The local association would like to congratulate both Marc Pouget and Richard Taylor for their induction into the Windsor Essex Chatham-Kent Bowling Association Hall of Fame during our Annual Awards Banquet on Sunday November 8, 2015.

Marc Pouget, was inducted in the category Star of Yesteryear. Marc started bowling in a GM bowling league. He took up bowling after having excelled in other sports. He always had a great attitude and a great confidence about his ability to eventually succeed in the sport. He became part of a large group of GM workers who would travel to tournaments together. He started his bowling career with an average of 160. As Marc continued to bowl in tournament and league play he kept getting better. His average reached a high of 227 in 1999. He has recorded five 800 series, eight sanctioned 300 games, made first All Star Team in 1999, and made the second All Star Team in 2000 and 2001. He made the local TV finals in the Bakers Doubles in 1994. Marc reached the TV Finals in the Molson Masters Senior Divison in 2014 and 2015. Marc won the Molson Master Senior Division in 2014. Marc said being elected into the Hall of Fame came as a great surprise. He was truly humbled and honoured to be elected into the Hall with all the great bowlers in this area. It was something he thought he could only dream about. “I believe no one can achieve their goals in life or sports without the help of the people in their life whether it be family or friends,” he maintains. “I was lucky to have Moe Parent, Joe Beaulieu, Russ Dubs, Wayne Dubs, and Scotty Laughland as friends and mentors.” Marc thanked the many team members he bowled with over the years. Marc also indicated that without support from his family he would never have been able to chase his dream. He concluded by saying, “it is impossible to remember all the people I met over the years but each and every one of you made me a better bowler but more importantly a better person.”

Richard Taylor, was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service. Being inducted in this category shows a true passion and love for the game and the community. Richard joins those previously inducted for Meritorious Service from our association like
Late Len MacLelland who served many years as our association manager; Jean Deslippe who served over 50 years (more than a career);
Bob Oliver who has run a youth program for decades;
Wayne Dubs – coach, life member and past president;
Mike Snow our area tournament director for all our youth tournaments;
There are so many more within our local association board that have also dedicated many years to the game and to the community. It is fitting that they are represented.

Richard has bowled 46 years. He has coached for 27 years, has been a youth program director for 15 years; spent 9 years as a tournament director, and 7 years as secretary/treasurer for a bowling league.
Richard has been a member of youth Committee for 15 years. He has been an active member of the local association board for 13 years and is also a life member. Guy indicated “that he saw a man trying to do it all, program director, tournament, and secretary treasurer. He was a one man show! One day I stopped Richard and asked him who helps you, he said I am on my own, so silly me I asked him would you like some help, and I have been tournament director ever since.” Richard ended up convincing Guy to join the board. Richard showed how rewarding it can be to help others and give back to the community. Guy indicated because of Richard he has memories that he will cherish and hold onto forever and that he cannot thank Richard enough for what he has taught him. One of Richard’s biggest accomplishments was in helping start the youth scholarship fund for young bowlers out of Super Bowl. After 9 full seasons, that fund has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships. Richard said he does what he does because of his passion and love of bowling and in giving something back to the community. Richard indicated he does it for the kids and the sport of bowling – nothing is more rewarding.

Dylin Hunter, entered a YBT tournament in Guelph and ended up winning the tournament which gave him a free entry into the Junior Canadian Team Trials. The Canadian Team trials were held in Oshawa at Leisure Lanes from May 14 thru May 17. Dylin bowled the 3 day event on three different oil patterns: Sydney; Seoul; and London. While bowling in the event on these diverse oil patterns he achieved the following scores

Sydney (day 1) 150, 143, 166, 164, 200, 187 = 1010
Seoul (day 2) 214, 222, 180, 203, 256, 196 = 1271
London (day 3) 215, 184, 203, 256, 253, 206 = 1317
Final Round (day 4) 151, 198, 221, 189, 199, 191 = 1149

Dylin made the Junior Team so he will he traveling to Nebraska during the summer of 2016 to represent Canada. The local bowling association wishes him all the best in this upcoming event.
Submitted by Catherine Wilbur.