What are the different jobs at a golf course?
There are a variety of possible jobs at golf courses, ranging from golf instructor to sales clerk to the laborers who cut the fairways and greens. However, there are only a few jobs that offer potential careers, with opportunities for solid advancement in position and pay.
What does a golf course superintendent do?
The job is to take care of all the different varieties of grasses, trees and shrubs on the golf course, to manage the landscape crew and to handle the obstacles (heavy rains, storms, obsessive heat) Mother Nature may bring. The superintendent also oversees the budget for care and maintenance of the course and grounds.
What are the duties of a general manager of a golf course?
The person who oversees the entire operations of the golf course is the general manager. He hires and manages staff, oversees the budget and implements marketing plans. At some courses, the general manager is also a PGA teaching professional.
What is overseed on a golf course?
Since overseeding golf courses takes place between September and October, the perfect weather draws many golfers to Arizona, the home of the TPC Stadium Course and the Waste Management Phoenix Open. It is a process in which new winter ryegrass is planted in place of dormant Bermuda grass.
Who is in charge of a golf course?
A golf course superintendent is a person who professionally manages the labor, time, materials and financial resources needed to care for the turfgrass and landscaped grounds on a golf course. Golf course superintendents have also been referred to as greenskeepers and turf managers.
Who is responsible for taking care of a golf course?
A golf superintendent is the one who is responsible for the routine maintenance and management of a golf course and golf facilities.
What are the governing bodies of golf?
The United States Golf Association (USGA) is the United States national association of golf courses, clubs and facilities and the governing body of golf for the U.S. and Mexico. Together with The R&A, the USGA produces and interprets the rules of golf.
Who owns a golf course?
Municipal courses are owned and/or managed by the city, town or county. Public courses are owned by individuals, real estate development companies, partnerships or corporations. Public courses may be owned by one entity and managed by another.
What does a golf course supervisor do?
A golf course superintendent manages and directs the maintenance, management and operation of golf courses. They conduct routine inspection of equipment and vehicles to ensure productivity and safety of the facility.
What do greenkeepers do?
A greenkeeper is responsible for the maintenance, care and overall appearance of a golf course. It is their job to maintain a good playing surface and ensure the course offers a consistent challenge and an enjoyable experience to golfers.
What is difference between USGA and PGA?
But again, as we have said, when you are wondering about the USGA vs PGA and how they differ, just remember PGA is a golf tour and the USGA is the governing body that oversees the PGA tour, ensuring that proper rules are in place to protect the integrity of the sport.
Who runs the US golf Open?
The Saudi-backed LIV Golf tees off, and the PGA Tour quickly suspends 17 players. Despite the tensions hovering over the sport, players on both sides of the divide came together for the Open, which is run by the U.S. Golf Association.
Who governs the PGA Tour?
The PGA of America director is Brian Whitcomb, the association's president. The Player directors are consulted but have little input in the appointment of independent directors. This nine-man council sits at the right hand of Finchem and governs the tour.
How profitable is owning a golf course?
Profitable golf courses are generally selling for six to eight times EBITDA, while courses that aren't profitable tend to sell at 0.8 to 1.4 times revenue.
Who owns most of the golf courses in the USA?
Troon Golf is the leading company with more than 630 golf courses in their portfolio....Golf course management companies by the number of golf courses worldwide in 2021.CharacteristicNumber of golf coursesTroon Golf*630ClubCorp208.511 more rows
Who owns a non-equity club?
A non-equity club is owned and run by a third party entity. Though memberships are less costly, they may offer fewer amenities in addition to the course. Depending on where your priorities lie, you might have a strong preference for one membership type or the other.
What is Overseeding?
This is the annual process when the courses will each close for a couple of weeks in the mid-September to mid-October time frame (exact dates will...
Why do courses overseed?
The summer Bermuda grass in Arizona will go dormant once the cooler temperatures come in during the early fall months of mid-September to mid-Octob...
Is coming out during the overseeding season a good time to golf in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area?
