April, 1981

ourSe Superintendents^Jupi ^Association Sponsors and administrators of the Lawrence S. Dickinson Scholarship Fund — Awarded yearly OF NEW ENGLAND, INC. to deserving Turf Management Students.

Distinguished by Design,

Geoffrey Cornish couldn't understand it. Geoff went off to World War II in 1940, serving overseas "All the grief I've caused golf course superintendents all with the infantry where he rose to the rank of major. He over the world and they bestow this honor on me?" he ex- went back to Vancouver for two more years with Thomp- claimed. "I am really overwhelmed and grateful. It's a mo- son who also had another aspiring architect under his ment I'll always treasure." wing, one . This was Geoff Cornish after receiving The Distinguish- In 1947, Cornish got a call from Professor Lawrence ed Service Award by the Golf Course Superintendents Dickinson at the University of Massachusetts to teach Association of America during the group's national turf there. He stayed with Dickinson for five years during conference in Anaheim. And it was, indeed, a rare occa- which he earned a masters degree at the university. He sion. After all, Cornish is a golf course architect. They're opened his own golf architect firm in 1952 and has been the guys supers are supposed to curse, not crown. on the job ever since. Cornish, though, is something special. A former presi- Presently, Geoff is locked into two projects. dent of the Golf Course Architects' Association, he is con- "I'm writing a book on the history of golf course sidered one of the giants of his profession. His signature is design," he disclosed. "It will be published in New York attached to more than 170 blueprints for courses across and London. In between visits to the publisher I have some the United States, Canada and Europe. redesigning assignments. One's in Wilmington, Delaware, The 66 year-old Amherst, Massachusetts resident -- who and the other's in Westchester, New York." jogs his eight miles every day, is in his 45th year of plot- Cornish is in partnership with Bill Robinson who is ting the demise of your average weekend hacker. spearheading the new architectural work for the company "I have no intentions of quitting," Geoff remarked. "I in oil-rich . So, he doesn't have to wonder about feel much younger than the date on my birth certificate in- keeping busy. dicates I should feel. I have new ideas and can't wait to get There's seldom a day when Geoff isn't asked about his them on the drawing board." favorite courses which first saw the light of day through Cornish began his distinguished career in Canada under his expertise and imagination. the masterful direction of . A native of Several of them are in New England. They include , Geoff got his degree in agronomy from British Crestview in Agawam, Mass.; Chicopee Country Club; the Columbia University in 1935 and took up his appren- International in Bolton, Mass.; Spring Valley in Sharon, ticeship in golf course design at the princely sum of $25 a Mass. and the Elington Ridge Country Club of Ellington, week. Ct. Other favorites are Summerlea in , York Down in Toronto, the Halifax Country Club in Nova Scotia and the Links at Porto Carras which is located in Northern Greece. NEXT MEETING Geoff admits the architectural world has changed in his Eastward Ho 45 years of moving earth and creating enjoyable golfing playgrounds for literally tens of thousands of golfers. April 20, 1981 "It used to be easy to get a plan going," he sighed. "You could walk into a community and pick up a permit to build Directors Meeting 9:45 in a minute. But now there are other things to be con- sidered. Environmental problems head that list. Of Regular Meeting 10:45 course, escalating costs have made their impact, too. But Lunch 12:00 Golf after lunch. things go on and somehow everything survives." Directions Geoff Cornish, then, is still very much wrapped up in his Route 6 to exit 11. Go left on route 137 for 50 yards love for creating the challenges golfers treat with almost a to Pleasant Bay Rd. Follow to route 28. Go right on like affection. route 28 to golf course on Fox Hill Rd. To Wayside "I'm still going strong and flourishing among my wor- Inn. Go past Fox Hill Rd. to first traffic light. Go thy and honorable competition," he added. "And I still right to Chatham rotary. Go around rotary through wonder why the superintendents chose me for such a high town. Inn is on left. Parking in rear. honor as their distinguished service award. I must have Host Supt. Brian Cowan impressed a few people along the way. It's always nice to Tel# Home 432-9041 Office 945-9230 be recognized for your life's work. This makes it all the more worthwhile to me." Gerry Finn Çatf Course Superintendents -dissociation

