Embedded Files
Scottsdale, AZ
Director of Golf
ABOUT DESERT MOUNTAIN CLUB
ABOUT DESERT MOUNTAIN CLUB
The Community
8,300 acres of pristine beauty on this breathtaking expanse of the high Sonoran Desert provides the canvas for a storied community that is Desert Mountain, with a lifestyle like no other. Desert Mountain Club is the #8 Platinum Club of North America and is a certified Great Place to Work in America. With high employee morale, significant financial success, exceptional benefits, a world-class Management Team, and Membership, this opportunity is a once-in-a-career moment for the ideal candidate.
Desert Mountain's commitment to excellence is evident throughout the community, from the guard gated entryways to the exceptional amenities and service throughout The Desert Mountain Club. Amenities in the Desert Mountain Club include six championship Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses that rank among the best in the world, a state-of-the-art Golf Performance Center, and seven distinctive, award-winning Clubhouses that offer a variety of dining experiences. There is an extensive Sonoran Fitness Center and Spa facility that rivals those of the finest resorts and health clubs, with a full array of exercise and training options and spa treatments. The Southwest's finest tennis complex, considered the "Wimbledon of the West," features nine courts and three playing surfaces: grass, hard composition, and clay courts. Additionally, pickleball, golf, croquet, and bocce are all available for the enjoyment of our Members.
Adding to the richness of the community, Desert Mountain has created a series of exclusive Member events, ranging from special nights of food and wine to music and art. To assist Members with everything Scottsdale, Phoenix, and the Desert Southwest have to offer, the Member Services department is modeled after the finest concierge services found in five-star hotels throughout the world.
Desert Mountain is family-friendly with a full calendar of children's activities, including junior golf and tennis, saltwater lap and resort-style pools, playground, over 15 miles of hiking and biking trails and a Youth Activity Center. At Desert Mountain, Members enjoy a lifestyle that is truly without equal.
The Golf
Golf at Desert Mountain, featuring the finest golf courses in Scottsdale, needs very little introduction. Simply put, there are six private championship Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses from which to choose - the most in a private community anywhere in the world. The seventh course is an 18-hole championship par 54 short game course, measuring 3,008 yards and was the second rated par 3 course in the United States when it opened in February of 2019.
Since opening in 1987, no other club has come to define championship desert golf more than Desert Mountain. In addition to local recognition as possessing some of the finest golf courses in Scottsdale, Desert Mountain's golf courses are also recognized on a national level. When the Champions Tour event "The Tradition" was held here, the Tour ranked the Cochise course as the "Best Maintained Golf Course" on the tour. After hosting the Championship Schwab Cup in 2012, 2014, and 2016, this ranking remained consistent with the Tour. The Renegade and Cochise courses consistently rank in the national golf magazines' top 100 lists. Opened in 2003, the Outlaw course is the latest example of Desert Mountain golf at its finest.
No other private club in the world offers more world-class golf to its Members. Each Nicklaus golf course has unique challenges for all levels of play, from the highly skilled player to those just getting started. Styles of play range from dramatic elevation changes to rolling fairways reminiscent of Scottish links.
Desert Mountain Members have the most extensive golf practice facilities in Arizona. There are multiple pitching, chipping, putting, and bunker areas, and four separate practice ranges with target greens. The Club's Jim Flick Golf Performance Center features the most technologically advanced equipment in the industry today. Desert Mountain's PGA-trained professionals are available to help Members at any skill level. With the Club’s extraordinary financial success, the Five-Year Capital Plan calls for complete restoration to three golf courses, paid in cash with no debt or assessment to the Members.
CLUB DETAILS
CLUB DETAILS
Facility: Member-Owned
Course Access: Private
Number of Holes: 144
Total Annual Rounds: 170,000 annually
Primary Golf Season: November - June
Golf Operations Staff Size: Winter: 120, Summer: 75, Retail: Year-round: 19
POSITION OVERVIEW
POSITION OVERVIEW
Title: Director of Golf
Position Description: The Director of Golf (DoG), reporting to the CEO, has clear "ownership" of the day-to-day golf operations at Desert Mountain. He/She is responsible for ensuring that these operations are consistently managed and run with those attributes normally associated with a "Top 100" Member-owned club golf experience. This includes all Member 'touch point' areas of outside operations, range and practice areas, shop services, and tournament and activity play, among others.
