Most Common Level Of Education For Golf Course Superintendents
Golf Course Superintendent Degree | Percentages |
Bachelors | 44.1% |
Associate | 27.3% |
High School Diploma | 20.7% |
Diploma | 3.5% |
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Golf Superintendent in the United States. The base salary for Golf Superintendent ranges from $60,971 to $87,593 with the average base salary of $72,744.
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Instructions
A golf course superintendent manages and directs the maintenance, management and operation of golf courses. They conduct routine inspection of equipment and vehicles to ensure productivity and safety of the facility.
A golf course superintendent is a person who professionally manages the labor, time, materials and financial resources needed to care for the turfgrass and landscaped grounds on a golf course. Golf course superintendents have also been referred to as greenskeepers and turf managers.
The national average salary for a Golf Course Superintendent is $98,268 per year in Canada.
The average golf course superintendent gross salary in Ontario, Canada is $92,388 or an equivalent hourly rate of $44. This is 1% higher (+$550) than the average golf course superintendent salary in Canada. In addition, they earn an average bonus of $3,261.
Many golf course GMs have bachelor's degrees in business management, hospitality or administration, and some have pursued courses of study specifically in managing golf courses, including courses in finance and/or accounting.
How to start a career in golf course managementEarn a bachelor's degree. While some golf course management jobs accept individuals with a high school diploma, it may be helpful to earn a bachelor's degree as well. ... Gain professional experience. ... Obtain a professional certificate. ... Find a management position.
Preparing for a career as a golf course superintendent. Golf facilities are complex business operations. Superintendents need much more than just technical ability. Formal education in plant sciences, landscaping, business management, personnel administration and public relations is essential.
Most bachelor of science programs require the student to complete a minimum of 120-200 credit hours (units) for the degree. Associate of science/applied science degrees normally require a minimum of 60-100 credit hours (units).
Golf course management carries a variety of responsibilities. Superintendents enjoy an attractive employment setting with frequent opportunities to be outdoors on the golf course. The profession is highly competitive. It’s advantageous to have a strong educational background and some practical work experience.
Even after attaining a degree, continuing education is critical for keeping current on the advancements in management practices, regulations, new turfgrasses and equipment. GCSAA also has set certain levels of competencies for the GCSAA superintendents’ varying career paths and provides comprehensive continuing education for GCSAA members to achieve their goals.
The job requires much more than just technical ability. Formal education in plant sciences, landscaping, business management, personnel administration and public relations is essential.
To explore a potential career in golf course management, it's a good idea to work at a golf course, ideally on the superintendent's maintenance staff.
Golf course management is a job with a lot of variety. A golf course superintendent enjoys an attractive employment setting with frequent opportunities to be outdoors on the golf course. Students in the Rutgers program frequently cite a love of a golf or a love of working outside (or both) as the reason they got into this field.
The profession is highly competitive. It's advantageous to have a strong educational background and some practical work experience. It is important to intern on a golf course.
The Rutgers Turf Management School gives you a respected credential that opens doors and helps you advance your career.
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
A Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Golf Course Management helps students understand the science behind taking care of a golf course. A superintendent also requires substantial experience — working for a golf club during your high school years is a good start.
A Golf Superintendent is responsible for overall maintenance and care of the golf course, including turf/grass management, irrigation, and chemical applications (e.g., fertilizer, pesticides) to ensure quality playing conditions.
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) plans to bestow one of its highest honors on Paul McGinnis, CGCS (Certified Golf Course Superintendent) at a ceremony February 9 at the association’s annual Golf Industry Show in San Diego.
Management is no easy task, and as such, the skill requirements for these types of roles vary greatly. Chief skills for this role are: Inventory Management, Partner Relationship Management, Golf Course Maintenance, Maintenance Equipment. Expertise in these areas will help you land this, or a similar role.
The average salary range for a Golf Superintendent is from $61,680 to $88,591. The salary will change depending on your location, job level, experience, education, and skills.
Golf course superintendents are skilled professionals who are responsible for providing care and maintenance to the golf courses they are working for. These superintendents must supervise a team of staff members to coordinate work schedules for landscaping and maintaining the golf course grounds.
For example, several resumes showed us that golf course superintendent responsibilities requires skills like "course maintenance," "fairways," "maintenance activities," and "golf courses.".
Between the years 2018 and 2028, golf course superintendent jobs are expected to undergo a growth rate described as "as fast as average" at 6%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
As an example of this, a golf course superintendent is likely to be skilled in "course maintenance," "fairways," "maintenance activities," and "golf courses," while a typical turf manager is skilled in "athletic fields," "ncaa," "routine maintenance," and "mow.". Turf managers typically study at similar levels compared with golf course ...
Turf managers typically study at similar levels compared with golf course superintendents. For example, they're 3.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.
But an irrigation manager might use skills, such as, "landscape design," "et," "irrigation technicians," and "irrigation scheduling.". When it comes to the differences in education between the two professions, irrigation managers tend to reach similar levels of education than golf course superintendents.
Description Of a Sports Field Manager. Sports field managers tend to earn a higher pay than golf course superintendents by about $6,196 per year. Each job requires different skills like "course maintenance," "fairways," "maintenance activities," and "golf courses," which might show up on a golf course superintendent resume.
The University of Wisconsin, Ohio State University and Pennsylvania State University are among institutions that offer online golf course management programs. The most common type of online degree in golf course management is a bachelor's degree, though some schools offer certificate programs.
The University of Wisconsin - Stout offers an online Bachelor of Science in Golf Enterprise Management (GEM). Unlike many of these degree programs, you do not need prior golf knowledge to enroll. The program emphasizes the development of business skills such as marketing and sales.
At Ohio State University, you can enroll in an introductory or advanced online golf course management certificate program. In the introductory program, you learn the seasonal, cultural and pest management skills used to manage turfgrass.
An online Bachelor of Science in Turfgrass Science program is available at Penn State World Campus. Each credit of the 120-unit program earns you points towards various certifications with the Golf Course Superintendents of America (GCSAA). In addition, a GCSAA certification portfolio can earn you credit hours towards your bachelor's degree.
John Jeffreys has served at Pinehurst’s iconic No.2 course since 2006, first as assistant superintendent, including the 2014 season when Pinehurst No. 2 hosted the U.S. Open Championship. He then advanced to head superintendent in July 2014.
In the golf industry, there are a lot of titles that sound similar. Who does what, and where does a student start?
So what’s it like to run a world-class course? Jeffreys notes that while there’s no typical day in his field, there are some common routines. Here’s how a day in his life unfolds:
Many avid student golfers and moonlighting landscapers aren’t aware of the higher educational opportunities (and requirements) for golf course superintendents. And education does count.
Jeffreys says a good superintendent also has to view the course with a fresh set of eyes each day, just as a golfer would. When you’re on the links 10+ hours a day, that can be hard to do.
When you focus on completing a daily checklist, Jeffreys says you can get tunnel vision. It becomes easy to overlook little things that someone else might see as a flaw. He asks his crew to think like a professional photographer.
Knowledge of turfgrass science is a given for this industry. But it might surprise a student to know how little of a superintendent’s time is spent working on the golf course.” Jeffreys said. “There are days when I do spend 8-10 hours on the course. But the harder part is to come back in and get the office work done.”