Golf Greenkeeping Apprenticeship

Summary

This is a fantastic opportunity to join the team as an Apprentice Greenkeeper. The apprenticeship will be varied and rewarding. Each day will entail a variety of tasks, so you must be able to work in all weather conditions, be physically fit with the ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Annual wage

£13,520 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

The pay will rise to minimum wage in the 2nd year. The wage may be higher, depending on work experience.

Training course

Golf greenkeeper (level 2)

Hours

6.00am to 2.30pm in summer and 7.00am to 3.30pm in winter. Days TBC

40 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 7 October

Duration

2 Years

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

A golf greenkeeper is responsible for the maintenance, care and overall appearance of a golf course in line with employer’s requirements. It is their job along with colleagues to maintain a good quality playing surface and ensure the course offers a consistent challenge and an enjoyable experience for golfers.

There are four key turfgrass areas on a golf course – greens, tees, fairways and rough. Each of which requires a different type of maintenance. Using a range of equipment and machinery safely and competently will play a major part within an apprentices training programme. Golf Greenkeepers will also be involved in hazard, environmental and ecological operations which may include bunker maintenance, planting turf, trees, shrubs and developing wildlife habitats. The skills required to become a competent greenkeeper will be acquired whilst working as an apprentice on the golf course.

By the end of the programme, you will know when, how and why the range of maintenance operations are carried out.

A Golf Greenkeeper will be able to:

Maintain good standards of health and safety for self and others
Prepare the golf course for play which will include removing early morning dew and debris from the greens, raking bunkers, moving tee markers, cutting new holes on greens
Prepare and use equipment and machinery to maintain and renovate all turf surfaces within the golf course, including the use of tractors, ride-on machines and specialist equipment
Apply turf treatments to help produce quality playing surfaces, including fertilisers and top dressing
Use a variety of integrated methods to control weeds, fungal diseases, pests and turf disorders
Maintain and renovate bunkers and other hazards such as water features
Maintain drainage and irrigation systems
Prepare ground to establish turf and plants when maintaining, renovating and constructing golf course features

An Apprentice Golf Greenkeeper will develop and learn to understand the following technical knowledge:

Identify their role in monitoring and maintaining health and safety within the workplace
Identify a number of grasses, weeds, pests, diseases, turf disorders, plants and trees
The primary aspects of soil and plant biology to include the process of germination: photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration
The principles of mowing and machine maintenance and their operation
The need and implications of rolling, verti-cutting, scarification and aeration
The strategies for controlling weeds, pests, diseases and turf disorders
How fertilisers, top dressing and chemicals affect playing surfaces
How course maintenance practices affect the environment
Be aware of the importance of the Rules of Golf and golf course etiquette
Recognise the importance of environmental and ecological best practice
The operation of irrigation, drainage systems and their maintenance

Where you’ll work

FIXBY HALL

LIGHTRIDGE ROAD

FIXBY

HUDDERSFIELD

HD2 2EP

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

THE OLDHAM COLLEGE

Your training course

Golf greenkeeper (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

Identify and maintain natural habitats and areas of biodiversity.

Apply irrigation to achieve appropriate soil conditions and golf course playability.

Handle, store and dispose of golf course waste materials in accordance with environmental or waste management policies.

Monitor and maintain standards of health, safety and security for oneself, colleagues, golfers and visitors on the golf course and surrounding areas, in line with legislation and company policy and procedures.

Establish and maintain working relationships with greenkeeping staff, colleagues and others within the golf club environment.

Keep up to date with advances in working practices and technologies to maintain and develop personal performance.

Communicate golf course related information to stakeholders, including greenkeeping staff, colleagues and golfers.

Mark and maintain golf areas in line with the Rules of Golf (including drop zones, hazard/ penalty areas, out of bounds and tee markers).

Measure, record and communicate green speeds applying the United States Golf Association (USGA) Stimpmeter instructions.

Position and change golf holes to the required finish and in accordance with the Rules of Golf.

Set up mowers and mow areas of the golf course in accordance with golf course standards.

Maintain and present bunkers for play.

Switch and brush golf course turf.

Set up equipment and aerate and scarify areas of the golf course.

Repair damaged golf turf in play (for example, by turfing, plugging or patching).

Use a range of integrated methods to control weeds, moss, fungal diseases, pests and turf disorder

Apply top dressing in accordance with golf course requirements.

Apply fertiliser to playing surfaces.

Prepare, set up, operate and store tools, equipment and machinery in line with manufacturers' instructions and to the required specifications, to ensure their safe and effective use on golf turf surfaces and surrounding areas.

Carry out routine maintenance to tools, equipment and machinery used for greenkeeping practices, in line with manufacturers' instructions and company policies and procedures.

Prepare and operate a tractor with attachments in line with manufacturers instructions, legislation and company policies and procedures (including risk assessment, hitching, and safe stop).

Maintain and renovate non-turf areas such as pathways, penalty areas.

Monitor and record soil and plant health data.

Prepare ground and establish turf and seed.

Identification of grass type through seed inspection and physical inspection of the plant using either common or botanical names.