Carl Malcolmson can best be described as a dynamic, forthright individual who for over a quarter of a century has made an impact in all phases of bowling in Canada.
Leon Hudecki, a founder and former President of the Bowling Proprietor’s Association of Ontario, can well be credited for starting Carl’s illustrious career when in 1952, he hired him to manage Central Bowling Lanes in Hamilton. As Leon’s sidekick, Carl attended several Proprietor’s meetings and assisted in the hosting of the founding convention of the Bowling Proprietor’s Association of Ontario in Hamilton in1954. In 1960, with an opportunity to advance his career, Carl assumed the managerial responsibilities of Sherwood Lanes in Hamilton. It was this move that saw Carl surface on the Provincial bowling scene and in the ensuing years, he served the Bowling Proprietor’s Association of Ontario in a variety of posts including Director, Treasurer, 5 Pin Chairman, President and Chairman of the Board. During this time, Carl upgraded the sport and the Association by moving its’ office to a prestige location, the Canadian Motor Hotel in Agincourt. Prior to moving to larger facilities, the Association functioned at this address for sixteen years.
Carl’s involvement in the sport took on an added dimension in 1964, when he, along with some prominent personalities, attended a meeting in Winnipeg, Manitoba, an occasion which led to the creation of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of Canada. The B.P.A.C. held its’ first annual meeting in Regina, Saskatchewan, in 1964, and it was at this meeting the Youth Bowling Council was expanded to operate on a National scale. From 1964 to 1969, Carl served the B.P.A.C. as its’ Eastern Vice-President and Treasurer. He was elected to a two year term as Canadian President in 1969 and set a precedent by being re-elected to this prestigious position for an additional two year term in 1971.
During his Presidential term, Carl, along with Bert Garside of the Ontario Bowlers’ Congress, played a major role on the development and establishment of the 5 Pin National Classified Bowling Championships which is now in its’ eleventh year of operation. He was a strong supporter of the National Association and for national unity on the bowling scene. He stimulated provincial pride under a national banner and helped eliminate East-West controversies that had arisen. Up until 1971 and during Carl’s term in office as President, the Ontario Association had provided a solid foundation for Canadian Association. Until that time, Ontario supplied the Canadian Association with an office and an administrative staff. However, the time was ripe in 1971 to have the Canadian Association stand on its’ own two feet, and the Canadian Board of Directors decided to establish the B.P.A. of Canada as a separate national entity. Carl was hired as National Administrator, and his wife Inge as Office Manager. Shortly after, they opened up bowling headquarters in Scarborough.
With Carl at the helm, and with the guidance and assistance of capable Board of Directors, the decade of the 70’s provided growth and prosperity for the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of Canada. Established programs such as the 5 Pin National Classified Championships, 10 pin bowling World Cup, Membership Services, and the 5 pin Youth Bowling Council, all reflected a substantial increase in participation. In addition, the 70’s saw the inception of the Youth Bowling Council 10 pin Division, the Physically Handicapped Program, the Golden Age Bowlers’ Club and the Association’s popular publication "Bowling News". As the 80’s begin, one can remark..." what more can possibly be achieved by the B.P.A.C.?" ... and just 10 months into the current year, this question has already been partly answered. A National Open Bowling Promotion sponsored by Hershey Chocolate of Canada and providing the sport with one-quarter million dollars of national advertising and TV exposure is currently underway. A new corporate sponsor, R.J.R. Macdonald Inc., manufacturers of Export A cigarettes has appeared in the bowling scene with the sponsorship of the 5 Pin National Classified Bowling Championships and a new similar national event for the 10 pin bowlers.
While Carl’s prime contribution to bowling has been for and with the Bowling Proprietors" Association, his boundaries of involvement have extended beyond this realm on numerous occasions. With an effort to upgrade the sport and with a strong belief that Bowlers’ organizations play an integral role in the development of the sport, Carl served the bowlers in many avenues.
