Hall Of Fame Inductee
John Martin
Inducted into: Builder Division in 1986
Inducted into: Builder of the Bowling Industry in 1974
Location: Toronto
Deceased: 2010
- Builder
- Industry
JOHN MARTIN of Toronto opened O’Connor Bowl in the city’s east end in 1951, and through the years, it provided the base from which he contributed a great deal to the advancement of the sport. He was instrumental in launching the industry’s annual Lane Certification program, in the elimination of the old “counter pin” and the introduction of today’s scoring system. John pioneered televised 5 Pin bowling, and O’Connor Bowl was the setting for more than nine years during the television industry’s infancy of our sport’s first nationally-televised weekly show and competition. The O’Connor Open, launched in 1957, was one of the game’s most popular annual open events, and the lanes also played host to attractions like the National Invitational Singles and the Rotary 50 Marathon. John, too, was a founder n 1954 of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of Ontario, and has also served both it and the Canadian Association as President.
John Martin, one of the men chiefly responsible for the high image of bowling in Canada, was born in Toronto on November 30, 1919. He went to Ogden Public School and completed his education at Central Tech. From there, John joined the R.C.A.F. After the war, he operated the Clifton Inn Hotel in Niagara Falls for 2 years and then managed an apartment complex until 1951.
John had enjoyed and participated in 5 pin bowling for a number of years and realized that he could make a contribution by becoming a proprietor of a bowling centre. O’Connor Bowl opened in 1951 and started John’s activity in the business of bowling which lasted 23 years.
John has been a pioneer in many aspects of bowling and was largely responsible for the elimination of the counter pin and the new scoring system.
He arranged for championship bowling to be shown on televison on the CBC and for over 9 years, O’Connor Bowl was featured across the television screens of the nation. For 17 years, the O’Connor Bowl Pin Open has been the top tournament in Canada providing large sums of prize money and encouraging bowlers to continue in the game. His bowling centre has continually maintained a reputation for service, cleanliness and excitement. The Canada Invitational Singles Championship and Annual Rotary “50" Marathon Bowling Tournaments have taken place at O’Connor Bowl.
John has been honoured by the East York Rotary Club, the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of Ontario and Canada and by the Government Of the Province of Ontario in 1971, when he was the first bowling proprietor to earn the Ontario Achievement Award. He was a founding member of both the Ontario and Canadian Associations and has served as President for both organizations.
John is married with a large family. One of his sons is working with him in the business now. His chief hobby in recent years has been breeding thoroughbred horses and some of his steeds have gained remarkable success.
In honouring John Martin tonight, the Bowling Industry is recognizing a man who has made many contributions. By innovative thinking and aggressive action, John Martin has made bowling and bowling centres a better place to be.