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Saratoga Springs, NY
Head Golf Professional
ABOUT SARATOGA GOLF & POLO CLUB
ABOUT SARATOGA GOLF & POLO CLUB
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK | Saratoga Golf & Polo Club is located in Saratoga Springs, New York, an exciting and historical town known most for its thoroughbred horse racing, is home to the Saratoga Race Course, The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Saratoga Spa State Park and its mineral springs and baths, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, a landmark concert venue, and the Saratoga Automobile Museum, where you can find rare vintage models and race cars. The Saratoga Golf & Polo Club sits on a beautiful 91-acre property in the heart of historic Saratoga Springs, NY. This incredibly rare and unique private member-owned full-service country club was founded in 1896.
Since its inception, the focal point of the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club has been our Victorian-era, 9-hole golf course. Just stepping into the tee box of the first hole of this meticulously maintained course will transform your mindset and stimulate your mental well-being. In 2018, the club engaged the services of Kye Goalby for a master plan to restore and enhance key features of the golf course. In September 2020, Golf Magazine ranked the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club course #11 on its list of top stand-alone 9-hole golf courses.
Our exquisite Colonial-style clubhouse was built in 1914 as Hylande, a private residence for George and Harriet Ostrander. A November 1914 article in The Saratogian describes the property: “Adjoining the green course of the golf club, at the top of a hill with an unobstructed view overlooking the Adirondack mountains to the northwest and surrounded by 14 acres of smooth greensward dotted with flowers and shrubbery, the site of Hylande is ideal.” In 1956, the Hylande became the Dorian restaurant and in 1968, the property was purchased by the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club. Since the acquisition, we have precisely maintained, upgraded, and expanded the mansion within very specific design principles to preserve period details and the property’s overall historic charm.
At the turn of the 20th century, the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club – often referred to as The Little Club by its members – offered four grass tennis courts and two additional courts. At the time, tennis was popular in Saratoga Springs, and the courts at the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club were well-known among locals. That tradition continues today with a diverse tennis offering that includes four grass courts, one clay court, three hard courts, and two heated and lit platform tennis courts.
To meet the evolving needs of the membership, the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club added a swimming pool in 1969. Today, members enjoy the pool and wading pool with a dedicated staff of lifeguards and the Cabana with a full-service kitchen and bar.
The Saratoga Golf & Polo Club is a historic country club in the heart of Saratoga Springs. We embrace our historic roots as The Little Club, blending decades of tradition with state-of-the-art amenities to deliver a home away from home for our members.
THE SARATOGA GOLF & POLO CLUB BY THE NUMBERS
THE SARATOGA GOLF & POLO CLUB BY THE NUMBERS
435 Total Members; 235 Full Golf; 70 Limited Golf; 25 Waitlist
$10,000 Initiation Fee
$1.85 Million Annual Dues
$150,000 Golf Shop Sales
10,000 Average Rounds/Year
90 Employees (Peak Season)
12 Employees (Golf Operations)
56 Average Age of Members
POSITION OVERVIEW
POSITION OVERVIEW
Title: Head Golf Professional
Onsite Contract Period: March 1st - November 31st (9 Months)
The Head Golf Professional is truly the “golf ambassador” of the Club. He or she must embody the highest levels of integrity, professionalism, and diplomacy, and be a highly active and engaged presence with both members and staff. He or she will be a “go-to” individual who takes ownership of the operation and be a fully engaged senior manager. The ideal candidate is a true visionary for the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club’s golf operations and beyond. While building relationships with every constituency within the Saratoga Golf & Polo Club membership, the Head Golf Professional is someone who needs to have his or her finger on the pulse of all operations.
The Head Golf Professional must be an exceptional leader and manager who recognizes and respects the contributions of staff at all levels and departments. The Head Golf Professional must be capable of both guiding and holding staff accountable to achieving and maintaining high standards. He or she will directly manage all areas of the golf operation and work closely with the Golf Course Superintendent and other department heads while reporting to the General Manager. The position will promote an exceptional golf experience and provide creative services and programs for all members and guests. The Head Golf Professional is expected to be a strategic leader of the golf experience at Saratoga Golf & Polo Club and therefore a person of intellect, vision, planning, and business acumen.
HIGH LEVEL JOB DESCRIPTION AND DUTIES
HIGH LEVEL JOB DESCRIPTION AND DUTIES
Golf Operations Management
Develop and manage tournament programs, member group outings, and leagues that service all customer segments.
