Al Richardson enjoys a challenge and, throughout his life, Al has faced a variety of career changes, before ultimately leaving his mark on the 5 pin bowling industry.

An accountant by profession, Al also sold real estate before becoming a proprietor of an eight-lane centre in Campbellford, Ontario. Al was outspoken in his views and, in combination with his accounting abilities, he was a natural choice as treasurer of both the Ontario Bowlers Congress, which was in its infancy stage, and also the York Simcoe 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association, which was formed in 1967.

Al arrived on the bowling scene at a very exciting time. Allancourt Lanes, one of Ontario’s finest centres, was opened in Richmond Hill in 1960, was managed by Hall of Famer Doug Miller, and was frequented by such innovators and Hall of Famers as Jim Hoult and Bert Garside. Doug Miller would become an integral part of the development of the Youth Bowling Council in Ontario and Canada. Bert Garside was on the verge of organizing the bowlers under the umbrella of the Ontario Bowlers Congress. Jim Hoult, one of the prime movers in forming the York Simcoe Association, needed help and Al Richardson was ready to handle the challenge. With the formation of the York Simcoe Association in 1967, Al was a charter member and, with the zone covering the large area from Richmond Hill to Huntsville, Al was instrumental in solving problems that rose between the north and the south. As President, Al’s efforts almost tripled the zone membership from 600 in 1967 to 1603 in 1971. As well, during his term, Al came up with the idea of matching a high average bowler with a low average bowler as a team and, as such, the high-low doubles tournament was formed. This tournament became so successful at the zone level, that, in 1972, the Ontario Bowlers Congress asked if they could develop the event province-wide. As a result, the Ontario High-Low Doubles Tournament was born, only available to association members, and, originally, there was no entry fee. More than 20,000 bowlers entered that first year and to this day, nearly one million bowlers have participated in what became and still is, the most popular provincial tournament offered by the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association.

At the administrative level, Al served for seven years at all levels, zone, provincial and national. At the Ontario level, he was Treasurer under President and Hall of Famer Ken Edge and introduced several strong accounting practices that would carry the OBC through their growth period of the seventies and eighties. At the national level, Al represented Ontario while attending meetings held under the Canadian Bowlers Congress umbrella.

Al was a force on the lanes as well. In 1965, Al won the prestigious Toronto City Singles title. This competition was held at the end of the City Major League season and only involved the higher average bowlers. That same year, 1964, Al was a charter member of the Master Bowlers Association and served a term as vice-president. Moreover, Al believed in the instruction side of our sport and, working with another Hall of Famer, Ernie Roggie, proposed a reclassification of members and averages that eventually led to the formation of the teaching division of the Master Bowlers Association in 1967.

Al qualified for the Provincial Open on seven occasions from 1965 to 1985, and was also a coach in 1970. His first championship came in 1964, the last year that the bowling proprietors ran the event. Al’s team won the provincial men’s team title while competing in North Bay although, unfortunately, the Ontario men lost to Manitoba at the National finals in Regina. In addition, Al was a member of two mixed teams that won provincial titles in 1969 and 1971. However, in both these years, the Canadian Championships were cancelled due to the East-West controversy over the abolition of the counter pin, and Al was denied a chance at a Canadian championship.

Al and his late wife, Jeanne, raised four children, Gary, Kim, Jill and Janice and nine grandchildren are potential bowlers. Now 74, Al lives in Campbellford and, with his son Gary, run Trent Valley Lanes, a centre they have owned since 1978. Initially, Al was zone president for the local proprietors, but lately, leaves the political battles to his son, Gary. However, he is still bowling, working occasionally in the bowling center, and enjoys a little golf and gardening. His former zone, York Simcoe, formed a Hall of Fame and Al, for his efforts, was on the list of the first inductees in 2001.

Overall, Al has enjoyed over 60 years in 5 pin bowling and, from both sides, bowler and proprietor. In his outspoken way, Al has certainly enjoyed our sport and its characters and was able to recognize the contribution of the bowlers, both the high average and the lower average player as well and the role that both play in the success of 5 pin bowling.