Leagues have been up and running for a month now at the Nanaimo Curling Centre, so things are well underway for another local season of the ‘roaring game.’
Linda Torgerson is president of the Nanaimo Curling Club this year, taking over from past-president Dave Perpeluk. First vice-president is Vic Brice and second vice-president is Mark Duffell. Others on the executive are secretary Bob Davies and treasurer Fred Rumo, as well as Brian McRory, Susan Chepil, Andrea Parry, Bruce Connor and George Duffell.
The club held its first bonspiel of the season on Oct. 23-25 with the staging of the annual Sleeman Halloween Open Bonspiel. Continuing a format begun several years ago, the competition allowed for teams with any combination of men and women curlers to enter. A total of 24 rinks took part this year, including several from out of town.
One of those visiting teams was from a long way away, but made the trip worthwhile by winning the bonspiel’s A event, sponsored by Christensen Collision. A touring junior girls’ rink from Korea took part and went undefeated through to the final. There, it faced the other unbeaten team, a Nanaimo entry skipped by Mike Kenefick. The final was an exciting one and came down to an excellent last shot that gave the Koreans a 5-4 win. Players from Korea were Minji Kim, Hye Rin Kim, Taei Yang, Sujin Kim and fifth Ji Yeon Kim. Teammates with Kenefick on the runner-up team were third Margie Blackley, second Bob Palynchuk and lead Jessica Pyett.
Third place in A event went to the team skipped by Lynne Noble.
In the final of the Bill and Marjorie Tegart B event, skip Kim Dennis, third Nicole Backe, second Shannon Ward and lead Marla Guldbransen prevailed in a 6-2 victory over George Duffell and his teammates Heather Lindsay-Lecuyer, Howard Jeglum and Angela Wood. Third place went to the Emily Smith foursome.
Sponsor for the bonspiel’s C event was 460 Realty and the final featured a showdown between teams skipped by Keith Ainsley and Ferdy Hobson. It was the Ainsley squad that prevailed, claiming a 9-6 win. Others on the winning side were third Susan Chepil, second Rick Calgill and lead Barry Lindell. Teammates with Hobson were Keith Clarke, Eilene Mitton and Ken Rafter.
Third place in C event went to Nanaimo Curling Club manager Denise Wood and her team of Burt Gieresiczek, Tammy Keir, Arlene Rolston and Bob Franklin.
Congratulations go also to Kelsey Brown, Angela Butcher and others on the organizing committee. Taking full advantage of the Halloween theme, the bonspiel was by all accounts a fun time for all who took part.
There’s more bonspiel action this coming weekend, as the Nanaimo Curling Centre is hosting a one-day Junior Spiel this Saturday (Nov. 7). Also upcoming is the Hangover League men’s bonspiel, set for Nov. 20-22, and a Masters Open bonspiel on Nov. 25-27.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.
