​Off the Broom: Kincardine curling season wraps up

The Ontario Grandmasters Provincial competition took place in Oshawa, March 20-22. This is a competition for senior curlers, age 70 and over.

There were 16 teams participating, including one from the Owen Sound Bluewater club which had Kincardine curler, Les Shane, as part of the team. Joining Les were his brother, Don Shane; skipper, Al Hutchison; and lead, Peter Eller.

Their first game was a win against the Buckley team from Deep River, followed by another win against Team Foss out of the York Curling Club. Yet another big win in the semi-final game of the First Event was against Michael Dorey of the Ingersoll and District Curling Club.

This win put them into the final game against another three-game winner, Rob Harling’s rink out of the Leaside Curling Club. The Bluewater foursome came away with an 8-6 victory and is now the Provincial Grandmasters Champion. Way to go, fellas!



The Provincial Grandmasters Champions are Al Hutchison (left), Les Shane, Don Shane and Peter Eller
 

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The final in-club bonspiel of the year was held Saturday, March 29. It was a great way to wind up the season.

There is still lots of good curling to watch as the Men’s World Championships are taking place right now in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. As well, a few of our local curlers are heading to Toronto to see some of the last Grand Slam of Curling event in early April. Will the newly-crowned repeat Women’s World Champions, Team Homan, beat Scotland’s Bruce Mouat in the fund-raising challenge? Now, that could be a good game to see!

Final games of this season were set for Monday, March 31. After those games, the rocks will be put to bed for this year and the process of removing the ice will begin. It is sort of sad to see it all come to an end but come the warmer weather, there is lots to keep us busy till next season.

Perhaps try a new sport for the summer — lawn bowling is quite similar to curling. The season runs from May to September, Monday and Thursday nights at 185 Lambton Street, Kincardine. Charge is only $5 per night or you can pay for the season. Your first time is free. Call or text the president of the Kincardine Lawn Bowling Club, Don Brown, at 519-955-1500.

Why wait till the last minute to sign up for our annual golf tournament, to be held Sunday, June 8? This is open to all — you do not have to be a curler to participate.

Don’t forget the date of the annual general meeting, Wednesday, June 25, at 7 p.m., at the curling club.

And finally to wrap up the season, we are wishing our juniors all the best of luck and good curling in the U12 Provincials in Palmerston, April 3-6.