BY IAN THORPE
Bonspiels have been on the ice at the Nanaimo Curling Centre recently…
Two weekends ago, the Sleeman’s Hangover Bonspiel saw 28 teams enjoy competitive curling along with plenty of fun and fellowship. The popular annual event is put on by the Sunday morning men’s league, more commonly known as the Hangover League. This year’s bonspiel organizing committee included Ferdie Hobson, Garret Phenix, Chuck Passmore, Jim Forester, Steve McColl, Keith Balke and others.
The bonspiel’s A event was sponsored by Midland Tools and featured an excellent game between two evenly matched local teams skipped by Bob Chlan and Bob Cavezza. Tied at 5-5, the Chlan team used last rock advantage in an extra end to emerge with a 6-5 win. Others on the winning team were Harold Levesque, Dan Danylchuk and Bob Franklin, while the remainder of the Cavezza squad were Louis Cavezza, Tom Weinreich and Brendon Plamondon.
Third place went to Steve Whynott, Duffy Simpson, Henry Ellis and Brian Huxley.
Sponsor for B event was Mark’s Import Auto and the final between two visiting teams saw Glen Cheetham from Port Alberni edge the Brandon Sawyer squad 8-7. Third was the Nanaimo entry of Bill Kinley and his team of Bert Nystrom, Jack Russell and Doug Shearer.
In the bonspiel’s C event, sponsored by Christensen Collision, the foursome of Kyle Sedola, Kyle Don, Steve Anderson and Colton Angell downed the Pat Bartlett team 6-2 in the final. Third place went to Nanaimo skip Ron Kulai and his teammates Brad Lang, Todd Hancock and Cal Wilson.
Sponsor for D event in the competition was G Spot and the winning team consisted of Jon Mason, Craig McMaster, Ian Tyerman and Jim Bond. The Mason foursome posted a 5-2 win over skip Keith Balcke and his team of Daryl Graham, Thomas Cuthbert and Vic Brice. Steve Hobson, Bill Chapman, Doug Freelund and Kevin Hay were third.
Last week at the curling centre, 20 teams took part in the Masters’ Open Bonspiel and my thanks to organizers Merv Osler and Gord Borbandy for sending along results. First place in A event went to the Brian Aaberg entry from Kerry Park. In second place was the Nanaimo foursome of Ron Kulai, Jim Forrester, Vic Brice and Neil McFarlane.
Visiting teams swept the prizes in B event. First went to the Amber Dufour squad from Comox, second to Larry Uglene from Parksville and third to the Merriam team from Duncan.
On the other hand, local entries dominated C event. Nanaimo skip Bob Chlan and his team of Harold Levesque, Dan Danylchuk and Bob Franklin claimed top spot. In second came Natalka Strilesky along with Carol Tromans, Janis Wilson and Shirley Sloan and third place went to Fred Withey and his teammates Kyle Clifford, Wes Betz and Rick Kerley.
Nanaimo teams also took the top three positions in D event. First was Brian Scorer and his team of George Duffell, Ed Stonehouse and Roy Richmond. Skip Phil Chase together with Bob Davies, Brian McRory and Chuck Rogerson were second, with third going to Marg Obee and her teammates Noreen Martin, Jill McGlenen and Moyra Graham.
Duncan’s Paul Kondal was first in E event. The Nanaimo foursome of Craig Turnbull, Daryl Ciaham, Merv Osler and Muir Meredith were second, with the local team of Fred Mater, Larry Oleskiw, Ken Wong and Don Mounce taking third.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.