LETTER
Golf Course Superintendents

Association

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

OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.

June 1999

After e 4 7-year career,, Paul
Br©@ks
wonders egWhere did all the tame go?"
Paul Brooks is retiring. He's going to do
a lot of fishing, a lot of golfing. That'll
come in July when he rings down a 47year career as golf course superintendent
at the same course, the Sagamore Springs
Golf Club.
Right now, though, he's doing a lot
of reminiscing and into thoughts like,
"Where did all that time go?" That's a
part of the mystique of retirement. You
can't believe the best working years of
your life are behind you.
The bond between Brooks and
Sagamore Springs is unique because Paul
has had no personal relationship with any
other golf course in his soon-to-be 65
years on this planet. He caddied at
Sagamore Springs; he played there and
wound up working there.
"I remember the first day I saw the
course," Paul dipped into his memory
files. "It was 1944 and I was 10 years old.
We lived in Danvers and the golf course

In this Issue ©..
Calendar of Events
The Super Speaks Out
Stockbridge Turf Program
Remember When?
Gray Leaf Spot, Part I
GCSAA News
Divot Drift

Page
2
3
4
4
5
5
6

was in Lynnfield. I was going to caddy
for my father, so we both rode our bikes
there. It was my first experience with
golf, and I was caught up in a state of
amazement. I've relived that scene many
times. From that first day all I wanted to
do was be around golf."
Caddying and Brooks worked into a
good mix. For the next six years he carted
bags at Sagamore Springs and developed
into a pretty good player while doing it.
"I had a caddy swing," he told. "And I
really enjoyed the chance to play in
between my caddying jobs. Again, it gave
me the opportunity to be around the golf
course. It was an atmosphere you couldn't
match anywhere."
When Paul was 16 and in the middle
of his formative years in high school,
he approached one of the owners of the
public course and asked for a job. He
succeeded and became a member of the
maintenance crew. Obviously, he was a
member in good standing, too, because
two years later he took over as the head
golf course superintendent.
"I know that it sounds unusual for
someone with no formal turf education to

take on all that responsibility," Brooks
explained. "But I was very attentive to
what had to be done in the maintenance
side of the game and I sought help from
anywhere I could find it.
"In, fact, much of my turf maintenance
training came in rap sessions. I remember
talking for hours with such superintendents as Arthur Anderson and Phil
Cassidy. Those two gentlemen never tired
of discussing methods and other aspects
of the maintenance program. So, in a
roundabout way I guess you'd have to
say I'm a self-taught superintendent. I
picked up a lot by observation when I
was working on the crew and expanded
on it by picking the brains of such
knowledgeable people as Anderson and
Cassidy."
Brooks didn't confine himself to
the superintendents' field in getting
more strongly attached to golf. One of
his earliest friends in the game and
eventual confidant is George Apple, the
venerable former Sagamore Springs
head professional.
continued

on page 2

!S

There wasn't a morning when I got up that I didn't want
to go f© work. When you leave a job in thai frame of mind,
you know thai your life's been fulfilled
Paul Brooks
Sagamore Springs Golf Club

Pagel
JLIIIDLLIIÜL^ILIILLIILT.IÜIL.ILJ^

continued

PRESIDENT
K e v i n F. O s g o o d
14 Inman Lane, Foxborough, M A 02035
617-630-1950
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N e w t o n O 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, Ohlcope®, M A 0 1 0 2 0
413-256-8654
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SECRETARY
J a m e s Fitzroy, C G C S
357 W . S q u a n t u m Street, North Qulncy, M A 02171
617-328-1776
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Presidents Golf C o u r s e
TREASURER
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42 N e w t o n Street, Weston, M A 0 2 4 9 3
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A r t h u r Silva, C G C S
35 Pennacook Road, Tewksbury, M A 01876
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TRUSTEE
David C o m e e
65 Marquette Road, Gardner, M A 01440
978-297-1 223
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T h e W l n c h e n d o n Golf Club
TRUSTEE
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FINANCE CHAIRMAN
Daniel Higgins, C G C S
68 Hutchinson Road, Winchester, M A 01890
781-729-3809
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GOLF CHAIRMAN
M i c h a e l J. H e r m a n s o n
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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
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Chelmsford Country Club
PAST PRESIDENT
R o b e r t DIRico, C G C S
3 2 6 Fuller Street, W e s t N e w t o n , M A 0 2 4 6 5
617-527-6968
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GGSAPJE H e a d q u a r t e r s
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Newsletter Editor
Contributing Editor
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Russell Heller
Gerry Finn
. . M i c h a e l V. Iacono, 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 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.

