September 1977

Published monthly by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association

MEETING NOTICE:
I Date:
September 29
Place:
Brae Burn Country Club
Brunch: 11:00 AM
| Golf:
12:00 Shotgun Start—Superintendents Invitational
| Cocktails: 6:30 PM
* Dinner:
7:30 PM All A, B, & C Members who wish to come
for dinner. Please contact A1 Caravella
914.946-1074
Program: Mr. Eb Steinger. “Mr. Pine Valley.,,
Host:
A1 Caravella
Directions: Take Route 120 North from Hutchinson River
Parkway. Follow 120 North, past Old Oaks C.C. look for
| Barnes Lane about 1 mile on the left.
( MEETING NOTICE:
Date:
October 11
Place:
Siwanoy C.C.
Lunch:
Available in Grill Room
Golf:
2nd Round Superintendents Championship, B & C
Championships
Cocktails: frPM
Dinner: 7 PM
Program: Panel Discussion: Maintenance Building, Con­
struction, Renovation.
Host:
Vinnie Pentenaro
Directions: From Northern Westchester take Hutchinson
River Parkway to Mill Road Exit, take right at exit, proceed to
Waverly Square (route 22). Make a left to Pondfield Road.
Club is on the left. From South take Hutchinson River
I Parkway to Pelham Road Exit, take left onto New Rochelle
| Road which will turn into Pondfield Road. Club is about 1 mile
' on the right.

Vol. V II, No. 8

November 15-17 N.Y. State Turf Conference, Turf Inn,
Albany, N.Y.
Nov. 28-Dec. 1 N.J. Turfgrass Expo
December
MGCSA Christmas Party

MGCSA NEWS:
Fall is here and everybody is busy with aerifying, renovating,
etc. It has been very dry most of the summer. Let’s hope we can
have some nice rainfall before the cold weather sets in and we
have some Indian Summer this fall. All indications are that
r/main tfflh. The drought had its effect on this
years seedB^odx^roff, ^^ecially Bluegrasses. It appears that
Seaside Bentgrass may have to be replaced with Penncross
becau&fcHdf* th^lilin|t6d production of Seaside. Some of the
newer varities of bentgrass have adequate supplies. Rhode
looked like a rain out but by
afternooblflftfltfWilrflhad stopped and the full tour was concluded
without another drop. They have some interesting studies
going on about topdressing with different bents. They are also
using various sands in this study. Evidently fellows in the
mid-west are trying all sand topdressing too. Some of the
experimental turf fungicides look very good if they ever get to
the Superintendent. They also are recommending that you mix
your fungicide program, especially with systemics, or expect
resistant strains to develop. It sure would be nice to get back
the Mercury compounds in NYS.

Note: Please return your cards. The return card is for the
October 11th meeting.
COMING EVENTS:
October 4
NJGCSA Turfgrass Equipment, Irrigation
and Supplies Field Day, Hopewell Valley
Golf Club, Rt. 518 spur, Hopewell, N.J.
Free Refreshments and Hot Dogs—
Door Prizes
October 26-27 WISCONSIN GOLF COURSE—Superin­
tendent Turfgrass Symposium
November 9
MGCSA Annual Meeting

Carmine Labriola, left, presenting a check for the Scholarship
and Research Fund to MGCSA President Edward (Ted) Horton.

Editorial Staff
Garry Crothers
Ted Horton

Co-Editor
Co-Editor
OFFICERS

President:
First Vice
President:
Second Vice
President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:

Edward C. Horton, Winged Foot Golf Club
Office 914-698-2827, Home 914-937-3613
Charles Martineau, Whippoorwill C.C.
Office 914-273-3755, Home 914-428-3826
Richard Gonyea, Rye Golf Club
Office 914-835-3203, Home 914-835-3204
Michael Maffei, Back of Beyond Golf Course
Office 914-279-7179, Home 914-279-7895
Robert Alonzi, Burning Tree C.C.
Office 203-869-5779, Home 914-937-1527

Not copyrighted. I f there is good here, we want to share it with
all chapters - unless author states otherwise.

