LETTER

January 200!

of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England, Inc.

mmmmmmmmmmmm Sponsors and administrators of the Troll-Dickinson Scholarship Fund - Awarded yearly to deserving Turf Management Students, m—mimam—m—m—m

Don Hearm - a champion ©f the pr^fessta f r.ni packing after 29 years at Weston G.C.
The dossier on Don Hearn, substantiating
his travels in an orbit available only to
those who constitute the high and mighty
of their profession, suggests that he was
an untouchable in terms of job security.
By now w e all know those travels had to
be considered nothing less than vanishing
footprints when the Weston Golf Club
dismissed him as Its golf course superintendent last September.

At the time Hearn gave the act the full
treatment. "Let's not mince any words
here," he demanded. "Dismiss is too soft
a word for what the people at Weston did
to me. Let's come right out and say It. . .
! was fired."
Hearn Is also content to leave the
whys and wherefores of his sudden and
unexpected discharge dangling in the
wind. "I don't dwell at all on why it
happened." He refused to speculate
about the reasons a respected, virtually

INSIDE . . .
Page
Calendar of Events
The Super Speaks Out

. . 2
. . . . . . 3

A Letter of Rebuttal

. . . . . . . 4

From the President

. . 4

Mass. Pesticide Exam Schedule

. 5

Holiday Party Photos . . . . . . . S
Divot Drift

. . 6

revered superintendent would be cut
loose after serving that one club for 29
distinguished years. "A small group of
people had this plan to get rid of me.
They wanted me to become history
before i was ready to be history."
The incident deserves review, not the
least important fact that Hearn was only
the second superintendent to hold that
position at Weston in the last 56 years.
His predecessor, Phil Cassidy, was aboard
for 27 years before retiring in 1971. So,
long term superintendents have been a
constant at Weston in the last century.
Hearn tried to focus some rationale
into the blurred picture. "I guess I was
working for the same club but not the
same people who hired me almost 30
years ago," Don strained for an answer
to the dilemma. "If I were stealing; if the
staff was about to start a revolution; if I
wasn't showing up. All those things
(which never happened, of course).. .
weii . . . I might understand it.
"But the explanations were ridiculous.
My greens chairman said it was nothing I
had done wrong. I seemed to get along
with all the board members and as many
members as I know, it happened so
suddenly, it was a complete surprise.
However, there were people out to get
me, people who ganged up on me. ! don't
even want to talk about the final vote
numbers to get rid of me."
To get a grasp of the overview and the
impact Hearn's firing has generated, it's
worth turning back a decade or so to the
world of the goif course superintendent
and Don's place in it. Then, he had just

'Let's not mince any
words here. 6Dismiss3
is too soft a word
for what the people
at Weston did to me.
Lets come right out
and say it.. . I was
fired."
Don Hearn
been elected president of the Golf
Course Superintendents Association of
America (GCSAA), only the second from
the N e w England association regional
chapter to earn that high honor. The
other was Dick Blake, who won the
GCSAA presidency in 1971, coincidentally
the same year Hearn took over at Weston.
Hearn's term as national president was
a whirlwind of conventions, seminars,
cross-country and beyond meetings, and
just plain nonstop appearances trumpeting
the profession and bringing international
recognition to his top priority, the Weston
Golf Club. Incidentally, that year when
Don had to put a slide rule to his GCSAA
schedule and his Weston duties, the club
was behind him one-hundred percent.
continued on page 2

Page

8

continued from page I

PRESIDENT
Robert Ruszala
69 Gelinas Drive, Chicopee, MA 01020
413-256-8654
Fax 4 1 3 - 2 5 6 - 8 6 5 4
Hickory Ridge Country Club
VICE PRESIDENT
J a m e s R. Fitzroy, CGCS
357 W. S q u a n t u m Street, North Qulncy, MA 02171
617-328-1776
Fax 6 1 7 - 3 2 8 - 9 4 7 9
Presidents Golf Course
SECRETARY
Michael V. lacono, CGCS
42 N e w t o n Street, Weston, MA 02493
781-899-7913
Fax 7 8 1 - 6 4 7 - 0 6 0 2
Pine Brook Country Club
TREASURER
Daniel P. Higgins, CGCS
68 Hutchinson Road, Winchester, MA 0 1 8 9 0
781-729-3809
Fax 7 8 1 - 7 2 1 - 1 5 6 1
Winchester Country Club
TRUSTEE
David C o m e e
65 M a r q u e t t e Road, Gardner, MA 01440
978-297-1223
Fax 9 7 8 - 2 9 7 - 0 9 1 1
The W i n c h e n d o n Golf Club
TRUSTEE
W a y n e F. LaCroIx, CGCS
5 Radcliff Drive, Andover, MA 0 1 8 1 0
978-475-6638
Fax 9 7 8 - 4 7 5 - 9 4 8 8
Andover Country Club
TRUSTEE
Patrick S. Kriksceonaitis
4 L a k e m a n s Lane, Ipswich, MA 0 1 9 3 8
978-526-4600
Fax 9 7 8 - 5 2 6 - 8 3 3 3
Essex County Club
FINANCE CHAIRMAN
Arthur Silva, CGCS
35 Pennacook Road, Tewksbury, MA 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
GOLF CHAIRMAN
Michael J. Hermanson
P. O. Box 145, Gardner, MA 0 1 4 4 0
978-632-271 3
Fax 9 7 8 - 6 3 2 - 2 7 1 3
Gardner Municipal Golf Course
EDUCATION CHAIRMAN
Ronald P. Dobosz, Jr.
1137 Park Street, Stoughton, MA 02072
781 -341 - 8 5 6 4
Fax 781 -341 - 8 5 6 4 , *51
Cedar Hill Golf Course
NEWSLETTER CHAIRMAN
Russell E. Heller
59 Park Street, Melrose, MA 0 2 1 7 6
978-256-5664
Fax 9 7 8 - 2 5 6 - 0 0 0 5
Chelmsford Country Club
PAST PRESIDENT
Kevin F. Osgood
14 Inman Lane, Foxborough, M A 02035
617-630-1950
Fax 61 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 Course
,qi6—2oo,

