Selecting a professional superintendent to manage your golf course investment

Sample position description

Golf Course Superintendent

Definition:
The golf course superintendent is entrusted with the maintenance, operation and management of a golf course. He or she is responsible for:

• supervising the construction, reconstruction and maintenance of the golf course(s)
• supervising the maintenance and repair of construction and maintenance equipment
• rendering professional advice, opinions, assistance and services to the facility’s board of directors or managing body as required
• participating in all long-range planning meetings
  

The golf course superintendent reports directly to one of the following individuals:

• general manager
• green chairman
• owner
• director of golf
• director of golf courses/director of parks and recreation

In clubs organized such that the superintendent reports to the green chairman, any committee members and/or club members who have comments, complaints or suggestions about course maintenance or conditioning should present them in writing to the green chairman, who will discuss these matters with the superintendent.

In all instances, the golf course superintendent coordinates operations with the club manager and golf professional. In membership club organizations, the golf course superintendent also communicates and coordinates with all relevant membership groups and committees.

Typical functions:

The golf course superintendent assumes responsibility for managing and maintaining golf course properties, which may include:

• golf course(s) and practice areas
• maintenance equipment
• golf car fleet
• clubhouse grounds and landscaping
• tennis courts, swimming pool and other recreational facilities
• restrooms and potable water on course
• open spaces, wooded areas, unused acreage and areas outside the perimeter
• sod farm and nursery
• other properties as specified in writing by the superintendent’s supervisor
• construction, renovation and/or reconstruction of such properties, whether performed by maintenance staff or outside contractors. In private club organizations, the golf course superintendent must submit written plans for course construction, reconstruction or renovation projects to the green committee. Projects approved by the green committee will be forwarded to the board of directors for final approval.
• preparing the annual budgets for the maintenance and capital improvements of club properties
• formulating the annual maintenance and capital budgets to implement board policies established in accordance with the club’s long-range plan and defined maintenance standards
• interviewing, hiring, training, directing, and supervising a staff of employees for the purpose of maintaining club properties (superintendent has authority to terminate employment of subordinates)
• planning maintenance and project work, applying his/her agronomic and administrative expertise to achieve the club’s maintenance standards and long-range goals
• overseeing scheduling and routing of personnel and equipment to accomplish the work (superintendent frequently inspects the golf course and related areas to evaluate how well management standards are being achieved and to effect changes in management programs)
• acquiring equipment and purchasing necessary supplies to maintain golf course properties
• responsible for inventory control and oversees the equipment maintenance programs
• approving all expenditures and exercising cost control measures to keep, as nearly as possible, operating and capital expenses within the approved budgets
• keeping accurate and complete records on payroll, inventory, weather data, maintenance procedures, pesticide applications, etc.
• communicating regularly with other members of the organization’s top management group to discuss activities, goals, plans and member/customer input
• playing golf regularly with these individuals and, in private clubs, with the green chairman. In a private club organization, the superintendent attends all Green Committee and Board meetings.

Employment standards:

• Requires advanced knowledge of agronomy and turfgrass management practices; a working knowledge of golf facility construction principles, practices and methods; and a thorough understanding of the rules and strategies of the game of golf
• Requires a high degree of administrative and executive ability, especially in terms of problem-solving and decision-making
• Requires excellent oral and written communication skills
• Requires knowledge of current federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting the management of golf course operations — including employment, safety and environmental standards, laws and regulations
• May require current state certification or licensing as a pesticide applicator
• Requires participation in continuing education opportunities such as seminars, workshops, correspondence courses, field days and trade shows