Chuck Martineau did his usual great job in hosting the
Lawrence Labriola Memorial Tournament at Whippoorwill. It
was a perfect day. We had a light turnout from MGCSA. They
had a tremendous spread. The golf prizes were excellent, along
with door prizes. Dan “M urph” Verrille beat out his brother
Louis for low gross with a fine round of 74, followed by Lou’s
75. Fred Scheyhing took low net with his best round in 4 years.
Dick Almstead not only get a crying towel for high score but he
also won a set of irons in the raffle. Dr. Virtuoso made a
excellent speech, not only about Lawrence, but the usual great
support of the Superintendent. It was good to see Guido
Cribari. Chuck also pulled his number and won a prize tp boot
Carmine Labriola, son of Lawrence Labriola, presented the
MGCSA a nice check for Scholarship and Research Fund.
The Met area will have a new computized irrigation system
installed in the next 6 months at Stanwich C.C. Ray Twombly
is very excited about it. It sure will be nice to be able to see it in
operation in our immediate area. Automatic irrigation con­
tinues to improve each year. Lightning damage stills seems to
be a big problem (ask Dick Allen he lost 10 clocks in one
storm). This golf season is almost 3A over and certainly it has
been one of the busiest I can recall in regard to play, one of the
factors being the weather. There have been very few week-ends
if any that golf weather has not been good. When was the last
time the golf course was closed by weather? the carts were not
allowed out? Pat Lucas has officially started at Innis Arden.
Ron Boydston will be officially retiring at the end of this year.
He will help out the new Superintendent who ever it may be
and then head south to Florida to his retirement home in Coco
Beach. He says he hopes to have a part time job a few days a
week. He has already been offered several jobs. It’s pretty nice
to be able to retire at 51, and if you can do it, why not?

The Sympathy of Metropolitan GCSA
Our sympathy is extended to the Lucas family due to the
passing of Mel Lucas Sr. CGCS. Mel was a friend to all and
was as devoted a Superintendent as you would ever meet. He
loved and lived turf and inspired many young Superintendents
by his enthusiasm for his work. He was a Quarter Century
Member in GCSAA, a member in MGCSA, LIGCSA, past
member NJGCSA. He took great pride in the history of golf in
all aspects. He was equally proud that his only son was a
Superintendent (Mel Lucas Jr.) and especially proud that he
was a Director of GCSAA. Mel was always willing to help his
fellow Superintendent. He never stopped his quest for knowl­
edge about his work and was always seen at National and local
conference at the educational sessions. To Murial and Mel Jr.,
your loved one is now in the ultimate turf world. God Bless you
both.
Our sympathy is also extended to The Ormond Family on
the passing of Jack Ormond. Jack “the great Scot” Ormond
was a great friend to many of us in the Metropolitan GCSA. He
received his Life plaque at Quaker Ridge C.C. He also was a
great friend and help to many young Superintendents. He was
like a father to many a up and coming Superintendent. He was
the Superintendent at the Canoe Brook Golf Club for many
years. After he retired he still remained active in the local
association. Jack was a Quarter Century Member in GCSAA,
being a member since the late 30’s. We will miss him. Jack
suffered greatly the last few months and so he will rest in peace
in the great green pasture joining his friend Mel. God Bless all
his family.
For Sale:
Torrey 2 yd. sand spreader for pickup truck mounting.
Cab controls. Excellent condition. $1,000.
Spare 48” rotary unit for Simplicity tractor. $100.
Sweepster Broom for garden tractor mounting. Good for snow
sweeping as well as debris cleanup. Excellent condition. $400.
Call Mike Maffei at 914-279-7179.

Guido Cribari, Executive Sports Director, RocklandWest chest er Gannett newspapers, speaking. Harry
Montevideo, golf pro, Whippoorwill Club, eating and
listening simultaneously.