«tTHEI

NEWSLETTER
GCSANE Headquarters
175 Highland Avenue, N e e d h a m , MA 0 2 4 9 4 - 3 0 3 4
Tel.: (781) 4 5 3 - 8 6 6 8
Fax: (508) 7 5 8 - 6 4 7 4
W e b Site: w w w . g c s a n e . o r g
Newsletter Editor .
Contributing Editor
Business M a n a g e r

Russell Heller
Gerry Finn
Daniel P. Higgins, C G C S

Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of
the author and/or person quoted, and may not represent
the position of GCSANE. information contained in this
publication may be used freely, in whole or in part,
without special permission as long as the true context is
maintained. We would appreciate a credit line.

AHÜaLÍMLÍÍAÍIÚALImüLAÜLÍAÜÚAL,

Hearn described his one-year as
GCSAA president as the highlight of his
career. "One of a kind stuff," he chirped.
But it also was a productive ! 2 months as
he guided the profession away from an
old, maybe antiquated "school of hard
knocks" mentality to one based on
stepped-up as well as ongoing education.
"It's different now," Hearn explained.
" N o doubt, the profession is moving away
from complete dependence on a 'learnwhile-you-earn' philosophy. There's
no getting away from the fact that the
superintendent has to build on his
experience with knowledge gleaned only
from an educational endeavor and an
appreciation of what an educational
program can affect."
Hold on a second, here. Remember,
those are the sagacious words of the man
his local club superiors were to kick out
on his ear a few years down the road.
Hearn's contributions as GCSAA
president, then, amounted to a foundation
for his successors and the rest of the
membership to build on. Championing
the group's education program was just
one of Don's deliveries. Another was a
big improvement in the relationship
between golf course superintendent and
club professional. Right now that gap has
virtually vanished. Then, too, so has the
opposition to the GCSAA's certification
program, another area where Hearn
battled to bring more credibility to his
profession.
So, when someone, who constitutes
the heart and soul of the game of golf's
most important operational ingredient
(the superintendent), gets the ax, and is
thrown to the wolves at an age (54)
incompatible with reinventing a new
career, the world w e live in takes on an
even darker side.
Don admits things could have been
worse. "Fortunately, I was in the second
year of a three-year contract when this
thing hit me," he leveled. "Thank God
for small things. It means there's no
immediate pressure on me to get a job.
But that day will come if I haven't
regrouped before December 3 1, 2001.
"I'd like to stay active in the golf
business, whether as a superintendent or
not. But I can see a trend in the dismissal
rate of long-term superintendents and the
new wave philosophy concerning on the

"A small group of
people had this plan
to get rid of me.
They wanted me to
become history
before I was ready
to be history."
Don Hearn
job. The people running the club want
someone who won't be around a long
time. Security is being lost on the
profession. The super feels like the
manager of a baseball team, one with a
jaded past and a dubious future. Yeah,
it's scary."
Weston once was the goal of many
golf course superintendents. It was the
job everyone coveted. How will recent
events affect that standing? Oh, it will still
have its huge budget and it's lofty visibility.
However, some of its members, both venerable and cherubic-faced, must cringe
when they rewind their lifetime tapes
to the part where Don Hearn was
terminated. It ain't pretty!
GERRY FINN

CALENDAR . . .
January 29

G C S A N E Annual Nesting
W a l p o i e Country Club
Walpole, Mass.
Supt. - Brian Walters

Feb. I I - I 8 ,

G C S A A 72nd International

2001

Golf Course Conference & S h o w

February 13

Stockbridge School Job Fair

Dallas, Texas

UMass, Amherst, Mass.
February 26

G C S A N E Monthly Meeting
N e w t o n Commonwealth G.C.
N e w t o n , Mass.
Supt. - David S t o w e

March 7-9

N e w England Region®!
Turfgrass Conference & S h o w
Providence, R.l.

