Rob (‘Robert’ to his mother) Gibson has always been a Dunedinite. At weak moments, he convinced himself that Nelson, Wellington and Earnscleugh might be better places to live. But sense prevailed. And since 2008, Rob has been Manager and Greenkeeper at the Taieri Bowling Club, headquarters for the 2017/2018 BLK Nation Open Championships.

“I’ve always loved sport,” explains Rob, “and the idea of getting paid to be involved with sport at Taieri certainly beat being a taxman at the IRD.” (as he was formerly).

Rob has the credentials to back up his love: 1st grade rugby player for Taieri; played basketball for Otago B; mad golfer (until 2 new hips put paid to that); and New Zealand Pole-vaulting Champion in 1975. But it was bowls that really took his fancy some 15 years ago.

Like he had in other sports, Rob immersed himself in bowls. The Taieri Bowling Club became his ‘day job’. Rob became President of the New Zealand Greenkeepers Association. But where Rob really excelled was as a perennial runner-up in bowling tournaments – fellow finalists came to love playing Rob. “At least I made other people happy!” he chuckles.

Under Rob’s management, the Taieri Bowling Club has been going from strength-to-strength. The Club has hosted 3 National Open Championships over the last 7 years. It has 130 full-time and 100 social members. The club grounds and clubrooms also host the Taieri Petanque Club and the Mosgiel Darts Club. “We would like the Cricket Club and Tennis Club next door too – there would be a lot of sense in us all amalgamating as one big sports hub.”

Rob is best described as one of those ‘club men’: there’s very little distinction between bowls life and home life. Even his partner ‘Shar’ (please don’t call her ‘Sharlene’) runs the bowling club kitchen, and judging by the scones and cheese rolls, does a fabulous job. Rob wouldn’t have it any other way.

Thanks for the great job on the BLK National Open Championship, Rob.