March 1978

Published monthly by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association

MEETING NOTICE:
Date: April 18,1978
Place: Shore Haven C.C., Norwalk, Conn.
Host Superintendent: Bob Phipps
Host Club Manager: Jack Mosher
Tee Off Times: 12:30 P.M.
Cart Fee
$ 15/cart Tax included
Cost of Meal: $10.00
Speakers:
Dr. H. Tashiro & Patricia Vittum
Subject:
Hyperodes Weevil—Current Thinking
Time of Dinner—7 P.M.
Hors D’oeuvres—served from 4:30 P.M.
Lunch available from club menu
Directions To Club—From N.Y.
Conn. Turnpike (95) to exit 16. Bear right onto East Avenue.
Follow East Avenue past Merchants Bank (on right). Take 1st
left onto Old Saugatuck Road. Follow to 2nd right, Pine Hill
Road. Follow Pine Hill to Marvin Street. Take left onto
Marvin, club is on your left.
From Connecticut—
Conn. Turnpike (95) to exit 17. Take right off exit 17 and
follow about 1 mile. Take left on Duck Pond Road to Pine Hill
Road. Left on Pine Hill to Marvin Street. Left on Marvin Street
to club.
Remember—Wear Proper Attire

Voi. V ili, No. 2

Gary Karakula, Class B, Foreman—Back of Beyond Inc.,
Brewster, N.Y.
Brian Makar, Class C, Sales Representative, Andrew Wilson
Inc.
Membership dues are overdue so please check to see if your
club has paid your dues.
MGCSA News: Well, Dick Gonyea came forth again and we
had another nice meeting at Rye Golf Club. Let’s hope we can
meet at some new locations in the coming season.
The new superintendent at Silver Springs Golf Club is Peter
Rapoccio. Good Luck Pete.
The season is just around the corner. It was a long winter
and it is going to take a while for the grass to start growing.
Winter injury seems to be primarily in low pocket areas where
the ice and water stayed until the very end. There was quite a
lot of snow mold also during the thawing period. It appears at
the moment that with a little TLC they will pull through but it
isn’t going to happen overnite. I look for things to be back to
normal in 4-6 weeks and not before. Just remember the frost
was still leaving the ground the last part of March and for
northern county courses it probably will be into April. It just
takes a long time for the soil temperatures to warm up. Last
year we didn’t record soil temperatures in the greens until the
15th of May. This year it maybe even later. It might be a good

COMING EVENTS:
April 12
USGA Green Section Regional Conference on
Golf Course Management.
Tarrytown Hilton Inn, Tarrytown, N.Y.
Registration 8 A.M. to 9 A.M.
Joint meeting Conn. GCSA
April 18
Shorehaven Golf Club
Westchester Country Club—MGCSA meeting
May 23
Fenway—(tentative)
June 20
To be announced
July
August 14 Family Picnic—Woodway Beach Club
September 19 Sunningdale G.C.—MCGSA Invitational
MEMBERSHIP:
The MGCSA would like to welcome the following:
Anthony Bifano, Class A, Superintendent at Mountain
Ridge C.C., West Caldwell, N.J.
Sabato Autorino, Class B, Superintendent at Blind Brook
Club, Purchase, N.Y.

Rye Golf Meeting — Dr. Hitchcock speaking. Bob Alonzi on
his left, President Ted Horton on his right.

Editorial Staff
Garry Crothers
Ted Horton

C o -E d ito r
C o -E d ito r

OFFICERS
P resid en t:

E dw ard C. H o rto n , W inged F o o t G o lf Club
O ffice 9 1 4 -6 9 8 -2 8 2 7 , H om e 9 1 4 -9 3 7 -3 6 1 3

Vice P resid en t:

R o b e rt A lonzi, B urning T ree C.C.
O ffice 2 0 3 -8 6 9 -5 7 7 9 , H om e 9 1 4 -9 3 7 -1 5 2 7

Secretary:

M ichael M affei, B ack o f B e y o n d G o lf C ourse

Treasurer:

J o h n T ra y n o r, W estch ester C o u n try Club

O ffice 9 1 4 -2 7 9 -7 1 7 9 , H om e 9 1 4 -2 7 9 -7 8 9 5

O ffice 9 1 4 -9 6 7 -6 0 0 0 , H om e 2 0 3 -3 3 4 -7 3 5 9

N o t copyrighted. I f there is g o o d here, w e w a n t to share it w ith
all chapters - unless a u th o r sta tes otherw ise.