March 19

G C S A N E Monthly Meeting
Franklin C . C .
Franklin, Mass.
Supt. - G a r y Luccini

March 7-9.2001

Rhode Island Convention Center
Providence
A Combined Six States Show...
Show & Conference Pass Includes
Opening Reception
Educational Sessions
S h o w Reception

Admission to Trade Show
Keynote Speaker
Luncheon Voucher(s)

Over 400 Turf Related Booths Await You
M e e t p r o f e s s i o n a l s on the cutting edge of turf
management. See the latest in equipment, products
and supplies. Join fellow lawn, golf, sports, landscape,
municipal and other turf industry professionals.

Informative Presentations
Golf Course Management 0 L a w n & Landscape
S p o r t s Turf & M u n i c i p a l T u r f M a n a g e m e n t
Equipment Management 0 Student Career Seminar

Certification Credits
Pesticide Applicators Recertification Credits have
been requested for all N e w England states, N Y & NJ.

GCSAA SEMINARS
Tuesday, March 6 • 8am - 5pm
Advanced Weed Management

Wednesday, March 7 8 5pm - 8pm
Thursday, March 8 0 10am - 2pm/4pm - 6pm
Friday, March 9 8 9ain-2pm

EDUCATIONAL SESSION HOURS
Wednesday, March 7 9 9am - 5pm
General Session & Keynote Speaker Jim Nantz

Thurs., Mar. 8 9 8am-10:30am / 2pm-4pm
FrL, Mar. 9 9 8:30am-llam / ll:15am-l:15pm

Anchor of The NFL Today
the CBS Television Network's NFL pregame studio
show, Jim Nantz has covered
virtually every sport since
joining CBS in 1985. His
credits include serving as anchor of CBS's golf coverage,
including the PGA Championship and The Masters.
Presented by:
The New England Regional Turfgrass Foundation
in cooperation with the University of Rhode Island
and the University of Massachusetts

For the benefit of the New England Golf & Green Industries. Proceeds dedicated to the support and development of turf research and

Watch your mail for your registratiou form or call
(4011848-0004 or visit us online at www.NERTF.org

education

Page 3

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Jj he Sufier

Sfisaki

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This m©ritti?s questions in light of weather conditions that tested the validity of summer,
how did the 2000 season turn out for your maintenance program?
David FerrantIrao s T h e Milton-Hoosic
Club: "This was my first year as a head
superintendent, so it began as a year of
transition and adjustment. The biggest
concern at the start of my stay here was
getting over the jitters or the strain on my
nerves the situation caused. So, I had to
gradually slide into the job and that took a
few weeks. After that I calmed down.
"The unusual cool, wet spring and
early summer didn't have that much of
an adverse effect on my conditioning
program as far as disease goes. The only
fly in the ointment might have been my
aerification timing and the coo! weather
w e had in May. The two got together and
it caused a slow recovery period or time
for the holes to close up. But that was
strictly minor league stuff.
"The hardest part of my first year
was the fact that I had to get through it
without a first assistant. It was my fault in
part because word of the job being open
didn't get out until March. However, the
two veteran superintendents I worked
under, Jim Reinertson and Paul Jamrog,
came to the rescue. W h e n I got in a jam,
one or the other bailed me out with help.
"Milton-Hoosic is a unique club in that
it doesn't have a traffic problem. In fact, it's
common to see only two or three foursomes on the course on Friday afternoon
in the middle of summer. It's real private.
I think w e average about 9,000 rounds a
year. So, that being the case, it gave me a
chance to get a good communications
program going with the members. They
were great. They treated me like a member. I played several times with members
and it actually gave me more of a perspective for what I had to do as head man.
"As for employment problems, I fixed
that by hiring a couple of postal workers
who work nights and like to play golf. They
worked out fine for me in the mowing
department where the center of activity
dominated maintenance in the early months
of the wet season. Otherwise, this first
year was a good one once I got my
confidence level where I wanted it to be."

G a r y Mondor, Crestview C o u n t r y
CSub: "! guess the low points in my
year were ones most superintendents
experienced. One was the frequency of
rain, the other was being in an unemployment percentage area that threatened to
bottom out right off the charts.
'All the rain in spring and early summer
made for a reassessment of my mowing
schedule. For one thing, the modern
mowing equipment w e have today was a
big help. W e really have the weapons to
combat rapid grass growth. The other, of
course, was my crew. Those guys mowed
at all hours of the day and at all days of
the week. The only area where it may
have caused inconveniences for our
members was the roughs.
"However, w e have very understanding
members especially when they can relate
golf course problems to ones they have at
home. No one could keep up with mowing
their lawns, so they appreciated the big
job w e had keeping up with the fairway
and rough heights here.
"The employment problem just never
seemed to go away. You know, when
there are a lot of other jobs around and
they appear more attractive than the ones
w e offer, it's hard to find people who don't
mind coming in at 5 a.m. We're still looking
to the definitive answer to this one.
"Overall, though, it wasn't that bad
a year. W e heard good reports on the
condition of the course. Our greens
remained as fast as the members like
them, so there was no problem there.
Our play was down because of the rain
early on, but w e were the rules rather
than the exception. So, I feel pretty good
about 2000."
G a r y Summerton» J o h n Cain Golf
Club: "Here in N e w Hampshire w e had
the same kind of spring and early summer
weather as the rest of N e w England. It was
wet and it was c o o l . . . for a very long time.
"There is a slight difference in climate,
though. It's ironic but our golf season at
John Cain began and ended with the same