President's Golf Course Superintendents Association February 2, 1981

Message Proposed Bylaw Changes The superintendents who were unable to attend the Massachusetts Fine Turf Conference or the Present Bylaw Massachusetts Golf Associations seminars missed out on Page 6A - Article IV - Section I - Item 5 some exciting and informative sessions. Dr. Joseph Troll is to be congratulted on his superior All members shall be elected by secret ballot. White conference. As usual, the educational program and the in- balls elect and black cubes reject. Three black cubes shall dustrial show were excellent. Congratulations are also in reject an applicant from membership and his name shall order for Geoffrey Cornish, Golf Course Architect, who not be presented again for one year. received the Distinguished Service Award from the Golf Course Superintendent's Association of America. This is Proposed Bylaw the second consecutive year the recipient was from Page 6A - Article IV - Section 1 - Item 5 Massachusetts, the other, Manny Francis Sr. - 1980. Con gratulations are in order for Robert W. Osterman from All members shall be elected by majority vote of the Connecticut. Bob was appointed by the president of Board of Directors. GCSAA, Mike Bavier, to serve as secretary - treasurer for 1981 term. We are indeed fortunate in having people like Present Bylaw Bob willing and most able to serve in our national associa- tion. Page 11 - Article VI - Section 1 We wish to express our appreciation to the Executive The president, with the approval of the Directors, shall Committee of the Massachusetts Golf Association, for in- within sixty days preceding the Annual Meeting, appoint a viting the Course superintendents to serve on the panel Nominating Committee of five voting members of the and express his viewpoints to the club officials at the Association, not more than two of whom shall be members M.G.A. Spring Conference. Subjects covered were: Stress of the Board of Directors. This committee shall nominate on the superintendent, Budgets, Staff, Environmental im- a slate of five officers in accordance with Article V, Sec- pact. The speakers were: Don Hearn, Brian Cowan, Tony tion 1, and for the offices of First and Second Vice- Caranci and yours truly. The moderator was Guy Tedesco, Presidents shall nominate two candidates for each of Executive Director Massachusetts Golf Association. these offices and five Directors as provided in Article V, There were over 200 Club Directors and Superintendents Sections 2 and 3. The list so named shall be announced at this particular seminar. Some excerpts of the panel preceding the Annual Meeting and shall be published in which mystified club officials were: We have stringent the Newsletter prior to the Annual Meeting. regulations on chemicals and we must be certified by ex- amination in order to purchase and apply restricted pesticides. Also, most of the best pesticides ever produced Proposed Bylaw to control insects are now banned. The complaints many Page 11 - Article VI - Section 1 superintendents have to bear when a green is closed for a few hours to aerify, etc. The merciless harassment The President, with the approval of the Directors, shall brought upon the superintendent when his golf course is within sixty days preceding the Annual Meeting, appoint a justifiably closed because of unplayable conditions, and Nominating Committee of five voting members of the the one down the street is open. The senseless comparison Association, not more than two of whom shall be members of the golf course where one has a much larger budget of the Board of Directors. This committee shall nominate than the other. The many 150 and 175 yard markers, a slate of five officers in accordance with Article V, Sec- whiffle balls on flag poles, diagramed cards, etc. With all tion 1, and five Directors as provided in Article V, Sections these aids, have handicaps gone down? Has play speeded 2 and 3. The list so named shall be announced preceding up? Are we removing certain skills from the game? the Annual Meeting and shall be published in the Newslet- A responsible labor staff seems to be non-existent on ter prior to the Annual Meeting. many courses. The wage structure and the Saturday, Sun- day and holiday work, benefits, sick days, medical, pen- JOB OPENING - Unicorn G.C. Supt. position sion, vacation time are all important factors. Unions are Contact: Mr. Steve Hoisington close by and the speaker compared two unionized golf courses in Massachusetts. We now have four golf courses c/o Unicorn G.C. in this state that have union labor and it seems we are 460 Williams St., heading for more. Stoneham, Ma. 02180 Ron Kirkman Club phone 438-9219 President, NEGCSA

PRESIDENT FIRST VICE PRESIDENT SECOND VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER TRUSTEE TRUSTEE TRUSTEE FINANCE CHAIRMAN Ronald Kirkman Brian Cowan CGCS Donald Hearn CGCS David Barber CGCS Pete Coste'CGCS Melndert Schults Melvln O'Kelly Tom Schofleld CGCS Robert Johnston CGCS 25 Green St. Robins Way _ 4 Topeka Rd. 145 Dedham St. 121 Granite St. 737 Princeton Blvd. 345 Plain St. 290 North Rd. 128 Wilbraham Rd Needham, Mass. 02192 Harwich, Mass. 02645 Chelmsford, Mass. 01824 Canton, Mass. 02021 Medfield. Mass. 02052 Lowell, Mass. 01851 Marshfield. Mass. 02050 Sudbury, Mass. 01776 Hampden, Mass. 01036 Home Phone 444-8412 Home Phone 432-9041 Home Phone 256-8709 Home Phone 828-7266 Home Phone 359-7247 Home Phone 458-7605 Home phone 834-4229 Home Phone 443-3712 Home Phone 566-3075 Office Phone 444-5548 Office Phone 945-9230 Office Phone 894-5906 Office Phone 828-6540 Office Phone 566-0240 Office Phone 452-8228 Office Phone 837-3321 Office Phone 235-7333 Office Phone 566-3096 Club Affiliation Club Affiliation Club Affiliation Club Affiliation Club Affiliation Club Affiliation Club Affiliation Club Affiliation Club Affiliation Needham Golf Club Eastward Ho. Weston Golf Club Blue Hills C.C. The Country Club Mt. Pleasant G.C. Marshfield C.C. Wellesley C.C. Hampden C.C. OF NEW ENGLAND, INC .

