The annual Glen Meadows Masters Bonspiel is fast approaching. Sponsored by the Glen Meadows Master (age 55-plus) Curling League, it will run for four days from Feb. 9 to 12.
There are 32 teams — or 128 curlers — set to compete. Out of that, 18 of the four person teams are from southern Vancouver Island, including the Duncan, Esquimalt and Juan de Fuca curling clubs. Fourteen teams are from the host club (Glen Meadows).
“Our players do very well,” said Barry Hodgkin, this year’s bonspiel chairmen and the first vice president on the executive.
In an email to the PNR, Hodgkin said teams all start in the A event and winning teams will remain in this premiere category and, depending on the number of losses, teams will move down into either the B, C or D events. The final championship games in all four of the events will begin on Feb. 13, with the final ceremony taking place that day as well.
“Its a great game, lots of fun. We do a lot of work with the juniors here ...” said Hodgkin.
Entry to the bonspiel is open to men, women and mixed teams, age 55-plus.
Hodgkin said some of the male curlers have been members since the opening of Glen Meadows in the early 1980s.
The public, he added, are always welcome to attend the event.
After the bonspiel, the Pacific Coast Masters Curling Association (PCMCA) will hold their final play downs, with participants from all over the Island.
This year Glen Meadows has been selected to be the host rink for the South Island Zone. Hodgkin said he suspects two to three teams from Glen Meadows will take part in the play down.
More details to come.