DIRECTOR OF AGRONOMY PROFILE:

BELLE MEADE COUNTRY CLUB

NASHVILLE, TN

DIRECTOR OF AGRONOMY AT BELLE MEADE COUNTRY CLUB

Belle Meade Country Club is seeking a knowledgeable, hands-on Director of Agronomy with strong leadership qualities, deep transition zone expertise, and a passion for excellence. The ideal candidate will consistently deliver superior firm and fast course conditions, and foster a progressive, team-oriented work culture. Exceptional communication skills and a commitment to upholding the club’s high standards of playability, presentation, and member satisfaction are essential.

Click here to view a brief video about this opportunity.

ABOUT BELLE MEADE COUNTRY CLUB

Founded in 1901 as the Nashville Golf and Country Club, Belle Meade Country Club has evolved into one of Nashville’s most prestigious institutions, rich in tradition and Southern charm. Relocated in 1916 to land once part of the historic Belle Meade Plantation, the club’s current site was transformed with a Donald Ross-designed golf course and Dutch Colonial clubhouse. Renamed Belle Meade Country Club in 1921, it soon hosted major championships, including the Southern Amateur and the inaugural USGA Senior Amateur in 1955. The par-72 championship golf course, now stretching 6,885 yards, was modernized in 2003 by Rees Jones, continuing its legacy as one of Tennessee’s top-ranked layouts. Members enjoy extensive practice facilities, a golf shop, and year-round play. Beyond golf, Belle Meade offers premier racquet amenities, including ten Hydro-Grid outdoor clay tennis courts and eight indoor courts with U.S. Open-spec surfaces. The club also boasts a full-service wellness center, Olympic-sized pool complex, and vibrant pickleball courts. Dining options range from casual to formal, including the historic Iroquois Room and family-friendly 1901 Room. For over a century, Belle Meade has remained a cornerstone of Nashville society, blending elite athletics, gracious hospitality, and generational community in an elegant yet welcoming environment.

Mission Statement

“To deliver an exceptional private club experience for Members and guests, marked by tradition, service excellence and a welcoming community.“

• BELLE MEADE COUNTRY CLUB BY THE NUMBERS

·       Rounds of golf annually: 30,616 (9-Hole: 9,835; 18-Hole:16,820; Guest: 3,961)

·       Cart Rounds: 19360

·       Caddie Rounds: 2,861

·       Belle Meade Country Club Operating budget: $2.25M

·       Greens: USGA, Bentgrass SR1020/1119

·       Fairways: 419/Latitude 36 Bermudagrass - 28 acres of Fairways

·       Tees: 419 Bermudagrass

·       Irrigation System: Toro, Lynx, 2021, City Water 1,000 gpm

·       Average Member Age: 63

·       1261 Members

BELLE MEADE COUNTRY CLUB WEBSITE: www.bellemeadecc.org

DIRECTOR OF AGRONOMY JOB DESCRIPTION

The Director of Agronomy (DOA) reports directly to the Club’s General Manager/Chief Operating Officer. The Director of Agronomy is also expected to communicate and collaborate with the Director of Golf on a regular basis to ensure the alignment of agronomic practices with the golf operations.  The DOA 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 and detailing of the golf course and club grounds. 

The DOA must be an excellent, transparent communicator with a natural style of “sincere engagement” with both the management team and members. He/she will have extensive agronomical knowledge and know-how. Continuing education, professional development, strong peer group relations, and staying at the forefront of research and technology are necessary for success.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will be a Director of Agronomy, Golf Course Superintendent or Senior Assistant at a club renowned for providing exceptional golfing conditions and will have the following qualifications:

• Proven history of providing exceptional firm, fast and sustainable golfing conditions and managing all aspects of the golf course and landscape at the highest level
• Successful experience managing Bentgrass greens in the transition zone
• Understanding of managing bermuda to minimize winter damage
•  Familiarity with and successful experience managing mixed roughs in the transition zone
• Experience in tree management and shade mitigation to improve the turf growing environment
• Understanding of all pest control techniques
• Solid irrigation management philosophy and practices
• Strong agronomic skills and stays current with advances in turf technology and equipment
• Ability to organize and lead the golf course maintenance team to efficiently complete daily agronomic practices while minimizing disruption to golfers by scheduling maintenance tasks such as mowing and blowing leaves to avoid golfers.
• Proven success in Poa annua control on greens and bermuda fairways
• Experience with “high priority” bunker maintenance
• Strong observational skills, detail oriented
• Strong knowledge of equipment maintenance
• The ideal candidate will be a courageous thought partner with experience managing golf course design/construction projects along with guiding the vision, planning, and overall direction of a project
• Experienced with stream bank management and improvements
• High energy, organized, focused leader
• Possesses leadership qualities that have resulted in high employee satisfaction-proven staff retention, low turnover
• Strong relationship builder with a history of excellent relations with their Golf Professional and General Manager
• Excellent member relations
• Strong listening skills with an understanding of the value of constructive criticism
• Experience developing standard operating procedures and training programs to onboard new staff
• Experience mentoring team members
• Experience in developing successful intern programs
• Proven success in developing Assistants to promotion
• Excellent communication skills-listens to and responds to both club members and team members
• Strong budget management and forecasting (zero based) skills
• Experience developing capital equipment replacement plans
• Demonstrated leadership in a club or high-end golf course environment.
• Strong administrative and problem-solving skills.
• In-depth knowledge of course maintenance practices, irrigation systems, equipment repair, and horticulture.
• 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
• Spanish language skills are preferred

EDUCATIONAL AND CERTIFICATION QUALIFICATIONS

• A degree in turf management or related field of study is required. GCSAA Certification is preferred.
• Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) designation strongly preferred.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary is open and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The club offers an excellent bonus and benefits package including association membership.

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 on your LinkedIn Profile.

Prepare a thoughtful cover letter addressed to Belle Meade Country Club search committee/Mr. Michael Seabrook, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, and clearly articulate your alignment with this role and why you want to be considered for this position at this stage of your career and why Belle Meade Country Club and the Nashville, TN will be beneficial to you, your family, your career, and the Club if selected.

You must apply for this role as soon as possible but no later than Tuesday, July 8, 2025.  Candidate selections will occur late July with first Interviews expected on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, and second interviews on August 21.  The new candidate should assume his/her role in October.

IMPORTANT:  Save your resume and letter in the following manner:

“Last Name, First Name - Resume” &

“Last Name, First Name - Cover Letter – Belle Meade Country 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 Katy Eliades: katy@kkandw.com

Lead Search Executive:

Armen Suny

Search Executive

O: (833) KKW-HIRE, ext.720

M: (303) 570-2741

armen@kkandw.com