Robert (Bob) John Ware (1951-2011)

 

The NSW bowling greenkeeper community is mourning the loss of one of its favourite sons following the death of Bob Ware (pictured). ‘The Bear’, as he was affectionately known by members of the NSW greenkeeping community and Yamba Bowling Club where he was head greenkeeper for 30 years, passed away peacefully on Monday 5 December after a long battle with leukaemia.

A funeral service was held on Friday 9 December at Eco Memorial Park crematorium in Brisbane and a memorial service will also be held on Monday 19 December at Yamba Bowling Club from 2pm.

Ware, whose greenkeeping career spanned four decades, was one of the true characters of the greenkeeping community according to close friend and neighbour Andrew Smith who is course superintendent at Yamba Golf Club. “Bob was one of those guys who would do anything for anyone and if ever there was a barbeque he would be the one doing the cooking,” says Smith. “He was always helping out and was a true character and a great man who carried a huge amount of respect among the greenkeeping community. He will be sadly missed.”

Ware’s career in turf management started at Monash Country Club in Sydney before heading to Lennox Head where he ended up finishing his greenkeeping studies at Lismore TAFE. Working at Ballina Golf Club, he would spend his spare time helping bowling clubs in the area, including Evans Head, Casino RSM, South Lismore and Ballina as a casual greenkeeper, filling in for staff on holidays. In 1975 he became head greenkeeper at Yamba Bowling Club and spent five years there before heading to Maclean Bowling Club. He stayed there seven years before returning to Yamba in 1987 where he remained until falling ill.

In 2005 the NSW Bowling Greenkeepers Association bestowed upon Ware the Scotts Australia Greenkeeper of the Year Award for his efforts over many years. Not only were his greens at Yamba the envy of all clubs in northern NSW, Ware was also a prolific player, winning numerous district titles between 1989 and 2003 as well as nine singles titles at Yamba. He was also heavily involved with the Clarence River Greenkeepers Advisory Council and Northern Rivers Greenkeepers Association.

Ware, who was 60, is survived by wife Liz and children Melissa and Ben. The AGCSA sends its condolences to the Ware family.