Photo © Anil Mungal / The Dominion
Scarborough, ON: The Dominion Curling Club Championship ended on a high note today with the women’s and men’s finals taking place at the Scarboro Golf & Country Club. Team Alberta men and Team Ontario women were declared the 2012 Canadian Curling Club Champions after winning against Team Manitoba men and women’s Team Quebec. Along with bragging rights, both teams have earned the honour of taking the Championship banner back to their home province. The Championship ‘ now in its fourth year has only risen in popularity and participation; this year is no exception. The calibre of play in both of the final games and throughout the week was remarkable.
The women’s finals saw Team Ontario skipped by Caroline Deans from the Belleville Curling Club in Belleville, Ontario and Team Quebec skipped by Sonia Simard from the Amos Curling Club in Amos, Quebec take the ice. Having played each other earlier in the week with Ontario taking the win, Team Quebec came into the finals playing an aggressive game, knowing what they were up against: Ontario, who went undefeated the entire week and were 6-0 going into the finals. The game was neck and neck until the fifth end when Ontario had an offensive burst, scoring 6 points in 2 ends, taking the win with an 8-3 final. This is the second time that the Championship has been won by an Ontario ladies team.
The men’s match-up was an exciting one; Team Alberta skipped by Dan Sherrard from the Crestwood Curling Club and Team Manitoba skipped by Steve Irwin from the Brandon Curling Club took the ice. The game was precisely played on both sides with the moves being strategically made. The eighth end was an adrenaline rush for players and spectators, with a tie coming home for the win. The big problem was throwing the guards and the ice running fast. Both teams forced to make tough decisions and accurate shots. In the end, the game came down to a missed hit with the hammer, that Team Manitoba wishes they could do over. Team Alberta steals 1 to win the 2012 The Dominion Curling Club Championship. This was Team Manitoba’s second appearance in the finals at The Dominion Curling Club Championship having competed in 2010 and now 2012.
The camaraderie and good sportsmanship seen throughout the week and more specifically in today’s finals was a perfect example of the sport of curling at its best. Post-win, the teams had the following to say:
‘”The event was unbelievable”,says Team Alberta after their win. ‘”We are so happy to be competing on a national level and bringing home a big win to Crestwood Curling Club and the province of Alberta”.
“‘One rock at a time, one end at a time, one game at a time”,’ the mantra for Team Ontario throughout the Championship. “‘It got us to where we are, so all is good. We’re excited to be bringing the win back to our club”.’
On top of taking home the national titles, teams competing in the 2012 finals will also be showcased on TSN. The sports broadcaster was on site for the action, filming the final games for an upcoming special documenting the flavour of the event, offering a snapshot into a curler’s journey to the Championship. Finalists also had the experience of competing on ‘tv ice’ ‘an ice set-up that is usually reserved for elite curlers. The one-hour special will air December 2nd, 2012 on TSN2.
Heightening the week’s success was the dollars raised for the Spinal Cord Injury Ontario (formerly the Canadian Paraplegic Association) ‘ a record breaking number of $65,600. All profits from The Dominion Curling Club Championship are re-directed to Spinal Cord Injury Ontario and developmental curling initiatives in communities across the country
At the end of the final day, the fourth The Dominion Curling Club Championship has already received extraordinary reviews and is setting records in the curling community. For more information about the Championship visit thedominioncurls.ca or join our social community, which includes: Twitter (@dominioncurls), Facebook (facebook.com/thedominioncurls), and YouTube.
The Dominion Curling Club Championship is a one-of-a-kind national Championship for club curlers, hosted annually in provinces across Canada. Men’s and women’s teams from each of Canada’s provinces and territories come to play each year in round robin competition, all vying for the honour of being named 2012 Canadian Curling Club Champions.
Men’s Finalists-
Team Alberta: Crestwood Curling Club Dan Sherrard, Skip; Brandon Klassen, Vice; Kyle Reynolds, Second; Todd Kaasten, Lead
Team Manitoba: Brandon Curling Club Steve Irwin, Skip; Justin Rabe, Vice; Travis Brooks, Secon ; Cody Rabe, Lead
Women’s Finalists-
Team Ontario: Quinte Curling Club Caroline Deans, Skip; Sheri-Lynn Collyer, Vice; Kendra Lafleur, Second; Lynne Stapley, Lead
Team Quebec: Amos Curling Club Sonia Simard, Skip; Josée Bédard, Vice; Josée St-Amant, Second; Guylaine Sauvageau, Lead