The Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame and Museum is set to host its eleventh annual induction ceremony on Monday October 23, 2017 at the Cornwall Curling Club in Cornwall, PEI.
Five inductees from the Charlottetown Curling Club, Mark Butler, Robert Campbell, Peter Gallant, Mark O’Rourke and Kathy O’Rourke, are being honoured for their achievements and contributions to the sport of curling:
Each of the inductees has excelled in their sport:
Mark Butler
Mark Butler has had a stellar career as a competitor with one provincial junior curling championship, six provincial men’s curling championships and eight PEI Mixed Curling Championships. Mark will be inducted into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame as a curler.
Robert Campbell
A curling career that began more than 35 years ago has seen Robert achieve one provincial Junior Men’s Curling Championship, eight provincial Men’s Curling Championships, three provincial Mixed and two Canadian Mixed Curling Championships, as well as several all-star awards at national events throughout the years — an impressive career worthy of induction into the Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame as a curler.
Peter Gallant
Peter Gallant’s curling career has taken him from PEI and Canadian competitions to those on international ice. Outstanding as a curler and a coach, Peter has nine Provincial Men’s curling championships, four Provincial Mixed, a Canadian Mixed title where he posted an 11 -1 record; and one provincial Senior Men’s title, during a 28-year curling career. At national events, he won several all-star awards as a curler. He has considerable coaching experience, having coached some of the best teams in the world, and his success coaching South Korea’s Team EunJung Kim as they prepare for the Olympics indicates that this part of his story is not over yet. Peter will be inducted into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame as a curler/builder.
Kathy O’Rourke
Kathy O’Rourke has excelled as a curler in Women’s and Mixed competition. In all, Kathy has six PEI Women’s Curling Championships, three PEI Mixed Curling Championships, and one Canadian Mixed Curling Championship. Two silver medal wins at Canadian Curling Championship events – one at the Scotties and one at the mixed – as well as nine provincial runners-up placings are also part of her incredible curling career. Kathy will be inducted into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame as a curler.
Mark O’Rourke
Mark O’Rourke been a strong competitor for more than 40 years, with an impressive tally of wins, with one provincial Junior Men’s Curling Championship, ten PEI Men’s Curling Championships, two provincial Senior Men’s, three provincial Mixed, and one Canadian Mixed curling title. Mark has shown that he is one of the most talented and most-winning curlers to come out of Prince Edward Island. Mark will be inducted into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame as a curler.
“Recognizing the accomplishments of curlers and builders who have dedicated their time and energy to the sport of curling is important, not only to them and their families and friends, but it is also an important component of our curling history”, says Jerry Muzika, Chairman of the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum. Muzika notes that this is the eleventh annual induction ceremony, and he invites everyone to come out and honour the inductees.
Curling Canada Board of Governors member Angela Hodgson says that she is very pleased that the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum is continuing its work to recognize curlers and builders, and looks forward to attending the event.
The main objectives of the Curling Hall of Fame and Museum are to recognize, honour and pay tribute to individuals or teams on the basis of playing ability, as an amateur or a professional (“Curler” category), and to individuals who have given distinguished service and have made major contributions to the development of curling on Prince Edward Island (“Builder” category).
The event, with host Paul H. Schurman, gets underway at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 and are available at the door.
This year’s ceremony is sponsored by PEI Ford Dealers, Beaton’s Wholesale Dry Goods, Consolidated Credit Union Ltd., Phillips Feed Service, and the Town of Cornwall.
Here are the full biographies of the inductees:
Mark Butler
Photo: Mark Butler
Mark started to curl at the Charlottetown Curling Club at an early age and soon was active competing for provincial championship titles.
In 1984, he won the Prince Edward Island Junior Men’s Curling Championship playing third with skip Alan Brown, second Mike Dillon, and lead Phillip Gorveatt.
Mark won six Prince Edward Island Men’s Curling Championships. The first was in 1991, with skip Robert Campbell, third Peter Gallant, second Mark O’Rourke, with Mark playing at lead stone.
With the same team lineup as in 1991, Mark won again in 1993, 1995, 1997, and 1999.
His last win was in 2001, playing lead for skip Peter MacDonald, third Peter Gallant, and second Mark O’Rourke.
He was runner-up in 2016.
Mark won eight Prince Edward Island Mixed Curling Championships, all with skip John Likely and third Susan McInnis, with Mark at the second stone position each time. Gail MacNeil played lead twice in 1991, due to the change in the provincials play downs, and again in 1992, 1993 and 1996. In 1999, Nancy Cameron replaced Gail at lead. In 2000, Krista Cameron replaced Nancy, but in 2001, Nancy Cameron came back to play the lead position.
