Somerset Hills Country Club
Bernardsville, NJ
Head Golf Professional
ABOUT THE CLUB
BERNARDSVILLE, NJ | Over 100 years ago, the Somerset Inn Golf Links was located above the Ravine Lake with views of the Pickell Mountain from the original clubhouse veranda. The first American golf boom led to the nine-hole layout at the original location and later moving to its current address on Mine Mount Road with the eighteen-hole layout we are familiar with today. It was in 1915 that club leadership organized the purchase of the Olcott property and hired A.W. Tillinghast to complete the design and construction of the golf course. The first games of golf were played in July of 1917 and although the club has since seen alterations and improvements over the years, our Tillinghast gem has remained virtually unchanged since its original design. Somerset Hills Country Club has a long tradition of hosting championships, not only on the local level (WMGA, GSWGA, NJSGA & MGA), but also a cherished relationship with the USGA. SHCC has hosted two USGA Girls’ Junior Championships, 1973 won by Amy Alcott and 1983 by Kim Saiki-Maloney, in addition to the 1990 Curtis Cup won by the U.S. team 14-4 over the GB&I team ending a six year drought. SHCC is consistently ranked among the best courses in the United States and the World (#42 on Golf Magazine’s Top 100 in the World for 2020-21) and the club remains committed to preserving the integrity of the Tillinghast design.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Title: Head Golf Professional
The Head Golf Professional will work alongside the COO / Director of Golf to deliver an exceptional golf and Club experience to all members, their families, and guests. The Head Professional will assist in overseeing all golf-related activities and business. They will assist in making sure Club goals are achieved and helping motivate the golf staff to work as a team to accomplish our mission. The position will report directly to the COO / Director of Golf.
Somerset Hills Country Club Facts & Figures:
Approximately 490 Memberships (includes all classifications)
16,500 rounds between April 1st and November 15th.
24 Golf Carts (additional 30 gas carts used for large outings)
Bag Storage Capacity of 350
490 square feet of space devoted to merchandise in the Golf Building
The Club’s Tournament Calendar features 80+ events per year
Clubhouse renovation just completed that included a new Men’s Locker Room, ground level Patio, reorientation of the parking lot and golf arrival and practice area.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Assist the COO / Director of Golf in managing all daily golf operations
Create an outstanding, hospitality-centric service experience for members and guests that uphold the values of the Golf Staff set forth in our Employee Manual and enforce all Club rules from the Membership handbook
Own all fiscal performance for the golf operations including planning, budgeting, forecasting, monitoring, and corrective management
Execute weekly schedules and annual tournament assignments in conjunction with our Starter and Lead Assistant Professional
Assist in the recruitment, training, motivating, and management of all golf staff
Conduct and Organize staff orientations and training
Responsible for all Corporate and charitable outings as well as the administration of the Club’s tournament program
Collaborate with the Golf Shop Merchandiser in providing the highest level of service, presentation, and product variety in the Golf Shop
Monitor and execute efficient inventory control of all hard goods
Deliver outstanding golf instruction, clinics, and golf development programs and empower the golf staff to continue to educate themselves in the skill of golf instruction and technology
Coordinate, Prepare and Lead Golf Committee Meetings
Build strong working relationships with fellow Department Heads
Work closely with golf course Superintendents and maintain effective daily communication
Represent Somerset Hills Country Club in local and regional golf tournaments and maintain and promote a superlative professional image with the local community and industry
Stay engaged with the NJPGA and other local associations and find opportunities to volunteer and give back to the game
Experience / Qualifications / Education / Certifications
Class A PGA or LPGA member in good standing preferred
Experience at a high-end private club is preferred
High attention to detail and organizational skills
Effective oral and written communication skills, and strong interpersonal skills
Proficient teaching skills and instructional knowledge
Proven leadership skills and passion for recruiting, training, and mentoring staff
Golf shop merchandising and management skills
Strong tournament operations experience
GOLF COURSE RESTORATION
Somerset Hills Country Club is in its second decade of a golf course restoration project which has been described by those involved as "pulling the sheets off the furniture of a historical landmark." This process started with improving agronomical practices, changing mowing patterns, green, tee, and fairway expansions, strategic tree removal, introducing more native areas, and reestablishing key features. Currently, the work has continued into a full bunker renovation. The Club began the formulation of a plan in the late 90s and early 2000s which coincided with two important partnerships; first, with a golf course architect and second, a new Superintendent. The Club partnered with Renaissance Golf and architect Brian Slawnik and then in 2009, hired Ryan Tuxhorn from Merion Golf Club to be the new Superintendent. To guide the decision making and work on the golf course, the Club created a Mission Statement (below) which has allowed our Greens Department and Committee to stay focused on common goal. The Head Professional, along with the Superintendent and Greens Committee will work together to stick to the mission statement for all decision making in regards to improvement to the golf course.
Somerset Hills Country Club - Golf Course Mission Statement
Somerset Hills Country Club highly values its uniquely unchanged A.W. Tillinghast golf course that has been entrusted to our stewardship.
It is the mission of the Board of Governors and Green Committee to support efforts and policies that:
Preserve the integrity of the golf course and its playability for the members and their families;
Restore critical design features for consistency with the original architectural integrity;
Improve the efficient maintenance of the entire property area, including areas not within the playing ground;
The club has recently completed a major renovation to the Men’s Locker Room and added a ground level patio adjacent to the 18th hole that has added almost 80 seats for outside dining. The club is open for dinner on Friday nights all season and Sunday family style dinners for the majority of the season. In addition, the Club's racquet program includes 8 grass courts, 4 har-tru courts, 1 hydro court and 4 brand new pickleball courts. For one hundred years, tennis “whites” have graced the grass courts of Somerset Hills. Although Somerset Hills has proudly hosted several national and international events, it has remained, first and foremost, a Club for members and their families.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Base Salary (commensurate with experience): $95,000 - $115,000
90% of lesson income
Golf Performance Bonus
Paid vacation (two weeks), health, dental, disability, meals, PGA Dues paid, Education and PGA show allowance
Professional on-site March 1st-December 31st
Uniform and clothing provided; equipment deal with approved vendors
Total Compensation approximately $125,000-145,000 (commensurate with experience)
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
All applications MUST be submitted through the PGA of America's Career Services Department as described below.
Resume deadline is September 9th, 2022
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, Somerset Hills CC I Head Golf Professional
Please address all correspondence to - Mr. Daniel Joseph, PGA - COO / Director of Golf
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.
David Wilson, PGA is the lead Consultant for this opportunity. For additional information and questions, please contact him directly.
employer does not wis to be contacted at this time.
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