Position Summary
The Superintendent is responsible for the comprehensive management, operation, and continuous improvement of the entire club property—primarily the golf course, practice areas, and surrounding grounds. This includes oversight of agronomy, equipment, crew, budgeting, capital projects, and renovations. The ideal candidate will foster a culture of excellence, support championship-level play, and work collaboratively with club leadership.
The Superintendent reports to the President and General Manager and leads a team of approximately 20 full-time and seasonal staff.
Key Responsibilities
Agronomy and Course Conditioning
- Develop and execute agronomic programs for greens, tees, fairways, roughs, bunkers, and native areas, with emphasis on bent grass and fescue turf management.
- Maintain firm, fast, and playable links-style surface conditions aligned to club standards.
- Ensure irrigation, drainage, and turf health strategies meet the challenges of coastal Long Island climate.
- Monitor and manage pest, disease, and fertility programs, ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
- Oversee soil testing, cultural practices (aeration, topdressing, overseeding), and sustainability
initiatives.
Crew Leadership and Staff Development
- Recruit, train, supervise, and mentor maintenance staff, fostering a high-performance, safety-oriented work culture.
- Establish clear daily, weekly, and seasonal priorities and schedules.
- Provide ongoing performance evaluations, training, and professional development opportunities.
Equipment and Infrastructure
- Oversee preventive and reactive maintenance of modern equipment inventory, ensuring reliability and efficiency.
- Coordinate with mechanics or external service providers for major repairs or upgrades.
- Manage water systems, pumps, controls, and irrigation infrastructure, including renovation planning when needed.
Budgeting and Financial Oversight
- Prepare and manage the annual operating and capital budgets for the maintenance department.
- Monitor expenditures, vendor contracts, and material inventories to ensure fiscal responsibility.
- Work with the leadership team to prioritize and justify capital projects such as bunker renovation or irrigation upgrades.
Projects and Renovations
- Lead planning, execution, and supervision of course renovation or improvement projects.
- Interface with consultants, architects, contractors, and regulatory bodies as needed.
- Ensure projects are completed on schedule, within scope, and aligned with club standards.
Member and Committee Liaison
- Serve as the primary point of contact for the club president, club’s board and grounds committees.
- Prepare regular reports and presentations on course status, project progress, and budget matters.
- Support club tournament preparation and execution, ensuring competitive-level playing conditions.
How to Apply
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and references to:
Philip Di Pippo
President
Laurel Links Country Club
philipdipippo@gmail.com
In your cover letter, please highlight:
1. Your experience with bent grass and fescue systems in a similar climate.
2. A major renovation or capital project you led and its outcome.
3. Your approach to balancing championship course conditioning and budget constraints
Required Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Turfgrass Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, or related field (or equivalent
experience).
- Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in golf course maintenance, including several years in a senior leadership role.
- Proven experience working with bent grass and fescue turf systems, ideally in regions with similar climatic challenges.
- Demonstrable experience in overseeing or executing course renovations or capital improvements.
- Certification or licensure in pesticide application, and any relevant state licensing.
- Membership in GCSAA or equivalent professional organization preferred.
- Strong financial acumen, budgeting skill, and ability to manage department profitability.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Ability to interact effectively with club leadership, committees, members, and vendors.
- Strong leadership presence, decision-making ability, and team orientation.
Preferred Attributes
- Experience in private clubs or high-end golf facilities with championship aspirations.
- History of successfully preparing courses for regional or state championships such as MGA events.
Work Environment and Schedule
- This is a full-time, year-round position.
- During peak season, early mornings, weekends, and extended hours may be required, especially
around tournament preparation.
- The role demands physical stamina, presence outdoors under all weather conditions, and flexibility.
- The Superintendent must be able to travel periodically for training, conferences, or supplier meetings.