With a stellar career as a competitor with one provincial Junior curling championship, six provincial Men’s curling championships and eight PEI Mixed Curling Championships, Mark Butler will be inducted into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame as a curler.
Robert Campbell
Photo: Robert Campbell
Robert started his curling career at the Charlottetown Curling Club in 1980. Soon after, he was competing at the provincial level.
Robert won the Prince Edward Island Junior Men’s Curling Championship in 1985 playing third for skip Kent Scales, with Andy MacDonald at second and Phillip Gorveatt at lead. The Scales foursome lost the final of the Canadian Junior Men’s Curling Championship to Kevin Martin, however all four members of the Prince Edward Island rink were named to the All-Star team. The Scales foursome was also named 1985 Sport PEI Team of the Year.
Robert won eight Prince Edward Island Men’s Curling Championships. His first trip to the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship was in 1991, skipping his team of third Peter Gallant, second Mark O’Rourke, and lead Mark Butler. As a rookie skip at the Brier, Robert and his team achieved a winning record of 6-5.
He won the provincial Men’s title in 1993, 1995, 1997, and in 1999 with the same team. Notably, in 1995, the team finished round robin play at the nationals with a 7-4 record.
Playing third for John Likely in 2002 brought another provincial men’s curling title to Robert. Erik Brodersen at second stone and Jeff Smith at lead rounded out the team.
In 2003 he picked up another Tankard win as he skipped his team of Kevin Champion at third, Phillip Gorveatt at second, and Mike Dillon at lead.
In 2007, Robert played lead for Peter Gallant when they won the Prince Edward Island Men’s Curling Championship. Playing third was Kevin Champion, and second was Mark O’Rourke.
Robert won the Prince Edward Island Mixed Curling Championship in 1989, skipping the team of third Angela Roberts, second Mark O’Rourke, and lead Kathy O’Rourke. They went on to win the 1989 Canadian Mixed Curling Championships in Brandon, Manitoba. Robert was named to the All-Star team (skip). The Campbell foursome was nominated for Sport PEI Team of the Year.
Twenty-one years later, in 2010, he again won the Prince Edward Island Mixed Curling Championship and went on to a second Canadian Mixed Curling Championship title at the 2011 Canadian Mixed Curling Championships held, again in Manitoba. Robert skipped his team of third Rebecca Jean MacDonald (née MacPhee), second Robbie Doherty, and lead Jackie Reid. Robert was again, named to the All-Star team (skip). The Campbell foursome was nominated for Sport PEI Team of the Year.
Robert and Rebecca Jean then represented Canada at the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championships in St. Paul, Minnesota where they went 4-3 before losing their second tie-breaker game.
In 2013, Robert won the Prince Edward Island Mixed Curling Championship and made a third trip to the Canadian Mixed Curling Championships, to Quebec in 2014, skipping the same team of Rebecca Jean MacDonald, Robbie Doherty and Jackie Reid.
He was runner up in the Prince Edward Island Men’s Curling Championship twice, once in 1990 (playing third for Peter Gallant) and again in 2010 (as skip).
In 1991 and 1992, he was runner up in the finals of the McCain SuperSpiel . Ed Werenich beat him in 1991, and Russ Howard beat him in 1992. The Campbell rink finally broke through in 1996, winning the McCain SuperSpiel East against Don Westphal.
Robert was fifth player at the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship twice, first in 2001 (with the Peter MacDonald rink) and again in 2015 (with the Adam Casey rink).
In addition to Robert’s on-ice curling achievements, he has also served on the Board of Directors at the Charlottetown Curling Club. He has helped coach several teams over the years and has volunteered his time for many curling clinics that have been held at the club.
A curling career that began more than 35 years ago has seen Robert achieve one provincial Junior men’s, eight provincial men’s, three provincial mixed and two Canadian Mixed Curling Championships. It is interesting to note that Robert played all positions except second.
Robert’s stellar career is certainly worthy of induction into the Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame as a curler.
Peter Gallant
Photo: Peter Gallant
Peter started to curl at the Charlottetown Curling Club in 1971, while attending Birchwood Junior High School. This was the beginning of a curling career that has taken him from local and Canadian competitions to those on international ice.
Peter won his first Prince Edward Island Men’s Curling Championship in 1982, playing second with skip Peter Jenkins, third Doug Weeks, and lead Roy Rodd.
His second win came in 1991 with skip Robert Campbell, Peter, at third, Mark O’Rourke at second, and Mark Butler as lead.
The same lineup won the provincial championship again in 1993, 1995, 1997, and 1999. At the 1995 Canadian Men’s Curling Championship in Halifax, Peter won the award for all-star third.
In 2001, again at the third position, Peter was in the winner’s circle with Peter MacDonald skipping, Mark O’ Rourke at second, and Mark Butler at lead.
