Assistant Head Greenkeeper

Ballyclare Golf Club are hiring an Assistant Head Greenkeeper to join their agronomy team. Founded in 1923, Ballyclare Golf Club is a traditional members’ golf club situated in the Antrim Hills, 15 minutes outside of Belfast. Over the years, the Club has matured into one of the Premier Parkland courses in Northern Ireland, hosting multiple Golf Ireland events. The 18-hole course offers a challenging test of parkland golf for golfers of all standards, with lush green fairways threading their way through mature woodland. The course offers stunning picture-perfect views of Collin and the Antrim Hills from many points during your round.

Job Specification

The Greenkeeping team are responsible for the overall maintenance, presentation, and playability of the golf course. This role involves maintaining machinery and turf health, and ensuring the course meets professional standards year-round.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform regular daily maintenance of the tees, greens, bunkers and fairways to uphold the aesthetic quality of the golf course.
• Operate mowing and turf care equipment including hand tools and power tools for various grounds keeping tasks.
• Application of top dressing, fertilisers and pest control chemicals as directed.
• Assist in course renovations and improvement projects.
• Conduct routine inspections of the course to identify areas needing attention or improvement.
• Help the Head Greenkeeper manage the team, including covering for them when on vacation.

Physical Demands

• Work outdoors in varying environmental conditions such as heat, cold, rain, snow and wind.
• Early starts or later finishes depending on the weather and daylight hours.
• Communicate verbally with staff members and/or customers with or without the use of two-way radios.
• Ability to spend long hours moving around, walking, standing, kneeling, reaching, shovelling and/or raking.

Criteria for Application

• Experience or qualifications in turf maintenance and agronomy practices.
• Level 2 or Level 3 in Sports Turf Management.
• Spraying certificates – PA1, PA2 and PA6.
• Excellent communication and teamworking skills.
• A strong work ethic and positive can-do attitude.
• Good time management and a flexible approach to working hours, including weekend work.
• The ability to display a professional approach and work as part of a team and be motivated to work effectively unsupervised.
• Previous experience in greenkeeping or parkland turf management.
• Experience in using and maintaining greenkeeping machinery.
• An understanding of greenkeeping principles and practices.
• The ability to demonstrate a good understanding of health and safety compliance.

Desirable Qualifications (beneficial not essential)

• Chainsaw licenses (Cross-cutting and Felling).
• Experience in tree surgery or arborist work.
• Knowledge of Toro machinery and irrigation systems.

This permanent position is full time, and includes:

• 36.25 hours per week.
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience – £28,000-£30,000.
• 28 days annual leave entitlement.
• Uniform and all PPE.
• Opportunity for further career development through educational training and events.