Menlo Park, California
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Posted: 07-May-26
Location: Menlo Park, California
Type: Full Time
Salary: $350,000 - $400,000
Additional Information:
DIRECTOR OF AGRONOMY PROFILE:
SHARON HEIGHTS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
MENLO PARK, CA
DIRECTOR OF AGRONOMY AT SHARON HEIGHTS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club is seeking an innovative, high-attention-to-detail, team-oriented Director of Agronomy with a passion for consistently providing exceptional golfing conditions. The Director of Agronomy will have experience with and an understanding of great clubs and classic golf course architecture, along with strong agronomic, organizational, communication, and leadership skills focused on consistently delivering best-in-class golf course conditions.
Click here to view a brief video about this opportunity.
ABOUT SHARON HEIGHTS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley in Menlo Park, California, Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club is a premier private club renowned for its exceptional golf experience and refined lifestyle. Home to a classic 18-hole layout originally designed by Jack Fleming in 1962, the course winds gracefully through rolling hills and stands of majestic oak trees, offering a strategic challenge and timeless beauty that reward both precision and creativity.
In 2023, the club completed a transformative $23M renovation led by Todd Eckenrode and Origins Golf Design. Every tee, fairway, bunker, and green was thoughtfully reimagined to deliver greater strategic variety, improved playing surfaces, and a more engaging experience for members. The project also advanced the club’s long-term sustainability objectives, setting a new standard for environmental stewardship and course conditioning in the region. Sharon Heights continues to host prestigious events, including the LPGA Fortinet Founders Cup, reinforcing its standing as one of Northern California’s most respected golf destinations.
Beyond golf, Sharon Heights provides a wide range of amenities that enhance its vibrant community atmosphere. The club offers exceptional dining, numerous golf events and instruction, an active racquet sports program, a full-service pool complex, and a competitive youth swim team. Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club continues to offer its members not only world-class golf but a rich tradition of leisure, competition, and camaraderie.
SHARON HEIGHTS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB BY THE NUMBERS
- 565 Members
- Annual Rounds Approximately: 26,000
- 40 % Carts
- Handicaps: Men – 16.8, Women 28.7
- Grounds Budget Approximately: $4.05M
- Irrigation System: 2023 install, Brand and control system Rainbird
- Water Source/Restrictions: Recycled Water Facility on Site
- Greens and Grounds Committee: Chairperson, term 1- 3 years, 9 Committee Members, 8-11 meetings per year
- Green Speed Expectations: 11.5
- Greens- USGA, Bentgrass Variety Pure Distinction
- Fairways and tees – Bentgrass, Varieties Blend of Pures
- Bunker Liner: Capillary Concrete
- Starting Tee times at 8:00 a.m.
SHARON HEIGHTS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB WEBSITE: www.sharonheightsgcc.com
DIRECTOR OF AGRONOMY - POSITION OVERVIEW
The Director of Agronomy at Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club reports directly to the General Manager/Chief Operating Officer. He works closely with the Greens & Grounds Committee and its Chairperson. The Director of Agronomy will lead and manage their department to ensure exceptional golfing conditions daily. The Director of Agronomy is responsible for all day-to-day operations of the Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club golf course and grounds.
In addition, the Director of Agronomy will provide innovative and relevant leadership and will perpetuate and foster an educational culture that develops and produces future turf professionals. They must have a natural style of “sincere engagement” with members and staff, a love of the game of golf, and a relentless attention to detail. They are expected to be a visible presence on the Club’s team and among the Members.
Direct Reports include: Superintendent; 1 Assistant; Shop Manager; Horticulturalist
KEY ATTRIBUTES AND AREAS OF FOCUS
Agronomics
- Deliver consistently firm, fast, and high-quality playing conditions across greens, fairways, tees, and roughs.
- Lead the control and management of Poa annua across all playing surfaces.