•LUJXILLLJDLIRIULHILL^LRIULLRILLIIRIII.L^

from page 1

"George and I had, and still have, a
great rapport," Paul said. "We used to talk
all the time about things in general. But
most of the time we'd come back to golf.!
really don't remember how long
he was at Sagamore Springs before he
retired. However, he remains a mountain
of a man there. He's 88 years old and he
still walks the course.
During Brooks' tenure as golf course
superintendent, Sagamore Springs
developed into one of the best and busiest
public courses on the North Shore. The
course, founded by three different
families, is now owned by one. Built in
1929, Sagamore Springs thrives under
the leadership of corporation president
Chris Luff.
"The golf course has improved with
time, hands-on ownership, and plain
dedication by all involved in its operation,"
Paul explained. "It's built a reputation to
the point where 50,000 rounds a year are
the norm. We've all grown together, it
seems. The Luffs are great people to work
for and work with. Somehow I have a
feeling of fulfillment for having been part
of the scene there."
Paul and his wife, Merry, live in
Boxford and have had a fulfilled life of
their own, having brought five children
into the world. They do a lot of house
fixing and gardening in their spare time
and are looking forward to that day
(July 31) when Paul not only can stop
and smell the roses but try his hand at
picking them, too.
"That's all right for me," Paul remarked.
"But the Sagamore Springs connection
still lives. Merry takes tee times there and
she's going to continue to work the job
while I do some heavy looking on. I really
don't envision myself being too far away
from the course. Maybe I'll try to get that
caddy swing back and get into the easier
part of golf."
Regardless, the Brooks touch won't
be missing from the superintendent's
schedule.
"That's right," Paul piped. "My brother,
Donald, is taking over for me. He's been
my assistant for the last 30 years and he's
a logical choice to succeed me. After all,
he knows where everything is."
Just as Paul Brooks knew where his
life would lead him after that first day
caddying at Sagamore Springs 55 years

ago. From that moment he and the
Sagamore course became bosom buddies.
And they remain so till this day.
"There wasn't a morning when I got
up that I didn't want to go to work," Paul
concluded about the Sagamore Springs
bond. "When you leave a job in that frame
of mind, you know that your life's been
fulfilled.
G E R R Y

FINN

Calendar
June 8

Pro/Media/Superintendent
Tournament
O w l ' s N e s t Golf C o u r s e
New Hampshire

J u n e 14

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
H i c k o r y Hill Golf C o u r s e
M e t h u e n , Mass.
T e a m of T w o C h a m p i o n s h i p
S u p t • Eric Brox

June 23

UMass Turf Field Day
S o u t h D e e r f i e l d , Mass.

J u l y 12

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
75th Anniversary
Tournament
Marshfield Country Club
M a r s h f i e l d , Mass.
S u p t - Bob Matthews, CGCS

August 9

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
P o q u o y B r o o k Golf C l u b
Lakeville, Mass.
Individual C h a m p i o n s h i p
SupL - Mike C u m m i n g s

A u g u s t 11

A t h l e t i c Turf F i e l d D a y
N a s h u a , N.H.

S e p t e m b e r 21 GCSANE Monthly Meeting
Joint Meeting with R h o d e Island
Quidnesset Country Club
N o r t h K i n g s t o n , R.I.
S u p t . - D e a n Ricci
October 7

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
W h i t e Cliffs C o u n t r y C l u b
P l y m o u t h , Mass.
Supt. - Lianne Larson

November 1

GCSANE Monthly Meeting
Brae B u m Country Club
T h e H i g h l a n d C o u r s e (9 H o l e s )
S u p t . - B o b DiRico, C G C S

N o v e m b e r 16

GCSAA Seminar
Human Resource Management
The International
B o l t o n , Mass.

N o v e m b e r 17

GCSAA Seminar
Budgeting & Forecasting
The International
B o l t o n , Mass.

Page 3

Tim Super S$§mM

QM

This month's
question:
What about this myth that nine-hole courses are easier
to take care of, and how does it compare with an 18-hole job?
P a t Daly, Milton-Hoosis Golf Club:
"I don't know where the idea of working
on a nine-hole course is easier than 18
came from, but I do know that 1 have
to put up with double the traffic on my
fairways and greens. That can only mean
that I also have to live with more wear
and tear on them. If that makes it easier, I
don't know where that talk's coming from.
"Fortunately for me, I have a good background for maintaining a course, whether
it's nine or 18 holes, because I worked
under a top notch superintendent, Mike
lacono, when I was with him at Pine Brook.
The time I spent there was a big plus.
"Regardless, this is a great experience
for me, a real challenge. First of all, the
greatest stress at a nine-hole course is on
the greens. They take a beating because
of the constant pounding they absorb
through balls hit to the putting surface,
players walking on them, and the fact that
they are the climax of each individual
hole. And, just to rub it in, my greens are
on the postage stamp size scale.
"With this in mind, changing cups
becomes more critical than at an 18-hole
course. We change the cups here four
times a week - Tuesday, Thursday,
Saturday, and Sunday. I have a very
strict fertilizing program for the greens,
too, since they have to be as healthy as
possible to handle the traffic.
"I have a crew of six people and
myself, two year-round workers and four
part-timers. I suppose that's about average
for a nine-hole course, but again, because
of the heavy strain on a concentrated
area of turf, the crew is out there working
to keep ahead of potential damage.
"There is one advantage here that
boosts the confidence level of myself and
my crew. We have only 10 golf carts and
that cuts down on the possibility of trouble
spots around the greens and tees. MiltonHoosic is definitely a walker's course. It's
also a good course, good enough to be a
site for the state amateur qualifying this
year. That's as hard as it gets."

