Gail Matis was introduced to 5 pin bowling by her brother, Dale, at the age of 16 at Windsor Recreation. The centre was run by Nick Lucas and Gail’s coaches were Joan and Ernie Green.

An excellent athlete, Gail took to bowling and continued into the YBC Majors (YABA) program bowling in leagues and raising her average as high as 267. Gail bowled a perfect game in a YABA league on February 6, 1990.

In 1979, she joined the teaching division of the Master Bowlers’ Association (MBA) as she was also coaching at Parkview Bowl. Gail bowled in both teaching and tournament divisions of the MBA from 1980-2004. In 1998 she would win the annual Mixed Triples along with Hall of Famers Ross McNicoll and John Mattioli. In 556 tournament games, Gail averaged 238.5, 31st overall for bowlers with 500+ games.

At the urging of her coach and mentor, Jim Oldridge, Gail entered the provincial Open and has qualified for 35 years, covering the years from 1979-2024. Her first Open was a mixed team and she has followed with 24 ladies’ teams and 16 appearances in the singles, always representing Western Ontario. On the lanes, Gail bowled a four game score of 1297 in 1987 to break a previous score of 1283 by Hall of Famer, Millie Evans in 1968. As well, in 2013, while bowling in the seniors, Gail bowled 3051 for 12 games and that record still stands today.

For the past 10 years, Gail has bowled exclusively in the senior Open. Her efforts have been rewarded as she was the singles champion in 2013, 2015 and 2023. As well, she added team titles in 2013, 2014 and 2023. In recognition, Gail was voted number 76 on the Top 90 list, published in 2000.
During all these years, Gail’s biggest fan has been her husband, Randy. They were married in June of 1979 and have two children, a son Jason, and a daughter Jackie. But more than this immediate family the Windsor zone is like an extended family, from the early support of proprietors, Mary and Lyle Storey at Parkview, as well as the Pavans and Mario Meconi at Playdium. Gail’s circle of support also includes bowlers such as the Oldridges, the Fowlers, the Willcocks, the Closs’, Pat Jepson, and many others in a very connected society.

Off the lanes, Gail volunteered with the Parkview Decentralized Association when it began in 1978. In 2000, in the workforce, she began a career with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and, in 2015, transferred to the Royal Bank, before retiring in 2023. At both positions, Susan Willcock was the company interviewer. Just showing the closeness of the Windsor group.

Today, Gail and Randy enjoy golf, traveling and a beautiful backyard pool.