The Ledges, a municipal course founded in 2001, has been criticized lately for losing both money and its high turnover in general managers.
SOUTH HADLEY – The Selectboard has chosen a Wilbraham man to offer the position of general manager of The Ledges municipal golf course.
Board Chairman Robert Judge said members voted Thursday to offer the job to Douglas Juhasz, of Wilbraham.
Officials earlier were checking the references of the candidates including Rick Cardoza, of Hartford, John Riordan, of Longmeadow, and John Sullivan, of Milford, Conn.
Acting Town Administrator Jennifer Wolowicz said she had checked with the Professional Golfers Association and was told that the finalists were all members in good standing. “They said we were very fortunate to have them,” said Wolowicz.
The four finalists were winnowed down from an applicant pool of 40, according to Judge.
Salary for the general manager position will be between $46,253 and $69,379.
In interviews Wednesday, Judge explained to each finalist before questioning that the crowd in the meeting room indicated how important this matter was to the town.
Interviews with the finalists were conducted Wednesday with members of the Selectboard, the Golf Commission and the General Manager Screening Committee.
Bagley said the town was looking for a general manager with strong marketing skills, municipal experience and the ability to work with the different groups, including an independent food provider.
Finalists were also quizzed on their commitment to customer service and their budget experience.
The Ledges, founded in 2001, has become controversial in town because it has been losing money. It has also been criticized because of the high turnover in general managers.
Ryan Bagley, chairman of the Golf Commission, expressed high hopes for a turnaround this year.
Recently the town contracted with Springfield-based Frigo’s Gourmet Foods to provide food and beverages at The Ledges clubhouse, a step that has been widely praised.