The Evans Course at Canal Shores
Evanston, IL
General Manager/Head Golf Professional
ABOUT THE EVANS COURSE AT CANAL SHORES
Evanston, IL | "The gem in your backyard"
The Evans at Canal Shores is a not-for-profit golf facility that is totally funded by private donations. The formerly named Canal Shores opened in 1919 and was designed by prolific golf course architect Tom Bendelow. The 3,600-yard, par-60 layout has undeniable charm and just enough challenge. Dubbed “the gem in your backyard,” the course winds through urban and suburban neighborhoods along the North Shore branch of the Chicago River. Golfers play through a 100-year-old oak forest alongside Chicago’s “L” and Metra train tracks, traverse several road crossings, and are treated to beautiful views of the Bahá’í House of Worship, which creates a golf experience unlike any other.
The golf course renovation, which started in 2022 and is led by architect Todd Quitno, is the modernization and reimagination of the urban golf course. Located alongside the North Shore Canal which feeds into the Chicago River, The Evans at Canal Shores will serve as a beacon for youth golf development and a youth caddie training facility through partnerships with the First Tee – Greater Chicago and the Western Golf Association/Evans Scholars Foundation.
The new name represents a deep connection to the namesake of the Evans Scholars Foundation, Chick Evans, who attended high school in Evanston and became one of the greatest amateur golfers of all time. Instead of turning professional, Evans worked with the Western Golf Association to use the earnings from his golf career to establish the Evans Scholars Foundation in 1930. To date, the Foundation has awarded full tuition and college scholarships to more than 13,000 youth caddies, including the 1,130 Evans Scholars enrolled in 24 leading universities nationwide this year. The Evans at Canal Shores is located less than a mile from the first Evans Scholarship House, established in 1940 on the campus of Northwestern University.
FACILITY DETAILS
Facility: Public Facility, Foundation Owned
Number of Holes: 19
Total Annual Rounds: Anticipated 25,000 when fully operational in 2025, 10,000 played from August 1 - December 31, 2024
Primary Golf Season: April - October
Caddie Program: Evans Training Center
Practice Range: Yes
Short Game Area: Yes
Number of Staff Managed: 15 in season
POSITION OVERVIEW
Title: General Manager/Head Golf Professional
Reports to: KemperSports Regional Operations Executive, TJ Wydner
Position Description: The General Manager/Head Golf Professional will act as the ambassador for this collaborative initiative, representing many of Chicagoland's major golf entities. This individual will oversee and direct the facility's overall operational and financial performance, ensuring alignment with company policies and procedures. Key responsibilities include developing and executing strategic fiscal, operational, and business development plans. The General Manager/Head Golf Professional will establish and uphold operational standards and quality performance guidelines for all functions and staff, fostering excellence throughout the organization.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Be a leading advocate and ambassador for this impactful youth and community development project.
Manage activities and facility availability for all youth development activities and organizations including the Evans Scholar Foundation, the First Tee, and the Ilinois PGA Foundation.
Direct, coordinate, and monitor the development of the facility’s annual business plan and operating/capital budgets. Make necessary adjustments and approve the final version for submission to senior management.
Monitor and evaluate financial performance relative to budget goals and objectives. Analyze budget variances, and develop and implement action plans to achieve appropriate adjustments.
Analyze and evaluate operations to determine productivity efficiencies vs. budgeted standards. Develop and initiate action plans to achieve appropriate adjustments.
Review and approve financial expenditures and transactions relative to operations, services, and facilities/equipment within and according to established guidelines and procedures.
Ensure effective communication of system activities to promote seamless coordination between departments. Communicate clearly, tactfully, and persuasively with employees and customers as needed. Engage directly with department management when appropriate to support alignment and collaboration.
Provide appropriate leadership in accord with Company culture and mission statement to promote positive employee morale and performance quality.
Provide direction, supervision, and guidance to subordinate management staff to assist with their skill development and help ensure the successful development and implementation of appropriate departmental operating and safety plans, goals, and policies & procedures.
Oversee and manage employment activities, including but not limited to, personnel recruitment and selection, performance evaluations, training, compensation, discipline and termination, etc. to ensure compliance with Company human resources policies and procedures.
Assess the quality of customer service activities in all departments. Formulate general plans and oversee their implementation towards achieving increased customer service excellence.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, municipal officials, and community organizations.
Maintain knowledge of current and projected industry developments through continuous attention to golf industry periodicals and participation in relevant trade associations and organizations.
Assure the efficient and timely submission of all required operational, financial, budgetary and related reports.
Ad Hoc projects as necessary.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Including, but not limited to, the following:
PGA or LPGA Class A PGA Professional
College degree preferred.
2 years applicable functional, supervisory, and/or management experience, preferably in the golf industry.
Demonstrated experience and capability in the areas of budget development, fiscal management, strategic planning, social media, and staff management.
Demonstrated quality written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to analyze and solve problems; efficiently handle multiple duties under pressure with minimal supervision; work flexible hours as required including nights/weekends.
Positive attitude, professional manner, and appearance in all situations.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The facility will provide a compensation and benefits package commensurate with experience and qualifications. This includes but is not limited to:
Competitive Base Salary $95,000
Lesson Income (Minimal)
Bonus Potential
Excellent Benefit Package
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
All applications MUST be submitted through the PGA of America's Career Services Department as described below.
Resume deadline is February 10, 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, The Evans Course at Canal Shores, GM/Head Golf Professional
Please address all correspondence to - Mr. Scott Kmiec | Senior Director | PGA ExecuSearch

Ryan Holland, PGA, Kathy Grayson, and Scott Kmiec are leading this search, please contact them with any questions.
The employer does not wish to be contacted at this time
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