Golf Course Superintendent
About The Position
Marin Country Club, located in Novato, CA, is seeking a driven individual for an excellent career opportunity as a Golf Course Superintendent. This role offers the chance to learn, contribute, and grow within a fast-paced, hospitality-focused property organization, as part of Troon, a global leader in golf and community management. The club is a distinguished private club in Novato, California, known for its blend of golf, community, natural beauty, and an active North Bay lifestyle. The centerpiece is a classic 18-hole golf course that rewards thoughtful shot-making and consistent conditioning, playing a central role in the member experience. The club's broader amenities include dining, racquet sports, aquatics, fitness, social programming, and family-oriented member experiences, all supported by a culture of excellence and attention to detail. The opportunity is for a Director of Agronomy who takes personal ownership of the daily condition, presentation, and playability of the golf course. This is a leadership role for an individual who sees firm, healthy playing surfaces, true greens, and a beautifully presented course as personal standards. The agronomic footprint is complex, involving cool-season and transition-zone turf management, water stewardship, drainage, tree influence, seasonal weather patterns, labor planning, and the operational realities of a high-use private club. The Director of Agronomy will serve as the primary agronomic voice to club leadership and member committees, translating agronomic strategy, capital needs, and course standards into clear dialogue. This role reports directly to the General Manager and is a full member of the club's senior management team. Troon Privé's agronomy infrastructure is available as a consultative resource. The ideal candidate will be energized by a culture of training, driven by pride in their craft, and fulfilled by developing their team.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Turf Management, Horticulture, Plant Science, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and demonstrated experience considered
- Minimum of five to 10 years of progressive agronomic leadership experience, ideally at a high-caliber private club or resort property
- Proven track record of delivering and sustaining high-quality playing conditions at a discerning membership club
- Experience managing a full maintenance team, complex operating practices, and a meaningful agronomic budget
- California Qualified Applicator License or ability to obtain within an agreed-upon timeframe
- Valid Driver's License
Nice To Haves
- Applicable Golf Course BMP, safety, and environmental stewardship training preferred
- Reads a course with the instinct of a seasoned agronomist who anticipates issues early, acts with discipline, and builds systems that sustain consistent playing conditions.
- Leads from the front: present on the course, respected for teaching as much as directing
- Communicates with equal fluency to a committee chair, a General Manager, a member, and an assistant superintendent
- Finds the hospitality dimension of the role — member interaction, course presentation, and daily pride of product — as energizing as the agronomic one
- Thrives in a Northern California private club environment and approaches its challenges as a competitive advantage, not a complication
Responsibilities
- Own the agronomic program from soil to surface — developing and executing sound practices that deliver consistent, high-quality playing conditions year-round
- Stay current on agronomic research, emerging turf technologies, and Northern California-specific disease, pest, water, and soil management practices
- Ensure proper calibration, mixing, storage, documentation, and application of all chemical and fertilizer inputs in full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations
- Maintain California pesticide applicator compliance and applicable golf course BMP standards across the team
- Proactively address environmental concerns — including water use, drainage, runoff, tree impact, and chemical containment — as a steward of the property and surrounding community
- Lead, mentor, and develop a full maintenance team including Assistant Superintendent, Equipment Manager, Irrigation Technician, Foreman, and Greenskeeping staff
- Embrace and foster a department culture built on accountability, hospitality, safety, and craft — where team members grow into the next generation of agronomic leaders
- Conduct effective onboarding and ongoing training programs; manage performance with directness and fairness
- Foster communication that flows freely up, down, and across departments — particularly with Golf Operations, Club Management, and member-facing teams
- Serve as the primary agronomic voice to club leadership and member committees — translating agronomic strategy into clear, confident dialogue
- Contribute to long-term capital planning, major renovation scoping, irrigation planning, equipment replacement, and environmental stewardship programs
- Provide timely agronomic reporting to the General Manager and, where applicable, to Troon Privé's agronomy team
- Participate as a full member of the senior management team, contributing to club culture and organizational health beyond the turf
- Develop and manage the agronomy department budget, capital expenditure plans, labor planning, and expense controls
- Make fiscally disciplined decisions that reflect both the property's standards and its long-term financial health
Benefits
- Salary Range: $185,000 to $225,000
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
