Houston Country Club
Houston, TX
PGA Head Golf Professional
Embedded Files
ABOUT THE CLUB
ABOUT THE CLUB
Houston, TX | Originally known as the Houston Golf Club, in 1904 it consisted of a 9-hole golf course and a one-story clubhouse positioned on the south side of Buffalo Bayou near the historic Glenwood Cemetery. As the city grew and the popularity of golf increased, our founders made plans to establish a country club “for the promotion and encouragement of outdoor life, innocent sports and amusements, and for social intercourse and the cultivation of the higher ideals of life.” With that declaration, Houston Country Club was founded on May 5, 1908 originally located on the east side of town at now Gus Wortham Golf Course. Beginning in 1914 until 1954, the Club hosted the most prestigious amateur championship west of the Mississippi - the Houston Invitational.
In the fall of 1954, golf course architect Robert Trent Jones determined that our current location on the west side of town in the Tanglewood neighborhood was an outstanding piece of golf property. He designed our current course, which opened on January 2, 1957. Since its relocation, the Club has hosted tournaments and challenged players such Francis Ouimet, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Harry Vardon and Fred Couples. We also have hosted 8 Texas State Amateurs, 5 Women’s Texas Golf Association Championships, USGA Qualifiers, and 2 Trans-Mississippi Championships. Houston Country Club also lays claim to numerous Texas Golf Hall of Fame Members (including President George H. W. Bush along with retiring Head Golf Professional Gordon Johnson) including the Club being elected for induction in 2022. Houston Golf Club is also where the sand wedge was invented and where the golf cart was invented and patented!
Since its relocation in 1957, multiple additions and renovations have been made to the property. The current transformational construction and renovation project began in July 2019 and is expected to continue through the end of 2022. It impacts nearly all areas of the Club and includes additional or newly renovated dining venues, event spaces, kitchens, fitness and tennis facilities, meeting rooms, administrative offices, locker rooms, pool deck, and event lawn.
In addition to this current construction project, Houston Country Club is working on a golf course renovation project that, when approved, it would be scheduled to begin in late 2025. Our goal with the renovation is to further enhance our existing course that allows a sustainable, playable course for all ability levels that will showcase the beautiful architecture and design that Houston Country Club and its membership deserve to enjoy. To that end, the Club has retained renowned architect Andrew Green for the design on this project. Mr. Green, whose past projects include renovations at Congressional Country Club, Inverness Club, Oak Hill Country Club and Scioto Country Club. He has already worked on the Club’s new putting green and event lawn as part of the current construction project.
The Club, which has earned Platinum Club and Distinguished Club status, serves roughly 1,280 members (all with golf privileges), with approximately 30,000 rounds of golf being played annually. Our golf shop is expected to generate $1,300,000 in merchandise sales during the current fiscal year.
We are proud to be a place where members are comfortable bringing their family members and guests, knowing they will be welcome in a wholesome atmosphere among friends and dedicated employees. One testament to our staff’s commitment to service is that we currently have more than 35 associates who are members of the “20 Year Club.” Our management team is led by General Manager/COO Mark A. Bado, MCM, CCE who is a former Chairman of the Club Management Association of America and widely recognized as one of the most respected leaders in the private club industry. The Golf Course Superintendent, Billy Weeks, has been with HCC in his current position for over five years and with his twenty years of experience, he is highly regarded as an authority in golf course maintenance. Gordon Johnson, the Club’s Head Golf Professional, is retiring at the end of 2022 following 23 years of service to Houston Country Club. Prior to joining HCC, Gordon served as the Head Golf Professional at New Orleans Country Club and subsequently Preston Trail Golf Club. It was after Preston Trail that Gordon brought his professionalism and expertise to Houston Country Club in 1999. Following his retirement, Gordon will serve as Head Pro Emeritus for two years during which time he will serve as an ambassador for the club, a consultant to the General Manager as requested, while maintaining his ability to play golf with members. During his tenure at the Club, Gordon has had over 17 assistants go on to become Head Golf Professionals, promoting both the game and the profession while at HCC.
