D.L. iaher Co.

240 Walnut St., Framingham, MA 01702
Golf course reconstruction; professional shaper.
Michael Drake - (508) 875-8247

F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Co.

640 Hale St, Beverly Farms, MA 01915
Complete tree care, landscape design
& construction, disease control,
long-range planning.
Ben Staples-(978) 927-1590

P. 0. Box 3218, Framingham, MA 01705-3218
Asphalt paving of cart paths, walkways,
parking areas; imprinted asphalt.
John McNulty - (508) 879-8875

F.D.I., Inc.

filter Golf Construction

(Fairway Design Illustration)
95 Railroad Ave, Warren, Rl 02885
Custom granite signs and markers.
Joseph K. Martin, Robert Page
(800) 358-8337

Gold Star Nursery & Sod Farm

100 First Ave., Boston, MA 02129
Manufacturer & supplier of dry organic fertilizers.
Kristen Patneaude - (617) 788-4437

Bayer Corporation

Charles C. Hart Seed Co., Inc.

118 Ellery Ave., Middletown, Rl 02842
Bayleton, Merit, Dylox, Tempo
Brad Herman - (800) 842-8020

The Borden Company

114 Summer St., Maynard, MA 01754-2216
Bulk limestone dealer.
Jack Borden - (978) 897-2571

Boston Irrigation Supply Company

Lofts Seed, Inc.

Dow/Elanco

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

250 West R d , Canterbury, NH 03224-2127
Growers of turfgrass and ornamentals
Bill Thompson, Malcolm McPhail
Lexington, M A - ( 7 8 1 ) 861 - 1111
Canterbury, NH - (603) 7834717

Bay State Fertilizer/MWRA

LGSCO I n c .
20005 Lake R d , Rocky River, OH 44116
Ron Tumiski, Mike Donohue, Jim Wlerzblckl
(800) 321-5325

P.O. Box 9169, Wetbersfleld, CT 06109-0169
Roy Sibley, Dick Gurski
(800) 326-HART

Hartney Greyrnont

433 Chestnut S t , Needham, MA 02492-2822
Tree care, landscape construction, consulting.
Mark Tobin - (781) 444-1227

International Golf Construction Co.

McNurty Construction Corp.

1 Leicester R d , Marblehead, MA 01945
Golf course construction & renovation
John Miller-(781) 631-2030

Modern Aeration Service, Inc.

212 Kenrick S t , Newton, MA 02458-2732
Featuring water Injection aeration.
Kevin Osgood-(617) 630-1950

R.F. l a r s e & Sons, Inc.

22 Cranberry H w y , Wareham, MA 02576-0099
Larry Anshewitz, Jack Cronin, Chris Cowan,
Mike Nagle, Alan Anderson
(508) 295-1553

Nardone Sand and Gravel, inc.

37 Power R d , Westford, MA 01886-4112
Topdressing sand & mixes, bunker sands,
root-zone mixes, loam, cart path materials,
drainage stone.
Greg Frederick-(978) 692-8221

Novartis Specialty Products, inc.

60 Sturgls Way, Dedham, MA 02026
Distributor, irrigation supplies & accessories.
John Ramey, Paul Kenyon, Robert Barbarti
(781)461-1560

5 Purcell R d , Arlington, MA 02474
Golf course construction.
Antonlos Paganis - (781) 648-2351;
(508) 428-3022

394 Monson Tpk. R d , Ware, MA 01082
Banner MAXX, Barricade, Subdue MAXX, Primo
Dave Ravel-(413) 967-6745

Brendan Corporation

Irrigation Management & Services

Kelsey Park, Great Meadows, NJ 07838
Heat treated topdressing, golf hole targets,
turf blankets, other specialty golf supplies.
Jim Kelsey - (800) 247-2326

40 Walker St., Swansea, MA 02777
Doug Hopper - ( 5 0 8 ) 379-0092

Tire Cardinals, Inc.

166 River R d , P.O. Box 520
Unlonville, CT 06085-0520
Golf course and landscape supplies.
John Callahan - (860) 673-3699

Cavicchlo Landscape Supply, Inc.

110 Codjer Lane, Sudbury, MA 01776
Annuals, perennials, garden mums, ground
covers, loam, and mulch.
Darren Y o u n g - ( 9 7 8 ) 443-7177

Cedar Lawn Tree Service, Inc.