visit by the elements. When w e opened
April 7 w e had two inches of snowfall
and when w e closed October 28 w e had
another two inches of the white stuff. So,
snow served as bookends for a season
that had its ups and downs.

THE SUPER SPEAKS
"This is my fifth season here and this
one served up challenges. The wet
conditions were such that w e never could
keep up with the mowing. But it was not
the fault of my crew. My hat's off to them.
They mowed morning and night in an
attempt to keep ahead of the game.
Why, they even mowed in the rain. They
wouldn't give up. They really came
through for me.
"The employment situation was
another sticky one. We're situated in the
Lake Sunapee area where the unemployment rate stands at 1.5%. That's just
about as low as it gets. I would get help all
right but it was the kind of help that never
seemed to stick around. Therefore, there
was a lot of coming and going during the
season. And with the grass growing like
crazy, the turnover of personnel didn't
ease the mowing problem.
"Our play was down 3 0 % from
opening day until mid-June when the
weather turned to a more moderate
tone. Both the number of rounds and
the condition of the course improved
right through the end of the season. So,
when w e closed the grass was green,
lush and our rounds figure was at a
pretty normal 22,000.
"What I like most about the year was
the fact w e had no summer stress. I bet I
watered only about 20 times all year. And
once w e got rid of early-season snow
mold there wasn't a sign of turf disease. It
was just getting over the cool, wet earlyseason hump. Once w e got on the other
side it was an easy ride down to the end
of the year."

GERRY F1IMN

Page

8

IÌILLÌLLIÌAL.IALLI,

iMiHtÉÉiÉUMMifcUÉIwyAli

kmuffmm statements in job security article
draw rebuttal from "young" superintendent
(A note from the Editor: It seems that
the December feature article ("Superintendents speak their mind on the profession's
shaky job security") raised a few eyebrows
among the membership. While it was generally well-received, some people had an
issue with the anonymity of the interviewed
superintendents. Anonymous quotes have
become increasingly accepted over the last
several years. W e would like people to be
held accountable for their words and
actions. To avoid any personal ill feelings,
those people with whom Gerry Finn
spoke preferred to remain nameless.

GCSANE NEWS
Everyone - please do not take what was
said personally. W e all know the children's
rhyme about sticks and stones. Not everyone shares the same ideas. While the
"leeches" comment may have been a
regrettable one, it was said and must remain.
To be sure, there are unethical deeds
performed in our industry from time to
time. Overall, though, the superintendent's
profession remains one of the classiest in
the land. W e must remember that this job
is like few others. There are not many
people who can relate to what w e do.
W e should strive to help each other and
remain friends (or at least friendly).
Without further ado, I present the one
rebuttal that was received. Mike Varkonyi
has raised some excellent points. I would
like to thank him for taking the time to
share them with us.)
Dear Mr. Finn,
As a new member of GCSANE, I regret
that my first contribution to The Newsletter
will be a negative rebuttal. I feel, however,
that to leave this unsaid would be more
regrettable. As I read your article,
"Superintendents speak their mind on
the profession's shaky job security,"
I immediately questioned why the superintendents quoted requested anonymity.
As I read further, I realized why. It was
regretful to see that you printed what
this individual had to say about "young
superintendents".
MilANjdliMLLALljdiLMUMiliiLlMlLillil

The anonymous superintendent said:
"in line with that, those same people want
to do business with employees closer to
their age and perspective. So, they zero in
on the young golf course superintendent
to do the job. In turn, the young superintendents are hanging around like leeches

ready to cling to any opportunity to advance
their careers. Personally, I'm convinced
they couldn't feel better about what's
happening." Reading on in your article,
I see that you used this as a link to the
rhetorical question of 'is this the attitude'
or just wild accusations.
continued on page 8

President seeks ©pinions, g©lfersf
volunteers,... and party-goers

in our last Newsletter the anonymous
opinions expressed were not those of
GCSANE, but rather of some of our
members who were interviewed for the
story. The topic of superintendent job
security and stability has always been a
hot-button issue. W e would like to hear
your opinions on this subject. Please write
to our Newsletter editor, Russ Heller, with
your views. Russ is looking to have some
"Letters to the Editor" published in The
Newsletter. In addition, if anyone would
like to write an interesting article on
something the membership would benefit
by, please do so. This Newsletter is our
communication to our membership.
Please feel free to share an idea, story,
or family happening with us.

