Apprentice Greenkeeper

PYECOMBE GOLF CLUB

EAST SUSSEX (BN45 7FF)

Closes in 8 days (Friday 13 February 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 27 January 2026

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Summary

Pycombe Golf Club is seeking a new Apprentice Greenkeeper, you’ll work alongside an experienced, friendly and enthusiastic team while learning the skills involved in maintaining a high‑quality course with an award-winning company. This is a great opportunity to develop your knowledge & gain hands‑on experience.

• Wage:

  £17,680 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Salary will be reviewed after successful completion of probationary period, with a view to increase to £10.00 per hour/ £20,800 per annum.

• Training course: Golf greenkeeper (level 2)
• Hours: Core work is Monday - Friday. Hours are variable, based on seasonal demand. Currently, our staff work 7am - 3pm. In the summer, our staff may work 6am - 2pm. Overtime might also apply (weekend work is set out on a rota).

  40 hours a week

• Start date:

  Sunday 22 February 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

You will carry out all operations in line with the Club’s course management plan, health & safety policies/operational safe systems of work, environmental policies and our employee handbook.

Subject to training and development, you will undertake course maintenance tasks set by the Head Greenkeeper/Deputy, including:

• Cutting greens, green surrounds, fairways, semi-rough
• Undertaking bunker maintenance
• Routine greens maintenance (aeration, top-dressing)
• Bi-annual greens maintenance (verti-draining, hollow-coring, etc).
• Repairing divots
• Pest, disease and weed control
• Equipment checks
• Some construction, tree work and conservation activities
• Maintenance of clubhouse, swing studio and buggy store surrounds
• Maintenance of the car park areas
• Maintenance of tree compounds, storm shelters and the like
• Setting of tee markers
• Cutting holes
• Emptying bins
• Maintaining facilities such as the shoe cleaner and ball washers
• Ensure good housekeeping in all areas of the course and greenkeeping complex

Where you'll work

CLAYTON HILL
PYECOMBE
BRIGHTON
EAST SUSSEX
BN45 7FF

Training

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

Training provider

PLUMPTON COLLEGE

Training course

Golf greenkeeper (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

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 Level 2.

The training will take place in person, bi-weekly at Plumpton College. 

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4)
• Maths (grade 4)

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

Skills

• Communication skills
• Team working
• Positive, ‘can-do’ attitude
• Strong work ethic
• Resilient to weather
• Interest in golf

Other requirements

Due to the club's location, own transport is highly recommended as public transport is not viable in the area.

About this employer

Our greenkeeping team generally consists of:

• Head Greenkeeper
• Assistant Head Greenkeeper
• Assistant Greenkeeper x 3
• Apprentice Greenkeeper.
• Regular volunteers for bunker raking, tee markers etc.

The Club / Course:

We are a private members’ Club, which was founded in 1894 and designed by James Braid.

Located just to the north of Brighton, in the South Downs National Park (area of outstanding beauty). We are highly rated and amongst the best downland courses in the UK. The Club has approximately 660 members, across all categories.

We offer year-round golf, with the course rarely closing in the winter for inclement weather. We pride ourselves on maintaining high standards of playability and presentation all year round. This is done hand in hand with managing the course in an environmentally positive and sympathetic way to enhance its true downland character and creating up to 50 Acres of Wildflower Meadows (roughs) throughout.

Company benefits

Benefits include overtime pay, BIGGA Membership, staff golf privileges, 50% discount off food, uniform and PPE and more.

After this apprenticeship

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, we would aim to offer the candidate a full-time role as an Assistant Greenkeeper. We have a rolling 5-year training and development programme, so the candidate would have opportunities to gain further skills and qualifications year after year.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

PLUMPTON COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000010842.

Apply now

Closes in 8 days (Friday 13 February 2026 at 11:59pm)