The University of Denver Golf Club at Highlands Ranch is an 18-hole, semi-private golf facility nestled in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, offering sweeping views of the Rocky Mountain front range. Designed by three-time U.S. Open champion Hale Irwin, its par-72 layout features expansive bent grass greens often regarded among the region’s finest. Originally gifted to the University of Denver in 2012 by the Ron Moore family, the property supports both student engagement and community access in line with the university’s public-good mission. The course also serves as the home for DU’s Division I men’s and women’s varsity golf teams, weaving competitive collegiate sport into its identity. In addition to tee times and membership opportunities, Highlands Ranch offers instruction, junior programs, leagues, tournaments, and a dining venue (“The Grill”), all contributing to a full-service golf experience for both members and the public.

Position Summary

The Golf Course Superintendent at Denver Golf Club at Highlands Ranch is responsible for the comprehensive management, maintenance, and presentation of all club properties, including the golf course, practice facilities, clubhouse grounds, landscaped areas, and open and undeveloped spaces. This role oversees all agronomic and operational functions such as turf care, irrigation, construction and renovation projects, pest and fertilizer programs, and environmental stewardship.

The Superintendent develops and manages annual maintenance and capital budgets, directs a professional grounds team, and ensures compliance with all safety and environmental regulations. In addition to maintaining the highest standards of course conditioning and playability, the position requires strong leadership, fiscal accountability, and effective communication with club and university leadership. The Superintendent represents Denver Golf Club at Highlands Ranch with professionalism, contributing to its reputation for excellence and supporting its long-term strategic goals

Essential Functions

Facility Oversight

• Manages and maintains all Denver Golf Club at Highlands Ranch properties, including the golf course, practice facilities, clubhouse grounds, landscaped areas, on-course restrooms, open, and undeveloped areas.

Course Maintenance & Agronomy

• Oversees all aspects of golf course construction, renovation, and daily maintenance of tees, fairways, and greens.
• Manages seeding, turf care, and landscape maintenance, including planting, cultivating, pruning, and caring for trees, shrubs, and plants.
• Applies expert knowledge of fertilizers, soil conditioners, herbicides, and pest management to ensure course health and sustainability.
• Maintains and manages drainage and irrigation systems, including wells, pumps, and automated controls.

Irrigation Management

• Oversees all irrigation operations, including system maintenance, budget management, software programs, and coordination with external water agencies.

Budgeting & Financial Management

• Develops and manages annual maintenance and capital budgets in alignment with the club’s long-range plans and maintenance standards.
• Approves maintenance expenditures and enforces cost-control measures to keep operating and capital expenses within approved budgets.

Staff Leadership

• Recruits, trains, and supervises the maintenance staff.
• Directs daily work activities and holds authority to hire and terminate personnel as necessary.
• Promotes a culture of accountability, safety, and professional development among team members.

Recordkeeping & Compliance

• Maintains accurate records for payroll, inventory, weather, maintenance schedules, pesticide and fertilizer applications, and related documentation.
• Ensures compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations related to course maintenance and chemical use.

Operations Oversight

• Schedules and routes personnel and equipment to meet daily objectives efficiently.
• Conducts regular inspections of the golf course and facilities to evaluate performance standards and identify areas for improvement.

Safety & Environmental Compliance

• Enforces safety protocols and environmental standards to ensure the well-being of staff, guests, wildlife, and property.
• Trains employees in proper handling and application of chemicals and equipment.

Planning & Project Management

• Plans and executes maintenance and improvement projects aligned with the club’s long-term agronomic and operational goals.
• Applies agronomic and administrative expertise to achieve consistent course quality and playability.

Procurement & Equipment Management

• Oversees the acquisition, maintenance, and inventory of all equipment and supplies.
• Implements cost-effective procurement practices and ensures proper care and longevity of assets.

Organizational Communication

• Communicates regularly with club and university leadership regarding goals, initiatives, and operational priorities.
• Engages with key stakeholders and represents Denver Golf Club at Highlands Ranch professionally in meetings and events.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Performs additional duties and special projects assigned to support the overall success and mission of Denver Golf Club at Highlands Ranch.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of modern turfgrass management practices, including cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods for maintaining high-quality playing conditions.
• Expertise in irrigation systems design, maintenance, programming, and water conservation practices.
• Strong understanding of agronomy, plant physiology, soil science, and integrated pest management principles.
• Knowledge of equipment operation, repair, and preventive maintenance standards related to golf course upkeep.
• Proficiency in preparing and managing operational and capital budgets, financial forecasting, and cost-control strategies.
• Ability to lead, train, and motivate a diverse grounds maintenance team while fostering a safe, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interact professionally with university leadership, staff, members, and external partners.
• Familiarity with environmental regulations, water rights, and best management practices related to golf course sustainability.
• Proficiency in relevant software, such as irrigation control systems, agronomic management tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, weekends, and holidays as required by operational demands.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience in turfgrass management, agronomy, horticulture, plant science, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in golf course maintenance, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory or management capacity.
• Demonstrated experience managing bentgrass greens and cool-season turf in a semi-arid, high-altitude environment.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet the University of Denver’s motor vehicle policy requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• GCSAA Member/Certified
• Chemical Applicator’s license
• Current Superintendent of golf course

Working Environment

An employee in this job is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions, occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, and has a risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment may be loud.

Physical Activities

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to hold or feel, reach with hands and arms, walk, talk, smell and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, sit, climb, balance, stoop, crouch and crawl. Specific vision abilities include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, and depth perception. The employee regularly lifts and/or moves up to 50 pounds and occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 100 pounds.

Work Schedule

Flexible hours, including early mornings, weekends, and holidays as required by operational demands.

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) December 10, 2025.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number

The salary grade for the position is 14.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $95,000-$120,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Contact information for three references

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.