A “granddaddy” event in the South Cariboo sports scene is around the corner.
The 100 Mile House Curling Club’s Men’s Bonspiel starts rocking on Jan. 16-18.
Seven teams are already signed up, but organizers invite more clubs to join.
“With the Men’s Bonspiel being in its 54th year, it does qualify for being the 100 Mile granddaddy in athletic endeavour,” says club spokesperson Wayne Venos.
“With curling rejuvenating in Forest Grove and Lac la Hache, we hope to draw some rinks out of these communities. There are usually anywhere from 16 to 24 teams involved.”
The club emphasizes sportsmanship and having a good time, with the competitiveness taking care of itself, Venos adds.
A prime rib roast dinner is being served at the curler’s banquet on Jan. 17, with dancing on the evenings of Jan. 16-17. Courtesy of Sunrise Ford, the club is offering a free shuttle service all weekend.
“The general public is encouraged to drop in all weekend to view some great curling, free of charge.”
Call club president Joanne Doddridge at 250-395-2296 to register a team or to get for more information.
In club news, Marilyn Rankin has resigned as treasurer.
Rankin is “taking a well-deserved rest from her duties,” Venos says.
“For the past five years, she has been indispensable, taking on the position of treasurer and sometimes secretary. Marilyn’s expertise in guiding the club in our financial affairs has been greatly appreciated.”
Maria Hamilton has stepped up to take over Rankin’s position.
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s rink, from Bridge Lake, continues to lead the Ladies League standings, having only recently lost their first game of the season.
“Led by their dazzling dynamo skip, the Marg Folk rink did the dastardly deed to the Bridge Lake girls. Also the Arlene Jongbloets rink should give itself a pat on the back, as it held the Folk dynamos to a draw in league play.”
While it seems there’s always a lot of emphasis on winning, it’s the teams at the bottom of the standings that show the most sportsmanship, and seem to have the most laughs, Venos continues.
“The team in question is the Deanna Zielke girls, which have come close on numerous occasions, but are not quite there yet.”
On the men’s side, Ed Ney is still undefeated, but he is starting to see the young studs of Dennis Gosselin in his rear-view mirror, according to Venos.
“In recent play, Gosselin laid a five-ender on the overwhelmed Atkinson geriatrics to solidify their hold on second place. Gordon Smith’s rink, from the Interlakes, has risen up to tie Jim Mitchell’s boys with their fine play of late. Gordon’s boys – Butch Kernachan, Jim Wishart and Ty Lytton – always make you feel better after playing them, win or lose.”
Bill Pratt’s fine leadership and play is keeping his rink atop the mixed league standings, Venos says, but the big story in mixed curling in the past month is the Bill Todhunter rink, which have inched up into second place.
Ladies League
First, Hamilton, 15 points; second, Folk, 13; third, Young, 12; fourth, Doddridge, 11; fifth, Ney, 10; sixth, Lindner, 8; seventh, Jongbloets, 3; and eight, Zielke, 0.
Men’s League
First, Ney, 16; second, Gosselin 14; third, Atkinson, 10; fourth, Leduc, 6; fifth, Betuzzi, 6; sixth, Smith, 4; and seventh, Mitchell, 4.
Mixed League
First, Pratt, 16; second, Todhunter, 13; third, E. Ney, 11; fourth, Minato, 10; fifth, Marshall, 5; and sixth, D. Ney, 5.
