A strong commitment to volunteerism has guided Doug Connerty to 5 pin bowling’s ultimate honour in this recognition as a Builder of his chosen sport.

A native of the Ottawa Valley, Doug was one of five boys as he grew up on a farm near Kemptville. Following the Second World War, Doug was ready for the workforce and following a six year beginning with the National Research Council, Doug joined Bell Canada in 1953 and stayed there until his retirement in 1990. During his Bell career, Doug received many awards, including two citations from the White House for his efforts to facilitate the communication process for two visits of United States President Ronald Reagan to the National Capital area. Also, prior to joining Bell, Doug married, Barb, his wife of fifty years, and, together, they have three children, Jane, Michael and Kelly.

Doug was an excellent athlete, excelling at hockey and baseball and his bowling career started in 1963 when Doug and Barb joined a Sunday Night Mixed League at Queensway Bowl to offset his on-the-road activities with Bell during the week. Using top bowlers such as Murph Chamberlain as a guide, Doug soon raised his average to 250 and organized bowling took notice. Paul Perriard, who was Ottawa’s YBC provincial representative, recruited Doug to become the Program Director at West Park Bowl and Doug would continue this role at the Queensway in later years. Working with fellow program directors Jack Regan and Helen Wilson, Doug began the Ottawa Valley Youth Bowlers Association and this organization established the Ottawa Valley as a recognizable force in youth bowling.

While working with the youth program Doug also became fully involved at the adult level as well. Doug joined the board of the Ottawa Valley 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association in 1980 and, for the past three years, has been the president. In the first year, 1996, Doug led the local association to provincial honours as "Association of the Year" and Doug himself has won provincial honours in the incentive program as Nevada Chairperson of the Year from 1995 to 1997.

Doug advanced to the provincial level and also served for six years as a provincial director specializing in areas such as membership, zone visitation and the technical side of our sport. In 1970, Doug joined the Master Bowlers Association as well and, in his twenty-year career, became a zone delegate and earned provincial honours in 1982.

Coaching became a natural for Doug, who was certainly both popular and knowledgeable in the Ottawa area. In 1988, he coached the men’s team from Ottawa to a provincial championship and a fourth place finish nationally in Hull, Quebec. Doug also coached numerous youth teams and also advanced to the provincial level with the Youth Challenge and participation in the Ontario Winter Games.

During his thirty-year career, Doug also excelled on the lanes. With his 250 average, the provincial Open was a forum for his talents and Doug qualified seventeen times. In addition, Doug led a team from Preston Lanes to a second place finish nationally in 1972 in Calgary, Alberta.

Doug won the Smiths Falls Open twice, in 1971 and 1984, and his ten game pinfall of 3088 remains a record as the highest ten game score ever bowled in the event. Gratton Lanes in Smiths Falls was also the venue for Doug’s perfect game, bowled in April of 1989.

In the early seventies, Doug received the first of many awards as Preston Lanes recognized his dedicated service to our sport. He was awarded a third life membership by the Ottawa Valley 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association, following Hall of Famer Emile Cote and Wally Souchen. In 1991, Doug received recognition with a dedicated service award for the betterment of bowling in the Ottawa area and the Youth Bowling Council followed with a twenty-five year award the following year. The Ontario Government followed with a Provincial Citation in 1994 for distinguished service in the field of fitness and amateur sport.

These awards have certainly capped off a brilliant thirty-five year career. Doug has undoubtedly left his mark on both the local and provincial scene. Individually, top bowlers such as Steve Smith, Amy Fecteau and Allen Villeneuve as well as his daughters Jane and Kelly have benefited from his coaching efforts. Moreover, Jane followed in Doug’s footsteps as a top open bowler and a local and provincial administrator.

Bowling keeps both Barb and Doug as busy as ever and, no doubt, five grandchildren add to an already hectic schedule.