President's Message Special Feature MetGCSA O ff to a Dealing With Boss Problems... And Problem Bosses Strong Start his promises to be a very good year for the MetGCSA—if our beginning is any indication. We’re off to a strong start with honors, new undertakings, and numer­ ous planned events. First, the Tee to Green, for the second year running, has won top honors in the GCSAA Chapter Publications Con­ test (see mention on page 7). Our hats off to Editor Tim Moore, Managing Editor Pandora Wojick, and the rest of the Editorial Committee. Second, John O ’Keefe and his Mem­ bership Committee have spent many long hours designing and, as you know by now, distributing a comprehensive golf course survey. Its purpose is to offer you the kind of comparative infor­ mation that will help you keep abreast of how others in our industry are man­ aging their maintenance operations. But the survey’s success—and ultimate utility—depend on your participation. The more participants we have, the more extensive and valuable the com­ parative data you’ll receive. So let’s shoot for 100 percent participation. If you’ve all responded by the February 15 deadline, there’s a good chance the Membership Committee will be able to compile and distribute the results sometime in April. Remember: Only those who complete all sections of the survey will receive the results. Third, as you may have read in our November/December (continued on page 2) T olf course superintendents—prob­ ably more often than most people in the work world—find them­ selves reporting to a new boss. Whether it’s a new green chairman, general manager, or an entire board or committee, a change in command can be unsettling. But inheriting a boss you don’t like—or worse, find intolerable— can turn a job you once enjoyed into pure drudgery. That’s not to say that you can’t suddenly find yourself at odds with your current boss, who you may have thought was a staunch supporter. In either case, you don’t have to resign yourself to a dismal situation. What follows is a distillation of expert wisdom on the subject. G Adjusting to a New Boss Problem #i: A new green chairman who makes little effort to get to know you, your staff, or department. Strategy: Ideally, a new boss should take the initiative to find out what makes you and your department tick, says psychologist Peter Wylie, who co­ authored the book Problem Bosses (Facts on File Publications, New York, NY) with Dr. Mardy Grothe. But unfortu­ nately, not all of them do. When that’s the case, Wylie and Grothe recommend that you take responsibility for getting to know your boss: • Write a memo (see page 4) to let your new green chairman know what you and your department have been up to. Keep it simple, and don’t go gangbusters with recommendations on how you’d like to change things. You don’t want to risk going against your boss’s fondest ideas or deepest-held biases. Another tip: Keep your old boss out of your memos and conversations. • Whether the motive is self-interest or genuine concern, learning your boss’s preferences and showing your support can pay off. Here are a few things to consider—and then adapt to: i. How does your boss like to get information: in writing, by phone, or over lunch? (continued on page 4) Also in This Issue @ MetGCSA Committee Chairmen at Your Service 3 ( ) Reid Award Nominations...Equip­ ment for Sale...Position AvailableEligible Hire 3 ( ) 1991 Meeting Schedule 4 ( ) Prune That Deadwood Out of Your Business Communications (7 ) Tee to Green Claims High Honors...Member Notables ( 7) Upcoming Conferences and Seminars President's Message (coat, frompg. 1) MetGCSA O ff to a Strong Start issue, the Tri-State T urf Research Foundation is up and running, with a newly elected Board o f Directors. The foundation is comprised o f officers from the Met, Long Island, and New Jersey superintendent chapters. We’ve banded together not only to acquire funds for research, but also to pinpoint new ways to enhance the turfgrass industry. The foundation has already helped further patch disease preventions and cures by funding Dr. Bruce Clarke’s research endeavors at Rutgers for the past two years. Finally, under planned activities, we have a repeat o f last year’s Professional Turfgrass Field Day. With some o f the enhancements we have up our sleeves, you’ll find this year’s show even better (if you can imagine that). The monthly meeting sights are also set (see schedule, page 3), and I have to say, the year ahead promises to be a good one. I hope to see all o f you at the monthly functions, and I wish you all good luck and much success in the 1991 golfing season. LARRY PAKKALA, C G C S President Board of Directors President LAWRENCE PAKKALA, CGCS Woodway Country Club Vice President TIMOTHY O'NEILL, CGCS Country Club of Darien Secretary JOHN O'KEEFE, CGCS Preakness Hills Country Club Treasurer JOSEPH ALONZI, CGCS Fenway Golf