Completed sixth tee complex at Scarsdale Golf Club

Golf Course Leadership • Agronomy • Capital Improvement

Jesse Bulaga

Golf Course Superintendent Candidate

Golf course leader with superintendent-level experience spanning agronomy, team leadership, capital construction, infrastructure, budgeting, and operational innovation.

Prepared to lead a modern golf course operation with a balance of agronomic excellence, financial discipline, infrastructure planning, and team development.

View Featured Projects Download Résumé

Professional profile

Course conditions are built through culture, planning, and execution.

I am a golf course management professional with more than 15 years of progressive leadership experience across private and public clubs. At Scarsdale Golf Club, my responsibilities extend across daily course and clubhouse grounds operations, scheduling, budget support, environmental compliance, capital construction, irrigation and drainage improvements, equipment strategy, and the integration of new technology into the maintenance operation.

My approach centers on detail, accountability, communication, and continuous improvement. I believe a successful superintendent must connect agronomy with people, finance, infrastructure, member expectations, and long-term planning—while building a team culture that understands the standard and takes pride in achieving it.

$3M+Capital construction oversight
27 holesHDPE irrigation project management
15 unitsAutonomous mowing fleet integration
MultipleComplete tee & drainage renovations

Featured capital work

Projects that improve infrastructure, playing conditions, and long-term operations.

Selected work demonstrating project leadership, infrastructure planning, construction execution, and long-term operational improvement.

01 / Tee Complex Renovation

No. 6 Tee Complex

Complete renovation of the sixth tee complex, including added elevation, new drainage, reshaping, and complete regrassing.

Elevation & shaping Drainage installation Complete regrassing
Challenge

Rebuild an aging tee complex while improving grade, drainage, turf performance, and overall presentation.

Execution

Coordinated elevation changes, shaping, drainage installation, surface preparation, and complete regrassing.

Result

Delivered a fully reconstructed tee complex with improved infrastructure, stronger turf-growing conditions, and a cleaner visual presentation.

02 / Tee Complex Renovation

No. 15 Tee Complex

A second complete tee renovation demonstrating planning, earthwork, shaping, material handling, and finished-surface restoration.

Complete reconstruction Grading & shaping Playing-surface restoration
Challenge

Complete a full tee renovation while coordinating material movement, earthwork, shaping, and final establishment.

Execution

Managed construction sequencing from site preparation and grading through shaping and restoration of the playing surface.

Result

Transformed the tee complex into a rebuilt playing surface with improved form, presentation, and long-term maintainability.

03 / Irrigation Infrastructure

HDPE Irrigation System

Large-scale HDPE irrigation project involving extensive trenching, piping, valves, field connections, and the installation of more than 1,400 irrigation heads.

1,400+ irrigation heads HDPE mainline & laterals Course-wide infrastructure
Challenge

Install major new irrigation infrastructure across active golf course areas while protecting playability and existing turf.

Execution

Managed trenching, HDPE piping, valves, system connections, crew coordination, restoration, and installation of more than 1,400 irrigation heads.

Result

Advanced the course’s long-term water-management infrastructure with a large-scale system designed for improved coverage, control, and operational reliability.

04 / Drainage Improvement

No. 1 Fairway Drainage

Subsurface drainage installation across the No. 1 fairway to improve water movement, turf performance, and playability.

Subsurface drainage Fairway restoration Water management
Challenge

Correct persistent water-management issues in a maintained fairway without compromising surrounding playing surfaces.

Execution

Coordinated precise trenching, subsurface drainage installation, pipe placement, and restoration across the fairway.

Result

Improved drainage capacity, turf performance, and playability while preserving the integrity of the fairway.

Autonomous mower introduced at Scarsdale Golf Club

Innovation & capital planning

Autonomous mowing integration

15 autonomous mowers introduced and implemented into golf course operations at Scarsdale Golf Club.

