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THE COURSE MANAGER OPPORTUNITY AT BASINGSTOKE GOLF CLUB

Basingstoke Golf Club is seeking an experienced Course Manager to oversee their championship 18-hole course as they work towards joining England’s top 100 golf courses. The successful candidate will manage the club’s specialised Creeping Bent greens, complete the final growing-in phases of new facilities, including the driving range development, and finish establishing the remaining course areas. Leading a skilled greens team, the Course Manager will implement comprehensive turf management programmes across the downland course, maintaining naturalised fescue areas whilst ensuring all estate facilities meet championship standards. This role requires proven experience in creeping bent management, strong leadership capabilities, and expertise in sustainable turf management. The position offers the opportunity to complete the club’s course transformation using modern greens practices and equipment, working closely with management to achieve their vision of golfing excellence.

ABOUT BASINGSTOKE GOLF CLUB

Basingstoke Golf Club has a proud history dating back to 1907 when its first 9-hole course opened near the town station. In 1928, the Club relocated to Kempshott Park, where a James Braid design thrived for almost a century. Its most ambitious chapter began in 2021 with the acquisition of the 162-acre Dummer site, where renowned architect Bruce Weller has created a world-class downland course. Alongside Creeping Bent greens, advanced irrigation, irrigation lagoons, and a modern clubhouse, the development includes a state-of-the-art Trackman driving range and a dedicated greens facility with new Toro, John Deere, and Ventrac machinery, a superb team space, workshops, and storage. The £20m investment made by the members is now open to its members and their guests, and the Club will fully relaunch to visitors in May 2026, with the ambition of ranking among England’s top 100.

BASINGSTOKE GOLF CLUB BY THE NUMBERS

- Reports to: General Manager
- Greens Team: Nine full-time + Course Manager
- Number of holes: 18
- Practice facilities: Driving range, short game area & putting green
- Rounds per annum: Approximately 26,000 (will increase in 2026 with the introduction of visitors and golf days)
- Course architect: Bruce Weller
- Current project architect: Bruce Weller
- Agronomist: Jaey Goodchild of the R&A
- Grass types: Creeping Bent, Fine Rye & Fescue Mix & Pure Fescue

COURSE MANAGER POSITION OVERVIEW

- Take overall responsibility for maintaining and presenting all 18 holes to championship standard, ensuring the course delivers outstanding playing conditions throughout the year.
- Design, implement, and continuously review course maintenance programmes to achieve optimal turf health, presentation, and playability.
- Lead the management of Creeping Bent grass greens, ensuring world-class putting surfaces through proactive programmes that promote health, resilience, and consistency.
- Develop and maintain naturalised fescue roughs and ecological areas, balancing environmental stewardship with strategic playability.
- Oversee the presentation and upkeep of practice facilities, including driving range, putting greens, chipping areas, and practice bunkers, ensuring they reflect the quality of the main course.
- Take responsibility for the grow-in and development of the new driving range, including soil preparation, turf establishment, and the implementation of long-term maintenance schedules.
- Lead, inspire, and mentor the greenkeeping team, building a culture of professionalism, accountability, and pride in course presentation.
- Oversee recruitment, training, and development of staff, ensuring the team is equipped with the skills and support to perform at the highest level.
- Manage performance reviews, holiday planning, workload distribution, and succession planning to build a resilient, high-performing team.
- Champion health and safety across all operations, ensuring compliance with legislation, delivering regular training, and embedding a culture of safe working practices.
- Provide proactive communication and specialist advice to the General Manager, management committee, and membership on course condition, maintenance planning, and long-term development.
- Key member of the Senior leadership team and therefore required to attend weekly team meetings.
- Take ownership of the maintenance, servicing, and replacement of turf care machinery, irrigation, and drainage systems, ensuring efficiency and reliability.
- Manage budgets for course maintenance, staffing, equipment, and consumables, balancing cost control with the delivery of high standards.
- Liaise with contractors, suppliers, architects, and industry experts to support ongoing investment and continuous improvement of the course.
- Oversee the wider estate, including driveways, car parks, landscaping, ponds, pathways, and signage, ensuring a welcoming and professional impression at every touchpoint.
- Safeguard all facilities, machinery, and materials, ensuring proper storage, security, and operational efficiency.
- Maintain open and consistent communication with members, guests, and colleagues, building confidence in the team’s work and pride in the course presentation.
- Contribute proactively to club meetings, offering professional insight to support decision-making and long-term strategic planning.

CANDIDATE EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & EDUCATION

- Minimum 5 years’ golf course maintenance experience, including management roles.
- Proven leadership skills, able to inspire and develop a high-performing greenkeeping team while embedding a culture of excellence and accountability.
- Strong turf science expertise with hands-on experience maintaining creeping bent grass greens, including irrigation, drainage, course construction, integrated pest management, and sustainable practices.
- Responsible for maintaining all 18 holes and practice facilities to championship standard, including new course or driving range development.
- Skilled in budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and resource management to deliver high standards efficiently.
- Knowledge of environmental, health & safety, and employment legislation, championing compliance and safe working practices.
- Able to plan, implement, and review maintenance programmes to optimise turf health, playability, and presentation.
- Effective communicator across all levels, providing advice to management, boards and members, and liaising with contractors and suppliers.
- Passionate about golf and course presentation, with attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and a forward-thinking approach.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development.
- HNC, HND or Degree in Turf Management, or related field; Level 3 or 4 Turf or Sports Turf Management preferred
- PA1, PA2, PA6 spraying certificates
- Full UK driving license

SALARY AND BENEFITS

A competitive salary and package will be disclosed upon further discussion of the role.

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY

Please upload your CV and cover letter in that order using the link below. You should have your documents fully prepared to be attached when prompted for them during the online application process.  Please be sure your image is not present on your CV or cover letter; that should be used on your LinkedIn Profile.

Prepare a thoughtful cover letter addressed to David Green, General Manager of Basingstoke Golf Club, and clearly articulate your alignment with this role, why you want to be considered for this position at this stage of your career, and why Basingstoke and the Hampshire area will be beneficial to you, your family, your career, and the Club if selected.

You must apply for this role as soon as possible but no later than Wednesday 15th October 2025.  Candidate selections will occur in late October, with the first Interviews scheduled for Monday 3rd November 2025 and the second interview on Thursday 13th November 2025. 

IMPORTANT:  Save your CV and letter in the following manner:

“Last Name, First Name – CV” &

“Last Name, First Name – Cover Letter – Basingstoke”

(These documents should be in Word or PDF format)

Note: Once you complete the application process for this search, you are not able to go back in and add additional documents.

Click here to upload your CV and cover letter.

If you have any questions, please email Patty Sprankle: patty@kkandw.com or Michael Herd: michael.herd@kkandw.com

Lead Search Executive:

Michael Herd

Head of International Search & Consulting, KOPPLIN KUEBLER & WALLACE

O: (833) KKW-HIRE, ext. 710 – United States

M: +44 (0) 7903 035312 – United Kingdom

michael.herd@kkandw.com

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