Gord Hobson has enjoyed a 5 pin bowling career that has spanned forty years. Gord and his family came to Canada from England and originally settled in New Brunswick. With his British background, the Hobsons arrived in Toronto in 1953 and Gord’s first sporting involvement was a natural, soccer, and, at 19, Gord was an all-star goalkeeper in the Toronto and District League. One of his teammates was Jimmy Ferguson, a popular singer with the Irish Rovers.

Gord’s first bowling experience was on two outdoor lanes installed at Wasaga Beach. With a first game score of 213, Gord was hooked. Back in Toronto, Gord ventured to Shea’s Kennedy and started in league play under the watchful eye of the manager, Herb Sutcliffe and Amos Herrick, an early teammate.

Amos recommended Gord to the City Major League and he would bowl on several teams, including Manufacturers Life. Teammates included Bob Weeks, Walter Prudence, Doug Cain and Ed Mondoux. His average on Saturdays peaked at 263 in 1974-75 and, as well, he rolled a 1641 five game score, another personal best.

When the Masters Bowlers Association began in 1964, Gord was a charter member out of Comet Lanes, where he also ran the Youth Bowling Council. In fifteen years, Gord never missed a frame and overall, in the compulsory events, bowled 1060 frames and averaged 254. Gord won six tournaments and only six men have won more titles. His first win was the Master Junior tournament in 1966 and his career culminated with the 1978 Holiday Inn Classic. In between, Gord enjoyed two personal milestones. In 1976, he was the Ontario Bowler of the Year and, in the following season, bowled on one of the greatest teams ever assembled. At the Masters Nationals at King George Bowl in Saskatoon in 1977, the quintet of Gord, Chuck Park, Nick Pagniello, Dave Cattanach and Jim Elliott were undefeated in fifteen games, averaging 278. Gord was the anchor bowler and personally averaged 270.5.

Additionally, in the Masters, Gord bowled the second perfect game in MBA history. His 1974 effort, at Sportsmans Bowl in Guelph, was timely also as Gord was awarded a new 1975 Buick Century from Foster Pontiac Buick in Scarborough. Two years later, Gord almost duplicated his 450 effort when, at Sherwood Centre, with another car on the line, Gord rolled the first eleven strikes in a row, only to miss the headpin on his last ball.

While Gord starred in the City Majors and the Masters, he also bowled in the top leagues of the day. These efforts included the Crosstown League and the Tuesday Night Mixed Major League at Olympic Edward. In this latter league, Gord set three personal marks including a 291 average in 1967-68, a second sanctioned perfect game in 1970 and also a near all time high triple of 1149.

The Open was another event that allowed Gord to shine. Overall, Gord qualified sixteen times including three as a single and Gord also coached on four other occasions. From Central Ontario, in 1976, Gord was a member of the Ontario men’s team champions, but this team lost to Alberta in the national championships, which were held in Regina.

Gord’s bowling career began in Scarborough and, following his stint in Central Ontario, is now concluding in Barrie. His exploits have not been unnoticed as the Huronia zone inducted Gord into their Hall of Fame in 1991. Retirement is currently not in Gord’s plans. In the workplace, Gord is a specialist in the commercial drapery industry and, as well as keeping his golf handicap in check, now spends considerable time with his wife, Yvette, who is, unfortunately, battling Alzheimers.