Belmont Country Club - Director of Golf (GBN Executive Search)

BELMONT INTRODUCTION Belmont Country Club's story begins in 1908, when Willard E. Robinson purchased 90 acres, including an old colonial house, and constructed a 9-hole course. The club's early popularity prompted Robinson to acquire an additional 211 acres to expand to 18 holes, though tragedy struck in 1917 when the original Colonial clubhouse burned to the ground. The club rebounded quickly, and in 1918 legendary golf course architect Donald Ross completed the 18-hole layout, giving the club its first formal name: Belmont Springs Country Club. The club's golden era arrived in the 1920s, when a full membership of 550 reflected its peak popularity. In 1920, an estimated 7,000 spectators attended an exhibition match featuring American amateurs Francis Ouimet and James P. Guildfold taking on British professionals Harry Vardon and Ted Ray, and the club even hosted President Herbert Hoover as a regular player. The decades that followed brought continued prestige, including a 1937 visit from Masters Champion Byron Nelson, who won the Belmont International Open, and in 1949 the club hosted the U.S. Ryder Cup team, captained by Ben Hogan, for a practice match ahead of the international competition. The club was sold and renamed Belmont Country Club in 1943. The modern era has brought both challenge and reinvestment to BCC. A significant 1967 course reconfiguration was necessitated by the construction of Route 2, relocating five holes to their current positions along Concord Avenue. The course was redesigned again in 2005 under architect Craig Schreiner, and in the early 2010s an entirely new clubhouse, pool, and cabana complex was constructed. Most recently, in 2023, architect Brian Silva completed a bunker and green restoration aimed at returning the course to its original Donald Ross character while accommodating the modern game. MISSION STATEMENT Belmont Country Club is committed to being the premier full-service country club in New England, delivering a world-class golf experience alongside exceptional hospitality within a community rooted in tradition, camaraderie, and philanthropy. We honor our distinguished Jewish heritage while welcoming individuals of all backgrounds who share our commitment to friendship, family, and the game of golf. Through thoughtful stewardship of our history and a forward-looking investment in our facilities, programs, and people, Belmont Country Club aspires to set the standard for private club life in the greater Boston region for generations to come. BELMONT COUNTRY CLUB AT A GLANCE Type of Facility >> Private Average Annual Revenue >> $13,000,000 Full Golf Memberships >> 370 Full Golf Annual Dues >> $19,380 Number of Holes >> 18 Average Annual Rounds of Golf >> 16,000 Golf Operation Annual Revenue >> $900,000 Golf Shop Annual Sales >> $550,000 Golf Operation Labor Budget >> $581,000 (Does not include Director of Golf) Golf Operation Expense Budget >> $300,000 Golf Operation Team Members >> 30 (Includes Full Time & Part Time) Caddie Program >> 15 Golf Car Fleet >> 64 Annual Major Member Tournaments >> 13 Annual Major Outings >> 8 Bags in Storage >> 500 THE OPPORTUNITY Belmont Country Club presents a compelling and meaningful leadership opportunity for an accomplished golf professional ready to step into one of New England's most distinguished private club settings. In addition to the Donald Ross golf course, the Club offers members a beautifully appointed modern clubhouse, a practice facility, a resort-style pool and cabana complex, and a robust calendar of social, dining, and recreational programming that serves a membership defined by deep tradition, genuine camaraderie, and high standards of service. The incoming Director of Golf will inherit a storied program and assume responsibility for one of the premier golf operations in the region. This individual will follow John Fields, who is retiring after an extraordinary 35-year tenure, a legacy that speaks to the loyalty, stability, and culture of Belmont. John's departure marks a significant transition for Belmont. The club's leadership is committed to honoring his legacy while elevating the golf operation to meet the expectations of a membership that is fully invested in the future of its program. For the right candidate, this is an opportunity to build something meaningful on a strong foundation, with the full support of a collegial management team and an engaged, passionate membership. The Director of Golf will lead all aspects of the golf operation, including staff recruitment and development, tournament and event programming, instruction and player development, golf shop management, and daily operations. Equally important, this leader will be the face of the golf experience at Belmont, present on the course, known throughout the clubhouse, and trusted by a membership that takes pride in its relationships. Belmont Country Club is ideally suited for a seasoned professional who combines strong operational credentials with the relational intelligence and cultural sensitivity this unique membership environment requires, and who is motivated by the prospect of a long-term commitment to one of New England's great clubs. DESIRED PERSONAL QUALITIES - Highly visible and member-facing — equally comfortable engaging every segment of the membership regardless of age, ability, or level of involvement. - Integrity and professionalism — consistently cited as foundational, non-negotiable requirements across all respondents. - Emotionally intelligent and socially confident — able to read the room and navigate a complex, opinionated membership environment with composure. - Exceptional communicator — proactive, clear, and professional in written, verbal, and interpersonal settings. - Decisive and accountable — willing to make difficult calls and hold the team to high standards without creating unnecessary friction. - Warm and personable, yet disciplined and organized — capable of managing a broad portfolio of responsibilities simultaneously. - Creative — brings fresh ideas to programming, events, and the overall member golf experience. - Collaborative with the General Manager, Golf Course Superintendent, and committees while maintaining clear ownership of the golf department. - Patient and observant — takes time to understand the "Belmont Way" before implementing changes, earning confidence through listening. - Strong cultural fit for a club with a close-knit, high-expectations membership in metropolitan Boston. POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES - Serve as the primary face of the golf operation — present, approachable, and actively building relationships with the full membership from day one. - Build, develop, and retain a high-performing professional golf staff through clear standards, consistent training, and a culture of accountability. - Plan and execute a well-organized tournament and event calendar that balances competitive programming with casual, inclusive play for all member groups. - Manage all daily golf operations including tee sheet management, pace of play, cart and course policies, and member access with professionalism and appropriate flexibility. - Provide or oversee high-quality instruction with meaningful attention to junior, women's, and new-golfer programming to grow participation across all demographics. - Manage the golf shop, merchandising, inventory, and department budget with sound financial judgment and business discipline. - Own all member-facing communications — event materials, program updates, and day-to-day correspondence — ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and a professional standard. - Partner with the Golf Committee to develop programming, manage expectations, and represent the department's interests to club leadership. - Develop and document operating standards and performance expectations for every position within the golf operation. - Recruit, train, and motivate seasonal staff in a competitive Greater Boston labor market, utilizing proactive staffing strategies and flexible compensation structures. ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS - Demonstrated experience as the Director of Golf or Head Golf Professional (Department Head) at a private club with comparable membership standards, expectations, and service culture preferred. - Proven track record of exceptional member service and relationship-building across a diverse, high-expectation private club demographic. - Established leader with a record of recruiting, developing, and retaining a high-performing professional golf staff. - Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills — proactive, organized, and consistently professional. - Operational breadth across all core areas: tournament management, instruction, junior and women's programming, merchandising, and pace-of-play oversight. - Sound financial acumen including budget management, financial forecasting, and departmental P&L responsibility. - Career trajectory that reflects readiness for this role — a proven leader, not someone leading a full golf operation for the first time. - Genuine interest in a long-term commitment to Belmont Country Club and the Boston/New England region. - Experience within a Jewish club environment or a comparable high-expectation private club culture is a significant advantage. - Active PGA membership in good standing; established or developing relationships within the New England PGA Section preferred. - Bachelor's degree preferred.