Sahalee Country Club

ABOUT THE CLUB

Samammish, WA | The quintessential Northwest heritage of Sahalee Country Club lies in its founders, who shared the common dream of constructing their own 27-hole championship golf course capable of hosting major championships. That dream would never have been realized without the contribution of nationally recognized golf course architects Ted Robinson and Rees Jones (1996 Remodel), and its members, many of whom assisted in the completion of the course.

These members, led by Paul Runyan, a nationally renowned teaching professional and two-time PGA Champion, officially opened the club on August 9, 1969. The name Sahalee—or "High Heavenly Ground" in the language of the native Chinook—was chosen to reflect its Northwest future, heritage and tradition. Sahalee Country Club was immediately recognized as an outstanding golf course and continues to enjoy nationwide recognition for its weaving trail through the Douglas Firs and Western Red Cedars, risk/reward design, and protective greens.

Known primarily for its world-class championship golf experience created by nationally recognized golf course architect Ted Robinson and renovated by world famous golf course architect Rees Jones, Sahalee was created to host any of the USGA, LPGA and PGA national events. In addition to our worldwide reputation for championship-caliber golf, we offer a distinctly Northwest family lifestyle, a culinary culture headlined by Chef Marcel Beauclair, homespun hospitality delivered by our tenured, dedicated staff, and our absolute commitment to environmental stewardship. Although known for our world-class golf course, our greatest attribute is our welcoming membership and hospitality-driven staff.

For more information about the Club, visit the Sahalee CC website.

POSITION DESCRIPTION | HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL

The position of PGA Head Golf Professional is one of the most high-profile and important positions at Sahalee and touches all parts of our golf operation. The role goes beyond operations and enters the realms of culture, hospitality, strategy, stewardship, and genuine leadership. Our retiring Golf Professional has been with Sahalee Country Club for 34 very successful years and has been promoted in retirement to Golf Professional Emeritus, and we are looking to our next Head Golf Professional to continue his long-standing commitment to a world-class golf operation.

In addition to exemplary golf operations skills, success in this role starts with an outgoing personality and warm sense of humor, flexibility, excellent written and verbal communications skills, a commitment to continuous improvement, an attitude of “it’s all about the members,” and well-developed senses of anticipating needs and fanatical attention to detail. These attributes are stated in our “Service Standards” and “Leadership Standards” documents (added as addendums in the links below this paragraph), the pledge to which your service on Team Sahalee is predicated. Please consider these standards carefully as your success will be measured in terms of our standards.

TEAM SAHALEE SERVICE STANDARDS | TEAM SAHALEE LEADERSHIP STANDARDS

QUALIFICATIONS

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | We are looking for someone special to follow in the footsteps of someone special. As such, the following abilities and qualifications come to the fore:

• Be a current PGA Director of Golf or Head Golf Professional with a minimum of five (5) years of experience leading a service-intensive private club golf operation

• Preferably, a college degree from a four-year university or its equivalent

• Have experience in a “members first” club culture

• Demonstrated high levels of knowledge, experience, and skills in all private club golf operations

• Commitment to the club’s mission, vision, core values, and service and leadership standards

• Experience working in a similar “out front” service environment where member engagement is prized, visibility is natural, and member interaction is frequent

• Be an exemplary communicator including interpersonal, written, public speaking, and social media abilities

• Proven abilities in staff development including setting standards, hiring, training, orienting, mentoring, and evaluating performance relative to goals and standards

• Have excellent business acumen including the ability to manage the financial and HR aspects of the golf operation

• Experienced merchandiser including planning, purchasing, display, sales, and markdowns

• Have a clear passion for the game, its history, and traditions

• Comfort interacting at the national level with peer clubs, the USGA, and PGA

• Proficient and current in the Rules of Golf and handicapping administration

• Be a recognized ambassador in the private club realm regionally, and preferably nationally

• Experience in club and golf ball fitting across the major systems including use of launch monitor technology

• Excellent teacher proficient in teaching golf to all skill levels and able to employ both digital and “analog” tools

• Eager and capable player willing to play with all members and compete in PGA pro-ams and Chapter/Section events as our standard bearer

• Proficient in relevant club management software packages and Microsoft Office Suite

COMPENSATION

SALARY AND BENEFITS | The club will provide a competitive compensation and benefits package commensurate with experience and qualifications. This includes but not limited to:

• Salary: Competitive salary range commensurate with qualifications and experience of the successful candidate

• Bonus: Annual performance bonus based on mutually agreed upon outcomes

• Lessons: 100% of lesson income

• Commission: Commission on net merchandise sales income

• Tournament Expenses: Approved tournament and pro-am expenses within the Western Washington PGA Chapter and PNWPGA Section

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, vision and life insurance for self and family per Club policy

