The 2013 Golden Hammer Senior Open kicked off the Comox Valley Curling Club bonspiels for the season, and it was three fun-filled days (Nov. 1-3) of great competition.
In Sunday’s final, Ron Schmidt and his Campbell River team of Todd Peachey, Don Pennell and Ken Woods captured top honours in the ‘A’ event. They defeated the Comox Valley team of Jack Holden, Mary Holden, Marty Duda and Shirley Wesley in the final game.
Semifinalists in ‘A’ were the Dean Thulin team from Campbell River and Dave Pacholuk from the Comox Valley. This is the second time Schmidt has won the coveted bonspiel, also winning in 2010 while skipping a different team.
The ‘B’ event final was between two local teams with Tracy Branch and his teammates Randy Baert, John Davis and Ernie Kassian defeating the team of Richard Tanguay, Andy Quant, Fred Pugh and Paul Otto. Semifinalists were the Lorraine Jeffries team from Port Alberni and Silvio Alberti from the Comox Valley.
The ‘C’ event final was a close game that came down to the last rock to decide the winner. The Qualicum team of Lynne Noble, Donna Langlands, Crystal Murray and Lorraine Gagnon defeated the team of Wayne Harris, Ray Michell, Rick Thomson and John Lapointe. Dave Shortill filled in for Noble in the final game doing the skipping and throwing last rock. Semifinalists were Comox Valley teams skipped by Sandra Gallaway and Vern Reimer.
The ever popular Crown Isle Draw-to-the-Button was won, for the second year in a row, by Dave Pacholuk. When he needs to dig deep, Dave has shown he is pretty consistent with his draw weight and sends his rock, without sweepers, to the button. He takes home a 2014 Crown Isle Social Membership.
The Comox Valley Curling Club would like to thank Daryl Wright of Francis Jewellers for providing beautiful watches for the bonspiel winners and Rod Prieto of Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community for the social membership.
Also, the following businesses were generous in providing prize items: Edward & Parnell Barber Shoppe, Chad’s Restaurant, Union Street Pub, Whistle Stop Pub, Back Street Pub by the Sea, Royston Roasting Company and Royston Mini-Mart. Their support is very much appreciated and goes a long way in making the ‘spiel a success.
Several of the teams that competed in the Golden Hammer are hoping to qualify in their respective zones in January and return to the Comox Valley in February to compete in the 2014 Tim Hortons Provincial Senior Men’s and Women’s Championships. The club will host this event at the Comox Valley Curling Centre Feb. 17-22.
– Comox Valley Curling Centre