Fringes More Than Bait

It used to be that the employer could throw out his rod A car, paid for by the employer, is worth anywhere be- and reel in prospective employees with just one crackling tween 83,000 and 85,000 a year to the employee. Again sound of the dollar. Those were the so-called "fringeless," the perk of avoiding taxes on that varying sum has to be a days when your take-home-pay was what you got and not boon to the super who is offered such option. a penny more in accompanying benefits. Other benefits carry corresponding aids in fighting in- However, the era of the fringe benefit is upon us. And, flation. oddly enough, it could be of benef it to both employer and At one time, rent and maintenance-free houses were employee. considered one of the country club's strongest forms of The tax structure of our country is such that plain, fat ammunition in drawing a reputable super to its grounds. salaries are thinning out to a point where inflation eats up For some reason, both parties came to look upon such most raises and living expenses chew on what was there practice as unrealistic. in the first place. This brings about a situation which However, it might very well be revived under an increas- almost rivals a Catch 22 hang-up. ing swing to the overload of fringe benefits by tax-wise Because the average golf course superintendent's salary employers. How much would a house, plus utilities be puts the profession in a no-win stalemate as far as in- worth to a superintendent? Just multiply your monthly creases are concerned, it might be advantageous for both mortgage, heat, cooling, electric, gas and telephone bills the country club and super to consider the option of fringe by 12 and you come up with a spicy figure. benefits. The alternate fringe benefit form of increased How about that super, anyway? remuneration isn't for everyone. Unfortunately, there are Does he have fully-paid medical insurance? Is he still superintendents in the field who are underpaid to the covered by an extensive pension plan? Could he use a car point where they require salary increases to meet the or station wagon? Are his children protected against the basic cost of living. high-rising cost of education beyond the secondary level? There are those, though, who are flirting with salary Does he have free dental care? Is there a gas credit card in and tax bracket levels which almost penalize them for his compartment? having their paychecks pushed upward. The combination The list of fringe benefits goes on. What's more impor- of inflation and taxes often wipes out a raise before it gets tant, though, is that most fringes come fully equipped. to the super's hands. They have no tax attachment to them which makes them a So, looking to the fringe benefit avenue is something pure 100 percent gain. more than bait in the case of the employer or country club. Of course, to each his own is the rule each superinten- And it certainly doesn't make fish out of the employee or dent must follow in suggesting the fringe benefit alter- golf course superintendent. It is something to be con- native to a straight-out raise in salary. sidered, not in the future but now when the cost of living Many young supers are quick to note that such benefits shrinks everything from a man's paycheck to his incen- as pension and educational aid fall into an immediate tive to add to its numbers. blind spot. Retirement is miles down the road for them. Gerry Finn College costs for their children are things to worry about in the next decade. This is where their foresight comes up short of 20-20. Tentative Outdoor Meetings Pension plans can be arranged so that they offer easy cash-conversion opportunities in the case of job termina- April - Eastward Ho tion or emergencies. In addition to offering a blend of May - Holden Hills security and equity, they take the place of savings plans under the guise of a "what you don't see you won't miss" June - Pinebrook (Super/Chairman) arrangement. July - Tedesco (Super/Championship) Thus, the pension in lieu of salary increase is a godsend August - Agawam hunt (combined with to the super in that he protects his future and is always R.I. Assoc.) there for the tapping if his present needs a financial shot. Sept. - Haverhill (combined with N.H. Providing transportation, in the form of a car, station wagon or whatever, gives the country club and super Assoc.) another escape from the tax bite. October - International G.C. October - Brae Bum (Super/Pro) November - The Presidents To be voted on at next meeting Exact dates for each month are still not Robert Sullivan, Glen Ellen G.C. all firm, so watch the Newsletter for more Associate Member information.