idea to just take random soil temperatures at 1” and 3” just to
see how things are warming up. The man changing the cups
can do it very easily. It could be helpful information because
certainly of all years this year the golfers have been starved for
a long time and the first week of warm weather they are going
to expect things to be popping. Chances are the soil temp, is 54
degrees. Not much happens when it’s that cold and certainly in
areas where you may have over seeded, you can expect very
little germination. If you have a localized small area you
might want to try black plastic to help warm things up.
Tom Nally our local Cooperative Extension Agent, is moving
to greener pastures. He will be the new cooperative Extension
agent leader in Monroe County which is Rochester, N.Y. area.
This is Tom’s home area and so he is looking forward to his
new position. He also expressed mixed feelings about leaving
Westchester County as he had many, many wonderful friends
and he certainly enjoyed his association with the many golf
course superintendents he knew. Tom did an excellent job and
we will miss him but also want to wish him the best of every­
thing in Monroe County.
Congratulations to Terry and Joan Mulligan on the birth of
a baby girl and to Bob and Maria Lippman on the birth of a
baby boy.
IN MEMORIAM—Lloyd G. Stott—Lloyd Stott was a life­
time member of MGCSA and had been a member of GCSAA
for over thirty years. He had been the superintendent for more
than 30 years at Woodway Country Club in Darien Conn.
Before his retirement he also was a member of Conn. GCSA.
We will certainly miss him. He certainly always encouraged
younger superintendents and actively attended local field days
as well as National conferences. He is survived by his wife
Hazel. May he rest in peace in the great green pasture.

MGCS A Research Fund Report
The 1978 season is just about to begin and again we will be
asked Clubs to contribute to the Hyperodes and Dung Beetle
Research project which MGCSA has supported and has been
the primary funding agency for the Project. This year more
than ever we need the total support of all clubs so we have
enough funds to finish the research. Pat Vittum has worked
very hard the last two years conducting the field research and
so we must raise the necessary funds to continue her work. It
benefits us all so each Superintendent along with every club
should support it. You will receive in the mail our updated
report of the findings and a financial report. By you, I mean
those who have supported it.
Each Superintendent will receive a statement for the current
year. Please bring it to your chairman or club president’s
attention so that it can be brought to the board and hopefully
have approval in the very near future. To date we have already
had the following clubs give for the 1978 season.
The Apawamis Club
Piping Rock Club
Blind Brook Club
Sleepy Hollow Country Club
Brae Burn Country Club
Wee Burn Country Club
Century Country Club
Winged Foot Golf Club
Fenway Golf Club
Wykagyl Country Club
Old Oaks Country Club
Individuals—
Mr. John Corsi—if John can do it so can 85 golf course Supts.

JOB OPENING
Golf Course Superintendent
The Apawamis Club, available September 1 or sooner.
Private club— 18 holes—Manual irrigation.
Please send complete resumes to:
Mr. Ralph H. Hubbard Jr.
c/o Green Chairman
The Apawamis Club
Club Road
Rye, New York 10580
Please do not call club.
Please refer to code ethics when applying for job.

Rye Golf Meeting — Speaker Tom Nally, recently appointed
CoOp Extension Agent of Monroe County. On his left, Dr.
Hitchcock and Bob Alonzi; on his right, President Ted Horton.

GCSAA NEWS
TWO BYLAW PROPOSALS PASS AT ANNUAL
MEETING
Proposed changes of Article I. Section 2. and Article I.
Section 3. of the GCSAA Bylaws were passed at the Annual
Meeting in San Antonio.
The passage of the proposed change of Article I. Section 2.
now allows a certified golf course superintendent to retain that
status for the entire five-year certification period. The bylaw as
previously stated, called for certification status to be removed
if the superintendent became unemployed.
Under Article I. Section 3. Membership Classes, Classes
AA, A and B will remain the same; Classes C and D were
combined into an Associate Class; Classes F and G were
combined into an Affiliate Class; and Classes SI and S2
(Student Classes) were combined into one general Student
Class.
CONFERENCE SPEAKER CASSETTES STILL
AVAILABLE BY MAIL ORDER
Audio cassettes with most of the educational presentations
made at the 49th International Turfgrass Conference and
Show in San Antonio, Texas, still are available for purchase.
The recordings were done professionally during the sessions.
The tapes sell for $3.95 each, plus 25 cents each for postage
and handling. For rush orders, add $1. To order, write
Convention Seminar Cassettes, 13356 Sherman Way, North
Hollywood, California 91605.
The available tapes:
Cassette #1: Management Session (Part I)
Joseph C. Dey, “ Superintendents’ Contribution to Golf;”
and the first half of Dr. John L. McKeever, “Employee
Motivation.”
Cassette #2: Management Session (Part ED
Second half of McKeever; William K. Rice, “Legal Hiring
and Firing Practices;” and Walter J. Wilkie, “Managing the
Me in a Managerial Relationship.”