In the 1960’s, Carl acted for the Bowling Proprietor’s Association of Ontario as liaison officer with the Master Bowlers’ Association of Ontario. For almost three years, Carl and his wife, Inge, administered the M.B.A. Of Ontario in positions of Tournament Director and Executive Secretary respectively. Carl has been an avid supporter of the M.B.A. of Canada and has established a close working relationship with its Technical Director, Ernie Roggie. Today, Carl continues with his efforts to bring complete acceptability and credibility to the M.B.A.’s excellent Coaching and Instruction Program.
The one area which has given Carl the most concern and one perhaps that is closest to his heart is a strong belief for harmony between proprietors and bowlers. He believes that both are dedicated to a common cause and that with cooperation as a united force, much can be accomplished to elevate the image of bowling in Canada. Carl’s support of bowlers’ organizations stems back to the 60’s when as President of the Hamilton Proprietors’ Association, he convinced all proprietors in the area to affiliate all their league bowlers with the Ontario Bowlers’ Congress known today as the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association. During his term as B.P.A.C. President, Carl played a major role in the formation of the National Bowling Association, an organization which was developed to unite bowlers and proprietors to discuss mutual problems and interests. While this organization is no longer in existence, its’ objectives and ideals are now carried out by the Bowling Federation of Canada.
In 1978, it was largely due to Carl’s strength and persuasive powers that the Canadian Bowling Congress and the Bowlers’ Association of Canada merged to form on national group named the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association. On the ten pin side, he is currently working closely with the Canadian Tenpin Federation in its’ attempt to gain Canadian autonomy.
In the early 70’s, the bowling fraternity lobbied for Federal Government recognition and Carl’s personal relationship with several influential politicians opened the door for this achievement. In 1972, the Federal Government recognized bowling as a recreation and consequently, the Bowling Federation of Canada was formed to combine, under one umbrella, all national bowling organizations operating in Canada. Since that time, the Federal Government has recognized bowling not only as a recreation but also as a sport...bowling has been granted an office and an Executive Director in the Sports Administration Centre in Ottawa... and financial funding for the projects of the Federation and its members has increased from just $20,000 in the early 70’s to over $120,000 last year. As current President of the Bowling Federation of Canada, Carl’s knowledge, foresight and political influence can be credited for accomplishing a dream of a lifetime... the acceptance of 5 pin bowling in the next Canada Winter Games to be held in the Province of Quebec in 1983. Last but certainly not least, in 1979, the Federation nominated Carl for the Board of Directors of the Sports Federation of Canada, an organization comprised of 71 national sports governing bodies. Today, Carl is one of the 12 elected National Directors, a post which creates awareness of bowling on the Canadian Sports scene.
Needless to say, much of Carl’s life has revolved around bowling, but his interests have extended to include many sports and recreations. As a young lad growing up in Hamilton, he played softball and basketball. In later years, he coached T-ball and led a Junior Boys Basketball team to a Canadian Championship. He also spotted the Hamilton Tiger Cats radio broadcasts and prior to moving to Toronto in 1971, he was Chairman of the City of Hamilton Recreational Committee.
Carl currently resides in Toronto area with his wife and co-worker, Inge. Tonight, we’ll see and hear about Carl through the words of three of his very close friends. Bob Malcolmson, his brother, and a teacher at Mohawk College in Hamilton, will provide us with a glimpse of Carl’s private life. Bob Gault of Hamilton, former President of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of Ontario and Canada will relate Carl’s activities in the 50’s and 60’s, and Alan Hunter of Saskatoon, the current B.P.A.C. Treasurer and Past President of the Bowling Federation of Canada will climax the tribute with a reflection of the 70’s on Carl’s administration, and the role he played on the Bowling Federation of Canada.
Tonight, we honour Carl Malcolmson... a living legend. By doing so, we realize that his accomplishments and contributions have not yet come to a conclusion. When History is recorded, however, we will always think of Carl as a promoter of all bowling... a builder of associations... an unequaled administrator... and a person whose commitment to the slogan "Together We Are Something" has created a true pinnacle of success for the sport of bowling in Canada.