The third annual open doubles bonspiel recently went off without a hitch, drawing out 16 teams to the Sundre Curling Club’s rink.
“It’s just a fun spiel to introduce people to the doubles version of curling,” said Bev Konschuh, club member and event coordinator, adding each team of two was guaranteed three games.
Three teams were from Calgary, another from Olds, while the rest were from Sundre and the surrounding area, said Konschuh.
“We had a range of ages that took part in the day,” she said, adding the oldest was 73 and the youngest 11.
“It’s a spiel for all ages.”
There were also all kinds of combinations, including parent-child, siblings and friends, she said.
“It’s nice when it’s open.”
Some players were more experienced, while others were trying out a doubles bonspiel for their first time, she said.
“I believe everybody enjoyed themselves.”
The event is more about providing a chance to introduce new people to curling and the doubles variation of the sport, as well as to have fun along the way. There are no official finals or overall event winners, she said.
While bonspiels usually last for a weekend and sometimes even longer, the informal doubles competition was held on Saturday, Feb. 23.
Konschuh said the club hopes the daylong doubles bonspiel will attract more members, or at least promote the game of curling and introduce new people to the sport.
“The nice thing about it is you only need two people,” she said.
Optimistic about hosting the fourth annual open doubles bonspiel again next year, Konschuh said she is considering the possibility of a different date that could better accommodate people’s schedules.
The season is quickly coming to an end, with the club hosting the Oilmens Bonspiel this weekend, March 8-10, followed by the year’s windup later this month.
“We are accepting registrations now,” said Konschuh last week about the March 25-31 open bonspiel, which at the time already had six teams on the list, “which is a great start.”
For more information or to register, call the club at 403-638-3836, or altneratively, Svend Nieslen can be reached at 403-556-0140.
