The news that her former teammates Erin Carmody and Geri-Lynn Ramsay are leaving the Island for Calgary to curl with Crystal Webster and pursue their studies and careers doesn’t come as much of a surprise to Kathy O’Rourke.
(By David Stewart)
“I kind of had it figured that way for the last while,’’ O’Rourke said Thursday. “I knew for the girls to stay home last year and play was a big commitment on their part. By doing that, they were putting on hold their work careers or, for Erin, future schooling.’’
Carmody and Ramsay couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday.
The other member of the O’Rourke rink was Tricia Affleck.
Ramsay decided to move out west after her boyfriend got a job opportunity while Carmody soon decided to follow. The university courses she’s interested in aren’t offered at UPEI but are at the University of Calgary.
Carmody and Ramsay met up with Webster at the Scotties in Charlottetown last month and the wheels were set in motion.
O’Rourke said the team decided to stick together after losing in the Scotties final last year because the province was hosting the event.
“We knew that once this year was over, unless we had a similar result, things would probably change so when we didn’t get back to the Scotties it was time to rethink what everybody was going to do.’’
As for O’Rourke herself, it appears to be the end of the line.
“It’s gotten retirement written all over it,’’ she said when asked about plans for the 2011-12 curling season. “I’m going to walk away, that’s my plan today. I can’t imagine what could happen to change that plan.’’
O’Rourke said the highlight for the team is obviously reaching the Scotties final last year — it was the right time for the right mix of teammates.
She said she has no doubt Ramsay and Carmody will be seen on the big stage again.
Click for full story in The Guardian.
Team Prince Edward Island’s Erin Carmody, left, and Geri-Lynn Ramsay laugh while playing against Team Nova Scotia during the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., on Feb. 2. Canadian Press photo