F r e d Murray, Maynard Country Club:
"Right off the bat, I have to say that a lot
of my success, if there is any here, can
be traced back to what I learned under
Dan Higgins at Winchester C.C. In fact,
I've tried to emulate what he does there
in his maintenance program. Certainly,
the time I spent with him got me well
prepared for taking on the responsibility
of my own job.
"With that said, I might add that the
old saw about a nine-hole course being
easier to groom than an 18-hole course
probably runs under the heading of old
wives' tales. All I can say to that is the
comparison boils down to the fact that at
a nine-hole course the superintendent has
to do the same job (getting the course in
peak condition) with half the money and
half the people.
"Granted, you also can say that the
nine-hole superintendent has half the
amount of turf to condition. However, it
really doesn't make much difference about
degree of difficulty. Turf is turf and we
have to control its life span as well as its
health level.
"Naturally, there's more traffic on our
course. Right now we're averaging about
25 to 30,000 rounds a year. I would guess
that anything in that area is enough for
Maynard to handle. My crew is normal
sized. I have an assistant, a mechanic,
and six seasonal workers. And we have
enough work here to keep all of them
and myself busy.
"The only special handling conditioning
program I have is to make sure the areas
where players walk from greens to tees
gets a lot of attention. For me, those are
the areas that take more than their share
of beatings. Other than that, I use my
HydroJect more often than normal;
don't aerate any more than I would on
an 18-hole course, and like the saying
goes, hope that the weather and other
uncontrollable elements cooperate with
my efforts."

Mich Arzillo, Unicorn Golf Course:
"This is my 15th year at Unicorn and I'm
just as enthusiastic about the job as the
day I started. I don't know how to explain
my zest for the job, but I'm beginning
to think most people look at me as an
institution around here.
"I'm as busy here as I would be at any
other course, nine, 18, 27 holes. You
name it. I wear a lot of hats because I'm
in charge of all the buildings and also
have a par-three course (Stoneham Oaks)
to take care of. That means I don't have
time to think about the idea that a ninehole course is easier to maintain than an
18-hole course.
"Our location is critical to the traffic
flow on the course. We're about 10
minutes from downtown Boston; we're a
municipal course; and we sell only ninehole tickets. In addition, we have no tee
times and play is on a first-come, firstserved basis.
"So, we're busy. We do between 57
and 60,000 rounds a year. That's a lot of
golf and a lot of traffic on the turf. This
year the par-three course will run up
about 25,000 rounds, maybe more, giving
my crew and myself all the work anyone
can handle.
"Incidentally, the crew consists of
an electrician, mechanic, carpenter, and
myself on the full time side. The season
numbers vary after that but I do have
three retirees who put in about 20 hours
each a week. They're really a godsend
for me. They're reliable, take pride in
their work, and they take care of the
equipment.
"From all those round numbers you
can see that greens are a high priority
area in the maintenance pecking order.
Plenty of aerating and a couple of tines a
year. Hey, we could be the busiest ninehole course in New England. But it's my
choice, to be here, and I wouldn't want it
any other way.
GEKMY FINN

Page 4
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UMass News

Changes planned for Stockbridge >J u r f Program
by Dr. Gail Schumann
and Dr. Scott Ebdon,
Co-Coordinators
Over the past year, the Stockbridge Turf
Management Program faculty has worked
with the UMass Turfgrass Program Advisory
Board, additional professional turfgrass
managers, and Stockbridge Director Nancy
Garrabrants to revise and improve the
curriculum. These changes, scheduled for
September 1999, are designed to help
better prepare students for professional
challenges of modern turf management.
Making these changes posed a scheduling challenge. We reluctantly decided to
shorten the summer internship by about
seven weeks, enabling us to have four full
semesters in the classroom. Note that the
internship is still at least 15 weeks long, and
provides tremendous opportunities for "onthe-job" training. The decision to modify
the internship was not made lightly and
followed input from many sources.
We recognize times have changed, and
the summer internship is no longer the only
"on-the-job" training students have before
obtaining positions of authority. As recently
as 10 years ago, some graduates started as
superintendents of nine-hole courses or as
top assistants at upper echelon courses.
Today, most students who remain in golf
start as second (or occasionally first)
assistants and receive invaluable additional
training from their employer. So we believe
the advantages of additional classroom work
outweighs experience gained in the first
few weeks of a summer placement program.
We also recognize that the value of a
placement experience depends on the
dedication of the "mentor". We count on all
of you to help us find excellent placement
opportunities for first year students so they
can continue to benefit from that training.
We plan to review/modify the program,
and we welcome comments and suggestions.
Summary of Turf Program Changes:
Course Changes:
English 120 - Students will now take a full semester
course rather than an 8-week course.
Turf Insects (ENT 107) - Students will now take
this course right after the introductory insect course
(ENT 104) and before (instead of after) internships.
Plant Pathology - Students will now have two
exposures to plant diseases. Before they go on
internship, Dr. Schumann will introduce them to the

