24h ago , from ASTMA Australian Sports Turf Managers Association

A rare opportunity to lead one of Sydney’s most distinctive golf courses.

For the first time in more than 25 years, Long Reef Golf Club is advertising externally for a Course Superintendent.

Situated on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Long Reef occupies an extraordinary coastal setting overlooking the Pacific Ocean and is one of Sydney’s busiest and most recognisable golf courses, hosting approximately 67,000 rounds annually.

The current course layout was designed by five‑time Open Champion Peter Thomson, with the Club continuing to invest significantly in its presentation and development. More recently, Craig Parry Design has prepared the Club’s Bunker Master Plan and Course Improvements Plan, with a number of significant projects already delivered and further works planned.

Long Reef is a financially strong and highly profitable Club, with a demonstrated commitment to reinvesting in its golf course, facilities, people and equipment.

The Club is now looking for an outstanding turf management professional to take responsibility for the next chapter of course presentation, agronomy and development at Long Reef.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the General Manager, the Course Superintendent will have overall responsibility for the management, maintenance, presentation and continued improvement of the golf course and associated grounds.

The Superintendent will lead the Course Maintenance team and work closely with the General Manager, Golf Committee, Board and other senior managers to ensure the golf course continues to meet the expectations of Members and visitors while delivering the Club’s longer‑term course objectives.

The role requires a turf professional who combines strong agronomic knowledge, people leadership, planning, financial management and sound judgement, while remaining closely connected to the day‑to‑day condition and presentation of the Golf Course.

The Club maintains a significant ongoing capital expenditure program for Course equipment, providing the team with access to a modern, premium and regularly renewed machinery fleet.

The incoming Superintendent will also have meaningful input into future course improvements and will work with Management, the Board and specialist consultants, including Craig Parry Design, on future projects.

Key Responsibilities

The Course Superintendent will:

- Lead the agronomic management, conditioning and presentation of the golf course.




- Develop and implement the Club’s annual Course Management and Maintenance Plan.
- Maintain high and consistent standards across greens, tees, fairways, roughs, bunkers, practice facilities and surrounding areas.
- Lead, develop, and manage the Course Maintenance team, including determining the structure and capability required to meet the Club’s future needs.
- Establish effective daily, weekly and seasonal work programs.
- Ensure labour, materials and equipment are deployed efficiently.
- Prepare and manage the Course operating and capital budgets.
- Develop long‑term plans for plant and machinery, irrigation, drainage and other course infrastructure.
- Work with Management and the Club’s course design consultants on the planning and delivery of future course improvement and construction projects.
- Manage turf nutrition, chemical, pest and disease programs.
- Oversee irrigation, water management and drainage systems.
- Maintain strong WHS, environmental, chemical management and record‑keeping standards.
- Continually review maintenance practices, technology and work processes to improve efficiency and course outcomes.
- Provide regular reporting and professional advice to the General Manager.
- Contribute to Golf Committee and Board discussions when required.
- Communicate effectively with Members regarding course conditions, maintenance programs and significant course works.
- Maintain productive relationships with contractors, suppliers, consultants and industry professionals.

About You

We are seeking an experienced turf skilled who has the judgement, standards and leadership capability required to manage a high‑use golf course in a demanding coastal environment.

Applications are welcomed from:

- Experienced Course Superintendents with a demonstrated record of producing high quality golf course playing surfaces; or
- High performing Assistant Superintendents with a minimum of three years’ senior supervisory experience at a leading private, Group One, championship or similarly high‑performing golf club, who are ready to take the next step into a Superintendent role.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:





- Strong agronomic knowledge and a proven ability to consistently produce high quality playing surfaces.
- Experience managing putting surfaces through demanding seasonal and climatic conditions.
- Strong knowledge of turf nutrition, soil management, pest and disease management, irrigation, drainage and water management.
- The ability to maintain high presentation standards while accommodating approximately 67,000 rounds annually.
- Proven leadership capability, including developing, motivating and holding staff accountable.
- Strong planning and organisational skills.
- Experience preparing and managing operating and capital budgets.
- Experience managing machinery fleets and course infrastructure.
- Experience delivering golf course construction, renovation or improvement projects.
- A strong understanding of WHS and environmental compliance.
- Sound commercial judgement and the ability to manage resources effectively.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the confidence to communicate professionally with Management, Committees, Board members and Club Members.
- Relevant qualifications in Sports Turf Management or a related discipline and appropriate chemical application accreditation.

Experience managing Poa annua putting surfaces, Kikuyu fairways and turf within a coastal environment would be highly regarded.

Above all, the Club is looking for someone who takes ownership of the Golf Course, establishes high standards for themselves and their team and has the ambition to continually improve both the Golf Course and the people responsible for maintaining it.

Why Long Reef

The successful candidate will join a financially strong Club that is committed to investing in its golf course and will have:

- Significant influence over the future presentation and development of the course.
- An experienced Course Maintenance team, with the opportunity to shape its structure, capability and development into the future.
- An established Course Improvements Plan and pipeline of future projects.
- A strong capital expenditure program supporting a modern and premium equipment fleet.
- Direct access to the General Manager and involvement in the Club’s Course planning and decision making.
- Support for ongoing professional development, education and industry engagement.
- The opportunity to make a long term contribution to one of Sydney’s best known golf clubs.

A competitive remuneration package will be negotiated commensurate with the experience and capability of the successful candidate.

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📌 Course Superintendent (Sydney)
🏢 Long Reef Golf Club
📍 Sydney