Club Past President SCOTT NIVEN, CGCS The Stanwich Club Official Business DANIEL BRETON An At-a-Glance Guide to MetGCSA Committee Chairmen Silver Spring Country Club JOHN CARLONE Middle Bay Country Club MATTHEW CEPLO Westchester Hills Golf Club P lease feel free to contact any o f the following committee chairmen with questions or comments. We’ve provided their numbers, here, for your convenience. ANTHONY GRASSO Metropolis Country Club BOB LIPPMAN Westchester Turf Supply Awards Long-Range Planning Scott Niven, C G C S, The Stcmwich Club 203-869-1812 Scott Niven, CG CS, The Stanwich Club 203-869-1812 Bylaws Membership Tim O ’Neill, C G C S, C C of D arien 203-656-0600 John O ’Keefe, CG CS, Preakness H ills C C 201-694-0260 EARL MILLETT Ridgeway Country Club TIMOTHY MOORE Knollwood Country Club JEFFREY SCOTT Apawamis Club Executive Secretary Communications JAN RUSSO • Tim Moore, Knollwood C C 914-592-7829 • Earl Millett, Ridgeway C C 914-948-5606 • Matt Ceplo, Westchester H ills GC 914-948-5023 Public Relations Tony Grasso, Metropolis C C 914-949-4840 Tee to Green Staff Editors Scholarship and Research Tim O ’Neill, CGCS. C C of D arien 203-656-0600 Education TIM MOORE EARL MILLETT 914 - 592-7829 914 - 948-5606 Managing Editor PANDORA C .W 0JIC K John Carlone, Middle Bay C C 516-766-1838 Social and Welfare Jeff Scott, Apawam is Club 914-967-2100, ext. 149 Government Relations • Joe Alonzi, C G CS, Fenway GC 914-472-1467 • Class B Rep: Dan Breton, Silver Spring C C 203-438-6720 • Class C Rep: Bob Lippman, Westchester T u rf Supply 914-248-7476 Editorial Committee TONY BAVIELL0 MATT CEPLO PAT LUCAS MARY MED0NIS M IK E M 0N G 0N DENNIS PETRUZZELLI Tournament • Matt Ceplo, Westchester H ills GC 914-948-5023 • Earl Millett, Ridgeway C C 914-948-5606 Advertising Manager MATT CEPLO 914 - 948-5023 Photographer DOMINIC RICHICHI TEE TO GREEN is published eight times 3 year. Copyright © 1991 the Metropolitan G olf Course Superintendents Association ADDRESS: P.0. Box 396, Mamaroneck, N Y 10543. ( 2) Tee to Green January/February 1991 Info Alert Reid Award Nominations Seeking a Monthly Meeting Coordinator he MetGCSA is looking for a ave any ideas on who you’d like to Monthly Meeting Coordinator see win this year’s John Reid who would be responsible for Lifetime Achievement Award? managing the details of our Call Scott Niven at 203-869-1812 monthly golf meetings and ensuring with your nominations. that our events run smoothly. If you know of anyone who might be interested in this paid position, please contact Scott Niven, 203-8691812. he Stanwich Club is selling the following used equipment. Any­ one interested should contact Scott Niven at 203-869-1812. • One 1964 Jacobsen G-10 Tractor • One 1973 Ryan Greensaire ean P. Cain, a University of • One 1973 Rodgers PTO Blower Rhode Island graduate with a B.S. • One 1973 Sand Pro in Professional Turfgrass Manage­ • One 1977 set of six Jacobsen Rough ment, is looking for an assistant Gang Mowers with Frame • Two 1977 Smithco Red Rider Utility superintendent’s position in the tri­ state area. His experience includes six Carts summers on two different golf courses: • One 36" Meter-matic Topdresser four summers at Mohawk Golf Club in • One 1970 Westpoint 24" Sheer Schenectady, NY, and the past two • One 1983 Terra 200 Aerifier summers at The Stanwich Club in • One Steam Jenny Greenwich, CT. • One 8’ Western Plow Anyone interested in Sean’s services • One Sodmaster Edger can contact him at 516-399-7847 or • 65 Duo Aluminum Trap Rakes 401-782-1304. (Standard) • One 3" Water Pump T H Equipment for Sale T Assistant Super for Hire S A Sterilized Top Dressing EGYPT FARMS W H ITE M ARSH, MD (301) 3 3 5 -3 7 0 0 1 -8 0 0 -8 9 9 -S 0 IL ( 7645 ) EGYPT FARMS EXCLUSIVE! All top dressing ingredients are thorough­ ly mixed and sterilized by indirect heat in our special process. The sand particles are actually coated with a mixture of top soil and peat humus for a completely homoge­ nous mixture that will not separate during handling and spreading. Egypt Farms top dressing is formulated especially for your area to specifications recommended by leading universities and testing laboratories. • C o m p u te riz e d b le n d in g o f so il m ix ­ tu re s fo r a s u p e rio r g ro w in g m e d iu m . o n -s ite so il b le n d in g and testing with a p o rta b le c o m p u te riz e d b le n d e r to meet your specifications. • C u s to m • Bunker Sands »Mulch • Canadian Sphagnum Peat «. . .. , ,. Distributed The Terre Co. ( 201) 473-3393 Metro-Milorganite, Inc. by:(914) All County Fairways, Inc. ( 516) 242-9720 Upcoming Events 1991 MetGCSA Meeting Sites H ere is the near-final schedule for 1991 MetGCSA golf and business meetings. Be sure to note these events on your calendar, and we’ll keep you posted on any updates. March 26 Fairview Country Club Greenwich, CT Business Meeting Rich Mareks, CGCS April 17 Areola Country