Team Cotter’s picture-perfect victory at the Canadian Direct Insurance BC Provincial Men’s Curling Championships in front of a hometown crowd in Vernon was only the first in a series of challenges that the rink will face in the coming weeks.
As winners of the provincial championships and representatives of British Columbia, Team Cotter, consisting of lead Rick Sawatsky, second Kevin Folk, Third Ken Maskiewich, Skip Jim Cotter, fifth Brad Wood and coach Rick Folk will be travelling to London, Ontario to play in the Brier, Canada’s national men’s curling championships. The event takes place from March 5th-13th. The Cotter Rink, ranked ninth in the world by the Order of Merit, will be one of the many very talented teams competing in what is arguably the strongest Brier field ever.
The strength of the participants results in an uphill battle for Cotter and Company, right from the very first draw. In this game, Cotter will face former world champion Jeff Stoughton of Manitoba, a team that he lost to just two months ago in a quarter final that turned into an extra-end thriller. The matches don’t get any easier for the British Columbians, as the following afternoon, they face 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist Team Kevin Martin of Alberta. A mere one hour after that match, the B.C. foursome will look to slide to victory against yet another Olympic Gold Medalist- Brad Gushue of Newfoundland and Labrador. The team must then awake early to play against former world champion and reigning Canada Cup champion Glenn Howard of Ontario, followed by a matchup with 2010 Brier Bronze medalist Brad Jacobs of Northern Ontario. To make the playoffs, Team Cotter must sweep to victory in one of these crucial games early in the week, and upset one of the curling heavyweights.
Vernon Curling Club will be hosting a sending-off party for Team Cotter on Wednesday, March 2nd at 7:30 PM, where well-wishers can visit the team before they embark on their quest to capture the Brier. Following the festivities will be a Baron Insurance Super League matchup at 8:30 PM between Jim Cotter and Dave Merklinger. Merklinger himself is a former Brier participant and leader of the Super League standings.
Vernon Curling Club members, especially those in the Junior League (of which he is the well-liked and admired instructor) wish Jim Cotter and his team the best of luck and are hoping that the rink brings home B.C.’s first Brier title since 2000.
February 27, 2011
February 25, 2011
March Happenings...
Men’s Provincial was again a success, especially this year with our own Jim Cotter & teammates Kevin Folk, Ken Maskiewich & Rick Sawatsky winning to represent BC at the Brier in London starting next Saturday. We are going to have a little send-off this Wednesday evening (Mar 2nd) at 7:30pm, followed at 8:30pm with Jim & the boys playing against Merklinger in the Baron Insurance Super League. Please join us in wishing them luck.
Club Championship starts Mon Mar 21st at 7pm with 16 mens teams, 4 womens, 4 mens & the 2 remaining SuperLeague teams. If you aren’t playing in it, come out & spectate and cheer on your league teams. Finals go 7pm Thursday March 24th.
During the evenings of Club Championship we will have a Proshop SALE!!! 20% off all in-stock product only. From 6pm-9pm Mon 21st thru Thur 24th. Another little ploy to get you out to the club to watch our club Championship curlers.
Our Men’s & Ladies Club Champions from last year are participating in the BC Challenge round next weekend in Enderby. Darren Heath & Shirley Vedan… good curling! Winner advances to a Provincial Championship in April.
Mixed Spiel (March 25-27) is slowly filling, to date we have 15 teams and need 32. It is going to be a fun event. Cost $220 includes an AWESOME meal & cash prizes with live entertainment Fri & Sat night. Please sign up in the yellow binder at the bar, or email the club. You won’t be golfing, because there will still be snow on the ground, so there isn’t any excuse not to sign up. We have over 26 mixed teams in the club… come on & sign up!
Golf officially starts Monday March 28th.
Cheers!
Merk
Club Championship starts Mon Mar 21st at 7pm with 16 mens teams, 4 womens, 4 mens & the 2 remaining SuperLeague teams. If you aren’t playing in it, come out & spectate and cheer on your league teams. Finals go 7pm Thursday March 24th.
During the evenings of Club Championship we will have a Proshop SALE!!! 20% off all in-stock product only. From 6pm-9pm Mon 21st thru Thur 24th. Another little ploy to get you out to the club to watch our club Championship curlers.
Our Men’s & Ladies Club Champions from last year are participating in the BC Challenge round next weekend in Enderby. Darren Heath & Shirley Vedan… good curling! Winner advances to a Provincial Championship in April.
Mixed Spiel (March 25-27) is slowly filling, to date we have 15 teams and need 32. It is going to be a fun event. Cost $220 includes an AWESOME meal & cash prizes with live entertainment Fri & Sat night. Please sign up in the yellow binder at the bar, or email the club. You won’t be golfing, because there will still be snow on the ground, so there isn’t any excuse not to sign up. We have over 26 mixed teams in the club… come on & sign up!
Golf officially starts Monday March 28th.
Cheers!
Merk
January 29, 2011
Vernon Juniors Headed to National Championships
Team Gardner’s on-the-button performance at the Junior Men’s Provincial Championships earlier this month won them the opportunity to represent British Columbia at the national level.
This weekend, the Vernon rink, consisting of skip Jonathan Gardner, third Michael Longworth, second Michael Hiram, lead Jonathan Hatten and coach Mark Longworth, will be playing in Calgary, Alberta at the Canadian Junior Championships. The event is being hosted by North Hill Curling Club and the Glencoe Club from January 29th to February 6th.
