From Apprentice to Head Greenkeeper: Lessons from Ben Howarth’s golf course career
Breaking into head greenkeeping at a young age can feel daunting. Expectations are high, pressure is constant and, as many quickly learn, the job rarely ends when you leave the gate. Ben Howarth has built his career on strong fundamentals, trusted mentors and a commitment to doing things the right way.
Ben has recently been appointed Head Greenkeeper at Childwall Golf Club and his introduction to greenkeeping began at just sixteen… inspired by rounds of golf with his grandfather. Watching the team at Haigh Hall municipal course sparked an early fascination with outdoor work, course presentation and the craft behind maintaining playing surfaces. By coincidence, an apprenticeship at Deane Golf Club in Bolton appeared online the very same day. Within a week, Ben was on the team.
Those formative years shaped far more than technical ability. Alongside the course staff, it was the club volunteers who left a lasting impression. “They taught me everything about etiquette and tradition in golf,” Ben recalls. “That side of the game still matters, especially when you move into leadership.”
From Deane, Ben progressed to Worsley Golf Club under Course Manager Tim Johnson, now at Dunham Forest. Here, the foundations of sustainable, traditional course management were laid. “Tim taught me so much about grasses and doing things properly,” he says. “It was a great team environment, and those five years gave me a really solid grounding.”
That grounding proved invaluable when Prestwich Golf Club offered Ben his first Head Greenkeeper role. Over two successful years, the club saw record membership and green fee income. But ambition rarely stands still in this industry. Ben’s next step brought him to Childwall Golf Club, where he now works alongside Course Manager Andrew Birchall with a shared vision: developing a championship standard course capable of hosting major events in the years ahead.
For Ben, leadership has never been about titles. “Early on I learned that leadership starts with listening - to both the turf and the team,” he says. “Turf doesn’t lie, and neither should a leader. If you pay attention and value people’s input, better decisions follow.”
That philosophy underpins a management style he describes as respectful, hands on and collaborative. He is clear that respect is earned through consistency and work ethic, not job roles. “When you’re leading colleagues who are older, their experience is invaluable. Listening to them and involving them in decisions builds trust quickly.”
The biggest adjustment to head greenkeeping, Ben admits, hasn’t been agronomy. It’s been learning how to switch off. “As hard as you try not to, the issues come home with you. Weather, machinery breakdowns, staffing - it’s always there in the background. Learning to manage that is a real challenge.”
Education has also played a key role in his progression, even if it wasn’t always his favourite part of the job. “I’ve always preferred being on the course rather than doing my NVQs,” he says. “But with support from Phil Lomas at Oldham College, I completed my Level 3. Without that, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today.”
When it comes to course management, Ben’s philosophy is refreshingly simple: get the fundamentals right. “Good mowing practices, sound agronomy and a world class course set up for members and visitors every day - those basics never change,” he explains. “Modern technology should support decisions, not replace them. Moisture meters and data help fine tune what we already do.”
Pressure, of course, comes with the territory. But Ben believes clear communication with members is essential. “If you do the basics right and work with members instead of against them, you’re never far off keeping golfers happy.”
Asked about mentors, Ben is quick to acknowledge the many influences along the way. Tim Johnson stands out for agronomic knowledge, while close friend Ashley Williams, a plus five golfer, has helped sharpen Ben’s eye for detail. “Playing different courses and discussing what we like and don’t like has been massive. The small details really matter.”
Ben with friend and golfer Ashley Williams.
For young greenkeepers looking to follow a similar path, Ben’s advice is honest and practical. “Throw yourself in at the deep end and give it everything. Be confident in what you believe is right. Sustainability matters, but the one thing you truly have to sustain is your job. Work with your Poa if you need to, while gradually introducing fine grasses. Keep greens clean, bunkers tidy, holes well presented - and listen, whether it’s staff or golfers.”
Looking ahead, Ben is fully focused on the task at Childwall. “There are great plans in place, both immediate and long term. The team has a brilliant mix of skills and personalities, and morale is high. I think we’re onto something special.”
As for long term ambitions, Ben keeps an open mind. “In this industry, opportunity often comes when you least expect it. Right now, my focus is on delivering the highest standards we can over the next five to ten years. If we get that right, everything else takes care of itself.”
For aspiring heads and future course managers, Ben Howarth’s story is a reminder that with solid fundamentals, strong values and the courage to step up early, the path is there for the taking.
