Director of Agronomy, The Santaluz Club
BoardRoom magazine, San Diego, CA, United States
The Santaluz Club seeks a disciplined, strategic, and forward-thinking Director of Agronomy to lead one of the Club’s most visible and critical assets — the golf course and surrounding landscapes.
This position operates as the executive leader of agronomic operations, carrying full accountability for:
For
Championship-level course conditioning
Environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance
Water resource strategy
Infrastructure and irrigation performance
Financial and capital planning
Team leadership and culture development
Technology integration and operational innovation
Long-term infrastructure planning
The Director functions not simply as a superintendent, but as a senior operational executive within a member-owned governance structure.
Success requires executive presence, financial fluency, agronomic expertise, and the ability to balance member expectations with long-term asset stewardship.
THE CLUB The Santaluz Club is a premier, family‑oriented private club centered on championship golf, racquet sports, fitness, aquatics, dining, and year‑round social engagement. The Club is guided by a clear strategic vision emphasizing:
Exceptional member experience
Responsible capital stewardship
Operational excellence
Sound governance
Long‑term sustainability
Golf is the cornerstone of the Santaluz experience. Course conditioning, architectural integrity, water management, and environmental responsibility are central to the Club’s reputation among Southern California’s leading private clubs.
ARCHITECTURAL PEDIGREE The golf course was designed by Rees Jones, one of the most respected architects in modern golf. Known as “The Open Doctor,” Jones has led restoration and redesign efforts at numerous U.S. Open and PGA Championship venues, including Torrey Pines (South Course), Bethpage Black, Congressional Country Club, and Pebble Beach.
At Santaluz, Jones created a strategic, visually compelling championship layout that integrates seamlessly with the native San Diego landscape. The design emphasizes thoughtful shot values, strategic bunkering, elevation movement, and playability across a broad range of skill levels.
The Club’s current $7.8 million Master Plan renovation honors and refines Jones’ original architectural intent, reinforcing long‑term playability and competitive relevance.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION The Santaluz community has earned recognition as one of Golfweek Magazine’s Top Residential Golf Communities, reflecting the quality of both the golf experience and the overall lifestyle offering.
The master‑planned community was developed by DMB Associates, an award‑winning national developer recognized for creating architecturally cohesive, environmentally responsible lifestyle communities. This pedigree underscores the high standards and long‑term vision embedded throughout the property.
MASTER PLAN RENOVATION UNDERWAY The Club is actively executing a comprehensive $7.8 M Golf Course Master Plan including:
Complete bunker reconstruction and architectural refinement
Greens resurfacing
Irrigation infrastructure modernization
Tee reconstruction and expansion
Strategic playability enhancements
The Director of Agronomy will serve as the agronomic authority throughout phased construction — maintaining conditioning standards, advising governance stakeholders, protecting turf health, and ensuring long‑term performance following project completion.
This renovation represents a defining period in the Club’s evolution.
OPERATIONAL PROFILE
18‑hole championship golf course
Approximately 366 Golf Members
100 acres of managed turf
200 acres of native landscape
Hacienda and Clubhouse landscape oversight
Staff Size: 38 full‑time and seasonal team members
Irrigation System: Rain Bird
Pump Stations: Flotronix with three 75 HP pumps per station (2)
Water Source: Recycled irrigation water – potable water option
Autonomous mowing fully integrated across fairways, rough, and practice areas
Structured Green Committee partnership within disciplined governance model
LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS Agronomic Mastery Deliver consistent, high‑performance playing conditions rooted in advanced knowledge of turfgrass science, soils, irrigation management, and environmental best practices.
Financial & Capital Discipline Operate As a Business Leader With Full Accountability For
Annual operating budget execution
Multi‑year capital planning
Labor modeling and workforce management
Cost control across chemicals, equipment, and contracted services
ROI evaluation on infrastructure and technology investments
The Director must communicate confidently with governance stakeholders regarding financial implications of agronomic decisions.
Water Resource Strategy Lead precision‑based irrigation management in a highly regulated Southern California environment through:
Usage forecasting and compliance oversight
Drought preparedness planning
Integration of soil moisture data, ET modeling, and weather analytics
Evaluation of water‑conditioning and salinity mitigation strategies
Water stewardship is both an operational and reputational priority.
Renovation & Infrastructure Leadership Provide steady leadership throughout construction phases while maintaining course conditioning standards and protecting long‑term turf performance.
Member & Golf Professional Engagement Develop strong, collaborative relationships with the Golf Professional team, recognizing their daily member interaction as a critical feedback channel regarding course performance and playability.
Maintain visible, professional presence with membership through education, accessibility, and transparent communication.
The Director must be both technically respected and personally trusted.
CANDIDATE PROFILE The Ideal Candidate Will Possess
Minimum five years’ experience as a Golf Course Superintendent at a high‑end private club or championship facility
Degree in Agronomy, Turf Management, Horticulture, or related field
Proven renovation and construction experience
Experience collaborating with leading golf course architects
Demonstrated ability to maintain firm‑and‑fast conditions consistent with original design philosophy
Demonstrated understanding of maintaining and managing aggressive forms of Poa Annua
Strategic shot‑value understanding aligned with championship architecture
Advanced irrigation and water management expertise
Strong financial acumen and capital planning experience
Proven ability to communicate agronomic risk clearly and confidently to Boards and governance stakeholders
Track record of mentoring Assistant Superintendents into Superintendent roles
Commitment to structured staff development and succession planning
Ability to recruit and retain high‑performing agronomy teams
Strong industry vendor relationships
Valid California QAL/QAC
GCSAA Certification preferred
Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
Executive presence, emotional intelligence, and disciplined decision‑making are essential.
