News Feature
The Importance of Agronomy - Series 2 of 3
I hope you enjoyed reading last week’s article, “Great Hires Lead to Success," by Mark Woodward and Shawn Emerson. These two gentlemen are the best in the field of agronomy and are available to assist overall grounds and greens programs. They are just an e-mail or call away.

This week’s informative article, “What’s Next?," which is available for reading below, is co-authored by Mark Woodward and Shawn Emerson.

Mark Woodward knows how essential it is for General Managers to hire the right Superintendents and Directors of Agronomy. These key positions are an important part of every golf club’s leadership team and play an integral role in the success of a club’s overall operation—well beyond the basics of agronomics and growing turf-grass. 

Mark has more than 50 years of experience in the golf club industry and specializes in Golf Course Superintendent and Director of Agronomy searches. He has a keen understanding of how connecting with the best candidates and hiring top-notch employees can set your club apart from the competition. 

Coming next week, we’ll share “There Might Just Be A Better Way (to Get Things Done),” the last of this three-part series, and a short feature on Shawn Emerson.

Thanks for being there for us.
Jay Salem
COO, GSI Executive Search
Human Resource Consultant 
GSI Executive Search
972-341-8143 Office
214-533-5165 Cell
Latest Blog
What’s Next?

As a General Manager, with assistance from GSI Executive Search, you’ve just filled a key vacancy on your staff by hiring an excellent candidate to become your next golf course superintendent.

So, is that the end of the process, or just the beginning? We would argue that the work is only beginning. What’s next?

The worst thing you could do is to think the process has ended and just turn your superintendent loose without doing everything in your power to set him/her up for the ultimate success.

Now, it’s a given that your new hire knows how to grow quality turf-grass and possesses a large number of other necessary skills to provide your members with great course conditions, but how much does the person know about how your club works and operates? It’s your job to teach them rather than relying on someone else to do it. There’s only one way to do the right thing in this situation.

It’s very important that you spend quite a bit of time with your new hire not only to get to know them better, but also to introduce them to all the staff at the club. Additionally, it’s smart to give them a few minutes at your next leadership meeting to talk about their background, education and experience that has led them to be selected for this new position. Obviously, there should be many valid reasons why you hired this person so it’s incumbent upon you to let your entire management team know from day one what those reasons were, and that this new superintendent has your full support.
Mark J. Woodward CGCS, MBA
Principal, GSI Search Consultant
Head Agronomy Consultant
480-381-8831
Shawn Emerson
Agronomy Associate/Consultant
602-818-5818
Comprehensive Current Searches
July 21, 2022
At GSI Executive Search, we’re always adding new searches to our ever-expanding roster of private club clients. Please see below for the complete list of current searches. Click on candidate searches for further profile information and to apply.
Cedar Hammock Golf & Country Club
Naples, FL

General Manager/COO
Two Rivers Country Club
Williamsburg, VA
More Info to come

Old Baldy Club
Saratoga, WY

Kuiko Golf and Beach Club
Kailua-Kona, HI

Minnehaha Country Club
Sioux Falls, SD

Assistant General Manager
Orienta Beach Club
Mamaroneck, NY
More Info to come

Aurora Anguilla - D Richards Restaurant
Anguilla, British West Indies

Aurora Anguilla - D Richard's Restaurant
Anguilla, British West Indies

General Manager/COO
Dairymen's
Boulder Junction, WI
More Info to come

Vaquero Club
Westlake, TX

Island Country Club
Marco Island, FL

Sous Chef
Aurora Anguilla - D Richards Restaurant
Anguilla, British West Indies
More info to come

Assistant Controller
The Grove
Nashville, TN
More Info to come

The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch
Boerne, TX
Westlake Village, CA

Echo Lake Country Club
Westfield, NJ

Silo Ridge Field Club
Amenia, NY

St. Anthony Hall at the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

The Nassau Club of Princeton
Princeton, NJ

The Club at Olde Stone
Bowling Green, KY

Milwaukee Yacht Club
Milwaukee, WI

Corpus Christi Country Club
Corpus Christi, TX

Fairlawn Country Club
Akron, OH

Heritage Bay Golf & Country Club
Naples, FL

San Joaquin Country Club
Fresno, CA

Adirondack League Club
Old Forge, NY

Coleman Lake Club
Goodman, WI  

Westchester Country Club
Rye, NY

Seattle Yacht Club
Seattle, WA
Interested in placing a candidate search with GSI?
Contact one of our search consultants.
Scott McNett
Senior Principal
314-854-1321
Midwest United States
Ned Welc, CCM, CCE
Principal
440-796-7922
Florida / Ohio
Southeast United States
Terry Anglin, CCM, CCE, ECM
Principal
901-550-9338
West / Southwest United States
David J. Robinson, CCM
Principal
808-829-2508
Northern California / Hawaii
Northwest United States
Manny Gugliuzza, CCM, CCE
Principal
732-618-8665
Northeast United States
Richard A. Lareau, CCM, CCE, ECM
Principal
713-557-4287
Texas / Oklahoma / Kansas / Gulf States
Andrew Minnelli, USPTA, PTR, USRSA
Associate
310-740-4488
Racquet Sports / United States
Mark J. Woodward, CGCS, MBA
Principal
Head Agronomy Consultant
480-381-8831
Shawn Emerson
Agronomy Consultant
602-818-5818
Management Team
Bob Jones
President
972-341-8133 Office
Jay Salem
Chief Operating Officer
Human Resource Consultant 
972-341-8143 Office
214-533-5165 Cell
About GSI Executive Search:  

GSI Executive Search, an Ethos Club & Leisure Alliance company, is a full-service executive search firm serving the private club and hospitality industries throughout the U.S. The firm's hands-on, thorough, and results-oriented approach has led to successful placements for over 25+ years with more than 500 client clubs/organizations and over 900 search assignments.