1909 ‑   Thomas F. (Tommy) Ryan invents 5 Pin Bowling in Toronto, Ontario. Original Pin Count is established as "4‑2‑1‑3‑5".

1910 ‑   First 5 Pin Bowling League was formed at Ryan's Toronto Bowling Club.

1912 ‑   Rubber band was added to the Pins.

1918 ‑   Alfred Shrubb of Toronto bowls first (recognized) 400 game.

1921 ‑   First perfect "450" game bowled by Bill Bromfield in Toronto, Ontario.

1921 ‑   First Ladies' 5 Pin Bowling League started by Marion Dibble in Toronto, Ontario.

1922 ‑   First inter‑city match between Toronto and Montreal using a telephone hook-up.

1923 ‑   Winnipeg's Charles Gibson introduces 5 Pin Bowling to Western Canada.

1927 ‑   First 5 Pin Bowling organization "Canadian Bowling Association" (CBA) formed in Toronto, Ontario. T.J. (Tommy) Simpson elected first President.

1928 ‑   First "Official 5 Pin Rule Book" printed by the C.B.A.

1930 ‑   Western Canada adopts own scoring system. Pin Values equal 1‑4‑5‑3‑2.

1932 ‑   First sanctioned perfect "450" game bowled by Joe Heenan of Toronto, Ontario.

1935 ‑   Blind bowlers' leagues introduced in Western Canada.

1935 ‑   C.B.A. creates Ladies Section. Mabel MacDowell elected first President.

1938 ‑   N. Berry of Winnipeg records first perfect "450" game under Western Canada scoring system.

1940 ‑   Tillie Hosken of Toronto becomes first female bowler to roll a perfect "450" game.

1944 ‑   Western Canada 5 Pin Bowling Association (WCFBA) was formed in Regina, Saskatchewan. Bill Hawrylak elected first president.

1952 ‑   National 5 Pin Count (2-3-5-3-2) introduced by Charlie Hill (President of the CBA) and adopted only by Western Canada.

1953 ‑   First Canadian Championship (East vs. West) conducted in Regina, Saskatchewan.  Deaf bowler, Tommy Mallon wins Men’s Singles. Regina wins Men’s Team event.

1953 ‑   C.B.A. changes name to Ontario Bowling Council.

1957 ‑   First youth organization formed, Canadian Junior Bowling Congress.

1957 ‑   First automatic pinsetting machine introduced.

1958 ‑   First "Pepsi‑Cola High School Championships" held in Alberta.

1959 ‑   Entire country uses National 5 Pin Count as Eastern Canada adopts the "2‑3‑5‑3‑2" system.

1959 ‑   5 Pin Bowling introduced to international markets in British West Indies (Bahamas) and Scotland.

1961 ‑   Founding father "Tommy Ryan" passes away on Nov. 19th.

1962 ‑   Lane Certification and Tournament Sanctioning introduced.

1963 ‑   Bowling Proprietors' Association of Canada (B.P.A.C.) formed.

1963 ‑   B.P.A.C. introduces Youth Bowling Council (YBC) to replace the defunct Canadian Junior Bowling Congress.

1963 ‑   First automatic string pin-setter introduced.

1964 ‑   First provincial Master Bowlers' Association formed in Ontario.

1964 ‑   Canadian Bowling Congress receives charter from federal government.

1965 ‑   Bowlers' Association of Canada formed.

1965 ‑   Bowling pin measurements standardized.

1965 ‑   Carling O'Keefe Breweries obtained as Canadian Champion­ships sponsor.

1967 ‑   Counter (Blow) Pin abolished by C.B.C.

1968 ‑   Eastern Canada adopts the no‑counter pin ruling but Western Canada disagrees and opts out of C.B.C. and Canadian Championships from 1969 to 1971.

1970 ‑   Master Bowlers' Association of Canada formed.

1971 ‑   Tommy Ryan inducted posthumously into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

1971 ‑   Western Canada agrees to abolish Counter Pin rule.

1972 ‑   Western Canada 5 Pin Bowling Association (WCFBA) disbands in favour of Provincial Associations.

1972 ‑   Canadian 5 Pin Bowling Championships restored.

 

1972 ‑   B.P.A.C. introduces National Golden Age Bowlers' Club.

1975 ‑   Government survey reveals 680,000 bowlers in 20,000 leagues across Canada. 102 Local (Zone) Associations with 105,000 members affiliated with the C.B.C.

1976 ‑   5 Pin Bowling "Standards & Specifications" Committee formed.

1976 ‑   National 5 Pin Bowling "Instruction & Coaching" Program introduced by the Master Bowlers' Association of Canada.

1977 ‑   5 Pin Bowling included in Ontario Winter Games for the first time.

1978 ‑   Canadian Bowling Congress and Bowlers' Association of Canada dissolve to form new national body, the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers' Association (C5PBA).

1980 ‑   First International Bowling Cup competition held in Manila, Philippines. Canada & Philippines participate.

1981 ‑   Dave McNutt of Alberta and Sid Manning of British Columbia honoured with Life Memberships in the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association.

1983 ‑   5 Pin Bowling participates in Canada Winter Games in Chicoutimi, Quebec.

1983 ‑   Hiram Walker Distilleries Ltd. is welcomed as the new national sponsor of the Hiram Walker “Special Old” High-Low Doubles and League Executive Championships.

1983 ‑   2nd International Bowling Cup held in Toronto, Ontario with Canada, Philippines, Argentina and the United States represented.

1984 ‑   5 Pin Bowling returns to national television on CBC's Championship 5 Pin Bowling.

1984 ‑   5 Pin Bowling celebrates its 75th birthday.

1986 ‑   100 Local (Zone) Associations with 165,000 affiliated members belong to Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers' Association.

1987 ‑   National 5 Pin Bowler Ranking introduced by the C5PBA.

1987 ‑   Bert Garside and Ernie Roggie of Ontario honoured with Life Memberships in the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association.

1990     Rules changed to allow the use of personal bowling balls.

1990 ‑   New Brunswick dissolves as a Provincial affiliate to join as a Zone affiliate of the Nova Scotia 5PBA.

1992 -   Life Membership in the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association is bestowed upon Jack Hales of Ontario.

1994 -   Ray Landkamer of Manitoba and Ernie Doucette of Prince Edward Island receive Life Memberships in the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association.

1995 -   Pat McNamara of Northern Ontario honoured posthumously with Life Membership in the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association.

1995 -   Government statistics report 521,000 Canadians participate regularly in 5 Pin Bowling (37% male vs. 63% female).

1996 -   Fred Hawco of Newfoundland receives Life Membership in the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association.

1998 -   Life Membership in the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association is bestowed upon Barbara Thompson of Northern Ontario.

1998 -   First ever face-to-face national finals of the Canadian Youth Challenge 5 Pin Bowling Championships (formerly known as the Pepsi High School Championships) held in Hull, Quebec.

1999-    Life Membership in the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association is bestowed upon Norm Adelberg of Manitoba

1999-    Life Membership in the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association is bestowed upon Glenda Gallant of Prince Edward Island

2001-    Life Membership in the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association is bestowed upon Tom Cowan of Ontario

2002-    Bowling Q approved as a mechanical aid.

2003-    Mechanical aid ramp approved for use by Hayley Redmond.

2004-    Life Membership in the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association is bestowed upon Genny Lee of Newfoundland Labrador.

 

2005-      Life Membership in the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association is bestowed upon John Hoffman of Saskatchewan.

2006-      Life Membership in the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association is bestowed upon Al Hong of Ontario.

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For more information, contact the

Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers' Association.

Updated:  06 November 2006