The mid-September to mid-October time frame can be a very good time to come out to the Scottsdale/Phoenix area to golf. This is when the weather is...
What does cart path only mean?
After the completion of the overseeding process the courses will typically put the cart path only rule in place on every hole to allow the freshly...
How long do courses keep the cart path only rule in place?
Courses will keep the cart path only rule in place for typically 4-8 weeks after the completion of the overseeding process (this will vary from cou...
Are there exceptions to the cart path only rule?
Yes, on occasion certain courses may allow guests to have a "medical flag" that may allow golfers to drive to the golf ball at a 90 degree angle pr...
What is the 90 degree cart rule?
The 90-degree rule means that a golfer is supposed to drive their cart along the cart path until the cart has reached a point where a 90-degree tur...
Who oversees the entire operations of a golf course?
The person who oversees the entire operations of the golf course is the general manager. He hires and manages staff, oversees the budget and implements marketing plans. At some courses, the general manager is also a PGA teaching professional. According to a number of job websites, as of 2010, a golf course manager's salary generally ranges ...
What are the jobs at golf courses?
There are a variety of possible jobs at golf courses, ranging from golf instructor to sales clerk to the laborers who cut the fairways and greens.
What is the job of a caddy master?
That person is the caddy master. His biggest job is to manage the course caddies, coordinate their work schedules and develop training programs for the caddies.
What is a staff professional in golf?
Staff Professional. PGA teaching professionals are sometimes called assistants and work underneath the head pro. Many of them teach, work in the golf shop and coordinate golf course events and tournaments. These staffers are many times certified PGA professionals or in the PGA apprentice program.
What is a head pro in golf?
Head Golf Professional. The golf course's head pro usually oversees the golf shop operations and the golf teaching staff. She is almost always a certified class-A PGA professional and generally has been an assistant professional or a staff teaching professional at a golf course or driving range. According to the PGA of America, as ...
What is a golf food and beverage manager?
The food and beverage manager oversees dining and food budgets, orders needed supplies, manages food staff and helps to coordinate special course events , such as golf outings. She may also work as a sales associate to help promote the golf course's dining or banquet facilities.
How do rangers manage golf?
Rangers manage play around the golf course by keeping tabs on pace-of-play and helping assist players with such things as misplaced clubs or a lost ball. Many starters and rangers are paid on an hourly scale.
When is golf season in the desert?
All these courses are gearing up for their high season, which generally runs from January through April.
What grass is overseeding?
For those who aren't familiar with the practice, overseeding is typically done on courses with Bermuda grass, which goes dormant in winter. The top layer is scalped off and seeded with ryegrass, which grows in, allowing the course to keep its fairways, tees and greens looking nice and green for sun-starved Northerners.
GOLF GIVES BACK
Despite an economic downturn in 2008, charities across the country continued to benefit from golf. In 2011, $3.9 billion was raised for charities, according to a study released by the National Golf Foundation. A vibrant and healthy community is important for establishing a vibrant and healthy environment.
GREEN TRAVELERS VALUE GREEN COURSES
In 2006, out-of-state visitors contributed more than $1.9 billion in golf-related tourism and activities to the state of Arizona. Travelers tend to be more savvy and knowledgeable about sustainability ─ according to research, 4 out of 10 U.S. travelers consider the environment when planning trips.
Who owns Sierra Golf?
Jeff Christensen, Founder and CEO of Sierra Golf has been a PGA Professional since 1984. With over 30 years experience at private clubs, resorts, public and municipal facilities, Mr. Christensen brings a depth of knowledge unequaled in the industry. Mr. Christensen’s unique ability to problem solve, direct staff, compound resources and administrate complex revenue management during his tenure has made him a leader in the golf industry. Jeff and his wife of 34 years, Kim founded the company and are the sole shareholders of the corporation. Jeff was instrumental in the purchasing, building and development of Pheasant Run Golf Club in Chowchilla, CA, making him one of a select few PGA Professionals in the country that owns and manages his own golf facility. Jeff and Kim have three children, Jared, Conner and Hannahbella.
