Head Greenkeeper

Description:

Reporting to the General Manager, the Head Greenkeeper will oversee all aspects of golf course management, agronomy, course presentation, machinery, irrigation, staff leadership and environmental management.

The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering consistently high standards of presentation, playability and turf quality across the championship course and practice facilities.

The Head Greenkeeper will also play a central role in delivering the Club’s ongoing course development programme and long-term course maintenance strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Course Maintenance & Presentation

Plan, implement and monitor comprehensive annual and seasonal agronomic programmes for the championship golf course and practice facilities.
Deliver consistently high standards of golf course presentation and playing performance throughout the year.
Apply expert knowledge of links turf management, including the management and promotion of fine grasses appropriate to the Murvagh environment.
Manage greens, tees, fairways, surrounds, bunkers, roughs and naturalised areas to agreed performance and presentation standards.
Develop and maintain structured annual, monthly and weekly course maintenance programmes.
Monitor turf health, soil performance, nutrition, moisture levels and playing quality.
Maintain the natural links character of Murvagh while achieving the standards expected of a leading championship golf course.
Prepare and manage the golf course appropriately for Club championships, major events and visiting golfers.

Team Leadership & Development

Lead, motivate and develop a professional greenkeeping team.
Create a positive working environment built around teamwork, accountability, communication and high standards.
Organise staff rotas, daily work programmes and seasonal resource requirements.
Clearly communicate daily, weekly and longer-term objectives to the greenkeeping team.
Implement appropriate staff training, development and appraisal programmes.
Identify opportunities for team members to undertake further professional education and industry development.
Ensure staff are appropriately trained and certified for the machinery, equipment and products they are required to use.
Encourage professional development and engagement with relevant turfgrass and greenkeeping organisations.

Course Development

Work closely with the General Manager, Management Committee, course architect, agronomist and contractors on the Club’s ongoing programme of course enhancement.
Assist in the planning and successful delivery of course improvement projects.
Ensure that construction and improvement works integrate effectively with existing course maintenance programmes.
Provide practical greenkeeping and agronomic input into proposed course developments.
Oversee grow-in, establishment and maintenance of newly constructed or renovated areas.
Help develop a structured long-term course maintenance and improvement plan for Donegal Golf Club.

Compliance & Sustainability

Ensure full compliance with Irish Health & Safety legislation and Health and Safety Authority requirements.
Maintain appropriate risk assessments, safe operating procedures and staff training records.
Ensure best practice in machinery operation, chemical handling and workplace safety.
Oversee the Club’s pesticide management programme in accordance with Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine regulations.
Ensure pesticides are stored, handled and applied in accordance with Irish legislation and that only approved products are used by appropriately qualified operators.
Maintain comprehensive and accurate fertiliser, pesticide and treatment records.
Ensure appropriate records of course maintenance activities, applications and stock are maintained through the Club’s management systems.
Champion sustainable approaches to turf management, water use, biodiversity, waste management and energy efficiency.
Protect and enhance the important natural links environment of the Murvagh peninsula.

Equipment, Irrigation & Facilities

Manage the Club’s fleet of turf maintenance machinery and equipment.
Develop planned preventative maintenance and machinery replacement programmes.
Work with management in preparing recommendations for future machinery investment and capital expenditure.
Oversee irrigation systems and ensure efficient management of water resources.
Monitor drainage infrastructure and identify future improvement requirements.
Ensure workshops, greenkeeping facilities and chemical storage areas are maintained to appropriate operational and regulatory standards.
Maintain appropriate machinery, equipment and stock inventories.
Oversee the maintenance and presentation of relevant on-course infrastructure, signage and facilities.

Communication & Stakeholder Relations

Maintain clear and regular communication with the General Manager regarding course conditions, maintenance programmes, staffing, budgets and upcoming works.
Provide regular course reports and updates for management and members.
Communicate significant course works and maintenance activities clearly and professionally.
Liaise effectively with the Club’s agronomist, golf course architect, contractors and suppliers.
Work collaboratively with the Golf Services team when planning course set-up, competitions and major events.
Represent the greenkeeping department professionally when engaging with members, visitors, governing bodies and industry professionals.
Contribute positively to Management Committee and relevant course meetings when required.

Financial & Resource Management

Prepare the annual golf course maintenance budget in conjunction with the General Manager.
Manage expenditure within agreed budgets and ensure effective use of Club resources.
Monitor expenditure throughout the year and provide regular budget updates.
Maintain appropriate control of fertiliser, chemicals, materials, fuel, parts and other course-related stock.
Assist in developing capital expenditure plans for machinery, irrigation, infrastructure and course development.
Obtain competitive quotations and work with approved suppliers to achieve value for the Club.
Maintain transparent and accurate records in accordance with Club financial procedures.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Experience & Skills

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

Significant experience in golf course greenkeeping, with previous senior greenkeeping or golf course management experience.
Strong experience of links or coastal golf course environments highly desirable.
Proven leadership and team management ability.
Excellent understanding of turfgrass science, agronomy, soil management and sustainable turf management.
Strong knowledge of fine turf and links grass species.
Experience preparing and implementing structured annual golf course maintenance plans.
Knowledge of irrigation, drainage, turf machinery and workshop operations.
Experience managing budgets, stock, purchasing and resources.
Strong planning and organisational ability.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
The ability to work collaboratively with management, committees, agronomists, architects and contractors.
Strong IT and record-keeping skills.
A practical, solutions-focused approach to golf course management.