Club Paramus, NJ Mike Monßon May 23 Silver Spring CC Ridgefield, CT Peter Rappoccio, CGCS June 10 Patterson Club Fairfield, CT Invitational Tournament Ray Beaudry, CGCS Pelham Country Club Pelham Manor, NY Tony Baviello September 24 Scarsdale Golf Club Hartsdale, NY Herb Waterous, CGCS October 16 Woodway CC Darien, CT Superintendent/Green Chairman Tournament Larry Pakkala, CGCS November ?? Apawamis Club Rye, NY Annual Meeting Jeff Scott July 15 GENERAL M ASONRY STO N E W ALLS STONE CURBS TERRACES S E A L C O A T IN G E X C A V A T IO N ROADS P A R K IN G L O T S D R IV E W A Y S L A N D C L E A R IN G D R A IN A G E TONY BETTINO & SONS 102 FULTON S T R E E T WHITE PLAINS, N Y 10606 T O N Y B E T T IN O (9 1 4 ) 9 4 9 -3 3 6 2 Tee to Green January/February 1991 ( 3) Special Feature (cont. 1) Dealing With Boss Problems 2. What’s your boss’s management style? Is he a “high-involvement” type who likes frequent bulletins on work in progress, or would he prefer that you report only on major issues or projects? 3. Does your boss make snap deci­ sions or take a painstakingly long time to act? The more insight you gain into your new boss’s work style, the better you can tailor your habits to his. The pay­ off: a more productive—if not amicable —working relationship. sure to document the situation should it become serious enough to warrant going over your boss’s head.) If you and your boss end up working at cross-purposes, you’ll be the loser. Here are a few points to keep in mind: • Deal with your anger, skepticism, or worry outside of work. You can make a lifetime friend in the first week by your show of support or a long-term enemy by being too challenging. • Listen for the question behind the boss’s question. “How would you han­ dle this problem?” is a test of your loyal­ ty as well as your competence. A re­ sponse like, “I’ll prepare a list of options and then discuss them with you,” demonstrates both. Problem #2; Your new green chairman is pushing hard for what, in your view, are ill-advised projects, work methods, or course “enhancements.” Strategy: If you have any doubts about Problems With Your Current Boss what your boss is directing you to do, New Problem #1: Pressured by a group of discuss your reservations, but then low-handicap members, your boss now respect your boss’s final word. (Just be continually looks over your shoulder. Strategy: This can be more trying than adjusting to a new boss. Everything looks the same, but it’s not. Don’t waste time fuming or second-guessing. Invite your green chairman to lunch, and open a discussion by explaining— factually, not emotionally—your perceptions of the changes in your relationship. Some options: • If you have a sense of what’s caus­ ing the problem, you might say: I know the greens have been a little slower than usual, but that’s because we’ve had a lot of rain lately and they’re soft.” • Draw your boss out; then listen closely: Is your boss more concerned about his standing with members than the condition of the golf course? • Show you have your boss’s—and the course’s—interest at heart. If you know, for instance, that your boss is taking heat because you syringe when the course is under heavy play, explain Pruning the Deadwood Out of Your Business Communications Impact: As a noun, it’s fine. But don’t with you on the telephone today, get caught writing—or uttering—“The especially so in learning of your plans regarding the green committee’s forth­ rainy spring will impact course coming inspection trip to our mainte­ conditions.” Interface: A computer term best left in nance facility. the computer world. Computer pro­ Better: I’m looking forward to the green committee’s visit to our mainte­ grams interface; people don’t (no matter nance building. how interesting it sounds). Communicate: Don’t use this as a sub­ Bad: My background is largely in the stitute for “talk,” “tell,” and “speak.” field of horticulture, not agronomics. Example: didn’t communicate that Better: I have a degree in horticulture, change to “He me, so I didn’t take it into not agronomy. consideration when preparing my Bad: I maintain that the purchase of budget.” this piece of equipment will result in a Indicate: You don’t want to use this significant improvement in the consis­ instead of “said,” as in, “Last time we tency of green speed. spoke, you indicated...” Better: Purchasing this piece of equip­ Appreciate, hear: An attempt at superment will mean a more challenging, managerial empathy, these words are Also, be ruthless in pruning the dead- consistently maintained green speed— often used inappropriately instead of wood out of your sentences: for all 18 holes. “understand.” Example: “I can appreci­ Bad: Enclosed herewith please find a ate what you’re saying” or “I hear what A third pointer: Slinging the slang and you’re copy of my proposed budget. telling me.” Ugh. using lots of buzzwords can make