Who is Chad Jackson?
Chad Jackson joined the SGM team as our Food & Beverage Director and quickly ascended to Regional Manager and now Vice President of Operations. With 15 years experience and his uniquely tailored back ground in Country Clubs, Food & Beverage and Team Building, it enabled him to become an integral part of the SGM world. His knowledge of operational procedures, revenue management, inventory control and food & beverage is what sets him apart from others in the industry. Chad’s experience comes from private, public, resort and municipal facilities from the bay area to the central valley. Chad is currently in the PGA program working towards membership
Is golf business changing?
The business of golf is ever changing. Without change, support, and creativity, many golf courses will have a very difficult time surviving in today’s new golf economy. Let us show you how to change, how to improve, how to grow more rounds, how to improve your playing conditions, and how to improve the bottom line.
Does SGM increase golf?
It may not always be noticed, but is always constant. BOTTOM LINE: SGM will improve the quality and service of your golf facility, which, in turn will increase the total rounds of golf at your course. That’s the equation to more net revenue for a facility.. It’s really that simple!
Aesthetics of Overseeding
Overseeding's Effect on Play
- Overseeding often involves putting the seed down along with a thin layer of sand, then allowing the new grass to grow in for many days without being cut. So overseeding (which is sometimes done in conjunction with aeration) can, for a period of a week or 10 days or so, result in very "hairy" greens, fairways and tee boxes. Because greens with uncut grass can be difficult to putt on, so…
Emerging Alternative to Overseeding
- Overseeding a golf course requires time, labor and money, and inconveniences golfers during the grow-in times. Is there a better alternative? There might be one emerging. Some golf courses have experimented over the years with coloring, or painting, their dormant turfgrass, rather than overseeding it. It sounds kind of silly, but as the quality of the "turf colorants" has improved, and …
Overview
General Manager
- The person who oversees the entire operations of the golf course is the general manager. He hires and manages staff, oversees the budget and implements marketing plans. At some courses, the general manager is also a PGA teaching professional. According to a number of job websites, as of 2010, a golf course manager's salary generally ranges from $60...
Head Golf Professional
- The golf course's head pro usually oversees the golf shop operations and the golf teaching staff. She is almost always a certified class-A PGA professional and generally has been an assistant professional or a staff teaching professional at a golf course or driving range. According to the PGA of America, as of 2010, a head pro's yearly salary can range between $35,000 and $100,000.
Staff Professional
- PGA teaching professionals are sometimes called assistants and work underneath the head pro. Many of them teach, work in the golf shop and coordinate golf course events and tournaments. These staffers are many times certified PGA professionals or in the PGA apprentice program. Job websites estimate annual pay at between $25,000 and $60,000 as of 2010.
Course Superintendent
- To become a golf course superintendent, or head greenskeeper, you must have an education in agronomy or turfgrass management. The job is to take care of all the different varieties of grasses, trees and shrubs on the golf course, to manage the landscape crew and to handle the obstacles (heavy rains, storms, obsessive heat) Mother Nature may bring. The superintendent al…
Caddy Master
- Mainly at private golf clubs, someone is needed to oversee caddy operations, train caddies and coordinate caddy work. That person is the caddy master. His biggest job is to manage the course caddies, coordinate their work schedules and develop training programs for the caddies. According to sports and recreation job websites, a caddy master can make between $20,000 an…
Starters and Rangers
- To help manage tee times and player start times, and to help facilitate play around the course, golf clubs hire starters and rangers. The starter is the first tee's gatekeeper, managing the tee times as players begin their rounds. This position requires organizational skills and a personable demeanor, as starters welcome golfers to the course. Rangers manage play around the golf cou…
Food and Beverage Manager
- If the golf course has dining, bar or banquet facilities, there is likely a position for someone to manage this part of the golf club's operations. The food and beverage manager oversees dining and food budgets, orders needed supplies, manages food staff and helps to coordinate special course events, such as golf outings. She may also work as a sales associate to help promote th…