Grounds & Greens Student Internship Program
Club History Sunset Ridge Country Club was created by a group of young men in their thirties. In May 1923, the sale was finalized for the property and construction began on May 7th of that year. The original membership was limited to 250 members and all memberships were sold. The Inaugural Dinner Party was held on July 3, 1924. The following day, the first foursome consisting of Forest Lowrey, President; Howard Walton, Vice President; Bob Pirie, Club Professional; and William Diddel, who designed the golf course, teed off. The Club was officially open. Like any other organization, the Club experienced some challenges along the way. The Depression years from 1929 to 1933 devastated the country and affected the Club s membership. Finances were severely strained during these years, but the Club survived. During World War II the Club membership dropped from 300 to 130 due to many members departing for military service as well as rationing of gasoline, food and other restrictions. The Club survived even though austerity and concentration on the war took a grave toll on the Club s income.
Present Today, Sunset Ridge has roughly 600 members and a vast offering of amenities. There is an 18-hole golf course, a short game practice area and practice range, a swimming and wading pool, tennis and platform tennis courts, and skeet & trap range. The Club has recently completed award winning renovations to its clubhouse facilities and golf course. Sunset Ridge was awarded the 2006 Private Club Golf Course Renovation of the Year by Golf, Inc. magazine. The Clubhouse renovations earned a Club Management Magazine Design Showcase Award in 2005. The Club is open from February through December. During these 11 months the Club has an active social calendar of parties, weddings, fashion shows, business meetings, birthdays, holiday parties and family affairs. The tradition of our active family membership is well known.
About the Village of Northfield The Village of Northfield is a home ruled community consisting of approximately 5,500 residents and a little over 2,100 single family homes. The Village features a wide range of living styles ranging from quaint century old properties to modern condos to the smart modern upscale mansions. Located only 17 miles from the City of Chicago via highway or commuter train. Northfield has easy access to two of Chicago s biggest highway systems: I-94 and I-294 and is bordered by the communities of Northbrook, Glenview, Winnetka and Wilmette and located just miles from Lake Michigan. The Village of Northfield also features numerous parks, wooded areas, access to two park districts and surrounded by other top Illinois golf courses.
Objective To provide a college level student with a well rounded practical experience in golf course maintenance. Within one summer, the intern will become proficient in the outlined areas of the program. To insure the student has a complete experience, some extra criteria will have to be met. While extra time and a lot of hard work will need to be devoted to the program, the end result will be an easier, and more successful transition to a full time Assistant superintendent position.
Proficiency Areas General Golf Course Maintenance Irrigation Fertilizer & Chemicals Ornamentals Communication Golf
General Golf Course Maintenance Course setup Green, tee, fairway & bunker care Green rolling & stimpmeter recordkeeping
Irrigation Pipe repairs Toro Network VP Satellite Operating System Toro 750/780 & 850/855 Series sprinkler head upkeep
Fertilizer & Chemicals Application Calibration Test plot evaluation
Ornamentals Identification Fertilization Planting Pruning
Communication Business & technical writing Record keeping Oral communication in the work place
Golf Play the game Rules & regulations Handicap establishment
Requirements The summer intern is an important part of our Greens and Grounds Team. We are searching for a mature and motivated turf and ornamental professional that will listen, learn and support. The individual must be a flexible, team oriented person with a positive attitude, strong work ethic and expect to work 45 50 hours a week. It is understood that many of the tasks outlined above have been already been completed before the student has arrived. It will be the responsibility of the student to both observe, and ask questions to gain knowledge in the areas not performed first hand.
Amenities Housing Meals Uniform Golf Privileges Performance bonus
Employee Bios Greg Rounds Grounds and Greens Superintendent Greg has been the Grounds and Greens Superintendent for Sunset Ridge Country Club since January of 2006. Hired two seasons prior as Senior Assistant Superintendent, Greg spent his first two years assisting long time Superintendent, Dennis Wilson. Following a successful major renovation of the golf course, Greg was promoted to Greens and Grounds Superintendent on January 1, 2006. Greg, a native of Colona, Illinois, has 19 years of experience in golf course management. He has graduated from the University of Illinois, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ornamental Horticulture. While attending college, Greg successfully completed internships at Eagle Ridge Resort & Inn, and Medinah Country Club. Following graduation, Greg accepted a position at Barrington Hills Country Club as the 1st Assistant Superintendent. Two years later, Greg moved on to the Knollwood Club in Lake Forest, Illinois where he gained three additional years of experience as the 1 st Assistant Superintendent. Greg is a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendents, and the Chicagoland Superintendents Association. Greg, along with his wife (Brenna) and their daughter (Riley) currently reside in Northfield, Illinois.
Employee Bios cont Kyle Schwieter Assistant Grounds and Greens Superintendent Kyle has been at Sunset Ridge Country Club since October of 2013. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Kyle graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Turfgrass Science. While attending college, Kyle successfully completed an internship at The Camargo Club in Indian Hill, Ohio and two years additional experience at Brookside Golf & Country Club in Worthington, Ohio. Kyle is a Class C member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and the Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendents. Kyle currently resides in Chicago, Illinois with his wife Kaitlin.
Employee Bios cont Peter Killian Assistant Grounds and Greens Superintendent Peter has been at Sunset Ridge Country Club since December of 2015. A native of Heyworth, Illinois, Peter graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications Studies and received a Certificate in Turf Management from Penn State University. He has previously worked at Bloomington Country Club, Lacon Country Club and Bryn Mawr Country Club. Peter is a Class C member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and the Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendents. Peter currently resides in Northfield, Illinois.
Employee Bios cont Dan Golden Equipment Technician Dan has been the Equipment Technician at Sunset Ridge Country Club since April of 2008. A lifelong resident of Northfield, Illinois, Dan attended New Trier High School and also served in the United States Marine Corps. Dan worked as the Equipment Technician at Barrington Hills Country Club for 14 years prior to joining our G&G team at Sunset Ridge Country Club. Dan and his wife (Sue) currently reside in Northfield, Illinois.
Conclusion The SRCC internship is about learning, teamwork, and fun. Many past SRCC interns have successfully moved into either Assistant or Superintendent positions. E-mail resume to: Kyle Schwieter Assistant Superintendent 2100 Sunset Ridge Rd. Northfield, IL 60093 (847) 441-4045 kyleschwieter@gmail.com