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.

September 1999

Wisdom of many superintendent mentors
helps Corny on the way to Willowbend
I t took five years for Mark Casey to go
from aimless to direct hit.
Aimless describes his four years of
floating like a butterfly, stinging like a fruit
fly. In other words, Mark spent four years
at Boston College but his major, sociology,
didn't do much, to turn on his ambition.
So, he said good-bye to that projected
confined life and headed for the outdoors.
This translated into life as a golf course
superintendent as he scored a direct hit
on landing the head superintendent job
at Willowbend.
Sounds like a rags to riches story,
which it is. After all, Casey really didn't
know what his life's work would be until
he realized that testing the waters at the
Mt. Hood Golf Course while a Melrose
High School student was the awakening
of a golf course superintendent in waiting.
"I got started playing at age 13 by
caddying once for my brother," Mark told
of his introduction to the game. "Summer
days spent on the links playing up to 36

In this issue
Page
Calendar of

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2

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3

. . . . . . . .

4

Events....

The Super Speaks Out
Remember

When?

. .

UMass News
GCSAA News
Divot Drift

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; . .

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4 Sc5

. 5&é

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6

holes a day lead into full time summer
employment for BC Flynn's Golf Course
Management Company. They offered me
a job running carts in the morning and
evenings. At sixteen I was working on the
maintenance crew. Spending summers
on the golf course as a high school
student got into my blood. However,
family tradition headed me to BC and
I fought through the next four years in
the sociology field."
After graduation Mark knew his future
was vested in golf. He signed up for the
two-year course at Stockbridge School,
raced through the paces there, and cast
his aspirations upon the superintendents'
apprentice waters.
Mark admits that everything fell into
place after finishing Boston College.
"I had high aspirations to excel in the
profession." he said. His first stop on
the way to that goal was the Ferncroft
Country Club where Paul Johnson calls
the shots.
"Working at Ferncroft and for Paul
Johnson gave me a chance to develop
my work ethics in the profession," Mark
said "Working under Paul was a real
education in itself. He taught me the
meaning of the word commitment. It was
nothing for me to work three straight
weeks without a day off."
"Those two years of total commitment
proved to be the basis for my determination
to move along and get my career in an
upbeat mode. That came when I left
Ferncroft and joined Bob Hobbs at the
Haverhill Country Club."

'Early ©ra he (jack Cronin)
convinced me it would fee
to my advantage f © work
for m many superintendents
at quality courses that I
can. it proved good advice,
because I gained my
experience from <a lot of
different people and had
the advantage @f feeding
off a lot of different
professional
approaches."
Mark Casey
Willowbend
The Haverhill stay was a short one.
Casey explained that he went back to
basics there, concentrating on turf
agronomy and putting another impressive
notation on his resume. Casey spent only
one year at Haverhill, but he used the
advice of a former superintendent and
successful salesman, Jack Cronin, to
quicken his steps to the top.
"Jack's a great guy. Early on he
convinced me it would be to my advantage
to work for as many superintendents at
quality courses that I can. It proved good
advice, because I gained my experience
from a lot of different people and had the
continued on page 2

Page 6

p-Jt^Xí.^,

PRESIDENT
K e v i n F. O s g o o d
14 I n m a n Lane, Foxborough, M A 0 2 0 3 5
617-630-1950
Fax 6 1 7 - 9 6 9 - 8 7 5 6
N e w t o n C o m m o n w e a l t h Golf C o u r s e
VICE PRESIDENT
Robert Ruszala
69 Gelinas Drive, C h i c o p e e , M A 0 1 0 2 0
413-256-8654
Fax 4 1 3 - 5 9 4 - 4 5 7 1
Hickory Ridge Country Club
SECRETARY
J a m e s Fitzroy, C G C S
3 5 7 W . S q u a n t u m Street, North Qulncy, M A 0 2 1 7 1
617-328-1776
Fax 6 1 7 - 3 2 8 - 9 4 7 9
Presidents Golf Course
TREASURER
M i c h a e l V. l a c o n o , C G C S
42 N e w t o n Street, W e s t o n , M A 0 2 4 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 P e n n a c o o k Road, Tewksbury, M A 0 1 8 7 6
781 - 4 8 4 - 5 4 4 0
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
978-297-1 223
Fax 9 7 8 - 2 9 7 - 0 9 1 1
T h e W l n c h e n d o n Golf C l u b
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 7 8 1 - 7 2 1 - 1 5 6 1
Winchester Country Club
GOLF CHAIRMAN
M i c h a e l J. H e r m a n s o n
P. O . B o x 1 4 5 , G a r d n e r , M A 0 1 4 4 0
978-632-2713
Fax 9 7 8 - 6 3 2 - 2 7 1 3
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
F a x 7 8 1 - 3 4 1 - 8 5 6 4 , «51
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
978-256-5664
Fax 9 7 8 - 2 5 6 - 5 6 6 4
Chelmsford Country Club
PAST PRESIDENT
Robert 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
Fax 6 1 7 - 5 2 7 - 0 0 6 9
Brae Burn Country Club