AIÚAAaLÍÍMÚALIMLLLMLL

basic concepts and prepare them for observations
during their internship in the new course MICBIO
103. When they return in the fall, they will have
MICBIO 105, the Turf Disease Lab.
Advanced Turf Management (PLSOIL 340) - Will
now be co-taught by Dr. Ebdon and Dr. Torello.
Turf Calculations (PLSOIL 190S) - Dr. Ebdon has
created this new 2-credit course to strengthen student preparation for calculations necessary in turf
management.
Pesticide License Preparation (ENT 182) - This
course has been moved from the first semester to
the final semester, so students will have the academic preparation needed for the course.
Special Topics - Turf Diseases (Elective) • MICBIO
497X - This course stresses oral communication
skills for discussing disease problems with customers and greens committees.

Additional Changes:
Balanced Credit Load - Students will have a more
balances course load throughout the program.
Internship - The internship has been shortened to
accommodate the academic additions. Students will
be available for work at the end of spring classes,
about mid-May. We have improved assignment and
reporting policies used in the Internship program.
Professionalism - A series of lectures on professionalism by turf industry representatives is planned as
part of a last semester course.
Academic Standards - The following courses will
require a grade of "C" or better for graduation or
to use the course as a prerequisite: PLSOIL 230 Turf Management, PLSOIL 275 - Turf Physiology
and Ecology, PLSOIL 340 - Advanced Turf Management, PLSOIL I90S - Turf Calculations, MICBIO
105 - Turf Disease Lab, and ENT 107 - Turf Insects

GCSANE News

Remember when?: GCSANEB$ past
Rernember when? looks at significant
individuals and events of GCSANE's past.

25 years ago
Guy Tedesco always could live with birdies
but living with the birds? That's something
else. The genial director of golf at the
Country Club of New Seabury had been
wrestling with a problem for many months,
that of coping with seagulls. Seems the
seagulls of New Seabury were untidy birds,
using asphalt cart paths to knock the hard
stuff off of captured shellfish, then swooping down and picking up the meat. The
shells? They were left for Guy to deal with.
Several well-intended solutions failed
to materialize until two guests from that
seafaring state of Vermont came to the
rescue. They suggested that Guy have
pictures of seagulls painted on the cart
paths, the idea being that the shellfishcarrying gull would look down at the
path, see another gull waiting to steal his
meat. Therefore, he would look for
another spot to crack open his catch.
And it worked. The problem was gone.
"Every time I tell this story, people think
I'm pulling their legs," Tedesco said.
"They can't believe two Vermonters could
come up with an idea to fool a seagull.
You just never know."

15 years ago
One of the giants of the golf course
superintendents' world is coming to New

mlllailuiúaLULLÍULÍAI

England with the announcement that
Sherwood Moore has accepted that position
at the new Captain's Course in Brewster.
"Funny thing," Moore quipped about
the move from his most recent base, Winged
Foot "My wife and I were talking about the
possibility of winding up at Cape Cod for
our retirement years. Then, all of a sudden,
along comes the opportunity to locate there
while I'm still on the job. It's just great."
Moore, 68, will arrive at the Captain's
Course in the middle of construction, but
only after assuring Winged Foot he would
stay around to supervise the preparation
of the course for the 1984 U.S. Open.
"This will be different for me," Moore
commented on the fact that the Captain's
is a municipal layout with a minimum of
scrutiny from golfers. "The other day one
of the locker room boys at Winged Foot
said I missed a real gathering. He told me
that 200 superintendents were there,
disguised as members. Now, that's one
thing I won't miss. You know, you can
only listen to one boss at a time."

5 years ago
Superintendent-Green Chairman
tourney results from the Belmont C.C.:
1st gross - Jim Diorio & John Hayes,
Purpoodock. 1st net - Bob DiRico & Bob
Howard, Brae Burn. 2nd net - Mike lacono
6 Jim Herscot, Pine Brook. Closest to pin
on #3 - Steve Carr; #12 - Lynn Fay.
GERRY FINN

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PageS

aLMLm
Turf Science

Gray Leaf Spot: Coming to ú
By Dennis Watkins
Lords Valley Country Club, Hawiey, Fa.
Virtually nobody had heard of it five years
ago. It got some attention in 1995 in the
Mid-Atlantic area when perennial ryegrass
started "going south" in a hurry, with
some superintendents losing their jobs in
it's wake. But 1998 was the year Pyricularia grisea - gray leaf spot (GLS) to some,
"Blast" to others - made superintendents
across much of the US stand up and salute. All indications are that GLS is here
to stay, and its geography is spreading.
The American Phytopathological Society
(APS) held a Gray Leaf Spot symposium

c@ufs©

March 12 in Annapolis, Md., a particularly
appropriate location since one of the first
diagnoses of gray leaf spot on perennial
ryegrass fairways occurred just up the
road at Chartwell Golf & Country Club
in Severna Park, Md. back in 1985. The
symposium brought together university
specialists actively studying the disease
with golf course superintendents and
other turf practitioners, and was an excellent overview of the current knowledge
base about GLS, with most of the research
having been done in the past two years
(by popular demand). Six USGA Green
Section regional agronomists were on
hand, an indication of the severity of the

