From his beginning as a pin chaser in 1972, to his administrative leadership of today, Dave Johnson has strived to build our 5 pin industry.

Dave graduated from the Youth Bowling Council (YBC) at Royal York Bowl in 1976 and immediately joined the Master Bowlers’ Association of Ontario (MBAO). Concentrating on the importance of instruction and coaching, Dave also became a course conductor and over 30 years, delivered hundreds of courses across Ontario. By 2010, Dave became a Master Course Conductor and taught new instructors how to deliver the coaching program. While he was contributing on the provincial stage, he never forgot his roots. Dave was Coaching Coordinator for the Lake Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association for five years, and locally he coached in the YBC, first at Royal York, then at Applewood Lanes, onto Streetsville Bowl, continued at Liberty Bowl in Bowmanville, and currently at NEBs Fun World in Oshawa.

Dave also became involved in publicity for our sport. Initially, he joined the York West Association under the banner of the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association as their Publicity Chair. He also partnered with Hall of Famer, Terry Noon, to host “Etobicoke Bowls” on the Rogers cable network. For three years they presented a weekly show featuring local youth bowlers in a match play format. As a youth bowling promoter, Dave was asked by YBC rep George Palmer to be master of ceremonies for the finals of the zone 4 Steps to Stardom. Dave added to the publicity program and, using his coaching expertise, he authored a column “The Coaching Way” that appeared in the Canadian Bowling News, a publication that covered both 5 and 10 pin bowling.

As a multiple contributor to our sport, Dave was also an excellent bowler. He has been to the Provincial Open on 24 occasions, 12 as a bowler and 12 as a coach. In 1986, as a member of the Lake Ontario Men’s team, he was both a provincial and national champion. In the Masters, Dave won three tournaments. Beginning in 1980 he won the Oktoberfest, added the New Year’s Classic in 1996, and in 2005 won the Mixed Triples with partners Glen Clark and Karole Jordan. As a senior in 2013, Dave won the season aggregate and at the Master's Nationals in Calgary, Dave won a silver medal in the singles.

Dave’s first love has been the MBAO, being a member for over 40 years. In 1997, Dave was asked to take over the average calculations for the association from Brian Ranger as he was transferred to Alberta. Dave was an excellent computer programmer and, while employed by Electronic Data Systems, he was tasked with guiding his clients through Y2K as Canada crossed into the 21st century. Due to his expertise, the transition was seamless and without problems.

When the MBAO needed a Director of Operations in 2008, Dave was a logical choice and he held that position until 2019. In this role, Dave managed the day-to-day operations and used his excellent computer skills to update the MBAO website and Facebook pages. In a change of roles, Dave assumed the Presidency in 2021 and he has successfully guided the association through the difficult COVID years. Hopefully, brighter days are ahead, and Dave’s leadership will be needed to continue to build 5 pin bowling.

Off the lanes, Dave and his wife Barb were married in 2017. Today they live in Bowmanville surrounded by a blended family. Included are Barb’s daughter Jessica and her daughter Lillie. There is Dave’s son Ryan, who is both a master bowler and a computer expert. Finally, there is a daughter Shannon, her husband Jason, and two more grandchildren, Evan, and Liam. Dave’s commitment to bowling is matched by the support from Barb as their family continues to grow.