JOB: Head Superintendent – Royal Perth Golf Club

POSTED ON October 4, 2022 @ 7:09 pm

Royal Perth Golf Club is seeking a Head Superintendent.

The applicant should possess a great passion for the game of golf, excellent care for the well-being and development of their team, and a desire to be part of a Club whose vision is to be the best Golf Club in Western Australia.

The ideal candidate will be an exceptional leader who drives a positive culture of mentorship, collaboration, and teamwork striving for success within the department and the entire Club. This individual must be a genuine, authentic, and engaging leader with a keen eye for detail coupled with a proper understanding of the agronomic details of what makes a world-class golf course. At least 10 years of golf course agronomic experience, including experience in a prestigious golf club environment, is required.

Royal Perth Golf Club

Royal Perth Golf Club was established in 1895 and moved to its current location in South Perth in 1908. It is the oldest golf club in metropolitan Western Australia.

It is widely recognized for the excellent presentation of its well-conditioned golf course, and the member experience inside its large Clubhouse.

The par 72 course, measuring just over 6,000 metres, is built on less than 30 hectares of free-draining sand. The generally flat tree-lined fairways comprise a 60/40 Kikuyu-couch blend. The pencross greens are small by today’s standards, and there are 80 bunkers.

The Club has appointed Clayton Devries & Pont with Kruse Golf to prepare a Course Master Plan. The intention is to replace all 18 greens, establish a native revegetation program, and restore the course to a Top 50 ranking in Australia.

By the numbers:

Approximately 1200 Golf members and 500 Social Members
$1.7+M Golf Course Maintenance Operating Budget
10 Employees in Agronomy
Currently 60,000 rounds per annum (post-COVID)

The Club is financially viable, and its governance is both sound and progressive with a General Committee that is not involved in day-to-day operations.

Position Description:

Responsible for leading, inspiring, and supervising all Agronomy staff and creating a team that cares about providing a world-class conditioned course. Responsible for the health, prosperity, and consistency of the golf course condition and associated landscaping for the golf course and practice facilities. Plan, coordinate, and execute all projects and golf course agronomics that shape and uphold the Club’s standards for excellence.

General Responsibilities:

Establish course standards that include maintaining tees, fairways, greens, bunkers, and water delivery systems to the highest golf course standards, capable of hosting State and National Championships.
Formulate and monitor a budget for operational and capital expenses for the golf course.
Coordinate and supervise the recruitment and development of all Agronomy staff.
Engage in active communication with the team to promote high employee morale and a positive image of our Agronomy team to the membership.
Work closely with the Manager Golf and Membership in scheduling course activities, including planning golf events.
Communicate with the membership regarding course condition, maintenance programs, and course improvement projects.
Coordinate and manage the success of all construction projects and course improvements.
Direct the ordering of agronomy supplies and materials within budget.
Develop and maintain records of course condition and maintenance activities, chemical and fertilizer applications, soil, turf, water, and onsite weather patterns.
Stay abreast of current industry standards through seminars, conferences, educational opportunities, and information sharing with peer club superintendents.
Ensure compliance and safeguarding of all chemicals, pesticides, and Club assets.
Follow and comply with all Federal, State, and Local Council Laws, regulations, and government record keeping.
Oversee the regular maintenance and upkeep of all course-related plant and equipment.
Other duties as assigned by the General Manager.

Experience:

At least 10 years of golf course agronomy experience. You will have at least 5 years of experience as a Golf Course Superintendent or Assistant Course Superintendent.

Education/Certifications:

Minimum of Certificate IV or Diploma in Sports Turf Management

Candidate Qualifications:

The successful candidate will possess a wide range of necessary leadership personality traits, knowledge, abilities, working norms, and skills required to fulfill duties and responsibilities effectively.
Must have a thorough knowledge of the following:

Construction and maintenance of golf course tees, greens, bunkers, and fairways.
Seeding, turfing, and maintenance of turf used on golf courses.
Planting, cultivating, pruning, and caring for plants, shrubs, and trees.
Characteristics and proper use of various fertilizers and soil conditioners.
Herbicides and pest control methods and materials.
Drainage control methods.
Computerised watering and irrigation systems including bores, pumps, and automatic controls.

Salary & Benefits:

Salary is open and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Club offers an excellent benefits package, along with the typical Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) benefits.