First Assistant Golf Professional

Job Description

Job Description

The First Assistant Golf Professional is a key member of the Golf Leadership Team at PGA National Resort and plays an integral role in the daily leadership, execution and continued advancement of the Resort’s Golf Operations. Reporting directly to the Resort Head Golf Professional, this position serves as a highly visible leader within the operation and assists in translating the vision, standards and priorities of Golf Operations into a consistently exceptional experience for members, resort guests and associates.

The First Assistant will be actively involved across all facets of the golf operation, including daily golf operations, professional staff leadership and scheduling, member programming, tournaments, pace of play, practice facilities, retail, outside operations and interdepartmental coordination. The successful candidate will possess strong leadership and organizational skills, exceptional attention to detail, sound judgment and the ability to anticipate operational needs in a complex, high-volume golf environment.

A significant responsibility of the position is the leadership and development of the Golf Professional staff. The First Assistant will help establish expectations, reinforce operating and service standards, provide coaching and accountability, and create meaningful opportunities for professional growth. PGA National is committed to developing its Golf Professionals and preparing them for increased responsibility and advancement within PGA National Resort or throughout the golf industry.

This position requires a hands-on, visible leadership style and an individual who takes ownership of the operation rather than simply completing assigned responsibilities. The First Assistant is expected to build strong relationships with members, support fellow leaders and departments, proactively identify opportunities for improvement, and consistently reinforce a culture centered on service, professionalism, accountability and excellence in the details. The ideal candidate views the First Assistant position as an important leadership opportunity and a pathway toward becoming a Head Golf Professional. PGA National is seeking an ambitious, high-performing Golf Professional with the potential and desire to develop into the Resort Head Golf Professional role within approximately two to three years, based on demonstrated performance, leadership growth and the evolving needs of the operation.

DESIRED QUALITIES & QUALIFICATIONS:

• PGA Class “A” Member in good standing preferred; PGA Associate actively progressing toward membership considered.
• Personal character that personifies professionalism, integrity and sound judgment on and off the golf course.
• A visible, engaging and approachable leader who actively seeks opportunities to interact with members, resort guests and associates.
• A service-first mindset with an instinct for anticipation, recognition, personalization and exceptional follow-through.
• Demonstrated leadership ability with the capacity and desire to lead, coach, develop and hold Golf Professionals accountable to established service and operating standards.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize, communicate and execute effectively within a complex, high-volume golf operation.
• An uncompromising commitment to service excellence, presentation, consistency and attention to detail across every aspect of the golf experience.
• Working knowledge of Golf Genius and contemporary tee-sheet, point-of-sale, communication, scheduling and reporting platforms.
• Strong understanding of golf operations, including daily play, tournament execution, member programming, pace of play, practice facilities and professional staff management.
• A confident player with the ability and desire to engage members through golf when opportunities arise.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the Resort Head Golf Professional in the daily leadership and execution of Golf Operations at PGA National Resort, consistently delivering established operating standards and the desired member and resort guest experience.
• Serve as the Resort Head Golf Professional’s primary operational partner, maintaining a comprehensive understanding of daily activity across the golf operation and ensuring priorities, standards, staffing and communication are effectively coordinated and executed.
• Serve as a key operational leader and primary resource for the Professional staff, providing daily direction, line-ups, communication, coaching and support while ensuring the team understands daily priorities and reinforcing established expectations, accountability and service standards.
• Assist with daily staff deployment, scheduling, timekeeping and supervision, ensuring appropriate coverage and effective utilization of the Golf Professional team across the Resort’s golf operation.
• Maintain a highly visible presence throughout the golf operation, regularly engaging members and resort guests at arrival, in the golf shop, on the practice facilities, at the first tee and throughout the courses.
• Deliver an exceptional golf experience built on recognition, anticipation, proactive communication, personalization and consistent follow-through for both members and resort guests.
• Take ownership of the daily readiness and presentation of Golf Operations, ensuring established standards, checklists, opening and closing procedures and communication routines are consistently executed.
• Assist in overseeing daily play across the Resort’s golf courses, including tee-sheet management, starting procedures, pace of play, course access and communication of changing operational conditions.
• Support the planning and execution of member golf programming, tournaments, resort events and special golf experiences, coordinating effectively with Tournament Operations and other departments.
• Assist with Golf Operations financial controls and administrative responsibilities, including payroll and labor management, revenue and expense tracking, budgeting support and operational reporting.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Retail and Golf Shop teams to support merchandising, inventory controls, special orders, presentation standards and an exceptional retail experience.
• Maintain close communication with Agronomy regarding course conditions, daily setup, practice-facility standards, cart restrictions and other information affecting the member and resort guest experience.
• Understand, communicate and consistently enforce policies governing golf access, attire, pace of play, golf carts, practice facilities and player conduct in a professional and hospitality-focused manner.
• Partner closely with Outside Operations to ensure exceptional setup, cleanliness, organization and presentation across arrival, bag services, cart staging, practice facilities, first-tee operations and departure.
• Play an active role in the training, mentoring and professional development of the Professional staff, creating accountability while helping them prepare for increased responsibility and career advancement.
• Identify operational challenges and opportunities for improvement, bringing forward thoughtful solutions that improve service, efficiency, consistency and the overall golf experience.
• Assume primary operational leadership in the absence of the Resort Head Golf Professional, providing confident decision-making, clear communication and operational continuity as required.
• Cultivate strong, collaborative working relationships across Golf Operations, Agronomy, Retail, Tournament Operations, Instruction, Outside Operations and Resort leadership.

  GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support and strengthen a golf culture centered on service, professionalism, teamwork, accountability and excellence in the details.
• Be highly visible, approachable and responsive while enthusiastically promoting golf, programming and participation throughout PGA National Resort.
• Build meaningful relationships with members and resort guests through consistent follow-through, sound judgment and a genuine interest in their golf experience.
• Remain knowledgeable about PGA National Resort, its golf courses, programming, facilities and broader amenities and services available to members and resort guests.
• Play golf with members and resort guests when appropriate, utilizing time on the golf course to build relationships, evaluate the golf experience and professionally represent PGA National Resort.
• Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor consistent with PGA National standards at all times.
• Demonstrate flexibility, initiative and a willingness to assist across all areas of Golf Operations based on the needs of the Resort.
• Pursue continued professional growth through PGA education, mentorship, leadership exposure and increased operational responsibility, with the goal of developing into a future Head Golf Professional, Director of Golf or senior leader within the golf industry.