FROM THE PRESIDENT
The Annual Meeting had to be changed
because of the Martin Luther King, Jr.
holiday. W e regret any inconvenience for
the last-minute change, but w e felt this
was necessary. Many of our members
have this holiday off and can spend this day
with our families. In our business w e get
very little time off in the regular season,
so it is very important that this time be
spent with our loved ones.
Mike lacono will be in charge of our
chapter teams at the GCSAA golfing events
in Dallas. If anyone would like to play on
one of our chapter teams, please contact
Mike. Good luck to everyone playing in
this event. W e hope to see some trophies
when you get back from the "Big D."

Speaking of Dallas, the Hospitality Room
will be at the Adams Mark Hotel on Thürs.,
Feb. 15, 6-8 p.m. W e will be in Dallas
Room C. W e will again be in the Nor'Easter Room with all our allied associations
from the New England/Northeast area.
W e hope to see everyone there!
As of this writing, our Scholarship &
Benevolence Tournament will be May 7 at
Marlborough C.C. Please mark your calendars now. More information will follow.
W e are always looking for volunteers
to serve on various G C S A N E committees.
Anyone interested in serving on a committee should call me at (413) 256-8654.
The year 2000 was one that was very
wet, and it seemed like the grass never
stopped growing. This year was also my
first as president, and one I will cherish
forever. I look back and cannot believe it
went by so fast. I am very fortunate to
have a great Board of Directors who
worked hard and made my job seem easy.
The membership of G C S A N E was always
well represented, and of this I am very
proud. The amount of meetings with IPM,
Government Relations, W G A M , MGA,
Ouimet, AMGO, Field Days, Conferences,
Club Managers, Pesticide Bureau, USGA,
et al, were many. I can tell you that not
one of these meetings was missed. The
Board of Directors does a terrific job, and
you should all be aware of their hard
work. W e look forward to another year
of serving our membership. Please let us
know how w e can help you in the future.

ALMiiiU^LMiiUkUiidiiLidkiU^Li

Respectfully,, iBob Ruszaia
President, G C S A N E

Page

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Massachusetts Pesticide Exam schedulefer2@@l
The following is the Massachusetts
Pesticide Exam schedule for the year
2001 at the Cape Cod, Springfield, and
Waltham locations.

CAPE C O D
Cape C@d Community College

Rte. 132, 2240 lyanough Road
West Barnstable, MA 02668
Exam Date (snow date)
March 13 (March 14)
May 29 (no snow date)

Application Deadline
March 6
May 22

(Snow date only if the Department-Pesticide Bureau
reschedules exam due to inclement weather.)

SPRINGFIELD
Springfield Technical
Community College

One Armory Square
Springfield, MA 01 101

Exam Date (snow date)
Application Deadline
March i S (March i 6)
March 8
(Cafeteria-Bldg. 20 on Peari St.)
June 22 (no snow date)
June 15
(Rm. 602 & 614 in Bldg. 17)

(Snow date only if the Department-Pesticide Bureau
reschedules exam due to inclement weather.)

EXAM SCHEDULE
WALTHAM
UMass Eastern Extension Center

240 Beaver Street
Waltham, MA 02452

Exam Date (snow date)
January 19 (January 22)
February 9 (February 12)
February 23 (February 26)
March 2 (March 5)
March 9 (March 12)
March 23 (March 26)
March 30 (April 2)
April 6 (April 9)
April 20 ( April 23)
April 27 (April 30)
May I I (no snow date)
May 18 (no snow date)
June I (no snow date)
June IS (no snow date)
July 13 (no snow date)
July 27 (no snow date)
August 10 (no snow date)

Application Deadline
January 12
February 2
February 16
February 23
March 2
Marchiò
March 23
March 30
April 13
April 20
May 4
May I I
May 25
JuneS
July 6
July 20
August 3

August 24 (no snow date)
September 14 (no snow date)
October 19 (October 22)
November 16 (November 19)
December 14 (December 17)

. . . .

August 17
September 7
October 12
November 9
December 7

(Snow date only if the Department-Pesticide Bureau
reschedules exam due to inclement weather.)

Exam Times
Private and Commercial Certification
exams start promptly at 9 a.m.
Commercial Applicator (core) and Dealer
exams start promptly at 12:30 p.m.

Ssiow Times
Call 617-626-1841 for a pre-recorded
message with exam dates, location, and
cancellation information. In the event of
bad weather, call after 6:30 a.m. the
morning of the scheduled exam and listen
to the message. If the exam has been
canceled, the message will inform you
and indicate that you should report on
the snow date.