MGCSA ASSOCIATION NOTES
By Ted Horton, President
This year continues to be an exciting period for our Associ­
ation. MGCSA board members and Events Chairmen and
their wives have worked hard, but, more important still—the
members have supported us by attending the educational and
social events. This has been rewarding to all of us.
However, at our last board meeting it was suggested that I
mention three items of concern:
1. Dress standard—it is requested that a jacket and tie be
worn to our meetings. Many clubs still require this standard of
dress for their members and as a result, we must ask that our
members attempt to also comply.
2. Return cards—please make every effort to return cards or
to place a reservation with a host superintendent. All of us
have experienced how difficult it is to prepare for an event
without an accurate attendance estimate.
3. MGA Budget Survey—time is running out on the Golf
Course Maintenance Survey. The MGA office must start to
tabulate data in September in order to be ready for the
seminar on November 11, 1977 at the Rye Town Hilton. To
date they have received only 28 completed copies of the survey.
Please send yours if you have not already done so.
Enough said—now, on the brighter side, I would like to
comment on some of the approaching events which require
your assistance or attendance.
1. MGCSA Invitational Tournament—A1 Caravella, host
superintendent, and A1 Tretera and Jim Kaczenski, Golf
Chairmen, have worked hard to prepare for this year’s event.
Eb Steiniger, recipient of the USGA Green Section Award,
GCSAA distinguished service award and in his spare time Golf
Course Superintendent at the Pine Valley Golf Club in New
Jersey will be our guest speaker. If you will not be playing
golf, please join us for dinner.
2. 31st Annual N.Y. State Turfgrass Conference—this year
the event will be held at the Turf Inn, Albany, New York—
November 15 to 17, 1977. We have enclosed a program for the
conference in which you will be able to see that the committee
has prepared an outstanding conference. In particular, Dr.

Beii5ui

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(A-34)

RATED FIRST FOR WEAR TOLERANCE
RATED FIRST FOR SHADE TOLERANCE
RATED HIGH IN DISEASE RESISTANCE
BenSun (A-34) Kentucky bluegrass was
the only bluegrass, out of 18 tested, to
receive an excellent rating, for wear toler­
ance on golf courses. This test was
conducted by a leading university doing
turfgrass research. BenSun (A-34) is also
rated first for shade tolerance (up to 65%)
and near the top in disease resistance.
It grows vigorously in shade, sun, cool
and warm climates, high and low altitudes,
poor soil and even sand.
Write for more detailed information, a
list of golf courses now using BenSun
(A-34) and the research ratings referred
to above.

Available as Sod, Sod Plugs and Seed
7 /y ^ ,
ww

TURF NURSERY, INC. /

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(Lower & Gardnerville Roads)
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(914) 355^162

Dick Smiley has been extremely attentive to all details. It is
now up to us in the field to support his efforts by attending and
if possible exhibiting. Mark your calendar with the above dates
and plan to be there. Your support is needed.
3. MGCSA Championship—Vinnie Pentenero is looking
forward to again showing us his beautiful Siwanoy club on
October 11,1977. Undoubtedly he has also been practicing his
golf. If possible, because of the date of this event, check with
Vinne about the availability of caddies or carts. He may need
some assistance.
4. Travel arrangements—we are again checking on group
fares for the GCSAA San Antonio Conference in February,
1978. Also, two travel agencies have submitted proposals for
your consideration as vacation possibilities. Rather than de­
tailing this information at this time we have permitted the
agencies to mail to you their proposals. The MGCSA has not
officially endorsed these programs but we felt that the offered
plans might be of interest to some of our members. Further
details should follow from SeaAir Travel and Depp’s Travel.

Left to right: Carmine Labriola, brother of the late Lawrence
Labriola, Jack Lombardy, Town Supervisor of North Castle,
Don Spadaccia, and Carmine Labriola, Lawrence's son.

