John Hawley – 2010 Scotts Australia Greenkeeper of the Year Award

John Hawley
Cronulla RSL Bowling Club

John has been a long time member of the Association joining in 1965 as apprentice at Lakemba Bowling Club at the tender age of 16 with Harry Clark as his boss. He remained there to complete his apprenticeship, and his studies at Ryde School of Horticulture.

He then moved on to become assistant at Penshurst Bowling Club before being approached by Bill Maxwell to take up the position of assistant at Mortdale Bowling Club for 10 years. When Bill Maxwell moved on to start his own business, these days to be well-known as Maxwell & Kemp, John was promoted to Head Greenkeeper.

After Mortdale John moved on to work as Head Greenkeeper at a number of clubs including Hurstville, South Cronulla, Miranda RSL and St George. Unfortunately three of these clubs have closed their doors, becoming victim of the times.

John has been greenkeeping for 46 years; he has set himself a high standard and dedication to his trade, this very evident at Cronulla RSL Bowling Club where his greens, surrounds, machinery maintenance, record keeping and environmental practices are to the highest level.

John Hawley is a worthy winner of this award in 2010.