Apprentice Greenkeeper

Company: Pyecombe Golf Club
Closing Date: 13-02-2026
Location: Pyecombe
Salary: From £17,680.00 per year
Hours: Fixed term
Contact Title: Talent Bank & Recruitment Support Officer
Contact Name: Brandon Wolfe
Contact Email: brandon.wolfe@plumpton.ac.uk
How to Apply: Please send your CV to brandon.wolfe@plumpton.ac.uk with written answers to the following questions: Do you hold a full UK driving license? If yes, do you have a car? Why are you keen to enter into the golf greenkeeping sector? Do you have any outdoor

Description

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.

As this is an apprenticeship, you will attend Plumpton College for your learning once every two weeks.

Hours: 40 hours. Core work days are 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).

Salary: £17,680 per annum. Salary will be reviewed after successful completion of probationary period, with a view to increase to £10.00 per hour/ £20,800 per annum.

Application deadline: 13th February 2026

About the 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 an award-winning 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.

What will the apprentice be doing?

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

What will apprentices learn with Plumpton College

Create and care for high‑quality playing surfaces, including mowing, hole changing, bunker presentation and turf repair.
Identify and manage different grass types, soil conditions and plant health to keep the course performing at its best.
Use modern turf‑care machinery, from mowers and aerators to tractors with attachments, plus carry out basic maintenance.
Apply fertilisers, top dressing and irrigation to support healthy turf growth year‑round.
Monitor and record turf, soil and green speed data, including using tools like the USGA Stimpmeter.
Protect the environment by maintaining natural habitats, supporting biodiversity and following sustainable waste practices.
Control weeds, pests and turf diseases using a range of safe and integrated methods.
Maintain pathways, non‑turf areas and course features to support the overall appearance and playability of the course.
Follow health & safety procedures to ensure a safe environment for players, visitors and colleagues.
Work as part of a professional greenkeeping team, communicating effectively with colleagues, golfers and stakeholders.
And much more.

Qualifications Awarded

Apprenticeship Certificate
Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work
Level 2 in Maths and English (if applicable)

Delivery model

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

What is the expected career progression 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.

Desired skills and personal qualities

A positive, ‘can-do’ attitude
A strong work ethic
The ability to work well as part of a team
Motivation to work in all weather conditions
An interest in golf

Benefits

Competitive overtime pay / time off in lieu arrangements.
28 x days’ annual leave (including bank holidays).
Continued professional development programme. We aim to map future training and education out over a 5-year rolling period.
BIGGA membership / golf days.
Enrolment onto pension scheme.
Staff golf privileges and ability to obtain an official handicap.
50% discount on food, when ordered during breaks from work.
Uniform and PPE.

Things to consider

Own transport is highly recommended due to our rural location.
Early starts and physical work are common during peak season.
You MUST not be in any other form of full-time or part time formal education (such as school, college or university) to be eligible to apply for an apprenticeship. Shorter course may not apply.
You MUST have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to the start of learning and be eligible to work in the UK.
This apprenticeship is approximately 20 months.