| Shannopin Country Club located close to the Ohio River just north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is seeking a strategic leader, who desires to join a family-centric membership to oversee their Emil Loeffler design. The individual should have a passion for classic golf architecture, and desires to enhance the golf experience with exceptional conditioning and detailed course aesthetics. JOB OVERVIEW: The Golf Course Superintendent will work collaboratively with the club leadership team and Green Committee to ensure optimal golf course conditions and daily member experience. Execute and enhance the personality and culture of the Club, its membership, and its employees. He/she will be a visible, collaborative, hands-on, proactive and service-oriented partner. To be successful, the Golf Course Superintendent must have outstanding agronomy, leadership, communication, business acumen, golf course maintenance aptitude and experience. Most importantly, the drive, creativity, and commitment to continue elevating the experience and reputation of Shannopin Country Club. ABOUT THE CLUB: Shannopin Country Club was founded shortly following World War I by three friends, D. H. Roelofs, R. H. Houston and J. L. McBride, who wanted to take up golf again -- so they decided to establish a new country club! The Jackman Farm and neighboring land was purchased in 1919 to begin construction of Shannopin. Before opening its doors in 1920, the club was named after the Lenape tribe Chief Shannopin, who once settled near the area and made notable efforts in preserving the land of Western Pennsylvania. Shannopin Country Club’s golf course was designed by Emil Loeffler, who also helped to redesign the Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club course in the Pittsburgh area. The Club has evolved from a golf-centered focus to a club with member dining, racquet sports, swimming, fitness facilities for the entire family. Located just 10 minutes north of Downtown Pittsburgh, Shannopin is centrally located between the airport, downtown, and Cranberry. Residing within the Ben Avon Heights community, Shannopin also boasts members from Sewickley, Pittsburgh, Ross Township, and Wexford. Club Highlights: - Annual Club Revenue - $4.4M
- Annual Maintenance Budget - $1,000,000
- Grass types: Greens - Poa/bent; Fairways/Tees - Bent/poa; Roughs: Bluegrass/Rye/Tall Fescue
- Greens Construction: Modified soil/push up; one sand-based green
- Staffing - 14-16 in season; Assistant Superintendent, Equipment Manager
- Irrigation system - Originally Toro satellite system, transitioning wiring and heads to Rain Bird IC system
- Equipment: Predominantly Toro Equipment
- Upcoming projects: Bunker renovation using Capillary Concrete with Jim Cervone, Cervone Golf Design
- Average green speeds - 11 feet
- Rounds of Golf - 20,000
- Reports to General Manager
- Green Committee - 10 Monthly meetings
INITIAL PRIORITIES OF POSITION: - Ensure a smooth transition into the 2023 golf season implementing sound agronomic programming, maintenance practices, attention to detail, budget management and staff development.
- Develops an effective member communication program to keep the membership well-informed in advance of planned maintenance programs and activities.
- Review foundational agronomic programs including soil testing practices, fertility, pest management and cultural practices.
- Develop strong relationships with team, club leadership and Green Committee.
- Develops a 90-day State of the Golf Course report - assess current golf course infrastructure including irrigation system, drainage systems, maintenance facility complex, golf course equipment and general course conditions to prioritize short-term and long-term improvements.
- Preparing for the upcoming Bunker Renovation that begins August 1st.
SUCCESS TRAITS OF INDIVIDUAL: - Passionate professional, who takes ownership of their role as a strategic leader and thought partner at Shannopin Country Club.
- Steward of the golf course, its history, and collaborates with the Green Committee to develop policies and long-range initiatives to improve overall performance and reputation in the Western Pennsylvania golf community.
- Establishes trust, accountability and credibility within the staff to high performance standards.
- Self-motivated, persistent and is able to inspire “buy-in” by delivering consistent results.
- Demonstrates creativity, flexibility, outside the box thinking and assures consistent achievement of goals.
- Team builder - leads by example, recruits and develops all team members.
- Collaborative - works effectively with various constituents.
- Proactive, transparent, thoughtful and confident communicator.
- Relationship builder, active listener with a history of excellent relations with all constituents including Green Committee and Golf Professional staff.
- Priority management - understands where/how/why to focus course maintenance practices to provide optimal conditions and member experiences.
- Exemplary organizational skills - administrative, inventory, record keeping and accounting practices.
- Forward communicator - educating and communicating to keep the turf management program in front of the members’ eyes, as well as the General Manager and Golf Professional.
- Adapts maintenance practices to optimize design features, golf calendar and golfer playability.
- Strong agronomic skills-stays current with trends in turf technology and equipment.
THE FOLLOWING KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND APTITUDES ARE DESIRABLE: Agronomics/Daily Golf Course Management: - Strong technical and analytical focus to ensure optimal agronomic, water, soil, pest and environmental management programs on primarily Poa annua greens.
- Consistently seeks out modern conditioning methodology including tools and practices.
- Consistently addresses “low-hanging fruit” - puts together short-term course improvement lists.
- Solid irrigation and drainage practices - promotes firmer daily conditions.
- Attentive to results-oriented cultural, fertility and pesticide programming.
- Understands regulatory, construction, surface and stormwater planning.
- Creates a safe, productive, and enjoyable environment for employees exhibiting good “housekeeping” practices.
- Utilizes sound environmental practices and implements Pennsylvania BMP's
- Tree management experience.
Asset Management - Develops realistic maintenance practices and course improvements, and is able to make strategic recommendations to improve the club’s assets and investments on the golf course.
- Strong project management skills.
- Records progress with videos, photographs and communication reports.
Communication - Strong follow up reporting with the Green Committee and direct reports.
- Works in collaboration with General Manager, Head Golf Professional and Golf Shop Operations.
- Develops member communication program to keep membership updated on latest happenings of conditions and maintenance practices.
- Builds team rapport within the Grounds Operations to develop core team, high standards of team growth, and empower them to take ownership within the golf course operations.
Business/Financial Management - Exemplary administrative, inventory, record keeping and accounting practices.
- Comfortable utilizing Microsoft Office or similar software.
- Ensure compliance with environmental, safety, federal and state regulations.
- Strong time management and organizational skills.
- Zero-based budgeting skills.
- Strong forecasting and project planning expertise.
Golf IQ/Industry Relations - High golf IQ - steward of the game, environment and traditions.
- Adapts maintenance practices to enhance design features and golfer playability for all levels.
- Appreciates the role Shannopin Country Club has in the local Western Penn golf community..
- Strong agronomic skills-stays current with trends in turf technology and equipment.
- Plans and executes maintenance practices as much as possible around member and outing play, maximizing efficiency and minimizing disruptions.
- Respected within the Superintendent community, and brings forth fresh ideas to operations.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: - Salary - $95,000+ dependent on experience
- Performance bonus
- Relocation assistance
- Simple IRA
- Retirement Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision insurance
- Meal(s)
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- Typical GCSAA fees and continued education fund
- Staff Uniforms Provided
- Phone and Car Allowance
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Please write a thoughtful cover letter to the Shannopin Country Club Search Committee, about why you are interested in the position, and how your expertise will contribute to the success of the position. Save your application materials as one file as such: (Last Name, First Name, Shannopin) Please apply to the link included or by email to Tyler Bloom, Search Consultant, tyler@tylerbloomconsulting.com no later than March 31st, 2023. It is expected candidate in person interviews to be completed by April 7th, 2023. |
