DIRECTOR OF GROUNDS PROFILE:
GOVERNORS CLUB
CHAPEL HILL, NC
Governors Club is seeking an innovative, driven, team-oriented Director of Grounds with a passion for consistently providing exceptional golfing conditions. The Director of Grounds will have experience with and an understanding of great clubs and top golf course architecture, along with strong agronomic, organizational, communication and leadership skills.
Click here to view a brief video about this opportunity.
About Governors Club
Governors Club is a nationally recognized private club community located in Chapel Hill built around an award-winning 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course and member-owned country club. A Platinum Club of America and Distinguished Club, Governors Club is the Research Triangle’s only gated golf community.
The Research Triangle is home to a wide variety of “tech” companies and is anchored by The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, Duke University, and North Carolina State University.
The community is home to more than 900 families and offers exceptional amenities to Club members. The centerpiece of the community is the Club and its 27 holes of Nicklaus golf, which take full advantage of the 1,600-acre property and varied terrain. It offers variety, great natural beauty and thoughtful design with three distinct nine-hole courses, the Lakes, Foothills and Mountain. The courses satisfy golfers at all levels, and the four-season climate and mild winters allow year-round play on the championship Jack Nicklaus Signature courses.
WEBSITE: www.governorsclubnc.com
OVERVIEW OF GOVERNORS CLUB GOLF COURSE & GROUNDS OPERATIONS
- $1.95M Budget (no equipment lease)
- 38,840 rounds of golf
- 27 holes
- Champion greens
- 419 fairways and tees
- Central Control: Rainbird Cirrus
- Satellites: Rainbird
- Heads: course – Toro 855
- Golf Course Architect: Jack Nicklaus
INITIAL AREAS OF FOCUS
- Address drainage issues
- Provide firm fast conditions
- Improve overall course playability, and aesthetics
- Recruit staff and develop a strong team
- Develop a long-term agronomic plan that inspires trust and confidence with department heads and staff
- Improve bunker conditions
Director of Grounds Job Description
The Director of Grounds reports directly to the Club’s Chief Operating Officer. The Director of Grounds is expected to be a visible presence among the team and members with exceptionally strong agronomic, business and communication skills. He/she is responsible for maintenance, operation, management, preparation, and condition of the golf courses and club grounds.
The Director of Grounds must be an excellent, transparent communicator with strong strategic planning abilities and a positive attitude. He/she will have an extensive agronomical knowledge and know-how. Working collaboratively with Club leadership, professional development, inspiring confidence and staying at the forefront of research and technology are necessary for success.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will be a Director of Grounds or Golf Course Superintendent at a club renowned for providing exceptional golfing conditions and will have the following qualifications:
- Proven history of providing exceptional golfing conditions and top-quality ultradwarf greens year-round at top courses
- Strong attention to detail with an understanding of the importance of course aesthetics
- Excellent leadership skills with the ability to build and develop a high-performing team
- A strong financial acumen with the ability to develop and adhere to budgets
- Experience in tree management
- Understanding of all pest control techniques
- Solid irrigation and drainage management philosophy and practices
- Strong agronomic skills and stays current with advances in turf technology and equipment
- Experience with bunker improvement and maintenance
- The ideal candidate will communicate effectively and work collaboratively with the Chief Operating Officer, Director of Golf, and committee to address key issues and provide optimal course conditions
- Self-motivated and highly driven
- Excellent member relations
- Strong listening skills and open to new perspectives and ideas
- The ideal candidate will be innovative and work “outside the box” to bring golf course conditions from good to exceptional
- Experience mentoring team members
- Exceptional strategic planning abilities
- Visionary with an understanding and appreciation for the Club’s culture
- Listens to and responds to both club members and team members
- Experience with renovation
- Highly organized
- Subscribes to sustainable maintenance practices (e.g. firm and fast, sound irrigation philosophy)
- Golfer/student of the game with a sound understanding of ideal playing conditions
- High golf IQ is essential
EDUCATIONAL AND CERTIFICATION QUALIFICATIONS
A minimum 2-year degree in turf management, 5 years’ experience as a Class “A” Superintendent are required; certification is preferred
CLUB COVID REQUIREMENTS
This club does not require staff to be fully vaccinated as a provision of employment.
SALARY & BENEFITS
Salary is open and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Club offers a competitive salary, bonus and benefits package for a position of this scope and responsibility.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY
Please upload your resume and cover letter, in that order, using the link below. You should have your documents fully prepared to be attached when prompted for them during the online application process. Please be sure your image is not present on your resume or cover letter; that should be used in your LinkedIn Profile.
Preparing a thoughtful letter of interest and alignment with the above noted expectations and requirements is necessary. Your letter should be addressed to Mr. Doug Shifflett, Chief Operating Officer and clearly articulate why you want to be considered for this position at this stage of your career and why Governors Club and the Chapel Hill area will be beneficial to you, your family, your career, and the Club if selected.
Your interest in this role must be communicated in the above manner no later than February 18, 2022. Interviews are expected to occur in early to mid-March with the new Director of Grounds assuming his/her role in a reasonable amount of time thereafter.
IMPORTANT: Save your resume and letter in the following manner:
“Last Name, First Name, Resume, Governors Club”
“Last Name, First Name, Cover Letter, Governors Club”
(These documents should be in Word or PDF format)
Note: Once you complete the application process for this search, you are not able to go back in and add additional documents.
Click here to upload your resume and cover letter.
If you have any questions, please email Nan Fisher: nan@kkandw.com
Lead Search Executive:
Armen Suny
Search Executive
303-570-2741
armen@kkandw.com
