OLDS — The Olds Curling Club's Open Bonspiel, a combination fun event with some pretty competitive curling here and there, is over for another season.
It ran March 10-12 at the Olds Curling Club and attracted 24 teams, up slightly from 20 last year, according to Tammy Schwass, a member of the club’s communications team.
Team Shantz, featuring Justin Shantz, Jason Jackson, Tammy Schwass and Tanner Schalin, won the A side.
The A side consolation went to Team Notley, featuring Kayla Notley, Jeff Notley, Reed Campmans and Andrew Richards.
Team Head, featuring Audrey Head, Gary Head, Greg Compton and Leona Compton, were the B side winners.
The B side consolation went to Team Toliver, featuring Merv Toliver, Alice Shea, Pat Shea and Darlene Leasak.
Team Miller, featuring Jeff Miller, Amanda Miller, Jennifer Wood and Marshall Wood, won the C side.
The C side consolation went to Team Marshall, featuring Todd Marshall, Alison Marshall, Dianne Bennett and Andrew Bennett.
During an interview, Schwass said normally the tournament attracts more than 20 teams, so organizers were “really happy” with the turnout.
“We have a lot of first-time curlers that join, a lot of new curlers, so a lot of them curled in this, but we also had a number of our other players that play in the competitive men’s and ladies’ and seniors leagues join the bonspiel,” she said.
“It was a good mix, I think, of some good competition and some really tight games and also some people that just wanted to get out and throw some rocks and have some fun.”
That said, “there were a few close games. I saw at least one or two go into an extra end,” Schwass added.
She was pleased with the support of sponsors as well as the big crowds that came out to watch the action.
The Open Bonspiel was not quite the end of activities at the Olds Curling Club. There’s one more event on this season’s schedule: a wind-up night on Friday, March 31 at 7 p.m.
Local entertainer Dustin Farr will be performing.
“It’s open for members or anyone in the community to come down and watch some curling or play some curling and take in some live music,” Schwass said.
