Golf Course Superintendent

A Rare Opportunity at a Historic Chicago-Area Private Club Founded in 1901 , Elgin Country Club is a respected private club located in Elgin, Illinois, approximately 35 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. For more than 125 years, Elgin Country Club has been committed to providing its members with an exceptional golf and country club experience. The Club has a distinguished history of golf and has hosted significant events, including the Illinois Open, Illinois PGA Section events, and a U.S. Women's Open Qualifier . Elgin Country Club is now seeking an experienced and highly motivated Golf Course Superintendent to lead all aspects of golf course maintenance and agronomic operations. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Golf Course Superintendent or a highly qualified Senior/First Assistant Superintendent who is ready to assume full responsibility for the golf course operation of an established and respected private club. THE POSITION The Golf Course Superintendent will have full responsibility and authority for the day-to-day management, maintenance, agronomic programs, and presentation of the golf course and grounds . The Superintendent will report directly to the General Manager/COO and will work with the Grounds Committee in accordance with the Club's established management and governance structure. The successful candidate will be expected to take ownership of the golf course operation and develop a comprehensive maintenance program that consistently meets the expectations of the membership and the standards of Elgin Country Club. Responsibilities include: - Overall management of the golf course and grounds - Development and implementation of agronomic programs - Turfgrass management - Irrigation management - Fertility and plant-protection programs - Water management and conservation - Equipment management and replacement planning - Golf course setup and daily presentation - Staffing, training, scheduling, and supervision - Department budgeting and financial management - Chemical and fertilizer compliance and recordkeeping - Preventive maintenance programs - Tree, drainage, and landscape management - Coordination of golf course projects and improvements - Tournament and special-event preparation - Vendor and contractor management - Long-range capital planning - Compliance with applicable environmental, safety, and regulatory requirements The Superintendent will maintain strong working relationships with the General Manager/COO, Golf Professional, Grounds Committee, and other Club departments. LEADERSHIP AND DECISION-MAKING Elgin Country Club is seeking a Superintendent who is not only an excellent agronomist, but also a confident leader and decision-maker . The successful candidate will be given the authority and responsibility to lead the golf course maintenance operation. The Superintendent will be expected to: - Take ownership of the golf course operation - Establish and maintain high standards for course conditioning - Make sound agronomic and operational decisions - Develop and lead a professional maintenance team - Effectively manage the department's operating budget - Plan and prioritize capital expenditures - Develop productive vendor relationships - Communicate effectively with Club management - Work collaboratively with the Grounds Committee - Respond appropriately to weather and course emergencies - Maintain a professional relationship with members - Continually evaluate and improve the golf course operation The Superintendent must be comfortable making decisions, accepting responsibility for those decisions, and communicating the reasoning behind them. The Superintendent will be the leader of the Grounds and Greens operation and will have the authority necessary to carry out that responsibility. THE GOLF COURSE Elgin Country Club provides an established and challenging golf environment with a long history of quality course conditioning and championship golf. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to lead the continued development of the golf course while respecting its history, character, and traditions. Working with Club management and the Grounds Committee, the Superintendent will establish appropriate short- and long-term priorities for the golf course. The Club is committed to continued investment in the golf course and its maintenance operation. THE IDEAL CANDIDATE The ideal candidate will combine technical expertise, leadership, professionalism, sound judgment, and a passion for golf course management . The successful candidate will: - Take ownership of the golf course - Possess strong agronomic knowledge - Lead by example - Build, develop, and retain a strong maintenance team - Communicate effectively with management and members - Be financially responsible - Be comfortable working with senior management and committees - Understand the expectations of a private country club - Have a passion for exceptional golf course conditioning - Be committed to continued professional development - Have the confidence to make decisions and stand behind them - Respect the history of Elgin Country Club while bringing forward-looking ideas to the operation Elgin Country Club is open to considering both experienced Superintendents and exceptional Senior/First Assistant Superintendents who are ready to take the next step in their careers. PLANNED TRANSITION The current Golf Course Superintendent, Phil Zeinert, will conclude his tenure with Elgin Country Club on March 31, 2027, following 25 years of dedicated service to the Club . Phil's retirement provides the Club with an unusual opportunity to conduct a thoughtful leadership transition and preserve valuable institutional knowledge accumulated over his 25 years at Elgin. The incoming Superintendent will be in charge of the golf course operation from the first day of employment. Phil will not be serving as a second Superintendent or as a supervisor of the incoming Superintendent. Instead, during the transition period, Phil agreed to serve as an advisor, mentor, and institutional resource to the incoming Superintendent. Phil will be available to share his extensive knowledge of: - Golf course history - Agronomic practices - Irrigation systems - Equipment - Maintenance programs - Course-specific conditions - Staff experience - Vendors and contractors - Past projects - Historical challenges - Other operational knowledge developed during his 25 years at Elgin The purpose of this relationship is not to restrict the incoming Superintendent's authority , but rather to make 25 years of institutional knowledge available to the new leader. The final responsibility for decisions will rest with the incoming Superintendent , consistent with the Club's management structure. This approach provides the new Superintendent with both the authority to lead and the benefit of learning from someone who knows the property exceptionally well. A UNIQUE TRANSITION OPPORTUNITY Because Phil has provided 25 years of service to Elgin Country Club, the successful candidate will have the rare opportunity to learn the property directly from the person who has known it longer than almost anyone currently working at the Club. The transition period will include discussions and course walks covering areas such as: - Golf course history - Greens, tees, and fairways - Irrigation - Drainage - Equipment - Chemical and fertility programs - Budget and capital planning - Vendors - Maintenance staff - Past course projects - Grounds Committee expectations - Member expectations - Spring course preparation The incoming Superintendent will be encouraged to ask questions, evaluate existing practices, and begin developing his or her own understanding of the operation. The objective is knowledge transfer—not continuation of the previous Superintendent's management style. WHY ELGIN COUNTRY CLUB? This is an opportunity to become the leader of an established golf course operation at a Club with: - More than 125 years of history - A strong private-club membership - A respected golf tradition - A dedicated maintenance staff - An engaged Grounds Committee - Strong Club management - A commitment to quality golf course conditions - Continued opportunities for course improvement - A carefully planned leadership transition Most importantly, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to make this position their own and lead the next chapter of golf course management at Elgin Country Club. Required - Bachelor's degree or associate degree in Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, Horticulture, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered - Progressive golf course maintenance experience - Strong knowledge of modern turfgrass management practices - Experience managing and developing a maintenance staff - Experience developing and managing departmental budgets - Strong understanding of irrigation systems - Knowledge of chemical and fertilizer applications - Ability to maintain accurate regulatory and agronomic records - Strong communication and interpersonal skills - Ability to work effectively with Club management and committees - Appropriate Illinois pesticide licensing or ability to obtain it Preferred - Previous private-club experience - Previous Golf Course Superintendent experience - Senior Assistant or First Assistant experience at a highly regarded club - CGCS certification or progress toward certification - Experience with championship-level tournament preparation - Experience managing significant capital projects - Experience with modern irrigation management technology - Strong computer and agronomic recordkeeping skills - GCSAA and MAGCS membership