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Carl Malcolmson can best be described as a dynamic, forthright individual who for over a quarter of a century made an impact on all phases of bowling in Canada.

Carl began his career in 1952 when he was hired to manage Central Bowling Lanes in Hamilton. Soon Carl started to attend Proprietor’s meetings and assisted in the hosting of the founding convention of the Bowling Proprietor’s Association of Ontario. In 1960, Carl assumed the managerial responsibilities of Sherwood Lanes in Hamilton. It was this move that saw Carl surface on the Provincial bowling scene, and in the ensuing years he served the Bowling Proprietor’s Association of Ontario in a variety of posts including Director, Treasurer, 5 Pin Chairman, President and Chairman of the Board.

Carl’s involvement in the sport took on an added dimension in 1964, when he attended a meeting in Winnipeg, Manitoba which led to the creation of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of Canada, following which he served the “B.P.A.C.” as its’ Eastern Vice-President and Treasurer. He was elected to a two year term as Canadian President in 1969 and set a precedent by being re-elected to this prestigious position for an additional two year term in 1971.

During his Presidential term, Carl was a strong supporter of the National Association and for national unity on the bowling scene. In 1971, the time was right to have the Canadian Association branch out on its’ own, and apart from the Bowling Proprietors Association of Ontario. The Canadian Board of Directors decided to establish the B.P.A. of Canada as a separate national entity and Carl was hired as National Administrator and soon opened up National Bowling Headquarters in Scarborough, Ontario.

With Carl at the helm, and with the guidance and assistance of a dedicated and capable Board of Directors, the decade of the 70’s provided growth and prosperity for the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of Canada. Established programs such as the 5 Pin National Classified Championships, 10 pin bowling World Cup, Membership Services, and the 5 pin Youth Bowling Council… all reflected a substantial increase in participation. In addition, the 70’s saw the inception of the Youth Bowling Council 10 pin Division, the Physically Handicapped Program, the Golden Age Bowlers’ Club and the Association’s popular publication “Bowling News”.

Under Carl’s direction the 1980’s kicked off with a National Open Bowling Promotion sponsored by Hershey Chocolate of Canada as struck, providing the sport with one-quarter million dollars of national advertising and TV exposure. A new corporate sponsor, R.J.R. Macdonald Inc., manufacturers of Export A cigarettes, also appeared on the bowling scene with the sponsorship of the National Classified Bowling Championships.

During his term as B.P.A.C. President, Carl played a major role in the formation of the National Bowling Association (known today at the Bowling Federation of Canada), an organization which was developed to unite bowlers and proprietors to discuss mutual problems and interests. In the early 70’s, the bowling fraternity lobbied for Federal Government recognition, and Carl’s personal relationship with several influential politicians opened the door for this achievement. In 1972, the Federal Government recognized bowling as a recreation and consequently, the Bowling Federation of Canada was formed to combine, under one umbrella, all national bowling organizations operating in Canada. Since that time, the Federal Government has recognized bowling not only as a recreation but also as a sport and provides substantial financial funding for the projects of the Federation and its members associations.

History has recorded Carl as a promoter of all bowling…a builder of associations…an unequaled administrator…and a person whose commitment to the slogan “Together We Are Something” has created a true pinnacle of success for the sport and business of bowling in Canada.