Greenkeeper

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Role: (Head) Greenkeeper

Greenkeeper

Greenkeeper

Type: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week (start and finish times as agreed)

Location: Claremont Park, Esher, Surrey

Reporting to: Shelly Murphy, Director, Clare Hill (Esher) Association Ltd

About the Course

Claremont Park Golf Course has been established for over 60 years. Nestling near the centre of Esher is one of golf’s best kept secrets.  As part of the private Claremont Park Estate, the golf course has much to offer that a traditional 18-hole course doesn’t.  A haven of tranquillity that offers a different golfing experience.

Role Overview

This is a standalone role with significant autonomy, perfect for an experienced greenkeeper who thrives on independence and enjoys a wide variety of responsibilities. Working largely unsupervised, the Greenkeeper will ensure the course is maintained to a high standard and provides optimal playing conditions year-round.
The role offers the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of course maintenance, management, and development, with support provided for the successful candidate to develop their skills further.

Key Responsibilities

  • Maintain the golf course to provide excellent playing conditions and surfaces through effective agronomic management
  • Manage irrigation and drainage systems to ensure consistent course quality.
  • Undertake routine tasks including leaf clearance, rubbish and debris removal, and pest control (with third-party support where necessary).
  • Maintain bunkers, manage weeds, pests, disorders and diseases using appropriate pesticides (training can be provided if necessary).
  • Carry out basic machinery maintenance and ensure all machinery is used safely and effectively.
  • Ensure compliance with all health and safety legislation and golf course regulations.
  • Monitor course expenditure and assist with budgeting in collaboration with course administrator and directors.
  • Liaise with key stakeholders, including residents, golf members, the golf committee, and the estate committee.
  • Contribute to the development of the course, including input on improvement projects and tree management.
  • Support the implementation of golf course local rules and ensure they are followed by players

Essential Skills & Experience

  • Minimum 5 years of greenkeeping experience.
  • Minimum Level 2 qualification in Golf Greenkeeping (or equivalent).
  • Good understanding of modern greenkeeping practices.
  • Industrially competent in the use of turf care machinery, with the ability to perform basic maintenance.
  • Highly motivated, reliable, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Strong understanding of health and safety legislation and golf course regulations.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to liaise with a wide range of stakeholders

Desirable Skills & Qualifications

  • PA1, PA2, and PA6 pesticide application certificates (or willingness to train).
  • Chainsaw operation certification.
  • Digger operator certification.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary (dependent on experience).
  • Pension contributions.
  • Training and development opportunities.
  • Free golf membership at Claremont Park Golf Course.

Contact

Closing Date

  • Friday 20th June 2025

STIHL launches powerful and versatile battery brushcutter

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STIHL launches powerful and versatile battery brushcutter: STIHL has unveiled its latest addition to the AP System range, the FSA 110 R battery-powered brushcutter, offering professional users a powerful yet lightweight solution for maintaining green spaces, all with the added benefit of quiet, low-vibration performance.

Engineered with landscapers, groundskeepers and facilities maintenance teams in mind, the FSA 110 R combines exceptional cutting performance with impressive ease of use and ergonomic design, making it ideal for tackling everything from grass trimming to tougher clearing tasks, even in noise-sensitive areas.

STIHL launches powerful and versatile battery brushcutter

STIHL launches powerful and versatile battery brushcutter

At the heart of the tool is a high-efficiency EC motor that delivers consistent power across two speed settings. ECO mode is designed for lighter work such as edging and clean-up tasks, helping to extend battery run time, while the higher speed setting delivers maximum cutting performance for tougher tasks. Users can also fine-tune the speed within each mode for maximum control and energy efficiency.

Supplied with the STIHL AutoCut C 12-2 mowing head, the FSA 110 R makes line changes quicker and more intuitive thanks to the Advanced EasySpool system. The new mowing line can be inserted from one side and wound with a simple twist of the wear-free rotary knob with no need to dismantle the head.

Additionally, STIHL’s Rapid Click quick-change system allows operators to swap between mowing heads, such as the optional PolyCut 12-2 blade head, at the push of a button, making it faster to adapt to changing conditions on site.

Weighing just 3.6 kg (without battery), the brushcutter features a soft-grip, tool-free adjustable loop handle for a secure hold and easy customisation to suit different user heights. An integrated anti-vibration system further reduces strain on the arms and hands during extended use, ideal for professional applications where productivity and comfort are key.