GCSAA News

Environmental
announces call

Stewmé Award
for entries

T h e 2000 Environmental Steward Award
Call for Entries is announced by Novartis
Turf & Ornamental Products; Rain Bird;
Textron Turf Care and Specialty Products
with Cushman, Jacobsen, Ransomes and
Ryan brands; and Pursell Technologies,
Inc., in partnership with the Golf Course
Superintendents Association of America.
The Environmental Steward Awards
recognize the accomplishments of golf
course superintendents around the world
who demonstrate a commitment to
environmental stewardship efforts on the
golf course. Applicants are evaluated for
overall course management in technology
use, resource conservation, water quality
management, integrated pest management,
wildlife/habitat management and education
/outreach. Three national winners (one
public, one private, and one resort course
facility), up to three winners from each of
GCSAA's 100 chapters, and a number of
merit winners will be selected.
Applications for the 2000 awards are
available through the GCSAA service center
(800/472-7878) and from each participating sponsor. The application also is available
on the GCSAA web site (www.gcsaa.org)
and may be printed out or completed and
submitted electronically. Entries are due
to GCSAA by October 1, 1999.

Applicants from the United States must
be members in good standing of GCSAA.
International applicants should be
members of similar local organizations. To
allow more honorees to enter the winner's
circle, previous national winners of the
awards are not eligible to apply for the
2000 awards unless they have moved to a
different facility.
Winners will be announced in November
and recognized during GCSAA's International Golf Course Conference and Show,
February 14-20, 2000, in New Orleans.
Rain Bird will honor the top national and
international award recipients with a trip
for them and their families to attend the
111th New Year's Day Rose Parade and
related activities in Pasadena, Calif.
Novartis Turf & Ornamental Products;
Rain Bird; Textron Turf Care & Specialty
Products with Cushman, Jacobsen, Ransomes
and Ryan brands; and Pursell Technologies,
Inc. will contribute 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. Since 1993, sponsors
of the awards have contributed more than
$125,000 to The GCSAA Foundation, and
more than 200 superintendents have been
recognized with awards.

A11ÜAL.IJIHLAÜÜAL.IÁLLIAÍALIAÍ1ÚAL.I*LLÍ11ÚALI,Imíííaí11

near y&n?

GLS problem. We will attempt to convey
the "take-home messages" here.
History
Pyricularia grisea, the causal agent
of GLS, is a widely distributed fungus that
is common on many grasses and weed

"All indications me that
Gray Leaf Spot is here
to stay, and! lis geography
is spreading/9
Dennis Watkins
Lords Valley C . C .
Hawiey, Pa.
species. It also causes Rice Blast, the
number one disease of rice world-wide.
Among the grasses, it was identified on
St. Augustine Grass in Florida in 1957,
and then on annual and perennial ryegrass
fairways in Mississippi and Louisiana in
1972. As mentioned above, it was then
observed in Maryland in 1985, and again
in two locations in Pennsylvania in 1992.
GLS didn't gamer much attention
until 1995, when an outbreak of epidemic
proportions occurred on perennial ryegrass
swards in Maryland, Kentucky, Virginia,
Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and
as far north as Staten Island, N.Y. Entire
fairways and rough areas were lost within
48-72 hours. Many superintendents were
taken by surprise, having neither seen
nor heard of GLS before.
It is important to note that summer 1995
was the hottest and driest of the century
in those areas, and followed a winter of
devastating crown hydration damage to
perennial ryegrass from sustained ice
coverage (so there were high populations
of relatively young ryegrass plants).
The scorching summer of 1995 was followed by one of the wettest and coolest
summers on record in 1996. Some turf
damage from GLS was evident that year,
although limited mostly to chlorosis
rather than the complete devastation seen
the earlier year.
continued

on page 6

Page 6
iliil.i

•lliiiilii,I util.
IMriififiMilwTinll

Pyricularia

grísea

can p r o d u c e h u g e

Gray Leaf Spot, Part I

S y m p t o m s of G L S i n c l u d e s

continued

• Small oval "water-soaked" lesions (gray, some with
a yellow halo) on the leaf margins, with tip dieback.

n u m b e r s of c o n i d i o p h o r e s o n b o t h u p p e r

- Small reddish-brown to tan spots on the leaf blades.

