Golf Greenkeeping Level 2 Apprentice

A Golf Greenkeeper is responsible for the maintenance, care and overall appearance of a golf course in line with the employer’s requirements. It is their job 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 areas of 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 in an apprentice's 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 is 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, and 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.

Training:

Level 2 - Golf Greenkeeping Standard.

Training Outcome:

Level 3 Greenkeeping Apprenticeship.

Employer Description:
We offer a challenging, enjoyable golf course for players of all abilities and a comfortable, welcoming clubhouse. A warm welcome awaits everyone at Ringway. Located less than 10 minutes from Manchester Airport and just a mile from the M56.

Working Hours :
April – September 6am-2pm October – March 7am – 3pm.

Skills:
Communication skills,Attention to detail,Organisation skills,Customer care skills,Team working,Creative,Initiative,Patience,Physical fitness