Tom was presented with both the 2006 State and Newcastle District Green Keepers Association Highest Average Mark on completion of his Certificate III in Horticulture-Turf Strand at Kurri Kurri TAFE campus.

He also received the prestigious State Apprentice of the Year award for 2006.

It's been quite a transition for Tom.

Working in road construction for 10 years prior to becoming head green keeper, Tom spent a large portion of the 1990s relocating home.

When he was contracted to help build the Wootton bypass he settled in Tea Gardens and following the completion of the project he found he did not want to move on.

"I was going all over the state and I'd pretty much had enough of the lifestyle," he said.

"There wasn't much going on anyway, other than something at Yass, but I enjoyed it up here and decided to stay on."

Six days a week Tom can be seen out grooming the Bowling Club's two greens.

While he admits the work can be tiresome, he said the job has given him a lot and he wouldn't change it for the world.

"It's something I'm passionate about and I enjoy it," he said.

"It's a good club and the people here have been really good to me so I figure I owe them something."

As part of the three year horticulture course he has just completed, Tom was required to study aspects of green keeping such as pest management, the growth of playing surface, disease control and first aid.

"We covered anything and everything," he said.

"But it has given me a much better understanding of what's involved."

The gruelling Pennant's season has just concluded in Tea Gardens and Tom said he was looking forward to the break.

"It's our busiest time, no doubt about it," he said.

"The club did pretty well this year, which was good, but I'm looking forward to a bit of a break."

As to whether he is looking towards bigger and brighter things, Tom was quick to dismiss the suggestion.

"No, the club's been very good to me so I think I'll stick around for a while yet."