LETTER April 2006 of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England, Inc. Sponsors a n d administrators of the Troll-Dickinson Scholarship Fund - A w a r d e d yearly to deserving Turf M a n a g e m e n t Students, ^ m m ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ m m Ever mindful of history, Dave Comee aims to preserve classic Donald Ross layout at Winchendon School G.C. By D a v e N o r d m a n W h e n debating the best Donald Ross layouts in New England, Worcester, Essex, and Salem Country Clubs often top the list. The Winchendon School Golf Club? Well, it often doesn't even make the list. A c c o r d i n g to the Donald Ross Society, the transplanted S c o t s m a n designed or redesigned 413 courses in the United States, but the organization does not recognize Winchendon. "I don't know why that is, I have discussed the matter with the society on a few o c c a s i o n s , but nothing has changed," says Dave Comee, the club's superintendent since Aug. 20, 1979. O n e reason might be the club's many name changes. It has been called the Tow Town Tavern, The Treadway Inn, Simplex Country Club, and now The Winchendon School Golf Club. "We probably got lost in all of the changes." During its heyday as the Treadway Inn it was a summertime destination for the upper-class from Boston and New York. Winchendon School G . C . is located off Route 12 just north of Gardner, measures just 5500 yards, and draws most of its play from North Central Massachusetts and the M o n a d n o c k region of New Hampshire. "We're off the beaten path, and we don't advertise much, so many people who aren't from the area don't know we're here," says Comee, a graduate of the University of M a s s a c h u s e t t s at Stockbridge. A lifelong G a r d n e r resident, Comee grew up around the corner from former G C S A N E president M i c h a e l H e r m a n s o n , the longtime superintendent at Gardner Municipal. They learned to play the game of golf on a homemade course around and between their houses. A coffee can in the ground for one hole, a clothes line post for the next, and maybe the corner of a garage for the next. Comee reminisces, "It was fun, kept us out of trouble, and only an occasional broken window. Mike never could hit it straight, and still can't." According to Comee, the first nine holes at the Winchendon School G . C . were built a r o u n d 1 8 9 2 , but Ross plowed over most of the original tees, greens, and fairways, and expanded the layout to 18 holes in 1926. The result is classic Ross - tight, rolling, tree-lined fairways, and small, pushup greens sloping from back to "People are surprised after playing the course f o r the first time. They see it's only 5 5 0 0 yards a n d t h i n k it's g o i n g to be a w a l k in the park, but it's not." Dave Comee Winchendon School G.C. front, very few larger than 4 0 0 0 sq. ft. Like most s u p e r i n t e n d e n t s at Ross courses, Comee has done his best to preserve these features, while enlarging a l m o s t e v e r y tee a n d i m p r o v i n g Winchendon's overall condition. "We are very mindful of the course's history," Comee says. "The layout hasn't changed much." I n s t e a d of m a k i n g s u b s t a n t i a l c h a n g e s to the course, C o m e e has worked hard to create better definition between the fairways and rough, while installing a n a u t o m a t e d i r r i g a t i o n system, in house, on all but seven holes. "I w a s a d v i s e d not to attempt the irrigation project myself, but I didn't listen. I didn't see it as being all that difficult. Another lesson learned. When the time c o m e s , s o m e o n e else will complete the project." "When I first started here, everything but the greens were cut with the same Jacobson F10," C o m e e says. "If the terrain allowed access with the F-10, the grass was cut. If not, it was allowed to grow. We had two Jake walking greens mowers, and a couple of rotaries and blue tractor and a flail mower. That was about it. I did what I could, made a few c h a n g e s aesthetically, a n d most members were happy." The golf club's relationship with the Winchendon School presents its own set of challenges for Comee and his crew of four full-time, year-round employees. They are responsible for the exterior of the entire 320-acre campus, not just the 110-acre golf course. That includes m a i n t a i n i n g a n d p r e p a r i n g three continued on page 2 continued 'iate Cliff PRESIDENT Patrick S. Kriksceonaitls 4 Lakemans Lane, Ipswich, MA 01938-2505 978-526-4600 Fax 978-526-8333 E-mail: Grounds@Essexcc.org Essex County Club VICE PRESIDENT Russell E. Heller, CGCS 41 Clifford Street, Melrose, MA 02176-0140 617-983-2786 Fax 617-983-2786 E-mail: Rheller@gcsane.org Franklin Park Golf Course SECRETARY Patrick J. Daly, CGCS P. O. Box 2284, Framingham, MA 01703-2284 508-872-9790 Fax 508-872-5393 E-mail: pat@framlnghamcc.com Framingham Country Club TREASURER Jason S. A d a m s 27 Cherry Street, Wrentham, MA 02093 781 -326-3801 Fax 781 -326-3801 E-mail: Norfolksuper@hotmail.com Norfolk Golf Club TRUSTEE Scott Lagana, CGCS 340 Oak Hill Road, Fltchburg, MA 01420-4899 978-342-6451 Fax 978-342-0421 E-mail: grounds@oakhlllcc.org Oak Hill Country Club TRUSTEE Michael Lucclnl, CGCS 672 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 508-520-3615 Fax:508-528-1885 E-mail: mluccinl@aol.com Franklin Country Club TRUSTEE Ronald P. Dobosz P. O. Box 541, Ludlow, MA 01056 413-589-9487 Ludlow Country Club FINANCE CHAIRMAN Michael W. Stachowlcz 68 Westfield Road, Westwood, MA 02090 781 -326-7860 Fax 781 -326-0664 E-mail: Mstach@dedhamclub.org D e d h a m Country and Polo Club GOLF CHAIRMAN James A. Small III, CGCS 690 Pine Street, Brldgewater, MA 02324-2116 508-697-4816 Fax 508-279-3355 E-mail: jasllU 88@yahoo.com Olde Scotland Links Golf Club EDUCATION CHAIRMAN David Stowe, CGCS 30 Western Avenue, Natlck, MA 01760 617-789-4631 Fax 617-789-4631 E-mail: Newtonmalnt@aol.com Newton C o m m o n w e a l t h Golf Club NEWSLETTER CHAIRMAN Mark Gagne 233 Baker Street, Walpole, MA 02081 -0186 508-668-3859 Fax: 508-668-9969 E-mail: mgagne@walpolecc.com Walpole Country Club PAST PRESIDENT Michael J. Hermanson 140 Ryan Street, Gardner, MA 01440-0145 978-632-2713 Fax 978-632-2713 E-mail: herm068@hotmall.com Gardner Municipal Golf Course EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Sharon K. Brownell P. O. Box 566, Mattapoisett, MA 02739-0566 508-758-6474 Fax 508-758-3688 E-mail: Sbrownell@gcsane.org NEWSLETTER .tTHE I G C S A N E Headquarters 300 Arnold Palmer Blvd., Norton, MA 02766 Tel.: (800) 833-4451 Fax: (508) 758-6474 Web Site: www.gcsane.org Newsletter Editor Mark Gagne Business Manager Julie Heston (401 -934-3677; E-mail: jheston@verizon.net) 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. from page 1 athletic fields, keeping up the school's tennis courts and swimming pool, and maintaining all of the school's vehicles. "It's a huge undertaking," C o m e e says. "We're very busy." The golf club's old pro shop used to double as the school store until a new shop and dining facility were built a few years ago. "The new digs are very nice." "The basic design hasn't c h a n g e d much," Comee says. "Sure, we'd love to m a k e it longer, but there's just no room." Comee thinks the private prep school which owns the course could do well if it promoted the Donald Ross design. The 18th hole - a 165-yard, par-3 over a large ravine - is a gem of a finishing hole. Still, the golf club did over 25,000 rounds last year. "People are surprised after playing the course for the first time," Comee says. "They see it's only 5500 yards and think it's going to be a walk in the park, but it's not. Sure, you're hitting a driver, and quite often a wedge to the green, but the greens can look like the size of a dinner plate. Leave your ball above the hole in August and sometimes you're happy with a three putt. First time players walk a w a y s h a k i n g their h e a d s . It's a challenge and fun at the same time." uu May 8 Scholarship & Benevolence Tournament Wachusett Country C l u b W e s t Boylston, M a s s . H o s t : D o n a l d J. M a r r o n e , Jr., C G C S June 16 G C S A N E Monthly Meeting T h e M e a d o w s at P e a b o d y