21 Lakevlew Ave, Natick, MA 01760
Irrigation consultation, design, and
system evaluation.
Bob Healey, ASIC, CID - (508) 653-0625

Tom Irwin Ins.

11B A S t , Burlington, MA 01803-3404
Jack Peterson, Wayne Ripley, Paul Skafas,
Chris Peterson, Jack Pluta, Greg Mlsodoulakis
(800) 582-5959

Ken Jones Tire, inc.

71-73 Chandler S t , Worcester, MA 01613
Distributor of tires for lawn & garden, trucks,
cars, Industrial equipment, and golf cars.
Gerry Jones - (508) 755-5255

32 Nlckerson R d , Ashland, MA 01721
Pruning, fertilization, removal,
and professional care.
William P. Maley - (508) 881-2622

39 Waverly Ave, Springfield, NJ 07081
(973) 379-9314

Cornish, Silva, & lungeum, Inc.

Landmark Construction

207 N. Main St., Uxbridge, MA 01569
Golf course architects.
(508) 278-3407

Country Club Enterprises

Koonz Sprinkler Supply, Inc.

P. O. Box 662, Winchester, MA 01890
Tee/bunker shaping 8, remodeling, cart paths,
drainage, tree planting, landscape construction.
Daniel Champion - (781) 729-3250

Larchmont Engineering

P. 0. Box 820, Cataumet, MA 02534
Club Car golf cars, Carryall utility vehicles,
Ed McGuIre, Dave Farina, Steve Butler
(800) 662-2585

11 Larchmont Lane, Lexington, MA 02420-4483
Keith Savage - (781) 647-3361

Country Gelf, Inc.

Lazaro's Golf Course
Supplies & Accessories

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

dba Hammond Paint and Chemical C o , Inc.
738 Main S t , Suite 223, Waltham, MA 02154
Complete line of golf course accessories;
Standard, Par Aide, Eagle One.
Joe Lazaro-(781) 647-3361

Partac Peat Corporation

P.I.E. Supply Co.
For your irrigation needs; dedicated to sales
and service of quality irrigation equipment.
Greg Albanese - (781) 383-8303

Shawnmark Industries, Inc.

P. 0. Box 8966, Warwick, Rl 02999
Matt Howland-(401) 295-1673

SOISEO inc.

P. 0. Box 2, Slocum, Rl 02877
Matt Faherty, Pat Hogan
Bluegrass/Fescue, Bluegrass/Rye,
Bluegrass/Fescue/Rye, Bentgrass
(800) 341-6900

Sports Club Management

104 Wyman R d , Braintree, MA 02184
OSHA and EPA compliance services and training
Ron S m i t h - ( 7 8 1 ) 848-5978

Data Tibbetf
Professional Golf Services

dba Weed & Feed, Inc.
20 Clark Lane, Marshfield, MA 02050
Specialists in golf course construction,
bunker restoration, and irrigation Installation.
(781) 837-3503

Tee and! Green Sod, Inc.

P. O. Box 418, Exeter, Rl 02822
Bentgrass, Bluegrass, and Blue/Fescue sod.
Dave Wallace, Robin Hayes
(401) 789-8177

Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Ins.

P. 0. Box 167, Wood River Junction, Rl 02894
Chris Beasley - (800) 556-6985

Turf Enhancement Enterprises

6 Jessica J Dr., Millbury, MA 01527
Floratine products, Precision Small Engine C o ,
Douglas Rollers, Trion Lifts.
Tom Fox-(508) 865-9150

TtsrfNet Associates, Inc.
21 Brandywine R d , Skillman, NJ 08558
Cutting edge communication for
the golf course industry.
Peter McCormick - (800) 314-7929

Turf Partners, Inc.

15 Londonderry R d , Londonderry, NH 03053
Turf a ornamental supplies.
Chuck Bramhall, Jim Cohen, Geoff Houghton,
Rick Howe, Mike Kroian, Scott Mackintosh
(800) 228-6656

Turf Products Corp.

157 Moody R d , Enfield, CT 06082
Distributors of Torn irrigation and maintenance
equipment and other golf-related products.
Irrigation: Tim Berge, Palmer Whitney
Commercial: Ed Fallow, Rick Moulton,
Mike Turner, John Winskowicz
(800) 243-4355

Prescription Turf Services, Inc.

