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Wilkinson; so far so good
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A hundred days after Paul Wilkinson took over from Andy Soden as Seattle’s Golf Director (Wilkinson is actually the Senior Recreation Manager – the Golf Director title having been abandoned) everything appears to be swimming along nicely.
The fallout from Soden’s sudden transfer to Volunteer Manager at Magnuson Park can still be heard in certain quarters, and there’s little doubt he was treated unfairly or that he’s still the ideal man for the job. But no one I’ve spoken with on the subject has had a bad word to say about Wilkinson or his performance so far.
Of course, it’s too early to make a full assessment, but the signs are certainly encouraging. Jay Turner who owns RedBird Sports on Beacon Avenue South and is a member of the City’s Golf Steering Committee, says he has sat in on two meetings with Wilkinson and sees no reason to doubt his commitment to the City and its golf courses. ‘He seems like a really good guy and knows the City's project process, which is good,’ says Turner who plays his golf at Jefferson Park where he once shot a 63. ‘Andy did a great job, and I think Paul will as well. He seems to have the golfer's interests at heart and has been very open-minded, listening to all our concerns. He has a tough job given the economy and the uncertainty over who will be the new mayor. Time will tell.’
For his part, Wilkinson says Seattle Golf is in the best position to improve and expand services since Interbay was reacquired. ‘The Master Plan is on the verge of approval by City Council as part of the 2010 budget process,’ he adds. ‘And we are poised to install new turf and paint the range at Interbay. The budget for 2009 will not be in arrears at the end of the year, and our greens have not been devastated by the pythium outbreak in our region - something we had feared.’
Wilkinson goes on to say he is getting a solid understanding of how the various stakeholders interact with each other and what their expectations are. ‘Municipal golf in Seattle involves complex interplay among golfers, Parks and Recreation, Premier GC which manages the facilities, and other City government agencies. Managing these factors within a strict budget is both challenging and fascinating.’
He also addresses the fact he is not a golfer, and had never played prior to taking on the job. ‘I have taken several lessons at Interbay and have played there and at Jackson,’ he says. ‘While I’ll probably never be a scratch golfer, I have discovered the pleasures of well hit ball.’
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