T h e c o n i d i a c a n t h e n b e s p r e a d by f o o t

• The youngest leaves often have a twisted, "fishhook" appearance.

w i n d currents, s u r f a c e d r a i n a g e patterns,

from

page

5

T h e scorching 1 9 9 5 s u m m e r w a s followed
by o n e of t h e w e t t e s t a n d c o o l e s t s u m m e r s
o n r e c o r d in 1 9 9 6 . S o m e turf d a m a g e f r o m
G L S w a s e v i d e n t that year, a l t h o u g h limited m o s t l y t o c h l o r o s i s rather t h a n t h e
c o m p l e t e d e v a s t a t i o n s e e n t h e earlier year.
T h e s u m m e r of 1 9 9 8 w a s a n o t h e r h o t
a n d dry b a n n e r year for GLS, w i t h d a m a g e
reported in 2 0 states, as far north as R h o d e
Island and Iowa, and west to Kansas, Nebraska,
a n d O k l a h o m a , it a p p e a r e d that e x t r e m e ,
prolonged heat and drought coupled with
e x t e n d e d periods of leaf w e t n e s s w e r e again
t h e major p r e d i s p o s i n g f a c t o r s t o GLS.
Symptoms
Gray Leaf S p o t u s u a l l y first a p p e a r s in

• Leaves may have a fuzzy appearance in the morning, but there is usually no readily visible mycelium.
• Small (2-3") patches of "droughty", chlorotic turf
appear, which can enlarge to T-2' diameter patches
within 72 hours. Any bentgrass or Poa annua in the
turf will not be affected. Non-wilting Poa annua in a
stand of "wilting" perennial lyegrass is a good indicator.
This early "wilting" stage is usually short-lived.
• The droughty or wilted turf will not respond to
syringing or irrigation.
• The patches of blighted turf quickly coalesce into
large non-uniform areas, which then usually collapse
completely.
• Symptoms typically start in the rough and then
move into the lower-cut collars or fairway turf.

"heat sink" areas of t h e golf c o u r s e , e.g.
c o m p a c t e d a r e a s of r o u g h or south-west-

a n d l o w e r leaf s u r f a c e s , virtually o v e r n i g h t .
traffic, m a i n t e n a n c e e q u i p m e n t , g o l f carts,
or w a t e r s p l a s h . T h e s e c o n i d i a are t h e n
free t o g e r m i n a t e a s l o n g as t h e r e is free
m o i s t u r e p r e s e n t o n t h e leaf s u r f a c e . Leaf
w e t n e s s for d u r a t i o n ' s of 1 0 h o u r s or
m o r e s e e m s t o favor d i s e a s e d e v e l o p m e n t .
T h e p a t h o g e n g e n e r a l l y e n t e r s t h e plant
t h r o u g h recently m o w e d leaf tips, a l t h o u g h
it m a y a l s o b e able t o e n t e r a t t h e b a s e of
t h e p l a n t ( r e s u l t i n g in t h e y o u n g e s t leaf exhibiting t h e f i s h h o o k s y m p t o m s ) . Turf in
severely affected areas may be lost within
3-7 days of initial s y m p t o m e x p r e s s i o n .
In m o s t a r e a s G L S m a n i f e s t s itself a s
early a s late July or early A u g u s t , o t h e r

C o m p o u n d i n g identification c h a l l e n g e s

t i m e s n o t a p p e a r i n g until later. It c a n per-

f a c i n g s l o p e s . Nearby s h a d e d areas m a y

of G L S is t h e similarity of m a n y of t h e

sist w e l l t h r o u g h t h e first frost. A s t h e

n o t b e a f f e c t e d (even giving t h e i m p r e s s i o n

early s y m p t o m s t o t h o s e of

p a t h o g e n is a "vicious" damping-off a g e n t ,

of a "spray line" b e t w e e n t h e t w o areas).

b l i g h t a n d / o r Rhizoctonia

Pythium
b r o w n patch.

continued

on page

DIVOT
DRIFT...announcements...educational
seminars...job
opportunities
...tournament
results,..and miscellaneous items of interest to the membership.
INFORMATION
Our condolences are extended to Karl Heintzelmann and family on the recent passing of Karl's
father.
Please be aware that two meeting dates have
changed. The meeting at Marshfield C.C. will now
be held on July 12, and the meeting at White Cliffs
will be held on October 7.
P.I.E. Supply, headquartered in Milford, Conn.,
has been named the Legacy by Hunter golf irrigation equipment distributor for New England.
Legacy by Hunter is the golf course irrigation
division of Hunter Industries. P.I.E. will handle the
sales and service of Legacy by Hunter irrigation
systems throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and southern Maine. P.I.E has branches in
East Hartford and Milford, Conn. Hunter Industries recently acquired the Legacy product line
from Buckner, Inc. of Fresno, Calif. Hunter had
supplied Buckner with the Legacy G60, G70, and
G90 golf rotors since 1995. With the new acquisition, Hunter now also manufactures and markets
the Genesis Central Satellite and Viking Decoder
Control Systems. "The purchase of the Legacy Golf
line is an important step in Hunter's long-term
strategy to become a major supplier of golf course
irrigation equipment worldwide," reported CEO
Richard Hunter. Hunter Industries is among the

..ILILILULIAILUHLLBII.LIIULILJLLIUIL^

world's leading irrigation equipment manufacturers and offers a complete line of rotors, spray
heads, valves, and controllers for turf and landscape. The company is based in San Marcos, Calif.,
with a second manufacturing facility in Cary, N.C.

