Portland Golf Club, Portland, Oregon

Club History
Located in the western suburbs of Portland, Oregon and tucked away among fir trees, rolling greens and tightly manicured gardens, Portland Golf Club is an oasis, offering a golf and clubhouse experience unlike any other within this region.
Established in 1914, Portland Golf Club is regarded as one of the most prestigious, challenging, and enjoyable member-owned golf clubs in the Pacific Northwest and continues to cultivate its place in history as a championship golf facility. The picturesque golf course and modernized clubhouse support golf and social functions that are compatible with the members’ and their families’ values and interests.

Portland Golf Club’s championship tradition is evidenced by the legendary players who have graced the greens of PGC. They include Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Cary Middlecoff, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Billy Casper, Lee Trevino, Greg Norman, Curtis Strange, Payne Stewart, Isao Aoki, Paul Azinger, Nelly Korda, Kathy Whitworth, Donna Caponi, Nancy Lopez and more. Most recently, PGA tour winner Ben Crane, who grew up learning the game of golf as a PGC junior golfer, is now a third-generation member.

The legendary Ben Hogan shot 65-69-63-64 to win the 1945 Portland Open at PGC.
The 63 (tied by Dr. Cary Middlecoff at the Western Open) stands to this day as the course record. Mr. Hogan returned to PGC the following year to capture his first major at the prestigious PGA Championship in 1946 and the following year led the American team to a near clean sweep of the British team in the 1947 Ryder Cup at PGC. Over the years, PGC has hosted seven Portland Opens, five Portland Classics, the 1969 Alcan Championship, and the 1982 U.S. Senior Open. In addition to golf’s historic legends of the past, PGC has played host to more recent tournaments such as the Fred Meyer Challenge, and the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship of 2015.

We expect and value championship course conditions while maintaining the classic design and character of the golf course and clubhouse. After over a century of continuous operation, our mission is to carry on tradition, while continually evolving and adapting in order to remain current and relevant. We emphasize friendship and mutual respect for our fellow members, staff, and guests. Our care for the environment and our neighbors, in concert with our stewardship of our club, continues to cultivate PGC’s place in history as one of America’s top championship golf clubs.

Portland Golf Club Profile
• At present, there are approximately 676 members – comprised of 525 Golf and 151 Social Members
• 1 par 72(men) 18-hole course at 7001 yards
• Approximately 30,000 rounds of golf annually – 70% walk / 30% powered cart
• 110 acres of maintained golf course
• $12M gross revenue
• $2.4M annual course maintenance operating budget, $500,000+ capital budget
• Host site for the 2026 USGA Senior Women’s Am and the 2034 USGA Senior Men’s Am
• The Club recently completed a 7-million-dollar golf course project that included renovation of bunkers, tree removal, and complete irrigation replacement
• The club has an ongoing affiliation with course architect, Dan Hixson
• The Club employs 140 FTEs in all departments during peak season
• Member initiation fee is $72,000 with dues of $11,300 annually and an annual capital replacement fee of $1200
• The Club has the most recent Rainbird Irrigation System
• The Club installed Billy Bunker System liners during the 2021 bunker renovation.
• The Club has a Greenshield drainage system installed throughout the fairways
• The average age of Club Members is approximately 61 years old

Club Website: www.portlandgolfclub.com

Director of Agronomy Job Description
The Director of Agronomy (DOA) reports directly to the Club’s Chief Operating Officer and interacts closely with the Chair of the Green and Golf Committee. The DOA is expected to be a visible presence among the team and members with exceptionally strong agronomic, business and communication skills. He/she is responsible for maintenance, operation, management, preparation, and condition of the golf courses and club grounds.
The DOA must be an excellent, transparent communicator with a natural style of “sincere engagement” with both the management team and members. He/she will have extensive agronomical knowledge and know-how with a high level of attention to detail. Having a “Best in Class” mindset with a genuine interest in continuing education, professional development, strong peer group relations, and staying at the forefront of research and technology are necessary for success.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will be a Director of Agronomy or Head Superintendent at a Pacific Northwest course with exceptional golfing conditions and will meet the following qualifications:

Course Conditioning & Agronomy
The Director of Agronomy works closely with the COO to operate the Golf Course and all Club grounds in a fiscally responsible and professional manner. He or she is responsible for golf maintenance and agronomic operations, club house grounds landscaping, cost controls, and personnel.
• Proven history of providing exceptional golfing conditions and managing all aspects of the golf course and landscape at the highest level
• Successful experience managing pushup greens
• Proven success in managing Poa fairways tees, and greens and Rye Grass bunker surrounds in the region or a similar climate
• Sensible irrigation management philosophy and practices. Knowledge of Rainbird systems is a plus
• Experience in tree management
• Experience in developing and maintaining a book of golf course maintenance standards, data logs, and reports
• High golf IQ with a sound understanding of ideal playing conditions.

Leadership & Communication
The Director of Agronomy must have excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively engage with a wide variety of audiences. They will support and act as a thought partner to the Green and Golf Committee, contributing to strategic discussions and decision-making processes.
• Directs and participates in golf course design/construction projects along with guiding the vision, planning, and overall direction of a project
• Willingness to teach, lead and elevate assistants to advance in their professional skill level
• Experience developing standard operating procedures and training programs to onboard new staff
• Works closely with, advises, and coordinates with the Head Golf Professional on any issues related to golf course maintenance

Management
The Director of Agronomy oversees the care and maintenance of the turf, ornamental plants, shrubs, trees, and wetlands on the facility grounds. They direct and assist the staff in planting new vegetation, replacing, spraying, pruning, and trimming trees and shrubs, preparing soil plant beds for aesthetically pleasing arrangements, and tending to high-stress areas.
• Designs landscape plans for facility grounds and implements the plan
• Provides detailed annual plan for the various property levels and the designated landscaping areas. Includes rotational design to provide facility with fresh, eye-catching, interesting and pleasant atmosphere
• Schedules maintenance practices around member play to maximize efficiency and minimize disruption to members
• Administers and enforces all Club rules, regulations and policies for staff
• Recruits, supervises and retains maintenance staff. Conducts employee performance evaluations and exercises disciplinary action
• Provides technical, operational and safety training for employees to ensure that staff is working within OSHA, club safety, state and federal guidelines for safe working conditions
• Supervises and participates in the application and recording of chemical applications (fertilizers and pesticides) on the Club’s grounds in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations
• Supervises and controls all maintenance expenses associated with Golf Course Operations, including payroll, supplies, chemicals and fertilizers
• Orders parts, supplies and equipment as needed

Financial
• Develops annual operating budget
• Plans and budgets for additional or replacement capital equipment.
• Files all federal and local required regulatory reports

EDUCATIONAL AND CERTIFICATION QUALIFICATIONS
• 5+ years experience as a Director of Agronomy or Golf Course Superintendent
• Degree or Certificate in Turf Management (or related field, like agronomy, horticulture, plant science, soil science)
• Advance computer skills required for financial reporting and control of operations, including use of Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with Rainbird irrigation systems is a plus
• Valid Driver’s License
• Pesticide Application License
• Prefer Certification by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
• Functional ability to communicate in Spanish is a plus

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 and education allowance.
Salary Range: $195,000 – $215,000

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to: PGCSearch@portlandgolfclub.com