Director of Grounds

The Lookout Mountain Club located in Lookout Mountain, Georgia is seeking a Director of Grounds to lead in the oversight and management of a world class golf property.

The course was recently renovated in 2023 by golf course architects Tyler Rae and Kyle Franz, it was lauded as the top renovation of 2023 by Golf Digest. Lookout Mountain is one of around 30 remaining courses in America designed by Raynor and the only one he designed on a mountain top, making it unique in that it feels like an island in the sky. 

With its challenging holes and breathtaking mountain views, it is a favorite course among professional and amateur golfers. It is home to several prestigious tournaments throughout the year, including the ever-popular member/guest tournament called "The Swing Ding."

ABOUT THE CLUB: 

Situated atop Lookout Mountain, overlooking the vibrant city of Chattanooga, Tennessee, lies the Lookout Mountain Club. Its history is as rich as the rolling greens that grace its slopes. Born from a vision in the 1920s, the club was conceived as an exclusive resort community, akin to legendary destinations like Pinehurst, The Homestead, and The Greenbrier. A world-class golf course, designed by the renowned architect Seth Raynor, would be its crown jewel. However, tragedy struck with Raynor's passing before completion. His trusted associate, Charles Banks, stepped in, finishing the course in 1927.

Though initially christened "Fairyland," the ambitious project faced challenges – from the rugged mountain terrain to the devastating Great Depression. Yet, the Lookout Mountain Golf Club persevered. It emerged as a private haven, fostering camaraderie amongst its members.

The club is based in Georgia but affiliated with Tennessee golf associations. Throughout the years, it has hosted esteemed championships, upholding the high standards envisioned by Raynor.  With its challenging layout and breathtaking panoramic views, the course is a favorite among golfers of all skill levels. It remains a vibrant hub for prestigious tournaments, including the beloved "Swing Ding" member-guest event.

In 2023, backed by the membership, The Lookout Mountain golf course was restored to Raynor's original plan under the expertise of architects Tyler Rae and Kyle Franz. This meticulous restoration earned recognition as Golf Digest's top renovation of the year. Lookout Mountain Club stands as one of only about 50 remaining courses in America designed by the legendary Raynor. Notably, it's the only one perched atop a mountaintop, offering an unparalleled "island in the sky" golfing experience. 

This unique heritage is further celebrated by the Seth Raynor Society, dedicated to preserving these irreplaceable courses. Lookout Mountain Club's efforts earned it recognition as a "Top #125 Classical Golf Course" by Golfweek Magazine.

Course Highlights:

• Greens - AU Victory bentgrass greens
• Tees - Tahoma 31 bermudagrass
• Fairways - Tahoma and 419 Bermuda fairways
• Fescue native areas
• Irrigation system - Rainbird
• Equipment - John Deere, a mix of lease and purchased
• Staff size - 17-24 total team members based on season
• Rounds - 13,500
• Green speed expectations - 11’
• Green Committee - 7 members, serving a 3-year term, meets bi-monthly
• Course projects - maintaining our newly restored golf course- completed in 2023; Continued drainage plan
• The Club offers full-scale country club amenities including Golf, Swimming, Tennis, Pickle Ball, Fitness, Dining, and Special Events.

 POSITION PROFILE

The ideal candidate will possess a comprehensive understanding of turf management in similar or more challenging growing environments, backed by a proven track  record of success in maintaining premier playing conditions, member experiences, while demonstrating a keen ability to elevate conditioning at a Golden Age classic design. 

Position reports to General Manager/CEO

EXPECTED START DATE: January 2025

SUCCESS TRAITS OF INDIVIDUAL:

• Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in turfgrass management, agronomy, or related field. 
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience and responsibilities in golf course management, with demonstrated success in high expectation facilities with recent course construction experience. 
• Obsessive about details, maintains an impeccable on and off-course presence.
• Strong ability to take constructive critique and work with all stakeholders, including the Board of Governors, CEO/GM, and Director of Golf.
• Understands the time commitment and dedication to produce premier conditions
• Passionate and dedicated, with a hands-on approach to golf course management.
• Steward of Golden Age architecture, and integrates course programming to optimize design elements.
• Knowledge of "mountain" golf, high golf IQ
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Uses data to back agronomic decisions, but is observant with a “green thumb”.
• Creative team developer
• Proactive problem solver

INITIAL PRIORITIES OF THE POSITION:

• Learn and understand the operations, culture and golf course including reviewing recent construction methods, soil and turf conditions.
• Oversee and lead the ground operations of our two properties which include our 18 hole Seth Raynor designed golf course
• Prioritizes, prepares and addresses thin turf areas in primary playing areas prior to 2025 golf season. 
• Create a 60-day state of golf course and operations with action plan for the Board and General Manager 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES, KNOWLEDGE, APTITUDE AND OTHER TRAITS:

Turf Management:  

• Strong understanding of playability, firmness, and overall golf course strategy of Golden Age design style.
• Utilize sound, fundamental techniques and best practices to enhance turf health, playability, and aesthetics.
• Establish clearly defined and agreed upon Course Maintenance Standards by which performance evaluations and budget can be measured.
• Communicate effectively and regularly with all stakeholders to ensure full transparency regarding all course-related matters, and to build awareness of course needs and trends.  
• Develops and oversees $1.5M budget and capital expenditures.
• Strong understanding of agronomic and conditioning of newer bermudagrass types and bentgrass varieties
• Results-oriented cultural, fertility and pesticide programming.
• Strong native area and lakes management
• Consistent bunker care practices to prepare a manicured surface, and surrounding grass.
• Establishes and maintains golf course maintenance operations and facilities to help create a safe, productive, and enjoyable environment for employees, as well as golfers and onsite visitors.
• Implement irrigation best practices to optimize water usage, minimize environmental impact, and  enhance course playability.  

  Construction and Infrastructure

• Understands proper construction methods, proper grow-in and post-construction practices.
• Drainage installation experience. 
• Strong project management skills including communication, coordination and quality control.

  Leadership, Team Development & Communication

• Direct, transparent, thoughtful and confident communicator.
• Visible presence, and takes a proactive stance  on educating membership and club about best practices, course conditions  and trends. 
• Recruit and lead a staff of turf team members, providing guidance, training, and support to ensure consistent accountability and performance. 
• Establish and promote an in-house career path for success,  through which team members have clear expectations for the future.  
• Humble, trustworthy, strong character and impeccable integrity.
• Creative, outside the box thinker, who delivers consistent, high quality results.
• Excellent communication skills to interact effectively with members.
• Demonstrates creativity, flexibility, outside the box thinking and assures consistent achievement of goals.
• A true partner with membership and department heads to create an exceptional experience.
• Effective personal and professional leadership skills
• Develop a workplace culture reflective of top performing organizations and ensure consistent focus on motivating and retaining employees, and promoting ethics and values.
• Collaborative in nature, and ability to work effectively with various constituents.
• Strong administrative and record keeping skills

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: 

• Open and commensurate with experience
• Bonus
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401k
• PTO/Vacation
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Continued education
• Local & national dues
• Free food
• Golfing privileges
• Cell phone allowance
• Typical GCSAA benefits package

Application instructions: Please send application materials to Tyler Bloom, Search Consultant, at [email protected] no later than 11/25/2024. Address your cover letter to Mr. Andrew Orbison and the Lookout Mountain Club Search Committee about why you are a good fit for the position, and how this aligns with your professional and personal goals. 

Preliminary zoom interviews will be completed by 11/29/2024 with anticipated in person interviews around mid-December.