Links Manager

YesGolfing; Troon; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension contribution

Professional memberships

Industry conferences and training

Accommodation available

Job summary

Royal Troon Golf Club seeks an experienced Links Manager to lead the greenkeeping team across a 51-hole facility, ensuring world-class presentation and environmental responsibility. The role oversees turf health, irrigation, and maintenance aligned with championship standards.

Responsibilities include course prep for elite competition, managing budgets, and mentoring staff while upholding sustainability and safety practices. Accommodation may be available.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a high-profile championship golf course in an environmentally responsible way.
• Minimum 5 years leading a team of eight or more greenkeepers.
• Proficiency in preparing a links or heathland course for national/international tournaments.
• Level 4+ in Greenkeeping, Horticulture or Sports Turf Management.

Responsibilities

• Turf Care & Agronomy: manage fine fescue and bentgrass surfaces with IPM, irrigation and fertiliser plans.
• Day-to-day course prep to highest standards for Member play and international visitors.
• Tournament Preparation: align greens, speeds, trueness with championship guidelines.
• Team Leadership: recruit, train, mentor greenkeepers and staff.
• Environment: protect and enhance biodiversity on environmentally sensitive land (SSSI).
• Budget & Administration: manage budgets, machinery maintenance, inventory.
• Health & Safety: ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Education

Level 4+ in Greenkeeping, Horticulture or Sports Turf Management

Job description

The Links Manager will lead the greenkeeping team and oversee course maintenance, tournament preparation, turf care, and environmental management across Royal Troon’s 51-hole facility. Candidates need strong championship-course experience, leadership skills, and a Level 4 or higher relevant qualification.

Full Time * Remember to mention the YesGolfing.com website when responding *

Description:

On the impending retirement of the current incumbent, who has been in post for 45 years, Royal Troon Golf Club, host of 10 Open Championships, is looking for an experienced Links Manager.

The successful candidate will be part of the management team responsible for providing facilities and service of the highest possible standard for the Club’s Members, their guests and visitors.

Royal Troon Golf Club has four courses covering 51 holes with the Old Course, Portland Course and 9-hole Craigend together with a 6-hole academy course and extensive practice facilities. The Club have recently invested in a new automated irrigation system across the Links as well as extensive Maintenance Facilities.

The Position and Core Objectives:

Job Title: Links Manager

Core Objective: Lead the greenkeeping team to maintain world-class championship standards in an environmentally responsible way across the 51 hole golf facility, turf health, and pristine course presentation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Turf Care & Agronomy: Manage fine fescue and bentgrass surfaces, implement integrated pest management, and oversee precise irrigation and fertiliser programs tailored to links terrain in an environmentally responsible way.
• Day to Day course and surrounding area preparations: Prepare the courses and surrounding areas on a day to day basis to the highest standard for the benefit of Member play and international visitors.
• Tournament Preparation: Prepare the course for elite competition play, ensuring Stimpmeter speeds, trueness, smoothness and consistency of greens and tight fairway tolerances, are in line with R&A/championship setup guidelines.
• Team Leadership: Recruit, train, and mentor a dedicated team of greenkeepers and mechanical staff.
• Nature & Environment: the golf courses sit on environmentally sensitive land with large areas designated as SSSI. Protectiing and enhancing the nature and biodiversity of the site is an essential part of the role.
• Budget & Administration: Manage operational budgets, machinery maintenance schedules, and material inventory.
• Health & Safety: Ensure compliance with all workplace safety regulations and environmental stewardship practices.

Requirements & Qualifications:

• Experience: Proven history of managing a high-profile championship golf course in an environmentally responsible way. Minimum of 5 years leading a team of eight or more greenkeepers.
• Tournament Experience: Proficiency in preparing a links or heathland course for a national/international golf tournament.
• Education/Certifications: Level 4 or higher in Greenkeeping, Horticulture, or Sports Turf Management.
• Technical Skills: Deep expertise in coastal turfgrass science, managing positively for nature and biodiversity, data collection to inform decision making, automated irrigation systems, and modern turf machinery operation and maintenance. Experience of robotics could be an advantage.
• Communication: Excellent communication skills to spread messaging to Members and visitors and wider stakeholders regarding best practice sustainable golf course management.

Remuneration and Benefits:

• Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Pension contribution.
• Support for relevant professional memberships.
• Attendance at appropriate industry conferences, seminars and training.
• Accommodation could be available if required.

The Club is committed to equality opportunity and assess applicants solely on their merits.

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.