The Campbell River Curling Club hosted its largest “Ralph Boyd” Men’s Open ever last weekend.
Due to the large number of entries, the tournament was opened up to 36 teams rather than the traditional 32.
All curlers competed in a skills competition and the prize won by Norm Cote of Comox was a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, valued at $7,000, donated by Tyee Chevrolet.
The A event winner this year, sponsored by Coast Community Credit Union, was the Rick Dunn rink of Qualicum Beach, with third Wayne Duncan, second Bob Herschfield and lead Tom Freeman.
The B Event winner, sponsored by Tyee Marine, was the Cliff CarrHilton rink of Comox, with Jason Montgomery as third, second Miles Craig and lead Craig Bernes.
The C event winner, sponsored by #1 Auto Body, was the Darrell Knowles rink of Campbell River, with third Ray Friesen, second Gerry McKay and lead Ray Stormo.
The D event winner, sponsored by Kal Tire, was the Tim Kottsieper rink of Campbell River, with Graeme Boyd playing lead, Tim Kottsieper throwing second and calling the game, Cody Hall playing third and Josh Hozack playing second and throwing last stones.
This year, the most sportsmanlike team and winners of the Ralph Boyd trophy was the rink of Douglas Sauer, Mike Sauer and Colin Goortenboer of Campbell River.
Campbell River had 17 teams competing from their club this year, with an astonishing 19 teams from across the Island and Vancouver.
The club would like to thank Jimmy Grant and Tyee Chev for their large and continuing sponsorship. We also wish to thank Eileen Swanson and her volunteers for running the skills competition.
Susan Johnson, the curling club manager, headed the bonspiel committee and with a number of volunteers ran an excellent bonspiel. We also thank Trevor McClung, Kevin May, John Lapointe and our webmaster Wylie Leeson for their extra assistance.
The Campbell River Curling Club and the Mens’ league wish to thank all the many sponsors such as: Tyee Chev., Thrifty Foods, Fountain Tire (Goodyear), Tyee Marine, #1 Autobody, Kal Tire, Joe and Susan Johnson, Terry Kratzmann, Graeme Boyd, Anne Boyd and family, Gerry Swanson, Marine Harvest, Best Western Austrian Chalet, London Drugs, Carl Bro of Sea J Charters and Grant signs.
The bonspiel had additional support from Balloons N More Party Shop, Sears Campbell River, Storey Creek Golf Course, Oyster Bay Resorts, Painter’s Lodge, Oak Bay Marine Group, Ocean Pacific Marine Supply Ltd., The Royal Coachman, Labatt’s Brewery, Quality Foods and Rene Quintin.