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Former Pines superintendent story differs from directors

(March 23, 2017) Two weeks ago, the Gazette reported that Ocean Pines had made an offer to its former Golf Course Superintendent Rusty McLendon.
This week, however, McLendon said that didn’t happen.
According to Board Vice President Dave Stevens, McLendon was made an ­­offer, but did not immediately accept it. This occurred in the wake of Ocean Pines terminating an agreement with former golf management company Landscapes Unlimited.
McLendon was replaced by Andre Jordan, who had been with Ocean Pines public works and previously worked at the golf course.
“An offer was made [to McLendon]. It wasn’t accepted. [Interim General Manager] Brett [Hill] moved quickly forward to make sure the transition was happening with Andre, who was given the offer and did accept immediately. That’s where we are, going forward,” Stevens said at the time.
In a letter to the Gazette, however, McLendon said no offer was made.
“I did not receive any offer from an authorized agent of the OPA to continue in my capacities as superintendent. Therefore, it is difficult to accept or decline anything that was not offered,” he said. “Had an offer been properly conveyed, I was prepared to accept it. Generally, in a professional setting, a written offer is expected at this level of management. In my 17 years as a superintendent, all my previous positions have been secured through a written agreement.”
McLendon said he realized changes were coming when the board or directors set lower rates for the golf course without consulting Landscapes.
“Cheapening the rates will lead to less revenue, which will, in turn, lead to less available dollars to spend on the upkeep of the course; that is basic economics,” McLendon said. “I would speculate that the [board’s] decision to not officially make me an offer was solely a financial decision and not just an oversight on their part.”
McLendon also added a note of thanks.  
“I do want to thank all the golfing members of Ocean Pines for their support during my tenure as ‘keeper of the green.’ The golf course is in better condition now than it was six years ago when I arrived. I like to leave things better than when I found them,” he said. “My assembled team worked many long hours to improve the conditions in a tough growing environment while spending substantially less to do it. I want to thank them for all of their effort.”