you Better: Enclosed is my proposed sound unimaginative and phony (if not Adapted from Four Steps to Better Business Writing budget. ($7.50), which is available through Brown House silly). Some of the more popular Communications, P.O. Box 536, Wilton, CT 06897, Bad: It was certainly a pleasure speaking offenders these days are: 203-834-0050. n all your communications— whether it be with your green chairman, general manager, board of directors, or colleagues and suppliers—it’s important that you make each word work. If there’s one that doesn’t, get rid of it. Watch out for weak words that rob your sentences of their vitality: Quite (I quite agree.) Rather (I was rather concerned.) Indeed (I am indeed grateful.) Frankly (Frankly, I’m puzzled.) A bit (You seem to be a bit upset.) Overall (Overall, I think the course looks much better.) Largely (We aerify largely to reduce soil compaction.) I 4 ( ) Tee to Green January/February 1991 Special Feature (cont.) why it’s necessary; then ask how you can help. You might suggest, for instance, publishing an explanation to the membership. • Finally, avoid negativity. Critical comments, even the most general ones, may be perceived as a personal attack. Instead, ask your green chairman to get approval on what you think you need— time, equipment, more staff, contract help—to meet any new demands, whether it be undertaking a new project or patching up an old problem. Problem #2: Your boss seems to be disenchanted with you and your work. Strategy: If the feeling persists for more than a week, don’t look away, warn Wylie and Grothe. Analyze: • Has the quality of your dealings with your boss diminished? • Have you been asked to meet more frequently with your green chairman and committee? • Has your green chairman made it clear that a piece of your work was unacceptable and then told you not to worry about it? If you can answer yes to some or all of these questions, try Wylie’s script for smoothing over a relationship that’s gone bad: 1. “I’ve had the sense lately that your view of me or my work has changed. It’s hard to put my finger on it, but I’ve noticed that you haven’t been quite as enthusiastic about what I’m doing on the course, and the frequency of our green committee meetings seems to have increased suddenly. If there’s something I’m doing—or not doing—that bothers you, I’d like to know about it so I can try to change.” 2. Most bosses, eager to avoid a touchy subject, will reply, “No, no, nothing’s wrong.” But don’t let it go at that. Ask, “So as you think about it, there’s nothing I’m doing that annoys or troubles you?” Then pause, and give your boss a chance to respond. 3. Chances are, your boss will say something to fill the void. Keep quiet, listen, and don’t give in to the urge to defend your behavior or actions. 4. Instead, paraphrase what your green chairman has said so you know you’ve got the point. “Let me make sure I’m with you. It sounds like what’s really bothering you is...” 5. Once you understand, don’t dwell on the problems. Take steps to move toward a resolution: “Sounds like there are things I can do to solve these problems. I’ll do..., and you can help me by...” In the end, it’s your ability to commu­ nicate with your boss that can make or break your working relationship—and prevent those inevitable “little blun­ ders” from turning into job-threatening misunderstandings. Source: Learning International Inc., a sales, service, and management training company in Stamford, CT. SAVA T E E Turf & G ro u n d s Eq u ip m en t JSW-Hydraulic Excavators Our trained crews are careful on a golf course. We treat tees like greens and greens like gold. That is one reason five of this areas most prestigious clubs are already our clients. The other reasons? We prune judiciously using state-of-the-art techniques. We deep-root feed with our own organic blend. We cable and brace with future growth in mind. And, we will work with your crews to be most cost effective. 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SW^REE COMPLETE TREE AND SHRUB CARE, NATURALLY 360 Adams Street, Bedford Hills, NY 10507 (914) 666-8202 • (203) 661-6755 R UBICAN IS TH E ONLY FUNGICIDE GUARANTEED FOR TH E PR EVEN TIO N OF: • Summer Patch • Necrotic Ring Spot • Fusarium Blight See your local Elanco Distributor for details or call Fertilize Nature’s Way with Milorganite BOB SCOTT ( R ic k A p g a r J o e S ta h l (7 ) PARTAC Tee to Green 3 6 5 A d a m s S t. B e d fo rd H ills, N Y 9 1 4 -6 6 6 -3 1 7 1 January/February 1991 201) 376-7290 Elanco Area Representative 914-937-5479 ONI LO N G IS L A N D B Y MAXWELL TURF & SUPPLY DOUG HERON 516-681-3032 RANSOMES MOTOR 350D * A L L H Y D R A U L IC F IV E GANG * K U B O T A 38 H P D IE S E L * 8 o r 11 B L A D E F U L L F L O A T IN G H E A D S * GRASS CATCHERS STEVEN WILLAND INC. ( 201) 579-5656 Elanco Products Company Indianapolis, IN Notable Notes Tee to Green