As a boy, Cliff Thorburn was a natural all-round athlete. But snooker quickly became his passion.

By 22 he was the North American champ, so he took his stick to the very heart of billiard excellence - the U.K.

In London in 1973, Thorburn ran three perfect games in eight days. In 1977, he got to the final of the first world championship to be held at the Crucible. The following season he reached the Masters final at Wembley.

At the Embassy in 1980, he wore down Alex Higgins in the final to become the first non-British champion ever. His slow, methodical approach earned him the nickname “The Grinder.” As a result, he ranked number two that year, and went on to be number one the following season.

In 1983, Thorburn finished second at the Embassy World Professional Championship but made history when he completed the tournament’s first ever perfect game.

Thorburn was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1988.

Cliff Thorburn of Victoria, British Columbia. A Footprint at the table of Canadian sport.