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Highlands Today

Vicker Takes Reigns At Pinecrest

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By MARK PINSON Highlands Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 13, 2008

AVON PARK - After being out of the pro shop for the last couple of years, John Vicker is back where he belongs.

The well-known golf professional has been named the head professional and club manager at Pinecrest Golf Club.

"I'm excited about being at Pinecrest, and l know it's going to be a challenge with the economy the way it is, but I look forward to attracting a larger number of golfers to our course," said the 49-year-old. "We need to build our membership base, and we want to get involved with the community and working with them to make sure their fundraisers are successful."

Vicker, who came to the Heartland in 1986 from Stevens Point, Wis., knows that golf is a popular sport in the area after working at Sun 'N Lake Country Club for five years, the Country Club of Sebring for 11 years and at Golf Hammock Country Club from 2001-2005.

"I had a lot of success and built good relationships with a lot of people in the community over the years," Vicker said. "There are a lot of courses to choose from in the area, and we want the golfers to come out and play a round at Pinecrest.

"I think they will enjoy themselves and come back to play again."

The last couple of years, Vicker worked for "Save The Moment," a local company that specialized in golf recognition, but he realized that his first love was working at a golf course.

"Golf is a crazy business because it requires long hours every day of the week, especially the weekends," said the affable pro. "But I enjoy being involved with the game, and I was encouraged by my family and friends to get back into the golf business."

To attract more golfers, Pinecrest, which was built in 1924 and is a Donald Ross design, is offering a couple of summer specials. Tuesdays and Thursdays there is a special rate of $18, which includes cart, 18 holes of golf and lunch, and on Friday mornings the cost is $15 for 18 holes, a cart and a Danish.

"We just want to get the Pinecrest name out there and get some exposure," Vicker said, who also gives private lessons. "This is a great course to play, and I would like to see us reach our full potential."

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com

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