Golden day for King Curling Club at Shamrock Memorial bonspiel

March 18, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Shellee Morning
King Curling Club may be Ontario’s youngest curling club, but on Wednesday March 12, it played host to a packed house of curlers in the first annual Shamrock Bonspiel for Little Rocks and Bantams. This bonspiel was dedicated to the coach of Nobleton Youth Curling 1992-2001, Gordon D. Fogg (1950-2001) and we tip our brooms to Maureen Richardson who was instrumental in bringing this bonspiel back to life.
In all 64 kids arrived with their brooms from many different curling clubs as far away as Whitby, Oshawa, Unionville, Milton, Parry Sound, and of course King. Two 6-end games, lunch, snacks and prizes were awarded for a combined total between games.
Eight teams of Little Rockers ages 5-12 roared out of the hack with enthusiasm that oozed across the rinks. Their voices may be a bit younger, but the “Hurry Hard” was just as big and loud down at ice level, with the crisp and confident calls coming from the house by each Little Skip.
The smiles were contagious and the energy dynamic as the opening ends began. For most, this was a first time ever Spiel so proud parents and spectators crowded the club’s upstairs lounge to take it all in. The sweeping action was vigorous and the hits and tap backs were executed like the pros. Well placed guards and the draws to the button were more than one would anticipate, and by watching these skills unfold, the sport of curling’s future will be incredibly full and strong.
After game one, Teams Oshawa and Leaside were leading the field.
The second and final game was more of the same excitement with thrilling take-outs motivating every shot to be better than the last.
King’s Team Skipped by Max Farr along with Vice Ethan Barrowclough, 2nd Ethan Mumford and brother Eric Mumford as Lead played with integrity, accuracy and patience. Mid-way through in the tight-scoring game, Farr crowed the house perfectly with his rocks for a multiple score. Once the end completed, the curling measuring stick was required to resolve the “closest stone” for the additional counting point. The close game continued into the final end with Team Farr taking the win, and the gold medal with an overall total of 31 ¼ points. It is tradition to show gratitude and introduce teammates when called to receive your award. So in a very gentlemanly manner, Farr thanked his teammates for their great playing, the parents, the coaches and, his hamster.
Silver went to Leaside C.C. and bronze went to the Oshawa C.C.
King’s other Little Rock team, represented by Skip Bianca Parcels, Vice Jaida Barrowclough, 2nd Jocelyn Barrowclough and Lead Mackenzie Jackson, in their first-ever spiel pushed out of the hack with determination and pride.
The girls played their best, had fun and made new friends along the way. Good curling and congratulations on a great performance!
There were also eight bantam teams ranging from ages 12-17 that played with traditional curling grit executing precise draws and solid take-outs. The top 4 teams after game one included Team Brent Mills of King, Team Whetham of Whitby, Team Ben Minor of Unionville and Melissa Gray skipping a combined Whitby/King team, battled with their brooms for medal standings.
The Unionville team accumulated the most ends and points in game 2 against Team Gray claiming the gold with a game score of 9-2 and a 34 ¼ total points score.
Skip Brent Mills representing King had a very exciting game two against Team Whitby. Both teams brought their A-game for their final match applying pressure to the opposition in each end of the 6-end contest. The scoreboard collected a lot of attention as both King and Whitby went broom for broom until the bitter end. The game decision came down to last rocks with Team Whetham finishing closer to the button for the win earning them the Silver medal. The well-deserved bronze went to King Curling Club’s Skip Brent Mills and teammates William Gates-Crease, Nicholas Caradonna and Garyck Morton.
The success for this coveted event would never have been achieved if not for the many volunteers and sponsors that helped both on and off the ice. Hours of dedicated league staff were given in the preparation before, during and after the spiel along with parents and donors whom all need to be mentioned. King Curling Club is extremely fortunate to have such leaders with the initiative and guidance within some very treasured members. Congratulations to Maureen Richardson, Julie Oakley, Kathleen Gorseline and their team of assistants for an exciting and very successful Shamrock Memorial.