Pete Sheehan pictured with North Harbour Centre Manager Garth Partridge

Pete Sheehan is an institution at the Browns Bay Bowling Club.

Not because he has been a member for an ‘institutional’ number of years (he has been a member for only around 10) but because in the six years he has served as President, so much has happened and so much has been achieved under his stewardship that it is difficult to remember a time before Pete was at the helm. ‘BP’ (‘Before Pete’) seems a long time ago.

“He’s an amazing club leader,” says Secretary of the Browns Bay Bowling Club, Lin East. “He’s one of those people who when he talks, everybody listens. He doesn’t waffle. It doesn’t matter who he’s talking to, he treats everybody the same, with the same credence and deference. Yet he’s not afraid to have a quiet word with someone when it’s required.”

Pete is not just a talker or a listener. He is a doer as well.

“What he has managed to do, even just over the last year, is remarkable. He’s overseen the upgrade of our three greens, including the installation of new rink markers. He, along with the board members, are now planning and ensuring that our upcoming clubhouse roof replacement goes smoothly.

“This last season, the last of the repairs from the Anniversary Weekend floods in January 2023 were completed. Pete had been there right from the devastating flood, patiently dealing with the insurers and our insurance claims, and coordinating contractors to undertake the extensive refurbishment work. That alone deserved a medal!” Lin laughs.

“But even when these one-off projects have demanded a lot of Pete’s time and attention, he has still managed to continue a huge number of day-to-day housekeeping matters at the club. He’s our Greens Superintendent and works with our Greenkeeper to ensure there is on-going greens capacity for all our club requirements, as well as for centre, national and international usage.

“He’s our club liaison with both the Bowls North Harbour centre and Bowls New Zealand. He oversees the club’s bar, managing the weekly purchases and the monthly stocktakes. He must be doing a great job, as the bar recorded its most successful financial year since club records began in 1943.

“He’s one of our Men’s Selectors, selecting the Browns Bay Bowling Club team that last season won the Bowls North Harbour Interclub title. He’s our Tournament Manager for both the summer and most of the winter tournaments. Pete not only manages the tournaments, but personally contacts and encourages members to participate.

“And every Friday morning he’s out on the green coaching new members, helping them develop their skills and understanding of the game. Last season this included 27 first-year players. We now have over 65 one- to five-year players.

“But that’s only some of what he does,” says Lin. “He’s always busy around the club, whether it’s putting the boards and mats out, sweeping the pathways at the end of the day, or cleaning up the surrounds of the grass greens. He sets a great example to other members, and the members respond in kind.

“He’s a regular contributor to our newsletter. He likes to keep all members involved and up-to-speed. And of course, not to forget, he’s a very successful bowler at the Browns Bay Bowling Club as well!

“While he only lives five or six minutes from the club,” says Lin, “he’s pretty well always the first person to arrive at the club and the last to leave. Members even joke that he has a bed at the club. I’m sure his wife, his three kids and his grandkids wouldn’t disagree.”

Pete Sheehan’s commitment to the Browns Bay Bowling Club goes far beyond his official duties. It is rooted in a deep sense of loyalty, pride, and respect for the club and its members.

That is why he has previously been named Bowls North Harbour’s ‘Official of the Year’ and has won the President’s Cup. It is also why he has now been named Bowls New Zealand’s Club Person of the Year for 2025.

Congratulations, Pete!