It pays
to use
AQUAGRO
• Quality blended
wetting agents
• 100% active liquid
concentrate
AQUA-GRO GRANULAR
40% Granular lor soil mixes

AQUA-GRO “S”
Convenience of application

Available from local
distributor or for additional
information write or call:

Aquatrols Corp. of America
1400 Suckle Highway,
Pennsauken, N.J. 08110
Tel. (609) 665-1330

5. Mel Lucas, Jr. for V.P.—MGCSA has nominated Mel
Lucas, Jr. for V.P. of GCSAA. Any support that you can give to
Mel at this time would be appreciated. Write to your friends
across the country and prod their thinking a little.
6. Sherwood Moore Nominated for GCSAA Highest Service
Award—each of us would agree that Sherwood has made an
outstanding contribution to the advancement of the golf course
superintendent’s profession both locally and nationally. As a
result, the MGCSA has nominated him to be considered for
this award which will be given at the 49th International
Turfgrass Conference and Show in San Antonio, Texas in
February, 1978. A nominee should have wide-spread support
with substantial documentation of his outstanding perfor­
mance to be a successful candidate for the award. Write to
GCSAA in support of our candidate.
7. Use of Mercury in New York State—as the only state in
the country unable to use Mercury Fungicides, it behooves us
to write to all concerned individuals expressing our desire to
have these fungicides permitted for use. If you haven’t done so
already, please write a short note to Mr. Frommer.
8. MGCSA Membership Roster—our roster is now in the
process of being updated. If you desire any corrections to be
made, notify Chuck Martineau immediately.
9. John Traynor Appointed to MGCSA Board—to fill a
vacancy created by the resignation of Gene Grady. We are
pleased to appoint John Traynor. John has agreed to serve on
the Board through November 1978.
10. MGCSA Nominations—the success of any organization
depends upon the ability of the members to select candidates
for its Board of Directors who are truly willing to participate.

For the superintendent
flwK M I

ProTurf offers research tested,
golf course proven professional
turf products.
Just give me a call.

P ro T u rf
Senior Technical Representative
RFD # 1—Terry Lane
Brookfield, Conn. 06804
Telephone: 203/775-3472

Please contact A1 Tretera, Chairman of the Nominating Com­
mittee with any suggestions that you have.
In rereading the above information, it seems that I have
requested a lot of letter writing on your part. But, this is truly a
sign of an active organization and I think each of us is proud to
participate. If there are further matters which you feel you
would like to have discussed at the Board Meetings or at a
Membership meeting please contact us. Thank you for your
support of the above programs.

Al Tretera, golf chairman MGCSA, and Dan Verrilie holding the
trophy he received for low gross in the Lawrence Labriola
Memorial Tournament.

Superintendent’s Job Wanted
Duane Van Etten, Sr.
3115 Argonne St.
Endwell, N.Y. 13760
607-754-6596
MGCSA Research Fund Report
To date we have heard from 26 clubs but we still haven’t
heard from many of the clubs that contributed last year. Many
individuals also have not sent in their contribution for this
| year. MGCSA is committed to raising at least $8,000 for the
f research work to be conducted this year. If you or your club
1 has not contributed to date, please try and help us in this
I important research for all of us. Last year we had 38 clubs
contribute and 38 individuals.
To date the following clubs have contributed:
Piping Rock Club
The Apawamis Club
Ridgeway Country Club
The Ardsley Country Club
Blind Brook Club
Rockland Country Club
Bedford Golf and Tennis Club
Round Hill Club
Brae Burn Country Club
St. Andrews Golf Club
Century Country Club
Sleepy Hollow Country Club
Elmwood Country Club
Waccabuc Country Club
Fenway Golf Club
Wee Burn Country Club
Whippoorwill Club
Knollwood Country Club
Greenwich Country Club
Winged Foot Golf Club
Old Oaks Country Club
Wood way Country Club
Pelham Country Club
Wykagyl Country Club
MGCSA
Quaker Ridge Golf Club
Metropolis
Individuals:
Robert Alonzi
Terry Boles
Garry Crothers
Michael Dale
Roger Harmonay
Edward Horton
Roger King

Ted Joswich
Mike Russo
Alan Tretera
Paul Caswell
John Corsi
Paul Sartoretto
Bob Bruce

