OLDS — The Larry Flessatti won the A side of this year’s Olds Curling Club Seniors Bonspiel.
The Doug Manning rink won the B side and the Krall/Leonard rink won the C side. (Two names appear there because Krall was sick, so Leonard assumed duties as skip).
The bonspiel ran from Jan. 17-20 at the Olds Curling Club.
Members of the Flessatti rink were Larry Flessatti, Troy Byrt, Scott Sorestad and Dereck Doi.
The Manning rink consisted of Doug Manning, Theresa Coupal, Carole Funkhouser and Sheila Fritz.
Members of the Krall/Leonard rink were Gene Leonard, Ed Wicks, Doris Johnson and Corinne Dueck.
Participation in this year’s seniors bonspiel continued a downward trend, coordinator Darlene Leasak said during an interview.
Leasak said 16 teams were entered this year, down from 18 last year. She said in previous years 24 teams have entered.
Leasak was asked why the number of entries has continued to fall.
“I don’t know. Apparently it’s happening everywhere," she said, although she added she's heard that may not be the case in Innisfail.
"People are just getting old and we’re not getting many new curlers.”
Leasak was asked if there’s anything the club can do to reverse the trend.
“Not when it’s happening everywhere," she said.
It was noted that the club has held some special events to entice new people to come out and try the sport.
For example, on Oct. 5 last year, an open house was held. People who hadn’t curled before were encouraged to come out and try the game. Snacks were provided.
A couple of Sheets and Beats events were held too, where people could curl and enjoy entertainment from singers.
