A player delivers his rock during a World Curling Tour St. Paul Cash Spiel in Minnesota on Oct. 7 to 9, 2016. The Penticton Curling Club will host an annual WCT event on Oct. 20 to 23, 2017 and is attracting big names. Rich Harmer Photography/World Curling Tour

A player delivers his rock during a World Curling Tour St. Paul Cash Spiel in Minnesota on Oct. 7 to 9, 2016. The Penticton Curling Club will host an annual WCT event on Oct. 20 to 23, 2017 and is attracting big names. Rich Harmer Photography/World Curling Tour

World Curling Tour event drawing big names

World Curling Tour event by Penticton Curling Club will feature Kevin Koe, Thomas Ulsrud and more.

Curlings biggest players are entering the mix for the Penticton Curling Club‘s World Curling Tour event.

Cathy Jones, manager of the Penticton Curling Club, confirmed that Reid Carruthers (fourth on the tour), Kevin Koe (fifth), Mike McEwen (seventh), Peter De Cruz (ninth), Steve Laycock (10th), Thomas Ulsrud (11th from) from Norway are among the 17 of 24 teams signed up for the event scheduled for Nov. 3 to 5.

“We just began less than a month ago,” said Jones. “It’s definitely a really good lineup of talent that is going to be coming.”

The event leads into an Olympic year, but Jones said they aren’t getting some big names as they are entering pre trials to get into Roar of the Rings to win a spot for Canada. Jones is impressed and excited about the names they have, which also includes some up and comers from B.C.

The triple knockout format is offering a purse of $66,000 Canadian.

Related: World Curling Tour men’s event coming

“When you are talking of Ulsrud and (Tom) Brewster who are from Scotland and Norway, who are all teams you always see at the Olympics,” said Jones, adding they are getting the big names they hoped for.

The club is also working on securing sponsorships, which is underway.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a team is asked to contact Jones at 250-492-5647. Jones said she will come and make presentations to potential sponsors.

Penticton Western News