BenSi#?

(A-34)

~

:s

R A TED FIR S T FOR W EAR T O L E R A N C E
R A TED FIR S T FOR S H A D E T O L E R A N C E
R A T ED HIGH IN D IS EA S E R E S IS T A N C E
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
T jf J /J
W
T lin p

TURF NURSERY, INC.

/
/
/
/

RR 1 * Box 240-D
(Lower & Gardnerville Roads)
New Hampton, New York 10958
(914)355-6162

Cassette #3: Northern Turf Management Session (Part I)
Dr. Joseph Troll, “ Fairway Maintenance in the Northeast;”
and the first half of Dr. Roy L. Goss, “ Special Nutrition for
Superior Golf Turf.”
Cassette #4: Northern Turf Management Session (Part II)
Second half of Goss; and Dr. David P. Martin, “Pesticides
on the Golf Course.”
Cassette #5: Southern Turf Management Session (Part I)
Dr. Richard L. Duble, “Greens Maintenance/South;” and
the first half of Dr. James A. McAffee, “Effect of Sulfur Appli­
cation on Soil pH and Availability of Other Nutrients.”
Cassette #6: Southern Turf Management Session (Part II)
Last half of McAffee; and Dr. G. Euel Coats, “Pesticides for
Southern Golf Turf.”
Cassette #7: Public Golf—Owners/Operators (Part I)
William Sherman, “Zoning, Taxation and Their Effects on
Golf Course Property;” David Ralston, “ Surface Mining Re­
clamation in Harmony with Nature;” John Urban, “Invest­
ment Return—Why a Golf Course;” and the first half of James
H. Fisher, “Working with Civil Service Employees.”
Cassette #8: Public Golf—Owners/Operators (Part II)
Last half of Fisher; Robert R. DePencier, “Centralized
Equipment Maintenance;” and Thomas A. Guttschow, CGCS,
“Maintenance Under Excess Play.”
Cassette #9: Management Session (Part I)
Will F. Nicholson, Jr., “Member, Committee and Superindentdent Relations;” Alexander M. Radko, “The USGA’s
Stimpmeter.”
Cassette #10: Management Session (Part II)
Joe E. Black, “The Relationship Between the Golf Course
Superintendent and the Golf Professional;” and William W.
Amick, “ Design Hints for Maintenance.”
Cassette #11: Research Session
Dr. Joseph M. Vargas, Jr., “Chemical and Cultural Control
of Anthracnose on Poa annua;” Dr. Robert Shearman, “Pre­
emergence Herbicides—Their Role in Turfgrass Stress;” and
Dr. A.J. Turgeon, “Characterization of Kentucky Bluegrass
Thatch as a Turfgrass Growing Medium.”
Cassette #12: Weather Session
Harold E. Taft, Jr., “The Forecast—What Does it Mean?”
Cassette #13: Thinking Superintendent—People Management
James A. Bertoni, “Labor Management—Whose Job is It?;”
Fred G. Cheney, “People Management—Why?;” and Tom J.
Rogers, CGCS, “People Management—That’s Where It’s At!”
Cassette #14: Thinking Superintendent—Equipment
Management
Joe Yuzzi, “Equipment Management;” Ardyce R.
Twombly, “The Efficient Use and Care of Equipment;” David
Wolfard, “The Nuts and Bolts of Equipment Maintenance;”
Don Johns, “Effects and Treatment of Petroleum Spills on
Bermudagrass Turf;” and Question and Answer Session.
Cassette #15: Thinking Superintendent—Person Management
C. William Black, CGCS, “Personal Management;” Donald
E. Hearn, CGCS, “Personal Management;” Question and
Answer Period; George Burgin, “Invitation to Atlanta.”
Cassette #16: Keynote Speaker
Dr. Earl L. Butz, “I Don’t Want to Live in a No-Growth
Society.”

