Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA)
Golf Course Superintendent
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Louisville, Kentucky, us, 40201
ABOUT VALHALLA GOLF CLUB
Louisville, KY | Situated 20 miles east of downtown Louisville on 486 acres of rolling Kentucky terrain, Valhalla Golf Club is recognized globally as a premier championship golf-only facility.
The course was designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1986 with the purpose of hosting world-class events. Valhalla has hosted four PGA Championships, a Ryder Cup, and two Senior PGA Championships, and is slated to host the 2028 Solheim Cup. The 18-hole championship course features bent grass greens and Zeon Zoysa tees and fairways, consistently earning its recognition on Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.”
In 2022, the Club was acquired by a local ownership group of four long-time members. This new era focuses on enhancing the facility, with a redesigned clubhouse and facilities including a 12.5-acre double-sided practice facility and a state-of-the-art agronomy center to ensure championship conditions.
Valhalla Golf Club remains a distinctive destination, steeped in championship history and dedicated to the traditions of world-class golf. The ownership prioritizes continuing to bring championship golf to Kentucky.
Virtual tour: not available in this text description.
CLUB DETAILS Facility: Privately Owned (No Committees)
Course Access: Private
Number of Holes: 18
Annual Rounds: 15,000
Primary Golf Season: May - October, Club is Open 11 months (closed January)
Caddie Program: Yes, vibrant caddy program; walking strongly encouraged (65% of rounds walk)
Practice Facility: Yes
Short Game Area: Yes
POSITION OVERVIEW Title:
Golf Course Superintendent
Reports to:
General Manager
Supervises:
Agronomy Staff
Position Description:
The Golf Course Superintendent is entrusted with the care, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Valhalla’s golf course, practice facilities, and surrounding grounds. This individual will serve as a hands-on leader, responsible for ensuring pristine playing conditions, environmental stewardship, and innovative agronomic practices that reflect the high standards of the Club and its membership.
Reporting to the General Manager, the Golf Course Superintendent is an integral part of the Club’s executive leadership team and works closely with the Head Golf Professional to deliver an outstanding golf experience. The Golf Course Superintendent is expected to work as a true partner with the Head Golf Professional in the daily operation of the golf course, ensuring seamless coordination between agronomy and golf operations.
ABOUT THE GOLF COURSE Architect: Jack Nicklaus
Age of Course: 39 (Opened in 1986)
Tees and Yardages:
Gold: 7,675 (78.2/155)
Black: 7,020 (75.6/151)
Green: 6,525 (73.1/145)
Blue: 5,965 (70.7/132)
Silver: 5,085 (66.5/126)
Most Recent Renovation:
2021 - Fairways & Tees converted to Zeon Zoysia
2011 - Complete rebuild of greens
Turfgrass Varieties:
Greens: T1 Bentgrass
Surrounds: Zeon Zoysia
Tees: Zeon Zoysia
Fairways: Zeon Zoysia
Maintained Rough: Bluegrass/Fescue blend
Bunkers:
Most Recent Renovation: 2021 (Better Billy Bunker Install)
Number of Bunkers: 65
Equipment:
Primary Brand: Toro
Owned, Leased: Combination, Equipment age 4 years
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Course Conditioning & Playability
Provide championship-level course conditions that consistently meet or exceed owner and member expectations.
Develop and implement innovative agronomic programs, cultural practices, and pest management strategies.
Oversee all aspects of turfgrass management.
Leadership, Mentorship & Team Development
Recruit, train, mentor, and motivate a high-performing turf management team of 30+ staff members.
Serve as a mentor to assistant superintendents, providing guidance, education, and opportunities that promote their professional development and prepare them for future superintendent roles.
Foster a culture of accountability, pride, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Promote safety standards and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Be a highly visible leader on the golf course, regularly engaging with members, professional staff, and maintenance employees to demonstrate accessibility, approachability, and a hands-on commitment to excellence.
Planning, Administration & Operational Partnership
Develop and manage operating and capital budgets in alignment with the Club’s strategic goals.
Collaborate with the General Manager and ownership group on long-range planning, including renovations, upgrades, and sustainability initiatives.
Partner daily with the Head Golf Professional to align course setup, tournament preparation, pace-of-play strategies, and overall member golf experience.
Maintain accurate records of agronomic practices, weather data, pesticide applications, and equipment maintenance.
Communication
Maintain open and professional communication with the General Manager, Golf Professional Staff and ownership.
Provide clear, timely updates regarding course conditions, upcoming projects, and agronomic initiatives.
Represent the Club in a professional manner with members, staff, industry peers, and vendors.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS Including, but not limited to, the following:
A degree in agronomy, turfgrass management, or a related field, with a strong preference for GCSAA Class A certification.
A minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in golf course management, including at least 3–5 years as a superintendent (or successful first assistant ready to take the next step at a top-tier facility).
Demonstrated success in managing cool-season Bentgrass turfgrass on putting surfaces.
Proven ability to deliver elite-level course conditioning.
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to inspire and develop a cohesive, motivated team.
A passion for mentoring assistant superintendents and advancing the next generation of golf course leaders.
Collaborative skills and a proven track record of working in close partnership with golf professionals to enhance the overall member experience.
A leadership style that emphasizes visibility, presence, and engagement on the golf course, ensuring members and staff alike recognize the Golf Course Superintendent as an active, approachable partner in delivering the golf experience.
Financial acumen in managing budgets, capital projects, and cost controls.
