Off the Broom - News from the Kincardine Curling Club
By: Anne Burton
December 9, 2017
The Penetangear "Innie versus Outtie" opening bonspiel was another big success and the Innies were the winners again! Wow, that’s two years in a row after never having won before. The Innies were headed up by skips Craig Milburn, Barb Kester, Jason Clifford and Robert Ross. The theme was "Canada Eh!" and while many were sporting lots of red and white, Gail Wright and John Downs won for the best-dressed participants.
The club hosted an OCA-sponsored course, “Train the Trainer,” which was attended by several of our club members as well as out-of-towners. The OCA states that the course teaches the optimal way to run a “Learn to Curl” program, while at the same time, working with curling clubs to develop the business model to support the program. In addition, the course touches on how to run successful membership recruitment or open house events, and how to provide potential members with a good first experience.
We certainly hope we are giving people a good first experience as we have started a “Learn to Curl” program at our club this season which is being run by Jen Lawrie and several other volunteers. The program is being held over six weeks and each week the novice curlers learn something new about the game, from the basics of delivery and brushing to curling etiquette and scoring. It is an updated program that once was taught at a one-day clinic. This is a much better format as the new curlers have time to incorporate their lessons if they are already on a team or go to the club to practise honing their newly-found skills.
To expand further on this, a new league will begin Jan. 10 and run through the remainder of the season on Wednesday evenings. All skill levels are welcome in this development league, which will include graduates from our "Learn to Curl" program. For all those who are interested in joining, please sign up at kincardinecc@gmail.com.
The Grey-Bruce Seniors bonspiels are in full swing. Southampton held its Nov. 15, and the Kincardine team of Les Shane, Jim Roberts, Gene Gillespie and Glyn Pinkney managed a win and a tie to place third in the event. The following Wednesday, the weather held out for the foursome of Gene Gillespie, Jim Roberts, Glyn Pinkney and Mark Luckhart to travel to Wiarton. They had a one-and-one record.
The Dec. 6 bonspiel here in Kincardine saw teams from Hanover, Chesley, Wiarton, Meaford, Allenford, and Kincardine competing for the Knowlton-Edmiston Memorial Trophy. Winners were the home town team of Noel MacIntosh, Jim Roberts, Mark Luckhart and Glyn Pinkney. Sobeys provided the meat prizes and donated two cooler bags for door prizes. Some of these guys are going to have well stocked freezers if they continue their winning ways.
The Grand Masters OCA competition is taking place in Listowel. Three teams were entered, including the Kincardine foursome of Barb and Ray Kester and Robert and Barb Ross. They won their first two games against Listowel and Wingham. A third game loss to the Wingham team meant they must return to Listowel this week to again play the Wingham team. The winner of that game will advance to the provincial finals in Thornhill in March.
The Christmas theme at the St. Thomas Curling Club always makes for a great bonspiel. Barb Kester, Beth Mimnagh, Barb Ross and Rhonda Persechilli took part again this year. Although the scoreboard did not favour them, they still had a good time.
The Brokerlink Insurance Grey Bruce Major Curling league has eight teams competing this year. Kincardine’s entry, skipped by Craig Milburn and sponsored by Penetangear, is currently sitting at a 2-4 record, along with two other teams.
Jan. 6. 2018, is the date of our annual men’s bonspiel. Although it is still nearly a month away, get your team entered by signing up at the club or contact Laura Haight who is convening this year’s event.
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