USGA GREEN SECTION REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT
Wednesday, April 12,1978
Tarrytown Hilton Inn
Tarrytown, New York
8:00 A.M.—REGISTRATION

Dr. Andrew P. Virtuoso, Green Section
Committee, USGA

9:15 A.M.—THE USGA AND ITS ROLE IN GOLF

John D. Laupheimer, Deputy Executive Director,
USGA

9:45 A.M.—WHAT TOPDRESSING MATERIAL IS BEST
FOR MY COURSE?

James T. Snow, Agronomist, Northeastern
Region, USGA Green Section

10:15 A.M.—STIMPMETER

Stanley J. Zontek, Director, Northeastern
Region, USGA Green Section

N u trie n t d eficien cies,
I

IV

____

thin turf, insects.
For the superintendent

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

cotts

ProTurf
AL ARISON

William S. Brewer, Agronomist, Northeastern
Region, USGA Green Section

11:15 A.M.— QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION

9:00 A.M.—WELCOME

'•

10:45 A.M.—RESEARCH UPDATE! INFORMATION YOU
CAN USE

226 Barry Scott Drive
Fairfield, CT 06430
Phone: 203/336-9890

11:30 .M.—PREPARING FOR THE 1978 SEASON

STANLEY J. Zontek, Director, Northeastern
Region, USGA Green Section

12:00 NOON—THE USGA GREEN SECTION TURF
ADVISORY SERVICE

James R. Fulwider, Green Section Committee,
USGA and Golf Course Superintendent,
Century Club, White Plains, New York

12:30 P.M.— QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION
12:45 P.M.— ADJOURN
1:00 P.M.— LUNCHEON

A FEW WINTER GUESTS ARE UNWELCOME
By Joan Lee Faust
The sound is unmistakable—a guttural honk that pierces
the twilight as the migrating flocks of Canadian geese fly over­
head. It is a call of the wild as the big geese, in their dramatic
V-shaped formation, follow instinct’s bidding to their winter
homes.
They summered in their breeding grounds in northern
Quebec on the lake plateaus and inland coves of Ungava Bay.
There they matured, mated, bred and raised families. When
cold threatened their food and water supply, family groups
gathered and the Canadian geese flew south.
Winters are spent in the sheltered tidewater lands and inlets
and open ponds along the Atlantic Coast, with most settling in
southern New Jersey down through the Chesapeake Bay region
as far south as North Carolina.
Yet the old ways are changing. Some of the geese are
stopping short of their usual wintering grounds and moving in
where the habitat and food supply appeal. Some flocks have
even kicked the migration habit and chosen to stay in a
favorable region the year round.
Many Connecticut residents can attest to this. The geese
have settled in local parks, along golf-course water hazards
and greens, and in yards. To many people, the geese are
becoming a nuisance, with their feeding habits and their drop­
pings. Reservoirs and lakes have become contaminated, golf
course owners have complained bitterly, and park officials
have run out of practical solutions.
Private citizens are also concerned. The early snows this
winter refreshed memories of last January’s severe freeze, when
Long Island Sound harbors froze solid. Colonies of ducks and
Canadian geese crowded into what small pockets of open water
were available, or huddled together on land. With their water
and food supply locked in the ice, birds were starving and the
humanitarian response was to feed them.
Frank Keegan, director of parks and recreation for the
Town of Greenwich, is all too familiar with the Canadian-geese
problem.
“Boy, have we got ’em,” he said. “It’s an easy problem to
talk about, but the immediate solution aren’t there. We must
have hundreds of them in Bruce Park, at Binney Park,
Baldwin Park and other open regions around the town.
“W hat has happened is they have inbred. We now have
fifth-and-sixth-generation geese in the area. It’s become their
home, and they no longer migrate.”
Town governments are also becoming increasingly con­
cerned about a health hazard posed by the droppings. Al­
though the Canadian geese population has been “local” for the
last 15 years, the nuisance problem has been increasing within
the last five years, according to the wildlife management office
in the State Department of Environmental Protection.
“There is no way to control them in the heavily populated
regions, such as Fairfield County” said Dennis DeCarli, chief
of the wildlife management office, “In more rural areas the
birds can be hunted, but in residential and recreational areas
they are becoming worrisome with their droppings.”
Many wildlife management specialists think the people
themselves have had a hand in creating the problem. Ed Ladd,
project manager for the southern New England office of the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, said that people had

