Newton’s city-owned Westwood Golf Course is getting additional staff. The Newton City Council has unanimously approved a recommendation from Westwood Golf Course Operations Manager Brad Sponseller to hire an assistant manager for the clubhouse.

“This person would be responsible for training staff and helping out with tournaments and men’s and ladies’ leagues. This would give me more time greeting people and learning from them what they want to see, and also have more time to start teaching more golf. The past couple of years, I just haven’t had the time to do that.”

Sponseller says more golf lessons could lead to increased usage of the golf course. He also noted the assistant manager position, with an expected annual salary of just under $40,000, would replace the second Golf Pro that was scheduled to be hired at an expected yearly salary around $55,000.

The Westwood Golf Course Clubhouse opened June 30th of last year, and features an expanded food menu that includes pizzas, Chicago dogs, and brats. The part-time cooks that prepare the food have been projected to raise the city-owned golf course’s expenses by $20,000 to $30,000 per year.