The DoG will provide visible leadership to the Management Team related to key golf events and activities programming, recognizing the need to balance multiple interests, perspectives, and desires relative to the golf experience within The Vision of the Club, and the Club's strategic business plan and financial objectives. High-profile professional and amateur golf tournaments could be sought, with the DoG playing a key role. The Club will host the USGA Amateur Four-Ball Championship in May of 2026 and the USGA Women’s Four-Ball Championship in 2029.
The DoG is clearly the 'face' of the Club in these most important Club amenities. In doing so, he/she will be a proactive and visible ambassador of hospitality, committed to service excellence for Members, guests, and employees. The golf experience is one of the strongest 'drivers' of Member recruitment, retention and satisfaction at Desert Mountain, and as such needs a leader who is clearly adept at developing a plan for success, communicating to necessary constituencies (staff, Members, etc.) and executing upon the plan, once in effect. Active involvement with both the women's and men's golf groups is a critical success factor. His/her assertive hospitality approach must be intuitive and easily followed and emulated by the rest of the Desert Mountain golf operational team.
The DoG is the ex officio member and the responsible Director of the USGA Handicap Committee. Working with the Committee, the DoG, must be diplomatic, knowledgeable, and able to interact with a variety of thoughts and opinions.
The DoG is the true leader of the golf operation at Desert Mountain and is expected to provide day to-day operational culture, direct a department of over 150 employees in multiple locations throughout the property, working in conjunction with the CEO and fellow division Directors to include: CFO, Director of Talent & Culture, Director of Agronomy, Director of Spa/Fitness/Tennis, Director of Membership Sales and Director of Marketing & Communications. Director of Club Operations and Director of Facilities & Construction. Direct senior reports include the Assistant Director of Golf, the Director of Instruction, the Director of Retail, the Director of Performance Center, and six Head Golf Professionals.
As part of this role as the face of golf operations at the Club, the DoG will need the emotional maturity to balance multiple inputs from Members and others, all of whom have well-intended interests in seeing the Club meet its success goals. The total number of golf rounds exceeds 170,000 annually. Last year's golf revenue was $9.8 million, with a net operating income of $1.28 million (including retail).
In addition to leading all golf operations, the DoG will lead the preparation of annual golf operating and capital budgets. He/she will work with the CEO and CFO to identify annual initiatives and budget objectives, presenting plans and recommendations to the appropriate groups for approval. These plans will be backed with reasoned, well-conceived tactics, which he/she will own and be accountable for attaining.
Desert Mountain is not a 'training group' for an up-and-coming Director, but rather an environment that requires an experienced, exceptional professional. The DoG will be responsible for providing a mentorship, teacher, trainer style to the team, understanding how to create a great team and be viewed as the coach, through being highly visible throughout the entire Club.
Per the Club Bylaws, the Golf & Agronomy Committee is advisory to the CEO. As such, the Club’s exceptional governance structure enables the DoG to focus on the Member and teammate experience.
TRAITS, SKILLS, AND COMPETENCIES
TRAITS, SKILLS, AND COMPETENCIES
A proven 'leader' with multi-dimensional talent base encompassing a multitude of critical areas necessary for success, including but not limited to: management and coaching, staff development, retail merchandising, communication skills, interpersonal skills, drive, integrity, and diplomacy.
A "Team Builder" and exceptional "Teammate." A person who embodies the persona of ultimate coach and motivator; someone who brings out the very best in those around him/her by setting clear goals and expectations, providing consistent feedback and support, and who is respectful and professional in all interpersonal dealings. The Senior Management team is a talented and high-performing group who respect each other, work well together, and have a shared vision of success.
A caring, diplomatic, and competent professional who is a 'doer' and a take-charge person and who recognizes the importance of accountability. A creative problem solver who commences respect because of the way he/she interact with others and lives up to his/her work and confidently puts forth recommendations to the CEO, fellow department heads, staff, and Committee members.