innocently been creating ideal habitats for nesting sites by
building ponds and golf-course water hazards with open lawn
areas around them. And they have been semi-domesticating
the birds by feeding them.
One of the most serious problems connected with handfeeding of the birds is the development of diseases in the flock.
This happened in Greenwich recently when corn and stale
bread filtered down to the silted bottom of the pond in Bruce
Park. The geese and ducks—mostly mallards—ate the fer­
mented food and developed botulism, which caused a limp
neck disease, and many waterfowl died. The town had to
dredge and clean the ponds. Also, wildlife experts point out
that bread is not a natural part of the goose diet.
Canadian geese are grazers. They like grasses, sedges,
aquatic plants, berries and seeds. A goose can consume about
half a pound of food a day. When the food supply along the
water’s edges is gone, they go up on the lawns and parklands to
continue feeding.
One solution recommended for homeowners who have open
lawns along ponds and waterways is to put up a stout fence
along the waterway between the lawn and pond. It should be
sturdy enough to withstand the weight of many birds pressing
against it. When the birds’ food supply is cut off, they often
leave.
Sometimes harassment will scare them off. Large balloons
have been tethered in areas where the birds are a nuisance.
One red balloon to every 5 to 10 acres has been effective.
Canadian geese are protected by Federal migratory-bird
legislation, and permits must be obtained to remove them
physically. This often is possible during the summer, when
both male and female birds molt their flight feathers during
the tending and training of their young. Sometimes the birds
can be trapped and taken to other regions. But the homing
tendency is strong in Canadian geese, and they will follow their
instincts and return to the birthplace and learning experiences
of their youth.
Residents who have questions or concerns about Canadian
geese on their property can get in touch with the state’s local
conservation-wildlife departments or the regional agent of the

TUCO

Division of
The Upjohn Company

Actí-dioneTGF Acti-dione RZ
for your
tees, greens
and fairway
program.
Acti-dione TGF
helps eradicate and
protect against turf
diseases. It’s watersoluble, easy to
handle, and won’t
harm beneficial
bacteria in soil.
For more
information call:

fits your
fairway
and
greens
disease
problems
to a tee.

s H E B rS S \
Acti-dione®
Thiram

E33

Acti-dione RZ
Broad spectrum
Turf fungicide
.

.

.

*

i!

Broad spectrum
Turf fungicide
mumm

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

DAVID J. SYLVESTER
A R E A S A 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 S T R E E T , EA ST 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

Federal Fish and Wildlife Service, whose office is in Hartford.
The Canadian goose is the largest northern goose. Eight
subspecies have been identified and are widespread virtually
from coast and coast. Individual birds can weigh up to 20
pounds but most along the Atlantic Coast weigh 7 to 10
pounds.
Canadian geese mate for life, and are superb family mem­
bers, with the gander guarding the nest during incubation and
both parents taking a role in the training of the goslings. By
the time the youngsters are two months old, they look like
adults.
Although they are rather mild-tempered when feeding in
their family groups, they can be extremely defensive if invaded
or tested. When a threat nears, one bird will start a nervous
shaking and uptilting of the head. Its companions follow, and
if the danger is great enough, the entire flock will fly off or even
attack sometimes.
Credit: The New York Times, January, 1978
For further information contact:
Mr. James Forbes
U.S. Department of the Interior
Fish & Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 717
11 North Pearl Street
Albany, New York, 12201

TO: Turfgrass Associations in New York
FROM: Richard W. Smiley, Cornell University
SUBJECT: Extra Reprints of New York State Turfgrass
Conference, November 1977.
A new method for communicating the latest information in
all phases of turfgrass management has been established in
New York. A summary of speeches presented at the New York
State Turfgrass Conference was sold at a less-than-cost basis to
those who attended. The Proceedings was edited and prepared
by Cornell University.
At a slightly higher price the remaining copies of the Pro­
ceedings (about 50) are now being offered for sale on a firstordered basis to turfgrass managers who were unable to attend
the Conference. A copy of the table of contents for this 140page volume of research and educational literature is enclosed.
Your members who wish to purchase a copy, at a price of
only $5.00, may do so by submitting the payment and the
request to:
Mrs. Janet Neumann
NYSTA—Executive Secretary
P.O. Box 636
Lockport, N.Y. 14094
Thank you for alerting your membership of this oppor­
tunity. We are currently completing the plans for our next
educational meeting which will be held in Albany on Novem­
ber 14-16, 1978. I hope that your members will find the
meeting to be of interest, and will be in attendance.