Pea b o d y , M a s s . Host: Richard D u g g a n , C G C S June 21 UMass Turf Research Field Day University o f M a s s a c h u s e t t s J o s e p h Troll Turf Research C e n t e r South Deerfield, Mass. July 1 0 G C S A N E Monthly Meeting J u n i p e r Hills G o l f C o u r s e N o r t h b o r o u g h , Mass. H o s t : T h o m a s L. Ackley, C G C S August 22 G C S A N E Monthly Meeting Individual C h a m p i o n s h i p Marlborough Country Club ( p e r m a n e n t y e a r l y site) M a r l b o r o u g h , Mass. Host: Kenneth C r i m m i n g s , C G C S Sept. 1 8 Superintendent / Club Official Tournament Winchester Country Club Winchester, Mass. Host: D e n n i s H o u l e Oct. 2 G C S A N E Monthly Meeting Vesper C o u n t r y C l u b Tyngsboro, Mass. H o s t : D o n a l d E. H e a r n , C G C S Oct. 23 Dr. J o s e p h Troll Turf Education Fundraiser Westchester C o u n t r y C l u b "We are very mindful of the course's history. The layout hasn't changed much." Westchester, N.Y. Host: J o s e p h A l o n z i , C G C S Nov. 6 G C S A N E Monthly Meeting 9 - H o l e Meeting Harmon Golf Rockland, Mass. H o s t : C h r i s t o p h e r Tufts Dave Comee Winchendon School G.C. Nov. GCSAA Seminars 15 & 1 6 C y p r i a n Keyes G o l f C l u b Boylston, M a s s . See the difference with ... M 8c M HYDROSEEDING, LLC ~ QuaCity l Y o r h w i t h a TersonaCTouch ~ Commercial - Residential - Municipal Mike Mooney, Owner - 20 Years in the Turf Industry Free Consultation Fully Insured Free Estimates wwwMMseeding.com 860-376-8155 Cell: 860-376-8155 Getting to know Ouimet Society & Mass. Golf Assn. is worthwhile, says GCSANE President Kriksceonaitis D e a r Members, S p r i n g has c o m e a n d we are all multitasking. We've always done this but it's only recently that a name has been put to it. Winter projects are being finished. Spring projects are starting. The turf is starting to get mowed . New staff m e m b e r s are being trained. Equipment a n d fertilizer are being delivered to dozens of places each day, all the while that demo's are being s h o w n to the m a n a g e r s w h o just recently got approval for the purchase. Ah, springtime in the golf business. In addition to our own little personal hectic schedule, I thought you should know a little about two of our allied organizations which are a big part of our business and work just as hard as we do. They are the Ouimet Society and the Massachusetts Golf Association. TOP-DRESS-ING 3 Syllables - 1 Phone Call - 0 Problems A.A. Will Materials Corp. Plymouth - Stoughton - Freetown Massachusetts 1-800-4AA-WILL www.aawillmaterials.com Topdress Sand - Topdress Amendments Divot Mixes - Bunker Sands Root Zone Mixes - Cart Path Mix QUICKSAND Sand / Axis Topdress Blends 90/10 & 85-15 BAGGED PRODUCTS Green Divot Mix Early Green Black Sand Dried Topdress Sands ISTRC Core Analysis Ed Downing Sales Representative 781-828-0782 edowning@aawillmaterials.com Joe Farina Technical Sales Consultant 781-831-3844 jfarina@aawillmaterials.com ajJiidhiidilaUlidlJ^laUliaiJilai,!^ Both allow our association's president to sit on their executive boards. T h e O u i m e t is a g r o u p of h a r d working people dedicated to providing scholarships to people who work in the g o l f industry. Their selected profession could be in any chosen field. What started out as a s c h o l a r s h i p f u n d for c a d d i e s now i n c l u d e s c a d d i e s , g o l f staff, a n d grounds staff. Anyone who has worked on a course for two seasons is eligible. Last year a million dollars was given to students. This year the g o a l is $ 1 . 