Chris Hrycenko, who was hired in February as an independent contractor to serve as the new Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course pro, resigned last week, according to Mayor Michael Villa.
Conversations with Hrycenko had been ongoing, but Villa said that on Thursday, “we came to a mutually negotiated settlement.”
He said Hrycenko’s resignation letter cited a desire to pursue other interests. However, Villa also said, referring to the one-year length of the golf pro contract, “I think he’s looking for something more stable and I just couldn’t offer it to him.”
Villa added, “Because we don’t know what direction we’re going in as far as what’s going to be the best to save this course and yet relieve the burden from the taxpayers.”
“The golf course needs an overhaul, whether it’s management, whether we decide to lease it. We have to address the issue on a permanent basis going forward,” said Villa.
According to past financial records and audit reports, the golf course has operated at a loss every year since 2011. The golf course’s fund balance was negative $600,464 at the end of the 2016-2017 fiscal year, according to the most recent audit report.
For the rest of the season, Villa said that existing seasonal staff at the course and golf commission members will fill in to cover Hrycenko’s responsibilities until the end of the season. According to the golf pro’s contract, responsibilities include marketing and promotion, interpreting rules and mediating disputes, providing lessons to kids, supervising golf cart rentals and scheduling maintenance, as well as oversight of the course maintenance and facilities.
The contract provided Hrycenko a salary of $36,000 from February 25 through October 25, as well as the opportunity to earn additional income by operating the pro shop.
Hrycenko has yet to reply to requests for comment.
