Golf Course Superintendent

Golf Course Superintendent

Van Patten Golf Club | Clifton Park, New York

Starting Salary: $125,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications

Van Patten Golf Club is seeking an experienced, results-driven Golf Course Superintendent to lead all aspects of golf course maintenance and agronomic management.Our goal is to establish Van Patten as a premier public golf destination, delivering country club-quality course conditions, presentation, and playability.

The successful candidate will bring strong agronomic expertise, leadership, operational discipline, and a vision for elevating the property. With a $1.2 million annual operating budget, this individual will lead the maintenance team, manage resources, improve course conditions, and develop long-term plans to enhance the facility.

This is a hands-on leadership position that requires early mornings, weekends, holidays, and additional hours as needed to meet course conditions, weather demands, tournament schedules, and operational needs.

Key Responsibilities:

Course Conditioning & Agronomy

• Establish and maintain high standards for turf quality, playing conditions, and overall course presentation.
• Develop and execute agronomic programs for greens, tees, fairways, approaches, roughs, bunkers, and surrounding landscape areas.
• Oversee mowing, rolling, topdressing, aerification, fertilization, pest management, weed control, and other turf maintenance practices.
• Optimize green speed, smoothness, firmness, drainage, and turf health while protecting long-term playing quality.
• Identify and implement improvements that enhance the course's appearance, playability, and overall golfer experience.

Leadership & Team Development

• Recruit, train, supervise, and develop a professional grounds maintenance team.
• Establish clear expectations, work schedules, performance standards, and accountability.
• Foster a productive, safety-conscious culture focused on teamwork, efficiency, and quality.
• Lead by example, combining hands-on expertise with effective delegation and team development.

Budget & Operations Management

• Manage the $1.2 million annual operating budget, including labor, supplies, equipment, and maintenance expenses.
• Develop annual maintenance plans, staffing schedules, seasonal priorities, and purchasing requirements.
• Control costs while allocating resources to maximize course quality and operational efficiency.
• Oversee equipment maintenance, replacement planning, and inventory management.
• Recommend capital improvements and long-term investments in course infrastructure and maintenance operations.
• Communicate budgets, progress, challenges, and improvement plans to club leadership.

Irrigation, Drainage & Infrastructure

• Manage irrigation systems and water usage to maintain healthy turf and firm, consistent playing surfaces.
• Evaluate and improve drainage to minimize wet areas and improve course conditions following rainfall.
• Plan and oversee irrigation upgrades, drainage projects, grading, and related infrastructure improvements.
• Apply sound water management and conservation practices.

Equipment & Property Management

• Oversee the safe operation, maintenance, and care of all golf course maintenance equipment.
• Ensure effective use of mowers, tractors, skid steers, excavators, utility vehicles, and related machinery.
• Manage tree care, pruning, selective removal, landscape improvements, edging, and trimming.
• Maintain clean, organized maintenance facilities and ensure compliance with applicable safety and environmental requirements.

Long-Term Course Improvement

• Develop seasonal and long-term plans to elevate course conditioning, aesthetics, and playability.
• Identify opportunities to improve maintenance practices, equipment, infrastructure, and operational efficiency.
• Evaluate and implement appropriate technologies and industry best practices.
• Work with club leadership to prioritize improvements and support Van Patten's goal of becoming a leading public golf destination.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished Superintendent who takes ownership of course conditions, develops a strong team, manages resources effectively, and consistently delivers high standards.This individual understands both the science of agronomy and the attention to detail required to create an exceptional golf experience. They are proactive, hands-on, financially disciplined, and motivated to make measurable improvements.

This is an opportunity to help transform a public golf course into a destination known for country club-quality conditions, outstanding presentation, and exceptional playability.If you have the experience, leadership, and vision to elevate Van Patten Golf Club, we invite you to apply.