Apprentice Greenkeeper

Downshire Golf Complex / Everyone Active

Wokingham (RG40 3DH)

Closes on Saturday 14 February 2026

Posted on 5 January 2026

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Summary

We’re looking for a reliable, hard-working person, who enjoys working outdoors through all seasons. Working in a small team, means that the successful candidate will get experience in all areas of greenkeeping, with qualifications and training. They will receive benefits including free use of the golf course and a gym membership.

Wage

£14,526.20 to £23,492.04, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Golf greenkeeper (level 2)
Hours
Mon-Fri, usually 7.00am start depending on season. Some weekend working to set up course, normally 3hrs if rotated on. Hours may differ during off/on seasons.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 23 March 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

  • Daily set up of the course
  • Bunker maintenance
  • Following training - use of ride-on cylinder and rotary mowers
  • Course inspections
  • Woodland maintenance
  • Drainage maintenance and installations
  • Irrigation maintenance  

Where you'll work

Downshire Golf Complex
Easthampsted Park
Wokingham
RG40 3DH

Training

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

Training provider

THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP

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

  • Level 2 Golf Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Standard taught remotely with online sessions
  • Visit from a qualified Greenkeeping Assessor in the workplace

Requirements

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

Skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Team working
  • Physical fitness
  • Reliable
  • Hardworking
  • Enjoys working outside
  • Willingness to learn

Other requirements

  • Must be at least 18 years of age, due to Health and Safety
  • Having a driving licence is desireable, but not essential
  • Must have reliable method of commuting to and from work

About this employer

Everyone Active is a leading leisure operator in the UK, managing over 230 leisure centres nationwide. Operated by Sports and Leisure Management (SLM) Ltd, it was established in 1987 and focuses on providing accessible fitness and wellness facilities for local communities. Downshire Golf Complex was opened in 1973 and has been a very popular golf course ever since.

Owned by Bracknell Forest Council and now managed by Everyone Active the course has and is, going from strength to strength. The woodland 18 hole course is set in 130 acres and is a test for golfers of all abilities.

Company benefits

  • Free use of the Golf Course
  • Gym Membership
  • 28 days holiday, including back holidays

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

  • High chance of a perminant position on completion of the Apprenticeship
  • Additional training/higher level apprenticeship opportunities

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000006691.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 14 February 2026