2 million. The money is raised in several different ways, but there is one common denominator: each fund raising activity is run by a g r o u p of hard working people. Over 90% of all donations go to scholarships. The overhead is kept to a minimum. The bag tag program has 100% of the money raised used for scholarships. If you want to be part of a worthwhile cause, give the society a call. PRESIDENT'S 1I a u \ m The M G A is the organization that administers the g a m e of golf in the Commonwealth. Whether it is rating your course, running the many different state events, bringing youngsters into the game via the first tee program, or helping with ruling decisions, the MGA is the silent partner behind the scenes. The impression I get from attending their b o a r d m e e t i n g s is that both organizations have a great deal of respect for what we do for the game and are appreciative. If you have a question for either group give them a call. They are more than willing to help. If you'd like to get a message to them you can call direct or give me a call and I'll relay the m e s s a g e . T h e m o r e we w o r k together the stronger we all are. Good luck in the upcoming season. Pat Kriksceonaitis President, Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England The Alumni Turf Group presents the 3rd Annual Dr. Joseph Troll Turf Education Fundraiser October 23, 2006 Westchester Country Club Rye, New York Joseph Alonzi, CGCS, Host Entry forms, additional information for this event, and ATG information are available online at www.alumniturfgroup.com The field is limited to the first 248 players that sign up. Page 3 Turf physiologist Dr. Michelle DaCosta will join UMass Turf Program staff in September 2006 By Peter Venemen Department H e a d , Plant & Soil Sciences, University of Massachusetts I a m p l e a s e d to a n n o u n c e that Dr. Michelle DaCosta has agreed to join us a s a turf p h y s i o l o g i s t s t a r t i n g o n September 1, 2 0 0 6 . We think that she will be an excellent addition to our turf program and are looking forward having her as a colleague. The following is a brief summary of Dr. DeCosta's experience and accomplishments. Dr. Michelle DaCosta graduated with a B.S. degree from Rutgers University ( 2 0 0 0 , with h o n o r s ) a n d r e c e n t l y completed her Ph.D. degree, also from Rutgers University. Her dissertation was entitled Physiological and Morphological Characteristics Associated with Drought Resistance in Bentgrass Species. Her major advisor was Professor Bingru Huang, a well-known turf physiologist. Dr. D a C o s t a , although just starting her a c a d e m i c c a r e e r , h a s a l r e a d y p u b l i s h e d two b o o k chapters, two refereed publications, a n d has another two papers in p r e s s , a n d two in review. S h e h a s published 12 abstracts, six technical reports, and made presentations at nine scientific and 12 outreach meetings. Dr. D a C o s t a h a s c o n s i d e r a b l e experience with both field and laboratory research, as well as with fundamental a n d a p p l i e d r e s e a r c h , but s h e recognizes the importance of relating Dr. DaCosta has considerable experience with both field and laboratory research, as well as with fundamental and applied research, but she recognizes the importance of relating her research objectives to the needs of the turfgrass industry. Bentgrass for Greens, Tees, Fairways, L-93, Southshore, Pencross, Velvet, Blends syngenta A little goes a long way. .. • • • • her research objectives to the needs of the turfgrass industry. She has excellent teaching credentials, performing the duties of teaching assistant for several c o u r s e s . Her references s p o k e very highly about her abilities as a teacher and public speaker. While a student she won second place in both the graduate student oral and poster competitions in the C - 5 Division of the C r o p Science Society of America in 2 0 0 2 , and placed first in both categories in 2 0 0 3 . Dr. DaCosta will start her employment at UMass on September 1, 2006, and she is planning on attending the UMass Turf Field Day on June 21, 2 0 0 6 . tt • • • 4' Solid Rolls • ... •. • • Washing Available • Low-Cut Blue Rye Now there's a fairway fungicide that protects against all major turf diseases. What's better, it offers a low 0.75 oz fairway rate for control of dollar spot and brown patch. New Headway™ fungicide's dual mode of action provides complete systemic protection, so the whole course can have the full protection it needs. Contact Bob Goglia at 860-716-0315 to learn more. • High Fine Fescue • Versaturf • Installation Assistance