Description

Golf & Tennis Club Superintendent Agawam Hunt Club - Rumford, Rhode Island Reports to: General Manager
Direct Reports: Assistant Superintendent, 2nd Assistant, Mechanic, Grounds Crew, Seasonal Staff
About Agawam Hunt
For more than 125 years, Agawam Hunt has offered members and guests outstanding sporting and social facilities, minutes from the East Side of Providence. Our historic 130-acre property includes a Donald Ross-designed 18-hole golf course known for pace of play and playability, three indoor squash courts, two new outdoor platform tennis and pickleball courts with a warming hut, ten grass tennis courts, four Har Tru courts, two indoor hard courts, a heated outdoor pool, a refurbished fitness center, and a welcoming Clubhouse with year-round dining and a full calendar of events. Memberships include Clubhouse, Clubhouse Plus, and Full Sporting categories. The Superintendent will be a key steward of this legacy and an essential partner in the Club's next phase of improvements.
Position Summary
Responsible for all activities related to the care, maintenance, and presentation of the golf course, grass & clay tennis courts, general grounds and maintenance facilities, including the fleet and irrigation systems. Plans and administers operating and capital budgets, hires and develops staff, and applies agronomic best practices to deliver consistently excellent playing conditions that reflect Agawam's tradition, schedule, and climate. Experience with course construction, renovation, and grow-in projects will be closely considered.
Essential Responsibilities Agronomy, Course Conditioning, and Environmental Stewardship

• Maintain the course in peak playing condition consistent with Agawam standards, event needs, and seasonal realities.
• Design and execute annual programs for fertility, aeration, topdressing, overseeding, mowing standards, cultural practices, and Pest Management.
• Develop and maintain drainage, irrigation, pumping, and water management systems, including preventative maintenance, record keeping, and winterization.
• Supervise planting, care, and health of turf, trees, shrubs, ornamentals, and native areas, with attention to safety, playability, and aesthetics.
• Lead snow, storm, and emergency response plans that protect turf, trees, and structures.

Sustainability & Conservation

• Embrace Agawam's relationship with The Nature Conservancy by applying best practices that align with their charter and sustainability principles.
• Balance environmental responsibility with course conditioning, ensuring that agronomic practices enhance both playability and ecological health.
• Monitor and manage chemical and fertilizer use with a focus on reducing environmental impact and preserving soil and water quality.
• Promote biodiversity through the management of native plants, pollinator zones, and wildlife habitats across the Club's 130 acres.
• Serve as a visible leader and advocate for environmental stewardship, sharing progress with management, committees, and members.

Capital Projects, Renovations, and Long Range Planning

• Scope, budget, and manage course improvements, for example tee box refinements, practice areas, cart path and drainage upgrades, selective tree work, and racquets area landscaping.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, contractors, and the General Manager to deliver on-time, on-budget results with minimal member disruption.
• Contribute to multi-year agronomic and capital planning, including lifecycle planning for equipment, irrigation, and infrastructure.

People Leadership and Culture

• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and mentor a high-performing team, including seasonal staff.
• Build clear standards for quality, pace, and safety. Provide regular feedback, evaluations, and growth plans.
• Deliver required safety and job skills training, including equipment use, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), chemical handling, and heat stress protocols.

Equipment, Facilities, and Compliance

• Oversee equipment maintenance and repair operations. Establish a cleaning and preventative maintenance program for all equipment, tools, and vehicles.
• Maintain clean, safe, and organized maintenance facilities, wash pads, chemical and fertilizer storage, fuel storage, and break areas.
• Implement purchasing and inventory controls for parts, supplies, fertilizers, topdressing materials, seed, and chemicals.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Budgeting, Administration, and Communication

• Build and manage annual operating and capital budgets. Track labor and materials, forecast needs, and deliver monthly variance insights.
• Maintain accurate records for labor schedules, equipment service, irrigation logs, product applications, IPM (Integrated Pest Management) practices, safety meetings, and incident reports.
• Communicate proactively with the General Manager, Golf Professional staff, Events and Dining teams, and committees about course conditions, schedules, weather impacts, and project timelines.

Candidate Profile
Education and Credentials

• Degree or certificate in Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, Horticulture, or related field preferred.
• Current Rhode Island pesticide applicator license, or ability to obtain within 90 days.
• Valid driver's license in good standing.

Experience

• Six (6) or more years of progressive responsibility in golf course maintenance, including supervisory experience, private club or resort experience preferred.
• Demonstrated success with cool-season turf, Donald Ross or classic era playing characteristics, and New England climate management.
• Hands-on experience with irrigation systems, pump stations, moisture management, and water conservation practices.
• Proven track record leading construction or renovation work, including contractor oversight, grow-in, and member communications.
• Experience developing and implementing sustainability initiatives or partnerships with conservation organizations (such as The Nature Conservancy) strongly preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership, organization, and communication skills, written and verbal.
• Budget development, cost control, and data-informed decision making.
• Ability to analyze problems, set priorities, and manage multiple deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Proficient with turf software tools for chemical and fertilizer planning, record keeping, and crew scheduling.
• Work-related Spanish fluency is highly preferred.
• Physical requirements include standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, bending, and kneeling for extended periods, and safely lifting 50 pounds frequently and 100 pounds occasionally.

Success Metrics

• Consistent delivery of daily playing standards, including green speeds, firmness, smoothness, and mowing quality.
• High member satisfaction scores and positive feedback on course conditioning and pace of play.
• On-time and on-budget completion of projects and cultural practice windows.
• Strong safety performance through training, reporting, and reduced incidents.
• Equipment uptime and adherence to preventative maintenance schedules.

Schedule
Full-time, salaried exempt with schedule based on business needs. Early mornings, weekends, and holidays are expected during the primary golf season and during weather events. Year round position.
Compensation and Benefits
Competitive base salary commensurate with experience $115-165k and performance bonus opportunity. Benefits typically include health insurance, life insurance, paid time off, professional association dues, continuing education, and tournament support.
How to Apply
Please send a resume and a brief letter of interest to:
Email: superintendent-search@agawamhunt.org
No Calls Please

Optional materials: maintenance standards examples, before and after project photos, tournament or renovation portfolio, references.