POSITION

OPENINGS

Superintendent. The Miacomet G.C. is a 9-hole
daily fee course located on Nantucket Island. The
course is a regulation par-37 seaside links style
course with 300 members. A new Legacy-Genesis
irrigation System was completed in May. Head
superintendent experience is preferable, or three
years of experience as an assistant superintendent.
Individual must have a Mass. Pesticide applicator's
license. Individual must have a working knowledge
of budgeting and fiscal responsibility; must be able
to oversee, train, and direct a staff; and formulate
a long-range plan. Yearly salary also includes
health and dental insurance, paid vacations, and
travel expenses. The club pays all association membership dues and license fees. Send resume to:
James LeBlanc, PGA, General Manager, Miacomet
Golf Club, Inc., P.O. Box 2479, Nantucket, MA
02584; phone calis accepted (508) 325-0333.
Assistant Superintendent. The Fresh Pond G.C.
is seeking an individual with a two-year degree in
turf management a n d / o r arboriculture; two years
of experience in golf course management; a Mass.
pesticide applicator's license; and driver's license.

Individual will be responsible for chemical and
fertilizer application; computer record-keeping on
Windows 95; irrigation system repair; equipment
repair; IPM scouting and reporting; staff training
and supervision; and Audubon certification. Salary
includes two week vacation, one week compensation time, paid holidays and sick time, contribution
toward health insurance, national and local association dues, and paid local conferences. Send
resume to: DHSP, 51 Inman St., Cambridge, MA
02139, Attention Pat Johnson, Asst. Supt.

TOURNAMENT

RESULTS

Scholarship & Benevolence Tournament
May 17, 1 9 9 9
Wachusett G.G., West Boylston, Mass.
1st Gross: Jack Hassett, Bob Hassett (69)*
2nd Gross: Mike Cummings, Mark Prendergast
(69)
1st Net: Kevin "The Wizard of" Osgood, Greg Day
(57)
2nd Net: Pat "I Play Golf" Daly, Tom Larson (59)
3rd Net: Dave Lafffey, Bill Thompson (62)*
4th Net: Scott Hurt, Mike Ahearn (62)
Closest to the Pin #4: John Nadeau - 56"
Closest to the Pin #18: Mike Keane - 13"
(They both made great 3's)
* indicates match of cards

8

Page

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

9 Leuba 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 â bunker sand, decorative stone,
landscape materials.
Frank Will, Charlie Downing, Patty Lindskog
(800) 4-AA-WILL

Apr-Svo U.S.A. Co.

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

Alien's Seed Store Inc.
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 MoniTor, 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

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

Sodco Inc.

D.L. Maher Co.

F A Bartlett Tree Expert Co.

Sports Club Management

F.D.I., Inc.

Miller Golf Construction

Dahm Tibbett
Professional Golf Services

(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 4 Sod Farm

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

Hartney Greymont

Boston irrigation Supply Company

International Golf Construction Co.

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

Modern Aeration Service, inc.

212 Kenrick St., Newton, MA 02458-2732
Featuring water injection aeration.
Kevin O s g o o d - ( 6 1 7 ) 630-1950

R.F. l o r s s & Sons, Inc.

22 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham, MA 02576-0099
Larry Anshewitz, Jack Cronin, Chris Cowan,
Alan Anderson
(508) 295-1553

Nardone Sand and Gravel, inc.

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

North Shore Hydroseeding

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

5 Purcell Rd„ Arlington, MA 02474
Golf course construction.
Antonios Paganis - (781) 648-2351;
(508) 428-3022

Brendan Corporation

irrigation Management & Services

Cavicchio 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 LakeviewAve., Natick, MA 01760
Irrigation consultation, design, and
system evaluation.

Bob Healey, ASIC, CID - (508) 653-0625

Tom Irwin inc.
11B A St., Burlington, MA 01803-3404
Jack Peterson, Wayne Ripley, Paul Skafas,
Chris Peterson, Jack Pluta, Greg Misodoulakis
(800) 582-5959

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

32 Nickerson Rd„ 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, & Mungeum, inc.

Landmark Construction

Koonz Sprinkler Supply, ins.

20 Wenham St., Danvers, MA 01923
Hydroseeding & erosion control
Brian King - (978) 762-8737

Movartis Specialty Products, inc.

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

Partac Peat Corporation

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

Larchmont Engineering

Country Golf, 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

üliiáiiLMkkMt^^

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

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

Tuekahoe Turf Farms, Inc.

P. D. 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 Co.,
Douglas Rollers, Trion Lifts.
Tom F o x - ( 5 0 8 ) 865-9150

TurfNef Associates, Inc.

21 Brandywine Rd., Skillman, NJ 08558
Cutting edge communication for
the golf course industry.
Peter McCormick - (800) 314-7929

Turf Partners, Inc.

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

Turf Products Corp.

United Horticultural Supply

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

J.P. Roberts Company

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

T@g and Green Sod, Inc.

Prescription Turf Services, inc.

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

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

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

For your irrigation needs; dedicated to sales
and service of quality irrigation equipment.
(203) 878-0658

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

Country Club Enterprises

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

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

P.i.E. Supply Co.

