Sand Valley is a golf resort and community settled gently upon 12,000 acres of rugged, pre-historic sand dunes in central Wisconsin. Here, residents and guests will find five world-class golf courses built in harmony with the land: Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes, The Sandbox, The Lido, and Sedge Valley. Founded in 2016 by brothers Michael and Chris Keiser, the resort is known for its friendly hospitality and a community of golf and outdoor enthusiasts who have been drawn to the raw beauty and serenity of the vast Wisconsin Wilderness. Inspired by the heathland golf courses of London, Sand Valley showcases golf as it was meant to be, much like the other Dream Golf properties, Bandon Dunes and Rodeo Dunes.
Beyond premier golf, Sand Valley is a year-round celebration of all the outdoors from fat-tire biking, hiking, and kayaking to ice hockey, skating, or a guided cold plunge. The resort now features a 13,000-square-foot Tennis Center with 16 grass tennis courts and the eleventh Court Tennis facility in the United States. Alongside soul-stirring golf and outdoor exploration, Sand Valley offers a variety of savory dining venues showcasing globally inspired and rustic Wisconsin cuisine.
The Sand Valley team works together to create experiences of a lifetime by asking questions and sharing ideas. With authenticity and a hard-working attitude, Sand Valley helps guide guests through an immersive experience in Wisconsin's natural beauty and away from the demands of daily life.
The Sandbox, designed by Coore/Crenshaw, consists of roughly 30 acres of maintained turf and native vegetation. Greens complexes are unique, with severe contours and undulations. Hole lengths range from 40 to 170 yards. Turf varieties include creeping bentgrass greens with fescue tees and fairways. The Sandbox is the host of the Wisconsin State Par 3 Championship every year in July. In addition to the golf course, we are responsible for maintenance of the resort’s ten-acre practice facility and one-acre bentgrass nursery. There is a planned renovation and expansion of the practice facility beginning Spring of 2025.
Position Summary:- The Golf Course Superintendent should be a proven leader in the industry. They will be responsible for the following: the planning and implementation of the budget, development and implementation of agronomic plans, hiring, training, supervision of the maintenance team; all while being constantly focused on providing consistently world-class playing conditions. The selected individual will join our team and play a major role in enhancing our property, its staff, and its excellent reputation. The individual should be positive, self-motivated, hard-working, team-oriented and possess a keen eye for detail.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:- Work closely with owners, general manager, directors, architects, and contractors to efficiently maintain the Sandbox to meet world-class golf expectations
- Oversee and direct all operations of the Sandbox golf course maintenance department and all members of the turf maintenance team.
- Plan and implement staffing schedules to ensure quality standards are achieved with high efficiency.
- Develop the annual maintenance budget and operating plan. Implement the plan according to the Company operating policies and procedures to ensure cost containment.
- Ensure all appropriate quality and cleanliness standards are being followed including but not limited to, employee hygiene and uniforms, equipment repair area, equipment storage areas, chemical and fertilizer storage areas, receiving areas, washing areas, lunchroom areas, restrooms, etc.
- Supervise and perform various maintenance duties as necessary to maintain the golf course in proper playing conditions according to club standards.
- Supervise and lead course construction projects
- Supervise equipment maintenance and repair operations. Establish and implement a cleaning and preventative maintenance program for appropriate equipment, tools, vehicles etc.
- Monitor soil moisture levels and manage or oversee daily irrigation practices and scheduling to ensure optimal levels of soil moisture for playability and turf health.
- Perform routine inspection and upkeep of the irrigation system including changes and repairs, as necessary.
- Develop and implement programs, including fertility, integrated pest management and cultural practice programs, among others to maintain turf grass health and ensure the courses are being presented at the desired level of conditioning.
- Perform application equipment calibration along with the overseeing or making the fertilizer and pesticide applications as necessary.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, OSHA rules and regulations, all rules and regulations relating to chemical and fertilizer application, storage and disposal, employee safety, public safety, etc.
- Management of employment activities for golf course maintenance team members, including but not limited to, personnel recruitment and selection, training, performance evaluations, discipline, and terminations, etc.
- Maintain accurate records pertaining to departmental activities including, but not limited to labor schedules, course maintenance programs and activities, construction activities, equipment inventory and repair, safety meetings and activities, fertilizer and chemical applications and pest control practices.
- Submit all required operational, financial, budgetary, and related reports in a timely manner.
- Maintain necessary inventories, purchase necessary items through the purchase order system and complete all necessary forms and coding processes.
- Maintain knowledge of current and projected industry developments through continuous attention to industry periodicals and participation in relevant trade associations and organizations.
- Coordinates winter maintenance activities when necessary, including but not limited to: Irrigation system blowout, snow fencing, snow plowing/blowing/shoveling, winter trail grooming, ice rink maintenance, Zamboni operation.
Qualifications:- College degree; B.S. in agronomy; or 2-year degree turfgrass/golf course management preferred: 1-year turfgrass certificate required.
- 3-5 years of applicable functional supervisory/management experience in the golf industry required.
- Bentgrass management experience required. Experience with fescue is preferred but not required.
- Proven ability to maintain excellent playing conditions and demonstrated skills in budget management, strategic planning, and staff leadership.
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; problem-solving abilities; adaptability to flexible work schedules.
- Must maintain a positive attitude and professional appearance in all situations.
- Obtain a Wisconsin Applicator License 3.0 within 120 days of employment.
- Ability to analyze and solve problems; efficiently handle multiple duties under pressure.
Physical Requirements (must have the ability to):- Read and write (English).
- Communicate verbally with staff members and/or guests with or without the use of two-way radios.
- Give and/or follow verbal and written instructions and supervise subordinates.
- Visually inspect all work areas, golf course and grounds.
- See players on the golf course, and to follow the flight of golf balls.
- Operate vehicles and equipment for several hours at a time.
- Perform mathematical calculations involving fractions, decimals, and percentages.
- Retrieve, read and interpret information from technical sources.
- Stand, sit, walk, push, pull, lift, grasp, bend and kneel for up to 5 hours at a time.
- Lift up to 100lbs. occasionally, 50lbs. frequently, and 20lbs. constantly.
Working Conditions:- Work hours may include days and evenings on weekdays and weekends. Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions. May be exposed to inclement weather, potentially dangerous chemicals, solvents, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, misdirected golf balls, sharp and rapid equipment movement on a daily basis. Injury or sickness may result if safety policies and practices are not properly followed.
Supervises:- Assistant Superintendent; Maintenance Foreman; Pesticide Application Specialist; Irrigation Specialist; Equipment Operators; Equipment Technician; Laborers; Greenskeepers and Interns
Perks:- Golf Privileges
- Restaurant Discounts
- Retail Discounts
- Uniform Allowance
- Employee Meal Program
- Employee Assistance Program - Canopy
Classification:- Full-time, Salary, Exempt
Sand Valley LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer