A native of the farming communities of Saskatchewan, Cas Hollick moved to Ontario in the late 1930’s as his parents looked for work as the depression continued. Subsequently, Cas’ father worked for International Harvestor and his work ethic laid the groundwork for Cas to follow. In 1951, at only 17, Cas joined Firestone and, until 1989, built tires in the Hamilton plant.

Industrial bowling leagues were extremely popular and, among his work colleagues were Hall of Famers Bert Adams, Stan Battersby, Bill Korz and Ernie Roggie. When Cas joined the Firestone league, he had already begun his bowling career through sweeps at Kenilworth Bowling Club, which were located at Kenilworth and Main Streets above the Windsor Theatre. Like so many good bowlers, Cas was a pinboy and bowled sweeps with his fellow workers.

As his talent improved, Cas joined several leagues, including one with his church and a men’s league at Kenilworth Lanes. He also bowled twice on Friday nights, beginning with the Firestone men’s league at Martin’s Lanes (located on King St. at Sherman) and then proceeded to Bar Don Lanes in Stoney Creek to participate in the Pro League, which included all the top bowlers in Hamilton and the Niagara Peninsula. This league activity was complimented by the Saturday afternoon sweeps which were held at the Central Lanes, and, each week, attracted sixty of the top bowlers in the area.

Fame arrived quickly for Cas when, in 1956, at just 22 years of age, he advanced through local and provincial rounds to qualify for the annual bowling competition held each year at the Sportsmen’s show in Toronto and ultimately the Canadian Championships at O’Connor Bowl. The Hamilton team, consisting of Cas, Hall of Famers Mert Rowell and Ab Collingwood and also Stan Prokop, Stewart Robinson and Coach Al Balfour, were victorious. Cas qualified for the provincial championships again in 1957, and also excelled in local tournament activity. In 1960, he was the singles champion in the Kenesky Barton Sports Challenge Tournament.

Unfortunately, while work commitments curtailed Cas’ weekend bowling activity, he continued to post strong numbers in league play with nine 400 games and an overall average that approached 250. However, in 1983, Cas returned to the Open and in six appearances has been on both the men’s team and a Zone E singles representative. Specifically, Cas qualified for the provincial stepladder final in 1988 and finished third and, in 2004, he led the zone, and this effort came one year prior to his seventieth birthday. As well, he bowled on the Zone E mixed team in 1995.

While success was happening at the Open, Cas also began to register significant numbers in league play. In 1992-93, he took the high average title in the Hamilton Wentworth Pro League with a 267 total and, in 1995, contributed to a provincial record game five player score of 1583. Cas has also won on the Master Bowlers’ Association Senior Tour winning both the scratch and pins over average sections of the second provincial event in 2005.

While Cas retired from Firestone in 1989, he continued to do some custodial work for the Hamilton District School Board for another decade. His wife, Dianne, was a secretary with the Board of Education, and their forty-seven year marriage has produced a daughter Kim, two grandchildren, Justin and Lindsay, and two great grandchildren, Madison and Caleb.

This lengthy career gave Cas the chance for a second opportunity on the lanes and, in Hall of Fame fashion, he has taken full advantage and continues to star on the lanes to this day.