Golf Course Superintendent
GlenRiddle Golf Club | Berlin, Maryland
About Ruark Hospitality Group
Ruark Hospitality Group owns and operates some of the premier golf destinations on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, including GlenRiddle Golf Club, The Links at Lighthouse Sound, Rum Pointe Seaside Golf Links and Nutters Crossing Golf Club.
We are locally owned and operated and take great pride in the condition of our golf courses, the experience we provide our members and guests, and the teams that make it all possible.
This position is specifically for GlenRiddle Golf Club in Berlin, Maryland, just minutes from Ocean City.
About GlenRiddle Golf Club
GlenRiddle is a unique 36-hole championship golf facility featuring two distinctly different courses: Man O’War and War Admiral.
Man O’War offers a windswept, links-style golf experience featuring large greens, double fairways, pot bunkers and sand dunes. The property’s historic racetrack, once used to train champion thoroughbreds, remains incorporated into the golf course.
War Admiral provides a completely different setting, winding through mature forest with tidal marsh coming into play throughout the course.
Together, the two courses create a diverse and challenging maintenance operation and provide an excellent opportunity for an experienced superintendent who takes pride in exceptional course conditions, strong team leadership and long-term property improvement.
Position Overview
TheGolf Course Superintendent is responsible for the overall maintenance, conditioning and presentation of GlenRiddle Golf Club.
This position will lead the grounds maintenance team and oversee turf management, irrigation, chemical and fertilizer programs, equipment, staffing, budgeting and capital improvement planning.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who understands both the agronomic and operational sides of maintaining a high-quality golf facility and is comfortable managing a large and diverse property.
Essential Responsibilities: Golf Course & Grounds Management
- Oversee the care and maintenance of greens, tees, fairways, roughs and other turf areas throughout the property.
- Oversee the maintenance of ornamental plants, shrubs, trees, landscaping and wetlands.
- Direct and assist staff with planting, pruning, trimming, soil preparation, turf repair and maintenance of high-stress areas.
- Develop and implement agronomic programs designed to maintain excellent playing conditions throughout the golf season.
- Identify turf, drainage, irrigation and course-condition issues and develop appropriate corrective plans.
- Plan and oversee golf course improvement projects, including drainage, irrigation, tee and green construction or renovation when necessary.
- Schedule maintenance practices around daily play, tournaments, outings and member events to maximize efficiency while minimizing disruption to golfers.
Irrigation & Water Management
- Manage the golf course irrigation systems and water management program.
- Develop and maintain an aggressive water usage tracking program.
- Monitor wells, retaining ponds and other water sources.
- Maintain appropriate records and provide monthly water usage reporting.
- Troubleshoot irrigation issues and develop plans for repairs, improvements and replacement.
Staff Leadership
- Recruit, train, supervise and retain golf course maintenance employees.
- Establish daily and seasonal work priorities for the maintenance team.
- Conduct employee performance evaluations and address disciplinary matters when necessary.
- Train employees in proper maintenance procedures and the safe operation of equipment.
- Create a positive work environment focused on teamwork, accountability and high standards.
- Anticipate staffing needs based on seasonal conditions, projects and golf activity.
Chemical & Fertilizer Management
- Develop, oversee and participate in fertilizer, pesticide and other chemical application programs.
- Ensure the proper mixing, handling and application of chemicals and commercial products.
- Maintain required chemical application records.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations.
Equipment & Safety
- Oversee the proper and safe operation of mechanical and power equipment used by the maintenance department.
- Work with staff to ensure equipment is properly maintained and available when needed.
- Evaluate equipment needs and plan for replacement or additional capital equipment.
- Provide technical, operational and safety training to employees.
- Ensure the department operates in accordance with OSHA requirements, company safety standards and applicable state and federal regulations.
Budgeting & Administration
- Develop and manage the annual golf course maintenance operating budget.
- Monitor payroll, supplies, chemicals, fertilizers, repairs and other maintenance expenses.
- Develop annual and long-term capital improvement plans.
- Maintain accurate maintenance and operational records.
- Order parts, supplies, chemicals and equipment as needed.
- Evaluate purchasing needs and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and control costs.
- Coordinate snow removal and winter maintenance activities when necessary.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Turfgrass Management or related field required.
- Previous golf course superintendent, assistant superintendent or comparable golf course management experience.
- Strong knowledge of golf course agronomy and the maintenance of greens, tees, fairways and roughs.
- Strong knowledge of irrigation systems, drainage and water management.
- Knowledge of turfgrass diseases, pests, fertilizers and chemical applications.
- Knowledge of the safe use, mixing and application of pesticides, fertilizers and commercial products.
- Knowledge of equipment and tools used in golf course construction and maintenance.
- Strong supervisory and leadership skills with experience recruiting, training, motivating and evaluating employees.
- Ability to anticipate personnel, equipment and material requirements for golf course maintenance and repair.
- Knowledge of irrigation and drainage design and the construction or renovation of tees and greens.
- Strong organizational, communication and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work effectively with management, employees, members, guests, vendors and the general public.
- Knowledge and understanding of the game of golf, golf etiquette and how maintenance practices affect the player experience.
- Ability to work early mornings, weekends and holidays as required by golf course operations and weather conditions.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience managing a multi-course or large-scale golf facility.
- Experience developing and managing golf course maintenance budgets.
- Experience managing capital improvement projects.
- Maryland pesticide applicator certification or ability to obtain required certification.
- Experience with irrigation and water-use management programs.
- Strong computer and recordkeeping skills.
What We Offer
Ruark Hospitality Group offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Health insurance
- Dental and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Paid time off
- Golf privileges
- Employee discounts
- Professional development opportunities
- Opportunity to lead the maintenance operation at one of the Eastern Shore’s premier 36-hole golf properties
Why GlenRiddle?
This is an opportunity to lead the agronomic operation of a property that offers something few golf facilities can: two championship courses with completely different characteristics on one property.
From the open, windswept conditions of Man O’War to the wooded and marsh-lined setting of War Admiral, GlenRiddle provides an experienced superintendent with the opportunity to manage a diverse golf environment, lead an established maintenance team and make a visible impact on the long-term quality of the facility.
Job Type: Full-time
Location: Berlin, Maryland
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
