Head Superintendent - Makefield Highlands Golf Club

The Sports Facilities Companies; Yardley (Bucks County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Makefield Highlands Golf Club is seeking a Head Superintendent to lead agronomy, maintenance, and sustainability programs for the golf course and practice facilities in Yardley, PA.

The role requires strong leadership, budget oversight, and deep turfgrass knowledge to deliver premier conditioning and guest experience, working with the General Manager and operations leaders.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years combined experience and education in turfgrass or golf course maintenance.
• Certificate in turfgrass from an accredited university required.
• Strong budget management and cost-control experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an agronomic plan for greens, tees, fairways, and practice areas.
• Lead the agronomy team and supervise irrigation and maintenance staff.
• Prepare operating and capital budgets; monitor expenses and seek efficiencies.
• Maintain course setup and presentation standards for daily play and events.
• Ensure IPM programs and regulatory compliance, including licensing.

Skills

Leadership & team building

Budget management

Irrigation systems

Turfgrass agronomy

Pesticide application license

Equipment maintenance oversight

Communication skills

SOP development

Education

Turfgrass certificate

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Email/CRM

Job description

HEAD SUPERINTENDENT - Makefield Highlands Golf Club

MHGC SFM, LLC

LOCATION: Yardley, PA

DEPARTMENT: FACILITY MAINTENANCE

REPORTS TO: GENERAL MANAGER

STATUS: FULL-TIME (EXEMPT)

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Makefield Highlands Golf Club is a premier golf and hospitality destination focused on improving the health and economic vitality of Yardley, PA. You will be joining a championship-level team focused on fun, fulfillment, and service, built to enrich the community as well as your career and personal growth.

Makefield Highlands Golf Club is a managed facility by SFC GOLF, LLC, a Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) company. SFC is the nation's leading resource for managing and developing sports, recreation, wellness, and events facilities. We provide a highly collaborative and supportive culture that raises our team members to new levels of career growth. Together, we carve a path in a high-growth industry where you will enjoy the journey and learn from the industry's best while having some fun.

SFC has been recognized nationally as a Top Workplace and is considered an employer of choice. Our mission-focused company is highly entrepreneurial and team-oriented, with a culture centered on collaboration, accountability, excellence, and service. We are growing rapidly and looking for high performers at every level to grow with us.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Head Superintendent is responsible for the leadership, planning, maintenance, and continuous improvement of all golf course and practice facility turfgrass, landscapes, and related systems at Makefield Highlands Golf Club. This includes greens, tees, fairways, roughs, bunkers, practice areas, clubhouse surrounds, and any other maintained grounds that impact the golfer and guest experience.

This position is a key member of the venue leadership team with responsibility for agronomic strategy, capital and operating budgets, staff leadership, safety and environmental compliance, and daily course conditioning standards. The Head Superintendent leads the agronomy team (including the Assistant Head Superintendent, Equipment Supervisor, irrigation staff, and grounds crew) and works closely with the General Manager, Golf Operations leadership, and Food & Beverage to ensure the golf course is guest-ready every day and aligned with Company performance standards.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Develop, document, and execute a comprehensive agronomic plan for all golf course and practice facility playing surfaces, aligned with budget, climate, and club standards for conditioning and playability.
• Plan and direct all daily and seasonal maintenance activities, including mowing, aeration, topdressing, fertilization, irrigation, pest and disease management, overseeding, and repair of greens, tees, fairways, rough, and bunkers.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the agronomy team, including Assistant Head Superintendent, Equipment Supervisor, irrigation technicians, and grounds crew; set clear expectations, schedules, and performance standards.
• Establish and enforce detailed course setup and presentation standards (hole locations, tee marker placement, bunker raking, mowing patterns, divot and ball mark repair) that support a high-quality golfer experience for daily play, leagues, and tournaments.
• Collaborate closely with the General Manager and Golf Operations leadership on course access, tournament and league schedules, maintenance windows, and communication of course conditions or restrictions (cart path only, frost delays, aerification, etc.).
• Prepare, manage, and forecast the agronomy operating budget, including labor, materials, water, fuel, and repairs; monitor expenses against budget and identify opportunities for efficiencies and reinvestment.
• Develop and maintain a multi-year capital plan for course infrastructure and equipment (mowers, utility vehicles, irrigation systems, bunker liners, drainage, etc.), including justification, specification input, and implementation in partnership with the General Manager and Company support teams.
• Oversee the Equipment Supervisor, mechanic, and maintenance shop to ensure all equipment is maintained, repaired, and rotated according to manufacturer guidelines and safety standards.
• Ensure proper operation, maintenance, and programming of the irrigation system; monitor water quality and usage and implement water conservation practices where possible.
• Implement and oversee an integrated pest management (IPM) program that emphasizes sound agronomic practices, environmental stewardship, and compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations related to chemical and fertilizer use.
• Maintain all required records for pesticide and fertilizer applications, water usage, equipment inspections, and regulatory reporting; ensure all licensing and certifications for the course and applicable team members remain active and in good standing.
• Develop, document, and train the agronomy team on standard operating procedures (SOPs) for equipment operation, traffic control, personal protective equipment (PPE), lockout/tagout, and emergency response for spills, severe weather, or other incidents.
• Partner with Company and venue leadership on safety and risk management initiatives, OSHA compliance, workers' compensation follow-up, and implementation of the facility Emergency Action Plan as it relates to agronomy and grounds operations.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for course conditioning, equipment uptime, safety, and team performance; use data and member feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, agronomic consultants, and neighboring facilities; stay current on turf research, innovations, and best practices and introduce appropriate improvements at the venue.
• Participate as an active member of the venue leadership team, supporting cross-departmental initiatives, staff training, and Manager-on-Duty (MOD) coverage as assigned.
• Complete special projects, daily assignments, and other duties as assigned by the General Manager.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5-10 years combined experience and education. At minimum the successful candidate should have at minimum a certificate in turfgrass from an accredited university.
• 3-5 years of progressive golf course maintenance experience at an 18-hole or larger facility, including at least 3-5 years in a superintendent, senior assistant superintendent, or equivalent leadership role, with a track record of delivering high-quality, consistent playing conditions.
• Demonstrated success delivering consistent, high-quality playing conditions through sound agronomic practices and effective daily course setup.
• Proven ability to build, lead, and retain high-performing teams, including hiring, training, coaching, and evaluating staff.
• Strong budget management experience, including operating and capital planning, vendor negotiation, and cost control, in a fast-paced, results-driven environment.
• Deep technical knowledge of turfgrass species, soils, irrigation systems, pest and disease management, and equipment relevant to the club's specific climate and course design.
• Current state pesticide applicator license (or ability to obtain within a specified timeframe).
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Proficiency with common office software (Word, Excel, email) and ability to learn SFC systems, including work order, purchasing, and HR platforms.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including early mornings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours based on weather, agronomic needs, and tournament schedules.
• A collaborative, service-oriented leadership style with the ability to partner effectively with Golf Operations, F&B, events, and Company corporate support teams.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to clearly explain agronomic plans and impacts to non-technical stakeholders (GM, staff, committees, and members).
• Must be a team player with excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work is performed primarily at an outdoor golf facility, with exposure to varying weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, and wind; some duties are performed in a shop/office environment using standard office equipment.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds waist high (e.g., bags of material, tools, equipment parts).
• May be required to stand, walk on uneven terrain, sit, squat, stoop, crawl, climb, or bend into awkward positions for extended periods while performing job functions.
• Will be required to operate or be around golf course maintenance equipment, vehicles, and small machinery.
• Facility has intermittent noise and periods of high activity during peak season and events.