By Ray King
With no dissent, the Pine Bluff City Council on Monday approved a resolution to increase the salary for a Golf Superintendent for the Harbor Oaks Golf Course, which is now managed by the Parks and Recreation Department.
In a note accompanying the resolution, Mayor Shirley Washington said currently, salaries for the Golf Superintendents at both Harbor Oaks and the Jaycee Golf Course are set at $42,800 plus benefits. Since Harbor Oaks is an 18-hole course and Jaycee’s is a 9-hole course, the superintendent at Harbor Oaks should be paid more, particularly because of the maintenance that will be required.
Last year, the Harbor Oaks course was seeded with high end grass, requiring specialized maintenance and care.
Washington’s proposal, which was accepted, was to increase the salary to $57.000 plus benefits, a difference of $14,160. All eight council members signed on to sponsor the resolution.
The city’s salary schedule provides that the pay range for a golf superintendent is $42,000 minimum, $52,000 midpoint and $63,000 maximum.
Council member Lloyd Holcomb Jr., who chaired the meeting after the Mayor left because of another engagement, talked about the resolution, and about Allen Wagner, the person who is being hired for the job.
Wagner has 12 years of golf course experience, 8 years as Assistant Superintendent and 4 years as Superintendent and worked for the Sheridan Golf Course as Assistant Superintendent and Head Superintendent from 2012 to 2019, and left when the position was eliminated.
He also has the ability to work on golf course equipment, small engines and diesel.
Speaking briefly after the resolution was adopted, Wagner said he was ready to get to work and wants to return Harbor Oaks to its former position as one of the best golf courses in the state.