Why competitive golf is like calling an auction

Words Donna Fleming. Picture Ted Baghurst

John Bowring is a transplant from across the Tasman who found his feet here as a real estate auctioneer. Now the lead auctioneer for the Ray White Group, over the last

11 years he’s called more than

5000 auctions.

Did you always want to be an auctioneer?

No, as a kid I always wanted to be a professional golfer. My old man played and I started when I was about 3-and-a-half. When I left school I went to the Sydney Golf Academy but eventually I realised I wasn’t going to be good enough to do it for a living and I left after two years. That was when I got into real estate.

I came to New Zealand 13 years ago to go to the 30th birthday party of my best mate, Trent Quinton, who had moved here — he’s an agent with Bayleys. I decided to stay for six months and I’m still here.

How did you end up calling auctions?

It was a progression from selling real estate, although I had always thought that if I ever did any kind of calling, it would be race calling. I have a huge passion for horse racing. But after I got into real estate, I became interested in auctions.

Did it come naturally?

I have had to work hard but I have always liked calling. As a kid I used to put two boats in a stream and I’d be calling the race between them. Whenever I was where your voice echoed, like the shower, I would always be calling something. I was in the debating team and acted in plays at school, which helped because there is a performance element to calling auctions.

I do like to talk — my school reports always said, “Johnny talks too much and distracts others.” I’ve used that to my advantage.

Do you remember the first auction you called?

It was a house in Kitirawa Rd, Remuera, for Megan Jaffe [owner of Ray White Remuera]. I had been suggested to her by another agent, and I don’t think she realised it was my first one. But I think once I started she could see from the papers shaking in my hands that I hadn’t called any before!

Megan is my number one client but also a good friend who has done a lot for me and my family. It’s good to have friends in this industry, because it can be cut-throat.

Who are your mentors?

They include Rod Duke [managing director and deputy chairman of the Briscoe Group], who is a good friend and has been a big part of my life. He’s given me some great advice. John Banks [former cabinet minister and Auckland mayor] “I was in the debating team and acted in plays at school, which helped because there is a performance element to calling auctions.” has been another mentor. I can ring him any time I like. I’m also friends with John Key, who I met at a charity auction I was calling when I started out. Afterwards he asked me to do a National Party gig for him and I ended up doing auctions for National for about five years.

Do you play golf together?

We’ve had quite a few games. We usually play with Rod, who is a good friend of John’s, and another friend, Gerard Peterson [former executive director of The Warehouse and owner of Number One Shoes]. We talk a bit of business, but we also talk about just about anything. John’s a very likeable guy, he’s actually very funny and probably the best public speaker I have ever heard. And he’s a good golfer too.

Are there any similarities between playing golf and calling auctions?

In both, you get into a kind of rhythm. When you are playing competitive golf you get into the zone and you can’t actually see people because you are so focused. It’s the same with an auction, you don’t see people other than the bidders. It’s like you have blinkers on and you’re completely in the moment.

Do you have other hobbies?

I own a few racehorses. My family keeps me busy. I’ve got two daughters, 3-year-old Gigi and 22-month-old Indi. I’m teaching Gigi to play golf.

How would you describe your auctioneering style?

It’s quite relaxed ... I decided to try to include a bit of comedy, if it is appropriate, and I think making people laugh helped me to get my name out there.