Before they left for the prairies, I caught up with the team’s third, Michael Longworth. “I think it was the great team dynamics,” he said of their success at the provincial championships, and hopes this continues in Calgary. When asked what excited him the most about playing in a national event, he responded with a smile, “Pretty much everything, especially the prospect of winning!” Of the challenges to come at the national championships, Longworth states that “The endurance part of it will be a challenge and focusing every game.” This season is the curler’s last as a junior, but this is his first major national event.
Team Gardner starts their quest to the national title on Sunday when they play the team from the Yukon Territory. The last British Columbian team to win the junior national title was the legendary Brad Kuhn rink in 2000, also from the Vernon Curling Club. Today, Kuhn sits at the top of the Baron Insurance Super League standings. Coincidentally, the Kuhn and Gardner rinks played each other shortly after my interview in Super League play. Gardner’s quartet won handily in a 9-7 decision.
Before getting on the ice, Michael Longworth also gave some advice to younger junior curlers and aspiring youth curling stars: “Never give up,” he beams, “I’ve been doing this for 10 years now, and if you want to do it, do it!”
This weekend, the Vernon rink, consisting of skip Jonathan Gardner, third Michael Longworth, second Michael Hiram, lead Jonathan Hatten and coach Mark Longworth, will be playing in Calgary, Alberta at the Canadian Junior Championships. The event is being hosted by North Hill Curling Club and the Glencoe Club from January 29th to February 6th.
Before they left for the prairies, I caught up with the team’s third, Michael Longworth. “I think it was the great team dynamics,” he said of their success at the provincial championships, and hopes this continues in Calgary. When asked what excited him the most about playing in a national event, he responded with a smile, “Pretty much everything, especially the prospect of winning!” Of the challenges to come at the national championships, Longworth states that “The endurance part of it will be a challenge and focusing every game.” This season is the curler’s last as a junior, but this is his first major national event.
Team Gardner starts their quest to the national title on Sunday when they play the team from the Yukon Territory. The last British Columbian team to win the junior national title was the legendary Brad Kuhn rink in 2000, also from the Vernon Curling Club. Today, Kuhn sits at the top of the Baron Insurance Super League standings. Coincidentally, the Kuhn and Gardner rinks played each other shortly after my interview in Super League play. Gardner’s quartet won handily in a 9-7 decision.
Before getting on the ice, Michael Longworth also gave some advice to younger junior curlers and aspiring youth curling stars: “Never give up,” he beams, “I’ve been doing this for 10 years now, and if you want to do it, do it!”
January 6, 2011
Merk's rant
Happy New Year everyone… Well the season is half over and a lot is about to happen. First off we have a team going to a National Championship…YAHOO ! Jonathan Gardner and his team of Mike Longworth, Michael Hiram, Jonathan Hatten and coach Mark Longworth won the Junior Men’s Championship over the holiday. They are now off to Calgary for the M&M Junior Canadian Championship Jan 29-feb 5th . It will cost a lot of money for this team to participate so I think it would be really nice if each league could hold a 50/50 and give it to the kids. We just need to find a way to help offset their costs. I have a couple of other ideas that can help them out. They are also looking for corporate sponsors, so if anyone would be interested in supporting a junior team…feel free to contact Mark Longworth.
Men’s spiel starts today. We have 48 teams participating and as always it is a fun event. Saturday night we have the GOODS playing, they are an excellent band and all members are welcome to come and enjoy, bring your lady and fill the dance floor.
We are again hosting the Men’s Provincial Feb 7-13 at the curling club. If you would like to volunteer please email the club and we will get your name on the list. As we did last year, anyone that wants to volunteer is welcome to. We have picked out some really nice jackets with the Provincial logo on it. You can volunteer and get a jacket and a pass to the entire event for $50, or you can get free access on the draw that you are volunteering for but you will have to pay for those draws you want to attend to just watch. We also have a live band on the final weekend and anyone that has a pass gets free access. I really think it is worth the $50 for a weeklong pass and a real nice jacket. Email your jacket size to us if you want both.
I am off to St Albert this weekend for the Continental Cup…watch it next weekend on TSN and I will wave to all of you….Lets have a great finish to the year. The mixed spiel this year will be at the end of the season March 25-27 we will be having a live band on both the Friday and Saturday evenings, and a real nice meal Saturday night. It will be a great way to end the season. Cost is $220 email or sign up in the yellow book…
Cheers everyone and have a Happy New Year
Men’s spiel starts today. We have 48 teams participating and as always it is a fun event. Saturday night we have the GOODS playing, they are an excellent band and all members are welcome to come and enjoy, bring your lady and fill the dance floor.
We are again hosting the Men’s Provincial Feb 7-13 at the curling club. If you would like to volunteer please email the club and we will get your name on the list. As we did last year, anyone that wants to volunteer is welcome to. We have picked out some really nice jackets with the Provincial logo on it. You can volunteer and get a jacket and a pass to the entire event for $50, or you can get free access on the draw that you are volunteering for but you will have to pay for those draws you want to attend to just watch. We also have a live band on the final weekend and anyone that has a pass gets free access. I really think it is worth the $50 for a weeklong pass and a real nice jacket. Email your jacket size to us if you want both.
I am off to St Albert this weekend for the Continental Cup…watch it next weekend on TSN and I will wave to all of you….Lets have a great finish to the year. The mixed spiel this year will be at the end of the season March 25-27 we will be having a live band on both the Friday and Saturday evenings, and a real nice meal Saturday night. It will be a great way to end the season. Cost is $220 email or sign up in the yellow book…
Cheers everyone and have a Happy New Year
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)