Director of Agronomy, Springville Country Club

Position Summary Springville Country Club is seeking a Director of Agronomy to lead the agronomic vision, daily operations, and long-range planning for our private 18-hole golf course. Nestled in the hills of Western New York along Cattaraugus Creek, the course is known for rolling terrain, mature tree cover, and high standards of playability and presentation.

This is a full-time, year-round leadership position. Hours are significantly higher during the golf season (typically April–November) and reduced in the off-season, when the focus shifts to planning, equipment and tree work, staff development, and capital projects.

The Director of Agronomy is responsible for delivering excellent playing conditions while building a multi-year strategy that improves efficiency, sustainability, and member experience. Priorities include the automated irrigation system installed in 2025, tree canopy management, specialized golf course management software, robotic mowing, and conversion of selected out-of-play areas to low-input or no-mow grasses.

This is both a hands-on and strategic role: visible on the course, accountable for daily conditions, and responsible for presenting a clear agronomic and capital plan to club leadership.

Reports To:  Operations Manager / Greens and Grounds Chair

Works Closely With:  Head Golf Professional, Greens Committee, Business Office, and Board leadership

Key Responsibilities Agronomic Leadership & Course Conditions - Own the agronomic program from soil to surface for greens, tees, fairways, roughs, bunkers, practice areas, and clubhouse grounds.

- Develop and execute fertility, cultivation, pest management, and irrigation programs suited to Western New York climate and soils.

- Monitor turf health daily and adjust practices based on weather, play, and data from future course management software.

- Set and maintain consistent conditioning standards aligned with member expectations and event calendars.

Long-Range Planning & Innovation - Prepare and maintain a multi-year agronomic and capital plan covering turf conversion, equipment, irrigation, trees, labor, and sustainability.

- Evaluate and implement robotic mowing where it improves consistency, reduces labor pressure, and lowers fuel use—beginning with the most practical areas (range, clubhouse lawns, selected roughs or fairways) and expanding based on results.

- Lead conversion of selected out-of-play and secondary rough areas to environmentally friendly, low-input grasses such as fine fescue blends intended to reduce or eliminate routine mowing.

- Identify other efficiency and quality opportunities, including:

- Precision irrigation using the new automated system to reduce water, energy, and wet-dry stress Implementation and utilization of Rain Brid Cirrus Pro

- Soil health and organic-matter programs that improve drought and disease resistance

- Targeted native or naturalized areas that enhance the course’s hill-and-creek character

- Tree inventory and canopy management to protect turf, views, and playability

- Gradual equipment modernization, including electric or hybrid units where they make operational sense

- Audubon, BMP, or similar environmental stewardship practices appropriate to a Western New York private club

- Present recommendations, cost-benefit analyses, and phased implementation plans to the Operations Manager and Greens Committee.

Irrigation, Water & Technology - Operate, program, maintain, monitor, and optimize the club’s automated irrigation system (Cirrus Pro)

- Consider use specialized golf course management software for work planning, chemical and irrigation records, labor tracking, and reporting.

Tree, Landscape & Property Stewardship - Manage the extensive tree inventory, including pruning, health assessment, hazard reduction, planting, and long-term canopy planning.

- Balance mature tree character and density with turf health, sunlight, airflow, and strategic views.

- Maintain clubhouse grounds, landscaping, wooded areas, and unused acreage in a manner consistent with club standards.

Team Leadership - Hire, train, schedule, coach, and evaluate the agronomy staff.

- Build a safety-first culture with clear standards, seasonal staffing plans, and professional development.

- Use technology (irrigation controls, software, and robotics) to allocate labor to higher-value work rather than repetitive mowing where possible.

Budget, Equipment & Compliance - Prepare and manage the annual operating budget and a rolling capital plan for equipment, irrigation, trees, and course improvements.

- Oversee maintenance and lifecycle planning for the equipment fleet, including conventional and robotic units.

- Maintain accurate records of applications, cultural practices, weather, inventory, and regulatory documentation.

- Ensure compliance with New York State and federal pesticide, water, employment, safety, and environmental requirements.

- Hold or obtain, and maintain required New York State pesticide applicator credentials.

Communication & Governance - Serve as the club’s agronomic voice with the Operations Manager, Head Golf Professional, Greens Committee, and Board.

- Translate technical plans into clear member-facing updates on conditions, projects, and long-term direction.

- Coordinate maintenance windows around member play, tournaments, and club events.

Qualifications Required - Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Turfgrass Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Minimum 5 years of progressive golf course agronomy experience, including supervisory responsibility (Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent strongly preferred).

- Demonstrated experience with automated irrigation systems.

- Strong knowledge of tree care and golf course canopy management.

- Valid New York State pesticide applicator license, or ability to obtain promptly.

- Valid driver’s license with a clean record.

- Ability to work extended hours in season and adapt to Western New York weather.

Strongly Desired - Direct experience with robotic or autonomous mowing systems on golf courses, including mapping, programming, maintenance, and integration into labor plans.

- Experience planning or implementing low-input, fine fescue, or no-mow/naturalized rough conversions.

- Experience presenting multi-year agronomic and capital plans to a G Manager, Greens Committee, or Board.

- GCSAA membership; CGCS designation highly desirable.

- Private-club experience and familiarity with cool-season turf in the Northeast/Upper Mid-West including experience managing poa annua.

Working Conditions Year-round position with substantially higher hours during the golf season. Work is primarily outdoors in all weather and includes walking the course, inspecting conditions, and operating or directing equipment as needed. Early mornings, weekends, and holidays are required during peak season and events