Read Sand and Gravel, Inc.

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

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

ilsMuity Construction Corp.

433 Chestnut St., Needham, MA 02492-2822
Tree care, landscape construction, consulting.
M a r k T o b i n - ( 7 8 1 ) 444-1227

166 River R d , P.O. Box 520
Unionville, CT 06085-0520
Golf course and landscape supplies.
John Callahan, Dennis Freil - (800) 861-6256

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

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

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

The Carina!®, inc.

Shawnmark Industries, Inc.

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

Charles C. Hart Seed Co., Ins.

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

65 Glenn S t , Lawrence, MA 01843
Deep-tine, core, & water-injection aerification,
DOL & Verti-Seed overseeding, irrigation services.
Jim Favreau - (800) 999-TURF

Michael Drake Construction, inc.

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

Bayer Corporation

The Borden Company

Loffs Seed, inc.

SBI Turf Services

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

100 First Ave., Boston, MA 02129
Manufacturer & supplier of dry organic fertilizers.
Kristen Patneaude - (617) 788-4437
118 ElleryAve., Middletown, Rl 02842
Bayleton, Merit, Dyiox, Tempo
Brad Herman - (800) 842-8020

20005 Lake Rd., Rocky River, OH 44116
Ron Tumiski, Mike Donohue, Jim Wierzbicki
(800) 321-5325

Dow/Eianco

31 Old Town Trail, Narragansett, Rl 02882
Bob S c o t t - ( 4 0 1 ) 376-7290

250 West Rd., Canterbury, NH 03224-2127
Growers of turfgrass and ornamentals
Bill Thompson, Malcolm McPhail
Lexington, M A - ( 7 8 1 ) 861-1111
Canterbury, NH - (603) 783-4717

Bay State Fertilizer/SflWRA

Lssco Inc.

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

Sawtelle Brothers

65 Glenn St., Lawrence, MA 01843
Bob Brown, Larry Bunn, Mike Hannigan,
Frank Higgins, John Lenhart
(978) 682-9296

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

Varney Bros. Sand & Gravel

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

Winfieid Nursery, Inc.

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

Philip Wogan & George F. Sargent, Jr.

Golt Course Architects
17 Walker R d , Topsfield, MA 01983
(978) 887-3672

Zip Type Service

50 Kent Street, Newburyport, MA 01950
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Gray

Leaf Spot, Part

continued

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from page 6

fungicidal protection of over-seeded turf is
critical for successful re-establishment
Genetic characteristics and concerns
Pyricuiaria grisea infects over 50 hosts
within the grasses, including tall fescues
as well as the ryegrasses and St. Augustine
Grass. Dr. Mark Farman of the University
of Kentucky is doing extensive research
with DNA fingerprinting of GLS isolates
to determine genetic variability, as the first
step toward breeding durable resistance to
GLS in ryegrasses and tall fescues.
Farman has found that GLS isolates from
different grasses all look different, so they
appear to be specific to certain hosts. As
such, isolates infecting perennial ryegrass
are probably not from rice or weed hosts.
However, Farman found isolates from
tall fescue to be highly virile on perennial
ryegrass, so it looks like there may be crossinfectivity between perennial ryegrass and
tall fescue (closely related taxonomically).
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According to Farman, most GLS isolates
appear to be reproducing asexuaily rather
than by sexual genetic recombination, which
makes it easier to develop controls without
worrying about continually facing new
strains arising from genetic recombination.
Because of the narrow range of identified
GLS isolates, it is reasonable to conclude
that GLS is a relatively "young" disease.
Although strains of GLS are genetically
similar, DNA fingerprint groups may be
geographically dispersed. There may be
different isolates of GLS on the same golf
course, or one isolate may be found
across several states.
Research by Pure Seed Testing in North
Carolina found a wide range of susceptibility
to GLS within tall fescue varieties (from
Coronado and Coyote being very resistant
to Kentucky 31 being extremely susceptible),
although GLS has not been seen on tall
fescue north of North Carolina.
Tall fescues as a rule are much more
tolerant of GLS than perennial ryegrasses,
though there is a wide range of susceptibility

among ryegrasses when under light to
moderate disease pressure. There is no high
degree of resistance to GLS among ryegrasses when under severe disease pressure.
Complete resistance has yet to be
identified in any cultivar of perennial ryegrass or tall fescue. Breeders are looking
at potential hybridization of tall fescue and
perennial ryegrass as a source of resistance
to GLS. There is currently one annual ryegrass-x-tall fescue hybrid that displays
complete resistance, but it would have to
be further bred for turf-type characteristics.
According to Dr. Bruce Clarke, breeders
at Rutgers are looking for GLS- resistant
germplasm from outside the U.S. A GLSresistant gene has been identified in rice,
so they will look at ways to introduce it
into perennial ryegrass cultivars.
It appears plant breeders must go back
to the drawing board to "reinvent" turf-type
grasses from GLS-resistant parent grasses,
which unfortunately takes time and won't
be a viable solution in the near future.
See Part II in the July Newsletter.

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