His next win was in 2007, when he threw skip rocks for the team, with Kevin Champion at third, Mark O’Rourke at second, and lead Robert Campbell.
His ninth provincial men’s curling championship was won in 2008, skipping his own team of Kevin Champion at third, Mark O’Rourke at second and John Desrosiers at lead.
Peter won four Prince Edward Island Mixed Curling Championships. His first was in 1982 playing second for Bill Merklinger. Other team members were Kim McLeod at third, and lead Kathie Gallant. They finished third at the Canadian Mixed Championship in Timmins Ontario.
He won the Prince Edward Island Mixed Curling Championship in 1986, with Kathie Gallant at third, Barrie Stevenson at second, and lead Marion MacAulay.
In 1987, skipping his team of third Kathie Gallant, second Phillip Gorveatt, and lead Simone MacKenzie, he again won the Prince Edward Island Mixed Curling Championship. The team went on to win the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship held in Summerside, posting an 11 and 1 record. Peter received the all-star skip award.
His fourth Mixed win was in 1991, skipping the team, with Kathie Gallant at third, Phillip Gorveatt at second, and Leslie Allen at lead.
Peter also won a Provincial Senior Men’s Curling Championship in 2010, playing third for skip Rod MacDonald. Peter MacDonald was the second and Doug MacGregor played lead. Peter won the second team all-star third award at the Nationals.
As well as impressive curling accomplishments as a player, coaching has played a large part of Peter’s involvement with the game.
Peter coached his son Brett Gallant’s team, when they won the Prince Edward Island Junior Men’s Curling Championship in 2009 and 2010. In 2009, the team went on the win the Canadian Junior Men’s Curling Championship in Salmon Arm, B.C. They went on to be the Silver Medalists at the Worlds Junior Men’s Curling Championship in Vancouver.
Peter coached his son Christopher at the Canadian Junior Championship in Napanee, Ontario in 2012 after winning the PEI Junior Championship that year.
He coached Suzanne Birt’s team in 2013 and 2015 when they won the Prince Edward Island Women’s Curling Championship.
He also coached Nova Scotia’s Heather Smith rink at the Canadian Women’s Curling Championship in Montreal in 2014.
Peter coached the Mike Gaudet team at the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship in 2012 and also coached the Brad Gushue team at the Brier in 2013 and 2014.
He coached the Tyler Smith rink, which included Peter’s son Christopher, to their championship win at the 2017 Prince Edward Island Junior Men’s Curling Championship in Montague.
In the winter of 2016, Peter joined Team EunJung Kim in South Korea as their coach. Since then, the team has gone on to win the 2016 Korean National Championship, and the 2017 Pacific Asia Championship, which enabled them to play at the 2017 World Women’s Championship in Beijing. As well, the team was successful in winning the 2017 Korean National Championship, giving them the right to represent Korea at next year’s Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Peter is currently working with the team in preparation for the Olympic games in February.
Outstanding as a curler and a coach, Peter has won nine Provincial Men’s curling championships, four Provincial Mixed, a Canadian Mixed, and one Senior Men’s title during a 28-year curling career. He has considerable coaching experience, having coached some of the best teams in the world and his success in South Korea indicates that this part of his story is not quite yet over.
Peter will be inducted into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame as a curler/builder.
Photo: Kathy and Mark O’Rourke
Kathy O’Rourke
Kathy started to curl in Summerside during her junior and senior high school years. In 1987, she moved to Charlottetown and joined the Charlottetown Curling Club. This began a successful journey on the road to curling success, where she excelled as a curler in women’s and mixed competition.
She won her first Prince Edward Island Women’s Curling Championship in 1989, playing second stone with skip Kathie Gallant, third Susan McInnis, and lead Beatrice Graham-MacDonald.
In 1991 Kathy won her second provincial title, playing third with skip Angela Roberts, second Susan McCurdy, and lead stone Beatrice Graham-MacDonald.
Her next win came in 1996, when Kathy played third for skip Susan McInnis. Tricia MacGregor was at the second position, and the lead was Leslie MacDougall (née Allan).
In 1999, she again won, this time with a new team. Playing second for skip Rebecca Jean MacPhee, with Kim Dolan at third, and Lou Ann Henry at lead.
Skipping her own team in 2002, Kathy again won the Prince Edward Island Ladies Championship with third Julie Scales, second Lori Robinson, and lead Bea Graham- MacDonald.
In 2010, Kathy skipped her team of third Erin Carmody, second Geri-Lynn Ramsay, and lead Tricia Affleck (née MacGregor) to the final game of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts Canadian Women’s Championship in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario, losing to Jennifer Jones in a close game. Their silver medal win stands as the best showing of a team from Prince Edward Island at the Canadian Women’s Championship since Marie Toole placed second at the 1974 MacDonald Lassie in Victoria BC.
