Description

Overview

Ironwood Country Club is located in South Palm Desert, California, surrounded by the Santa Rosa, San Jacinto, and San Bernadino mountains. Ironwood hosts 36 holes of golf, 9 tennis courts, 10 pickleball courts, a wellness facility, 55,000 square foot clubhouse, a casual snack bar named "Spikes" and Food Truck named "The Kitchen". Our golf practice area is 8 acres and boasts a double-sided driving range, two short game areas, two putting greens, three chipping greens, and practice bunkers.

We are currently mid-way through our Facilities Master Plan which includes a Clubhouse restaurant remodel, patio expansion, Spikes expansion, and North Course bunker project, which included building three new greens. In the summer of 2026 a new spa building, exercise pool, and site work for the wellness center will be completed. The projects will total approximately $22,000,000 in improvements.

The golf department is very active, with four Clubs within the Club who participate at a very high level. The activities calendar is robust as we host 132 golf tournaments and events per season. Our club culture is very group oriented. We have formal, club-sponsored groups, and many unofficial groups who play together frequently. Balancing operations, tournaments, and the calendar is a priority for the Director of Golf and the team.

IRONWOOD AT A GLANCE
Type of Facility: Private
Average Annual Revenue: $16,000,000
Total Golf Memberships: 492
Full Golf Annual Dues and Fees: $29,460
Number of Holes: 36
Average Annual Rounds of Golf: 54,000
Total Golf Annual Revenue: $1,750,000
Golf Shop Annual Sales: $880,000
Golf Labor & Expense Budget: $1,150,000
Golf Team Members: 20
Caddie Program: Evans Scholar
Annual Member Tournaments and Events: 132

The Club is seeking a Director of Golf to begin in the summer of 2026, with prime season beginning in November. The Director of Golf will work alongside a talented group of Department Heads with a proven track record of success. Although Ironwood is a yearround operation, most of the rounds are played November through May. The Director of Golf is a highly visible and engaged ambassador who serves to uphold the Ironwood Country Club culture, ensuring outstanding service to Members and guests through all interactions in the golf operation. This role requires high visibility and requires the candidate to possess a high level of organization, time management, and communication skills.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of continued achievement within a best-in-class organization which has experienced the highest level of quality. Experience at a high-volume private club is critical.

The Director of Golf is accountable for providing an exceptional Member experience, staff development and training, operating an organized and successful business, overseeing the instructional program, and overall golf shop management. It is imperative the selected candidate promptly integrates into the core values and culture of the Club. Establishing effective and close working relationships while earning the respect of the peer leadership team, Members, and Club team members will be essential for success in this role.

ABOUT THE GENERAL MANAGER | CEO
Josh Tanner is the General Manager | CEO of Ironwood Country
Club, overseeing all operations for the Club since his arrival in 2010. During his tenure he has led the Club through extensive renovations and several major events. Josh has a broad background in hospitality and was formerly the General Manager at Mission Hills Country Club.

WEBSITE
https://www.ironwoodcountryclub.com

CONFIDENTIAL INQUIRIES
Please submit a cover letter and resume to:
Laura Stotts, Director of Human Resources, Ironwood Country Club at Laura.Stotts@ICC.Club.

Experience Required

• Director of Golf or Head Golf Professional experience at a renowned private club with similar activity levels and multiple courses preferred.
• Demonstrated achievement in his or her career resulting in an accelerated promotional path, well beyond their professional contemporaries.
• Experience in a complex and active private club golf operation preferred. Budgeting, expense and payroll tracking is critical.
• Verifiable track record of achievement in recruiting, developing training programs, and mentoring team members.
• A skilled player that personifies professionalism on and off the golf course.
• Well versed in the use of technology in the golf operation to enhance the team and Member experience.
• Has a strong national network of industry peers at similar facilities.
• An innate passion for continuous professional development and education.
• Understands the culture and climate of the region and has a desire to be established in the area.
• College bachelor's degree preferred.
• PGA certification required.

The ideal candidate will possess the desired personal qualities, mastered the position responsibilities, and the essential qualifications outlined below.

• High integrity - an uncompromising belief in their moral and ethical values.
• Mature leader - a motivator and mentor who has demonstrated achievement, and takes pride in, developing and retaining a high performing team. A track record of developing leaders.
• Engaging - a pleasant demeanor that is personable and approachable and that others find easy and enjoyable to be around.
• Passionate - has a natural enthusiasm, thorough knowledge and reverence for the game of golf.
• Gravitas - highly respected, self-assured, and confident in their abilities and decisions; possesses the "it" factor.
• Authentic - naturally connects with people and is regarded as genuine in their approach toward relationships.
• Service-oriented - understands how to deliver a "best-in-class" golf experience for Members and guests.
• Consummate professional - a skilled and accomplished player with a modest persona; continuously seeks to improve their game.
• Inclusive - promotes an environment that is open to all demographics at the Club.
• Innovative - respects tradition and history while introducing new ideas and approaches.
• Proactive - a forward-thinking mentality that is anticipatory and Member and guest focused.
• Respectful - shows consideration and regard for others in all situations.
• Objective - understands and upholds the culture of Ironwood Country Club and encourages input from others.
• Decisive - able to make informed decisions quickly and confidently.
• Responsive - alert and aware, reacts quickly and positively to Members, guests and staff.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide an unmatched Member and guest experience with a primary focus on excellence, consistency, and professionalism.
• Lead, develop and mentor a staff of approximately 20 that includes a Golf Professionals, 4 Assistant Golf Professionals, Merchandiser, Starters, Outside Service and Support
  Staff.
• Manage development program within golf operations team so current golf professionals can be successful continuing their careers at other clubs; including mentoring and
  developing future Director of Golf and Head Golf Professional positions.
• Actively engage with Members to promote and enhance their knowledge and love for the game of golf, its values, history and traditions.
• Plan and execute an exceptional and active event and tournament program.
• Operate and organize a successful and attractive retail merchandise operation that is aware and attentive to Member preferences and consistent with customs of the Club.
• Maintain a noticeable presence as an ambassador for the Club and golf operation, to include meeting Members/guests on the first tee and practice facility, and scheduling
  time to play with Members of all abilities.
• In conjunction with the golf instructional staff, introduce new technology and club fitting concepts that enhance the Member experience and knowledge.
• Define the Key Performance Indicators that track and ensure high performance of the golf staff. Inspect what you expect.
• Maintain an open line of communication and build a high level of trust with the General Manager/CEO, department head peers, and key committee leaders.
• Drive a culture of accountability, authenticity, and responsiveness.
• Foster and sustain a national professional network that enhances the Club's perception and reputation.
• Continue current industry affiliations and seek opportunities to enhance ongoing growth and professional development which will sustain relevance in the golf industry.

Benefits

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
A competitive compensation and benefit package will be presented to the ideal candidate. Salary range $175,000-$190,000. Other compensation and benefits include annual bonus, percentage of lesson income, medical benefits, clothing allowance, and 401K match.