The Abbotsford Curling Club hosted twenty-two teams for the Seniors Mixed Bonspiel on December 1, 2 & 3, 2023. There were eight visiting teams, including one from Portland, Oregon.
The competition was as keen as the ice, but in the true tradition of curling, winning is second to enjoyment. Our Club Manager and ice master, Kent, put in a very long day on Saturday as he re-flooded the ice at 4:00 AM to remove some of the irregularities due to some pipe issues.
Off the ice, our fabulous kitchen staff of Allyson and Lesllie made sure our curlers were well fed with offerings of treats, soups and sandwiches.
The lounge was very popular with locals and visitors alike. In the image below, former club president Art Heppner is enjoying a beverage with club secretary Tina Hinds and the effervescent Irene Brownlie while Bernie Putz seems to be adding to the conversation by listening intently. It is customary in the Abbotsford Curling Club for teams to adjourn to the lounge after their games and fraternize with their opponents. This allows everyone to remember the shots that were made and expound on the near misses.
Others at the table wanted to be included in the photo so here are the rest of the celebrants. Heather, Edith and Rick’s hat are now included in this merry group. Why not?
There was a concurrent “Sip and Shop” event going on in the lounge on Saturday afternoon. This allowed our participants to do some early Christmas shopping for local crafts and products.
Not to be outdone, the Bonspiel also offered its own raffle and wine cork prize events as well as a silent auction.
Team Wallace from Abbotsford was the top foursome in the bonspiel. They are from left to right – Vern Friesen, Gerry Wallace, Terri Dickson and Trudy Wallace. They might be able to take a trip to Aldergrove with their winnings!
2nd Place: Team Knutson (Chilliwack)
Russ Knutson, skip;
Ann Ramsbottom, 3rd;
Bob Ramsbottom, 2nd;
Dianne Knutson, lead.
3rd Place: Team Masuch (Mission)
Brent Masuch, skip;
Sherry Freeman, 3rd;
Rob Carmichael, 2nd;
Shirley Mogridge, lead
4th Place: Team Hanni (Mission)
Steve Hanni, skip;
Donna Kraakman, 3rd;
Bruce Kraakman, 2nd;
Jane Hanni, lead
Team Foremen was the top team from our ACC Thursday morning Senior Mixed League. Ken was joined by wife Marcia, Darlene Friesen and Past Club President Gord Wallington.
Sportsman Award: Team Geddert (Abbotsford)
Ron Geddert, skip;
Sheryl Marsh, 3rd;
Paul Goyer, 2nd;
Margaret Stone, lead
The event ended with a fabulous catered group lunch and the distribution of prizes.
Many of our social curlers do not generally participate in bonspiels but when we bring the bonspiel to them, they always enjoy it. Indeed, a good time was had by all and a lot of positive comments were received following the event.
We’ll do it all again next year!
