Course Manager/Head Greenkeeper
Horsley Lodge Golf Course (now known as Horsley Lodge Estate) is undergoing a major transformation. Under new ownership as of February 2024, the Estate has embarked on a multi-year investment programme to elevate the golf course to one of the finest experiences in the Midlands.
We are now seeking an ambitious, skilled and forward-thinking Course Manager / Head Greenkeeper to lead the next phase of the Estate’s golf development.
ABOUT HORSLEY LODGE ESTATE
Set within 200 acres of rolling Derbyshire countryside, the Estate comprises a championship 18-hole golf course, a 14 bedroom hotel, Farmhouse Kitchen restaurant, clubhouse bars and wedding/event facilities. The golf course has a strong reputation for year-round playability, and the ownership team is committed to taking product standards, agronomy and presentation to the next level.
COURSE DEVELOPMENT & INVESTMENT
Significant improvements are already underway, including:
✓ Completion of enhanced drainage works
✓ New championship black tees
✓ Fully surfaced buggy paths across the entire course
✓ New course machinery & equipment procurement
✓ Long-term agronomic planning & sustainability initiatives
Further upgrades are scheduled through 2026/27 as part of a wider Estate masterplan, including a new state of the art Driving Range.
THE ROLE
The successful candidate will take full responsibility for:
-
Agronomic strategy & turf management planning
-
Leading, developing and motivating the greenkeeping team
-
Course presentation and tournament standards
-
Seasonal planning & preparation for events
-
Budgeting, purchasing & machinery fleet management
-
Irrigation, drainage & environmental management
-
Health & safety compliance, record keeping and reporting
-
Collaboration with ownership & golf operations
Reporting directly to the ownership team, this is a role for a leader who takes pride in detail, standards and ongoing course improvement.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
We are seeking a course professional who is:
✓ Experienced in a Course Manager or Deputy role
✓ Technically strong with modern agronomic knowledge
✓ Proactive, methodical and commercially aware
✓ A strong communicator and team developer
✓ Passionate about innovation & presentation standards
Relevant qualifications (e.g. Level 3/4 Greenkeeping, BASIS, PA1/2/6 etc.) are highly advantageous.
A RARE OPPORTUNITY
This is a unique opportunity for an ambitious Course Manager to shape a course with heavy investment, ownership support and a clear mandate for improvement. If you are driven by standards, presentation and long-term course development - we would love to hear from you.
PACKAGE & BENEFITS
- Salary: £50,000–£70,000 DOE
- 40 hours per week (weekend rotation as required)
- Full-time, permanent contract
- 28 days holiday including bank holidays
- Free use of the golf course & practice facilities
- Staff discounts across the Estate (F&B, hotel & events)
- On-site parking
- Pension scheme
- Career growth within an investing
Estate Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. Own transport is advisable due to the rural location.
To Apply: Please submit a CV and cover letter to [email protected]
