The ice is now gone signaling the completion of the 2007/2008 season at the Ponoka Curling Club. The league coordinators, along with the rest of the executive, put in many volunteer hours in order to ensure the best possible season for the entire membership.
That is not to say that there were not some challenges. The most obvious and possibly ongoing challenge was the decrease in numbers in all of the leagues. The Ponoka Curling Club, however, is not alone is this challenge. As an example, one other local club does not have a ladies league but does run a ladies bonspiel. Our club was fortunate to be able to run all leagues and most bonspiels. The challenge, then, is to entice people back who have curled in the past as well as attract new people to the sport.
Successes for the year came in the forms of the strong junior program, the new adult learn to curl program and the well-attended family social nights. As well, the club was pleased to see a number of young faces in the ranks of the regular leagues. With these thoughts in mind, your executive will look forward to getting a jump on next season with some creative ideas in a meeting set for August. Watch for registration ads in late summer and early fall.
The Mixed League had winners in four events. Clayton Morrow along with Kristen Gordon. Dale Moench out shot the competition to take the ‘A’ side. The Steve Pederson rink, which included Sue Pederson, Curtis McKelvie and Tamara Steer won the ‘B’ side. Larry Goodwin, Bobbi Goodwin, Ron MacMillan and Bonnie MacMillan were winners on the ‘C’ side. The ‘D’ side was taken by the Deanna Waknuk foursome, which included Karen Brake as well as a couple of young, up and coming curlers named Shelbey Waknuk and Shawn Brake.
The Ladies League, with just six teams, was won by the Carolyn Macaulay rink, which included Jo Harbin, Stephaine Tofsrud and Linda Rigudel.
For the men, Steve Pederson, Dale Moench, Shane Sikora and Gary Palechek swept their way to the top of the ‘A’ side. The Clayton Morrow team, which included Rod Ronnie, Rob McPherson and John Crawford won the ‘B’ side.
The Ford World Men’s Curling Championship concluded on April 13 in Grand Forks, North Dakota with Canada’s and Alberta’s Kevin Martin bringing home the gold with a 6-3 victory over Scotland. With a near perfect 9-1 record through the round robin, they suffered a loss to China; the team appeared set to head to Sunday’s final. Scotland, however, had different ideas and handed Canada a loss in the one versus two page playoff game. That meant the team had a date with Norway in the semi-final on Saturday. Canada stepped up on their game to take the win and a spot in the final. Although Canada was in control most of the game, Kevin Martin backed up his strong front end by making at least two fantastic shots, which helped solidify the win. Norway came back to take the bronze with a win over the surprising and talented Chinese team.