Vol. I l # No. 8

Date :
Place:
Luncheon:
Golf:

Cocktails:
Dinner:
Speaker:
Host:

Directions:

Note:

Published monthly by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association

MEETING NOTICE
October 20, 1971
Elmwood Country Club
Buffet Luncheon will be available from 11:00 —
12:15
Superintendents invitational - 12:30 - Shot gun
(Please make reservations in advance for carts.)
If at all possible bring your own caddies. If you are
not bringing a caddy, please call Caddy Master
592-6600
5:30
7 PM
CBS TV Sports Personality
Harry Nichol. Harry is a graduate of Penn State
University in Agronomy. He has been at Elmwood
for the past four years. He has done extensive
renovation on all his fairways. Presently he is Vice
President of MGCSA. As Chairman of the By-laws
committee he has done an excellent job in
up-dating our bylaws. He also has done a great job
as co-chairman of the recent Field Day. Harry and
his wife, Pat, and three children, Timmy, Laurie
and Kenny, live in a lovely home across the river in
Valley Cottage, N.Y.
Take Exit 4 off Westchester Expressway (287), go
south to third light. Make a right onto 100B. Club
is less than a mile on the right, across from driving
range.
Class B and C members are welcome to come to
the cocktail and dinner events. If possible, please
call the club to let them know you are coming.

The members and staff of the Elmwood Country Club
cordially welcome the participants in the annual Superintendent’s
invitational Golf Tournament.
The Elmwood Club was constructed in 1924, and after several
changes in layout due to public and private land condemnation,
comprises 110 acres with a playing yardage of 6530.
In the fall of 1969 the fairways were renovated, seeded to
bentgrass and major efforts continue towards up-grading the turf.
The warm, dry fall of 1970, the abnormally cool spring of 1971
and this summer’s over-abundant rainfall, prevented rapid fill-in
of bentgrass, but did prove helpful in terms of ridding the
fairways of poa annua, aided by continuing applications of Tri
Calcium Arsenate. The present level of Tri Calcium is 7 pounds
actual per 1000 square feet and seems to be controlling regrowth
of poa. We overseeded this fall at the rate of 50 pounds per acre
and as of this writing, we are most encouraged with the fairway
conditions. We feel that although the weather brought some
pitfalls, our overall improvement program is still essentially
intact, and prospects look better than ever for substantial
improvement in 1972.
Come see for yourself. Our 26 acres of fairways have received
2 1/2 pounds of Nitrogen per 1000 square feet this year, the
100,000 square feet of putting surfaces are fertilized at 5 1/2
pounds, while the tees receive about 4 pounds per 1000.
We are continuing a major tee enlargement program each year

October, 1971

*Program “ 72” - Members should contact their clubs for
meeting dates now so you can request dates at annual meeting.
Membership: The following candidate has been approved for
membership by the executive board, Dominic DeMarzo,
Chairman.
Jerry Scafa
Dellwood Country Club
New City, New York
Coming Events:
Oct. 14
Labriola Picnic and Outing
Whippoorwill Golf Club
Golf Prizes and Cook Out
Bring Own caddies
Oct. 20
MGCSA Invitational
Nov. 4-5 Wisconsin Golf Turf Symposium
(Management)
Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee
Nov.
Annual meeting
Date & Place to be announced.
Dec. 9
Christmas Party
Hampshire Country Club
Everett Wood, President, has made the following appointments:
Voting Delegate to National:
Edward Horton
Advisory Delegate:
Ron Boydston

and have increased our teeing area by about 20 percent. The tees
and greens are mowed exclusively with the triplex Greensmower
at* a height of 7/32 on greens and 1/2 on tees. The fairways are
mowed slightly under 3/4 of an inch and the rough mowers are
set at 2 1/4 inches.
Elmwood operates on a maintenance budget allowing for five
greensmowings, two tee mowings and two fairway mowings per
week, although for most of this season we mowed greens six
times and fairways three times each week. Our maintenance force
includes 7 men and one foreman-mechanic. The foreman and two
additional men are year-round employees. We have for the past
three seasons expended about 8% of our operating budget for
equipment replacement and about 5% for other capital
improvements. An ambitious tree purchasing and maintenance
program is continuing each year, and is not included in our
operating budget.
Our efforts to maintain and improve Elmwood have gone
smoothly in general, and if we are ultimately successful, it will be
due in no small measure to the energetic and dedicated
cooperation of our Green Chairman Dr. E. Raymond Topol, and
our Co-Chairman Mr. Martin Rakowitz. I would also like to
acknowledge an understanding and hard-working maintenance
crew, headed by Pio Salvati.
Here’s wishing you a pleasant day and a relaxing off-season.

Editorial Staff
Editor in Chief
Editorial Staff
Editorial S ta ff
Advertizing Manager

Garry N. Crothers
Edward Horton
Pat Lucas
Ron Boydston

gratuitously accepted at nearby clubs.
Saturday morning arrived, and the course was ready for a
normal weekend, a little shaggy we admit, but the overall goal
was achieved. The aeration and seeding was accomplished at near
optimum time and the maintenance crew was free to begin work
on other fall operations and projects.
The total procedure was financed without supplemental
appropriation of funds, save one extra laborer for one week,
($156.00) and only $200.00 extra overtime paid to our existing
labor force.
Try it! I frankly had some reservations in requesting the plan
of the members, and wondered if it could be successfully
implemented. Now I know! It Works!

