The assistant superintendent of a Hobe Sound golf course bested 35 other candidates to be named superintendent of the municipal Saints Golf Course this week.
Curtis M. Wichern, who is expected to sign a contract after the results of medical tests are available next week, will replace Jim Miscoski, who was fired in early June after customers complained about poor course conditions and weeds.
Wichern, 34, has been assistant superintendent of the semiprivate Lost Lake Golf Club in Hobe Sound since November 1998, managing chemical and fertilizer applications and overseeing other areas of course maintenance.
Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Proulx said he's confident with the addition of Wichern, an irrigation specialist who could be hired in the fall and a new point system to track conditions at each hole and fairway, the course's condition will improve.
"Every week the interim superintendent grades every part of every hole on a point system, and we've already had slow but definite improvements," Proulx said. "It was Mr. Wichern's personality, knowledge and previous experience that made him stand out."
Wichern could not be reached for comment Friday. He is expected to start work July 26 and will earn $52,000 a year, up from his $32,500 salary at Lost Lake.
Source: Palm Beach Post (Florida)