The program improves mowing consistency and operational efficiency while allowing staff resources to be redirected toward detail work, agronomic programs, course presentation, and other high-value tasks. By integrating 15 autonomous units into daily maintenance and the club’s long-term equipment replacement strategy, autonomous technology became part of future fleet planning rather than a one-time trial.

15Autonomous units
Long-termEquipment replacement planning

Leadership & operations

Leadership Beyond Agronomy

A superintendent’s impact reaches people, budgets, infrastructure, risk, communication, capital planning, and the member experience.

01

Team Leadership

Work planning, delegation, training, accountability, motivation, and building pride in daily execution.

02

Budget Management

Operating-budget support, purchasing, resource allocation, capital planning, and long-term equipment strategy.

03

Agronomic Management

Cultural practices, plant health, scouting, nutrient and protectant programs, stress management, and playability.

04

Infrastructure

Irrigation, drainage, water management, construction coordination, tee renovation, and restoration.

05

Communication

Clear coordination with boards, club leadership, golf professionals, staff, members, contractors, and vendors.

06

Innovation

Evaluating and integrating technology that improves operational efficiency without compromising standards.

Professional experience

Progressive leadership across private and public clubs.

2020–PresentHartsdale, NY

Senior Assistant Superintendent

Scarsdale Golf Club

Provide senior operational leadership for golf course and clubhouse grounds at an 18-hole private club, coordinating staff, agronomic programs, daily course preparation, environmental compliance, budgeting, capital construction, infrastructure improvements, and long-range equipment planning. Help lead a $2.5 million annual operating program while managing major course improvements, including tee reconstruction, drainage installation, irrigation infrastructure, and the integration of autonomous mowing technology.

25+ team members$2.5M operating program$3M+ capital construction15 autonomous mowersEnvironmental compliance
2019Central Valley, NY

Golf Course Superintendent

Falkirk Estate and Country Club

Directed all aspects of course management for an 18-hole public country club while also overseeing plant and grounds management for a multi-million-dollar wedding venue. Initiated irrigation planning, designed drainage improvements, and began restoration work toward the course’s original design.

2014–2019Beacon, NY

Golf Course Superintendent

Southern Dutchess Country Club

Directed course management, agronomic programs, budgeting, purchasing, and member/board communication for a private club, with a focus on modern cultural practices, long-term turf health, playability, and consistent member expectations.

2011–2014River Vale, NJ

Assistant Golf Course Superintendent

Edgewood Country Club

Developed schedules, delegated assignments, trained staff, coordinated irrigation, and managed daily turf scouting. Served as project manager for a complete 27-hole tee-to-green HDPE irrigation construction project and supported in-house tee and drainage construction.

Superintendent readiness

Prepared to lead the entire operation.

Lead the team

Set standards, organize work, develop people, and create accountability around daily execution.

Own the infrastructure

Plan and execute irrigation, drainage, renovation, equipment, and capital-improvement programs.

Manage the business

Balance operating priorities, budget discipline, purchasing, capital planning, environmental compliance, and long-term asset needs.

Communicate the plan

Work effectively with club leadership, boards, golf professionals, members, contractors, vendors, and staff.

Protect playing conditions

Maintain a strong agronomic foundation while making practical decisions around stress, labor, water, and member expectations.

Move the operation forward

Evaluate and implement technology and process improvements that support quality, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

Education & credentials

Professional foundation

SUNY DelhiB.B.A., Golf Course Management / Superintendent • 2008
New York StateCommercial Pesticide Applicator License
Professional AffiliationsGolf Course Superintendents Association of America • New York State Turfgrass Association
Early CareerBallyowen Golf Club • National Golf Links of America • Shelter Harbor Golf Club

Contact

Ready to Lead the Next Chapter

I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience in agronomy, team leadership, capital planning, infrastructure development, and operational innovation can contribute to the long-term success of your club.

jbulaga@gmail.com (845) 807-6698 Wurtsboro, New York Download Résumé