Experience with golf course construction, renovations, and capital improvements is highly desirable.
A forward-thinking mindset with a passion for innovation, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.
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The course was designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1986 with the purpose of hosting world-class events. Valhalla has hosted four PGA Championships, a Ryder Cup, and two Senior PGA Championships, and is slated to host the 2028 Solheim Cup. The 18-hole championship course features bent grass greens and Zeon Zoysa tees and fairways, consistently earning its recognition on Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.”
In 2022, the Club was acquired by a local ownership group of four long-time members. This new era focuses on enhancing the facility, with a redesigned clubhouse and facilities including a 12.5-acre double-sided practice facility and a state-of-the-art agronomy center to ensure championship conditions.
Valhalla Golf Club remains a distinctive destination, steeped in championship history and dedicated to the traditions of world-class golf. The ownership prioritizes continuing to bring championship golf to Kentucky.
Virtual tour: not available in this text description.
CLUB DETAILS Facility: Privately Owned (No Committees)
Course Access: Private
Number of Holes: 18
Annual Rounds: 15,000
Primary Golf Season: May - October, Club is Open 11 months (closed January)
Caddie Program: Yes, vibrant caddy program; walking strongly encouraged (65% of rounds walk)
Practice Facility: Yes
Short Game Area: Yes
POSITION OVERVIEW Title:
Golf Course Superintendent
Reports to:
General Manager
Supervises:
Agronomy Staff
Position Description:
The Golf Course Superintendent is entrusted with the care, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Valhalla’s golf course, practice facilities, and surrounding grounds. This individual will serve as a hands-on leader, responsible for ensuring pristine playing conditions, environmental stewardship, and innovative agronomic practices that reflect the high standards of the Club and its membership.
Reporting to the General Manager, the Golf Course Superintendent is an integral part of the Club’s executive leadership team and works closely with the Head Golf Professional to deliver an outstanding golf experience. The Golf Course Superintendent is expected to work as a true partner with the Head Golf Professional in the daily operation of the golf course, ensuring seamless coordination between agronomy and golf operations.
ABOUT THE GOLF COURSE Architect: Jack Nicklaus
Age of Course: 39 (Opened in 1986)
Tees and Yardages:
Gold: 7,675 (78.2/155)
Black: 7,020 (75.6/151)
Green: 6,525 (73.1/145)
Blue: 5,965 (70.7/132)
Silver: 5,085 (66.5/126)
Most Recent Renovation:
2021 - Fairways & Tees converted to Zeon Zoysia
2011 - Complete rebuild of greens
Turfgrass Varieties:
Greens: T1 Bentgrass
Surrounds: Zeon Zoysia
Tees: Zeon Zoysia
Fairways: Zeon Zoysia
Maintained Rough: Bluegrass/Fescue blend
Bunkers:
Most Recent Renovation: 2021 (Better Billy Bunker Install)
Number of Bunkers: 65
Equipment:
Primary Brand: Toro
Owned, Leased: Combination, Equipment age 4 years
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Course Conditioning & Playability
Provide championship-level course conditions that consistently meet or exceed owner and member expectations.
Develop and implement innovative agronomic programs, cultural practices, and pest management strategies.
Oversee all aspects of turfgrass management.
Leadership, Mentorship & Team Development
Recruit, train, mentor, and motivate a high-performing turf management team of 30+ staff members.
Serve as a mentor to assistant superintendents, providing guidance, education, and opportunities that promote their professional development and prepare them for future superintendent roles.
Foster a culture of accountability, pride, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Promote safety standards and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Be a highly visible leader on the golf course, regularly engaging with members, professional staff, and maintenance employees to demonstrate accessibility, approachability, and a hands-on commitment to excellence.
Planning, Administration & Operational Partnership
Develop and manage operating and capital budgets in alignment with the Club’s strategic goals.
Collaborate with the General Manager and ownership group on long-range planning, including renovations, upgrades, and sustainability initiatives.
Partner daily with the Head Golf Professional to align course setup, tournament preparation, pace-of-play strategies, and overall member golf experience.
Maintain accurate records of agronomic practices, weather data, pesticide applications, and equipment maintenance.
Communication
Maintain open and professional communication with the General Manager, Golf Professional Staff and ownership.
Provide clear, timely updates regarding course conditions, upcoming projects, and agronomic initiatives.
Represent the Club in a professional manner with members, staff, industry peers, and vendors.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS Including, but not limited to, the following:
A degree in agronomy, turfgrass management, or a related field, with a strong preference for GCSAA Class A certification.
A minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in golf course management, including at least 3–5 years as a superintendent (or successful first assistant ready to take the next step at a top-tier facility).
Demonstrated success in managing cool-season Bentgrass turfgrass on putting surfaces.
Proven ability to deliver elite-level course conditioning.
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to inspire and develop a cohesive, motivated team.
A passion for mentoring assistant superintendents and advancing the next generation of golf course leaders.
Collaborative skills and a proven track record of working in close partnership with golf professionals to enhance the overall member experience.
A leadership style that emphasizes visibility, presence, and engagement on the golf course, ensuring members and staff alike recognize the Golf Course Superintendent as an active, approachable partner in delivering the golf experience.
Financial acumen in managing budgets, capital projects, and cost controls.
Experience with golf course construction, renovations, and capital improvements is highly desirable.
A forward-thinking mindset with a passion for innovation, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.
#J-18808-Ljbffr