Golf Course Architect Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Bloomfield Hills Country Club is seeking an accomplished, collaborative, and forward-thinking professional to serve as its next Director of Agronomy.

Bloomfield Hills Country Club is seeking an accomplished, collaborative, and forward-thinking professional to serve as its next Director of Agronomy.

Reporting directly to the General Manager, the Director of Agronomy will serve as a key member of the Club's Senior Leadership Team and will have responsibility and accountability for all golf course maintenance, agronomy, grounds, and related operations.

This is a unique opportunity to become the next steward of one of Michigan's most historically significant golf courses. The successful candidate will inherit an experienced team, a membership deeply invested in the golf course, and a Club committed to providing the resources necessary to protect and enhance one of its most important assets.

Bloomfield Hills Country Club was founded in 1909 with golf at the center of the Club experience from its early days.

In 1910, noted golf course architect Tom Bendelow was engaged to design and build Bloomfield's first course on the original 115-acre property. As the Club grew, its leadership envisioned a golf course of even greater distinction.

In 1913, renowned English architect Harry S. Colt visited Bloomfield Hills and was impressed by the property's rolling terrain. After the Club acquired additional acreage, Colt developed a new routing that was approved later that year. The new course opened for play in May 1915.

Over the decades, several notable architects, including Donald Ross, Robert Trent Jones, and Arthur Hills, influenced portions of the golf course while Colt's fundamental routing was preserved.

In 2021, Bloomfield completed a significant restoration under the direction of acclaimed architect Mike DeVries, reconnecting the course with the strategic character and architectural principles of Colt's original design.

Today, Bloomfield's golf course reflects more than a century of architectural evolution, beginning with Tom Bendelow, defined by Harry Colt, and thoughtfully restored for future generations.

For the Club's next Director of Agronomy, that history represents both an exceptional opportunity and an important responsibility.

The Director of Agronomy will lead all aspects of golf course maintenance and agronomic operations, including turfgrass management, daily course presentation, irrigation and water management, equipment, staffing, budgeting, capital planning, and long-range agronomic planning.

The Director will be responsible for the hiring, training, development, management, and evaluation of all golf course personnel, subject to the managerial oversight of the General Manager.

The position requires close collaboration with the General Manager, Head Golf Professional, Senior Leadership Team, Green's Committee, and Golf Committees.

The successful candidate will continually evaluate existing programs, identify opportunities for improvement, establish clear priorities, and lead the department with professionalism, consistency, accountability, and attention to detail.

The Director of Agronomy is expected to be a visible and engaged leader throughout the Club and to develop strong relationships with employees, members, Club leadership, and industry peers.

• Significant progressive experience in golf course maintenance and agronomic leadership at a highly regarded private club or comparable golf facility.
• A demonstrated ability to consistently provide exceptional playing conditions and course presentation.
• Outstanding agronomic knowledge, including turfgrass management, fertility, plant health, pest management, cultural practices, irrigation, drainage, and moisture management.
• Demonstrated leadership ability with a commitment to recruiting, mentoring, developing, and retaining a high-performing team.
• Excellent communication, organizational, financial, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience developing and managing annual operating budgets and contributing to long-range capital and infrastructure planning.
• Strong attention to detail and pride in daily course presentation.
• The ability to communicate effectively with Club leadership, committees, members, employees, vendors, consultants, and industry partners.
• A commitment to environmental stewardship, workplace safety, continuing education, and industry best practices.
• A Michigan pesticide applicator license, or the ability to obtain one.
• A degree or certificate in turfgrass management, agronomy, or a related field is preferred.
• Membership in the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and appropriate state and regional associations is preferred. GCSAA certification is desirable but not required.

Previous experience as a Director of Agronomy, Golf Course Superintendent, or Golf Course Manager at a highly regarded operation is preferred. Bloomfield Hills Country Club will also consider an exceptional senior Assistant Superintendent who has demonstrated the agronomic expertise, leadership ability, communication skills, and professional development necessary to successfully transition into a department-head position.

• Develop and execute comprehensive agronomic programs that consistently provide exceptional playing conditions while protecting the long-term health of the golf course.
• Direct the maintenance and presentation of greens, tees, fairways, rough, bunkers, practice facilities, landscaping, and Club grounds.
• Develop and manage programs related to fertility, plant health, pest management, cultivation, drainage, irrigation, moisture management, and turfgrass health.
• Monitor course conditions daily and adjust maintenance practices based upon weather, turf conditions, member play, and the Club's golf calendar.
• Maintain exceptional standards of detail, consistency, and playability throughout the property.
• Continually evaluate agronomic practices, technology, and equipment that may benefit the Club.
• Ensure compliance with applicable environmental, pesticide, safety, and governmental regulations.

• Serve as a thoughtful steward of Bloomfield's historic Harry Colt golf course.
• Protect the strategic features, architectural principles, and character of the property.
• Develop plans for the preservation and continued improvement of the golf course.
• Work collaboratively with the General Manager, Green's Committee, architects, consultants, and other professionals on future golf course improvements and capital projects

• Recruit, hire, train, mentor, schedule, supervise, and develop the golf course maintenance team.
• Build a department culture centered on teamwork, accountability, communication, professionalism, safety, and pride.
• Establish clear expectations and operating standards throughout the department.
• Develop assistants, interns, and other emerging professionals through mentorship, education, and increasing responsibility.
• Maintain appropriate year-round and seasonal staffing levels.
• Serve as an active and collaborative member of the Club's Senior Leadership Team.

• Prepare and manage the annual golf course operating budget in collaboration with the General Manager.
• Develop long-range capital plans for equipment, infrastructure, irrigation, drainage, and golf course improvements.
• Maintain an effective equipment replacement strategy.
• Effectively manage departmental expenses while maintaining the standards expected by the membership.
• Oversee vendors, contractors, consultants, supplies, inventory, and outside professionals associated with golf course operations.
• Manage golf course projects from planning and budgeting through execution and completion.

Bloomfield Hills Country Club believes exceptional golf course conditions are the result of sound agronomy, strong leadership, clear communication, disciplined execution, and consistent attention to detail.

The Director of Agronomy should be a visible, engaged, and approachable leader who builds trust with the golf course team, Club leadership, committees, and the membership.

The successful candidate should be comfortable leading from the front, establishing clear expectations, holding the team accountable, and creating an environment in which employees are proud of their work and invested in the success of the Club.

Just as importantly, the Director must be a collaborative partner. Open communication and alignment with the General Manager, Head Golf Professional, and Senior Leadership Team are essential to providing an exceptional golf experience.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $225,000 - $275,000; however, final compensation will be determined based on the selected candidate's background, industry experience, and overall fit for the role. The package will also include a comprehensive benefits program, along with appropriate support for continuing education, professional development, and applicable professional association dues and fees.