2009 Scotts Australia Greenkeeper of the year Award

Matt Keough
Albion Park Bowling Club

The NSW Bowling Greenkeepers’ Association congratulates Matt Keough on being awarded the Greenkeeper of the Year 2009.

Matt received his award at the Legends Day recently held at Valentine Bowling Club in July.  Matt received the award for his great work at Albion Park Bowling Club, however he has recently re-located to Engadine Bowling Club for another new challenge in his greenkeeping career.

Matt’s nomination highlighted his skills and experience and a summary of his career to date is outlined below.
Matt gained employment at Junee BC in late 1994, he was still finishing his HSC.  They let him complete the certificate, but he did help renovate a green before starting exams during his last school holidays.

Matt’s first job was behind a scarifier then straight onto an old multicore.  His boss was Kevin 'Mick' Gillard, the long serving sec/treasurer of Wagga and District Greenkeepers Association.

He then left Junee in 1998 and moved to Sydney were he worked at Ramsgate RSL as a permanent in the Bar.  While there Matt did a couple of top dresses and holidays for Johnny Waters.  He stayed employed there for 9 months, just long enough to meet a beautiful bar attendant named Fiona.

He turned down a job at East Lakes Golf Club to take the job as head greenkeeper at Coogee BC, this put him in contact with an excellent network of greenkeepers that helped him really develop in the trade.  The many top-dresses, and Friday morning breakfasts at Cafe Congo were a great source of knowledge, and piss taking.  As the standard txt message use to say 'be there or be talked about'.

At Coogee he built the first crown bowls green in Australia, a massive flop, but a very different experience. Matt wasn’t sure if turning the green into a crown or back again was the most difficult.  The initial 'crown' was hand screeded by a team of concreters, it was designed from vague standards that had a flat top in the middle of the green and increasingly dropped away every 3m to be 18" lower in the corners.  When re-levelled the base laser was botched and the first laser after grassing took over 20 tons of soil and in some areas had 2" of soil on it. In total the renovation took 60 tons of topdressing in the first year. 

He was then employed by Albion Park Bowling Club in July 2005, this as it has turned out was Matt’s best career move.  One of the larger bowling clubs in the state, he went from a club of just on 100 bowlers to a club of over 350.

During Matt’s time at Albion Park he has installed a rain water harvesting system for use on the greens and toilets, sunk a bore which has 6500ppm of salt, then found a system to allow us to use this water, constructed a wash down bay and chemical storage mix area, and re grassed a green with tiff dwarf.

Matt has always enjoyed great support from all the boards he has dealt with but Albion Park were driven and ambitious, they wanted to be known as a good strong bowling club.  In return, Matt gave them as good a green surface as possible.

2008 Scotts Australia Greenkeeper of the year Award

Steve Britt
Valentine Bowling Club

Steve left Whitebridge High in mid November 1974 after completing 4th form and the school certificate to walk into the plumbing trade following his father and elder brother. After 4 weeks in this job he had crawled under houses with snakes and rats, had blisters on blisters from digging holes and lost his lunch 3 or 4 times at the sight of some of the things his dad pulled out of sewer pipes. He surrendered and went to Centrelink or the C.E.S. as it was called then to apply for the dole. While being interviewed at the CES he was asked the result of his vocational guidance test from 3rd form. These results indicated that with his scholastic ability he would be best suited pursuing a career in refrigeration mechanics, fire brigade or greenkeeping. On telling him this he walked to his filing cabinet pulled out a piece of paper and said take this down the road to Charlestown B.C. where they are looking for a person to do 2 weeks casual while their apprentice goes on leave. As it worked out the apprentice at Charlestown was Graham Harvey who himself and family were good friends of Steve’s family. On the 2nd January 1975 he commenced 2 weeks casual and really enjoyed it. A month later Graham rang Steve to say he was out of his time and leaving to take up the position of head greenkeeper at Valentine B.C. and that Charlestown would like Steve to replace him as apprentice.

He started his apprenticeship in March 1975 under the watchful eye of head greenkeeper Morry Tobias. In these 4 years he was involved in rebuilding and redraining 2 greens that had problems with a wide variety of diseases and insects and installed one of the first tiffs in the Newcastle area (which in his words was a disaster).

He started TAFE in 1976 at Tighes Hill and completed in 1977 gaining runner up to apprentice of the year behind Brad Morgan.

