MAINE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

History of the MGCSA

The history of the Maine Golf Course Superintendents Association as recalled by

Roger Lowell.

The Maine Golf Course Superintendents Association as we know it today started forming in late 1963.  The bylaws were written in 1964.

The need to form an association was the concern of several superintendents and a couple of sales people that were attending the Maine Conference as it used to be held at the University of Maine at Orono.  The turf conference preceded our association.   This was a second attempt to form an association.  An association called   the Green's Keepers of Maine failed an attempt from a lack of interest or ability to travel, or both.  Members like Jim Jones, and even the legendary Manny Francis of Vesper Country Club of Lowell, Mass. were part of that era.  Manny built and maintained what today is the South Portland Municipal Golf Club.

Burt Huderson and Austin Kelley were very instrumental in getting things kicked off with the aid of longtime Sec/Treasurer Harold Hathaway.

I almost hate to make list of member names as I am sure to forget some, but here goes.

1964

As you can see from this list, at $5.00 a membership we collected $95.00 in dues in 1964.  Many meetings in those days would be attended by 8 to 10 people.  Remember that most of us were still driving cars left over from the late 50's and a trip to Augusta from Arundel would be a days event.

This was also the reason that there were three area Vice Presidents.   One northern, one central and one southern, if the President could not make a meeting, then the area Vice President would preside over the meeting.  The year I was president, 65-66 the area Vice Presidents were:  John Dana, Paul Brown and Jim Jones.

Many times postage and their expenses were paid for by Yerxas because our long time treasurer Harold Hathaway was general manager of that company.   We owe a debt of gratitude to both Yerxas and Sawtell Brothers who often helped the MGCSA with expenses in the early days.  By the late 60's our membership had grown to about 50 members, that even brought hard workers like Dave Huff who helped carry the ball for many years.  If I were asked today to what do I attribute to the on going success of MGCSA I would have to say its all the members who gave their time and made meetings to be with their peers.