Jerry Scafa
Phil Santucci
Robert Tosh
Dan Verrille
Dr. Andrew Virtuoso
Almstead Tree Co. Inc.
Robert Phippe

Job Openings:
Rockland Country Club
Sparkhill, N.Y.
Private— 18 holes
No other facilities.
Please send resumes to: Ron Boydston, Rockland Country
Club, Sparkill, N.Y. 10976
Job Openings:
Patterson Country Club
Private—18 holes
Manual irrigation (planning stages for automatic)
Salary Open
Benefits Open
Contact: Mr. Richard Cole, c/o Patterson Club, 1118 Cross
Highway, Fairfield, Conn. 06430.
GCSAA’S SEMINAR
Principles of Landscape
Meriden, CT.—November 2-3
Landscaping requirements of golf courses are unique unto
themselves and this seminar should help superintendents
identify the assets of an area and solve or avoid potential
problems, while providing the beauty associated with golf
courses.
REGISTRATION
Please register me for the Principles of Landscape, Meriden,
CT. My check, made payable to GCSAA Seminars, for
$ ________ is enclosed (GCSAA Members $50 each, non­
members $70 each).
Mail this form and your check to: GCSAA Seminars, 1617 St.
Andrews Dr., Lawrence, KS 66044
Nam e_________________________________ No__________
Title____________________________________________ ___
Address_____________________________________________
City____________ ________ State___________ Zip_______

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Cancellation Policy—Fee will be deducted as follows: 2 weeks
prior to seminar 10%; 1 week prior 20%; 2 days prior 30%. No
refund within 24 hours.
GCSAA 49th INTERNATIONAL TURFGRASS
CONFERENCE AND SHOW
February 12-17,1978
San Antonio, Texas
“ECONOMY THRU IDEAS” is the theme for the premier
turfgrass industry conference and show, sponsored by the Golf
Course Superintendents Association of America. This is a
once-a-year opportunity for turfgrass managers, educators and
industry representatives to learn about and share the latest
ideas and developments in turfgrass management, services and
equipment. Exhibits featuring new products for the turf
industry will be open February 14-16; the conference will be in
session February 12-17. This is the place for you to meet the
other people who make the turfgrass industry dynamic and to
capture dollar-saving ideas. See you in San Antonio in ’78.

SNOW MOLD CONTROL PROGRAM
As many of you know, the Environment Protection Agency
has modified its restriction on the use of Calo-Clor, Calogran,
and PMAS for use by Golf Course Superintendents for Snow
Mold Control on Putting Greens.
Forty-nine states have registered these materials and only
New York State remains to do so. In New York State, the
situation is simply this—it is up to you! Now is the time to get
busy and write a letter to:
Mr. Charles Frommer, Director
Department of Environmental Conservation
Wolf Road
Albany, N.Y., 12201
A personal, hand-written letter is the most effective means
to let Mr. Frommer know that we need these chemicals for the
proper maintenance of our greens. Please take five or ten
minutes to write to him right now.
Thank you,
Edward C. Horton, President

FEDERAL MOWER SAFETY STANDARD
ADOPTION MAY COST $371 MILLION
A proposed federal safety standard for power mowers could
cost consumers an estimated $371 million the first year it is in
effect, according to a reseaich report commissioned by the
Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI).
The report, prepared by the Stanford Research Institute
(SRI), based this estimate on analysis of the cost increase
which would result if the Consumer Product Safety Commis­
sion’s (CPSC) proposed standard is adopted.
In addition to costing more, the report said mowers comply­
ing with the CPSC standard will not cut grass as well and will
be more difficult to maintain.
The SRI study predicts that the new standard will drive 15 to