GOLF CHAIRMAN EDUCATIONAL CHAIRMAN NEWSLETTER CHAIRMAN PAST PRESIDENT Stephen M. Murphy Richard C. Zepp Charles Lane Dean Robertson 75 Woodland Ave. 86E Sterling St. 5 Goodnow Lane 24 Rlvervlew Drive Lynn, Mass. 01904 W. Boylston, Mass. 01583 Framlngham, Mass. 01701 Newbury, Mass. 01950 Information contained in this publication may be used Home Phone 592-2554 Home Phone 835-4980 Home Phone 872-7832 Home Phone 462-4540 freely, in whole or in part, without special perm ission as long Office Phone 592-8236 Office Phone 234-2533 Office Phone 875-4490 Office Phone 745-7289 Club Affiliation Club Affiliation Club Affiliation Club Affiliation as the true context is maintained. We would appreciate a The Gannon G.C. Whifinsvllle G.C. Framingham C.C. Kernwood C.C. credit line. Pietue fiatnoKc^e FRIENDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Baker Tractor Corp., Ford Tractors Box 9 MiIford, Conn. 06460 + Sawtelle Bros. Harley Davidson Golf Cars 203-878-0658 565 Humphrey St. Swansea, Mass. Swampscott, Mass. Yamaha Goit Cars -K Tom Irwin, Inc. 617-599-4856 IIB A St. Bordens Spreader Service Scott Associates, Inc. Burlington, M.ass. Maynard, Mass. 60 Water Street, Clinton, Mass. 617-365-6341 Tel. 617-897-2571 Larchmont Engineering and Irrig. Co. Pumps-Sales, service Sales Rep. Jack Borden Larchmont Lane, Lexington, Mass. Bulk Limestone Dealer 617-862-2550 Installation- Vertical Turbine pump specialists The Charles C. Hart Seed Co. * The Magovern Co. Inc. Wethersfield, Conn. TuckahoeTurf Farms, Inc. 27 Lawnacre Road Bob Kennedy, Rep. Slocum, R.I , Litchfield, N.H. Windsor Locks, Conn. 06096 Roy Sibley, Rep. 1-800-556-6985 Tel. # 1-800-243-7718 or 1-203-623-2508 203 529-2537 Alan Anderson Louis C. Rogers, Vice Pres. Sam Mitchell Chester Drake & Sons Inc. D. L. Maher 222 Walnut St. Tuco Products Corp. Box 127, Concord St. Div. of the Upjohn Co. Framingham. Mass. 01701 N. Reading, Mass. 01864 Kalamazoo, Mich Golf Course Construction David Sylvester 617-875-7929 * R. F. Morse 8cSon, inc. 203-828-.3-790 W. Wareham, Mass. 02576 The Clapper Co. Tel: 617 295 1553 1121 Washington St. Turf Products Corp J. Willen Roell. Rep. Newton, Mass. 1496 John Fitch Blvd. Larry-Suo-tv-Rep, — 617-244-7900 Sv Windsor,-Gonn.-06074 —i 1 203-289 3471 New England Sea I coating Co.. inc. John Perry, Sales Rep Country Club Enterprises Tennis Court Const, and Maintenance Club Car Golf Cars Sealcoatlng Hingham Ind. Center * Turf Specialty, Inc. Tennis & Leisure Equipment Hingham, Mass. 749-6800 84 Merrlmac St. P.O. Box 400, W. Falmouth, Ma. 02574 Hooksett, N.H. 03106 617-563-2284 N.E. Chapter Land Improvement Contractors of America Turf & Ornamental Supplies Geoffrey S. Cornish 8, William G. Robinson Professional Conservation of Ken Turner 617-263-7526 Golf Course Architects Soil and Water Fiddlers Green, Amherst, Mass. 01002 Contractor in your area, Vailey Farms Nursery& Supply, Inc. call Peter Whiting, Pres. 133 Hopemeadow St., Rt 10 617-877-5323 C.S. Curran Simsbury, Ct. 06070 T.R.C. Products, Oils and Greases Putting Green Sod for the Professional Old FoxChemical Inc. Joe Bidwell Pres. 7 Linden St., Framingham, Mass. Fertilizers - Seeds Turf Chemicals Bus. 203-651-8555 Res. 203-658-6886 Scotts Pro-Turf Div. 66 Valley St. Rep. Ed Wiacek 1-401-253-4284 E. Providence, R.I. 02914 White Turf Engineering 5 Summer Drive, Winchendon, Mass. 01475 Rep. Kevin Lyons 1-617-366-4825 Pro-Lawn Prod., Inc 61.7 297 0941 Fred Anthony, Sales Rep. Gold Star Sod Farms, I nc. Box 4908, Phillip Wogan Sod & Pine Bark Mulch Syracuse, N.Y. 13221 Golf Course Architect Canterbury, N.H. 603-783-4717 1-315-477-6112 21 Budleigh Ave., Beverly, Mass. Weston, Mass. 617-894-5474 Richey & Clapper, Inc. I & E Supply, Inc. 28 Rutledge Rd * Contributors to the Lawrence S. Dickinson 66 Erna Ave. Natick, Mass. 01760 Scholarship Fund

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Framingham, Mass. 01701 Home Phone 872-7832 Office Phone 875-4490 Club Affiliation Framingham, C.C. PETE COSTE' Business Manager LEON ST. PIERRE Co-ordinator GERRY FINN Contributing Editor