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Good day to all.
It’s great to see the Manitoba Open bonspiel in full swing again this winter after it was swept away by the COVID-19 pandemic and health protocols implemented across the province.
There are 187 teams registered for the full bonspiel and 65 more for the half ‘spiel. Certainly, it’s not as monumental a curling event as it was in the past, say, when 1,200 teams hit the ice in 1988 on the 100th anniversary of the original event, known as the MCA.
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Has it lost some lustre? No doubt. And that’s a shame.
Thousands of curlers from near and far likely harbour fond recollections of the grand gathering, staged at clubs in and around the city. Memories of thrilling victories and provincial berths. Crushing losses. The slap of the corn broom. Rushing through traffic in a snowstorm to get from Charleswood to Elmwood for the next draw.
Comparing the taste of Caesars from one lounge to the next.
One-night-a-week curlers battling local greats such as Orest Meleschuk, Kerry Burtnyk, Jeff Stoughton, Vic Peters and Mike McEwen over the years.
(What other sports give recreational teams a chance to face provincial, national and international champions?)
I participated in the old MCA only once.
The exact year escapes me, but it falls in the range of 2000 to 2003. It was a media team, of sorts, organized by Resby Coutts.
Resby Coutts (Matt Goerzen / The Brandon Sun files)
Resby is an old friend from Brandon and a member of the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame. If you follow curling closely in Manitoba, you know him — and you love him. I’ve sat on many a press bench with Resby and it’s always a special time. I’m glad we keep in touch.
We were joined on the five-man team by the late Randy Turner, a colleague and friend, along with Winnipeg Sun alum Jimmy Bender and then-Manitoba Curling Association (now Curl Manitoba) executive director Ian Staniloff.
Now, I’ve mentioned my wife’s curling highlights in previous newsletters: two-time Scotties provincial champion (1993, 1996). Lost the ’93 Canadian final at Brandon’s Keystone Centre on last rock to the late Sandra Schmirler. Lost a tiebreaker to Connie Laliberte at the ’96 Scotties in Thunder Bay. Won a Manitoba senior title with Kim Link in 2015.
My only time in the curling spotlight pales in comparison. Like really, really pales. Yet, it still means something to me.
Our ragtag media squad had the opportunity to curl at the Fort Garry Club on Archibald Street on the bonspiel’s opening draw and was, thus, part of the opening ceremonies. With Staniloff aboard, we had pull.
We were led out onto the ice at the six-sheet club by a bagpiper, watched as someone whose identity escapes me toss the ceremonial first stone and then did our stretching and sliding in preparation for the ‘spiel opener.
Against a recent junior men’s champion named Sean Grassie. Of course, you’ve heard of him. We had, too, back then. Real up-and-comers.
Sean Grassie in 1998 (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press files)
Fearlessly, we posted a massive three-ender to begin the evening matchup. Brilliant start. Easy game.
We lost 10-3 in six.
As an aside, Burtnyk was on a neighbouring sheet. I knew him well, as a legend on the ice, and as my financial advisor. I had interviewed him dozens of times, too. As I recall, he took great joy in watching my wobbly delivery. I believe I hollered something to the effect of, “Keep your eyes on your own game… and my money.”
We got exactly eight games in that year — the minimum. I think I played five. My cumulative shooting percentage? I’m going with 58.
Caesars? About the same.
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