Inspired by his parents, Shirley and Ross Wilson, Mike Wilson has continued a family legacy of volunteerism. Shirley and Ross were inducted into the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers Hall of Fame as Builders in 2003 for their volunteer success in the founding and operations of the 1000 Lakes provincial zone in 1976 and the Fenelon Lanes Decentralized Association in 1980.
Mike, who was born in 1962, was one of five children (Stephen, Lisa, Mark, Michael and Paul). At age seven, he joined the YBC at Fenelon Lanes, a local centre that was built in 1961. Following his 10-year YBC career, Mike has had remarkable success in both the Master Bowlers Association (MBAO) and the provincial Open tournament. While still in college, Mike joined the teaching division of the MBAO in 1981, before moving to the tournament division after graduating three years later. Overall, Mike won three tournaments and qualified for one Masters national team. For 1192 games on the tournament tour, Mike averaged an excellent 252.56.
In the provincial Open, Mike has qualified for 45 years, dating from 1981 to 2026 and this is more years than any other bowler. Specifically, Mike has been a singles representative 26 times, been on 40 men’s teams and five mixed teams. Mike has been a member of two provincial championship teams and bowled in St. John’s and Ottawa respectively.
While Mike was excelling on the lanes, he also used this time to build 5 Pin bowling both locally and at the provincial level. He fully embraced the coaching program, receiving his Level one certification in 1981, while just 19 years old, and added his Level Two certification in 1992. On his way, Mike has coached at every level, from the Youth Bowling Council, the Youth Challenge, the Pepsi and High School events to the variety of adult opportunities. As recently as last year, Mike began the process to be a Learning Facilitator and ultimately train new coaches for our sport.
Initially, Mike was president of the local decentralized association in Fenelon Falls from 1986, as well as one of two vice presidents for the 1000 Lakes zone, which later merged with Great Pine Ridge in 2000 to become the Kawartha Lakes 5 Pin Bowlers Association.
As Hall of Famer Jackie Hawkins’s health declined, Mike took on several roles, including President, Tournament Director, Secretary, Booster Club, Awards, Average Book, Membership and Record Scores. To this day, Mike still holds these positions.
In 1996, Mike was elected to the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers Association (O5PBA) provincial board and, one year later, he was appointed as secretary, a position he has proudly held for the past 30 years.
Mike has also taken charge of the annual O5PBA Bowling School. When the school started in 1992, Mike attended as a “pro” and, in 2000, became the chair of the ongoing event, a position he still holds today.
In league play, Mike sits on the executive of the two leagues he bowls in weekly. He is Treasurer of the Durham Majors since 1997 and since 2012, he is also the Secretary/Treasurer of the Ajax Monday Night Mixed League since 2012 Both leagues have 100% membership in the O5PBA.
From his schooling at Sir Sandford Fleming in Peterborough, Mike graduated in 1983 with an Information Technology (IT) background. Mike has used his knowledge of programming, software development, communications, telephone, and hardware to further his 43-year business career as an IT Manager with Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Ocular Sciences Inc. CooperVision Inc. and for the past 16 years with Alfa Laval Inc. in Scarborough.
As recently as 2021, Mike chose to help a struggling Ontario Durham zone. He began as the Secretary and has added the roles of Vice President, Treasurer, Booster Club, Record Scores, Awards, Average Book, Membership and Assistant Tournament Director.