The second annual men’s and women’s Parallel Curling Bonspiel was held despite less than ideal conditions outside of the Duncan Curling Club, Jan. 18-21.
After some cancellations early in the event due to poor weather, curlers from far and wide converged on the Glen Harper Curling Centre for their draws and, according to organizer Donna Wachowich, a good time was had by all.
“The bonspiel was a well-organized event which was very successful and fun,” Wachowich confirmed. “The only glitch was the snowstorm on Thursday evening and all the Thursday evening games were cancelled (otherwise, all the games went ahead).”
The results of the Thursday evening games were declared as ties, she explained. “The games on Thursday and Friday were for the round robin pools which determined into which event each team was seeded for the Saturday and Sunday games.”
With a prize table valued at more than $5,500, cash awarded to all third and fourth place teams, sponsors including OK Tire, the Harper Family, The Tee Box and Red Arrow Brewing Company, as well as all winning team members given a jar of Hardie Honey and a dozen Farmer Ben’s eggs, the stakes were high.
In the end, Team Mike Dudar won the Men’s ‘A’ event, sponsored by Duncan Iron Works. Team Kevin Miller was the runner up.
In the Women’s ‘A’ event which was sponsored by A&W, Team Stacey Bruce took the title, followed by runner up: Team Dee Jenkins.
It would have been a clean sweep for Cowichan-based teams in all categories if not for that one pesky rink from Victoria who took top spot in the Men’s ‘B’ event. The Denis Sutton rink did take gold but Cowichan’s Team Gerald Poelman placed second in the ‘B’ event, sponsored by Creative Woodcraft.
Hardie Honey sponsored the Women’s ‘B’ event, which worked out just fine for Wachowich because her rink took the gold and her “personal favourite” part of the prize lot was the honey and eggs. Sheila Percival and her team were the runners up.
The teams skipped by Cam Foster and Richard Odo were first and second in the Leon Signs-sponsored Men’s ‘C’ event respectively, while Team Audrey Funk beat Team Louise Martin in the Women’s ‘C ’ event, sponsored by Farmer Ben’s Eggs.
In other Duncan Curling Club news, their fundraising meat draw has been extended to March 3.
Only 1,000 tickets are available and can be purchased for $10 each at the Glen Harper Curling Centre bar or from DCC board members. The goal is to raise funds for a new dehumidifier.
The first prize winner will receive a seven cubic-foot upright freezer donated by R.A.M Appliance Centre chock full of meat of all kinds from steaks and sausages to ground beef, chicken, roasts and more. Second prize is $250 cash and third prize is $175 cash.