• Retirement: 401k plan

• Vacation: Per club policy

• Allowances: Cell phone and clothing

• Education: Approved PGA education and related development expenses

• Dues: PGA of America Chapter and Section dues and if desired, CMAA Chapter and National dues

• Facility Use: Family golf and club amenities privileges based on member-centric practices

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

POSITION SUCCESS TRAITS | PROFILE OF THE SUCCESSFUL PGA HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL

This is a unique opportunity to lead golf operations at the Pacific Northwest’s premier golf venue. Sahalee Country Club has a proud 50-year tradition of hosting national championships including the PGA Championship, the WGC NEC Invitational, US Senior Open, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and the Sahalee Players Championship. Sahalee is all about golf, pure and simple, and boasts the lowest aggregate handicap index average in the Pacific Northwest. Our members eat, drink and breathe golf, and our next Head Golf Professional will carry on the tradition of our retiring Professional in not just being a highly recognized, respected, and industry-leading Professional, but also an enthusiast of the game.

The successful candidate will be a seasoned Class A PGA Golf Professional with a minimum of five years of experience as the lead professional at their facility, will be a proven operations and cultural leader, is an excellent communicator in all media, will have a track record of success leading by example at a top club, is genuinely passionate about golf, and is comfortable in a high-end, world class private club ecosystem.

As importantly, the successful candidate will have a natural, warm, confident, gregarious, friendly, or, in short, a “big” personality. Our members and staff will be compelled to smile when our new Professional enters a room, or touches tables in the bar, or appears at the practice facilities to help members with their games or greets eager members and guests on the first tee. Members will feel equally comfortable when our Head Golf Professional is teeing off a tee league, or enforcing the dress code on the driving range, or assessing a two-stroke penalty in the club championship final round.

To be successful, our next Head Golf Professional must be absolutely and fanatically dedicated to the member experience and to our brand of golf hospitality. Proven expertise in traditional golf operations is just the ante into this game; the ideal candidate will ensure member service excellence is consistently delivered, will execute a seamless golf operation better than any other in our market, and will be dedicated to continuous improvement. Innovation will be the candidate’s familiar friend and will be measured by members’ delight and visitors’ envy.

At this world-class club, the candidate and their abilities will be challenged. Expectations for excellence are high, the environment is demanding, and to rise and meet the challenges, the candidate must be self-motivated, confident, creative, possess the highest levels of accountability, be flexible, and a logical and critical thinker known for their common sense. Detail orientation is paramount in their approach to the operation as well as their abilities to problem solve and collaborate.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Our new PGA Head Golf Professional will be responsible for being first and foremost a cultural leader. Culturally, our new PGA Head Golf Professional will be:

• A mindful professional that delivers a premier member and guest golf experience to the Sahalee membership and can continually and consistently evaluate, improve, and direct others to achieve that vision in a positive, energized, and intuitive manner.

• A natural service-minded leader who is creative, current, innovative, and devoted to continuous improvement to enhance and personalize service delivery to members and their guests.

• An out-front, lead-by-example, and hands-on service team leader capable of setting clear accountabilities, coaching to drive desired outcomes, and providing thoughtful and regular feedback to staff members. They will recognize their responsibility in developing and mentoring their team, creating and leading a supportive culture around golf operations, and providing development opportunities to golf staff to help them achieve their PGA certification and career goals.

• A teamwork expert capable of sharing the warm hospitality embrace in daily collaboration with fellow department heads.

• A naturally energized and outgoing personality which features integrity, pragmatism, progressiveness and levelheadedness with a presence that conveys leadership, trust, and confidence.

• Engaging to all member constituencies to drive participation, excitement, and involvement in the game and the entirety of the Sahalee experience.

• Comfortable working in a highly collaborative manner with the Board of Directors, relevant committees, and other Department Heads and provide thoughtful input and leadership to these stakeholders.

• Cognizant of their professional image; fully recognizing the importance of modeling the representation of the Club, its membership and brand at all times in actions, attitude and appearance.

• One who strives for personal and professional achievement and excellence in life and in their profession while constantly seeking opportunities to innovate and improve.

From a technical perspective, our new PGA Head Golf Professional will be ultimately responsible for all operating, capital, service, and financial outcomes in the Golf Shop department including development of the golf operations staff, play management, merchandising, golf cart fleet management, bag room management, teaching, playing, event creation and management, use of various software packages, member and team communications, committee and board interaction, rules and handicapping education and enforcement, and financial management, all of which will be embraced confidently and easily by the successful candidate.

In each area of golf operations, the Head Golf Professional will continuously monitor and evaluate achievement of objectives in each area and implement improvements to operational plans as needed to ensure overall success for the golf facilities.

The following are general operating responsibilities. They are not intended to be complete or exhaustive, and will be amended from time to time to adapt to business needs.

