Golf Course Superintendent New Haven Country Club

Genesis Turfgrass LLC.; Hamden (CT); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

New Haven Country Club in New Haven, CT seeks a Golf Course Superintendent to lead all golf course and grounds operations, ensuring premier daily and tournament playing conditions while guiding agronomic planning and capital projects.

The successful candidate will be a strong communicator, with 5+ years of superintendent experience, a turfgrass degree, and pesticide certification, and will collaborate closely with the Head Golf Professional to optimize member experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Golf Course Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent.
• Current state certification or licensing as a pesticide applicator.
• Degree or certificate in Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of irrigation systems, pesticide application, and turfgrass diseases/pests.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead all golf course and grounds operations, including the course, practice areas, and Club landscaping.
• Deliver outstanding daily and tournament playing conditions.
• Hire, train, mentor, and lead a team of approximately 15 staff members.
• Develop and execute annual and long-term agronomic plans.
• Prepare and manage operating and capital budgets.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, safety, and environmental standards.
• Collaborate with Head Golf Professional on course setup and member experience.
• Oversee the pond project planned for 2027.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Budget management

Irrigation systems

Pesticide application

Microsoft Office

Education

Degree in Turfgrass Management / Agronomy

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Golf Course Superintendent New Haven Country Club

New Haven, CT |New Haven Country Club, founded in 1898, is among the earliest golf clubs in the United States. Yale professor Theodore Woolsey was instrumental in its incorporation and early growth, with the club intentionally located outside New Haven to avoid overcrowding from Yale students who had overwhelmed the original downtown course. Land was acquired along scenic Lake Whitney, and by 1899 construction began on both the golf course and a distinctive Old English-style stone clubhouse, with a suspension footbridge providing access from Whitney Avenue and the trolley line.

By the spring of 1900, the club had quickly become a premier social destination, celebrated for its tranquil setting, elegant clubhouse, and renowned restaurant. Early membership included prominent figures such as Eli Whitney III, Walter Camp, and U.S. President William Howard Taft, reflecting the club’s stature within the region. The combination of natural beauty, thoughtful design, and growing enthusiasm for golf positioned New Haven Country Club as a leading institution in Connecticut’s social and sporting life.

In 1920, the club made a pivotal decision to redesign the course under famed architect Willie Park, Jr., a two-time British Champion who personally supervised the project. His influence is most evident in the club's famously challenging, rolling greens. While members have enjoyed a variety of recreational activities over the years, golf has always remained at the heart of the club. Paired with a historic clubhouse and a membership of community leaders, this enduring golfing tradition defines the richness and legacy of New Haven Country Club.

The most recent golf course improvements include a bunker renovation and tree removal. The club has also a continous relationship with reknowned golf course architect Brian Schneider highlighting the focus on continued excellence of this historic layout.

CLUB DETAILS

Facility:Member Owned

Course Access:Private Equity

Number of Holes:18

Total Annual Rounds:18,000

Members:450

Practice Range:Yes

Short Game Area:Yes

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reports to:General Manager

Supervises:Maintenance Staff of 8 full time and nearing 20 in season

Position Description:The Golf Course Superintendent reports to the General Manager and is responsible for all golf course and grounds operations. The role provides strategic leadership for agronomy, daily playing conditions, long-term planning, staff development, and capital project execution. The succesful candidate will be a strong communicator and a great teammate who is visible with a passion for excellence

The Golf Course Superintendent works closely with the Head Golf Professional and Grounds Committee and serves as a visible, trusted leader to members, staff, and Club leadership. This position will play a key role in preparation for and execution of the Club's upcoming golf course projects.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

General Responsibilities

Lead all golf course and grounds operations, including the course, practice areas, and Club landscaping

Deliver outstanding daily and tournament playing conditions

Hire, train, mentor, and lead a team of approximately 15 staff members

Develop and execute annual and long-term agronomic plans

Prepare and manage operating and capital budgets

Ensure compliance with regulatory, safety, and environmental standards

Serve as the Club's primary internal liaison for the 2027 golf course pond project

Communicate consistently with leadership, committees, and membership

Collaborate with the Head Golf Professional on course setup and member experience

Typical functions

The golf course superintendent assumes responsibility for managing and maintaining golf course properties, which may include:

The golf course(s): Bent Grass Greens

Maintenance equipment

Clubhouse grounds and landscaping

Open spaces, wooded areas, unused acreage and areas outside the perimeter fence

Sod farm and nursery

Other properties as specified in writing by the superintendent’s supervisor

Additional functions

Oversee construction, renovation and/or reconstruction of such properties, whether performed by maintenance staff or outside contractors.

Prepares the annual budgets for the maintenance and capital improvement of course properties. The superintendent formulates the annual maintenance and capital budgets so as to implement board policies established in accordance with the long-range plan and defined maintenance standards.

Interviews, hires, trains and supervises a staff of employees for the purpose of maintaining the properties. The superintendent has authority to terminate employment of subordinates.

Plans all maintenance and project work, applying his or her agronomic and administrative expertise to achieve the agreed‑upon maintenance standards and long‑range goals.

Oversees the scheduling and routing of personnel and equipment to accomplish the work. The superintendent frequently inspects the golf course and related areas to evaluate how well management standards are being achieved and to effect changes in management programs.

Acquires equipment and purchases necessary supplies to maintain the golf course and other properties. The superintendent is responsible for inventory control and oversees the equipment maintenance programs. The superintendent approves all expenditure and exercises cost control measures to keep, as nearly as possible, operating and capital expenses in line with the approved budgets.

Keeps accurate and complete records on payroll, inventory, weather data, maintenance procedures, pesticide applications, etc.

Communicates regularly with other members of the top management group to discuss activities, goals, plans and member/customer input.

Including, but not limited to, the following:

Advanced knowledge of agronomy and turfgrass management practices; a working knowledge of golf facility construction principles, practices and methods; and a thorough understanding of the rules and strategies of the game of golf.

A high degree of administrative and executive ability, especially in terms of problem solving and decision making.

Proficiency in computer use, knowledge of Microsoft Office and other applications.

Excellent oral and written communications skills.

Knowledge of current federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting the management of golf course operations (including, but not limited to, employment, safety and environmental standards, laws and regulations).

Participation in continuing education opportunities such as seminars, workshops, correspondence courses, field days and trade shows.

Requires current state certification or licensing as a pesticide applicator.

A degree or certificate in Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, or a related field.

Minimum of 5 years of experience as a Golf Course Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent.

Strong knowledge of irrigation systems, pesticide application, and a comprehensive understanding of turfgrass diseases and pests.

Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

Proven ability to manage a budget and control costs effectively.

A pesticide applicator’s license is required.

About New Haven Country Club

The PGA of America is made up of nearly 29,000 PGA Professionals who are ready to help you further your love for the game of golf. Whether you're a beginner, a PGA TOUR or LPGA Pro, or like most-somewhere in between, our mission is to help you navigate your golf journey so that you can take it as far as you want to go.