Gary and Mark M illett represented the MGCSA at the
County Garden Show. Gary is presently a placement student
with Chuck Martineau at Whippoorwill.

TO DR. RICHARD SIMLEY’S TURFGRASS
MEETING IN GREAT BRITIAN and SCOTLAND
First of all, let me express our apologies for the delay in the
acknowledgment of the receipt of your donation for the up­
coming trip by Dr. Richard Smiley.
On behalf of the entire Turfgrass Industry, and the Board of
Directors of the New York State Turfgrass Association, I wish
to thank you for your generous contribution. Dr. Smiley is
most appreciative and wants to thank you himself when he
returns from this trip and shares with you in a letter his
experiences.
This letter will, in the meantime, at least serve the pur­
pose of assuring you that your donation was received, and give
NYSTA the chance to express gratitude. A public acknowledg­
ment, in general form, will appear in the June issue of the
NYSTA Newsletter.
Thank you for your support.
Very truly yours,
NEW YORK STATE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION

How to stop diseases, kill weeds
and make your job easier... all
with one com pany... W.A.Cleary
Fungicides
336 TURF FUNGICIDE
BROMOSAN • SPECTRO
CLEARY’S GRANULAR TURF
FUNGICIDE
SPOTRETE • PMAS (10%)
CADDY • CAD-TRETE

Herbicides
MCPP • MCPP PLUS 2, 4-D
METHAR 30 • AMA PLUS 2, 4-D
AMA (SUPER METHAR)

Specialties
ALL WET • TRU-GREEN
CLEAR SPRAY • GRASS-GREENZIT
TANK CLEANER • DEFOAMER
BALL WASHER

C O R PO R A TIO N
P.O. Box 10 Somerset, N.J. 0 8 8 7 3 »(201 >247^000

CMAA ENDORSES ‘GM’ CONCEPT
First official recognition of the ‘single manager9
A task force committee of CMAA has recommended that
overall club management be the responsibility of a single pro­
fessional with the title and authority of “general manager.,,
The committee’s report which has CMAA board endorse­
ment, is the first official recognition of the single manager
concept by CMAA.
A survey conducted by the association during its 1977
conference revealed that while 85 per cent of the respondents
carried the title “general manager,’’ only 35 per cent had sole
authority to manage their clubs at the professional level.
“The most successful clubs,’’ the committee observed, “tend
to follow the general manager concept, while smaller clubs
tend to cling to the more traditional concept of more than one
manager reporting to the club officers.”
The committee went on to say that members of clubs no
longer are willing to devote substantial time to daily opera­
tions. Instead, they are employing experienced managers and
contenting themselves with establishment and maintenance of
policy.

The elected club officials (officers/directors/governors/
trustees) formulate policy and provide guidance for the general
manager but do not involve themselves directly in the manage­
ment of personnel or operations. The general manager is com­
pletely responsible for all phases of management and account­
able to the “governing authorities” for performance of the
entire management team and for all operating results.
The relationship between the “governing authorities” and
the general manager must be carefully defined. Both relation­
ships are identical to those in any business corporation. The
first is similar to the relationship between the board of
directors and the company president or chief operating officer.
Club committees should work with the general manager the
same as subcommittees of a corporation board of directors
work with the president or chief operating officer.

The general manager reports directly to the club’s chief
elected official, or his authorized representative. He also works
in tandem with the full body of governing authorities.
The general manager serves in the capacity of chief operat­
ing officer of the entire club and implements the policy
established by the governing authorities.
The general manager develops operational policies and is
responsible for creation and implementation of standard op­
erating procedures for all areas of the club.
The general manager prepares the annual budget and, after
board approval, manages and controls the operations to attain
the desired results.
The general manager supervises all department heads, in­
cluding the clubhouse manager, food and beverage manager,
all professionals, golf course superintendent and controller/
auditor.
The general manager coordinates all management functions
of the club.
(Adopted by the CMAA board of directors November 1977).
Credit: NEWSBREAK

MGCSA member Tom Porter attends the Arborist Booth at
the County Garden Show with Mark Millet.

