Description

Overview

Club Overview:

Wiltwyck is the premier family oriented semi-private club in the mid-Hudson Valley located in Kingston, New York. conveniently off on Exit 19 of the New York State Thruway.  Originally founded in 1933, Wiltwyck relocated to its present location in 1954.  Wiltwyck's golf course was designed by renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, the "Dean of American golf course architects", and provides a best-in-class golf experience for golfers of all ages and levels.  The Wiltwyck grounds include its championship golf course, as well as a pool, golf simulator facility, tennis and pickle ball courts, a banquet facility, and indoor and patio dining, all in a relaxed and elegant environment.  Formed in April 1933, the Club began with a nine-hole course off of Hurley Avenue in Kingston.  Twenty years later, construction of the New York State Thruway threatened to slice Wiltwyck's original course in half, but resourceful Wiltwyck club leadership took that as an opportunity to purchase the Steward Farm on Steward Lane in the Town of Ulster.  In 1955, Wiltwyck's 18-hole course was unveiled at the current locale.

In January 2018, after 85 years as a member-owned, member-operated facility, all assets and custodianship of Wiltwyck were transferred to WGC Holdings, an entity now controlled by 14 equity owners who are either themselves, or are affiliated with, existing members of the Club.  These new owners have made great progress in the eight years of their stewardship to not only preserve the Club's golf course and other recreational facilities, but to restore the overall experience at Wiltwyck to a place of pre-eminence that is not available elsewhere in the local area.  Reinvestment in infrastructure has been a recurring theme for the new owners, and there has been an inexhaustible list of items that we have repaired, replaced and upgraded in the last eight years.  This work will continue.

Wiltwyck's championship golf course is widely recognized as a significant test of championship golf -- it is the best example of modern golf architecture in a radius of 60 miles of Kingston.  Over the years, the course has played host to a number of prominent local, regional and state golf events in both professional and amateur categories.  Wiltwyck has also had an active and important role in the community with, for example, a strong commitment to philanthropy and junior golf and other sports programming.  As part of our current operating model, Wiltwyck's facilities were opened to the public on a limited basis to those people who wish to play golf at Wiltwyck but who do not wish to avail themselves of the responsibilities of membership.  Wiltwyck also has a vibrant outing and league calendar throughout the golf season. These aspects have been critical components of our recent success.

Wiltwyck's current owners have established a five-person governing body, called Managing Members, who collectively oversee the overall day-to-day management of the business and affairs of the Club.  The Head Golf Professional will report directly to Wiltwyck's Director of Golf & Sports who in turn reports to the Club's General Manager. The Head Golf Professional will also work collaboratively with the Club's Food and Beverage Manager and Greens Superintendent, both of whom also report to the General Manager. 

 

Overview of Position:

The Head Golf Professional will oversee all golf operations and must be a visible and accessible leader to both members and staff alike.  The Pro will guide these operations at the Club under the direction of the Director of Golf & Sports and the General Manager and will report to the Director of Golf & Sports.  The Pro will be expected to coordinate seamlessly with the Food and Beverage Manager and the Greens Superintendent and to act as a leader, mentor and liaison with all golf staff; and he or she will be held accountable for all golf related areas of the Club.   

More specifically, the Head Golf Professional will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of play and instruction across the entire golf operation, managing and balancing member and public play, and overseeing competitions, outside tournaments, and men's, women's, and juniors' special events.  The Pro will lead a golf operations staff both inside the pro shop and on the course.  The Pro is expected to help recruit members, help retain and support existing members and help organize and execute corporate and other golf outings.

Experience Required

Required Experience, Qualifications and Attributes:

• Bachelor's Degree (BA, BS) from a four-year college or university; or 3-5 years' prior experience as a Head Professional or an Assistant Golf Professional at a high-end public resort or well-regarded private or semi-private club.
• An outgoing and friendly personality with a high potential to identify with and embrace the Club's culture.
• Ability to collaborate and work well with all other members of the senior management team.
• Leadership skills with the ability to motivate other staff with a commitment to quality and excellence.
• Highly energetic -- self-starter with a "hands-on" approach to management.
• Excellent communication skills at all levels.
• Strong sense of service with proven staff development and training skills.
• Attention to detail with a sense of urgency.
• Firm leadership skills to help guide the Club's governance.
• Ability to see the "big picture" but also to have a critical eye for detail.
• A compelling and self-assured leader with a proven ability to attract, develop, and manage a high performing staff.
• Command respect as a fair minded individual of high personal integrity within the Club and within the broader golf industry.
• Excellent understanding of golf rules and etiquette.
• Excellent inter-personal skills that will enable the incumbent to develop a strong golf program for members, guests and visitors.
• Good understanding of budgeting and accounting functions needed to manage a golf program.
• Basic understanding of golf course maintenance management and playability related issues.
• A commitment to ongoing professional development in order to keep the club's golf program engaging and contemporary.

Essential Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• The Head Golf Professional will be an important internal and external face of Wiltwyck -- the person to whom the Club's membership and the community at large will look for leadership and communication and the person to whom feedback will be provided.
• Help promote all golf sales, public play, member retention and attraction, and all golf leagues and outings.
• Provide a high level of consistent service to members and guests.
• In consultation with the Director of Golf & Sports, oversee the golf shop and staff, provide and maintain adequate merchandise levels and establish a strong relationship with manufacturers.
• In consultation with the Director of Golf & Sports, establish an annual budget.
• Oversee daily golf operations and play on the course balancing member and public play.
• In consultation with the Director of Golf & Sports, select, supervise, train and evaluate all employees within the golf operation, including interns, golf shop attendants, and bag room attendants as needed, and develop ongoing training programs for staff.
• Coordinate and promote member tournaments and group outings.
• Develop and coordinate a strong junior golf program.
• Manage the practice range and club storage operations.
• Interpret and enforce the rules of golf and relevant club policies.
• Organize and attend staff and management meetings as required.
• In consultation and approval of the Director of Golf & Sports, oversee hiring, compensation and budgeting for all staff that fall under the golf operation.
• Manage the cart fleet to provide pristine appearance and functionality at all times and manage the proper rotation of the cart fleet to mirror usage.
• Maintain a formal handicap system for members.
• Promote a positive interactive and team-oriented service culture for all golf employees.
• Oversee club operating system to utilize for booking and tracking tee times, and merchandise sales.

Benefits

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base salary and potential discretionary annual performance bonus.
• Family health insurance in accordance with Club policy.
• Participation in a 401(k) plan or Simple IRA in accordance with Club policy.
• Other standard benefits.