OLDS — The Jeff Bauer rink, featuring Mitch and Daryl Bauer, along with Scott Sinclair from the Torrington area won the A side of the 2025 Didsbury Farm & Ranch Bonspiel.
The bonspiel was one for the history books.
It was held Jan. 6-10 in the Olds Curling Club because the rink at the Didsbury Memorial Complex, where it would normally be held, was shut down, due to an ammonia leak discovered last month in a condenser during routine maintenance.
Rick Phillips is chair of the Didsbury Farm & Ranch Bonspiel and manager of the Olds Curling Club.
“It was really good, it went over really well,” Phillips said during an interview with the Albertan, noting the bonspiel was chock full, with 32 teams participating.
He said everyone involved in the tournament was “thrilled that they would let us come in and have our bonspiel here.”
Bonspiel participants were also grateful for the sacrifices the Olds club made to enable the event to take place.
“They moved their league play times, start times around so that they could accommodate us, so everybody was more than willing to help out,” Phillips said.
The Jeff Holmes rink featuring Roger Holmes, Greg Rosenke and Lorne Hersberer placed second in the A event.
The Neil Boles rink, featuring Jason Adams, Mike Hoppins and Greg Skoworodko finished third in the A event.
Placing fourth in the A event was the Rod Snyder rink, featuring Graham Collinge, Rick Kohut and Jeff Miller.
Following are other results from the tournament, as provided by Phillips:
B event winners were the Jeff Kamlah rink, featuring Anthony Venneman, Becky Bohrson and Bryn Chambers.
Placing second in the B event was the Larry Hildebrandt rink, featuring Tyson Hildebrand, Murray Marsh and Jesse Vosler.
The Jim Dunlop rink, featuring Scott Medd, Connie Strautman and John Campmans finished third in the B event.
The Curt Jorsvick rink, featuring Randy Ackert, Colin Jorsvick and Wes Thomas, placed fourth in the B event.
C event winnners were the Gene Leonard rink, featuring Brian Krall, Gerry Schalin and Wanda Mudry.
Finishing second in the C event was the Colby Brian rink, featuring Brayden Steffler, Quinn Sutherland and Olivia Jacobs.
The Lorn Anderson rink, featuring Dereck Benedick, Morley Kjargaard and Tony Leblanc placed third in the C event.
Finishing fourth in the C event was the Sid Sietsma rink, featuring Chris Schmitt, Ben Venneman and Rob Gordon.
D event winners were the Gary Richards rink, featuring Gord Ellis, Albert Kemmere and Elaine Taylor.
The Don Stone rink, featuring Ben Stone, Vern Wilshusen and Reed Campmans placed second in the D event.
Finishing in third place in the D event was the Rob Venneman rink, featuring Amy and Josh Venneman as well as Mike Issac.
The Rick Phillips rink, featuring Sean Phillips, Chad Brander and Ernie Odersky placed fourth in the D event.
Skills Competition
The Gene Leonard rink, featuring Brian Krall, Gerry Schalin and Wandra Mudry took first place in the skills competition with 12 points.
The Bob Kilpatrick rink, featuring Wesley Houchin, Patty Houchin and Jesse Lamboo, took second place, with 11 points.
The Colby Brian rink, featuring Brayden Steffler, Quinn Sutherland and Olivia Jacobs, came in third place with nine points.
Draw to the Button
Brayden Steffler took first place in the draw to the button contest. Second place went to Daryl Bauer. Scott Medd took third place.
