Golf Course Superintendent

ABOUT YOUNGSTOWN COUNTRY CLUB

Youngstown, OH | Founded in 1898, just a decade after golf was introduced to the United States from Scotland, Youngstown Country Club (YCC) stands as one of America’s oldest and most distinguished private clubs. Known as the “Dean of All Clubs,” YCC has maintained a position of eminence in Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, offering members and guests an elegant experience rooted in tradition and excellence.

In 1911, the Club moved to its current 121-acre Holland Farm site, where Walter J. Travis designed the original 18-hole layout. The course was refined in 1921 by legendary architect Donald Ross, creating a challenging yet fair test that remains one of Northern Ohio’s finest golf venues. Gently rolling hills, tree-lined fairways, and a meandering creek define the course’s character and timeless appeal.

YCC has hosted premier championships, including the 1925 Western Open, when icons such as Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, and Tommy Armour competed, with Macdonald Smith emerging victorious. The Club has also been the site of the Ohio Open Championship, the Women’s Ohio Amateur Championship, an LPGA Open Qualifier, and a Men’s U.S. Open Qualifier.

The Club’s contributions to the game extend far beyond competition. YCC’s first greenskeeper, Col. John Morley, founded the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) in 1926. His legacy continues to shape the profession, and in 2009 he was honored with the Old Tom Morris Award, joining names such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Robert Trent Jones.

In 2023, YCC proudly celebrated its 125th anniversary, and in 2024, both its clubhouse and golf course were added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, nestled within Youngstown’s rich steel-town heritage and near the natural beauty of Mill Creek Park, YCC remains a benchmark of excellence—blending its storied past with a vibrant present that includes golf, dining, tennis, skeet & trap, and swimming.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Title: Golf Course Superintendent

Reports to: Board of Trustees

Position Description: Youngstown Country Club is searching for an inspirational and forward-thinking Golf Course Superintendent to lead the agronomy department in delivering championship conditions steeped in tradition. This position demands innovation balanced with reverence for the club’s historic legacy and member-centered culture.

You will direct all agronomic operations, manage budgets and staff, drive strategic enhancements, ensure compliance and safety, and collaborate closely with Club leadership and members. Your stewardship will carry forward the Morley legacy while positioning YCC for continued excellence.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Establish and oversee the agronomy department, procedures, controls, and focus with the goal of providing consistently high-quality playing conditions and attention to detail.

• Maintain and elevate course conditions; greens, fairways, and roughs aligned with Ross/Travis design ethos.

• Implement policies and procedures for the agronomy department, including compliance with company expectations while maintaining exceptional playing conditions.

• Ensure the safety and compliance of the department by meeting all federal, state, and local regulations regarding chemical applications, labor laws, and all other regulations that apply to agronomic practices.

• Implement and oversee chemical, fertilizer, irrigation, and turf management plans, ensuring adherence to regulations.

• Work with the Board of Trustees in the preparation of the annual budget, including all expenses within the department.

• Review and analyze various financial results/reports while monitoring the overall agronomy department performance and take any corrective actions that may be needed.

• Maintain and produce various (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.) business reports, forecasts, and plans accordingly.

• Create a team atmosphere where agronomy team members learn and grow in their profession. 

• Instill a sense of pride in teamwork, which will contribute to the achievement of Youngstown Country Club's vision. 

• Propose capital improvements and strategic projects for turf and infrastructure enhancements for the annual budget.

• Collaborate with the Board of Trustees on annual budgets; monitor expenses and drive cost-efficient operations.

• Organize department management meetings, and staff meetings, and participate in department head/committee meetings as designated. 

• Follow company policies and procedures regarding the handling of Youngstown Country Club's equipment and other assets.

• Advise and assist the Board of Trustees and implement policies, procedures, and goals that will strategically enhance the agronomy department for operational and financial success.

• Ensure member and guest satisfaction with respect to all levels of service and operation within the department.

• Participate in club leadership and department meetings; represent agronomy in cross-departmental initiatives.

• Engage diplomatically and professionally with members, guests, and staff reflecting YCC’s standard of excellence.

• The Superintendent is encouraged to participate in the game of golf with the membership when time allows.