GCSANE camera captures festivities at Essex County Club
Association's
Annual
Holiday
Party
held
Saturday,
Pec. 9, 20(10

Page 8

D I V O T

D R I F T . . .arsnouncernents.ooêducatlonal

...tournament

results.„ami

miscellaneous

seminars». j©b

items of interest to the

MEMBERSHIP

Congratulations to the following people, all
making new stops:

W e l c o m e N e w M e m b e r s : Scott Whitcomb,
Mass. Golf Association, Affiliate.

Kent Lemme has left Vesper Country Club and
is now back at Taconic Golf Club.

Proposed for Membership: Steven Smith, Indian Ridge C.C., Assistant; James Stavros, Cape
Anne G.C., Superintendent; Mark Morrison,
Shaker Hills G.C., Assistant; Mike Hannigan, R.F.
Morse & Sons, Affiliate.

INFORMATION
Belated thanks are in order to Joe Rybkaand the
staff at Thorny Lea G.C. for hosting the December
meeting of GCSANE.
Please note that the Annual Meeting date has
been changed to January 29. This was done due
to the fact that it was originally scheduled on
Martin Luther King Day. To help ensure good
attendance at this important event, it was necessary to make the change. The board of directors
apologizes for the error. The Annua! Meeting will
still be held at Walpole C.C.
The annual 9-hole budget meeting will be held
January 30 at 9 a.m. at the Whitinsvilie Country
Ciub. Please call Paul Wilson at (508) 234-2533 for
further information.
if any G C S A N E member is interested in receiving a scholarship application for his/her child
attending college, please contact David Comee.
Applications are available from him by calling (978)
297-1223.
Best wishes to Gary Luccini. He was scheduled
to undergo surgery. W e all wish "The Bear" the
very best.
Mike lacono will be the liaison for the 2001 Goif
Championship to be held in Texas before the
GCSAA conference. If anyone needs information
concerning the team event, please contact Mike
at (781) 899-7913.
Please note that GCSANE dues for 2001 have
increased $5. The fee schedule is now this: Regular, Associate, Assistant, and Affiliate members
will pay $ 155; Friends will pay $255. The intiation
fees have not changed and remain $75 ($500 for
Friends). This very small increase was necessary
to help offset the rising cost of doing business.
Johnson & Wales University is now offering a
Golf Management concentration. Scholarships for
this will be available through GCSANE. For more
information on the scholarships, contact Bob
Ruszala. To contact Johnson & Wales about their
program, call (800) 232-2433.

[David Laffey is now the superintendent at Oakley Country Club. He previously served in that
position at Franklin Park Golf Course.
Russei! Heller has left Chelmsford Country Club
and is now the superintendent at Franklin Park.
Scott Reynolds has left Charles River C.C. and
is now superintendent at Charter Oaks G.C.
Congratulations to Don Nunes, superintendent
at Chicopee Municipal G.C. He was recently designated a Certified Golf Course Superintendent
(CGCS) by GCSAA. Don has been superintendent
at Chicopee since 1997.
Mark your calendars for the annual "Nor'easter" reception. It will be held at the Adams Mark
Hotel in Dallas on February ¡5, 6-8 p.m.
GolfweeSc's S u p e r i n t e n d e n t N e w s is sponsoring an 18-hole Team Championship in Dallas on
Wednesday, February 14 at the Four Seasons
Resort and Club. Entry is $200/person and includes greens fees and awards dinner (casual
dress). You get a pair of Etonic golf shoes, Gustbuster umbrella, windshirt, and a dozen balls. The
tournament is open to superintendents and assistants and is limited to 56 teams. It is a 2-Ball
Best-Ball format. Individual entrants will be paired
with other entrants if needed. The tournament
site is a 20-minute drive from the Dallas Convention Center. To enter or for more information,
call (877) 805-4653, or e-mail ac@golfweek.com.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Assistant. Cedar Hill G.C. is a 9-hole municipal
course in Stoughton, Mass. Responsibilities include overseeing a grounds crew and the
day-to-day operation of course maintenance. Individual must have a two-year degree in turf
management and one-to-three years of experience on a golf course staff. Must have or obtain a
Mass. pesticide applicator's license. Compensation is commensurate with experience. Benefits
include health insurance, life insurance, paid vacation, and paid local & national dues. Send resume
by January 30 to: Ron Dobosz, Supt., Cedar Hill
G.C., I 137 Park Street, Stoughton, MA 02072.
Superintendent. Ponemah Green Family Golf,
located in Amherst, N.H. (45 minutes from Boston), is seeking a qualified individual to maintain
and improve a 9-hole course, grass range, and
grounds. A great opportunity for the "step up"
from first assistant. Individual must have worked
as a superintendent for two years or as an assistant

•

•

opportunities

H

membership.

