Greenkeeper Apprentice

Summary

Start a rewarding career in greenkeeping! Join our experienced team at Stowmarket Golf Club as a Greenkeeper Apprentice, gaining hands-on training and a Level 2 qualification while helping maintain our course to a high standard.

Wage

£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Golf greenkeeper (level 2)

Hours

40 hours per week, following the usual greenkeeping working pattern and seasonal needs (may include early starts and weekend overtime on a rotation basis).

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 14 December 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Working alongside our experienced greenkeeping team, the apprentice will receive hands-on training while completing a Level 2 Golf Greenkeeper Apprenticeship, gaining the skills and knowledge required to become a qualified greenkeeper. This role sits within the greenkeeping team, reporting to the Course Manager, and covers the maintenance of the golf course and grounds.

Main duties (following a successful training programme) include:

• Maintaining the golf course to the high standards expected
• Mowing greens, tees and other playing areas
• Raking and maintaining bunkers, including topping up sand and weed control
• Divoting tees and fairways
• Assisting with irrigation issues and general irrigation management
• Moving tee markers and setting up the course for daily play
• Strimming and general vegetation management
• Gardening, planting and landscape improvements
• Maintaining the clubhouse surrounds and car park
• Assisting with drainage projects and construction work
• Supporting machinery maintenance and workshop duties where appropriate
• Working safely, efficiently and collaboratively as part of the greenkeeping team
• Working safely, efficiently and collaboratively as part of the greenkeeping team

Where you'll work

LOWER ROAD
ONEHOUSE
STOWMARKET
SUFFOLK
IP14 3DA

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE

Training course

Golf greenkeeper (level 2)

What you'll learn

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.

Training schedule

• Golf Greenkeeper Standard
• English and maths (if required) Level 2

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English or Equivalent (grade 9-4 or A-C)
• Maths or Equivalent (grade 9-4 or A-C)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Presentation skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Physical fitness
• Reliable
• Willingness to learn

Other requirements

In addition to completing your application here, please send an application letter, explaining why would like to be considered, to View email address on findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk, FAO Matthew Gill.