OFFICERS
President,

Everett Wood, Scarsdale G. C.
Office 914-723-2840, Home 914-472-0174
Vice President, Harry H. Nichol, Elmwood C.C.
Office 914-592-6608, Home 914-354-4582
Secretary,
Edward C. Horton, Winged Foot G. C.
Office 914-698-2827, Home 914-835-1181
Treasurer,
Garry N. Crothers, The Apawamis Club
Office 914-967-2100, Home 914-666-7126
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ronald Boydston, Rockland C. C.
Office 914-359-5346
Home 914-359-2910
Dominick DiMarzo, Bonnie Briar C. C. Office 914-834-3042
Home 914-273-8955
Office 914-273-3755
Gharles Martineau, Whippoorwill Club
Home 914428-3826
Office 203-637-3210
Anthony Savone, Innis Arden C. C.
Home 203-6374475
Past President
John Madden, Engineers C. C.
Office 516-621-5350

MGCSA News:Yes, the September meeting went on as scheduled
but we got rained out on the golf course. Yes, the golf course can
be closed for superintendents too. Poor A1 Moore, our host, had
almost 9 inches of rain so he needed more than an umbrella to
keep dry. We had a small turn out for the special business
meeting, but we had enough for a quorum. All the by-laws
changes presented to the membership were passed after an
explanation by By-laws Chairman, Harry Nichol. Harry was
thanked for a well done job. The Field Day Committee was also
congratulated for the excellent job done on this year’s Field Day.
Jim Fulwider was appointed Chairman of the Nominating
Committee. The committee will consist of the past presidents of
MGCSA.
A1 Tretara had a little excitement with his last load of top

N ot copyrighted. I f there is good here, we want to share it with
all chapters - unless author states otherwise.
ELMWOOD’S FALL RENOVATION
Here’s some information on what we did this fall to improve
our maintenance program. The new twist worked well for us.
Think it over, maybe it will work for you.
At 6:00 P.M. Labor Day Night, our course was closed to all
play, and remained so until Saturday Morning, four days later.
The purpose was to complete all fall aeration of the course,
without interruption, and with minimum inconvenience to the
golfer. We felt that the usual way was, at best, too piece-meal ^nd
spread over several weeks. Prior approval was given by the Board
of Governors and the tournament and golf committees scheduled
events accordingly.
Fortunately, the weather was ideal, and the plan worked as
scheduled. A three-gang aerator and a vertical mower were
borrowed from neighboring clubs. All fairways were aerated using
the 3/4 inch open spoons at least three times over. Weak fairway
areas needing special attention were aerated more severely, and
vertical grooving was done on about five acres. The areas were
then overseeded and matted. A light watering followed. The tees,
collars and approaches were aerated with 1/2 inch open spoons,
using a 36 inch aerator, pulled with a 12 HP tractor. These areas
were also seeded, matted and watered.
Another crew was, at the same time, completing the usual fall
aeration of the twenty putting greens, using a hydralic, plug-type
aerator. The plugs were pulverized with vertical mowers, the soil
matted in and the debris removed by blowing.
All signs, flags, markers (and other obstructions) were removed
from the course, to speed-up the operation, as the golf course
resembled more nearly a park *for four short days. Member
reaction was surprisingly favorable, due partly to early scheduling
of the here-to-fore untried plan. Many weekday golfers were

What can I say Al; I didn't know your Cushman was on that side.

dressing. Chuck Martineau is putting in irrigation around all
greens and tees, pop-ups. Ted Horton will be putting 5 holes to
automatic this fall. All 36 have been approved for conversion to
automatic. Art Twombly has taken a job in Bel Aire CC, Calif. Al
Caravella is the new Superintendent at Brae Burn CC. Another
Jersey boy has come across the river. I am sure that there will be
some great golf matches between Jim and Al as new neighbors.
Sherwood Moore, busy as usual, now President of Darien Rotary.
We wish a speedy recovery to Jack Martin from his recent
boat accident. He can be reached at Community Memorial
Hospital, Room 215, Toms River, New Jersey, (201) 349-8000.