for four years. Must be a self-starter, enthusiastic,
and have the desire to work in a team atmosphere. Must have or obtain a N . H .
supervisory-level pesticide license. Please send
resume by January 30 to: Kerry Studley, Director
of Golf/General Manager, Ponemah Green, 55
Ponemah Road, Amherst, N H 03031.
Second Assistant. Haverhill Country Club is a
private 18-hole country club built in 1925 by
Wayne Stiles. Responsibilities will include employee training & supervision, chemical spraying,
fertilizer applications, the overall maintenance of
a Toro 8000 irrigation system, and all other duties
relevant to the management of a private golf
course. A minimum of a two-year degree in turfgrass management or comparable experience is
needed. Must have at least two years of golf
course experience, a working knowledge of an
irrigation system, and be willing to obtain a Mass.
pesticide applicator's license within three months.
Compensation is commensurate with experience.
Excellent benefits and 401 (k) plan. Please send
resume to Matt Behl, Superintendent, The
Haverhill Country Club, P. O. Box 250, Haverhill,
MA 01861.
Second Assistant. Bass Rocks Golf Club is a
private 18-hole golf course with frequent ocean
views. Founded in 1895 and designed by Herbert
Corey Leeds, three new holes were constructed
and a new irrigation system was installed in 1997.
The candidate must have a desire to excel, be
willing to work long hours, and have the ability to
attain a Mass. pesticide applicator's license. Individual must have a minimum of a Turf Winter
School certificate and two years of turf maintenance experience. A self-motivated team player is
desired. Responsibilities include crew supervision,
course set-up, scouting, plant protectant application, irrigation operation/maintenance, and
drainage installation, as well as many other duties.
Compensation includes paid winter vacation,
8 0 % employer-paid health insurance, and salary.
Please send resume by February 12 to Patty
Knaggs, Golf Course Superintendent, Bass Rocks
Golf Club, P. O. Box 303, Gloucester, MA 01930.

ITEMS FOR SALE
¡994 T o r e Reeimasteir 5100-D with 23 HP
Mitsubishi diesel engine and 2-wheel drive. Excellent condition. $8,000 or best offer. Call Ron
Hansen, CGCS, for further information at (603)
863-4044.

WÊÊÊÊm

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Page

8

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

Country Golf, Inc.

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

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

A.A. Will Materials Corp.

Dow/Elanco

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

Apr-Era U.S.A. Co.

Wilmington, DE
Acclaim Extra, Banol, 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 Alien - (800) 527-3898

Bay State Fertilizer/MWRA

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

Bayer Corporation

118 Ellery Ave., Middletown, Rl 02842
Bayleton, Merit, Dylox, Tempo
Jim Santoro - (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

60 Sturgis Way, Dedham, MA 02026
Distributor, irrigation supplies & accessories.
Andy Langlois, J . Anderson III, Ron Miienski
(800) 225-8006

Braudan Corporation

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

The Cardinals, inc.

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

560 Ashwood Rd., Springfield, NJ 07081
Bob Scott-(908) 510-5549

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

Gold Star Nursery & Sod Farm

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

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

110 Codjer Lane, Sudbury, MA 01776
Annuals, perennials, garden mums, ground
covers, loam, and mulch.
Darren Young-(978) 443-7177

Cedar Lawn Tree Service, inc.

32 Nickerson Rd„ Ashland, MA 01721
Pruning, fertilization, removal,
and professional care.
William P. Maley - (508) 881-2622

Clean Quest

P. 0. Box 1102, Southbury, CT 06488
Distributors of the Landa Water system
tor treating wash water, Safety Storage chemical
buildings, and Octaflex portable wash pads.
Steven Burnett, Michael Wende - (800) 521-5585

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

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

Dahn Tibbett
Professional Golf Services

Green Environmental

216 Ricciuti Dr., Quincy, MA 02169
Civil engineering, Title V, environmental
consulting/site assessment,
above-ground/UST construction
Glenn Ferguson - (617) 479-0550

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

McNulty Construction Corp.

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

Miller Golf Construction

Greene, inc.

2352 Main St., Concord, MA 01742
Tree transplanting, landscape construction,
and masonry
Kevin Mulcahy - (800) 439-7244

Charles C. Hart Seed Co., Inc.

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

P. 0. Box 418, Exeter, Rl 02822
Bentgrass, Biuegrass, and Blue/Fescue sod.
Dave Wallace
(401) 789-8177

Tuekahoe Turf Farms, ins.

R.F. Morse & Sons, Inc.

Turf Enhancement Enterprises

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

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

Nardone Sand arid Gravel, Inc.

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

North Shore Hydroseeding

Hartney Greymonf

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

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

Novartis Specialty Products, Inc.

International Golf Construction Co.

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

Partae Peat Corporation

Irrigation Management & Services

Tee and Green Sod, inc.

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

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

Tom Irwin Inc.

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

171 VFW Drive, Rockland, MA 02370
Topdressing, root-zone mixes, bunker sand,
3/8 screened loam, cart path materials,
mulch, drainage stone.
Joe Farina, Frank Santos - (888) 475-5526

Landmark Construction

Sawtelle Brothers

P. 0. Box 662, Winchester, MA 01890
Tee/bunker shaping & remodeling, cart paths,
drainage, tree planting, landscape construction.
Daniel Champion - (781) 729-3250

larchmont Engineering & Irrigation

11 Larchmont Lane, Lexington, MA 02420-4483
Marc Utera-(781) 647-3361

Country Club Enterprises

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

Turf Products Corp.

