A Good Mechanic is Hard to Find Cancel The title field is required!

1. Garr Adam

   
   12/15/2012 12:12 PM

   This fall we let go our mechanic. Began the search in October, but have only received 3 responses, and only 1 of those had previous golf course experience.
   
   Is there a good place to advertise to find these guys, or is it primarily word of mouth around town? I suspect there are assistant mechanics, etc., looking to move up. How do I get the word out to them?
   
   We aren't a super high-end CC, but definitely near the top of the second tier of private clubs, so to speak. The starting wage and benefits, especially in this economy, is very respectable.
   
   I am also convinced the next guy I hire will be based 80% on personality, I am tired of these guys who are off-kilter and like to mess with the staff!

   
   
   
   
2. Jeffrey Sexton

   

   0 posts
   
   12/15/2012 1:12 PM

   Adam,
   
   You did the right thing for you and your staff. I took over a new job a couple of years ago to inherit a mechanic who was there for 30 years. He wasn't going to listen to an organized young superintendent. He over spent my budget without permission and talked bad things about me behind my back. This lasted for about 5 mo. and then I let him go. It was nerve wracking at first because I wasn't sure I would be able to replace him. That was my story. To find his replacement, I chose to run an ad in the local newspaper. I got several good applicants, but during the interview process they where all quick to think they knew more than me. I had one person however that was willing to listen and seemed like he would fit in well. He was a good mechanic but had to teach himself how to be a golf course mechanic. It will work for you, just be patient and open minded. A good wrench can teach himself anything.
   
   Jeff Sexton
   Evansville CC

   
   
   
   
3. Wahlin Scott B

   
   12/15/2012 2:12 PM

   If you find a person with the aptitude and attitude, Lee Heckman with Express Reel will train them. We did this and it worked out extremely well.

   
   
   
   
4. Hardy Andrew

   
   12/15/2012 3:12 PM

   This looks like the same thread I started a little over a year ago. I arrived at my current job and was faced with the uphill battle of a 20+ year mechanic who had aspirations of being Super. Fortunately he was caught stealing gas last fall and thus ended his reign of terror at our club. Funny he had a great reputation outside of the course. And was loathed and hated within the club by everyone but the owner.
   
   So this year I hired a younger guy with lots of experience and who was willing to take my low-ball wage. I sit here today with another job ad posted and searching again. The one thing I have learned in the last 2 years is that its all about personality. Anyone with half a brain and passion to do a good job can be taught anything. I have to spend 11 months with this person in a one-on-one situation and my hire this time will be someone who doesn't make me want to take a spade to him.
   
   I have made calls to some larger clubs and lo and behold the one ultra private club has a Asst Mechanic ready to move up. Making a few calls to colleagues and salesmen may strike a few leads and save the aggravation of posting and interviewing. Good luck

   
   
   
   
5. Dinger Greg

   
   12/15/2012 4:12 PM

   Andrew Hardy said:
   So this year I hired a younger guy with lots of experience and who was willing to take my low-ball wage. I sit here today with another job ad posted and searching again. The one thing I have learned in the last 2 years is that its all about personality. Anyone with half a brain and passion to do a good job can be taught anything. I have to spend 11 months with this person in a one-on-one situation and my hire this time will be someone who doesn't make me want to take a spade to him.

   
   
   I don't see any problem.

   
   
   
   
6. Hardy Andrew

   
   12/15/2012 5:12 PM

   Greg Dinger said:

   Andrew Hardy said:
   So this year I hired a younger guy with lots of experience and who was willing to take my low-ball wage. I sit here today with another job ad posted and searching again. The one thing I have learned in the last 2 years is that its all about personality. Anyone with half a brain and passion to do a good job can be taught anything. I have to spend 11 months with this person in a one-on-one situation and my hire this time will be someone who doesn't make me want to take a spade to him.

   
   
   I don't see any problem.

   
   
   Greg, maybe I am the problem. I guess the new mechanic will determine that

   
   
   
   
7. Dinger Greg

   
   12/15/2012 8:12 PM

   In our area repair shops and dealers average $90-100/hr labor. A good tech has no problem grabbing 35-40% of this on flat rate. Specialty dealers (Cat etc) are in the $125 range, paying a similar percentage. It's no wonder Techs are full on sprinting away from this business, and we have a hard time finding new blood. With current economic conditions, not a whole lot of new cars moving around, but I guarantee a lot of cars are being repaired these days.

   
   
   
   
8. James Smith

   

   113 posts
   
   12/16/2012 6:12 AM

   you should go to your local tech college and see if they have anoyone who recently graduated who may be looking for a position.
   
   I have tried many things in my search for another mechanic since mine is retiring at the end of the year. I even posted a listing on craigs list which got me a few responses but none that had any experience with disele engines or hydraulic systems. but it did get me more then my local unemployement job service did.

   
   
   
   
9. Stephen Tucker

   

   0 posts
   
   12/16/2012 10:12 PM

   Mike Kriz and I will be teaching a seminar at GIS regarding this subject http://www2.gcsaa.org/conference/educat ... nager.aspx
   
   If you are looking for qualified technicians I would also recommend posting your position on the IGCEMA website. http://www.igcema.org

   
   
   
   
10. Ashton Alan W

    
    12/17/2012 8:12 AM

    Only because I haven't seen it yet... Craigslist.
    
    I hired my mechanic from a nearby facility... I'm in a metropolitan area too, so your results may vary!

    
    
    
    
11. Michael Kriz

    

    0 posts
    
    12/17/2012 5:12 PM

    Andrew Hardy"] Anyone with half a brain and passion to do a good job can be taught anything. I have to spend 11 months with this person in a one-on-one situation and my hire this time will be someone who doesn't make me want to take a spade to him.
    
    I/quote]
    
    Andrew: Speaking for equipment managers, and the IGCEMA, I take offense at your "half a brain" comment. Perhaps you will be at GIS and will attend our seminar?

    
    
    
    
12. Hardy Andrew

    
    12/18/2012 2:12 PM

    Once again the insincerity of the Internet strikes. That was not my intention at all. Nowhere is a good equipment tech more important than at my club. We buy all of our equipment and run it until it dies. Hence the reason I am looking for a new one of higher quality. I can be replaced in an instant (Owner is a retired Super) the ET can't. So please don't put words in my mouth. I will let it rest at that.

    
    
    
    
13. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    12/18/2012 3:12 PM

    I don't think Andrew is that far off, look how far I've gotten with half a brain and passion?
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
14. Mark Novotny

    

    0 posts
    
    2/15/2013 11:02 AM

    My situation is odd. My mechanic left to work on heavy equipment where he can make some great money. His helper/fairway operator is a 30 year heavy equipment mechanic retired just learning about small equipment and reel mowers. Since he goes to Florida Jan-Mar I lucked out and hired an experienced GC mechanic who was laid off after 17 years of service due to economic conditions. He was so well paid I can't afford to keep him so shortly he will be leaving to money he deserves.
    
    Hopefully, I will be able to keep things going until my new head mechanic returns from Florida. I guess I can't break too much on my own since I will be the only one working. I also have 7 utility vehicles and one mower at other locations getting repaired.
    
    I know four other courses in the area that are looking for mechanics.
    
    It's tough out there.