Golf Course Superintendent

The posting of this job opening is done at the request of management of Bishops Bay CC.  They are currently using a golf management company who has also posted this job.  Executive Golf Search has been hired to find a new Director of Agronomy as the club will be discontinuing their maintenance contract and taking it in house by the end of the year.  The new Director of Agronomy will report directly to the GM of Bishops Bay CC.

 

 

Director of Agronomy at Bishops Bay Country Club

Bishops Bay Country Club is in search of a Director of Agronomy with a history of providing exceptional golf course conditioning. This position will focus on the daily maintenance and operation of the golf course at the highest possible level including, but not limited to: agronomy, staff supervision, budgeting, leadership and irrigation.

The Director will have significant renovation experience, possess strong communication skills, and be a high-energy, detail-oriented team leader with a passion for the game of golf and a member-centric focus. He/She will work directly with the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Golf to define, communicate, and deliver on the approved strategic plan and operational standards ensuring the golf course delivers on the brand promise of the premier course in our area, meaning the best in the area and beyond.

About Bishops Bay Country Club

The Course

Bishops Bay Country Club was founded in 1995 by Madison entrepreneur Sam Jacobsen. Mr. Jacobsen enlisted Illinois golf course architect Bob Lohmann to design our parkland style 18-hole championship course with the focus on utilizing the natural beauty of our two hundred and twenty plus acres of south-central Wisconsin topography.

A major course renovation designed and built by Oliphant Golf in 2019 included bunker size reduction and relocation in addition to numerous greenside runoff areas. Enjoy picturesque views of the rolling countryside, Lake Mendota and even the Capitol building. We pride ourselves on exceptional playing conditions!

The Culture

Bishops Bay culture embraces aiming for a wide array of services and amenities while promoting the club’s brand of blending families of all generations. The generational blending at the club revolves around a common love of the club. The club is forward-thinking and innovative with our sports and social programming.

Bishops Bay – The Numbers

· Rounds Annually: 25,000

· Operating Budget: grounds $1.4M

· Average member handicap: numerous lower index -single digit players

· Average Age of Members: 52 Bishops Bay Country Club Website: www.bishopsbay.com

Director of Agronomy – Position Overview

The Director of Agronomy (DOA) will report directly to the Chief Operating Officer and will work in partnership with other club Directors, particularly the Director of Golf. Under the supervision of the COO, the Director’s primary responsibility consists of all maintenance of the golf course and landscaped areas in excellent repair and condition. The Director is expected to share in the long-term strategic vision of the club and contribute to its overall growth from a tactical perspective in the day-to-day operations, and a strategic, long-term planning perspective while yielding innovation and efficiency for the club.

The DOA is expected to lead the golf course maintenance team as well as provide information, recommendations, and leadership to the Greens Committee to produce exceptional playing conditions. Well-articulated and candid discourse is expected and required with the COO, Director of Golf, and Greens Committee.

The DOA is expected to routinely walk the course to determine the actual playing conditions, and to ensure that it is consistently in top playing condition. Continuing education and staying at the forefront of research and technology are necessary for success. In addition, the DOA will provide creative leadership and foster a culture of continuing education and development of future turf professionals. The DOA must demonstrate sincere and engaged visibility with members and staff, along with a love of the game of golf and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

The DOA is also responsible for all clubhouse grounds and landscaping. Winter clubhouse snow removal and outside maintenance. Maintenance of all company vehicles.

Experience Requirements & Qualifications

Requirements

· Minimum three years as a golf course superintendent which includes golf course maintenance experience at high quality facilities, private club preferred.

· Two year degree in turfgrass management comparable experience in a related field is required. Certification with the GCSAA (CGCS) is preferred.

· Minimum of three to five years team leadership and management experience

· Valid Drivers License

 

Qualifications

· An individual with exceptional character

· A high “Golf IQ”

· A student of the game of golf & the proven ability to produce exceptional playing conditions

· Extensive experience overseeding of greens, fairways, roughs, and tees, along with successful transitions

· Excited about being part of a leadership team and partnering with other department heads on common goals

· Focused on exceeding member expectations and improving member satisfaction

· An active listener with excellent communication skills

· Able to create a strong management team organizational structure

· Experienced in consistently providing fast, smooth, and firm overseeded greens

· Known for a high level of detail work and bunker maintenance

· Experienced in irrigation system maintenance including leveling irrigation heads, valve boxes, and drains

· Proven experience in proactively and reactively managing challenging conditions

· Experienced overseeing golf course maintenance equipment and its repairs and familiarity with turf equipment maintenance software

· A confident, resourceful leader and mentor to the golf course maintenance team

· A strong relationship builder with a history of collaboration with their Green/Grounds Chairman, Director of Golf, and COO

· An individual with strong financial acumen, experienced in budget management & forecasting

· Strong administrative and computer / technological skills.

· An exemplary steward of all resources

· A well-organized, detail-focused observer

· A creative turf manager with strong agronomic skills – one who stays current with advances in turf technology, irrigation management, and equipment

· Acutely aware of the delicate balance that exists between cultural turf maintenance practices and member expectations of playability

· A leader who understands the value of, & importance of maintaining on-course landscaping

· Experienced in high-end residential neighbor relations

· Strive to identify emerging technologies, tools, and management techniques that will result in improved conditioning and increased productivity.

· Spanish language skills are a plus

Benefits

· A competitive salary commensurate with education and experience

· A great bonus structure

· Paid professional continuing education

· Paid Family Health, Dental, Vision, life, and Disability Insurance

· Simple IRA pension program matching 3%

· PTO accrual

· Free Staff Meals

· GCSAA local, state and national dues and conference attendance

· Club provided vehicle

How to Apply

Please send your resume and cover letter to Tommy Witt, CGCS with Executive Golf Search at tommy.witt@att.net

Please make sure your resume and cover letter are saved in Word or PDF format in the following manner:

Last Name, First Name – Resume

Last Name, First Name – Cover Letter – Bishops Bay

Your cover letter should be prepared thoughtfully and clearly articulate your alignment with this role and why you should be considered for this position at this stage in your career.

Please apply for this position no later than March 25th. Candidate selections will occur shortly thereafter with first interviews expected approximately the first week of April. The second interviews and hiring the candidate will follow shortly thereafter. The new candidate will assume his/her role no later than August 1st. The club is transitioning from a golf course maintenance contractor to an in-house club DOA. Creative options exist for the exact start

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