Chris Melanson
Riyadh,Saudi Arabia
Summary
Chris Melanson is a seasoned golf course professional with over 25 years of international experience spanning Canada, the Middle East, and New Zealand. His career includes leading high-profile construction and renovation projects, with a current role as Project Manager for the prestigious Nicklaus-designed private course at Qiddiya in Riyadh. Chris brings deep technical knowledge in golf course design, construction, and agronomy, combined with strong leadership of multicultural, multidisciplinary teams. His global exposure has shaped a highly adaptable and collaborative management style, enabling him to deliver world-class, tournament-ready courses in diverse environments.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Golf Project Director
SALCO
Riyadh, KSA
11.2023 - 04.2025
- Elevated to lead USD 12M+ build, accountable for full P&L and strategic direction of a 1,000-acre project.
- Mentor 75+ specialists in engineering, earthworks, safety, and agronomy—fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Introduced digital controls (MS Project, BIM) that improved schedule adherence by 18% and cut material costs by 12%.
- Chair weekly executive steering meetings, aligning design intent with operational realities and budget goals.
- Enhanced project efficiency by implementing robust strategies.
- Defined project scope, milestones and task allocation to establish and maintain clear progress plans.
Deputy Superintendent & Tournament Operations Lead
Golf Saudi
Riyadh, KSA
08.2023 - 11.2023
- Transformed course conditions in 10 weeks for the first Aramco Team Series, boosting turf playability by 20%.
- Coordinated a 45-member team and external partners, delivering a flawless tournament environment with zero safety incidents.
- Led irrigation retrofit and tee redesign, achieving a 15% gain in water efficiency.
Senior Assistant Superintendent & Agronomy Strategist
Royal Mayfair Golf Club
Edmonton, Canada
02.2022 - 08.2023
- Managed a CAD 1.4M maintenance budget and 35-person crew, ensuring Alberta's premier private club upheld its legacy of excellence.
- Crafted a 5-year agronomic plan that reduced fungicide applications by 25% and elevated member satisfaction scores.
- Oversaw acquisition and deployment of 20 new equipment units, shortening response times by 30%.
Business Development Director – Turf & Landscape Solutions
Polyclean Turf Division
Dubai
07.2018 - 02.2021
- Drove 22% annual revenue growth by forging partnerships with 12+ golf resorts and landscape contractors.
- Designed and delivered agronomy workshops for 200+ superintendents, sharing best practices for warm-season turf resilience.
- Guided clients through customized turf-health programs, cutting chemical spend by 18% while improving course aesthetics.
Assistant Superintendent / Operations Manager
Coal Creek Golf Resort
Ryley, Canada
04.2014 - 07.2018
- Led daily maintenance and renovation efforts on a 150-acre site with a CAD 800K budget and 30-member team.
- Delivered a 150-lot RV park—site grading, utilities, landscaping—four weeks ahead of schedule, under budget.
- Oversaw drainage and bunker upgrades that reduced erosion by 40% and enhanced player experience.
Education
Diploma - Horticulture (Turf Management)
Olds College
B.Sc. - Golf Course Management
Olds College
Alberta, Canada Skills
- Golf course construction, shaping, and finishing (greens, tees, fairways)
- Project and team management across multidisciplinary construction teams
- Tournament-level course preparation and turf conditioning
- Advanced turfgrass and agronomic planning (cool- and warm-season grasses)
- Stormwater drainage planning and irrigation system layout
- Golf course renovation and restoration
- Proficient in 3D modeling/rendering for golf course concepts
- Landscape design and softscape/hardscape implementation
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Affiliations
- GCSAA Member
- ASGCA Associate
- FATSA Certified Turf Manager
Languages
English
Native
French
Fluent
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Golf Project Director
SALCO
11.2023 - 04.2025
Deputy Superintendent & Tournament Operations Lead
Golf Saudi
08.2023 - 11.2023
Senior Assistant Superintendent & Agronomy Strategist
Royal Mayfair Golf Club
02.2022 - 08.2023
Business Development Director – Turf & Landscape Solutions
Polyclean Turf Division
07.2018 - 02.2021
Assistant Superintendent / Operations Manager
Coal Creek Golf Resort
04.2014 - 07.2018
Diploma - Horticulture (Turf Management)
Olds College
B.Sc. - Golf Course Management
Olds College
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