OLDS — The Gary Gaudette rink won the Seniors Curling Bonspiel at the Olds Curling Club.
The bonspiel, held Feb. 14-17 at the facility in the Sportsplex featured 18 teams, down from 24 a couple of years ago.
Seniors curling rep Darlene Leasak says it was good to run the tournament again after not being able to hold it last year, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
In addition to himself, Gaudette’s rink consisted of Derek Doi and Scott Sorestad. A fourth was unable to participate.
“That was my first senior bonspiel,” Gaudette, 58, said during an interview.
Gaudette was asked what the keys to the victory were. He said they employed all the facets of the game: takeouts and guards, for example.
“We employed) a bit of both, keeping it clean and strategic drawing. We played well all around,” he said. “We just played well; all three of us made shots. We were just out there to have fun.”
Gaudette has been curling since he was 18.
“I’ve curled regular draw, regular curling in men’s -- and then the odd bonspiel,” he said.
“And then when I was younger we’d go out to the big cash spiels. I’m too old for that now,” he added with a laugh.
Gaudette loves many aspects of the game.
“I just love curling, period. It’s a great sport. It’s a sport that anybody can do, no matter (what) age. There’s curlers out there who are in their 90s and they’re still curling,” he said. “It’s just a great sport to keep you going; get your exercise, friendship.
He also likes the strategy involved.
“Depending on what team you’re playing against, you work on their weaknesses and your strengths and then that’s how you basically call the game,” he said.
