Description

ABOUT VALHALLA GOLF CLUB

Louisville, KY | Situated 20 miles east of downtown Louisville on 486 acres of rolling Kentucky terrain, Valhalla Golf Club is recognized globally as a premier championship golf-only facility.

The course was masterfully designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1986 with the sole purpose of hosting world-class events. Valhalla has since achieved this goal, serving as the storied stage for four PGA Championships, a Ryder Cup, and two Senior PGA Championships, and is slated to host the 2028 Solheim Cup. The 18-hole championship course features pristine bent grass greens and Zeon Zoysa tees and fairways, consistently earning its recognition on Golf Digest's "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses."

In 2022, the Club was acquired by a local ownership group of four long-time members. This new era has focused on enhancing the facility, transforming the clubhouse into an iconic structure reminiscent of stately Kentucky thoroughbred farms, complete with spectacular limestone features and stacked stone walls. The facilities include an expansive 12.5-acre, double-sided practice facility and a newly constructed state-of-the-art agronomy center, ensuring the championship conditions expected by its membership.

Valhalla Golf Club remains a distinctive destination, steeped in championship history and dedicated to the enduring traditions of world-class golf. The ownership places a high priority on continuing to bring championship golf to Kentucky.

Click here to take a virtual tour of the Agronomy Center

CLUB DETAILS

Facility: Privately Owned (No Committees)

Course Access: Private

Number of Holes: 18

Annual Rounds: 15,000

Primary Golf Season: May - October, Club is Open 11 months (closed January)

Caddie Program: Yes, vibrant caddy program, walking strongly encouraged (65% of rounds walk)

Practice Facility: Yes

Short Game Area: Yes

POSITION OVERVIEW

Title: Golf Course Superintendent

Reports to: General Manager

Supervises: Agronomy Staff

Position Description: The Golf Course Superintendent is entrusted with the care, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Valhalla's golf course, practice facilities, and surrounding grounds. This individual will serve as a hands-on leader, responsible for ensuring pristine playing conditions, environmental stewardship, and innovative agronomic practices that reflect the high standards of the Club and its membership.

Reporting to the General Manager, the Golf Course Superintendent is an integral part of the Club's executive leadership team and works closely with the Head Golf Professional to deliver an outstanding golf experience. The Golf Course Superintendent is expected to work as a true partner with the Head Golf Professional in the daily operation of the golf course, ensuring seamless coordination between agronomy and golf operations.

ABOUT THE GOLF COURSE

Architect: Jack Nicklaus

Age of Course: 39 (Opened in 1986)

Tees and Yardages:

• Gold: 7,675 (78.2/155)
• Black: 7,020 (75.6/151)
• Green: 6,525 (73.1/145)
• Blue: 5,965 (70.7/132)
• Silver: 5,085 (66.5/126)

Most Recent Renovation:

• 2021 - Fairways & Tees converted to Zeon Zoysia
• 2011 - Complete rebuild of greens

Turfgrass Varieties:

• Greens: T1 Bentgrass
• Surrounds: Zeon Zoysia
• Tees: Zeon Zoysia
• Fairways: Zeon Zoysia
• Maintained Rough: Bluegrass/Fescue blend

Bunkers:

• Most Recent Renovation: 2021 (Better Billy Bunker Install)
• Number of Bunkers: 65

Equipment:

• Primary Brand: Toro
• Owned, Leased: Combination, Equipment age 4 years

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Course Conditioning & Playability

• Provide championship-level course conditions that consistently meet or exceed owner and member expectations.
• Develop and implement innovative agronomic programs, cultural practices, and pest management strategies.
• Oversee all aspects of turfgrass management.

Leadership, Mentorship & Team Development

• Recruit, train, mentor, and motivate a high-performing turf management team of 30+ staff members.
• Serve as a mentor to assistant superintendents, providing guidance, education, and opportunities that promote their professional development and prepare them for future superintendent roles.
• Foster a culture of accountability, pride, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Promote safety standards and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Be a highly visible leader on the golf course, regularly engaging with members, professional staff, and maintenance employees to demonstrate accessibility, approachability, and a hands-on commitment to excellence.

Planning, Administration & Operational Partnership

• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets in alignment with the Club's strategic goals.
• Collaborate with the General Manager and ownership group on long-range planning, including renovations, upgrades, and sustainability initiatives.
• Partner daily with the Head Golf Professional to align course setup, tournament preparation, pace-of-play strategies, and overall member golf experience.
• Maintain accurate records of agronomic practices, weather data, pesticide applications, and equipment maintenance.

Communication

• Maintain open and professional communication with the General Manager, Golf Professional Staff and ownership.
• Provide clear, timely updates regarding course conditions, upcoming projects, and agronomic initiatives.
• Represent the Club in a professional manner with members, staff, industry peers, and vendors.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Including, but not limited to, the following:

• A degree in agronomy, turfgrass management, or a related field, with a strong preference for GCSAA Class A certification.
• A minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in golf course management, including at least 3-5 years as a superintendent (or successful first assistant ready to take the next step at a top-tier facility).
• Demonstrated success in managing cool-season Bentgrass turfgrass on putting surfaces.
• Proven ability to deliver elite-level course conditioning.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to inspire and develop a cohesive, motivated team.
• A passion for mentoring assistant superintendents and advancing the next generation of golf course leaders.
• Collaborative skills and a proven track record of working in close partnership with golf professionals to enhance the overall member experience.
• A leadership style that emphasizes visibility, presence, and engagement on the golf course, ensuring members and staff alike recognize the Golf Course Superintendent as an active, approachable partner in delivering the golf experience.
• Financial acumen in managing budgets, capital projects, and cost controls.
• Experience with golf course construction, renovations, and capital improvements is highly desirable.
• A forward-thinking mindset with a passion for innovation, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.