The club not only has the Greenkeeper of Year they also have received 100 litres of liquid fertilizer as part of the Scotts Australia award for use at the club. The Club, Steve and the Association are thankful to Scotts for this award. David Westall from Scotts, Steve & Club President

In Steve’s words:
In March 1979 Morry resigned and the club invested me with the head greenkeepers job at the age of 20.The next 3 years at Charlestown was very hard learning from my mistakes and dealing with managers and directors at one of Newcastle’s prestige clubs at the time. One of the hardest things was never losing the tag of being the boy. In March 1982 the morning after attending a board meeting where the manager and president tore strips off me for not using the BIG ROLLER enough ,going home 7 minutes early on Thursday 3 weeks ago and not sweeping the shed floor enough I again received a phone call from Graham Harvey. He told me he was leaving Valentine BC to take up a job in the mines and that the club would like to talk to me. Valentine B.C. was well known to me as my grandparents were foundation members, my pop was treasurer at one time and I used to help Graham with his renovations.

I accepted a job offer from the club that day and had great pleasure in walking into the manager’s office at Charlestown and telling him what to do with his BIG ROLLER and club.

I started at Valentine on 23 March 1982, since then I have regrassed both greens twice, installed new ditches and because of its location (which has Sheperds creek on one side and lake Macquarie on the other) I designed and installed a recycling system which catches all water from the greens drainage system and pumps it back into tanks beside my shed. I did this to make sure there was no danger of polluting the lake from runoff.
The club and I have enjoyed a harmonious relationship over the years which I think is very important, it helps to keep you motivated and always striving for the best.

MAXWELL KEMP NSW BOWLING GREENKEEPER ASSOCIATION
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR 2007

Paul Hampton
Kurri Bowling Club

Paul Hampton 23 year old winner of the Maxwell Kemp Apprentice of the Year Award and also the 2008 State Medal in Horticulture completed his apprentice at Kurri Bowling Club and is currently at Morisset Country Club. He is also studying Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management at Newcastle University with the goal to work for the EPA or become an environmental officer. “I have a particular interest in water and soil quality and testing and hope to build on these skills I gained whilst greenkeeping and continue to work in this area.” He said.

Paul’s interests are lawn bowls, soccer, absailing and distance running. He is also an active rescue member and management committee member of the Cessnock District Volunteer Rescue squad. He also was awarded 2007 state service medal - emergency and recovery response Hunter and Central Coast Storms.

2007 Scotts Australia Greenkeeper of the year Award

John Cearns
Cabramatta Bowling Club.

John has been at Cabramatta Bowling Club for 13 Years and during this time has achieved a standard of greens and surrounds that could only described as first class. This is evidenced by the number of District, State and National titles hosted by the club.

John has had 35 years in the trade completing his apprenticeship at Oatley Bowling Club in1972 then taking over as head greenkeeper there in 1975; then followed Rockdale, Beverly Hills and his present club.  

A popular member of our association John is not only a top class greenkeeper but is willing to help anyone who needs help. He has also won numerous State Championships and represented the Association at Federation Week. His concern about the industry’s future is evident by his article on minimum bias bowls that was printed in the Bowling Greenkeeper.

He has gained great respect from fellow bowlers, greenkeepers and officials at all levels and he is a worthy recipient of the award.              

MAXWELL KEMP NSW BOWLING GREENKEEPER ASSOCIATION

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR 2006

Tom Phillips
Tea Gardens Country Club.

The apprentice of the year 2006 is Tom Phillips from Tea Gardens Country Club. Tom worked on road construction for 9 years before starting work at the club as a casual barman, then doing some work helping the greenkeeper (Troy Burton) with general duties.

He then was offered, by the Secretary-Manager, to do the apprenticeship in Horticulture (turf stand) at Kurri Tafe. 

Tom excelled gaining not only this award but also the Newcastle Greenkeepers Association award and State Medal for Horticulture (turf stand) from Tafe NSW.

Tom has enjoyed the support of his club from the Secretary Manager, non bowlers and men’s and ladies bowling clubs.  Being a keen fisherman he enjoys living at Tea Gardens.                                                                                                                                    
Tom receiving his awards at TAFE presentation.

2006 Scotts Australia Greenkeeper of the year Award

Phil Hartfield
Cronulla Bowling Club

This year’s winner has been in the industry for over thirty years.

It all began in 1973 as an apprentice greenkeeper at Penshurst B.C. Completing his Tafe course at Ryde in 1975, he moved to Carss Park B.C and then to Grandviews B.C as an assistant. He became Head Greenkeeper for the next 6 years at Bundeena B.C. He then moved to St. George for 4 years and to Cronulla B.C for 8 years. 

Taking a break from bowling greens he became assistant superintendent at St Michael’s golf club.  He then returned to Cronulla Bowling Club upon request in 1997 where he is presently today.  Phil has always been a great supporter of the NSW Bowling Greenkeepers attending most events over the years. 

His contribution to his club, zone, and district, his courteous and polite manner make him highly respected by bowlers and officials alike. 

He is always willing to help out his fellow greenkeepers at anytime.

2005 NSWBGA / Maxwell Kemp Apprentice of the year

Troy Makin
Ocean Shores Country Club

This award was presented to Troy Makin at the Hunter Institute of T.A.F.E at Newcastle.

