Greenkeeper - Career Advice - Environments

A greenkeeper prepares, establishes and manages fine turf, grassed areas and synthetic surfaces used for sport. They may also do domestic and commercial mowing and lawn maintenance operations or work on commercial turf farms.

Greenkeepers plant and maintain the grass and turf used for parks, gardens and sporting fields. Future Growth Strong

They sow grass seeds and lay turf, mow and trim the grass and prune other plants, water and roll turfed areas and fertilise soil and plants.

They may also undertake maintenance on various structures including fences and paths, trim hedges and keep grounds tidy and free from leaves and weeds.

Greenkeepers work with real grass, artificial turf, and other synthetic substances. They usually work in sporting facilities and arenas.

They mark out and prepare sporting areas such as tracks, pitches, greens, courses and fields. Greenkeepers may also undertake some administrative tasks.

Linemarking

ANZSCO ID: 3623

Alternative names: Groundsperson, Turf Keeper

Knowledge, skills and attributes

a love of the outdoors
knowledge and understanding of soil and plant biology
practical skills and logic
to take pride in their work
problem-solving skills
organisational skills.
Ability to measure and cut necessary dimensions
Fit and strong
Planning and organisation
Teamwork and interpersonal skills
Time management and organisation

Mowing

Duties and tasks

preparing seedbeds for new turf
establishing and maintaining turf by watering, over sowing or over seeding, and repairing green damage
mowing, rolling and levelling turf
pegging and marking out lines and logos, installing nets, posts and stumps, and placing other sports equipment on playing areas
operating and maintaining hand and power driven equipment such as mowers, aerators, cultivators, corers and line marking equipment
constructing cricket wickets, tennis courts, and bowling, croquet and golf greens
replanting, repairing, aerating, fertilising and top dressing lawns
installing and maintaining synthetic surfaces
may maintain buildings, fences and surrounding gardens
planting seeds for grass
preparing sites for the implementation of turf
repairing damage to turf, grass, and other surfaces

Working conditions

Greenkeepers work mostly outdoors in all weather conditions and climates. The machinery that they use may be noisy. They may also undertake some administrative or office-based work.

Tools and Technologies

Greenkeepers use lawn-mowers and other grass-cutting and grooming machinery, such as whipper-snippers and leaf-blowers.

They occasionally also use mini tractors. They use pre-grown turf, as well as turfing, seeding, fertiliser and soil spreaders, and rolling and soil aeration equipment.

They operate and maintain irrigation systems, and other machinery such as mowers.

Greenkeeper on mower

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a greenkeeper you usually need to complete a traineeship. The horticulture (turf) traineeship usually takes 12 months to complete and is available as a school-based traineeship.

You can also improve your employment prospects if you complete a Certificate III in Horticulture, offered at TAFE Colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia.

Where greenkeepers are employed

Greenkeepers usually work in a wide range of settings including public and private institutions. This includes parks and recreational services, city councils, nurseries and construction industries.

Did You Know?

Field marking is an important component of the laws of all games. These lines define the boundaries of the playing arena and serve many other purposes to do with the conduct and control of the game

As a lot of sport today is televised, it is even more important to produce the most perfect looking pitch possible. Furthermore, an increasing number of sports are using an extra referee, observing a bank of video monitors, to make decisions on aspects of the game. Often this involves making a decision about whether a ball or a foot is on or over a line. A well-defined line is very helpful in making these decisions.

Linemark

For many years ground staff did not have much choice of how the lines were made. Lines were frequently burnt into position with oils, herbicides and corrosive powders such as lime. Nowadays more choice is available. Also with more attention being paid to health, safety and environmental issues, turf managers are looking closely at the long term effects that the use of these chemicals has on the ground and on the sports men and women who use the grounds.

Some of the earliest marking materials used were wood shavings and dust. Eventually, this progressed to chalk and limestone materials that could be crushed into simple dry marking compounds and easily spread. Being white, the chalk and limestone materials reflected the light, thus enhancing the visibility of the lines. A further development saw these materials being mixed with water which acted as a carrier enabling more efficient use of the materials. At this time a simple transfer wheel marker was designed and developed to apply this liquid mix of chalk/ limestone and water. (Source: Pitchcare)

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