Over the last several years—and especially in the past few months—I’ve been asked a recurring question by candidates and industry peers alike:
“Does volunteer leadership actually matter when it comes to landing top jobs?”
It’s a fair question. In a business where agronomics and course conditioning have long been the measuring stick, many wonder where volunteerism fits in today’s performance-driven, brand-conscious, and capital-intensive private club landscape.
After leading dozens of executive-level searches, here’s my answer: it’s not about padding your résumé. It’s not about chasing titles or optics. It’s about something far more powerful: proving you’re ready for executive-level responsibility.
Two years ago, I sat in the office of a former GCSAA president and discussed this very topic—do search committees value it? At the time, I wasn’t fully convinced. But today, I’ve seen the proof firsthand. In multiple recent searches, the deciding factor between “qualified” and “undeniable” often comes down to leadership outside the ropes.
Recently, I worked with finalists for a top role—all presidents of their local GCSAA chapters. And one candidate in particular stood out—not just for managing top course conditions and capital projects, or running a best-in-class communication platform—but for consistently showing up on behalf of the profession. His work in BMP development, advocacy on Capitol Hill, and chapter leadership made it clear: this wasn’t résumé fluff. It was executive behavior in action.
Volunteer leadership reveals what a résumé can’t:
- A servant-leader mindset rooted in collaboration and contribution
- Fluency in boardroom dynamics and consensus-building
- An ability to think and act beyond their own property
- Emotional intelligence—quiet consistency, not loud self-promotion
- A dedication to their craft and profession
And that’s exactly what clubs are hiring for today. The modern Director of Agronomy, COO, or GM isn’t just maintaining standards—they’re shaping vision, managing stakeholder expectations, and representing the brand.
Volunteer roles, when done with intention, serve as the proving ground for these skills. They’re where professionals learn to navigate politics, influence peers, and lead without formal authority. That’s not extracurricular—it’s executive-level preparation.
Clubs demand more today:
- Strategic foresight
- Effective member communication
- Cross-functional leadership
- Cultural influence and staff development
Volunteer leaders are often already performing in these arenas. They’ve rallied support, presented to skeptical rooms, and led initiatives that required buy-in—not just execution.
My advice to professionals? Be intentional. Pick roles that stretch you, introduce you to decision-makers, and expose you to the challenges you’ll face in the boardroom.
My advice to hiring committees? Ask the deeper questions. Who has served the profession? Who’s led peers? Who’s been trusted to represent something bigger than themselves? These are the candidates who show up ready—ready to lead your team, navigate your board, and steward your club’s long-term future.
Whether you’re a club ready to elevate performance or a professional ready to lead at the next level, we bring unmatched insight, industry relationships, and strategic alignment to every search.
Let’s build something exceptional. Set up a free Talent Strategy Call to start your leadership journey.
About The Author
Tyler Bloom is the leading expert on workforce development in the golf and private club industry. He has worked with hundreds of leading golf and private clubs in the United States including The PGA of America, Top 100 golf courses, public, municipal to professional sports teams, universities, and national historic landmarks.
As a talent management and consultation executive, he leverages deep relationships locally, regionally, and nationally to help businesses secure and develop premier talent.
His insights have been featured by Golf Digest, USGA, Boardroom Magazine, Club+Resorts, GCSAA, SFMA, PGA of America, CMAA, and British International Greenskeepers Association.
Are you ready to build a top-performing team that drives results? Our proven framework, methodologies, and implementation is based on our personal track record of developing world-class teams. In addition to talent acquisition, we provide leadership development and ongoing consultative services for the golf course and club industry. Our team has personally coached and mentored dozens of future golf course superintendents across the United States.