ECHO — An unexpected leave left the city of Echo scrambling for a new golf course manager, but City Administrator-Recorder David Slaght is optimistic about filling the vacancy.

Kevin Newell, 46, became the Echo Hills Golf Course contract manager on April 1, but medical reasons required him to resign May 15, after 44 days. Since then, Slaght, 53, has temporarily stepped in.

The city of Echo always has owned the golf course, Slaght said, but this was the first time the city assumed management. As such, Slaght finds himself running up to Echo Hills three to four times a day to check on operations, collect reports or assist in other ways.

The city hired back 73-year-old Randy Sperr, the previous contract manager who retired March 31, as a contract employee to help with grounds and ordering work. The city also hired another seasonal groundsman after two left, Slaght said, and are looking to add more part-time positions.

Slaght said there are several applicants for the manager position, with one prescreened and another to be prescreened soon. Once they have enough qualified candidates, he said the golf course committee and department managers will begin conducting formal interviews. Slaght said he hopes this will take place in the next couple of weeks and to have a new manager soon, but was unable to provide a specific timeline because he said there were several factors at play, including if the applicant is local or has to move.

Above everything, Slaght said he wants to assure people the golf course will retain its quality and remain open.

“The city council and city administration wants to keep this golf course going at its best,” he said. “The golf course is an iconic piece of Echo and will continue to be part of Echo.”

A man of any hats

Piling the duties of a golf course manager to his already-laden plate of responsibilities as city administrator is not easy, Slaght said.

“I’m probably spending my normal 50 hours a week as city administrator,” he said, “and adding another 20-25 hours on average for managing the golf course. I just do my very best, that’s all I can do.”

Although he has a difficult time balancing the demands of both jobs, Slaght said the Echo City Council has assisted him with this transition. He said his biggest challenge has been giving the golf course staff the time they need to be successful. Slaght said he regrets not being present at Echo Hills the whole time, but is confident in their abilities.

“They’re doing a very good job up there,” he said. “They’re working very hard.”

Slaght took on this management position during the busiest time of the golf season, giving him a taste of coordinating golf tournaments. The course in June hosted four tournaments, during which Slaght greeted players, rode around assisting in beverage sales, cooked hamburgers and hot dogs and assisted with cleaning. Having never hosted golf tournaments before, Slaght said this has been an eye-opening experience.

“I’ve learned a lot — gained a lot of respect for a lot of people,” he said. “I’m tired, but Randy’s worked this hard for so many years so there’s no room to complain.”

Slaght is weathering the storm as best as he can, but said he hopes it subsides soon with an adequate full-time Echo Hills manager.