Power comes from STIHL’s 36 V AP battery system, designed for professional landscaping and maintenance work. STIHL recommends pairing the tool with the AP 200 S battery, which delivers up to 60 minutes of run time with a nylon mowing line and up to 130 minutes with the PolyCut head, while also providing excellent tool balance when inserted into the housing.

Thanks to IPX4-rated splash protection, the FSA 110 R is suitable for use in wet conditions, while its low operating noise makes it compliant for work in residential, urban or public spaces where noise restrictions apply.

For more information on the STIHL FSA 110, visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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Prepare to prevent dollar spot attacks

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Prepare to prevent dollar spot attacks: Dollar spot disease pressure is now increasing, as temperature and humidity rise resulting in prolonged periods of leaf wetness, warns Syngenta Technical Manager, Sean Loakes.

Speaking to course managers with ICL at the prestigious 72-hole championship Melbourne Club, on the Brocket Hall Estate in Hertfordshire this week (3 June 2025), he highlighted that although overall dollar spot pressure has been relatively low so far this season with the dry spring, early symptoms are beginning to be seen in disease hot spots.

Prepare to prevent dollar spot attacks

Prepare to prevent dollar spot attacks

“Turf management actions now, with cultural controls and Ascernity fungicide treatments, can reduce the risk and prevent damaging loss of grass cover or surface quality,” he advised.

Sean highlighted the danger of dollar spot is becoming more severe, since the pathogen appears to be developing at lower temperatures and with shorter periods of leaf wetness.

“Researchers who designed the original forecasting model now report the evolving pathogen appears to be developing with shorter periods of suitable leaf wetness and temperature,” he said.

The effect would be a double whammy of more frequent conditions for the disease occurring, and the capability for the disease to go through its lifecycle faster.

“For courses in high pressure situations that find they have been consistently hit earlier by dollar spot, it may be necessary to target treatments at a lower pressure threshold, for example,” he advocated.

“Tracking the Smith Kerns model on Turf Advisor gives advance warning of pressure periods,” he said. “But be aware of localised risks on your course, as irrigation and microclimates will increase periods of leaf wetness that pushes up pressure – and can leave turf open to attack.”

Preventative Ascernity fungicide applications can crucially protect turf through high-risk periods. Available as part of the AIM pack, it could cost-effectively cover the whole season strategy.

Golf course trials in Cambridgeshire last season proved how the Syngenta fungicide programme, including Ascernity followed by Instrata Elite, effectively halved any signs of disease damage on the surface – resulting in less than 4% infection in the treated area, compared to over 16% in untreated at the end of the reported assessments.

“Used in an Integrated Turf Management programme, along with the biostimulant boost of a Turf Health Plan, it puts you in the best place to stop dollar spot damage occurring,” he added.

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Product Specialist – Line Marking

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Origin Amenity Solutions

We are seeking a Product Specialist to demonstrate and support Sales of our range of Robot line-markers. This role may appeal to applicants with an interest in machinery, but without industry experience or those currently working within the sportsground sector.

Product Specialist - Line Marking

Product Specialist – Line Marking

Origin Amenity Solutions {OAS} are the exclusive UK distributor of market leading Tiny Mobile Robot Linemarkers, as well as our-own brand paints and equipment to major sporting venues, training grounds, contractors and local authorities.

The successful candidate will support Origin’s linemarking business in Northern UK and will be responsible for conducting demonstrations, installations and providing training and support to customers.

Reporting to the Product Manager {Line Marking}, you will beexpected to:

  • Conduct demonstrations and installations, providing comprehensive training and ongoing product support to customers.
  • Actively support sales efforts within the linemarking sector, including paints, pedestrian machines, and robotic line
  • Independently identify and pursue opportunities to grow sales in new customer segments and market sectors.
  • Attend regular sales meetings and training sessions, both domestically and internationally.
  • Represent the company at trade shows by engaging with customers, showcasing products, and promoting the brand.
  • Travel frequently across the UK, with occasional overnight stays as required.