TWO CYCLE ENGINE OIL
What should the owner or operator of two cycle engines
expect in the performance of two cycle engine oil? Because the
shelves are loaded with books full of fancy technical data on this
subject, — most of it quickly and easily forgotten, the purpose of
this article is to present some of the “grass roots” facts without
the decimal points.
Although it may seem elemental, it is helpful to look at the
basic difference in the lubrication of a four cycle engine
compared with the two cycle version. The four cycle engine is
lubricated by oil distributed to the parts involved, by a pump
drawing from a reservoir to which the oil is later returned. The
two cycle engine is lubricated by a mist produced in a gasoline-oil
mixture supplied via the carburetor, — none being recovered or
retained in the engine.
A good place to start is with the mixing of the oil and the
gasoline. Is there any special technique in mixing? The answer is
no, unless agitation may be considered a technique. If the oil is
free from undesirable components it doesn’t make much
difference whether the oil is added to the gasoline or the gasoline
to the oil as long as the mixture is thoroughly blended by
agitation. One exception is very cold weather. If it is impossible
or impractical to store the oil and the gasoline at a temperature
from fifty to sixty degrees (F) then it will help to first dilute the
lubricating oil by mixing in a small quantity of gasoline, mixing
thoroughly before adding to the main container of gasoline and
agitating again. Once mixed, a good quality of two cycle engine
oil will not settle out.
The next point to be considered is how much lubricating oil
should be added per gallon of gasoline. The safe and simple
answer to this is, — whatever the engine builder recommends.
Tests have usually been run by the engine manufacturer to
determine a suitable mixture ratio for each type or model of
engine. After the warranty period has expired and the engine is
thoroughly “run in” , experimentation may show the operator
that less oil per gallon of gasoline may produce even better
performance. Some confusion is caused by a few engine builders
having their lubricating oil packeged for them for resale under
their own brand. Although a recommendation for an unusually
small amount of oil per gallon of gasoline implies something
superior about the product carrying their brand, in most cases
such a recommendation is based upon a formulation of the oil
governed largely by the the economics of reaching the consumer
market via a somewhat devious route. The oil to gas ratio may
vary from as much as a half pint (8 ounces) of oil per gallon of
gasoline at one end of the range to as little as 1 ounce per gallon
of gasoline at the other extreme.
The carburetor is next in line after the tank has been filled
with the oil-gas mixture. There are very few problems in this area
except when the mixed fuel is allowed to stand over long periods.
Certain conditions will then produce gums and deposits. This can
be avoided by shutting the supply valve and letting the engine run
until the system is empty.
When the fuel mixture leaves the carburetor and enters the
crankcase, is the time that the first critical test of performance
occurs. During the compression stroke, the piston acts as a pump
to draw the fuel mixture plus air for combustion, into the
crankcase through a reed valve or similar device. Although the
gasoline part of the mixture is vaporized, the lubricating oil is
carried by the vapor in the form of very finely divided droplets or
mist. On the down stroke or power stroke of the piston, again
acting as a pump, the crankcase contents are compressed slightly,
the valve system being closed, and this causes the fuel mixture to
pass through the intake passage into the combustion zone over
the piston head. It is important that the oil droplets or mist
remain suspended in the fuel vapor during this slight compression
so that all moving parts, particularly the bearings, will receive the
necessary lubricating bath. A correct formulation of two cycle oil
plays a very important part at this point where the oil is called
upon to perform most of its work.
When the oil and fuel mixture leaves the crankcase, most of its
lubricating work has been done. About all that remains to be
lubricated is the top ring area of the piston. Again, correct

formulation of the lubricating oil is important in this stage of its
passage through the engine. This may well be labeled the “self
destruct” phase. The lube oil part of the mixture must burn
quickly and completely to prevent smoking and the process of
burning must leave a minimum of ash and carbon deposits in
the combustion and exhaust zones. The nature and amount of
ash deposits are partly controlled by the selection of chemical
components and base stocks, blended to make the finished
product. It is practically impossible to entirely eliminate carbon,
but the control here is the use of oil stocks which burn with a
minimum residue of light fluffy carbon which does not bond to
the surfaces and consequently is self purging through the exhaust
system into the air. Ecological reasons dictate a minimum as a
desirable objective.
Having presented this somewhat broad brush and over
simplified treatment of the subject it may be appropriate to
summarize a few musts:
1. A good two cycle engine lubricating oil must mix completely
and readily with the fuel and stay mixed.
2. When diluted with gasoline the oil must retain good lubricity
and film strength.
3. The oil part of the mixture must burn readily with a minimum
of residue which does not attach to surfaces, including spark
plugs.
It becomes obvious from reviewing these points that a good
two cycle engine lubricant is NOT just another oil. It is equally
clear that some of the desired characteristics of this type of oil
are decidedly different from those found in modern four cycle
engine oils, yet to do all that is expected of it there is need of
special compatible additives blended into carefully selected
fractions of base oils. The old expression, “oil is oil” certainly
does not apply to modern two cycle engine oils!
Ray Henshaw
Texas Refinery Corp., Rep.

From C. E. (Scotty) Stewart
It will probably come as a shock to some golf course
superintendents to learn that a free house on the golf course
grounds plus free utilities such as gas, light, water, telephone, etc.
is not as free as they imagine.
A recent court case was won by the Internal Revenue Service
against a golf course superintendent who lives on the grounds and
which now forces him to add a fair house rental value, plus the
cost of all his paid utilities, to his yearly salary and he then must
pay an income tax based on this gross taxable income.
- The IRS stated that a superintendent’s residence on the golf
course grounds was not required as a condition^ of his
employment for the majority of superintendents live off the
grounds.
From Chicago Bull Sheet

Edward C. Horton, Secretary
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Harrison, New York 10528
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