1st Assistant Superintendent

Sea Pines Country Club; Sea Pines (SC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

GCSAA dues & education allowance

Architect exposure with Phil Smith

Meals and golfing privileges

Job summary

Sea Pines Country Club in Hilton Head Island, SC seeks an Assistant Golf Course Superintendent to lead the agronomy team, mentor staff, and guide the 2030 major renovation with architect Phil Smith. The role emphasizes data-driven decisions and hands-on leadership in a historic, private club setting.

You will oversee turfgrass management across bermudagrass varieties, manage fertilizer and irrigation programs, and drive innovative technology adoption with a focus on championship course

Qualifications

• Degree or certificate in Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, or related field.
• 2–4 years of progressive golf course maintenance experience.
• Strong leadership with passion for teaching and developing others.
• Comfort with modern data tools and autonomous/soil-mapping tech.
• South Carolina Pesticide Applicator's License (or ability to obtain within 90 days).

Responsibilities

• Mentor and develop 16-member turf staff and AITs.
• Lead 2030 renovation grow-in with architect Phil Smith.
• Drive precision agronomy using GreenKeeper, USGA Deacon and Task Tracker.
• Schedule and manage daily turf operations.
• Oversee fertilizer/pesticide applications, irrigation and water management.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Data tools

Soil mapping

Education

Degree or certificate in Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, or related field

Tools

GreenKeeper

USGA Deacon

Task Tracker

TurfRad

Job description

Job Details

Level: Experienced, Job Location: SEA PINES COUNTRY CLUB - Hilton Head Island, SC, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: Not Specified, Salary Range: Undisclosed, Travel Percentage: None, Job Category: Hospitality - Hotel, Assistant Golf Course Superintendent

Location: Sea Pines Country Club - Hilton Head Island, SC

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Operating Budget: $2.4 Million | Maintenance Staff: 16

About Us

Sea Pines Country Club is a premier, private member-owned club nestled within the world-renowned Sea Pines community. We pride ourselves on maintaining exceptional course conditions and fostering a culture of professional growth. We are proud to share that our previous assistant superintendent has recently advanced to lead his own operation—taking on a premier role that grants him full operational autonomy. This transition is a direct testament to the high-level development, mentorship, and career progression we actively support here.

The Opportunity & 2030 Renovation by Phil Smith

We are seeking an enthusiastic, determined, and innovative Assistant Golf Course Superintendent to help lead our agronomy team. This leadership role is perfect for a driven professional who wants to bring a fresh perspective to a well-established operation. Looking ahead, the club is embarking on an exciting, large-scale major course renovation scheduled for 2030, led by acclaimed golf course architect Phil Smith. The ideal candidate will play a pivotal, hands-on role in the planning, construction oversight, and grow-in of this project, offering an unparalleled opportunity to shape a championship-level property alongside a world-class designer.

Course Profile & Infrastructure

• Greens: TifEagle bermudagrass
• Fairways & Tees: Celebration bermudagrass (overseeded)
• Roughs: 419 bermudagrass
• Annual Rounds: 34,000
• Irrigation Infrastructure: Pump Station Flowtronix (Scheduled for 2027 Installation) | Irrigation System Toro (2000)

Technology & Data-Driven Innovation

Our department is heavily invested in advanced technology and data tracking to optimize turf health and operational efficiency. We actively leverage top-tier industry tools, including GreenKeeper, USGA Deacon, and Task Tracker. Additionally, we look to stay on the cutting edge of turf management by actively evaluating TurfRad technologies and piloting autonomous mowing solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Mentorship & Staff Development: Actively mentor, train, and develop fellow Assistants and Assistants-in-Training (AITs), creating a clear pathway for their future career advancement in the industry.
• Project Leadership: Participate actively in the preparation, construction management, and grow-in phase for the upcoming 2030 course renovation with architect Phil Smith.
• Technology & Data Integration: Utilize daily insights from GreenKeeper, USGA Deacon, and Task Tracker to drive precision agronomic decisions.
• Team Leadership: Lead, motivate, and schedule the daily operations of our 16-member turfgrass management staff with a strong sense of urgency.
• Agronomic Excellence: Oversee fertilizer/pesticide applications, calibration, water management, and irrigation repairs across our specialized bermudagrass varieties.

Qualifications

• Degree or certificate in Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, or a related field.
• 2–4 years of progressive experience in golf course maintenance (prior assistant or strong AIT experience preferred).
• Strong leadership skills with a proven passion for teaching, mentoring, and developing others.
• Comfort working with modern data tools and a keen interest in autonomous and soil mapping technologies.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a South Carolina Pesticide Applicator's License within 90 days.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary: based on experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision, 401k).
• GCSAA association dues and continuing education allowance.
• Experience managing with industry-leading technology and labor/asset tracking platforms.
• Direct exposure and networking opportunities with golf course architect Phil Smith.
• Tournament volunteering and major project leadership opportunities.
• Complimentary meals and golfing privileges.