157 Moody Rd., Enfield, CT 06082
Distributors of Toro irrigation and maintenance
equipment and other golf-related products.
Tim Berge, Paul Hallock, Rick Moulton,
Mike Turner-(800) 243-4355

United Horticultural Supply

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

Waterilowers Ecological Design

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

Head Custom Soils

Ken Jones Tire, inc.

TurfNet Associates, Inc.

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

P.O. Box 39, Middleton, MA 01949
Deep-tine and hydro-injection services,
custom fertilizer 8. pesticide applications,
fairway aeration, topdressing operations.
(978) 777-1663

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

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

Warney Bros. Sand & Gravel

Prescription Turf Services. Inc.

WinfieM Nursery, Inc.

1700 Mountain Rd., W. Suflield, CT 06093
Wholesale nursery trees and shrubs.
Stan Hildreth

Philip Wogan & George F. Sargent, Jr.

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

Golf Course Architects
17 Walker Rd., Topsfield, MA 01983
(978) 887-3672

SBI Turf Services

Zip Type Service

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

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

Shawnmark Industries, Inc.

P. 0. Box 820, Cataumet, MA 02534
Club Car golf cars, Carryall utility vehicles.
Dave Farina. Darin Eddy, Darren Orr
(800) 662-2585

i i L l i J j A l d . I J I I A I X I I J i J ri Ì . k Ì j l L A Ì I 1 Ì X

Sports Club Management

O.L. Maher Co.

250 West Rd., Canterbury, NH 03224-2127
Growers of turfgrass and ornamentals
Malcolm McPhail
Lexington, MA-(781) 861-1111
Canterbury, NH - (603) 783-4717

Cavicchio Landscape Supply, Inc.

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

Lofts Seed, Inc.

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

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

340 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472
Construction/earthmoving equipment sales
& rentals; all sizes of job equipment available.
Paul Casey-(617) 924-7575

Sodco Inc.

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

F A Bartlett Tree Expert Co.

Casey & Dupuis Equipment Corp.

15 Londonderry Rd., Londonderry, NH 03053
Turf & ornamental supplies.
Chuck Bramhall, Mike Kroian, Mike Nagle
(800)228-6656

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.
Joe Lazaro-(781) 647-3361

LBSCO Inc

Michael Drake Construction, inc.

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

Simplot Partners, Inc.

Lazaro's Golf Course
Supplies & Accessories

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

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Page 8

December Newsletter
feature article
provokes rebuttal
continued from page 4
I understand your journalistic technique,
but completely disagree with the means,
if you print erroneous, controversial, and
downright insulting quotes anonymously,
i believe you must share in the negative
rebuttals. If anonymity was the only way
to have superintendents give you feedback
for the article, I feel that you should have
looked for a different means to write this
article, edited out such quotes, found
superintendents willing to have their
name printed, or not written the article.
The originator of this quote, I feel, was
incorrect and insulting. I am not sure of the
duration of his tenure at his present club,
but it seems like he has been there for
awhile and is over the age of 50. For the
record, I am 35 years-old, and have been
a superintendent for nine years, four of

which at my present club. I consider myself
a "young" superintendent; therefore ! take
his remarks very personally, i have never
been a leech nor do I intend to be one in
the future. To be as broad in his comments
as he was, is as bad as club officials being
age discriminatory. I do not feel good about
seeing other superintendents lose their jobs.
I lost a job four years ago, and it is not good
for the profession as a whole for anyone
to lose his job. i believe that many jobs
lost are the result of politics in the clubs
and not conditions on the course. I have
chosen not to apply to certain clubs when
the superintendent position has opened
up in a manner that i believe unfair or
unprofessional. I choose not to apply for
the reason that if after 25 years of dedicated
service a club rudely disposes of their
superintendent, what would they do after
one year? O r two? O r three?
According to statistics from GCSAA,
the average stay for a superintendent is
five years. Maybe the superintendent that
stays 25 years at one club is the anomaly.

Every superintendent is different. Some
want to move on to have new challenges,
some stay for family reasons, others for
political reasons. Whatever the reasoning,
w e are all in the same profession. W e
should conduct ourselves in more of a
professional manner than those around
us. W e should be willing to help each other,
young or old, in whatever way possible.
If a "young" superintendent does feel the
way you say, they should look into the
future. In 10 years I will be 45, so how
could I feel good knowing that! may lose
my job because I am too "old". If you do
not know me, ask around, and see that
I would do whatever any of my friends/
superintendents ask of me. I consider
you all my friends and age has nothing to
do with it. Lets refrain from making
statements that may cause dissension,
animosity, or worse, cliques.

Sincerely,,
Michael Varkonyi, Superintendent,
Reservation Golf Club
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