K T T H E I

NEWSLETTER
GCSANE Headquarters
175 Highland Avenue, N e e d h a m , M A 02494-3034
(781)453-8668
Fax (781) 4 4 9 - 4 0 2 0
Newsletter Editor
Contributing Editor
Business Manager

Bussali Heller
Q e r r y Finn
. . M i c h a e l V. l a e s n s , 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 t h i s 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.

AÜIHIL.IIIUHIUIJAII.IJDIIAHLL.LLLHI^

continued

from page 1

advantage of feeding off a lot of different
professional approaches."
Thus, with that mentality in place, Mark
accepted an offer to become an assistant
superintendent at the Winchester Country
Club under the direction of a solid
GCSANE citizen, Dan Higgins. "My two
years with Dan at Winchester proved to
be a kind of post-graduate course for me
in the profession," Mark said, "Dan was
the perfect person to learn from and
Winchester is a great course from which
to launch a career."
"Dan was willing to give me as much
responsibility as I could manage without
faltering. I absorbed everything. I was
hungry to become someone in Dan's mold,
so I took every bit of help he offered
through the two seasons. He had me
involved in IPM and Audubon programs
and allowed me to schedule the crew and
manage the chemical application program.
Dan showed me how to manage people
and to delegate authority. I hope for his
sake he fulfills his dream of becoming a
rock-and-roll star."
The Willowbend position opened up
when Chris Tufts left to take over the top
post at the Pleasant Valley Country Club.
Casey had to convince Willowbend owner
Paul Fireman (who said, "No pressure,
Mark, just make it perfect") and director
of golf Bob St. Thomas that he was ready
for a giant step in his career, and he came
through with flying colors.
The appointment was announced in
April, and Casey's been riding the high
road at Willowbend ever since. In that
span, between spring and late summer,
he's been on a merry-go-round of excitement and pressure.
Mark had 12 weeks to prepare for a
posh pro-am tourney, featuring the likes
of Greg Norman and Fuzzy Zoeller. and
all coming under the strain of preparing
the course in drought conditions.
"I was a little jumpy at first," Mark
admitted. "But 1 relied on an outstanding
crew that had experience preparing for
the event. They had set up and broken
down miles of rope, fence, and tents for
the previous five years. They have done a
great job for me all year. The tournament
was a success, raising approximately
$60,000 for charity. I also had wonderful
support from my wife, Laura, who was
thrust into a pressure situation bringing

'My two years with Dan
(Higgins) at Winchester
proved f© be a kind of
post-graduate course for
me in the profession."
Mark Casey
Willowbend
up our daughter, Alyssa, while awaiting
the arrival of another addition to the
Casey family."
On top of all this, Mark has caught on
as a volunteer on-course worker for the
Ryder Cup matches at The Country Club.
All of this, too, in five short years. An
instant success story? Hmmm. You just
read it.
GERRY FINN

C a l e n d a r
S e p t e m b e r 2 8 G C S A N E Monthly M e e t i n g
Presidents Golf Course
Quincy, Mass.
S u p t - Jim Fitzroy, CGCS
October 7

G C S A N E Monthly M e e t i n g
White Cliffs Country Club
Plymouth, Mass.
Supt. - Lianne Larson

October 12

New England Championship
Nashua Country Club
Nashua, N.H.
S u p t - Barrie Robertson

October 2 0

P r o / S u p t Tournament
The Willowbend Club
Mashpee, Mass.
Supt. - Mark Casey

November 1

G C S A N E Monthly M e e t i n g
Brae Burn Country Club
The Highland Course (9 Holes)
Supt, - Bob DiRico, CGCS

N o v e m b e r 16

GCSAA Seminar
Human Resource M a n a g e m e n t
The International
Bolton, Mass.