20 manufacturers, along with some suppliers, out of business.
Manufacturers would have trouble raising the needed capital
to design, test, tool-up and manufacture the new mowers, the
report said. The price of the lowest-cost walk-behind mowers
would rise from about $69 today to about $104, a 51 per cent
jump. Average walk-behind mowers would go up about 24 per
cent and riding mowers and garden tractors would increase 36
per cent and 14 per cent respectively.
The report estimates, however, that market demand will
drop 20 per cent for walk-behind equipment, 35 per cent for
riding mowers and 20 per cent for garden tractors.
The report goes on to project a ratio of $.09 in benefit for
every $1.00 of cost increase as a result of adopting the
proposal.
The OPEI says that a slowdown in sales would impede the
rate of replacement of existing units while maintaining that
present accident count is due mainly to operators misusing
equipment.
Testifying at a recent CPSC hearing, representatives of the
OPEI labeled the proposed standards as a “classic example of
regulatory overkill,’’ accusing the commission of mandating
design and production without knowing if the consuming
public will accept it.
Spokesmen for OPEI also questioned some other factors,
including the feasibility of the two-year effective date on the
proposed standard, the statutory authority for many of the
provisions, a “misplaced engineering judgement,’’ and a
denial of petition to cross-examine the CPSC staff and con­
tractors.
In related action, OPEI has filed for a preliminary injunction
against imposition of noise emission standards for power
mowers by the Environmental Protection Agency. The suit
charges a denial of due process of law and a violation of the
elementary rules of fairness.
OPEI is the national trade association representing manu­
facturers of about 90 per cent of the lawn and garden power
equipment used by consumers.
Credit: Lakeshore News, August-September 1977

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WHAT’S HAPPENING TO OUR ASH TREES
During the months of July and August 1977 White Ash trees
in the Westchester-Fairfield County areas and other areas in
metropolitan New York have been seriously infected by Ash
Canker Fungus. This fungus was collected from trees in early
August by ourselves and Dr. P.P. Pirone, a plant pathologist
with the New York Botanical Gardens. This fungus was
identified as Dothiorella fraxinicola by Dr. Clark Rogerson,
mycologist at the New York Botanical Gardens, from laboraI tory cultures of recently infected stems.
The canker causes branches to die back and whole trees to
die. We have seen cases where within a week an entire tree
after the infection is first noticed would die. Some trees are
being hit more heavily than others. The first indication of this
particular Ash Canker is in a small twig here and there
scattered throughout the dying tree. The canker forms on the
branch and the fungus then works its way completely around
the branch girdling the branch which cuts off its supply of
nutrients to the leaves, causing the leaves to turn brown. This
is different from the other diseases in that a twig here and a
twig there throughout the crown of the tree die. This disease is
progressing rapidly throughout the New York area and we
approximate thousands of trees have died within the last two
months.
This disease should not be confused with Ash tree die back
which has existed very heavily in the metropolitan area over the
last five years and has been around for 20 years. The Ash tree
die back has an unknown cause, although we feel it is a
| weather-related problem. Ash tree die back shows as the very
top of the tree begins to wither and the tree dies from the top
down, branch after branch, the entire branch. The Ash tree
canker which we have discovered hits a twig here and there
jthroughout the tree. Eventually reinfecting another branch
with the fungii spores moving from one branch to the other
and killing the entire tree.
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for the disease once it
infects a tree, in a tree that is not seriously infected it would be
possible to cut out the infected limbs with the cankers existing
on them. This would entail removing all canker-infected limbs

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and probably disfiguring most trees that we have seen over
the past two months.
The disease in my opinion has spread heavily this year due to
the high humidity we have experienced during the summer.
The very humid weather provides excellent conditions for
fungii spores to proliferate.
Probably the best thing that anyone with large Ash trees
could do would be to have a competent Arborist look at the
trees to see if this infection exists in their trees. As to what to
do—proper feeding, watering, and spraying are the best
known methods of keeping the tree from getting totally
infected. Even if these methods are utilized, if we have a
tremendous growth of the disease as we evidenced this sum­
mer, the trees will still probably be infected. There is no known
cure to preserving these trees. Apparently, the White Ash trees
are going the same way as the American Elm and as to why this
disease should show up all of a sudden is unexplainable.
I do have reports from other people that they have seen the
disease in other parts of this state and Pennsylvania and New
Jersey and other states in the Northeast. I have also spoken
with Dr. George Hudler, Cornell University, and he relates
that he has seen typical symptoms of the decline which I
showed him in Westchester County in other parts of New York
State. Apparently, this disease is something new. Unfortu­
nately, Ash trees are one of the prime trees in the metropolitan
area.
—Robert Mullane
Consulting Arborist
Alpine Tree Care, Inc.

