ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT- ALL THE TURF. ALL THE TIME.

Karsten Golf Club is seeking an Assistant Superintendent with a strong foundation in agronomy and progressively responsible golf course experience. For someone who enjoys studying turf, working through agronomic challenges, and seeing that work reflected in playing conditions, those interests are central to this position.

Karsten is the home and training facility for Cowboy and Cowgirl Golf. Our priority is the condition of the golf course and practice surfaces—giving both programs the environment to prepare and compete, and giving members the best possible golf experience.

There are no tee markers, posted pars, handicaps, or handicap flags. Golf and course conditioning are the focus. With fewer than 5,000 rounds annually in each of the past two years and a limited event schedule, our maintenance decisions center on turf needs and playing quality.

The substantial renovation completed in 2025 was a step in Karsten’s continued development. We are refining agronomic programs, developing staff, and building a long-range plan for further improvements. Investment continues in equipment, infrastructure, and technology that help us produce better conditions.

The Work and Development

The Assistant Superintendent reports directly to the Superintendent and works closely with the Senior Assistant and agronomy team. Our management team shares responsibility across the operation, with roles shifting daily to support the staff and meet the needs of the turf. Each person brings different strengths, but we work toward the same goal: providing the best possible conditions. Leadership is demonstrated through contribution, communication, and follow-through.

This position builds on individual strengths and provides experience in areas needing development. Assistants participate in daily decisions and the planning behind them, including budgets, applications, water management, staff leadership, and projects.

Mentorship is part of that work. We discuss what we are seeing, why a practice or product is being considered, and how we will evaluate the response. Research, product evaluation, and studying different chemistries are part of our agronomic program. Assistants contribute to those discussions, work with consultants, and help apply findings to the property.

Hands-on leadership is expected. Assistants demonstrate tasks, explain standards, train employees, and follow up on results. The goal is to develop someone who understands the work and can lead others in doing it well.

Responsibilities include:

• Planning daily maintenance, organizing crew assignments, and evaluating completed work.
• Monitoring turf performance and contributing to irrigation, fertility, plant health, and cultural practice decisions.
• Planning and executing fertilizer and pesticide applications, including calibration, inventory, and records.
• Working with irrigation controls, troubleshooting, repairs, and pumping systems.
• Training employees and supporting assistants-in-training and interns.
• Participating in budgets, purchasing, product forecasting, and seasonal planning.
• Managing projects, evaluating results, and contributing to long-range improvements.

Continuing education, conferences, and tournament volunteer opportunities support our goal of preparing assistants for superintendent responsibilities.

The Property and Agronomy

The approximately 1,500-acre property includes:

• 96 acres of Tahoma 31 fairways, with additional bermudagrass tees and practice areas.
• 59 acres of 007XL/7-7-7 bentgrass greens with a sand-based rootzone containing 5% soil.
• 5 acres of RTF tall fescue and extensive native areas.
• Approximately 48 full-time, part-time, and seasonal maintenance employees.

Individual geothermal heating and cooling and Precision Aire systems support greens management. Water infrastructure includes Rain Bird controls, Watertronics pumping equipment, HDPE mainline, and a recently added transfer system supplying the course reservoir from a roughly 3,000-acre source lake.

We continue to adapt our practices as technology develops. GPS-guided sprayers, moisture measurements, mapping, agronomic records, and USGA Deacon help us evaluate conditions and make informed decisions. These tools complement field observation, research, and work with consultants.