N o v e m b e r 17

GCSAA S e m i n a r
B u d g e t i n g & Forecasting
The International
Bolton, Mass.

December 3

7 5 t h A n n i v e r s a r y Gala
Blue Hills Country Club
Canton, Mass.

1

Page 3
ilJ i l

'odLAliliiLÀj^^

The Snjp(sr S f e ® © a t
This month's question:

Is there stress connected
with your job, and if so, how do you handle it?
Briam Linehan, Heritage Hill Country
Club: "Being a golf course superintendent
is definitely a stress situation. Lots of
pressure and demands that seem to
increase every year. In fact, the job would
be a source of stress even without those
demands because I think we are inclined
to be our own worst critics. So, in many
instances we bring stress on ourselves.
"I'm like a lot of other superintendents,
a perfectionist. I guess that adds to the
pressure I feel. I think I want my golf
course to be in better shape than even the
players do. Therefore, I feel I'm under the
gun all the time.
"It's probably a little tougher on me to
release that pressure, stick pins in the
stress because I live on the golf course.
That means when I go home, I go home
to the golf course. Trying to get it, the
surroundings, out of mind isn't easy.
"There are a number of ways I handle
the stress and try to neutralize it. One of
my favorite relief activities is to take my
dog, Guinness, for a walk. You'd be
surprised how much something like that
can relax you. I look forward to those
walks because my dog really turns my
thinking away from my everyday chores
and problems.
"Because living on the course makes
my overall life more confining than if I
lived away from it, that's just what I do.
I get away from the course by going out
to dinner, to the movies, or taking part in
some other form of entertainment. In fact,
one of the activities that really helps clear
my mind is working out in the gym. That
actually is a double-edged aid for me
because it's a plus both physically and
mentally.
"Oh, one other relaxing activity for
me is to keep in touch with other superintendents. I like to discuss mutual problems
with them. That way it's sort of a team
feeling in an attempt to reduce stress.
"I think all these things work because
I'm still happy with my job and anxious to
keep the course in the best condition I can."

S t e v e Cronin, Pinecrest Golf Club: "This
is my fifth year as a head superintendent,
and I can say without hesitation that it's
the most stressful I've ever experienced.
The weather has been the trigger for
this. Having to operate under drought
conditions with a manual irrigation
system isn't exactly the road to fun, games,
and relaxation.
"Because of these circumstances, this
has been a season when I've had to keep
my attention riveted to the course seven
days and nights a week. Trying to hold off
the effects of extremely dry conditions with
what amounts to antiquated equipment
has pushed my stress button and held it
down there.
"There's another distraction to my
everyday problems that is part of this
year's stress buildup. A mosquito control
project, conducted by the state, is being
conducted on our course. In the end, it's
going to help because they're digging out
an old pond and the water will help when
we get our automatic irrigation system in
place. That's half-complete, so there's a
light at the end of the tunnel.
"However, there's still this year to
cope with and I do whatever I can to get
my mind off what's going on here.

'"One of the relaxing
activities for me is playing
golf. I'm able to play with
my boardl members on
occasion and it helps.
St gets everybody involved
in problems they may not
realize until they see them
for themselves/'

,ilJiiilL,ljtiiiiiUiliiii.liiiii.iHi.liiiJiiiii.i,liiiiiilJililli.liiUiiilJiIii

Stem Curry
Berkshire Hills C. C.

