OLDS — The Adam Winter/George’s Farm Centre Ltd. rink won the A event of the Olds Farmers bonspiel and the Kathy Kemmere David Doyle Realty-My Acreage rink won the A event of Olds Farmerettes bonspiel.
Both bonspiels were held Feb. 14-17 at the Olds Curling Club.
It’s the fifth time and the second time in a row that an Adam Winter rink has won the A event on the men’s side.
The Winter rink, consisting of Adam Winter, Aaron Winter, Brian Winter and Roy McArthur of George’s Farm Centre won the A side by defeating the Lorn Anderson Desjardins Financial rink, consisting of Lorn Anderson, Paul Livingston, Gerry Shalleen and Jordan Priebe of Desjardins Financial.
The Dan McArthur rink (Randy McArthur, John Hoppins and Greg Skoworodko of Future Ag Inc.) won the B side.
The Travis Phillips rink with Donald Brian, Svend Neilson and Matthew Pierce of Pierce Insurance / The Co-Operators took the C side.
The D side went to Todd Marshall rink featuring Gary Wagers, Darcy Grudeski and David Fafard of BMO.
On the women’s side, the Kemmere rink, consisting of Kathy Kemmere, Peggy Freeman, Joanne Notley and Teresa Doyle of My Acreage – David Doyle Realty defeated the Missy McDermid rink (Missy McDermid, Heather Saunders, Melissa Ellis and Lori Gans of Marlec Insurance Brokers).
The Shaelynn Houchin rink with Courtney Houchin, Courtney Dahlman & Micheala Craig — Rempel’s Painting & Drywall, won the B side.
The C side winners were the Glori Anderson rink with Donna McLean, Alice Shea and Kathy Stewart – UFA.
Curt Jorsvik chaired the organizing committee.
“It went very well and I think everybody had nice time,” he said during an interview with the Albertan. “I think everybody's pretty pleased.”
Jorsvik said 32 teams competed in the men’s ‘spiel; about on par with previous years. He said 16 teams took part in the women’s spiel, up a couple of teams from previously.
Jorsvik was pleased with the level of competition, and not really surprised that the Adam Winter took the A side again.
“They’re good year in and year out,” he said, but added there were several strong teams in the hunt.
Jorsvik was happy to see the support the bonspiels received from local businesses, the town and the community as a whole. He agreed the lounge was really packed throughout the event.
“Getting out there and meeting your neighbours and friends, it's got a lot of value,” he said.
Jorsvik would like to see more young people come out and take up the sport. He’s encouraged that some have. He noted his rink included a guy in his 30s.
“(We’ve got to) just keep promoting those young guys and keep them going,” he said. “It's got to have young blood; keep this stuff going, right?”