- Evaluate and enhance fairway sand capping, drainage systems, irrigation infrastructure, and bunker surrounds.
- Oversee all Club grounds, including landscaping and comprehensive tree management planning.
- Remain current with emerging technologies and actively engage with industry peers to drive continuous improvement.
Member Engagement
- Maintain a visible and approachable presence with the membership at appropriate times.
- Serve as liaison between management team and membership, representing team at committee meetings and leading Greens and Grounds Committee in conjunction with Chairperson.
- Communicate clearly, tactfully, and consistently using in-person, written, and digital channels, including social media, to keep members informed on course conditions and projects.
Leadership
- Serve as a confident, organized leader across the agronomy team, Executive Staff, and Committee levels.
- Foster a culture of development by providing coaching, mentoring, and ongoing educational opportunities.
- Recruit, develop, and mentor future professionals, including establishing and supporting a turf student intern program.
Club Management Team
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with the General Manager, Director of Golf, Golf Professionals, and Executive Staff.
- Actively contribute to Executive Management Team meetings and overall club leadership initiatives.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will either be a successful Director of Agronomy at a club known for exceptional playability or be regarded as an up-and-coming “superstar” with at least 5 years of experience.
- Proven track record of delivering exceptional golf course conditions
- Advanced knowledge of agronomy, soil science, and turfgrass management best practices
- Experience maintaining and improving course conditions in comparable or more challenging climates
- Ability to consistently deliver high-quality playing surfaces, including firm and fast greens, while protecting long-term turf health
- Experience with post-renovation grow-in, turf maturation, and course refinement
- Skilled in managing native/fescue areas and tree programs focused on health and shade mitigation
- Strong expertise in irrigation strategy, water management, and system maintenance
- Experience overseeing golf course maintenance equipment, including repair and replacement planning
- Detail-oriented with a hands-on, proactive approach
- High golf IQ with a genuine passion for the game
- Collaborative team builder with strong leadership experience
- Proven ability to recruit, develop, motivate, and manage high-performing teams
- Effective supervisory, planning, and time management skills
- Strong budgeting and financial management experience
- Experience coordinating operations with other department heads
- Visible, engaged, and approachable presence with members and staff
- Proactive, transparent communicator with strong interpersonal and listening skills
- Demonstrated commitment to continuous professional development
- Track record of career progression and growth
- Respect for club traditions and heritage
- Interest in golf course architecture is a plus
- Spanish language skills are beneficial, but not required
EDUCATIONAL AND CERTIFICATION QUALIFICATIONS
- A degree in turf management or a related field of study is required.
- GCSAA Certification and Pesticide Certification are preferred.
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary is open and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The club offers an excellent bonus and benefits package, including association membership. Salary Range: $350,000 - $400,000.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY
Please upload your resume and cover letter, in that order, using the link below. You should have your documents fully prepared to attach when prompted during the online application process. Please be sure your image is not present on your resume or cover letter; that should be used on your LinkedIn Profile.
Prepare a thoughtful cover letter addressed to Mr. Aaron Grant, General Manager/COO, and clearly articulate why you want to be considered for this position at this stage of your career and why SHGCC and the Menlo Park, CA area will be beneficial to you, your family, your career, and the Club if selected.
You must apply for this role as soon as possible, but no later than June 1st. Interviews will occur mid-June, with the new Director of Agronomy starting as soon as possible, but no later than late July.
IMPORTANT: Save your resume and letter in the following manner:
“Last Name, First Name Resume”
“Last Name, First Name Cover Letter – SHGCC”
(These documents should be in Word or PDF format.)
Note: Once you complete the application process for this search, you will not be able to go back and add additional documents.
Click here to upload your resume and cover letter.
If you have any questions, please email Katy Eliades: katy@kkandw.com
Lead Search Executive:
Armen Suny
Search Executive
O: (833) KKW-HIRE, ext.720 ? M: (303) 570-2741
armen@kkandw.com