Director of Agronomy

ABOUT HARBOUR RIDGE YACHT & COUNTRY CLUB Palm City, FL | Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club is a premier private, member-owned club community located along Florida’s Treasure Coast in Palm City, Florida. Situated on approximately 885 acres along the scenic St. Lucie River, Harbour Ridge offers an exceptional lifestyle centered around championship golf, boating, racquet sports, wellness, dining, and a vibrant year-round social atmosphere. The club features two distinct 18-hole championship golf courses designed by some of the game’s most respected architects, including Pete Dye, P.B. Dye, and Joe Lee. The River Ridge and Golden Marsh courses provide a unique blend of strategic design, native landscapes, waterfront views, and championship‑level conditioning. In addition to its celebrated golf experience, Harbour Ridge includes a state‑of‑the‑art practice facility, marina with nearly 100 slips, multiple dining venues, tennis and pickleball facilities, fitness and wellness amenities, and a beautifully renovated waterfront clubhouse. Harbour Ridge is seeking an experienced, highly visible, and team‑oriented Director of Agronomy to lead all golf course maintenance operations while continuing to elevate the club’s conditioning standards and environmental stewardship. This position replaces a long‑tenured Director of Agronomy who is retiring. About Palm City, FL Palm City, Florida, offers an exceptional lifestyle for a golf course superintendent seeking both professional fulfillment and a high quality of life. Located along Florida’s beautiful Treasure Coast, Palm City provides year‑round growing conditions that allow agronomic professionals to fully utilize their expertise while working in one of the country’s premier golf environments. Beyond the golf industry, the area is known for its outstanding boating, fishing, waterfront living, and outdoor recreation, all complemented by a relaxed coastal atmosphere and strong sense of community. With convenient access to Jupiter, Palm Beach, and South Florida’s major airports and amenities, Palm City combines the advantages of a prestigious golf market with a family‑friendly lifestyle, excellent weather, and abundant opportunities to enjoy the outdoors year‑round. CLUB DETAILS Facility: Member-Owned Course Access: Private Number of Holes: 36 Annual Rounds: Approximately 60,000 Primary Golf Season: November - April, Open 12 Months Caddy Program: No Practice Facility: Yes Short Game Area: Yes Total Golf Maintenance Budget: $4.5M Total Golf Maintenance Payroll Budget: $2.8M (including burden) Full‑time, Year‑Round Staff: 46 COURSE DETAILS Architects: Joe Lee / Boby Weed, Pete Dye / PB Dye Age of Course: 1984, 1987 Number of Tees: 5 Most Recent Renovations: 2015 & 2018 (Irrigation, Re‑grass Fairways & Greens) Turfgrass Varieties: Greens: TifEagle Surrounds: Celebration Tees: Celebration Fairways: Celebration Bunkers: Renovated in 2025, G‑Angle Sand Equipment: Combination of purchase and lease Primary Brand: Toro POSITION OVERVIEW Title: Director of Agronomy Reports to: General Manager Supervises: 2 Head Superintendents, Agronomy Operations (Approx. 50 in total) Position Description: The Director of Agronomy is responsible for the overall leadership, management, planning, and execution of golf course maintenance operations for both championship golf courses. This individual will oversee all aspects of agronomic practices, personnel development, budgeting, capital planning, environmental compliance, and equipment/facility management. The successful candidate will possess exceptional agronomic expertise, strong leadership and communication skills, and the ability to build positive relationships with members, staff, committees, and senior leadership. This position reports directly to the General Manager/COO and works closely with the Golf Professional staff, Greens Committee, and Board leadership. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Agronomic & Golf Course Operations Direct all maintenance operations for 36 holes of championship golf, practice facilities, landscaping, and related club properties. Develop and implement comprehensive agronomic programs that deliver consistently exceptional playing conditions year‑round. Oversee turfgrass management practices, including fertility, irrigation, drainage, cultivation, pest management, and water conservation. Maintain a detailed understanding of South Florida turfgrass management and environmental conditions. Ensure proper setup and presentation of golf courses for daily play, tournaments, member events, and special competitions. Evaluate course conditions continuously and proactively identify improvement opportunities. Collaborate with club leadership and golf operations to align conditioning standards with member expectations. Lead short‑and‑long‑term capital improvement planning. Oversee construction, renovation, and grow‑in projects as needed. Maintain compliance with all federal, state, and local environmental regulations. Leadership & Team Development Recruit, train, mentor, and develop a high‑performing agronomy team. Foster a positive, accountable, and team‑oriented culture focused on professionalism and continuous improvement. Conduct regular performance evaluations and create development opportunities for assistants and team members. Establish clear operating standards, safety procedures, and departmental expectations. Promote a workplace culture centered around communication, respect, and operational excellence. Financial & Administrative Management Prepare and manage annual operating and capital budgets. Monitor labor, equipment, irrigation, and supply costs to ensure financial accountability. Develop strategic equipment replacement and infrastructure plans. Maintain accurate records related to chemical applications, water usage, payroll, equipment maintenance, and compliance. Utilize data and reporting to improve operational efficiency and course conditions. Member & Club Relations Serve as a visible and approachable leader within the club community. Communicate effectively with members regarding agronomic programs, course conditions, weather impacts, and improvement initiatives. Participate in committee meetings and provide professional recommendations to club leadership. Collaborate closely with golf operations to maximize the member experience. EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS Including, but not limited to, the following: Bachelor’s or Associate degree in Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, Horticulture, or related field preferred. Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive golf course management experience. Prior experience as a Director of Agronomy, Golf Course Superintendent, or Senior Assistant at a high‑end private club is required. Experience with major course renovations is preferred. Experience managing multi‑course facilities strongly preferred. Extensive experience with warm‑season turfgrasses and South Florida growing conditions. Strong understanding of irrigation systems, water management, and environmental stewardship. Florida pesticide license or the ability to obtain one within a reasonable timeframe. GCSAA membership required. BMP Certified. The ideal candidate will be an experienced agronomic leader with a proven track record of successfully managing high‑end private club environments and maintaining exceptional golf course conditions in a warm‑season climate. The successful candidate will demonstrate: Strong agronomic knowledge and technical expertise. High emotional intelligence and leadership presence. Excellent communication and organizational skills. A proactive and solutions‑oriented mindset. Financial acumen and budget management experience. A commitment to staff development and team culture. The ability to thrive in a highly engaged member environment. Passion for delivering championship‑level conditioning and member satisfaction. #J-18808-Ljbffr