America's foremost sports turf fertilizer

MILORGANITE
For more than 50 years Milorganite has been used by golf courses and athl c fields to
chemical
produce and maintain outstanding sports turf. Milorganite scores better th
fertilizers in experiment station tests. Milorganite is the best long-lasting ferti er. It does
not burn, and it is easy to apply because, unlike chemical fertilizers, Milor nite’s bulk
assures proper coverage. It is also granular and dust-free. Milorganite-fe turf needs
less water and holds its color longer. Seed can be mixed with Milorganite to insure even
METRO MILORGANITE, INC.
distribution of seed and hasten establishment of young grass.
914-769-7600

GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE
BUDGET COMPARISON
by Ted Horton, CGCS
As you examine the results of the Golf Course Maintenance
Survey published by the Metropolitan Golf Association and
Co-sponsored by the Metropolitan and Long Island Golf
Course Superintendents’ Associations, please remember that
practically every golf club has a different objective when it
comes to a standard of course maintenance. Thus, as Bob
Williams noted in a discussion of efficiency and course mainte­
nance, “let us be mindful that we have to adjust the shoe to fit
the foot. Few statements can be made to apply to the majority
of cases. No standard can be set to apply to all of our clubs.”
Should we really compare budgets after all? William
Bengeyfield, Director of the Western Region of the USGA
Green Section once noted that “it doesn’t really matter if a
Superintendent’s answer to this question is NO! It doesn’t
really matter if we respond in the firmest possible way. The
fact is—budgets and golf courses will be compared by club
officials—always! When it comes to economic matters, man
must be logical. He must standardize, make a formula, figure
the percentages. This is his nature.”
Golf Courses are entirely dissimilar. They cannot be stand­
ardized, do not fit any formula. Their value, beauty and enjoy­
ment depend on their individuality. This is their nature.
An impasse? Not if we wish otherwise. Golf is only enjoyed
to the fullest when the course provides the best possible playing
conditions and pleasant surroundings. Emphasis of these
points in relation to the money being spent is therefore the
main point. In fact, the only point! It’s not what one spends—
it’s what one receives for it that ultimately counts.
Variables which influence the cost of golf course mainte­
nance and should be carefully examined before comparing
budgets!
1. AGE—golf course design and construction has varied
considerably through the years to reduce the hand labor and to
accomodate the use of modern equipment.
2. ACREAGE—the size of greens, tees, fairways, bunkers
and club grounds will vary from club to club. The club
maintaining 100 acres of fairway will have costs exceeding the
club which maintains only 21 acres.
3. WINTER PLAY—few clubs keep greens open for play in
the winter. Depending upon the quantity of play this would
increase the need for spring aerification and other require­
ments, each increasing the cost of maintenance.
4. ANNUAL PLAY—35,000 golf rounds would create more
maintenance requirements than the course with only 4000
rounds of play.
5. GOLF CARTS—heavy golf cart usage or usage of carts
during unfavorable conditions would result in the need for
greater irrigation, aerification, fertilization and renovation
with costs increasing proportionately.
6. GRASS VARIETIES—different species of grasses re­
quire different approaches to maintenance. Poa annua re­
tardation programs are expensive to employ but are generally
programmed in the better clubs.
7. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS—for reasons often difficult
to explain some clubs may require unique maintenance pro­
grams which would influence the cost of maintenance. For

example, control programs for the Hyperodes weevil or for the
Aetaneus Beetle are not necessary to every club in Metropoli­
tan New York.
8. SOIL TYPES—soil influences the cost of maintenance.
Clay soils will not support equipment usage under moist condi­
tions and will generally require aerification, spiking and
topdressing more than sandier soils.
9. CART PATHS & SERVICE ROADS—roads facilitate
movement of equipment and labor with less lost time or wear
and tear on vehicles. Less traffic damage to turf results also.
10. WATERING SYSTEMS—the age of the water system
would influence the cost of its upkeep. Also, a club with
approximately 600 heads on fairways would have greater costs
than the club with the average of 185 heads.
11. AUTOMATIC vs. MANUAL IRRIGATION—auto­
matic irrigation generally reflects a labor savings when com­
pared with manual irrigation.
12. SOURCE OF WATER—some clubs are blessed with an
abundant source of water for irrigation of the golf course and
grounds. Others must purchase all or supplemental water.
13. UNIONIZATION—generally increases the cost of golf
course maintenance, especially in the fringe benefit area.
14. PESTICIDE RESTRICTIONS—because of the dif­
ferences in State Regulations some chemicals are restricted in
certain states requiring the use of more expensive alternatives.
15. PURCHASING—practices vary from club to club.
16. INFLATION—because of inflation, a 1068 budget of
$90,000 would have to have increased to over $200,000. An
article written by Robert Siebert entitled “The Impact of Infla­
tion on the Golf Course Superintendents” and “Maintenance
Budget” concludes that—“the maintenance budget has not
kept pace with the rapid inflation of the 1970’s.”
17. STYLE OF MAINTENANCE—the controversy of
“overgrooming is overspending” is often voiced in turf mainte­
nance circles. Some clubs have chosen to not rake periferal
sand traps or to mow all of the rough, thus returning the golf
course to the “links” fashion of maintenance with resultant
savings. Unfortunately, the style of maintenance is usually not
discussed when the budgets are compared.