Oversee the operations of a golf cart fleet, club repair and fitting, practice and storage facilities.
Ensure the use of techniques to maximize course usage and manage the pace of play.
Track and verify all players and guests including greens fees, golf carts, club care, lockers and accurate handicaps.
Provide professional club repair and club fitting services.
Maintain a close working relationship and collaborate with the General Manager and Golf Course Superintendent on course playability, tournament set up and other golf related operation logistics.
Assist the General Manager in meetings with prospective members and orientation of new members.
Coordinate plans with the Food & Beverage Manager for food and beverage needs for all golf functions.
Administer the Rules of Golf and educate staff and membership segments
Administer the education of Junior Golf etiquette classes and/or golf facility privilege requirement courses.
Assist in the development and preparation of budgets, including forecasting and review of all golf operations.
Ensure all golf department financial goals and objectives are achieved.
Retail Management & Oversight
Oversee and maintain a profitable golf merchandising operation.
Supervise and train all golf shop staff to maximize sales opportunities.
Ensure the customer database includes and tracks important dates, spending, sizes, and preferences.
Maintain an attractive and orderly appearance in and around the golf shop.
Player Development
Develop and oversee player development programs for all levels and membership segments.
Develop, provide, and oversee an enhanced golf instruction program offering individual and group clinics for all levels and membership segments.
Ensure that the services of trained staff of professional instructors are available where/when required.
Assist with the training of the full golf staff regarding player development and encourage their participation.
Golf Department Administration & Leadership
Recruit, hire, train, motivate, and supervise all golf department staff and maintain accurate payroll records.
Act as a role model for all employees by demonstrating the behavior and work ethic expected of all golf staff.
Update and maintain golf shop policies and procedures, including member services and standards.
Ensure evaluations and annual reviews are completed and recorded for all applicable staff.
Attend staff meetings as scheduled by management and schedule staff meetings with golf staff.
Maintain safety standards and safety equipment within OSHA requirements.
Assist in creation of communications for the publication of newsletters, social media and other informational materials.
Oversee the administration of the golf handicap program.
Work closely with and provide guidance and consultation to the golf committee and crossover committees.
Attend applicable committee meetings, board, management, and staff meetings.
Adhere to, enforce, and implement policies and procedures of the facility.
Knowledge, Skills & Traits
Maintain PGA of America membership in good standing in an active classification.
Keep current on knowledge of the game of golf, rules of golf, golf facility operations and tournament operations.
Strong organizational, planning and prioritization skills.
Possess a service and customer focused attitude.
Experienced computer user including Microsoft Word, Excel, email, internet and database.
Proficient in other applications/programs, i.e., Jonas Club Management, Golf Genius.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Including, but not limited to, the following:
Class “A” PGA Member in good standing.
Minimum of five years golf operations management experience as head professional or first assistant professional at a private or semi-private golf club.
Ability to deliver a consistent, high-quality standard of member service with an emphasis on continuous improvement.
Deliver golf programs, leagues and events that cover all member segments.
Ability to bring in new ideas and process to increase member satisfaction.
Excellent communication and people skills.
Financial aptitude and experience to assist with and understand the operating budget.
Ability to train, motivate and manage a team.
Bachelor’s Degree or higher.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The onsite contract period is March 1st through November 31st (9 months). The offseason months (December-February) no onsite presence would be required.
The salary for this position will range between $70,000 - $90,000 annually.
Golf Shop/Merchandise agreement negotiable
Performance bonus of up to 10% of salary based upon mutually agreed upon goals and objectives
Eligible for a member-funded discretionary Holiday bonus determined by the General Manager
Health insurance premium paid
Complimentary meals
Uniform allowance
Cell Phone allowance
Professional Development/Continuing Education allowance
PGA membership dues paid
Personal and family use of the Club as appropriate
Vacation, holidays, sick and other paid time off per club policy
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 13, 2023 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, Saratoga Golf & Polo Club, Head Golf Professional
Please address all correspondence to - Mr. Daniel Cardella, CMAA | General Manager | Saratoga Golf & Polo Club
Chris Kulinski, PGA is the lead consultant for this search, please contact him with any questions.
Email: ckulinski@pgahq.com
The employer does not wish to be contacted at this time
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