Bob Gault has the distinction of having served more years as President of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of Ontario than any other person in its history. First elected as Vice-President in 1974, he succeeded to the presidency after the untimely passing of Ron Hawkins. Finishing out the unexpired term, he was then elected to the position in his own right for a further two years. After serving a two-year term as President of the BPA of Canada, he became active again in the Ontario Association and served a further two years as Vice-President before he became President for the second time in 1983, a position he currently holds.

Bowling was an unlikely industry and profession for Irish-born Bob Gault to find himself in. When he was 15, he left Londonderry Technical College in Northern Ireland and went to work in the sales department of a British shirt manufacturer. He and his family emigrated to Canada when Bob was 18 and his first job was a position as Assistant Branch Manager for the Sherwin-Williams Paint Company. For the next few years, he worked for the T. Aston Company handling complaints and then became a wholesale bread delivery man for Westons. Short stints with Western Life as an insurance salesman and Town and Country Bookkeeping doing income tax for farmers followed.

Somehow or other Bob became interested in bowling, a sport that was almost unknown in his native country of Ireland. His assured manner and competent mien gave the owners of Sportsman’s Lanes in Hamilton confidence that Bob could rebuild their business. The 24-lane five pin centre thrived and flourished under his direction. Bob could see that the future of the bowling industry resided in union and in membership in the Bowling Proprietors’ Association. After Sportsman’s Lanes joined in 1966, Bob quickly discovered that the Association could provide an outlet for his energy and intelligence.

The other bowling centres in the Hamilton area quickly discovered that Bob could provide leadership and he was elected Zone President in 1967. From 1969 to 1974, he was a Director of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of Ontario and served terms as Five Pin Chairman, Membership Services Chairman and Treasurer. As noted previously, he became President in 1973. During most of this time, Bob also served as a member of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of Canada and during these years he chaired the Membership Services Committee and the Special Promotions Committee. When he became President of the Canadian Association, major steps were taken to ensure that bowling received recognition. National promotional tie-ups were arranged and Bob served tirelessly on various committees that handled these things.

Sportsman’s Bowl, Hamilton, also joined the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America and Bob’s abilities were recognized when he was appointed to the Small Ball Committee of that Association. He served on the committee for three years and attended various meetings in the United States, representing the views of five pin, candlepin and duckpin operators to the membership which was mainly composed of ten pin operators. Bob served for several years as liaison for the BPA of Ontario to the Ontario Five Pin Bowlers’ Association and while in that position worked to ensure peace and harmony between the two organizations.

A major step forward for Bob’s security took place in 1981, when he became the major shareholder of Sportsman’s Lanes. Under his supervision and direction, the house has maintained consistently high linage and has been in the forefront of activity and promotions in the area. Recently, Bob did a unique thing for bowling centres when he created a video rental store on the concourse of the bowling centre. This represented another challenge for Bob Gault and he quickly learned the new business and has made it successful.

Bob is married to the attractive and charming Gail and has two children, Mitchell, 17 and Lance, 15. The entire family has had an involvement in the operation of Sportsman’s Lanes and their joint efforts have helped make the centre an outstanding success.