Rex Saddoris

PAGE — Lake Powell National Golf Course has a new superintendent to care for the grounds following the departure of Patrick Waymire.

Rex Saddoris was hired as the new superintendent recently, coming to Page from Roswell, N.M. Saddoris is no stranger to the West, having worked at golf courses in Oregon, Idaho, Texas and New Mexico. A simple man, Saddoris said there wasn’t much to him besides the desire to keep a golf course looking beautiful.

He noted that his primary responsibility would be to keep the course looking its best, noting that it needs to be “just like Mr. Johnny Miles (the golf course manager) wants it.” Officials at Lake Powell National are looking to avoid a repeat of last summer, when a mixture of high temperatures and humidity caused a nasty fungus to obliterate portions of the course.

“We cater to all golfers and try to maintain the course so that any golfer can come out here and have a good time,” Saddoris said.

The new superintendent said the isolation of the area doesn’t bother him, and that the location was a primary factor in his applying for the position.

“I love the canyons,” he said. “I’m looking forward to going fishing someday.”

What really made the decision for Saddoris in coming here was Miles’ laid-back management style and attitude about the golf course. Saddoris said he doesn’t see a need to make any huge changes to the course.

“I think if we keep improving a little bit at a time, everything will be good,” he said. “I don’t plan on making any big changes. This is a beautiful golf course. All we have to do is maintain it so that it stays beautiful.”

Saddoris has been interested in irrigation and landscaping since high school, which makes golf course management a perfect fit for him. He started off working for a golf course in Idaho after high school and just kept on in the field. Saddoris is also a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

“I like working outdoors,” Saddoris said. “You can’t put me behind that computer for too long.”

Even with all of his experiences, there was one thing that was completely new to Saddoris.

“I never had to do an interview before,” he said.

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