"One of my helping activities is
mountain biking. I do a lot of that when
I can get away from the course. It's really
good for the body and good for the mind.
It's a release thing and it works when I'm
trying to push all my job problems to the
back burner.
"The one big weapon I have in trying
to keep stress from overwhelming my life
is the future or the things I have working
for me down the road. First of ail, there's
the new automatic irrigation system. Just
the thought of having that to rely on is a
huge relief. Also on the agenda here is a
new maintenance building and a new
clubhouse. Projecting working conditions
with these welcomed additions on hand
keeps me going the 100 percent I always
put into my job. I know that eventually
my stress will be under control."
S t e v e Cutty, Berkshire Hills Country
Club: "There's no other way to describe
my place on the stress scale. Because of
a lot of ice damage from the typical
Berkshire winter and the dry season that
followed, the stress meter here is jumping
through the ceiling. In a word, it's been a
golf season when it's been as stressful as
it ever gets.
"Just to add to the normal flow of
pressure, I've changed my maintenance
approach which means I have to re-educate
my crew as well as the players. This is
something that would require much more
time and space to explain. Regardless,
the modification means everyone has to
adjust - course workers and course players.
That's a cue for stress to increase.
"Getting through these periods of
stress requires some doing. One of the
relaxing activities for me is playing golf.
I'm able to play with my board members
on occasion and it helps. It gets everybody
involved in problems they may not realize
until they see them for themselves.
"Getaway time is another stress fighter.
I use this by taking two directions. One is
available in the off-season because I'm an
avid hunter. The other is my favorite, just
taking my five-year-old daughter out for
the day and having one-on-one fun time.
"Stress comes with the job, especially
this one. Oh, yes, there's one other relief
aid I use when all the other things fail. I
just punch out the nearest wall. Funny, I
never feel a thing."
GEMMY FINN

Page 6

Remember When?

Remember

Wiien?:

Remember
When? looks at significant
individuals and events of GCSANE's past.

2 5 years ago
It was a championship month for sweet
swingers of the association and the results
found Phil Cassidy emerging as seniors
champion, Brian Cowan coming out on
top as super champion and net prizes
going to Mark Taylor, Bruce Petrelli and
Dave Barber.
Congratulations go out to Eric Brown,
Ronald Hanson, Allen Deblasio and
Michael Hermanson, voted in as associate
members. Also, a special welcome to new
honorary members Dr. Eliot Roberts and
Dr. Richard Skogley.

15 years ago
One of the patriarchs of the profession
has decided to dust off the old rocking
chair and try his hand at doing nothing.
"In other words, I've decided to retire,"
cracked Narry Sperandio who has walked
the golf course superintendent's tightrope
without a slip for 50 years, the last 40 as
head super at the Concord Country Club.
To say that Sperandio is a legend goes
with the program. When he first applied
for the job at Concord, Narry shocked
the membership with salary demands

 look m GCSANE's

that seemed way out of line. Then he
punctuated the scene by telling club
officials they'd have to come to him with
a job offer if they wanted him.
"I suppose you could call me the
original rebel of our business," commented
Narry, who recently celebrated his 71st
birthday. "I guess I didn't mince my
words. But there was another side to
my approach. For the last 40 years at
Concord I've been saying, yes, yes, yes to

When he first applied for
the job at Concord, Narry
(Sperandio) shocked the
membership with salary
demands thai seemed
way out of fine. Then he
punctuated the scene
by telling club officials
they'd have to come to
him with a job offer if they
wanted him.

past

my bosses, then do what I wanted to do.
I've always made my own decisions.
However, my relation with Concord and
its members has been wonderful."
So wonderful, in fact, that at the time
of his retirement the club is building a
retirement home for Narry and his family.
It's located behind the 11th green at Concord, so Narry can serve watch on his
successor.
It just so happened that Sperandio
and Concord were the hosts for the
monthly meeting of the GCSANE. There,
the monthly tournament was a blind draw
during which the subject of their handicaps
crowded other conservation from the 19th
hole with all eyes and complaining mouths
stuck on the net 59 turned in by the team
of Ron Kirkman and Dick Duggan.

5 years ago
The association lost one of its popular
members when Mike Legere pulled stakes
to accept the head superintendent's job at
the Holly Hills Country Club in Ijamsville,
Maryland. The club is noted for some of
its more renowned players, especially
President Bill Clinton, who uses Holly
Hills as a birdie and bogey stop.
GEKMY FINN

UMass News

UMass Winter Seh&&I fs>s° Turf
Managers
accepting applications for J - w e e k course
T h e University of Massachusetts Winter
School for Turf Managers is now accepting
applications. This seven-week course is
designed to furnish students with the
concepts essential to maintaining high
quality turfgrass.
The deadline for applications is
October 1, 1999. Classes run from
January 3 through February 18, 2000.
UMass Winter School for Turf
Managers is intended especially for the
professional who wants to expand his
skills and advance in his chosen career
but cannot schedule a two or four year
program. Winter School is most