Skills required:

  • Strong technical aptitude, with the ability to perform onsite repairs and servicing of linemarking equipment {full training provided).
  • Interest in RTK technology, robotics, and a good understanding of computer systems and Android-based platforms is
  • Background knowledge in sports pitch maintenance is beneficial but not
  • Willingness to travel regularly and stay overnight when required for trade shows, customer visits, and training.
  • A positive, enthusiastic attitude with a proactive and solution-oriented

Ideally based in Northern England or Southern Scotland.

Please send your latest CV and a covering letter to recruitment@originamenity.com

A soggy but successful Scots Turf Show

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A soggy but successful Scots Turf Show: Susan Lindsay takes a tour around the third edition of the ever growing Scots Turf Show at Hamilton Racecourse.

I walk into the grounds of Hamilton racecourse for this year’s Scots Turf Show and I am first given a voucher for £2 off food and greeted warmly. To my left is a robotic mower, meticulously cutting even green lines in the very wet grass. The rain has been coming down in sheets and my feet are already soggy after only five minutes of being on site.

A soggy but successful Scots Turf Show

A soggy but successful Scots Turf Show

All around me is a vast array of enthusiastic stall holders, public and impressive machinery. Each eager member of the public has some form of branded freebie, either on their head or over their shoulder and I am smiling with them at the camaraderie and shared level of interest present.

The food van is doing great business as the cold and wet attendees redeem their money off voucher. There is also free tea and coffee indoors, which I am very grateful for and have never experienced at any other event I’ve been to. I sit with my cup of tea, dry off a bit, charge my phone and look over the map that I also got upon entry.

Turf Tank have also got a piece of robotic machinery on show and I admire the precision line marking it is carrying out. The bold, crisp white lines the little bot is busying itself with is impressive!

First, I meet up with Andrew Donnachie from Iseki, the Regional Sales Manager for Scotland and Ireland. Scotland is their biggest market for winter pavement gritting tractors and the machinery on show today stands ready to fill the market’s needs.

Andrew tells me that it is nice to see more exhibitors this year, there’s been great footfall and that there is a real tight-knit atmosphere to this low-cost event for Scotland.

He feels it is important to showcase machinery using a smaller format and that bigger shows could benefit from learning from Scots Turf.

Key founder Alan Thompson, from SIS Pitches, credited the weather for driving people out to the show! With the rain so heavy, I can see why it may be a better day to come to Hamilton Racecourse.

With opportunities to participate in the seminars, watch demos and chat to stall holders, rather than sitting hunched over on a ride-on mower with every muscle seizing up in the damp cold, sounds more attractive to me too. The seminars range from water management research, climate smart turf management plus Q&A, nutrition and sports turf data.

What started for Alan over a fast-food meal with colleagues, has become a large event that he clearly feels passionate about. He tells me they invest what they make back into the Show along with donating sports products to five or six sports charities each year.

They prioritise product over financial gain. Ultimately his goal is to provide something in Scotland for Scotland as well as support local companies.

A soggy but successful Scots Turf Show

A soggy but successful Scots Turf Show

Next is key founder, Richard Heywood, from Campey Turf Care. When I ask Richard what the best part of the day for him will be, he tells me: “When I’m driving out of the gate to go home, knowing it’s been a job well done and all our efforts have paid off”.

He is particularly pleased that they were able to offer three seminar rooms this year with a PA tannoy system announcing when and where they would be held. The start of the day saw some damage from the wind and rain along with some panic as the tannoy microphone was lost. However, it didn’t take long to tidy up and find the mic and the event started to run smoothly from there.

Richard is keen to thank Laura and Mark, from Hamilton Racecourse, whose help has been invaluable and enabled the smooth running of the show.

Richard is excited to see where it goes from here and is looking forward to seeing many more fresh faces next year.

Richard doesn’t let me go empty handed and I am presented with my own woolly Scots Turf Show hat! I walk among the crowds, and I am jealously eyed by a few who stop me and ask me to tell them where they can get one. I am very glad to tell them that they can get one from either Richard or Alan, whose genuine passion for the show tells by just how much everyone has got from being here to see and experience everything on offer.

I have been to lots of events and a handful at Hamilton Racecourse and this is by far the best organised I have encountered. The feeling of giving back to the Scottish audience is tangible and genuine.

As my thick, attractive, woolly Scots Turf hat settles nicely onto my head, my only feedback would be it is too well insulated and my ears are so well cushioned, I cannot hear a thing… but what I do hear is lots of conversation about next year and what the future holds in store for this already successful event.