Troy is highly respected by the golf and bowling members of the Ocean Shores Country Club. The enthusiasm he shows towards greenkeeping demonstrates the asset he is to the trade.

Troy is also a very capable sportsman, and although he only started playing bowls in 2001 he has already represented the Tweed / Byron district and Zone1.

 Some of Troy’s achievements in bowls are: 2002 Minor singles, 2003 Club triples, 2004 Club singles & pairs, 2005 Club triples & fours. District champion of Champion triples (with two juniors).

Also 3 winning pennants with the club including one state pennant in 2004.

2005 Scotts Australia Greenkeeper of the year Award

Bob Ware (The Bear)
Yamba Bowling Club.

Bob started as a young boy where he would spend school holidays with his grandparents at Tatonga Beach and help his grandfather on a bowling green.

Little did he know then greenkeeping would be his career.
Bob has worked in the industry for 35 years.

His career started back in the early 70’s at Monash Golf Club in Sydney, where he also commenced his greenkeeping course attending Ryde Tafe, after realising he wanted to move to the country he ended up finishing his course at Lismore Tafe.

Living in Lenox Heads and working at Ballina Golf Club he started to spend his spare time helping the local Bowling Clubs in the area such as Evans Head, Casino R.S.M, South Lismore and Ballina as a casual Greenkeeper, filling in for staff on holidays.

Bob applied for the head greenkeeping position at Yamba Bowling Club in which he obtained and started work in 1975 where he spent the next five years, he then left and went to work at MacLean Bowling Club for the next 7 years before returning to Yamba Bowling Club on 1987 and where he is still today.

His involvement with the Clarence River Greenkeepers Advisory Council has seen him fill most positions on the committee and he has been a tireless worker for the greenkeepers in the area.

His advice and willingness to help others with their problems has held him highly in the Clarence River area. Over the years he has been the organizer Charity Bowls Days.
Bob has given his time and also been a member of the Northern Rivers Greenkeepers Association where everyone involved has very high regard for his professional approach to the trade.

Bobs greens have always been maintained at the highest standard and are the envy of all clubs in Northern New South Wales.

Not only is he excellent at his job but he has proven himself to be handy with his bowls, having won numerous District titles from 1989-2003.

His efforts of 9 Singles titles at the club from 1991-2003 has seen him a regular pick for the Australian Greenkeeper championships

2004 NSWBGA / Maxwell Kemp Apprentice of the year

Simon Flannery
Telarah Bowling Club

Simon ' The Quiet Achiever' Flannery started his apprenticeship at Telarah Bowling Club after stints with 'Greening Australia', and as a groundsman at 'Peppers at Pokolbin', both of which he earned excellent reports and proved to himself that the turf industry was definitely for him.

Throughout the apprentice application process he showed he was head and shoulders more passionate about becoming a greenkeeper and moving onto bigger things in our industry than the other applicants.

]He has since repaid the club's decision to employ him many times over, and in the club's 2004 Annual Report was described by the Sec/Manager as 'an asset to our club and the industry as a whole'.

He has proven, when the occasions have arisen, through sickness or leave, that he has the ability to take control of the day-to-day running of the greens etc without hitch.

On a personal note, Simon is an avid 'sports-nut', with an interest in just about everything & anything sports related, he is a one-eyed St. George / Illawarra Dragons fan, an Arsenal fan, a regular at 'Royal Beresfield' G/C or Maitland G/C trying to improve his swing.

Simon also plays all-age soccer for Maitland, he is a First Grade all-rounder for Tenambit / Morpeth in the Maitland District competition, where he also tends to his beloved pitch/s. Simon is also a punter without fear, willing to have a bet on anything with an outcome.

2004 Scotts Australia Greenkeeper of the year Award

Bruce Armbruster
East Lismore Bowling Club

Bruce Armbruster, greenkeeper at the East Lismore B/C, has won the greenkeeper of the year award for this year.

Bruce also known as “Buster”, was granted this prestigious award not only for the excellent standard of his greens and surrounds, but also for the contribution he has made to the greenkeeping trade over the his career.

Bruce started his apprenticeship at East Lismore in 1965, and carried out his studies through the School of Horticulture at Ryde.

His career has included 12 months at Woodburn B/C, 4 years at Coraki B/C, 4 years at Lismore City B/C and another 19years at East Lismore B/C.

Bruce sets a standard for all greenkeepers in our area. He is highly respected, always willing to give a helping hand and offer advice if required.

He maintains his greens on a minimal budget and also maintains his machinery himself to a very high standard.

When greenkeepers know Bruce is coming to their club they always make sure that all is perfect this includes ditches, surrounds and sharp mowers and the shed is neat and tidy.

Buster is not only a top greenkeeper, he is also a distinguished bowler. He started playing bowls in 1968 at Lismore Heights B/C.