Membership—The MGCSA welcomes the following members:
John Musto—Class A
Steve Auresto—Class A
John Adriany—Class B
Glen Moore—Class B
Gerard Kane—Class C
John Auresto—Life Member

TUCO

Division of
The Upjohn Company

Acti-dioneTGF Acti-dione RZ
for your
tèes, greens
and fairw ay
p rogram .
Acti-dioneTGF
helps eradicate and
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diseases. It’s watersoluble, easy to
handle, and won’t
harm beneficial
bacteria in soil.
For more
information call:

fits your
fa irw a y
and
greens
d isease
problem s
to a tee.
A sod webworm larva
can eat up 20 square
inches of turf in its
20- to 40-day lifespan.
A cutworm larva can
chew up 36 square
inches. Control them
both with Proxol 80 SR

• Peerless Pumps
• Pump Controls & Control Valves
• Pipe, Valves & Fittings
Sales & Service

DAVID J. SYLVESTER
A REA SA L E S R E P R E S E N T A T IV E
H O M E : 4 7 M A IN ST R E E T , EAST B E R L IN , C O N N E C T IC U T 0 6 0 2 3
2 0 3 /8 2 8 -3 7 9 0

LEAVING IT TO CHANCE
Too many golf courses are leaving their irrigation programs
to chance. Eventually, it will catch up with them. Hopefully, it
won't take an act of tragedy to convince them that manual
watering went out with horse drawn plows and hand-sewing.
This should not be taken as a commercial for the automatic
irrigation industry, although at times it might sound like one.
Obviously, the business of supplying and installing dial-a-rain
systems is a spiraling one with competition within its ranks.
Thus, we are not indorsing the company; we are promoting the
product and idea behind it.
The disadvantages of a manual dependence on irrigation are
many.
Probably, the most glaring adversity attached is the labor
problem it nurtures. Since the hours are weird (late night, early
morning shifts make the job about as attractive as cleaning
stables), there is bound to be constant turnover in personnel—
hand-placing sprinklers and running around the course to set
them in motion.
The trend erodes further along labor lines because of the
minimum appeal the job presents, often forcing the golf course
superintendent to hire applications who are less than appeal­
ing, themselves. This results in slipshod handling of the cranky
chores and the super usually winds up being a watchdog
watching over his hired hand. So, the quality of the work
suffers.
Another disadvantage—more aptly a hazard—is the danger
involved in manual course watering. Only recently a crew of
fo r

t o u g h e r

TURF
f e r t iliz e w ith

MILWAUKEE

T H E NATURAL

OÑGAWC
FERTILIZE R

•

L O N G E R LASTING

•

EASIER TO APP LY

•

W O N ’T B U R N

Long-lasting M ilorganite provides
soil with everything necessary for
strong, vigorous grass growth.
It promotes a healthy root system
that resists drought, insect pests,
and disease. M ilorganite is easy
to apply, too.- it's dust-free,
free flowing, and does not cake or
deteriorate in storage*.
Use spring, summer, and fall.