Kathy won her first Prince Edward Island Mixed Curling Championship in 1989, playing lead with skip Robert Campbell, third Angela Roberts, with her husband Mark at second. They went on to win the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship in Brandon Manitoba.
In 1999, playing third with her brother Peter MacDonald, husband Mark at second and lead Karen A. MacDonald, the team won the Silver medal at the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship.
With Kathy playing third, the family group of her brother Rod MacDonald skipping the team, husband Mark at second, and Rod’s wife Karen E. MacDonald, at lead, they won the Prince Edward Island Mixed Curling Championship in 2013.
As well as the championship wins, Kathy amassed runners-up finishes in 1993, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, and 2015.
Kathy is the recipient of a number of prestigious awards including Curl PEI Senior Female Athlete of the Year in 2010 and Sport PEI Team of the Year member in 2010.
She served as the Treasurer of the Charlottetown Curling Club from 1994 to 1996; was a member of the Finance Committee for the 1999 Scotties Tournament of Hearts Canadian Women’s Curling Championship, held in Charlottetown; and provided CBC Live update reporting at the 2011 Canadian Scotties held in Charlottetown. She is also a Certified Level 1 Coach.
In all, Kathy has to her credit: six PEI Women’s Curling Championships, three PEI Mixed Curling Championships, and one Canadian Mixed Curling Championship.
Kathy will be inducted into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame as a curler.
Mark O’Rourke
Mark started to curl when he was 12 years oldm in 1974 at the Charlottetown Curling Club. He has continued to be a strong competitor for more than 40 years.
In 1981, Mark, playing lead, won the Prince Edward Island Junior Men’s Curling Championship, with skip Doug Weeks, third Blair Weeks, and second Billy Dillon.
Mark won ten Prince Edward Island Men’s Curling Championships, with the first in 1991, when he played second stone for skip Robert Campbell, with Peter Gallant at third, and Mark Butler filling the lead spot.
This same team won again in 1993,1995, 1997, and 1999.
Another win in 2001, brother-in-law Peter MacDonald skipped the team with Peter Gallant at third, Mark at second, and Mark Butler at lead.
In 2007, with a different lineup of players, but still playing second, he won with skip Peter Gallant, third Kevin Champion, and Robert Campbell at lead. They repeated again in 2008, with the same team, except that John Desrosiers played lead instead of Robert Campbell.
In 2009, again with a slightly different roster, he won playing lead with skip Rod MacDonald, (another brother-in-law) third Kevin Champion, and second Andrew Robinson.
In 2010, Marj won with the same team, but returned to his familiar position as second stone, while Andrew played lead.
Mark was Tankard runner-up seven times, the first in 1990 and the last in 2016.
Mark won three Prince Edward Island Mixed Curling Championships. His first was in 1989, with skip Robert Campbell, third Angela Roberts, Mark at second, and his wife Kathy O’Rourke at lead. They went on to win the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship.
In 1998, the family team of skip Peter MacDonald, third Kathy O’Rourke, Mark at second, and lead Karen A. MacDonald won the provincial mixed title.
His most recent Prince Edward Island Mixed Curling Championship victory was in 2013, again with a family team of skip Rod MacDonald, third Kathy O’Rourke, Mark at second, and lead Karen E MacDonald.
Mark won the Prince Edward Island Senior Men’s Curling Championship in 2013, with skip Rod MacDonald, third John Likely, Mark at second, and lead Peter MacDonald. At the Canadian event in Summerside, Mark was selected to the all-star team in the second position.
His second PEI Senior Men’s Curling Championship was won in 2016 with Rod MacDonald skipping, Kevin Champion at third, Mark at second and Mark Butler at lead.
Mark also had good success on the Atlantic Curling Tour. The highlight was winning the McCain SuperSpiel East in 1996 with Robert Campbell, Peter Gallant and Mark Butler, and going on to play in the TSN Skins Game.
As well as a stellar curling record, Mark served on the executive of the 1999 National Scott Tournament of Hearts Committee, held in Charlottetown, as Vice Chair. He was also vice president of the Charlottetown Curling Club in 1994, and president in 1995.
He was a member of the Rod MacDonald-skipped Curl PEI team of the year for the 2012/13 season.
Mark is a valued ten-year sponsor of the Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame and Museum.
An impressive tally of wins, with one provincial Junior Men’s, ten provincial Men’s, two PEI Senior Men’s, three Mixed, and one Canadian Mixed title, Mark has shown that he is one of the most talented and most-winning curlers to come out of Prince Edward Island.
Mark will be inducted into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame as a curler.