On July 18, 2022, the Texas Golf Hall of Fame announced Gordon Johnson as a 2022 inductee in the Golf Professional/Teacher category. Houston Country Club was also selected as an addition to the Texas Registry of Historic Golf Courses, becoming one of only thirteen courses in Texas to achieve this honor.
THE OPPORTUNITY
THE OPPORTUNITY
Houston Country Club is seeking a Head Golf Professional who is responsible for the administration of the entire golf program, which includes men’s, women’s, mixed, and junior golf programs; the golf shop; merchandising; outside operations; and golf instruction. This is a high-visibility role in an active, year-round club. The position reports directly to the General Manager/COO.
Houston Country Club Facts & Figures:
1,280 Members with all having golf privileges
75 Golf Carts (no private carts)
Bag Storage Capacity of 800
Annual Merchandise Sales of $1,300,000, with room to grow
Golf Clubhouse is 9,000 square feet, with 3,000 square feet allocated to the golf shop and the remainder devoted to member bag storage
The Club’s Tournament Calendar features 18 MGA and 18 WGA events per year
Transformational Renovation currently underway
Confidential Process
The Club understands the confidential nature of this process and the information received from all interested parties will be kept in the strictest confidence. Multiple interviews will be conducted before a final decision is made.
PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
All candidates must be a Class A member of the PGA of America, and it is preferred that the candidates possess a Bachelor’s Degree. In addition, the qualified candidate should possess experience at a club similar to Houston Country Club. The following attributes have been identified for the position:
Possess a complete management skill set to include the following abilities:
Demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills and visibility.
Provide the highest level of customer service to club members and their guests.
Lead and recruit a team of high-level professionals that provide world class customer service.
Take ownership of own professional development, and encourage professional development opportunities for staff members.
Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship for golf staff.
Create an effective organizational structure, including delegation of specific job duties.
Encourage a team approach among golf staff, and model team building behaviors.
Communicate effectively with a wide variety of people.
Act as an effective ambassador of the club.
Demonstrate a proven ability to oversee an active member tournament program with engaging and innovative ideas.
Manage and promote a fun and exciting junior program.
Possess a passion for golf instruction and a commitment to offering a multi-faceted program of individual instruction, clinics, and golf schools.
Demonstrate an ability to lend guidance to the Golf Committee with ideas and leadership.
Manage budgets and financial forecasting.
Possess a good golf game and play regularly with a cross section of the membership.
Build relationships, and maintain a high level of visibility among membership and staff.
Understand the importance of running a high-quality retail operation and have the ability to operate a point-of-sale system.
DESIRED TRAITS
DESIRED TRAITS
The successful candidate should have the following skills and reputation:
Strong leadership skills—keen ability to show respect for tradition while also having a vision for the future
Track record of continued personal professional development and investing in the same for their staff
Dynamic communicator with all types of members, staff and industry stakeholders
Well respected within the industry with a strong network of fellow professionals around the country
Great recruiter and developer of talent among Assistant Golf Professionals
COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION
Houston Country Club will offer a compensation package commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience and reflective of the stature of the position and facility. In addition to the base salary, a desirable bonus and commission structure will be offered.
Benefits include Health Care, Life Insurance, LTD, 401(K), Dental, Vision and an investment in Professional Development.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
The application deadline is August 19th, 2022
Combine your cover letter, resume and any additional materials into one (1) PDF file and attach the document below. Please use the following file naming convention: "Last Name, First Name, Houston Country Club I HP"
When applying, your "Resume Materials" should include a cover letter addressed to - Mr. Mark Bado, MCM, CCE General Manager/COO
Kelly Gilley, PGA is the lead Career Consultant for this opportunity. For additional information and questions, please contact Kelly directly.
Email: kgilley@pgahq.com
The employer does not wish to be contacted at this time
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