Description

Job Summary

La Canada Flintridge Country Club is a non-equity, family owned private membership club located in La Cañada Flintridge, California, with a membership of over 1000 families (420 golf members). The golf course is irrigated primarily with reclaimed water from an on-site L.A. Country Sanitation District Reclamation plant.

The Head Golf Course Superintendent is responsible for the overall maintenance, agronomic management, and long-range planning of the golf course, practice facilities, and surrounding clubhouse grounds. This role sets and executes annual agronomic plans and daily maintenance standards to deliver exceptional playing conditions across greens, tees, fairways, rough, bunkers, and landscaped areas, while aligning work plans with the golf calendar and tournament needs.

The Superintendent leads and develops a year-round maintenance team, overseeing staffing, training, scheduling, and performance with a strong focus on safety and professionalism. Responsibilities include managing the irrigation program and pump operations, directing equipment maintenance and replacement planning, controlling operating costs and budgets, coordinating with club leadership and golf operations, and maintaining required documentation, licenses, and regulatory compliance for agronomic practices and applications.

A core component of the role is environmental stewardship. The Superintendent implements efficient water management (ET-based scheduling, audits, and reporting), integrated pest management prioritizing biological and reduced-risk approaches, and soil and nutrient health programs guided by testing and organic matter management. The role also advances responsible purchasing, energy-efficient facility and equipment operations, waste reduction and recycling initiatives, and habitat and native landscape stewardship, communicating progress and needs clearly to club leadership, owners, and stakeholders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Plan , organize, and direct all daily, weekly, and seasonal turf maintenance activities, including mowing, irrigation, fertilization, pest/weed/disease control, aeration, topdressing, bunker maintenance, tee/green/fairway/rough care, and tree/shrub/landscape management. Continue current irrigation management plan using using evapotranspiration (ET) data and soil moisture sensors.
Develop and implement comprehensive agronomic programs to maintain optimal turf health, playing quality, and aesthetic appeal while minimizing resource use (water, chemicals, labor).
Manage Rainbird pump station operations, including scheduling, efficiency monitoring, and variable frequency drive (VFD) optimization, minimizing energy use by aligning utility time of use and water transfer between our four irrigation ponds.
Oversee equipment maintenance, repair, and replacement schedules for mowers, tractors, sprayers, utility vehicles, and other grounds equipment. Oversee use of reclaimed water, and maintain compliance with applicable water use permits.
Conduct ongoing sprinkler head audits and system calibration to minimize overspray and runoff. Control costs for labor, materials, chemicals, fertilizers, equipment, and capital projects while meeting performance goals.
Benchmark and report annual water consumption per painted acre to club leadership. Recruit , train, supervise, schedule, and evaluate a team of 14 full-time staff while promoting safety, professionalism, and teamwork.
Monitor and scout for pests, diseases, and weeds; for greens, develop a pesticide and fungicide program designed to have minimal input with preventative planning.
Coordinate with the golf shop, tournament staff, and other departments to prepare the course for daily play, events, tournaments, outings, and member play expectations.
Communicate effectively with club leadership, members, guests, and regulatory agencies regarding course conditions, projects, and environmental initiatives.
Stay current on industry best practices, new technologies, turf research, and sustainable maintenance techniques; pursue continuing education through GCSAA and other organizations.
Plan and oversee capital improvement projects such as renovations, drainage improvements, tree work, bunker restorations, and course enhancements.
Ensure compliance with environmental regulations, safety standards, and IPM (Integrated Pest Management) protocols.
Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree in Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Science, or a closely related field preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
5+ years of progressive experience in golf course maintenance, with at least 2-3 years in a superintendent or assistant superintendent role.
Proven track record of maintaining high-quality playing conditions on 18-hole (or multi-course) facilities.
Certifications & Licenses
Valid state Pesticide Applicator License (or ability to obtain within 6 months).
GCSAA Class A membership or progress toward it is highly desirable.
Valid driver's license with clean record.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Strong knowledge of turfgrass science, soil science, plant pathology, entomology, irrigation systems, and golf course construction/maintenance principles.
Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to motivate and manage diverse teams.
Proficiency with budget preparation, cost control, and basic computer applications (Microsoft Office, irrigation software, etc.).
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, regulations, and reports; write clear reports and correspondence.
Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail under varying weather and playing condition demands.
Physical ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, lift up to 50-75 lbs, and perform manual tasks as needed.

Working Conditions
Primarily outdoor work with exposure to varying weather, insects, chemicals, and noise from equipment.
Flexible schedule required, including early mornings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during peak season or special events.
On-call availability for irrigation/equipment emergencies.