Off the Broom - Kincardine Curling Club news

March Madness is not only for basketball but also for bonspiels.

Saturday, March 9, two six-person teams entered the MacLeans spiel hosted at the Wingham Golf and Curling Club. Laura Haight, Carolyn Norman, Olivia Turcotte, Tania Dickson, Stefanie Hutter and Courtney Van Geest comprised one team while the other was a combination of Kincardine players Jen Lawrie, Jen White, and Tammy Thompson, with Sheri Douglas of Kitchener, Karri-Anne Cameron of Wingham and Debra Nunnaro of Rockwood. The ladies loved the format of three six-end games with each team member playing four ends and sitting two. The teams finished the bonspiel in sixth and eighth, respectively, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

There was just one draw in the Gay Lea Better Butter bonspiel in Teeswater, March 11. The Kincardine team of Barb Kester, Barb Ross, Beth Mimnagh and Sharon Cross, ended up tied for second, and came home with a nice selection of Gay Lea products.

Ripley held its annual Hilda Andrews Memorial bonspiel, March 16. Attending from our club, were Barb Kester, Beth Mimnagh, Barb Ross and Courtney Lingaitis. Their first game was tied and a draw to cover the pin by skip Kester, pulled off the win for them against Vicki Culbert's team of Goderich. The Kincardine team went on to win its second game and was the overall trophy winner. Congratulations, ladies!

It hasn’t just been the ladies who have been out and about. The team of Peter Newton, Mike Bunker, Mark Luckhardt and Tim Church, was the winner at the men’s bonspiel in Arthur. Good job, guys!

Also, over the course of the curling season, the Grey Bruce Senior Men’s league has been holding bonspiels at various towns around the area. Taking part in these events, were Kincardine curlers Peter Kirkpatrick, Mark Luckhardt, Gene Pinkney, Jim Roberts, Doug Kukurudza, Brian MacDonald, Art Doughty, Bob Urie, and Bob Harvey. Each spiel had a combination of four of the fellows taking part and I am sure they must have come home with at least a few of the prizes offered.

A night to take in the Brier finals, was held at the club. The turn-out wasn’t as large as expected but a lot of fun was had by all. This coming weekend will be the start of the Men’s Worlds in  Lethbridge, Alberta, which will see Brier winner Kevin Koe take on the world. Go, Canada!

The children from the March Break camp got a taste of curling Wednesday, March 13. As well, Kincardine Township-Tiverton Public School students, from Junior Kindergarten through to Grade 3, took part in a Learn to Curl program at the school, using the “Rocks and Rings” program. Thanks to the volunteers who helped teach the “novices” a little about our great game. Hopefully, some of the children will take up the sport next season.

And speaking of Junior curlers, they held their wind-up party, Sunday, with some curling and pizza.



Junior curlers with the Kincardine Curling Club, enjoy their end-of-season party, Sunday, with their dedicated volunteer coaches, David Plourde (back, second from right), 12 years; and Chris Turcotte (back, left), six years; photo by Meredith Nelson

The Monday evening league is now finished for the season. The winning team, which I believe went undefeated, was that of Chris Farrell, Beth Mimnagh, and Darren and Jamie McNaughton. The only league still playing, is the Tuesday/Wednesday night skips choice.

The season ending get-together will be held April 5, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the curling rink bar. Hope to see a huge turn-out  as part of the cost is going to our “Raise the Roof” fund.