Apprentice Greenkeeper
DONNINGTON VALLEY GROUP LIMITED
Berkshire, RG14 3BG
Closes on Thursday 31 October
Posted on 17 September 2024
Summary
You will be working within a team, initially working on basic greenkeeping duties and then being introduced to all golf course equipment and machinery. You will be involved in all areas of golf course maintenance and management. The work can be physically challenging, and a good level of fitness will be advantageous.
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Training course
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Golf greenkeeper (level 2)
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Hours
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Monday – Friday, 6.00am - 2.30pm. Overtime weekends on a rota basis when fully trained.
40 hours a week
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Possible start date
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Friday 1 November
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
- Golf course preparation
- A range of mowing
- Presenting and maintaining playing surfaces for golf
- Using and maintaining handheld / pedestrian / ride - on machinery
- Preparing and operating a tractor and attachments
- Renovating and repairing sports turf surfaces
- Preparing ground for grass / plants
- Establishing grass / plants
- Monitoring and maintaining health, safety and security
- Establishing working relationships
- Developing your personal performance
Where you’ll work
Donnington Valley Golf Cub
Snelsmore House
Newbury
Berkshire
RG14 3BG
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 WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP
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.
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.
Your training plan
- Level 2 Golf Greenkeeping Apprenticeship
- Level 2 Functional Skills in English and maths
- The course is delivered remotely in the workplace using Google classroom
- An assessor visits the workplace every 4 weeks
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
- English (grade 4 / C or above)
- Maths (grade 4 / C or above)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can
adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Enthusiastic
Other requirements
This work is physical and will require you to work in and outdoors in all weathers. You might have contact with members so will need to have a polite manner.
About this company
As an award winning employer, we believe that investment in each and every one of our staff members is key to the success of our business and happiness of our guests. As an employer, The Vineyard Group offers support, training and development opportunities to help your career flourish.
The Vineyard Group encompasses The Vineyard, Donnington Valley Hotel & Spa and The King Fisher Hotel, Bedford. Each property is focused on providing the highest quality of service, food and beverage. We have 2 golf courses Donnington Valley Golf Course, an 18 hole course and Deanwood Park Golf Club a 9 hole course, both based in Newbury.
http://www.donningtonvalley.co.uk (opens in new tab)
After this apprenticeship
By the end of the programme, the apprentice will know when, how and why the range of maintenance operations are carried out. The career as a Golf Greenkeeper can take you wherever the game of golf is played. Working outdoors in a healthy environment and as new countries are embracing the sport and more golf courses are being built, there is no better time to consider joining this great profession.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP
Business Services - Apprenticeship
business.services@windsor-forest.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is
VAC1000277424.
Apply now
Closes on Thursday 31 October
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