Apprentice Greenkeeper

The Riversdale Golf Club; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 40,000 - 52,000; Part time

Job summary

The Riversdale Golf Club – Mount Waverley VIC is seeking individuals for a golf course greenkeeping apprenticeship. If you enjoy working outdoors, finishing early, and being part of a friendly, supportive team, you’ll find this role an ideal fit.

At Riversdale, we value pride in quality course conditioning and a collaborative workplace. You will learn to plan and implement maintenance for greens, tees, fairways, and surrounds, support turf programs, operate irrigation, and assist with pest

Qualifications

• Experience with outdoor work is beneficial.
• Willingness to undertake formal turf management training.

Responsibilities

• Plan and schedule routine and seasonal maintenance for greens, tees, fairways, roughs, practice facilities, and surrounds in consultation with supervisors.
• Support development and implementation of golf course turf programs, including mowing, rolling, aeration, scarifying, topdressing, overseeding, fertilising, and renovation works.
• Operate and help manage golf course irrigation systems, including setting and adjusting programs for different course areas, monitoring performance, and reporting faults.
• Assist in identification, treatment, and prevention of turf pests, weeds, and diseases following IPM principles.
• Monitor turf conditions and soil health, recording results and elevating issues to senior staff.
• Maintain records of agronomic activities, climatic conditions, chemical and fertiliser applications, irrigation schedules, and maintenance works.
• Coordinate with pro shop and operations staff regarding course access, hole closures, and events.
• Assist in daily course setup, including hole locations, tee markers, bunkers, and course presentation.
• Operate and maintain golf course equipment and machinery safely and efficiently.

Skills

Strong work ethic

Team orientation

Motivation and enthusiasm

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Turf management apprenticeship

Job description

The Riversdale Golf Club – Mount Waverley VIC

If you enjoy working outdoors, finishing early, and being part of a friendly, supportive team, you’ll find this role an ideal fit. At Riversdale, we take pride in maintaining a championship-quality course for our members while pursuing strategic objectives. A career in greenkeeping offers rewarding pathways within the turf industry and can even open doors to work and travel opportunities worldwide.

Key responsibilities

Plan and schedule routine and seasonal maintenance for greens, tees, fairways, roughs, practice facilities, and surrounds in consultation with supervisors.

Support the development and implementation of golf course turf programs, including mowing, rolling, aeration, scarifying, topdressing, overseeding, fertilising, and renovation works to maintain and improve playing surfaces.

Operate and help manage golf course irrigation systems, including setting and adjusting programs for different course areas, monitoring performance, identifying dry or wet spots, and reporting faults or inefficiencies.

Assist in the identification, treatment, and prevention of turf pests, weeds, and diseases across the course, following integrated pest management principles, label directions, and relevant regulations.

Monitor turf conditions and soil health on greens, tees, fairways, and roughs through visual inspection, basic testing, and recording results, and elevate issues to senior staff.

Maintain accurate records of agronomic activities, climatic conditions, chemical and fertiliser applications, irrigation schedules, and maintenance works in line with organisational, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

Coordinate with the pro shop, operations staff, and other stakeholders regarding course access, hole closures, renovation schedules, special events, and competition days.

Assist in daily course set up, including changing hole locations, moving tee markers, checking and raking bunkers, setting course accessories, and ensuring surfaces are presented to the required standard.

Operate and maintain golf course equipment and machinery in a safe and efficient manner.

About you

A strong work ethic

A team-oriented attitude

High motivation and enthusiasm

Excellent attention to detail

Strong communication abilities

Follow all workplace health and safety procedures, including use of PPE, safe chemical and machinery handling, traffic management on course paths, and participation in safety briefings and training.

Participate in formal training as required for the apprenticeship, complete coursework, and actively develop technical knowledge and practical skills in golf course sports turf management.