METRO M ILO R G A N IT E INC.
P.O. Box 267
Hawthorne, N .Y . 10532
Tel. (914) 7 6 9 -7 6 0 0

John Wistrand
Tony Grasso

Left to right: Chuck Martineau, host superintendent, Maria
Cannato, restaurant hostess, Dr. Andrew Virtuoso, Green
Chairman and Harry Montevideo, golf pro . . . all of
Whippoorwill Club.

two (that’s the least number as dictated by state law) at a
nearby club was involved in an accident in which one member
met an untimely death. The two-man buddy system wasn’t a
factor here. But what if the job were solo and the worker had
been seriously injured . . . caught in a tipped over truck in the
dead of night with no one aware of his plight?
The danger factor leaks over to plain uncomfortable and
uninviting conditions by the very nature of the time and place.
Sometime ago, at an Eastern course (obviously where two-man
crews weren’t mandatory), a lone worker was found . . .
chained to a tree, beaten and scared half out of his mind after
being mugged while watering the layout.
Aside from the personnel woes, which account for enough
ammunition to switch to automatic irrigation in themselves,
the manual application simply does not do an adequate job.
Working in the dark (most watering of fairways and roughs
take place after 8 p.m. and on into the wee hours), the laborer
finds himself exposed to the possibility of a helter-skelter
performance. And, if he is not motiviated properly, that
performance can go all out of whack.
Mind you, the automatic irrigation system does require
occasional “touch-up” services by hand. It is not perfect but so
close to it that a uniform watering of the target area is had
virtually by every kick of the switch. Thus, installation of the
equipment overshadows convenience by performing a task
which is almost impossible to complete by hand without
encountering major flaws and problems.
The automatic irrigation program is not a luxury, as some
club members and purse watchers claim. Rather, it is a highly
refined method of safeguarding the health of the course when
Mother Nature gets to pulling a squeeze on the plant by
shutting off her water supply. It has been a veritable lifesaver
for many a course and a help in retaining the sanity of many a
superintendent.
The combination of performance and elimination of labor
problems makes it well worth the while for clubs without
automatic systems to study the possibility of switching to them.
In the long run, they save a lot of headaches . . . and heartaches. They should be considered an integral part of the
super’s arsenal in his never-ending quest to present and
perpetuate the very best playing conditions his know how and
Mother Nature’s cooperation can bring about.
Gerry Finn
Credit: NEWSLETTER, NEGCSA, September 1977

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USS Vertagreen
Fall Fairw ay Fertilizer...
We’ll help winterize
your fairways!;

Vertagreen

Fall
Fairway
Fertilizer

Hit the fairways this tall with
an application of this great
new USS Vertagreen fertilizer
and you’re on your way to fewer
turf problems next spring.
This quality product is ideal for
fall fairway fertilization because
it has a high potash analysis
...and that means less winter
kill.
A soil test in the late summer
or early fall will determine if

your fairways lack this vital
nutrient. If they do, USS Verta­
green Fall Fairway Fertilizer
is the answer because it’s
formulated with primary nutri­
ents specifically for your area.
See your USS Vertagreen
distributor and he’ll show you
how to winterize your fairways
this fall. Next spring you’ll
be glad you did.

Agri-Chemicals

£

Division of United States Steel
TRAO CM A RK

P.O. Box 1685, Atlanta, Ga. 30301

-ir?

Juunm
DR m e t e r *
M 303537

MGCSA
Box 37
Rye, New York 10580
First Class

-e
£ OF L I B
SERI AL S DEPT [J NOEf
MICHIGAN STATE UN I V ' L I B
EAST LANSING MI
1(8823

BRANCH OFFICES:
Bronxville
Chappaqua
Brewster
Greenwich
New Canaan
New York

MAIN OFFICE :
27 5 Knollwood 3 o a d
White Plains / wiS^'410607
Phone: 914-948-0101

914 -337-2271
914 -238-4400
914 -279-3421
203 -661-8014
203--323-7245
2 1 2 - -543-7200

TREE CARE,INC.
CERTIFIED ARBORISTS

Full Service Company Serving Your Golf Courses With:

• PRUNING
• BOLTING & BRACING

• INSECT CONTROL
• DISEASE CONTROL

• REMOVALS
• FERTILIZING
• SPRAYING
• CAVITY WORK
Tree Care Since 1919

• STUMP REMOVAL
• BUCKET TRUCK RENTAL
• TREE CONSULTANTS
• LIGHTNING PROTECTION

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