could be retiring Cancel The title field is required!

1. Richard Laux

   

   4 posts
   
   7/26/2017 5:07 PM

   I am thinking about retiring, have been a supt. for 45 yrs. have discussed changing positions with my asst.. he has young children and does not want to work weekends, I don't mind doing them. I would work half of my normal 60 hr. week. Has anyone done this or know of someone who has.
   Rick Laux
   Director of Golf Maintenance
   Kalamazoo Municipal golf Association

   
   
   
   
2. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   7/27/2017 7:07 AM

   Rick,
   
   Congrats on a long and successful career!
   
   Although I haven't heard of a Superintendent doing this, I have heard of some other people within this industry doing it. In this case, the manager wanted to slow down and give it a few more years before retiring altogether. He had someone under him that was perfect to step up. So they switched positions and the manager is now grooming the other guy while he is in the new role. It helps makes the transition better with the extra guidance still available. To me, sounds like a great plan any company would accept.
   
   If you assistant is capable of doing the job, I say go for it. However, you may find the City will want to advertise it out.

   
   
   
   
3. Richard Laux

   

   4 posts
   
   7/27/2017 6:07 PM

   thank you, Andy. If you remember I was fortunate to meet you and and play at your course last winter. Hope I can stop and play again on my way to Fort Myers.

   
   
   
   
4. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   7/28/2017 8:07 AM

   Richard Laux said: thank you, Andy. If you remember I was fortunate to meet you and and play at your course last winter. Hope I can stop and play again on my way to Fort Myers.

   
   
   
   That's right! I knew the name sounded familiar! Don't forget, I'd love to sell you a house here and put you on the payroll!

   
   
   
   
5. Ronald Conard

   

   4 posts
   
   7/28/2017 10:07 AM

   Richard Laux said: I am thinking about retiring, have been a supt. for 45 yrs. have discussed changing positions with my asst.. he has young children and does not want to work weekends, I don't mind doing them. I would work half of my normal 60 hr. week. Has anyone done this or know of someone who has.
   Rick Laux
   Director of Golf Maintenance
   Kalamazoo Municipal golf Association

   
   
   Wait....the superintendent doesn't work weekends? What am I doing wrong?

   
   
   
   
6. Michael Sullivan

   

   5 posts
   
   8/9/2017 10:08 AM

   I don't know how similar this is but have been considering it myself. Municipal Super/manager nearing the point where I could walk away, but still need to work. Love the outside work, spraying, irrigation etc, just getting tired of the management side. Have wondered if someone would hire someone my age as an assistant. If I could find a job that would give benefits and make up the difference between my pension and my salary, I might jump at it.

   
   
   
   
7. James Smith

   

   113 posts
   
   8/13/2017 8:08 AM

   I also have had thoughts like these. I know in the past some Superintendents would shy away from hiring past Superintendents in fear of their job, and rightly I do not blame them. I think this hurts the others who really would just like to keep working on a course without all of the responsibilities. I would love to end up on a fairway machine all the time or even an air-conditioned rough mower!
   
   seriously, how would older Superintendents convince others we would be great hires? I would love to move to Hawaii with my wife, which works in a hospital and could easily get a job but what course wants a past Superintendent? I really would not even want to be in charge of a hawaiian golf course to be honest, just sit back and enjoy where I am at and everything around me.

   
   
   
   
8. Richard Laux

   

   4 posts
   
   8/13/2017 7:08 PM

   I am close to finalizing this. I would still be the co superintendent. We have 54 holes of golf and I would only work the 30 hours a week. I would only work at our premier course. would only make half my current salary, but with
   my pension and social security I would end up making more. As I stated I would be there on the weekends and do
   the spraying, but I would only work 2 full days per week. I don't want to leave the business and this seems like a good way to stay on

   
   
   
   
9. James Smith

   

   113 posts
   
   8/27/2017 7:08 AM

   It's so great things are working out for you there. sounds like you will be a lot happier. and remember that Money isn't everything! were only given so many days on this earth and when their up their up!

   
   
   
   
10. Richard Laux

    

    4 posts
    
    8/29/2017 5:08 PM

    James and others, I want to stay active in the business but without the responsibility. With social security, my pension and investments money is not a worry. Even though I am also a former golf pro I have no intention of playing golf 7 days a week like some of my friends. let me do the spraying and run the course on the weekends and I will be fine. We also plan to go to Fl for the winter, so no more snow.

    
    
    
    
11. Jeremy Adkins

    

    0 posts
    
    8/30/2017 9:08 AM

    Sounds like a terrific plan. Best of luck.

    
    
    
    
12. Steven Huffstutler

    

    11 posts
    
    9/4/2017 4:09 PM

    Richard Laux said: James and others, I want to stay active in the business but without the responsibility. With social security, my pension and investments money is not a worry. Even though I am also a former golf pro I have no intention of playing golf 7 days a week like some of my friends. let me do the spraying and run the course on the weekends and I will be fine. We also plan to go to Fl for the winter, so no more snow.

    
    
    I have a part time job for you here in Florida. Ignore Andy and come down to Naples.
    
    Steve

    
    
    
    
13. Richard Laux

    

    4 posts
    
    9/5/2017 6:09 PM

    steve, I stay in FortMyes in Dec., Jan. and Feb. would love to play your course if possible. I will call you before I come down.

    
    
    
    
14. Steven Huffstutler

    

    11 posts
    
    9/6/2017 12:09 PM

    Richard Laux said: steve, I stay in FortMyes in Dec., Jan. and Feb. would love to play your course if possible. I will call you before I come down.

    
    
    Any time, man. Give me a call.
    
    Steve

    
    
    
    
15. Larry Allan

    

    0 posts
    
    9/7/2017 5:09 AM

    Steve has a great backhoe that can carry you from unsubmerged tee to unsubmerged green with your clubs or mowers..

    
    
    
    
16. Steven Huffstutler

    

    11 posts
    
    9/7/2017 5:09 AM

    Larry Allan said: Steve has a great backhoe that can carry you from unsubmerged tee to unsubmerged green with your clubs or mowers..

    
    We have scuba gear too, so you can find your ball