Hermitage Country Club in Manakin-Sabot, VA seeks Director of Golf Courses

Hermitage Country Club in Manakin-Sabot, VA seeks Director of Golf Courses & Grounds

Hermitage Country Club in Manakin-Sabot, VA seeks Director of Golf Courses & Grounds

Hermitage Country Club, located in Richmond, Virginia, is seeking a proven and independent-thinking Director of Golf Courses and Grounds to lead its golf course and grounds operations.

The next Director of Golf Courses and Grounds will be entrusted with not only delivering championship conditions across Hermitage’s 36 holes, but also shaping the long-term agronomic vision, mentoring the next generation of leaders, and carrying forward the Club’s rich traditions with passion and purpose.

This position requires a leader who is trustworthy, proactive, and forward-looking — someone who can honor what has worked, recognize what needs to be done, and chart a visionary path for the next 10 years. The ideal candidate will be both a steward of Hermitage’s history and a builder of its future: passionate, intentional, a culture architect, and a strategic partner to the General Manager, Board, and membership.

About the Club:

Founded in 1900, Hermitage Country Club is one of the Mid-Atlantic’s premier private clubs. With a storied history that includes hosting legendary players like Sam Snead and a tradition-rich amateur invitational, Hermitage is regarded as a cornerstone of golf in Virginia.

The Club features two distinct championship golf courses:

The Sabot Course – A modern Tom Fazio design, celebrated for its bold bunkering, variety of shot values, and tournament-caliber challenge.

The Manakin Course – A classic Edmund Ault parkland layout, known for its tree-lined fairways, strategic green complexes, and timeless design character.

With 36 holes of championship golf, family-focused amenities, and a proud membership that includes some of the region’s finest players, Hermitage stands out as one of the few independent, non-residential private clubs of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic.

Position Overview:

The Director of Agronomy oversees all aspects of golf course and grounds maintenance at Hermitage. This leader will manage two superintendents (each responsible for a course), assistants, interns, the equipment team, and landscaping staff — fostering teamwork, accountability, and professional growth at every level.

The position requires balancing high-level agronomic expertise with visionary leadership and operational discipline. From managing complex capital projects (such as greens rebuilds, drainage upgrades, and water infrastructure) to delivering daily consistency in course conditions, the Director of Golf Courses and Grounds will be trusted as both an elite grass grower and a skilled project manager.

Reports to:General Manager/COO

Supervises: Superintendents (Sabot & Manakin), Assistants, Equipment Manager, Irrigation Technician, Agronomy Staff

Club Highlights:

Total Members: 1,287; Golf – 1,020Annual Agronomy Budget: $3.0M operatingCapital Budget: Significant annual funding for infrastructure, renovations, and equipmentGrass Types: Bentgrass greens (A1/A4 on Manakin, Pure Eclipse on the Sabot), bermudagrass/zoysiagrass blends on tees, fairways, and roughsIrrigation: Rainbird 2-wireStaff: 48 agronomy employees, including two course superintendents, assistants, interns, and equipment teamRounds: 63,000 annually for 36-holesUpcoming Projects: Dam renovation, Manakin greens rebuild, drainage and bunker improvements, long-term master plan developmentSuccess Traits of the Individual:

5–8 years of senior-level leadership in agronomy at a private, member-owned clubMulti-course management experience preferredBachelor’s or Associate’s degree in Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, Horticulture, or related fieldCertified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) preferredTransition-zone turf expertise (bentgrass, bermudagrass, zoysiagrass)Strong financial acumen and capital project management experiencePesticide applicator certification; valid driver’s licenseIndependent thinker & visionary – Brings a clear 10-year plan and thoughtful ideas for continuous improvement, while respecting tradition.Trustworthy & proactive – Fixes problems quickly, communicates openly, and follows up with solutions and accountability.Passionate culture builder – Inspires the team, develops leaders, and creates a department grounded in pride, integrity, and high standards.Project management expertise – Proven track record of executing major capital projects on time and within budget.Adaptable partner – Works seamlessly within a new leadership team, balancing flexibility with confidence.Financially responsible – Delivers high-quality results with