A true legend of five pin bowling, Harold was a contemporary of several individuals who are already “legends” in the Hall of Fame. Included are Brock Bailey, George Corbridge, Percy Cutting, Rolly Glandfield, George Kerr, Tom Simpson, Frank Smith and George Weale.

In the early days of organized bowling, Harold or “Hoppy”, as he was known on the lanes, was initially an outstanding bowler who eventually brought his administrative talents to the Canadian Bowling Association. As early as 1922, only 14 years following the invention of five pin bowling, Ed Sutherland, the Proprietor of the Atheneaum and also the husband of Marion Dibble, selected the first five pin all-star team from Toronto. Harold Hopkins was selected along with Tommy Simpson, Bill Bromfield, Harry Vanderbilt, Herb Penoyer, Eddie Hawkes and Jim Nelson. This group bowled London in a home and home match and their victory earned them $600, a large sum of money in 1922.

While the downtown area of Toronto housed several bowling establishments, Harold continued with the Atheneaum which was located on the south east corner or Yonge and Queen Streets. In 1931, Harold was the captain as the Atheneaum team won the CBA Championship with a 3 game score of 3835. Teammates were Harold Kellett, Herb Penoyer and Eddie Hawks
Through his captaincy of the Atheneaum Team, Harold became a representative to the Canadian Bowling Association Board in 1937 and quickly was nominated to the executive committee for the 1938-39 season. In subsquent years, Harold handled several portfolios including Assistant Secretary and Chief Scorer as well as Promotional Manager to the annual tournament. At the executive level, Harold was elected Third Vic President in 1938 and rose through the ranks to the position of President ten years later.

At the same time, Harold continued his outstanding play on the lanes and on a Central number one team, established a world record with a three game score of 4441. Individual scores were Charlie GoldSmith 1058, George Corbridge 938, Harold Hopkins 887, George Kerr 785 and Rolly Glandfield 783. In addition, Harold was also averaging 257 in league play and, in the average race, only George Corbridge was higher with a 259.

Harold was involved in bowling his entire life. In the early fifties, Harold turned the reins of CBA over to Charlie Hill and, by 1953, cross Canada championships were begun. Harold continued with bowling center management in his later years and finished his career with the Bowlerama chain.