The name Horton is one of the most recognized names in the 5-pin bowling family, so it’s no surprise that Sandi has been one of the most dominant bowlers her whole bowling career, winning numerous provincial and national titles as both a single and team bowler.
At the age of three, Sandi’s parents Tom and Betty Horton, who were avid bowlers themselves, registered her in the Youth Bowling Council at Odeon Bowl in Newmarket. In her first year of bowling Sandi won the high average trophy with a 123. Like a bottle of fine wine that improves with age, Sandi just kept getting better and better as the years went on. All through the YBC she would win the high average category. Another good friend of Tom and Betty’s was Pauline McNaught. Pauline was also heavily involved with the YBC, as well as being a Master Bowler. Little did Sandi know that over time, Pauline would have an everlasting effect on her life. A mentor, a mother figure and a good friend, these are some of the descriptive phrases that Sandi used to describe her relationship with Pauline.
In the YBC Sandi won back-to-back titles as the 4 Steps to Stardom Senior Girls Singles Champion in Ontario in 1989 and 1990. At the Canadian finals held in Regina in 1989 Sandi finished in a three-way tie after the qualifying round between Wendy Bourassa and Kerri-Ann Herringer. After losing to Wendy Bourassa from New Brunswick by a score of 191-183 Sandi went on to beat Kerri-Ann Herringer by a score of 269-168 to capture the bronze medal. The following year in Thunder Bay, Sandi again captured the bronze medal with a total of 15 points, behind gold medalist Michel Haener from the North West Territories and silver medalist Teresa Arndt from British Columbia.
In her final year of the YBC Sandi’s average reached over 225. It was her dad who told her that in order to become a tournament Master she would have to reach that mark to be eligible.
In 1990 fresh out of the YBC, Sandi moved into the adult ranks and in 25 years has been a dominant bowler in both the Open and the Masters.
In the Open, Sandi has qualified 18 years, bowling in York Simcoe and Huronia. In these 18 appearances, 16 are with the Ladies’ team and two are with the Mixed teams. In her first year Sandi represented York Simcoe as the Ladies Singles Champion, the first of 14 appearances as a singles player. Her first success came in 1997 as the York Simcoe Ladies team captured the Provincial top spot. While the team finished third at the National finals in Calgary, Sandi was selected to the All-Star team. In 2004, winning her first Provincial Singles Championship, Sandi went to the Nationals and finished third. However in 2013 as a member of the Huronia Association, Sandi won the singles crown in Ontario and travelled to St. John’s Newfoundland to win Canadian honours.
In the Master Bowlers’ Association, Sandi joined in 1990 and up to and including her final year, the 2013/14 season, has won thirteen events. There are only two ladies who have achieved more wins. Brenda Walters leads the way with 18, followed by Brenda Pankoff with 16. Her first two wins came in 1992 as the winner of the Spring Classic and the Rose Festival. In addition, Sandi was Bowler of the Year four times, in 1992, 1994, 1995 and 2005, which produced four National Singles titles. In team competition, Sandi qualified seven times, capturing six gold medals. In 1997 Sandi and her partner, Shannon Wright won the Pro-Am tournament and took home the top prize of $10,000.00. Her lifetime Master’s average, with just over 1200 games is 251, second only to Brenda Walters 254.
Sandi has also appeared on both the CBC and TSN television series through Bowl Canada earning nearly $7,000.00. For all of her accomplishments, Sandi was selected 8th overall in the list of the Top 90 female bowlers of all time in Ontario in 2009 in conjunction of the 100-year anniversary of 5 pin bowling, as well as being listed as one of the top 100 women to ever participate in bowling in Canada.
When Sandi was a little girl she wrote a letter to Santa Claus, asking him to bring her a bowling alley. That request finally arrived in 2000 with the purchase of Bradford Bowl. As Proprietor she took her bowling skills and applied them to her successful YBC program. As a certified level two coach she had numerous successes with her bowlers in the 4-Steps tournaments.
Today Sandi lives in Innisfil, enjoys life with her husband Scott and their family of three adorable Shar Pei ‘wrinkle’ dogs, Lydia, Gemma and Rosie. While mom Betty and step-dad Bruce Bursey are close at hand, it’s her dad’s everlasting presence that has guided Sandi to the pinnacle of success all these years. Thanks also to her good friend and team-mate, Michelle Canham, who after Tom’s passing encouraged her to not give up. This encouragement was a success as it has culminated with her induction as a bowler into the York Simcoe Hall of Fame tonight.