Application deadline is
October 1, 1999 for classes
Jan. 3 through Feb. ¡8, 2000.
appropriate for those professionals
associated with the management of golf
courses, athletic fields, parks, industrial,
municipal and private grounds, fine lawns,
and other fine quality turf situations.
Enrollment is limited. A high school
diploma is required. This course has been
approved for pesticide applicator contact
hours in the New England states. Most

other states accept this approval toward
their own applicator licensing and
certification programs.
For a brochure describing the UMass
Winter School for Turf Managers, and for
an application, contact: Trudie Goodchild,
Division of Continuing Education, Winter
School for Turf Managers, University of
Massachusetts, Box 31650, Amherst, MA
01003-1650; tel. (413) 545-2484 or e-mail
goodchild@admin.umass.edu. You may
also visit the UMass Turf Program web
page at www.umass.edu/umext/turf.
For curriculum questions, call Mary Owen,
UMass Extension, at (508) 892-0382.

Page 5

dUUà

AMÚALIALLIHÜALLuíLLI

IUUT.IIIU.ILI.LJIUI.IRIII.IIJII

UNass News

Stockbridge turfgrass curriculum revisions
include Cooperative Work Training
program
By Dr. Gail L. Schumann
and Dr. Scott Ebdon
Over the past year, the faculty who teach
in the Stockbridge Turf Management
Program have worked closely with the
UMass Turfgrass Program Advisory Board,
additional professional turfgrass managers,
and Stockbridge Director Nancy Garrabrants
to revise and improve the curriculum. These
changes go into effect with the incoming
class of students in September 1999.
One of the most significant changes was
to shorten the Cooperative Work Training
to allow more classroom time. We hope
increased classwork will improve academic
preparation of turf students to meet the
higher demands of today's working
environment and will offset disadvantages
of less time as a summer intern. Luckily,
most Stockbridge turf students come to
the program with considerable work
experience. Those who work on golf
courses also will probably have supervision
by a superintendent for several years
following Cooperative Work Training.
The turf faculty are working together
to supervise the Cooperative Work Training
assignments. We would like to receive
position listings by November 15 so students
can make requests known to the faculty
before the end of the fall semester. We
strongly recommend that they do their
Cooperative Work Training at a location
differentfromwhere they previously worked,
so they can observe a different management approach. The faculty will meet
during winter semester break to make
assignments, which will be made known to
students when they return to school at the
end of January. Students will then contact
their assigned supervisor to determine if
they will be accepted. If the assignment is
not acceptable to all parties, students will
return to the turf faculty for re-assignment.
Position descriptions should be sent to
the Stockbridge School office, where they
will be placed in a notebook for students.
For $15 you may also have your listing
posted on the Stockbridge School website
(www.umass.edu/stockbridge).
.IJLLAHDIDLIRILLIIRIL.L^IHLLIULLHIL^

One of the biggest changes
will be the starting date.
Students can begin training
following the end &f classes.
Students could start working
©n Monday, May 15.
One of the biggest changes will be the
starting date. Students can begin training
following the end of classes. Classes end
Thursday, May 11, so students could start
working on Monday, May 15. All of us who
participated in the curriculum revision
considered problems and inconveniences
for both students and employers before we
established these changes. We feel strongly
that benefits outweigh disadvantages.
We will monitor effects of the changes
and modify the program as needed. In the
meantime, we welcome comments and
suggestions on both academic and Cooperative Work Training changes, and look
forward to working with all of you to
continue to improve the Stockbridge Turf
Management Program. The program would
not be possible without your valuable
instruction and supervision of our student

interns. We send our appreciation to all
of you who accommodate these students
in your workplace and help prepare them
for their future professional careers.
If you gave questions or concerns,
please contact one of the following:
Dr. Gail Schumann, (413) 545-3413;
Dr. Scott Ebdon, (413) 545-2506;
Ms. Nancy Garrabrants, Director,
Stockbridge School, (413) 545-2222.
Recommended information for
Cooperative Work Training positions:
• Company name, address, phone, fax,
e-mail address, website address
° Contact person
• Number of holes, public /private
° Job description and responsibilities
8
Special opportunities such as
construction or design projects
° Requirements/Qualifications
• Wage/Salary/Benefits (e.g. housing)
• Application requirements (resume,
cover letter, etc.)
9
Application deadline
Mail by November 15 to: Stockbridge
School of Agriculture, Stockbridge Hall
Rm. 115, University of Massachusetts at
Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003. Or visit the
Stockbridge website at www.umass.edu/
stockbridge/jobs.