P. O. Box 39, Mlddleton, MA 01949
Deep-tine and hydro-injection services,
custom fertilizer & pesticide applications,
fairway aeration, topdressing operations.
Scott McCoy - (978) 777-1663

Read Sand and Gravel, Inc.

171 VFW Drive, Rockland, MA 02370
Topdressing, root-zone mixes, bunker sand,
3/4 & 3/8 screened loams, cart path materials,
mulch, drainage stone.
Joe Farina - (800) 660-2955

J.P. Roberts Company

P. O. Box 455, Harvard, MA 01451
Technical resource catalog; survey-weathertestlng-measurement & diagnostic equipment.
Barbara Plantedosl - (978) 456-6886

Sawtelle Brothers

65 Glenn S t , Lawrence, MA 01843
Bob Brown, Larry Bunn, Mike Hannigan,
Frank Hlgglns, John Lenhart
(978)682-9296

SB! Turf Services
65 Glenn St., Lawrence, MA 01843
Deep-fine, core, & water-Injection aerification,
DOL & Verti-Seed overseeding, Irrigation services.
Jim Favreau - (800) 999-TURF

United Horticultural Supply
18 Legate Hill Rd, Sterling, MA 01564
Fertilizer, seed, chemicals, and IPM.
Glenn Larabee, Bruce Chapman, Mark Miller
(800) 224-4440

Warney Bros. Sand & Gravel

79 Hartford Ave, Bellingham, MA 02019
Concrete golf cart paths.
Kenneth Mooradlan - (800) 441-7373

Winfield Nursery, Inc.

1320 Mountain R d , Suffield, CT 06109
Wholesale nursery trees and shrubs.
Stan Hlldreth

Philip Wogan a George F. Sargent, Jr.
Golf Course Architects
17 Walker Rd., Topsfield, MA 01983
(978) 887-3672

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

Page 8
• • • ITI
IÄÄMIIFITE

lÜli.ilJJjril.i.UU.iiJlhiLUlli.,

Host Superintendent Profile
IVfeet

host superintendent

O u r host for the February meeting of the
GCSANE is Brian Linehan of Heritage Hill
Golf Course in Lakeville, Mass.
This is Brian's second year at Heritage
Hill, having started the job in January
1998. His prior experience includes
three seasons as head superintendent
at Furnace Brook G.C. in Quincy, Mass.
and four years as assistant superintendent
at Quaker Ridge G.C. in Scarsdale, N.Y.
Brian began his turfgrass education
in 1989, attending the Stockbridge School
of Agriculture. After graduating there, he
continued at UMass-Amherst and received
his bachelor's degree in plant and soil
sciences in 1993.
He is currently a member of both
the GCSANE and the Metropolitan
Association in New York. Brian is
currently serving the GCSANE membership on the Education Committee.

Brim

Linehan,

He and wife, Alexandra, currently live
in Lakeville with their black Lab puppy,
Guinness. Alexandra is a medical student
at the New England College of Optometry
in Boston.

Seminar
continued

review...
from page 4

become accustomed to new plush improvements. Photographic documentation
of course improvements will quiet
the greatest cynic. To be effective at
communication he stresses it must be a
continuous effort. Witt invests a great
deal of effort, and views it as an investment of time that heads off potential
problems and pays residual dividends
in compensation and benefits, good

Heritage

Hill

When Brian isn't busy pulling weeds,
setting up nightly irrigation, or racking up
miles on a golf cart, he enjoys playing golf,
hockey, and throwing the ball with Guinness.
He also enjoys helping his wife with her studies,
which includes reading various eye charts.
relations with members, and ultimately,
job security.
Closing on a humerous note, comparing
one difference with working in both the
northern and southern climates, Witt
stated he would much prefer snow
shoveling over the headaches that come
with golfers . . . anywhere. Here!! Here!!
Services available at GCSAA headquarters include resume critique at no
cost to members. A career development
packet may be ordered for a $20 fee.
MARK CASEY

K Q S - W Z O

s §¥io isijy
1.9 -ON }|UJJ8D
VIA! ' l J o d A j n q « 8 N

a i v d
8ßB|SOd
|iB(AI s s E i o

STI
}sjy

G.C.

V N

'UIEQPAAN

SNUSAY PUE|I|§!H G^ |
:OJ UJNJSVJ

M a X X a T S M 3 k T
1 aMX1*