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Minneapolis, MN
Head Golf Professional
ABOUT THE MINIKAHDA CLUB
ABOUT THE MINIKAHDA CLUB
Minneapolis, MN | Founded in 1898, The Minikahda Club is the oldest country club west of the Mississippi and a premier club in the region. The City of Minneapolis has grown up around the Club. A group of young picnickers were so impressed by the spot they found atop a hill overlooking Lake Bde Maka Ska, they acquired the land and set out to form a club for social functions and golf. Today, The Minikahda Club is a year-round full-service club with a vast offering of social, dining and sport activities. The name Minikahda comes from the Dakotah, a combination of two words meaning, “by the side of the water.” The Club logo, in fact, depicts a Native American shield, similar to the artifact framed in the Clubhouse.
The Minikahda Club has approximately 1,250 members, comprising approximately 675 families and a single class of membership. The classic Ross design has played host to a number of major events including the 1916 US Open, the 1927 US Amateur, the Walker Cup in 1957, the Women's Amateur in 1988, the Curtis Cup in 1998, and the US Senior Amateur in 2017. To better prepare the Club for the future, a golf course master plan was approved in 2018. As part of that plan, the Club completed a re-grassing of its historic Donald Ross-designed golf course and replaced the golf shop with a new building that provides a year-round practice facility. The remainder of the course restoration work, led by Kyle Franz, was completed in the fall of 2021. The course is ranked among the best in the state by Golf Digest and was ranked #95 in Golfweek's Top classic courses in 2022. The Minikahda Club is working towards developing a comprehensive Campus Plan in the near future.
The Club employs approximately 260 employees during peak season, and approximately 180 during the off-season. From a financial standpoint, the Club is debt-free, has a substantial reserve fund, a waiting list for membership and is well positioned for success.
The Minikahda community is one that appreciates tradition and respects the obligation to build on its legacy by planning for the future, as evidenced by its Mission and Vision:
Mission: The members shall preserve, protect, promote and pass on The Minikahda Club legacy, traditions, and values and adapt and prepare for the future with sound financial management.
Vision: The Minikahda Club provides the membership a superior social and recreational experience based on the values of family, fellowship, integrity, respect, and inclusiveness.
CLUB DETAILS
CLUB DETAILS
Course Access: Private
Number of Holes: 18
Total Annual Rounds: 26,000
Caddie Program: Yes
Practice Range: Yes
Pool: Yes
Tennis: Yes
POSITION OVERVIEW
POSITION OVERVIEW
Title: Head Golf Professional
Reports to: Director of Golf
Supervises: Supervising positions
Position Description: The Head Golf Professional will support the Director of Golf in overseeing the golf operations, which encompass events and outings, golf shop concessions and merchandising, outside operations, and on-course activities. As an ambassador for the club, the Head Golf Professional will promote regular play and maximum enjoyment of the game to members of all skill levels, greet guests with respect and dignity, and uphold exceptional standards of customer service and hospitality.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will be a vibrant and enthusiastic individual who exemplifies outstanding leadership and interpersonal skills, fostering a culture focused on service excellence. The Head Golf Professional should possess experience at a family-oriented, traditional golf club that offers activities for all generations. They must understand and appreciate the diverse needs of various genders, personalities, abilities, and ages. Important qualifications include experience with a club's caddie program and having a proven track record of mentoring and promoting staff.
This candidate should have substantial experience in managing key aspects of a successful golf operation, either as a Head Golf Professional or as a lead Assistant Golf Professional at a top-tier private club. While candidates with a range of experiences will be considered, the successful one must be able to clearly articulate their past roles in creating an exceptional golf experience in a member- and team-focused environment.
Regional golf knowledge is advantageous but not essential. A Class-A PGA membership is required, and proficiency in utilizing information technology systems like Jonas, ForeTees, Golf Genius, Excel, and Word to improve communications in a modern golf operation is essential.
The ideal candidate’s resume and references should reflect not only these technical and collaborative skills but also innovative ideas that inspire both members and guests. As part coach and part ambassador, the prospective Head Golf Professional must demonstrate their ability to drive continual enhancement of the Minikahda Club's golf programs.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Serve as a distinguished ambassador for the club by assisting in leading the golf operations and establishing a high benchmark for customer service.
Exhibit strong interpersonal and leadership qualities, effective communication skills, and meticulous attention to detail—essential traits for success in this role.
Participate in recruiting, mentoring, and supporting a dedicated team of Assistant Golf Professionals, motivating them to pursue professional growth.
Aid in the development and management of a competitive full tournament schedule including, member events, leagues, social golf events, and four external events annually.
Maintain a premium selection of golf shop merchandise and equipment, staying informed about trends in equipment and accessories, club fitting, and merchandising practices to align with member preferences and maximize profits.
Contribute to the creation, implementation, and management of the annual golf budget to meet revenue and cost objectives, ensuring compliance with club standards for billing, accounting, and control practices.
Advocate for and enhance Minikahda's esteemed caddie program and the Evans Scholar program, a tradition stemming from Chick Evans’ 1916 U.S. Open victory at The Minikahda Club, which presently provides full four-year scholarships to 1,000 caddies.
Work with Member Committees to effectively implement the club’s vision for golf programs, services, and tournaments.
Remain updated on current and trending USGA rules.
Foster collaborative interactions with other club department heads to sustain an overall environment of excellence at the club.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Including, but not limited to, the following:
Demonstrated success in delivering high-touch services within a prestigious private club setting.
A thorough understanding of The Minikahda Club, its rich history, and the significance of enhancing the Member experience.
A leadership capability to attract, develop, and maintain a motivated, energetic, and service-oriented team with a proven track record of achievement.
Proven success in leading player development programs tailored to all generations and skill levels.
Ability and readiness to effectively address and manage potentially sensitive member issues.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, coupled with a high degree of emotional intelligence.
Interest in a long-term commitment to Minikahda.
Expertise in managing challenging situations with poise.
Mandatory PGA Membership.
Preferred 3-5 years of experience as a Head Professional, or as a lead Assistant Golf Professional at a top-tier private club.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The financial package will be aligned with the chosen candidate's experience, consisting of a base salary and a performance bonus determined by annual performance metrics established and reviewed in collaboration with the Director of Golf. Club benefits are among the best in the golf industry, including medical and dental coverage, PGA dues, and a retirement plan.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
All applications MUST be submitted through the PGA of America's Career Services Department as described below.
Resume deadline is October 24, 2024 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 Minikahda Club, Head Golf Professional
Please address all correspondence to - Mr. Matt Newman | Director of Golf | The Minikahda Club
Andrea Kloppman-Heit, PGA, and Scott Kmiec are leading this search, please contact them with any questions.
Email: akloppmanheit@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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