About Maketewah Country Club

Maketewah Country Club began in 1897 as the Avondale Athletic Club (AAC) and was located near the present-day Xavier University stadiums. In 1905, the club became one of the five founding members of the Cincinnati Golf League (present day GCGA) and began interclub play that year. Then, in 1910, club member Barney Kroger spotted five adjoining dairy farms only two miles north on Reading Pike and became what is now Maketewah Country Club. Donald Ross designed the original layout in 1910. In 1929, the club purchased the final piece of property we own today, adding the sites for present-day holes #2 & #3. That same year, Donald Ross, along with his associate, Walter Hatch, finalized the existing Maketewah course. The Ross routing has remained mostly unchanged since then.

Maketewah CC has continued its place in Cincinnati golf history as a site for over 50 United States Open Local Qualifiers, three Ohio Amateurs, two Ohio Opens, and over 25 Men’s and Women’s Mets.   The club is scheduled to host the Women’s Western Junior Championship in June 2025.  Other accolades and accomplishments over the years include having the most individual members to have won the Men’s Met, and the most single digit handicaps of any club in the state of Ohio. 

The club recently completed a $10+ million dollar, three-phase restoration of the golf course with Golf Course Architect Brian Silva.  Work included re-grassing tees and fairways with T1/Alpha bentgrass, expansion of tee complexes, addition of fairway bunkers, rerouting of fairways, additional drainage and new irrigation.  Golf Digest named Maketewah in the top 5 for Best Course Renovation in 2023. 

The club is also home to the Francis Xavier Homan Golf Center, the headquarters for both the men's and women's teams representing nearby Xavier University.

Please send cover letter and resume to Mark Bechtel, General Manager, at mbechtel@maketewah.com. 

Golf Course Superintendent

Reports to: General Manager

Supervises: All Grounds department staff including Assistant Greens Superintendents and Mechanic

Job Knowledge, Core Competencies and Expectations

• Up to date on federal, state and local laws and regulations on golf course operations.
• Agronomy
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Polished, professional appearance and presentation.
• Manage stress and time.
• Build a team, train, and maintain employee teams.
• Effective communication at all department levels and throughout the club.

Job Summary (Essential Functions)

The Golf Course Superintendent is responsible for the management and maintenance of all club grounds including the golf course, clubhouse landscaping, pool house landscaping, fence line and the equipment and staff used to maintain these areas.

• Maintains course in proper playing condition.
• Manages all grounds and course maintenance equipment.
• Keeps members informed about current and future maintenance activities.
• Responsible for the recruitment, training, supervision and termination of all personnel assigned to department.
• Assures that effective onboarding and training for new staff are planned and implemented.
• Ensures that all new employees receive the appropriate safety instructions and training; establishes and enforces all safety policies and procedures including OSHA regulations and ensures that appropriate proof of training is documented to the employees’ personnel files.
• Monitors employee records to minimize overtime and keep labor costs within budget.
• Assures that all applicable club policies and procedures are followed.
• Establishes, updates, and maintains all written standards and procedures for the department as needed.
• Research new products and evaluate their cost and profit benefits.
• Supervises all planting, fertilizing, care and removal of turf, plants, shrubs, trees and other facilities on the golf course.
• Oversees all construction, maintenance and renovations on the golf course.
• Oversees repairs of broken water lines or valves and may perform necessary repairs in an emergency.
• Selects and prepares proper fertilizers and nutrients for all flora and fauna.
• Develops and maintains drainage, irrigation and watering systems.
• Implements and enforces comprehensive safety program for employees, members, and guests on course in compliance with local, state and federal laws; implements and manages the club’s hazard communication (HAZCOM) program.
• Ensures that chemicals, petroleum and other controlled products are used, stored and disposed of in accordance with local, state and federal regulations; maintains required records and strives to minimize the use of chemicals and petroleum products.
• Communicates as necessary with General Manager, Golf Professional and Controller to discuss conditions of facilities, maintenance plans, scheduled events and the number of rounds played.
• Communicates as necessary with Grounds, Golf or other applicable committees.
• Plans professional development and training activities for subordinates including safety training for equipment use and proper handling of fertilizers, herbicides, and all other chemicals used on course; assures that MSDSs are available in convenient location.
• Makes recommendations for capital improvement and purchases.
• Establishes short- and long-range plans for the golf course.
• Attends staff and management meetings.
• Audits and approves bi-weekly payroll.
• Establishes and maintains professional business relations with vendors.
• Prepares annual budget for department; takes corrective action as necessary to help assure that budget goals are met.
• Responsible for snow removal program.
• Completes other appropriate assignments from the General Manager.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy, Horticulture or Plant Science.
• Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) – Preferred.
• Pesticide Application Certification.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Previous work as a Greens Superintendent, or Assistant Superintendent in a high level club or golf course setting.

Working Conditions

• Regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions.
• Frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals.
• Occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
• Able to meet and perform physical requirements and to work effectively in an environment which is typical of this position.
• Frequent lifting, bending, climbing, stooping and pulling.
• Work extended hours during golf season.
• Work weekends and holidays.

Date Position Available

Immediately

Other Benefits

Salary is open and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Please send cover letter and resume to Mark Bechtel, General Manager, at mbechtel@maketewah.com.