GCSAA NEWS

GCSMMi New England seminars 1999-2000
T h e following GCSAA seminars will be
coming to New England soon:
1 0 / 2 5 / 9 9 - Wildlife Management &
Habitat Conservation, Manchester, N.H.
1 0 / 2 6 / 9 9 - Physical Problems of
Turfgrass Soils: Identification &
Correction, Brewster, Mass.
1 1 / 1 6 / 9 9 - Human
Resource
Management, Bolton, Mass.
1 1 / 1 7 / 9 9 - Budgeting
Bolton, Mass.

&

Forecasting,

1 2 / 1 / 9 9 - Bentgrass Summer
Management for Cool/Humid
Berlin, Conn.

Stress
Regions,

1 2 / 2 / 9 9 - Problems and Solutions:
Using Annuals & Perennials in the
Golfscape, Berlin, Conn.
1 / 1 8 / 0 0 - Evaluating Your Golf Course
Irrigation System, Rockport, Maine
3 / 6 / 0 0 - Managing Turfgrass
Systems, Providence, R.I.

Root

3 / 6 / 0 0 - Management of Localized
Spots & Water Repellent Soils,
Providence, R.I.

Dry

3 / 1 5 / 0 0 - Bentgrass Management &
Rootzone Maintenance, Manchester, Vt

1

Page 6

H^iliUliiUàliiliikkiakUàM^i
GCSAA News

GCSAA seeks volunteers for committee service
T h e GCSAA is looking for volunteers
to join a GCSAA committee. If you're
interested, please submit the volunteer
interest form by October 1. The GCSAA
will request evaluation information from
your local association president. Then the
GCSAA will review the information and
make appointments by early April.
Responsibilities include:
s

5

Preparing for or participating in o n e
committee meeting a n d / o r one or
more conference calls. Meetings are
one to two days and usually held at
GCSAA headquarters. The GCSAA pays
travel expenses.
Responding to phone, fax, a n d / o r
E-mail requests for information and

feedback t h r o u g h o u t the committee
year.
• Communicating ideas and issues to the
committee chairman and staff liaison.
If y o u are selected for a GCSAA
committee, the rewards for your involvement include:
8

Networking with other GCSAA leaders
from around the country.

8

Knowing that y o u are contributing to
the value and quality of membership
in GCSAA.

8

H o n i n g your communication, planning
and analytical skills to enhance your
o w n career.

DIVOl
DRIFJ...announcements...educational
...tournament
results...and
miscellaneous
MEMBERSHIP
Welcome New Members: Thomas Barnes, Super
intendent, Acushnet Valley G.C.; Matthew Barrett
Assistant, Acushnet Valley G.C.; Ted Zubiel, Assis
tant, Rolling Green G.C.; Stephen Brochu
Assistant, Middleton G.C.; Timothy Strano, Superintendent Concord C.C.; Petrie Anton, Assistant
Newton Commonwealth G.C.; Greeno, Friend.
Proposed For Membership: Andy Langlois, Affiliate, P.I.E. Supply Co.; Paul Rothwell,
Superintendent Port Royal G.C.; John Dryjowicz,
Superintendent, Westover G.C.

INFORMATION
Whoever left two golf clubs behind at the 75th
Anniversary Tournament in Marshfield should call
Bob Matthews at (781) 837-3047 to claim them.
The GCSANE has awarded two scholarships from
money raised at the Scholarship and Benevolence
Tournament held this past May. The Thomas
Schofield Award went to Eric Matthews, son of
Bob Matthews. Eric is a first year student at
Brandeis University. The second scholarship went
to Hayley Ann Barber, daughter of Dave Barber.
Hayley is attending Fitchburg State College. Congratulations to both.

You can volunteer by submitting the
online volunteer interest form in the
committee directory section of GCSAA's
w e b site at www.gcsaa.org.
You can also
obtain a form by contacting GCSAA's
service center at mbrhelp@gcsaa.org
or
by p h o n e at (800) 4 7 2 - 7 8 7 8 .

