AIT 2027 Full Course Renovation – Advancement opportunity following renovation and grow-in.
Job Details
About Exmoor Country Club
Founded in 1896, Exmoor Country Club is a historic private club located in Highland Park, Illinois, approximately 28 miles north of downtown Chicago. Exmoor's golf course was redesigned by legendary golf course architect Donald Ross in 1915 and has a long history of championship golf, including hosting multiple Western Amateur Championships and the 2018 Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship, and the 2033 U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championship.
Exmoor is entering one of the most exciting periods in the club's history with a $17 million comprehensive golf course renovation led by golf course architect Andrew Green.
We are seeking a motivated Assistant-in-Training who wants to become an integral part of our Golf Course Maintenance team and gain hands-on experience with a complete golf course renovation, construction, grow-in, and establishment of new playing surfaces.
A Unique Construction & Grow-In Opportunity
This position is an opportunity to experience much more than traditional day-to-day golf course maintenance.
The successful candidate will work alongside Exmoor's Golf Course Management team, Andrew Green's design team, and our construction and irrigation contractors throughout a comprehensive renovation of the golf course.
The project will include:
- Complete reconstruction of putting greens utilizing the variable-depth USGA construction method
- New putting greens designed to accommodate portable Precision Air units
- Regrassing of all putting greens and low-mow playing surfaces with 007XL and Centennial creeping bentgrass
- Complete rebuilding and regrassing of all tee complexes
- Regrassing of all fairways
- Complete bunker reconstruction utilizing Capillary Concrete
- Extensive new drainage throughout the property
- Installation of a new Toro Smart Satellite herringbone irrigation system
- Extensive tree removal and implementation of a comprehensive tree replacement plan
- Construction and irrigation work performed by Leibold Construction and Leibold Irrigation
- Full grow-in and establishment of the newly constructed golf course
The AIT will have the opportunity to participate throughout the construction process and then transition directly into the grow-in and establishment of the newly renovated golf course.
This provides a rare opportunity to learn not only how a high-end golf course is maintained, but how one is built from the ground up.
Position, Professional Development & Advancement
The Assistant-in-Training position is designed for someone looking to build a career in golf course management. We are looking for an individual who is eager to learn, willing to take on increasing responsibility, and interested in understanding every aspect of modern golf course management.
The successful candidate will be involved throughout the renovation, construction, and grow-in process while gradually taking on greater responsibility within our Golf Course Maintenance team.
Depending on experience and development, the AIT will gain exposure to:
Golf course construction and project management
USGA putting green construction
Bentgrass establishment and grow-in
Irrigation installation, operation, troubleshooting, and programming
Drainage installation
Bunker construction
Seedbed preparation, seeding, fertility, and establishment
Water and moisture management
Fertilizer and plant protectant applications
Spray equipment calibration and operation
Modern agronomic practices and technology
Daily course setup and conditioning
Crew leadership and management
Tournament preparation
Long-term agronomic planning and decision-making
Advancement Opportunity
Our goal is to develop the right individual into an Assistant Superintendent at Exmoor following the renovation and grow-in.
As the project progresses, the AIT will be given increasing ownership of projects, agronomic programs, staff leadership, and day-to-day course responsibilities. The individual who takes advantage of this opportunity will have the chance to transition from helping build the golf course to becoming part of the management team responsible for maintaining and refining it.
We view this position as more than a temporary construction or grow-in role. We want to invest in someone who wants to grow professionally, take on greater responsibility, and potentially build a long-term future at Exmoor.
For an individual early in their career, the combination of construction, irrigation installation, grow-in, establishment, and post-renovation management experience can provide an accelerated path toward becoming an Assistant Superintendent and, ultimately, a Golf Course Superintendent.
Job Benefits
Additional benefits include:
- 10% annual salary bonus
-10 days on 2 days off rotation April-November, 2-3 Weekends Off each month December-March
- Free housing
- Meals provided
- Uniforms provided
- Continuing education allowance
- Professional development opportunities
- Hands-on involvement in a $17 million golf course renovation
- Direct exposure to golf course architecture, construction, irrigation installation, grow-in, and modern turfgrass management practices
Job Requirements
Your references will be contacted.
This position could be a great fit for someone finishing a turfgrass program, an intern ready to take the next step, an early-career turf professional looking to accelerate their development, or someone already working in the industry who wants to experience something significantly different from traditional daily golf course maintenance.
Candidates currently enrolled in or recently completing a Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, or related program are encouraged to apply.
Most importantly, we are looking for someone who wants to be involved, ask questions, take ownership of projects, and make the most of a unique opportunity.
There are many opportunities to learn golf course maintenance. There are far fewer opportunities to participate in the complete transformation of a historic golf course.
The individual joining our team will have the opportunity to experience the project from construction through grow-in and ultimately into the management of a newly renovated golf course utilizing modern infrastructure, technology, and agronomic practices.
For someone looking to build a career in golf course management, this position offers the opportunity to gain several years' worth of unique construction and grow-in experience in a very short period of time.
If you want to be part of something special, learn how a golf course is built as well as how it is maintained, and challenge yourself professionally, we would like to hear from you.
Salary Range
From $55,000 to $65,000 per year
Availability
Application Details
Adam Daroczy
Golf Course Superintendent
adam@exmoorcountryclub.org
