Bob ‘The Bear’ Ware – 2005 Scotts Australia Greenkeeper of the Year Award

Bob ‘The Bear’ Ware
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 70s 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 Lennox Head 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.

Bob’s 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.