Off the Broom: Curling season ends early due to COVID-19

Just like a lot of businesses these days, the Kincardine Curling Club closed the doors for the rest of the season, March 16, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most of the draws had not yet finished their regular schedule but the exception was the Monday night draw. The David Plourde team went through the second half of the season undefeated. Congratulations to David and his team of Gail MacIntosh, John and Jane Downs. The problems with the ice on sheet one played havoc with several games for various draws which meant postponing games which were to be played on that sheet. Unfortunately, they never got to make the games up. A big thank you to all who worked so long and hard trying to rectify the situation. Hopefully, over the summer the work to repair the problem will be taken care of and we will be ready to rock and roll come the fall.

Feb. 26, the team of Jim Roberts, Mark Luckhardt, Glyn Pinkney and Bryan MacDonald finished third overall with a win and a tie at the Grey Bruce Senior League event at Bluewater Curling Club in Owen Sound. Bluewater might have the best-conditioned ice in the twin counties.

Later that week, Saturday, Feb. 29, in the Ripley Men’s Bonspiel, the team of Mark Luckhardt, Mike Bunker, Stevie (The Franchise) Palmer, and Bryan MacDonald defeated another Kincardine team of Mike Meraw and Jim Roberts and a few local gents, in the championship game. Ice conditions were the best we have ever experienced at Ripley, and next year we will try and get another team or two from Kincardine in this well-organized event.

Playing in the Southampton Wild Wild West Mixed Bonspiel, March 7, was the “Curling Bandits” team of Doug and Shelley Dechene with Richard and Jean Sylvester. They went one-and-one and finished in 5th place. The event was wildly competitive.

It was hit-or-miss if the Ladies' Bonspiel would be a go or not March 14. After much discussion, it was decided to go ahead with the 'spiel and a good one it was. I’m sure the lady curlers appreciated the efforts of all the men who cooked and served the meals and appetizers, looked after the ice, served the  libations and even sanitized the rock handles. The theme was St. Patrick’s Day and the club was aptly decorated. It was great to have two full draws for this 'spiel. Taking first place on the early draw was the Kincardine team of Heather Struthers, Mallory Carriere, Marion Fink and Tekla Kennedy. The Ripley team of Cathy Alcombrack, Myra Walden, Biff Liddle and Kay Walden was tops in the late draw.



Early draw winners at the St. Patrick's Day Ladies' Bonspiel in Kincardine, March 14, are Heather Struthers (left), Tekla Kennedy, Mallory Carriere and Marion Fink; photos courtesy of Anne Burton



Late draw winners at the St. Patrick's Day Ladies' Bonspiel in Kincardine, March 14, are Cathy Alcombrack (left), Myra Walden, Elizabeth Liddle and Kay Walden
 

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Who goes all the way to Inverness, Scotland, for a curling bonspiel? Well, four local curlers, Les and Ruth Shane along with Larry and Gerry Maxfield, did just that and getting there was a bit of an adventure in itself. The foursome left from Toronto in the midst of that big snowstorm in late February. Flight delays and changed destinations were a common occurrence. They finally arrived in Inverness; however, their brooms did not, although they eventually were found.

Their first game at the 54th annual “Highland Week of International Curling Bonspiel” was Sunday, March 1, at the Inverness Ice Centre. The centre is not used exclusively for curling but other ice activities as well. In the mixed division, there were 26 teams from countries which included Canada, the United States, England, Switzerland and the hosts, Scotland. There were also men’s and ladies' divisions.

Teams played a total of two rounds and after the first round, depending on their record, teams were placed in either the High, Middle or Low Road division. The locals curled eight games over the week of competition and ended up with a 4-3-1 record, finishing in third place in the Middle Road group which was playing for the Allan Johnson Trophy.

Participants stayed at the Kingsmills Hotel where, after the curling was over for the day, banquets, dancing and mingling took place. The hotel was one of the sponsors, as was Glenfarclas, producers of Scotch whiskey. Prizes included some of their product. After the bonspiel concluded, the Shanes and Maxfields toured for the next five or six days before heading home.

Fond memories of this special occasion will linger for some time and particularly now, as the four of them are about midway through their 14-day, self-imposed isolation perhaps sampling some of their winnings!
 

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Don’t forget to mark the second annual golf tournament on your calendar - Saturday, June 27. This event is open to all, not just curlers. To register, contact either Heather Struthers or Anne Burton.