Greenkeeping Apprentice

BISHOP AUCKLAND GOLF CLUB

CO DURHAM (DL14 8DL)

Closes in 21 days (Friday 6 February 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 16 January 2026

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Summary

The Apprentice Greenkeeper will work as part of the course maintenance team to help prepare and maintain the golf course to a high standard. This role provides hands-on experience combined with formal training, supporting the apprentice in developing the skills and knowledge required for a professional career in greenkeeping.

Wage

£15,704 to £25,396.80, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Golf greenkeeper (level 2)
Hours
Full-time - hours depending on the season. Early mornings, weekends, and some bank holidays.

40 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 1 April 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

  • Assist with the day-to-day maintenance of the golf course and surrounding grounds
  • Mowing greens, tees, fairways, rough and practice areas
    Raking bunkers and maintaining hazards
  • Setting up the course each morning (flag positioning, tee markers, hole changing)
  • Operating and maintaining small machinery and equipment
    Applying fertilisers, top dressing and irrigation under supervision
  • Maintaining pathways, vegetation, trees and landscaped areas
  • Ensuring high standards of health & safety at all times
  • Supporting the team during tournaments and special events
  • Completing college coursework and assessments as part of the apprenticeship

Where you'll work

DURHAM ROAD
BISHOP AUCKLAND
CO DURHAM
DL14 8DL

Training

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

Training provider

EAST DURHAM 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

Training will take place 4 x days per week at the golf course, with day release to be confirmed.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 3 or above)
  • Maths (grade 3 or above)

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
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Physical fitness
  • Interest in Golf/Sport

About this employer

Welcome to Bishop Auckland Golf Club, a club steeped in tradition and set in the stunning County Durham countryside. Whether you’re an experienced golfer or new to the game, our friendly community, beautifully maintained course, and excellent facilities make us the perfect place to play, socialise, and relax.
Bishop Auckland Golf Club was established in 1894 and is situated in parkland surrounding the Bishops Palace and the River Wear …

https://bishopaucklandgolfclub.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Hands-on experience with industry professionals
  • Clear development and career progression pathway
  • Supportive team environment
  • Opportunity to build a long-term career in the greenkeeping industry

After this apprenticeship

Full-time employment with the golf club on completion of the apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

EAST DURHAM COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000009181.

Apply now

Closes in 21 days (Friday 6 February 2026 at 11:59pm)