If you're interested in
committee service for next
yearall you need to do
is submit the volunteer
interest form by October L

seminars..
items of interest

On November 3, 1099, the New Hampshire
GCSA will host the USGA Green Section. This
educational event will take place at the Executive
Court in Manchester, N.H. The NHGCSA invites all
golf course superintendents, green committee
chairpersons, owners, and club officials to attend.
Registration, coffee, and danish are from 8-8:45
a.m. USGA education is 9 a.m.-12 noon. Proper
dress requested. The price of this event is $45.
Checks can be made out to NHGCSA and sent to
80 Nashua Road, #C3, Box 15, Londonderry, NH
03053. Directions: Route 93 north to exit 5 to
route 28 north.
Please note that the November 16 and 17 GCSAA
conferences have been moved to the Framingham
Sheraton Hotel. The dates have not changed.
The "Nor'easter" Hospitality Room will be held
on Thursday, February 17 from 6-8 p.m. at the New
Orleans Marriott. Please be sure to attend.
Congratulations to Bill Affinito on recently accepting the head superintendent position at the
Miacomet Golf Club.
Dave and Kathy Comee recently celebrated their
25th wedding anniversary. Here's to 25 more.
Congratulations Dave and Kathy.
Speaking of weddings, I am very pleased to announce that on September 11 I took the lovely
Raina Brickley as my wife.

Job
opportunities
to the
membership.
SEMINARS

UMass Extension is sponsoring two pesticide
recertification training workshops: Pesticide
Storage, Transportation, Disposal & Collection,
and Current National Issues Relating to Pesticides.
For more information contact UMass Extension at
(413) 545-1044.

ITEMS

FOR SALE

Dan Biggins is having his annual fall house
cleaning. He has the following items available at
rock-bottom prices:
1997 Toro 216 mower w / 5-bfaded reels and
3-wheel drive, $9000
2 Terra 320 Aerifiers w / hydraulic hook to tractor,
$1000 each; Rogers Slice Seeder, $1500
Toro Sand Plow Blade, $250
Rake assembly for old style Sand Pro, $250
15' Smithco Spray Boom, $500.
Call Dan Higgins or Steve Hunt at (781) 729-3809
for further information.

Page
IIÛÀULLÈÛLURI.LÛÉÛLIIUUIIILT^

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

1357 Main St., Coventry, Rl 02816-8435
Articulator, Terra Topper, Greens Groomer
brush, & used equipment.
Mike Cornicelli- (401) 826-2584

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

Douglas Equipment Corp.

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

A.A. Will Materials Corp.

Dow/Elanco

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

Michael Draks Construction, Inc.

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

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

âgr-Evo U.S.A. Co.

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

Allen'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

Bartiett Tree Expert Co.

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

31 Old Town Trail, Narragansett, Rl 02882
Bob Scott-(401) 376-7290
240 Walnut St., Framingham, MA 01702
Golf course reconstruction; professional shaper.
Michael Drake - (508) 875-8247

F.A, Bartiett Tree Expert Co.

F.D.I., inc.

Miller Qoif Construction

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

Gold Star Nursery S Sod Farm

Bayer Corporation

Charles C. Hart lead Co., inc.

The Borden Company

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

Hartney Greymont

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

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

Boston Irrigation Soppily Company

international Golf Construction Co.

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

Breudan Corporation

Irrigation Management I Services

40 Walker St., Swansea, MA 02777
Doug Hopper -(508) 379-0092

The Cardinais, Ins.

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

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

Tom Irwin ine.

Cavicchro Landscape Supply, Inc.

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

Cedar Lawn Tree Service, 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

110 Codjer Lane, Sudbury, MA 01776
Annuals, perennials, garden mums, ground
covers, loam, and mulch.
Darren Young - (978) 443-7177
32 Nickerson Rd„ Ashland, MA 01721
Pruning, fertilization, removal,
and professional care.
William P. Maley - (508) 881-2622

Cornish, Silva, & Mungeum, Inc.
207 N. Main St., Uxbridge, MA 01569
Golf course architects.
(508) 278-3407

Country Club Enterprises

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

Country Golf, Inc.

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

McNulty Construction Corp.

P. 0. Box 3218, Framingham, MA 01705-3218
Asphalt paving of cart paths, walkways,
parking areas; imprinted asphalt.
John McNulty - (508) 679-8875

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

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

D.L Maber Co.

