Head Green Keeper - Course Superintendent

Job title

Head Greenkeeper

Location

Kyalami Country Club, Midrand / Johannesburg, Gauteng

Reporting to

General Manager; works closely with the Operations Manager and Golf Director

Role purpose

Maintain and enhance the playing surfaces, landscapes, and overall presentation of Kyalami Country Club to deliver a safe, consistent and attractive experience for members, guests and tournament play. Ensure turf health, irrigation efficiency, and course presentation meet the club’s standards while working sustainably and safely.

Key responsibilities

• Turf care and maintenance:
  Mow greens, tees, fairways and roughs to specified heights; perform edging, trimming and turf repairs.
• Irrigation and water management:
  Operate and monitor irrigation systems; carry out hand-watering and adjust schedules to conserve water and protect turf health.
• Course preparation:
  Prepare tees, greens and bunkers for daily play and special events; mark hazards and set out course signage as required.
• Pest, disease and weed control:
  Monitor turf for pests, diseases and weeds; apply treatments safely and in line with club protocols and local regulations.
• Soil and turf improvement:
  Aeration, topdressing, over seeding and fertiliser application according to the maintenance programme.
• Equipment operation and maintenance:
  Safely operate mowers, tractors, sprayers and other machinery; perform routine checks, cleaning and basic servicing; report faults promptly.
• Grounds and landscape tasks:
  Maintain bunkers, pathways, hedges, flowerbeds and trees to enhance the club’s appearance.
• Health, safety and environmental compliance:
  Follow safe handling procedures for chemicals and fuels; maintain PPE; adhere to environmental best practice (waste disposal, water use).
• Teamwork and communication:
  Work as part of the greenkeeping team; communicate with clubhouse staff, pro shop and event coordinators about course conditions and requirements.
• Record keeping:
  Maintain logs for pesticide/fertiliser applications, irrigation adjustments and equipment maintenance.

Skills and competencies

• Practical turf management skills with attention to detail and pride in presentation.
• Mechanical aptitude for operating and maintaining grounds equipment.
• Problem-solving to identify turf issues and take appropriate corrective action.
• Physical fitness and stamina for outdoor manual work in all weather.
• Good communication and ability to follow instructions and work within a team.
• Time management and reliability to meet early starts and scheduled tasks.
• Commitment to safety and environmental stewardship.

Qualifications and experience

• Minimum:
  Matric or equivalent / Recognised Prior Learning
• Preferred:
  Certificate or diploma in Turf Management, Horticulture, Agronomy or related field.
• Experience:
  Minimum 3 years greenkeeping or groundskeeping experience preferred; experience on golf courses or country clubs an advantage.
• Licences:
  Valid driver’s licence preferred.
• Chemical handling:
  Experience with safe pesticide/fertiliser application and relevant certification where applicable.

Working conditions and benefits

• Hours:
  Early starts, weekend and public-holiday work as required by course schedule and events.
• Environment:
  Outdoor work; exposure to sun, rain and seasonal conditions.
• Benefits:
  Competitive salary (commensurate with experience), staff meals on duty, training and development opportunities, Housing, PPE provided, Career study.

Closing date Applications accepted until the position is filled.