Team Development

• Lead by example including the embracing of the club’s Service and Leadership Standards,

• Ensure a productive and mutually beneficial Team member lifecycle: hire right, train thoroughly, provide development opportunity, monitor progress, make corrections as necessary, coach, and as need be, separate a Team member with dignity and grace.

• Lead, supervise and manage the Golf Shop Team and delegate supervisory responsibility as needed.

• Encourage and mentor Team members to help them reach their personal and professional goals.

• Promote professional development and continuing education.

• Promote and enforce Sahalee Service and Leadership Standards with Golf Shop Team.

• Establish and practice consistently high-quality employee lifecycle processes including recruiting, interviewing, hiring, training, performance coaching, corrective action, mentoring, and termination of employment as needed in accordance with local, state and federal laws.

• Provide annual service training program for all Golf Shop Team members that meets or exceeds Sahalee’s service standards.

• Evaluate performance of team members using a goal-oriented, coaching, and collaboration model.

• Evaluate and update position descriptions and practices to reflect current work and service flows.

• Stimulate innovation, encouraging the Golf Shop Team to think outside of the box and put forward new ideas.

• Create a culture of safety awareness and practices.

Play Management

• Ensure that the tee sheet is managed professionally and fairly.

• Train high quality Starters in play management techniques, tools, reporting and software.

• Consult daily with Golf Course Operations team to ensure starting sides and times.

• Enforce pace of play standards.

• Encourage mixing of various groups to promote social aspects of golf.

• Maintain play management records through the digital tee time system.

Merchandising Management

• Work with the Golf Shop Team—including the Merchandising Manager—to create an attractive and premium buying experience that adds value to Sahalee memberships.

• Create system whereby all Assistant Golf Professionals are involved in each area of merchandising on a rotating basis so that they can become experts in the craft.

• Assist in and supervise physical inventory management including ordering, receiving, pricing, returns management, and inventory taking.

• Present a diverse and desirable array of golf equipment, apparel, and accessories for all Sahalee members.

• Create opportunities for “surprise and delight” in the merchandising operation.

• Manage key KPI’s as established in collaboration with the General Manager.

• Create and manage schedule of Demo Days, sidewalk sales, and other promotional opportunities to deliver out-of-the-box buying experience for members.

• Work with vendors to procure best selection of merchandise and terms.

• Maintain broad golf club demo and fitting program.

• Provide golf ball fitting services for members.

Golf Cart Fleet Management

• Ensure comprehensive routine maintenance, repair and record-keeping of golf cart fleet.

• In collaboration with the General Manager, negotiate purchase or lease of new fleet and associated service vehicles.

• Train Outside Services Team to properly care for golf carts and ensure clean, safe operation.

• Assure that all privately owned vehicles are in alignment with club policies and procedures including registration, purchase, colors, equipment and use.

• Use golf cart fleet as a source of service delivery, entertainment and communication.

• Communicate daily with the Golf Course Operations Team regarding course conditions relative to golf cart usage.

• Maintain consistent and fair “yellow flag” program.

Bag Room Management

• Ensure that entire Golf Shop Team is trained to service members quickly, efficiently, with a smile and using the member’s name at the point of Bag Room service delivery.

• Ensure cleanliness of members’ bags and equipment.

• Monitor condition of clubs during cleaning and note potential damage, deficiencies, or opportunities for grip or bag replacement.

• Maintain current log of bags and equipment in the Bag Room.

• Ensure that all equipment used in the Bag Room is in good working order and is receiving preventative maintenance.

• Ensure placement of identifying labels on all member golf clubs and bag tags on member bags.

• Ensure high levels of daily cleaning and sanitizing of golf clubs and bags.

Teaching

• Be responsible for the entire employee lifecycle of the Director of Instruction.

• Work closely with the Golf Shop Team and Director of Instruction to develop a comprehensive player development program to apply to all golf abilities including the use of video and launch monitor technology and appropriate teaching aids in private, playing and group formats.

• Spend significant amount of time in the practice areas giving complimentary advice and tips to members and their guests.

• Train Assistant Golf Professionals on best practices in teaching golf and monitor and evaluate their instruction methods.

• Continually focus on creating more enjoyment for recreational level members.

• Remain current on all teaching methods and practices as promoted by the PGA of America.

• Create short instruction videos to post on Sahalee website or YouTube channel.

• Write and submit instruction articles and tips for publication on Sahalee website and club digital media.

• Maintain and improve the Golf Studio as needed including fixtures, simulators, demo clubs, cameras, computers, and launch monitors.

Playing

• Play golf with broad cross section of members on a casual basis offering assistance during the round if appropriate. Arrange for Assistant Golf Professionals to play with members on a regular basis.

• Play in Chapter Pro Am events with broad cross section of members.

• Play in Chapter and Section events as Team Sahalee’s standard bearer.