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

250 West Rd„ Canterbury, NH 03224-2127
Growers of turfgrass and ornamentals
Bill Thompson, Malcolm McPhail
Lexington, M A - ( 7 8 1 ) 851-1111
Canterbury, NH - (603) 783-4717

Bav State Fertilizer/MWRA

Lofts Seed, Inc.

Ken Jones Tire, Inc.

Koonz Sprinkler Supply, Ins.

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

1 Leicester Rd., Marbiehead, 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 Osgood-(617) 830-1950

R.F. ¡Worse & Sons, Inc.

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

iardsne Sand and Gravel, Inc.

ALIJIILL.LJDIIIIULIFILIIJDIIIIULI.ILJIHTL.LJRTLIIJI^

Spoils Club Management

104 Wyman Rd., Braintree, MA 02184
OSHA and EPA compliance services and training
Ron Smith-(781) 848-5978

Data Tibbett
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, Inc.

P. 0. Box 167, Wood River Junction, Rl 02894
Chris Beasley - (800) 555-6985

Turf Enhancement Enterprises

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

Turf Partners, Inc.

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 golf supplies.
Jim Kelsey - (800) 247-2326

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

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

United Horticultural Supply

P.l.E. Supply Co.

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

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

Prescription Tiarf Services, Ins.

Varney Bros. Sand & Gravai

P. 0. Box 39, Middleton, 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.

Larshmsrt Engineering

dba Hammond Paint and Chemical Co., Inc.
738 Main St., Suite 223, Waltham, MA 02154
Complete line of golf course accessories;
Standard, Par Aide, Eagle One.
Jos Lazaro - (781) 547-3361

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

Nartft Shore Hydroseeding

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

Sawtelte Brothers

lazaro's Golf Course
Supplies 4 Accessories

Sodeo Inc.

Turf Net Associates, Inc.

P. 0. Box 662, Winchester, MA 01890
Tee/bunker shaping & remodeling, cart paths,
drainage, tree planting, landscape construction.
Daniel Champion - (781) 729-3250
11 Larchmont Lane, Lexington, MA 02420-4483
Keith Savage - ( 7 8 1 ) 647-3361

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

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

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) 650-2955

Landmark Construction

Shawnmarfc Industries, inc.

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

SB! Turf Sareicgs

65 Glenn St., Lawrence, MA 01843
Deep-tine, core, & water-injection aerification,
D0L & Verti-Seed overseeding, irrigation services.
Jim Favreau - (800) 999-TURF

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

Watarflowers Ecological Design

116 North Street, North Reading, MA 01864
Environmental audits, planning/design,
& permits for all environmental details
Terry Bastion - (978) 664-8059

Winfield Nursery, Inc.

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

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

lip Type Service

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

6

Page 6

Host Superintendent Profile

Meet host superintendent Jim Fitzroy, Presidents ®0Cc
O u r host for the September meeting of
the GCSANE is Jim Fitzroy of Presidents
Golf Course in Quincy, Mass.
Jim graduated from Stockbridge School
of Agriculture with a degree in turfgrass
management, and from there went on to
the University of Massachusetts, graduating
in 1970 with a B.S. in park administration
and a minor in plant and soil science. He
was a recipient of the Lawrence Dickinson
Award (as it was known then) in 1968.

After graduation, Jim went to work
at the Cazenovia (N.Y.) Country Club,
followed by a short stint at Pleasant Valley
Country Club. In 1979 he went to work
at Presidents and he has been grooming
the turf there ever since. In addition,
Jim became a Certified Golf Course
Superintendent the following year.
Jim has served the GCSANE since
1991. He began as the Golf Chairman,
moved to Trustee in 1994, and to Finance
Chairman in 1995. The following year he
became Secretary and still holds that
position. In addition, he serves on the
GCSAA Ambassador Speakers Program
and the GCSAA Certification Committee.
When not working, Jim enjoys playing
golf and officiating basketball. He is an
accomplished referee, having pulled on
the zebra stripes since 1981.

Jim also enjoys spending time with
his three children. Timothy, 26, is an
architect; Kathryn, 22, is currently a
senior at Mass. College of Liberal Arts;
and Peter, 14, is starting his freshman
year at Franklin High School.
Presidents Golf Course is is 18-hole
course. Measuring at 5645 yards, it is a
par 70. The course is hilly with undulating
greens, and offers a beautiful look at the
Boston skyline.

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