Rye Golf Meeting — Paul Caswell and Charlie Lund.

USS Vertagreen...
A product
for all reasons.

For professional turf products
you just can’t beat the Vertagreen
lineup. And this complete array
didn’t just happen. It’s the result
of many years of experience,
testing and proven use—designed
and formulated to meet every
need and contingency.
USS Vertagreen products
contain those extra pluses that
separate them from ordinary turf
fertilizers —like urea-formaldehyde

for sustained, long-term nitrogen
release. There’s potassium sulfate
to provide needed sulfur for lush
growth and a dark healthy color.
And iron is available in chelated
and fritted form. Add a complete
guarantee of secondary and
micro-nutrients and you have turf
products that are second to none.
And backing this line of Verta­
green products are the best turf

teams in the business—your local
Vertagreen distributor and a
Vertagreen turf specialist. The
two work together to help plan
your tailor-made turf program
and keep it running smoothly.
And that makes it easy for you
because when you want the best
you just have to see the best—
and that’s your local Vertagreen
distributor.

Agri-Chemicals
Division of United States Steel

A product for all reasons

P O. Box 1685, Atlanta, Ga. 30301
T HAOl MARK

MGCSA
Box 37
Rye, New York 10580

First Class

MELVIN
GARDEN
3 L‘> S I l
GARDEN

B I.ULA' j JK
U I V <',ol I ( I.UB
WAR I AVI
CI TY NY
l I l) TO

GREENHOUSE

NURSERIES

One Stop Wholesale Center
Distributors o f
• TREE STAKES
•E V E R G R E E N S
• FLOWERING TREES • R A ILR O A D TIES
• MULCHES
• SHADE TREES
• CONTAINER
• GROUND COVERS
M A TE R IA L
•F E N C IN G
• TU R F CHEMICALS
• F IR & PINE BARK
• GRAVELS
•H O L L Y T O N E
• GRASS SEED
•SP R A YIN G
ARBORIST SUPPLIES
EQUIPMENT
• A-D-S-DRAINAGE SYSTEMS

Weather
TRUE TEMPER TOOLS
TURF M AIN TE N A N C E SUPPLIES

matic.

.
t
,
Lawn Sprinkler Systems
Safe-T-Lawn
Lawn Sprinkler Systems

HO M ELITE CONST. EQUIPMENT

7 Cottage Street
Port Chester, N Y. 10573

EMANUEL SHEMIN - HORTICULTURIST

(914 ) 937-5479 *
(914 ) 939-2766

1081 KING STREET, BOX 64, GLENVILLE STATION
GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT 06830
(203) 531-7352

«IIF
ft|» E

(914) 937-4644

T RC
PRODUCTS

FRAM
FILTERS

wetting
agent
s u r f - s id e

I

POURS

For flowability buy SURF-SIDE.
SURF-SIDE maintains the cor­
rect blend at 80% active ingre­
dient, flows at 35 ° F, has
improved solubility, better foam
control, and is the only product
on the market directly related to
the bulk of the published research work over the past 20
years.
a

zm *

• TRAP SAND
• SCREENED TOP SOIL
• SCREENED CLAY
FOR TENNIS COURTS
& BASEBALL DIAMONDS
•SA N D FOR BUILDING
& CONSTRUCTION
• TRAP ROCK
• GRAVEL

[«WHEN YO U^
NEED IT .

<¿7

ZA P! D E F O A M E R

{GRANULAR

LUBRICATING
EQUIPMENT

MARVEL
PRODUCTS
THE REICHERT COMPANY

SURF-SIDE
^ f^ O N E (203) 661-1816
èt€S
(203) 637-2958

MAIL P.O. BOX 273
RIVERSIDE, CT. 06878