Since then he has won the singles, pairs, triples and fours championships at both Lismore City and East Lismore Bowling Clubs.

Buster has also won the NSW Greenkeepers Pairs with Bill Scarlett. (Retired greenkeeper from South Lismore B/C.)

Buster is a great character, and has many fond memories and yarns to tell. Long before night bowls started, Buster and a few other night owls used to park their cars around the green at the Heights and play bowls under the headlights.

The Friday night Tooheys challenge used to carry on well into the night, and throughout the cold winter months

2003 Scotts Australia Greenkeeper of the year Award

Brett Long
West Coffs Catholic Bowling Club

This greenkeepers career started 25yrs ago in a small town on the mid north coast. After completing his apprenticeship at Sawtell B.C he moved to Coffs Ex-Services as second in charge under John Hiscox.

With serval years under his belt and when he thought he had learnt enough to move on he did so and that was and is where he is still today West Coffsor what he calls the Vatican.

He has an assistant and apprentices all looking after 3 greens, tennis courts, and a couple of members front lawns to keep them busy each week.

He has shown he is still keen to learn with his annual attendance at state and national conference weeks to learn from others as well give others the inside to what he is thinking and doing during the year.

He has involved himself with the mid north coast greenkeepers association being President for some year and now their Secretary.

In everything from tech to today his focus has been to achieve a perfect result.

The condition of his greens where put on show for all the greenkeepers at last years Federation Week and since then they have hosted various district events along with the States No1 pennant playoffs.

Being a "gun" bowler has helped him achieve his goals, and having such wit and attitude the boys at the mid north coast are proud to have him with them.

His family is close together and sport runs through all with his daughter very successful at netball and his two boys in many sports.

He has been very fond of his rugby and with his younger son enjoying a good career so far with some representative games dad is always in the back ground helping the local club in its weekly needs especially raffle and auctions.

Often after a conference week he will return with a new brumbies shirt and be loved by all on return.

This new award in partnership with Maxwell and Kemp will give a good incentive for all apprentices coming though the trade.

Being the first year for this it has been a nice surprise to this year winner.

He started out doing casual work on the greens for about 18 months before he was offered an apprenticeship at Bar Beach Bowling Club.

After many years working different job Adam decided that greenkeeping was what he enjoyed the most.Bar Beach is only a small club and the greenkeeper at the time were contracted to the club, and when he resigned leaving Adam without a job.

So for the last 15 months of his apprenticeship he negotiated with club to stay on as greenkeeper, all this with the approval of the apprenticeship board. In the near future Adam would like to keep learning and moving forward with his career and not closing any doors on his future doing certificate 4 and 5 at T.A.F.E.

Adam only plays bowls when work permits, he has played team sport but finds this hard as weekend work interferes with these activities.

Away for work Adam has other interests with Surfing, Snowboarding, Riding dirt bikes and travelling when possible.

2002 Scotts Australia Greenkeeper of the year Award

Wade Turner
Queanbeyan Bowling Club

This greenkeeper started his apprenticeship in 1976 and to some this may have been along time ago.  Two years later he found himself as Head Greenkeeper, but it was 'not until 1980 that he finished his apprenticeship.

He worked at this club for a few more years before moving on in1982 where he spent the following six years.  In 1988 he moved to his present club where he been for 14years.He has also shown dedication not only to his passion of his job but also to the sport he loves and that is Rugby League. 

This was shown when he played a 100 plus games for his local club and not only played the game but he also coached it too.Over the last ten years he has forced on different goals in life and these have been family, teaching, learning, and bowls. 

There are not many weeks that aren't full with things to do.  He has spent 5 years teaching the local up and coming apprentices, as I was one. 

He has recently taken sitting on the other side, completing his Certificate IV last year and where he should be today at Tech doing his Diploma of Horticulture (Turf Management).For his bowls it has been the last 3 years that he has achieved the goals of winning the clubs Major Singles, along with other club events. 

He has also achieved a lot in the last twelve months gaining selection for various state game, along with his selection this year in the Australian Sides Championships that were played in Adelaide.Not only has he played in the Australian sides but, in 2000 his played host to the event with great appraisal of his efforts along with he's staff. 

Not only has he held this event but, he has also played host to the Australian Campion of Campions and the Police Sides Championships.  Plus the clubs greens are used for the Australian Squads and NSW development squads training facility.He has dedicated time towards the local Bowling Greenkeepers Association where he is President and has been for the last two years. 

Along with being Treasurer of th e TGAA ACT for 10 years. The last season saw him volunteer his time with assists to re-establish a bowling green in a small town where he once went to primary school. 

He is always made himself available to assist other greenkeepers in solving problems or offering advice.He is a truly professional Bowling greenkeeper and presents himself in such a way that others look at him for the standards that he sets.