A self taught bowler, Russ Hurcom of Toronto was obviously a very good teacher. Born in Toronto’s Parkdale district in 1934, Russ only started bowling in 1959 at the Spadina Lanes and his first mentor was Claude Leopardi, a prominent west-end bowler. Russ looked to other top bowlers for instruction and he credits Hall of Famer, Bert Garside, for showing him the mechanics of the back-up ball while bowling at Aprile Lanes in 1965. Using his new delivery, Russ’ first game was 419 and a Hall of Fame career began.

Initially, Russ made his mark in the major leagues bowling in the Crosstown League and the Scarborough Majors and, of course, the Saturday afternoon travelling league in Toronto. His highest leagues average was 270 and this mark brought Russ to the Master Bowlers Association for the 1970-71 season. In an auspicious debut, Russ won his first tournament, the 1971 Holiday Inn Classic, and he continued to win seven more tournaments over a twenty-five year period. In addition, Russ has spread his victories through the past quarter century. He won twice more in the seventies with the 1975 Doubles at the CNE with Marg Holmes and the 1978 Double Knockout in Oshawa. Once again, Russ won twice in the eighties with the Fall Classic and Oktoberfest in 1980 and 1981 respectively and Russ has continued through the nineties with three more wins including the 1990 Double Knockout, the 1991 Thanksgiving Classic and the 1994 Grey Cup Triples with Dale Strutt and Jeff Canham. Russ qualified for one national Masters event, representing Ontario on the men’s team in 1976 at O’Connor Bowl. In MBA history only two individuals, Hall of Famer Nick Paginello and inductee tonight, Ian Cameron, have won more tournaments. In addition, Russ has averaged 250 for more than 1200 games during this period. Russ left the regular tour in 1995 but has transferred his talents to the Seniors Tour where he has already won two events.

Russ also brought this expertise to the Open where he has qualified twenty-one times through Toronto, York Simcoe and Scarborough. At the 1974 Open, Russ was at the top of his game and won the singles title in Guelph. At the Nationals in Vancouver, however, Russ finished fourth. He won again through Toronto in 1978 on the men’s team and unfortunately this group was unsuccessful in Thunder Bay. Russ however, continued his top bowling and was named to the All Star Team. Proving his longevity, Russ was victorious in 1995 through York Simcoe and this mixed team finished fourth in the Canadian championships in Hull, Quebec. Russ also used the Open qualifying rounds to bowl his only perfect game, rolling the 450 effort at O’Connor Bowl in 1980.

Russ has also won his share of open tournaments as well and looks with pride to a 257 average in winning a 50 game marathon event at O’Connor Bowl, an event that lasted almost twenty-four hours.

Russ and his wife, Ruth, were married in 1960 and subsequently had two girls, Heather and Debbie. In the workplace, Russ spent twenty-two years with Sperry Univac. In 1986, Russ and Ruth retired to Keswick ad now also enjoy four grandchildren. However, Russ’ retirement has been short-lived and he is now employed by Exco Engineering in Newmarket. Hopefully, his leave from the Masters tour will also be short-lived as Russ still has ability to bowl with the best.