Personally capable and comfortable with technology and incorporates its use, as appropriate in his/her everyday role, while never losing sight of the need for 'high touch' relations with Members and guests.
An individual who possesses a style and presence, in addition to personal and professional integrity, commensurate with The Vision.
A good player who appropriately represents the Club in competition and day-to-day Member play.
An effective golf instructor who embodies an appropriate style and desire to help Members regularly improve their play and further enjoy the game.
A creative programmer of innovative events and activities, who is further able to convey those ideas to others for support.
Proven follow-through skills and a history of responsiveness and proactive leadership.
Possess strong organizational skills and an obsession with 'all things golf', covering the necessary details to consistently achieve high levels of quality, satisfaction, and outstanding Member experiences.
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
A college graduate preferred with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Golf Management, or Hospitality Management with a minimum of 5 years of experience and a preference for at least 10 years as a Director of Golf. Experience in a premier entity, private, Member-owned club, preferably a "Top 100" operation. Must have an understanding of "like club" seasonality.
A verifiable record of working closely and successfully with Member member-owned club with a strong CEO organizational model.
A verifiably unblemished career track that demonstrates a record of tenure and commitment to previous employers, where career moves were for the enhancement of skills and experiences as opposed to 'unplanned' career changes.
The ability to teach, train, motivate, and sustain a culture of quality service and what is considered a "Top 100 Club Experience."
Is recognized as being highly interactive with both the women and men golfers of his/her current club, actively participating with both groups on a regular basis.
DoG must be an excellent communicator, responsive, and care deeply about the success of our team and the total golf experience.
While not often done, able to give golf lessons as requested to both women, men, and juniors.
Knowledgeable in "best practices" in top-performing and high-member satisfaction golf operations around the country.
Proven to have exceptional 'Team Building' skills at a top-tier level of service delivery, especially in a Member-owned club environment, where setting forth a clear vision with distinct accountability has occurred.
Verifiable ability to attract, hire, develop, and lead a high-performing team of professionals while setting and maintaining standards of performance appropriate to perpetuating The Vision.
Proven and verifiable leadership qualities with demonstrated ability to direct, coordinate, and control all facets of an active, seasonal, multiple-course golf operation.
Excellent financial skills, with the ability to quickly assimilate numbers and reports, and knowledgeable regarding typical golf operations and merchandising issues. He/she is aware of critical benchmarking and financial metrics that lead to a proactive response to trending curves.
Exceptionally strong communication and facilitation skills, both written and verbal, with the appropriate personal presence, desire, and ability to interact effectively before Desert Mountain Members, guests, and other staff. Able to effectively act as emcee of various events, tournaments, and golf-related activities.
A personable individual with a sense of humor and style that is commensurately appropriate with the culture and expectations of a friendly, fun, and supportive Membership group and team of associates.
On a verifiable, positive career track, unblemished by inappropriate behavior of any sort that would be potentially detrimental or embarrassing to the Membership of Desert Mountain. Someone who has been a "difference maker" wherever he/she has been in the past.
PGA Class A Member in good standing, enhanced PGA Education (Specialized, Certified, or Master Professional) is preferred
Desert Mountain Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Desert Mountain Club does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state, or local laws.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Desert Mountain has one of the most progressive schedules, compensation, and benefits packages in the industry. The package will be commensurate with experience and includes a competitive base salary and significant bonus potential. Compensation will be communicated and discussed with selected candidates.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
All applications MUST be submitted through the PGA of America's Career Services Department as described below.
Resume deadline is July 25, 2025 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time
Combine your cover letter, resume, references, and any supporting documents into one (1) PDF document with the following file naming convention: Last Name, First Name, Desert Mountain Club, Director of Golf
Please address all correspondence to - Mr. Damon DiOrio, CCM, CCE | CEO | Desert Mountain Club
Caleb Hung, PGA, Ken Ferrell, PGA, and Scott Kmiec are leading this search.
Please contact them with any questions.
Email: chung@pgahq.com
The employer does not wish to be contacted at this time
To serve as the most trusted professional resource for employers seeking experts to lead an organization in the golf and hospitality industry, and support their future success by serving as lifelong partners.
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