The Sundre Curling Club recently hosted back-to-back bonspiels.
Although attendance was down during the eighth annual men’s bonspiel, those who participated enjoyed themselves.
“Everybody had a good time,” said Roland Weir, curler and club member.
While there has usually been closer to about a dozen teams in recent years, Weir said it’s challenging to get as many to sign up during a time when the economy is struggling to recover.
“It still went well,” he said, calling the event, which was held Saturday, Nov. 30 and Sunday, Dec. 1, a success.
Participants not only had the opportunity to play and put the rink to good use, but also to have some fun and socialize over food and drink between games, he said, grateful that the concession was available with Derek Ralph from Twisted Pantry providing the service.
Weir also expressed gratitude on behalf of the curling club for the sponsors who continued to support the men’s bonspiel.
There were three events, with the Ted Bach team winning the A pool, Weir’s team taking first in the B event, and Kevin Humphrey’s team coming out on top in the C event.
Meanwhile, the seniors’ bonspiel, which almost immediately followed on the heels of the men’s event with the first draws getting underway on Tuesday, Dec. 3, saw 16 teams coming out with players hailing from Innisfail, Olds, Cremona, Water Valley, and of course Sundre and the surrounding area, said organizer Les Waldroff.
That was up significantly from last year’s 12 teams, added Waldroff.
“It was an excellent turnout; everybody had a great time,” he said.
The seniors’ bonspiel offers a chance not only to hit the sheets and play, but also to socialize and catch up with friends and acquaintances the players don’t necessarily get to visit with frequently, he said.
“We got to see some faces we only see once a year. I even saw some people I hadn’t seen in about 15 years,” he said, adding there were loads of laughs along the way.
“It was a happy time all around for everyone all week.”
The group of 16 teams was perfect for the senior league, offering a chance to curl once a day until the finals, which were held on Friday, Dec. 6. Everything went well without any hiccups, the organizer said.
“I run a good ship!” he said, adding plenty of helpers contributed to making the event possible.
Among them, he said, was Marlene Cardon, a Sundre-area resident who organized the seniors’ bonspiel in the past and this year showed Waldroff the ropes, passing the torch into his hands.
“She kind of mentored me,” he said.
Each of the three events had first- and second-place prize money along with special coats put together by one of the sponsors, he said, expressing appreciation for the local business community’s support.
There were many close games, said Waldroff, and in the end, the A event winner was the team he skipped. Placing first in the B event was the team skipped by Kevin Humphrey, while Bill Leask’s team won the C event. See online for photos of this year's winning teams.
The seniors' event was the last bonspiel of the year, with the juniors scheduled to play Jan. 11-12. For more information on the club, including upcoming dates, visit www.sundrecurlingclub.com.