About The Santaluz Club The position is being facilitated by Bloom Golf Partners, a leading executive search, recruiting and business consulting firm.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
This position operates as the executive leader of agronomic operations, carrying full accountability for:
For
Championship-level course conditioning
Environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance
Water resource strategy
Infrastructure and irrigation performance
Financial and capital planning
Team leadership and culture development
Technology integration and operational innovation
Long-term infrastructure planning
The Director functions not simply as a superintendent, but as a senior operational executive within a member-owned governance structure.
Success requires executive presence, financial fluency, agronomic expertise, and the ability to balance member expectations with long-term asset stewardship.
THE CLUB The Santaluz Club is a premier, family‑oriented private club centered on championship golf, racquet sports, fitness, aquatics, dining, and year‑round social engagement. The Club is guided by a clear strategic vision emphasizing:
Exceptional member experience
Responsible capital stewardship
Operational excellence
Sound governance
Long‑term sustainability
Golf is the cornerstone of the Santaluz experience. Course conditioning, architectural integrity, water management, and environmental responsibility are central to the Club’s reputation among Southern California’s leading private clubs.
ARCHITECTURAL PEDIGREE The golf course was designed by Rees Jones, one of the most respected architects in modern golf. Known as “The Open Doctor,” Jones has led restoration and redesign efforts at numerous U.S. Open and PGA Championship venues, including Torrey Pines (South Course), Bethpage Black, Congressional Country Club, and Pebble Beach.
At Santaluz, Jones created a strategic, visually compelling championship layout that integrates seamlessly with the native San Diego landscape. The design emphasizes thoughtful shot values, strategic bunkering, elevation movement, and playability across a broad range of skill levels.
The Club’s current $7.8 million Master Plan renovation honors and refines Jones’ original architectural intent, reinforcing long‑term playability and competitive relevance.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION The Santaluz community has earned recognition as one of Golfweek Magazine’s Top Residential Golf Communities, reflecting the quality of both the golf experience and the overall lifestyle offering.
The master‑planned community was developed by DMB Associates, an award‑winning national developer recognized for creating architecturally cohesive, environmentally responsible lifestyle communities. This pedigree underscores the high standards and long‑term vision embedded throughout the property.
MASTER PLAN RENOVATION UNDERWAY The Club is actively executing a comprehensive $7.8 M Golf Course Master Plan including:
Complete bunker reconstruction and architectural refinement
Greens resurfacing
Irrigation infrastructure modernization
Tee reconstruction and expansion
Strategic playability enhancements
The Director of Agronomy will serve as the agronomic authority throughout phased construction — maintaining conditioning standards, advising governance stakeholders, protecting turf health, and ensuring long‑term performance following project completion.
This renovation represents a defining period in the Club’s evolution.
OPERATIONAL PROFILE
18‑hole championship golf course
Approximately 366 Golf Members
100 acres of managed turf
200 acres of native landscape
Hacienda and Clubhouse landscape oversight
Staff Size: 38 full‑time and seasonal team members
Irrigation System: Rain Bird
Pump Stations: Flotronix with three 75 HP pumps per station (2)
Water Source: Recycled irrigation water – potable water option
Autonomous mowing fully integrated across fairways, rough, and practice areas
Structured Green Committee partnership within disciplined governance model
LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS Agronomic Mastery Deliver consistent, high‑performance playing conditions rooted in advanced knowledge of turfgrass science, soils, irrigation management, and environmental best practices.
Financial & Capital Discipline Operate As a Business Leader With Full Accountability For
Annual operating budget execution
Multi‑year capital planning
Labor modeling and workforce management
Cost control across chemicals, equipment, and contracted services
ROI evaluation on infrastructure and technology investments
The Director must communicate confidently with governance stakeholders regarding financial implications of agronomic decisions.
Water Resource Strategy Lead precision‑based irrigation management in a highly regulated Southern California environment through:
Usage forecasting and compliance oversight
Drought preparedness planning
Integration of soil moisture data, ET modeling, and weather analytics
Evaluation of water‑conditioning and salinity mitigation strategies
Water stewardship is both an operational and reputational priority.
Renovation & Infrastructure Leadership Provide steady leadership throughout construction phases while maintaining course conditioning standards and protecting long‑term turf performance.
Member & Golf Professional Engagement Develop strong, collaborative relationships with the Golf Professional team, recognizing their daily member interaction as a critical feedback channel regarding course performance and playability.
Maintain visible, professional presence with membership through education, accessibility, and transparent communication.
The Director must be both technically respected and personally trusted.
CANDIDATE PROFILE The Ideal Candidate Will Possess
Minimum five years’ experience as a Golf Course Superintendent at a high‑end private club or championship facility
Degree in Agronomy, Turf Management, Horticulture, or related field
Proven renovation and construction experience
Experience collaborating with leading golf course architects
Demonstrated ability to maintain firm‑and‑fast conditions consistent with original design philosophy
Demonstrated understanding of maintaining and managing aggressive forms of Poa Annua
Strategic shot‑value understanding aligned with championship architecture
Advanced irrigation and water management expertise
Strong financial acumen and capital planning experience
Proven ability to communicate agronomic risk clearly and confidently to Boards and governance stakeholders
Track record of mentoring Assistant Superintendents into Superintendent roles
Commitment to structured staff development and succession planning
Ability to recruit and retain high‑performing agronomy teams
Strong industry vendor relationships
Valid California QAL/QAC
GCSAA Certification preferred
Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
Executive presence, emotional intelligence, and disciplined decision‑making are essential.
About The Santaluz Club The position is being facilitated by Bloom Golf Partners, a leading executive search, recruiting and business consulting firm.
#J-18808-Ljbffr