The Story

The Hall of Fame process at the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association level was originally the idea of Shirley Hoult of Scarborough.  In 1966, Shirley promoted the idea to Bert Garside, who was, at that time, Executive Director of the Ontario Bowlers’ Congress (OBC).  Based on Bert’s recommendation, the OBC Board of Directors gave Shirley their approval to gather the necessary materials, including the first submission forms.  As a result of this initiative, it was only fitting that the first inductee, in 1968, was Tommy Ryan, the founder of our sport.  We would also like to thank the Huronia 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association for their inspiration and assistance in making our Hall of Fame a reality.

The York Simcoe 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association Hall of Fame hosted their first official Induction Ceremony on October 27, 2001.  That evening we formally inducted two Builders, four Bowlers, one Coach, two Proprietors and two Volunteers.  On the Builders side, we congratulated Al Richardson and  Lauretta Wright.  On the Bowler’s side, we welcomed Ernie Hughes, Judy Rollich, Marianne Corbet and Geoff Stevens.  Vic Tugwell, became the first inductee in the Coaches division.  In the Proprietors division, it was a pleasure inducting Frank and Pauline Price.  Jack and Betty Hill were our first inductee’s in the Volunteers division.

Along with the above inductees, we were honoured to induct into our Hall of Fame, the following York Simcoe members who had been inducted, over the years, into the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers Hall of Fame.  In the builders division, Tom Cowan, Tom Horton and Sid Morris.  In the bowlers division, Ian Cameron, Jim Hoult, Russ Hurcom, Dianne Macleod, Al Snow and Sue Topping.

Since that star-studded evening we have hosted four additional ceremonies and have had the privilege of inducting an additional thirty-four individuals in the builders, coaches, proprietors, volunteers or bowlers division.

This dinner and induction ceremony is now an integral part of our organization.  As we look forward to celebrating our next Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday October 14, 2023, we would like to recognize the efforts of all the volunteers who have contributed to the success of this program.  We have been blessed, over the years, to have had over two hundred and fifty individuals work with our association, either at the house level, decentralized level or zone level.  To all those individuals who volunteer their time and energy, we thank you.

The selection committee continues to assess the induction process, while getting together on an annual basis, to review the selection criteria and all potential inductees. The committee consists of current Board Executives, Life Members, York Simcoe Hall of Fame members and Ontario 5 Pin Hall of Fame members.  If you know of an individual who is worthy of consideration to be a candidate into our Hall of Fame, please review our Selection Criteria, which can be found on the York Simcoe website at www.ys5pba.ca.  The complete list of previous inductees can also be found on our website.

In closing, the York Simcoe 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association would like to offer its congratulations to each inductee and recognize the effort of each of them who excel at our sport, both on the lanes as Bowlers and Coaches and behind the scenes as dedicated Volunteers, Builders and Proprietors.