Wally Knapp’s bowling career has spanned 50 years and, during that half century, Wally has participated as a proprietor, association executive, coach, bowler and a provincial and national executive.

Also, while Wally is best known for his exploits in the Bay of Quinte and St. Thomas, he was actually born in Hamilton in 1924. Moreover, at the young age of eighteen, Wally joined the Air Force and trained as a wireless air gunner with an expertise in Morse Code. Wally saw World War II action in England, France and Germany. After the war, he returned to Hamilton and began his journey to the Hall of Fame through the industrial leagues at Westdale Bowl. Wally also joined the City of Hamilton in the works department. However, by 1954, Wally chose to return to the Air Force and a second military career began and this one would last thirty years.

In this second stint, Wally trained in St. Jean, Quebec and he was stationed in England, France, Moose Jaw and Trenton. While in the British Isles, Wally traveled to Scotland for the opening of the 5 pin lanes in East Kilbride and, while he did meet the owner, Lord Thompson of Fleet, Wally was not part of the official proceedings as conducted by Hall of Famer, Don Walker. However, it was Wally’s final posting in Trenton that became the foundation of his Hall of Fame career.

Wally was president of the Bay of Quinte zone from 1969-1982 and, during his term, he introduced the new concept of decentralization throughout the zone. Associations were begun in Garrison, Astra, Trenton, Picton, Campbellford and Hastings and, overall, membership increased from 600 to 1700.

In total, Wally has enjoyed two different stints with the Board of Directors of the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association. Initially, Wally joined the provincial board in 1976 and his initial expertise was lane certification. Not only did Wally re-write the Standards and Specifications Manual which covered both the certification of lanes and also the equipment specifications for 5 pin bowling in Canada, but Wally also introduced the program in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Newfoundland. In addition, by special request, Wally also flew on military aircraft to Bagotville, Quebec to certify the 5 pin bowling lanes that were used for the 1983 Canada Games.

Unfortunately, Wally left the board in 1987, when he moved to St. Thomas and with his wife Lynda, took over the management of St. Thomas Lanes. As a proprietor, Wally was in a perfect spot. He totally understood all the O5PBA programs and conducted a full array of activities in the centre under his decentralized banner. In addition, with the Mid Elgin zone, Wally has been the treasurer for ten years and, on his decentralized board, he filled the position of both treasurer and tournament director.

However, Wally and Lynda left their centre in 1993 and Wally was immediately welcomed back to the O5PBA Board of Directors. Ready for a new challenge, Wally became Tournament Director and, in this roll, brought a new standard to the position. Not only did he attend every tournament, including the Open, in this administrative role but he also handled the most difficult meeting process, both during the season and at the Convention. In addition, he researched and wrote the current tournament directors’ handbook, Do’s, Don’ts and Deadlines, and this document has become a most valuable tool for tournament officials across Ontario.

In recognition of Wally’s involvement with 5 pin bowling, the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association awarded Wally a Life Membership in 1984. In addition, the provincial government recognized his career with a lifetime volunteerism award in 1992.

As with most builders of our industry, Wally also has enjoyed some success on the lanes. While in the military, Wally continued to bowl and, in Moose Jaw, for example, he won the armed forces 5 pin singles championships with a 280 average. Overall, Wally bowled in nine opens and coached in nine more. Dedicated to the Youth Bowling Council, Wally has been a teaching master for twenty-two years and today continues to bowl on the Masters Senior tour.

If activity keeps you young, then Wally will be young forever. Overall, there are fifteen grandchildren and, three great grandchildren, with four living in St. Thomas, Wally enjoys every babysitting opportunity.