Essex County Country Club
West Orange, NJ
Head Golf Professional
ABOUT ESSEX COUNTY COUNTRY CLUB
West Orange, NJ | Essex County Country Club, established in 1887, is New Jersey's oldest country club and is the sixth oldest in the country. The history of the golf course is a composite of the greatest names of the golden age of golf design. The club moved to the current site in 1917 and AW Tillinghast designed the "first course on the mountain." The success of his effort at ECCC is widely noted as a springboard for his career. The course was redesigned in 1925/1926 by Seth Raynor and Charles Banks. The new course retained 7 Tillinghast holes and boasts "the best back nine in the state of NJ."
The club, and its forerunner, have a long and distinguished list of members. ECCC's founding members include familiar names like Colgate, Merck, Chubb and Pfizer. ECCC's most famous member was Thomas Edison who was a member of ECCC from 1889 until his death in 1931. The club has had visits from three US Presidents (Wilson, T. Roosevelt, and Taft) and famous golfers such as Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson, and Sam Snead.
ECCC's role in the area began as one of the founding clubs of the MGA and NJSGA as well as one of the original 25 members of the USGA. It has been host to numerous NJ State Opens and Amateurs and many MGA events. On October 2, 2023, ECCC began the restoration of its renowned golf course under the direction of the most sought-after contemporary course architect, Gil Hanse. The club will host the 2025 NJSGA Amateur Championship and the 2026 MGA Open Championship.
Essex County Country Club is dedicated to "promoting a diverse family membership with activities for all ages." Club amenities include a pool currently being renovated, Har-Tru tennis courts, and full golf practice facilities. Our Junior Golf programs nurture the next generation of golfers. Moreover, our vibrant community thrives with a dynamic calendar of events, such as Family Barbecues, Pool Parties, and themed social gatherings, fostering connections and creating cherished memories for all. At Essex County Country Club, an exceptional golf experience is the centerpiece of a relaxed family culture.
CLUB DETAILS
Facility: Member-Owned
Course Access: Private
Number of Holes: 18
Total Annual Rounds: 22,000
Annual Revenue: $10 Million
Number of Carts: 64
Members (Golf/Social): 275
Primary Golf Season: April - November
Caddie Program: Yes
Practice Range: Yes
Indoor Practice: No
Short Game Area: Yes
Number of Staff Managed: 15
POSITION OVERVIEW
Title: Head Golf Professional
Supervises: Assistant Golf Professionals, Director of Outside Operations, Pro Shop staff, and Outside Operations
Position Description: The Head Golf Professional at Essex County Country Club will be the leading ambassador for the entire Golf Operations. The next Head Golf Professional will be focused on ensuring that all members and guests have an exceptional Golf Experience. The successful candidate will embrace the legacy of the Club and be a key steward helping to author the next chapter of the ECCC's celebrated history.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Manage all golf and golf-related activities and businesses including:
Golf facilities, including the Golf Shop and practice facilities
Enforcing Club rules and regulations
Overseeing the Club’s golf-related technology systems, including Club Essential POS, Whoosh tee time platform, and Pacesetter mobile app
Providing golf instruction for all ages and levels of ability
Creating and marketing an appealing tournament and golf events schedule in conjunction with management and the Golf Committee
Lead a strong merchandising program
Instilling and maintaining a golf staff commitment to service and focus on delivering an exceptional member experience
Reporting activities of the department to management and the Golf Committee
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Including, but not limited to, the following:
Experience at a high-end private facility as either a Head Golf Professional or Lead Assistant Golf Professional
Ability to create an outstanding Golf Experience for all facility users
History of recruiting and mentoring a premier golf staff
Ability to engage with a wide variety of members and guests
High-level instruction and playing ability
Willingness to continuously improve all tournament programs
Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
Willingness to engage in the PGA Section and beyond
Strong integrity and professionalism
Financial Acumen and Merchandising ability
Class “A” PGA Professional
Well-versed in the USGA Rules of Golf
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The club will provide compensation and benefits package commensurate with experience and qualifications. This includes but is not limited to:
Competitive Base Salary
Lessons (100%)
Golf Shop Ownership (Negotiable)
Performance Bonus
401k with Employer Match
Healthcare Offered:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance
PGA Dues
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
All applications MUST be submitted through the PGA of America's Career Services Department as described below.
Resume deadline is February 2, 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, Essex County Country Club, Head Golf Professional
Please address all correspondence to - Mr. Joe Kelly, PGA | General Manager | Essex County Country Club
Joe Doughty, PGA, Chris Bauer, and Scott Kmiec are leading this search, please contact them with any questions.
Email: jdoughty@pgahq.com
The employer does not wish to be contacted at this time
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