As a builder of the industry, Walter Heeney has worked with the Master Bowlers’ Association, the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association, the Special Olympics, a supplier, Professional Bowling Ltd., owned his own centre, Rouge Hill Bowl and also promoted amateur sport through a variety of volunteer positions.

As a bowler, Walter Heeney joined the Master Bowlers’ Association in 1969 and was quickly identified as a potential board member. As such, he joined the Board in 1971 and accepted the position of Instruction Chairman. Working with Ernie Roggie and Don Hyatt, the trio put together a series of slides that would be the foundation for the Level One Technical program that has been delivered to over 5,000 coaches across Canada. In this area, this original technical exposure led to a career which has culminated in his position as Technical Director for Ontario and a position on the National Technical Committee which formulates future policy and direction for 5 pin bowling’s coaching program.

From his initial introduction with the Master Bowlers’ Association, Walter would continue with the organization and, to this day, directs the affairs of the Association. From the Board of Directors in 1971, Heeney was named President in 1972 and held the position for two years. At the 1974 Annual Meeting, Dot Britton assumed the Presidency and Walter became Secretary.

During these early years, he renegotiated an existing sponsorship arrangement with Coca-Cola Ltd. which would allow the organization to regionalize the Master Bantam and Junior tournaments. This move allowed the organization to expand to all areas of the province and membership to triple to over 900 members.

In addition, he negotiated the original “car” prize for a perfect game with Foster Pontiac Buick, and both Gord Hobson and Ernie Woolford won automobiles. In the early years, sponsorships were also initated with Air Canada, the BPAO, Bowlerama, Brunswick and Jordan Wines as new tournaments hit the calendar. His biggest achievement came in 1981 as he brought Hiram Walker into bowling through the Master Bowlers’ Association. From their initial involvement with the Masters, the distiller is now 5 pin bowling’s largest sponsor, including the “Pins Game” on TSN. Through the efforts of Jack Fine in 1974, Walter was picked to write a bowling column for the Toronto Star. Following a meeting with Sports Editor, Jim Proudfoot, the first column appeared on March 2, 1974 and highlighted Elmer Hohl of Waterloo, a champion bowler and world-class horseshoe participant. In all, the “column” ran for eight years, and at various times, full page instruction layouts were added to promote five pin bowling. Through the column, Walter covered the local scene and traveled to several championships across Canada while reporting back to The Star. As well, Walter also covered some hockey which included an interview with Gordie Howe’s son, Murray. Through Carling O’Keefe, Walter also broke the story in The Star when the brewery bought the Toronto Argonauts. In addition, The Star also promoted instruction clinics across Metro, picking up on an original idea from the fifties. In its heyday, the column appeared twice a week, and also spawned the Hamilton Spectator column which still exists today.

Walter Heeney was hired by the OFPBA as Program Director in 1974. In a three-year period, he twice toured the entire province, selling the Classic, a tournament open to bowlers who average 210 and under. With his personal bowling at its peak and the column in full swing, proprietors were ready to talk and support the OFPBA programs. During this period, the government began its support of bowling, and with the new found publicity available, sponsorships were solidified and 5 pin bowling grew.

Upon Walter’s return to the Master Bowlers’ Association, he was also offered the position of Technical Director with the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association and, to this day, splits his efforts between both organizations. Following the expertise of Bill Bird, Walter became the voice of the OFPBA both at this dinner delivering the speeches and at the incentive award presentations at the annual OFPBA convention. In addition, projects such as the Ontario Winter Games and the Bowling School have become popular events on the OFPBA calendar under his leadership.

A manufacturer of pinsetters, Professional Bowling Limited was the major supplier of pinsetters to the 5 pin industry. However, its founder, Oskar Kinzler, suffered a heart attach and suggested Walter Heeney as a replacement. Named Vice President, Walter moved to Professional Bowling in the fall of 1977, and enjoyed two years in the supply industry. During this time, efforts were made to develop an “Advisory Staff” throughout the province to sell and service the string pinsetter, and sales were increased in both Ontario and Canada. To this day, more than 75% of all pinsetters across Canada are string machines.

In 1979, Walter chose to leave Professional Bowling and return to the association side of the industry, and specifically with the Master Bowlers’ Association as Executive Director, a position he has retained to this day. In fifteen years, the MBA has become a major force in organized bowling in both Ontario and Canada. Provincially, new tournaments such the Bursary event through the BPAO were introduced and have become staples of the industry. Sponsors such as J.M. Schneider, Patten Sugar and Air Canada were also added to an already impressive list of supporters.

Heeney also added to the prestige of the Master Bowlers’ Association with his election to the National Presidency in 1978. In the last fifteen years, membership has grown to eight provinces and the MBAC National Championships has become a major event on the calendar, highlighted by Heeney’s thorough job as banquet emcee.

As recently as January, 1993, the Master Bowlers’ Association of Canada were included in a national coalition with the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of Canada and the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association. This group is scheduled to meet to discuss the future of 5 pin bowling in this country.

Inspired by his daughter, Jan, who is a twenty year old with Downs Syndrome, Walter became involved with Special Olympics, first in Ontario and now across Canada. In Ontario, he has run two summer Games programs with more than 300 athletes and coaches. At these events, match play, as used in regular events, is now standard procedure. In addition, the annual doubles tournament with the Master Bowlers’ Association and sponsored by Patten Sugar is now in its fifth year and has been labeled a “significant event in the life of the Special Olympian”. As well, the future looks bright as the MBAC and Canadian Special Olympics plan parallel national championships in 1995 in Saskatoon.

A native of Toronto, Walter and his wife, Catharine, live in Pickering and celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary in 1992. Their daughter, Sheila is a teacher and has already bowled in two Opens. A son, David, is finishing a degree program at McMaster and hopes to enter law school in 1995. Jan will finish high school this year and looks to enter the work force.