• Practice regularly to maintain and advance your skills.

Event Management

• Drive excitement and engagement in member golf events across all member segments by creating and operating creative, fun and competitive event opportunities.

• Train Assistant Golf Professionals in all aspects of golf event management and operations.

• Use tournament software (e.g. Golf Genius) to manage all member events professionally and efficiently.

• Work with Board and divisions to establish annual event calendar.

• Maintain supply of tournament management supplies and assure good condition of scoreboards.

• Be present and visible for all major member tournaments and outside golf tournaments.

• Manage member registration for golf events.

• Provide summaries and summary articles for each golf event to the Director of Communications for publishing in Sahalee digital media.

• Assure accurate handicaps are used in member net events.

• Create conditions of competition, hole location sheets, local rules and competition information for each event as appropriate.

Junior Golf and Long Term Development

• Collaborate with Junior Golf Committee, Assistant Golf Professionals and Director of instruction to offer a junior golf program that is engaging and age appropriate.

• Establish junior golf calendar annually.

• Develop and grow PGA Junior League team and other junior player development programs.

• Ensure that adult volunteers have been appropriately vetted and trained for their roles in Sahalee junior golf programs.

• Promote junior golf in all membership categories.

• Create and maintain equipment for junior golf program use.

• Train Assistant Golf Professionals on best practices in junior golf programming and instruction.

Software/IT

• Become proficient in club’s current software and apps.

• Manage and train Assistant Golf Professionals on local aspects of POS system, tee time reservation system, GHIN system and Golf Genius.

• Participate in software conversion process as needed.

• Educate members and Golf Shop Team on existing or new software technologies regarding instruction and business management.

• Be proficient in Microsoft Office products, especially Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Communications

• Communicate regularly through written, verbal, interpersonal, digital, social and analog media to promote activities, increase member participation, broaden experiences, and stimulate engagement in all areas of golf operations.

• Submit regular articles for publication in club media.

• Ensure high quality and accuracy in all communications media.

• Regularly update the member website and app and all digital communications.

• Serve as "emcee and host" at member golf events.

• Create digital and analog signage as needed for promotions, advertising and directing member behavior.

Rules of Golf & Handicapping Administration

• Serve as the leader of Rules of Golf and Handicapping administration.

• Attend Rules of Golf workshops to remain current on the Rules of Golf.

• Serve as the lead rules official for all member events.

• Train Assistant Golf Professionals on administration of Rules of Golf and Handicapping.

• Administer local rules in cooperation with Director of Golf Course Operations and committees.

Board and Committees

• Serve as a staff liaison to the Golf, Green, Finance, and Rules and Handicapping Committees and help create agenda for the committee chairs.

• Attend all Board of Directors meetings including the Annual Meeting and Retreats as requested.

• Provide monthly operations reports for each committee and the Board.

Financial Management

• Assure that all Golf Shop related fees and charges are recorded accurately.

• Develop annual operations and capital budgets in line with club goals and hold yourself and your department accountable.

• Provide monthly inventory, rounds of golf, and variance reports.

• Be responsible for completion of daily payroll tracking and reporting.

• Take monthly inventory of Pro Shop merchandise and conduct spot checks as needed.

• Create and execute golf event contracts for outside events.

• Be responsible for all transaction methods including cash, checks, credit cards, gift certificates, and credit book.

Membership Development

• Develop and execute a member-centric golf operations program aimed at successful member engagement

• Member activation (increased participation, member spend and support of Club programming, etc.)

• Member retention (increased tenure, decreasing member turnover)

• Member recruitment (increasing the overall member base when necessary, backfilling member turnover.

• Identify and develop value-added products and services to enhance the member experience.

• Work with Membership & Communications Director to establish and maintain a transparent and engaging flow of information to the membership and staff.

• Conduct new player/new member clinics to promote interest in the game of golf and the club.

• Assist in touring prospective members

Policies, Procedures and Enforcement

• Maintain complete knowledge and compliance with all Sahalee policies and procedures and assure Golf Shop Team knowledge and compliance with same.

• Periodically review policies and procedures to update in accordance with new practices.

• Be familiar with the Sahalee Bylaws.

• Train Assistant Golf Professionals on fundamentals of the Sahalee Bylaws and all relevant club policies and procedures.

• Maintain updated Golf Operations Manual.

Community and PGA Involvement

• Stay current on Sahalee Management Association (SMA) events. Assist the SMA as needed.

• Participate in community building events with the SMA and broader community as they align with Sahalee culture and mission.

• Be active on Western Washington PGA committees and/or governance.

• Maintain close working relationships with allied associations and partners for the “good of the game."

When applying, your "Resume Materials" should include a cover letter addressed to Mr. Marcus King, PGA CCM CCE General Manager, Sahalee Country Club, and your resume in one (1) PDF document.

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