Cochrane’s seniors proved they’re not ones to be messed with on the curling rink after taking home the lion’s share of wins at last week’s Super Seniors bonspiel.
Held at the Cochrane Curling Club, the tournament counted 49 teams participating — the largest in the tournament's past 11 years.
Of the competing teams, 24 hailed from Cochrane, with others joining the spiel from Canmore, Black Diamond, High River, Okotoks, Springbank, Bragg Creek, Airdrie, Carstairs and Calgary. Also taking part were seven two-person “sturling” teams.
Cochrane players took 11 of the top spots in tournament, with Carstairs taking second place in the 65-88 sturling category, Black Diamond took second place in the social mixed 70-78 category and Inglewood took first in the competitive mixed 68-70 age group and second in competitive men’s aged 58-71.
Doug Campbell is the drawmaster with the Super Seniors bonspiel.
He said the annual event provides Cochrane’s senior athletes with a place they can play competitively among their peers.
“In curling and any sport, the younger players tend to dominate,” he said. “The whole principle is to have something that’s fun and can be competitive as well for people as they age.”
The 49 teams completed a total of 19 draws in the bonspiel. Players were organized according to their age groups, ranging from the late 50s to 80s, to ensure that each team competed against curlers of a similar skill set.
Bob Head, 87, is among the oldest of the competitors. He’s been involved in organizing the Super Seniors bonspiel since its inception.
Head said having a bonspiel dedicated to curling’s most veteran players helps make exercise and sport accessible to those in their golden years.
“It’s a godsend,” he said. “It’s a recreation avenue that many seniors can take up late. We have a full crew of seniors who curl on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. The actual curling is just one aspect of it, and sociability is another. We find it very fulfilling.”
The full results from the bonspiel are:
A. Competitive Men’s (58 to 71).
1st. Bob Jennings (Gary Hawkes, Herb Smith, Jim Anderson).
2nd. Jim Smith (Neil Gerrish, Larry Yano, Bill Wirshe) - Inglewood.
B. Competitive Mixed 58 to 62)
1st. Lyle Stang (Jean Prince, Jeff Krintila, Tricia Miller).
2nd. Cinthia Zeer (Steve Horne, David Mead, Beth Horne).
C. Competitive Mixed 68-70
1st. Heather Paul Scott (Wally Schoenberger, Kim Moreau, Jeannie Shannon) - Inglewood.
2nd. Bonnie Morris (Lorna Bowie, Jane Bleaney, Clare Bowie).
D. Competitive Men’s 63-76
1st. Bill Strain (Bob Bleaney, Rod Rutherford, Greg, Martineau).
2nd. Dan Ferguson (Jim Perks, Barry Nameth, Jeff Thies).
E. Social Mixed 59 -64
1st. Deb Leimert-Lucas (Donna Carson, Anita Massine, Ruby Brett /Jody Thauberger), ARC.
2nd. Dave Lucas (Grey Massine, Brian Brett, Egon Thauberger), ARC.
F. Social Mixed 66 – 70
1st. Henrietta Dyck (Dorothy Dyer, Linda Helfrich, Cathy Sherba).
2nd. Yvonne McIvor (Bruce Kirkwood, Donna Titmus, Marianne Astle).
G. Social Mixed 70 - 78
1st. Hank Hokanson (Bob Nixon, Myron Spilchak, Gary Bartholet), City.
2nd. Lynn Dosdall (Dave Wight, Don Grose, Barb Larson) - Black Diamond.
H. Social Mixed 75 -80
1st. Colin Gilbert (John Gorman, Jerry Olynyk, Marie Gay).
2nd. Bob Head (Marg Norris, Don Soul, Janny Hutchinson).
I. Sturling 65-88
1st. Rick Easton & Ken Parker.
2nd. Dennis McConnell & Peter Unrau - Carstairs.
