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Level 2 Golf Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Standard

  • BERKSHIRE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
  • LEVEL 2

Course Overview

A Golf Greenkeeper is responsible for the maintenance, care and overall appearance of a golf course in line with the employer’s requirements. It is their job to maintain a good quality playing surface and ensure the course offers a consistent challenge and an enjoyable experience for golfers.

There are four key turfgrass areas on a golf course greens, tees, fairways and areas of rough, each of which requires a different type of maintenance.

Using a range of equipment and machinery safely and competently will play a major part within an apprentices training programme.

Golf Greenkeepers will also be involved in hazard, environmental and ecological operations which may include bunker maintenance, planting turf, trees, shrubs and developing wildlife habitats. The skills required to become a competent greenkeeper will be acquired whilst working on the golf course.

By the end of the programme, the apprentice will know when, how and why the range of maintenance operations are carried out. A career as a Golf Greenkeeper can take you wherever the game of golf is played. Working outdoors in a healthy environment nd as new countries are embracing the sport and more golf courses are being built, there is no better time to consider joining this great profession.

Course Code

Z22CB007

Entry Requirements

Employers will ultimately determine the entry requirements but typically potential apprentices will have English & Maths GCSE at Grades A-C (4-9) o...

Course information

– Maintain good standards of health and safety for self and others.
– Prepare the golf course for play which will include removing early morning dew and debris from the greens, raking bunkers, moving tee markers, cutting new holes on greens.
– Prepare and use equipment and machinery to maintain and renovate all turf surfaces within the golf course, including the use of tractors, ride-on machines, and specialist equipment.
– Apply turf treatments to help produce quality playing surfaces, including fertilisers and top dressing.
– Use a variety of integrated methods to control weeds, fungal diseases, pests and turf disorders.
– Maintain and renovate bunkers and other hazards such as water features.
– Maintain drainage and irrigation systems.
– Prepare ground to establish turf and plants when maintaining, renovating and constructing golf course features. – Identify their role in monitoring and maintaining health and safety within the workplace.
– Identification of a number of grasses, weeds, pests, diseases, turf disorders, plants and trees.
– The primary aspects of soil and plant biology to include the process of germination, photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration.
– The principles of mowing and machine maintenance and their operation.
– The need and implications of rolling, verti-cutting, scarification and aeration.
– The strategies for controlling weeds, pests, diseases and turf disorders.
– How fertilisers, top dressing and chemicals affect playing surfaces.
– How course maintenance practices affect the environment.
– Basic information technology.
– Be aware of the importance of the Rules of Golf and golf course etiquette.
– Recognise the importance of environmental and ecological bestpractice.
– The operation of irrigation, drainage systems and their maintenance.

24 Months

This programme will be delivered through a combination of online webiners and bespoke practical training on site at the workplace.
With all apprenticeships there is a requirement to record off-the-job activities and this will be achieved through the use of a dedicated electronic on-line portfolio which the apprentice, the employer and the college delivery team will all have access to.

The apprentice will be assigned a dedicated Assessor Trainer, who will undertake regular workplace progress reviews with both the apprentice and
an assigned workplace mentor, as well as supporting all aspects of the apprentices ongoing development.

Furthermore, this approach ensures any additional support requirements or interventions can be implemented in a timely manner as required.

A Virtual Learning Environment ensures all learning, development and support material can be easily accessed, further supporting the blended learning and development approach to apprenticeship delivery. This ensures flexible and responsive training at all times, through a combination of on-line and face-to-face activities delivered by industry experts, using our high quality, industry recognised resources and equipment.

Assessment overview –
Skills, knowledge and behaviours are assessed by competencies being displayed in the workplace, observations, employer feedback, assessor progress reviews, evidence collating and the employer enabling you to fulfil the requirements of your Apprenticeship.

On programme assessment will include various coaching and mentoring assessment methods. These assessments are designed to review the behaviours, knowledge and skills against set gateway criteria.

In addition you, your employer and the college are required to maintain an off the job training log evidencing new skills and knowledge being learnt over the duration of the apprenticeship.

The final grading of the apprenticeship will be carried out through an End Point Assessment, by an independent assessor.

A Graded Apprenticehip Certificate
This standard is recognised by the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), the Professional Body for Greenkeepers.

At the start of the apprenticeship, the apprentice will be registered with BIGGA. Upon completion of this standard, the apprentice will be eligible to join BIGGA as a full member and become a BIGGA Accredited Greenkeeper.

This standard is recognised
by the British & International
Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), the Professional Body for Greenkeepers. At the start of the apprenticeship, the apprentice will be registered with BIGGA. Upon completion of this standard, the apprentice will be eligible to join BIGGA as a full member and become a BIGGA Accredited Greenkeeper.

Job opportunities will also be enhanced for those apprentices who have completed the programme with promotion to more senior positions within a golf club facility or the option to progress by working in other sports facilities such as a Grounds Maintenance Operator/Technician.

Level 2

– To have a strong work ethic including pride in work, attention to detail, integrity and
time management
– To have a flexible positive attitude to work
– To have the ability to work as a lone worker and as a member of a team
– To show a willingness to learn and contribute to their own continuing professional
development
– To have a safety mindset for self, colleagues and golfers
– To be a clear and effective communicator who can use a variety of communication
methods to give/receive information accurately and in a timely and positive manner
– Problem solving and effective decision making

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