There were 28 teams, with many who enter year after year, entered in the four-event Bentley Farmer’s Bonspiel, the first ‘spiel of the season hosted by Bentley.
It all started off on the evening of Monday, November 23. A huge snowstorm and bad roads made it challenging for some teams to get to their first game, but melting conditions on Saturday, November 28 meant all could enjoy the banquet and dance in the Bentley Ag Centre.
All games were eight ends and prizes were pick-a -prize purchased by the club.
Coming out undefeated in the ‘A’ event was the Ponoka Fertilizer team of skip Dan Lea, third Eric Bloomquist, second RickMassing, and lead Tammy Jones. They defeated the John Stol team easily after seven ends. The Allen Sanford team placed third and Kevin Woolsey fourth.
The ‘B’ event winner won the same event last year. Lacombe skip Tony Kamlah, third Jeff Kamlah, second Tony Meyer, and lead Ian Ross defeated Melvin Johanson after seven ends when they ran Johanson out of rocks in the eighth end. Third wasRay Walker and fourth Fred Schmaltz.
Winning the ‘C’ event was Lacombe skip Keith Glover, third Gord Graves, second Gary Craig, and lead Dale Goodey. The game against the Ken Brown team ended after five ends. Cindy Gibson was third and Phil Haarstad fourth.
In the ‘D’ event, Rimbey’s Bob Pecharsky, with third Eldon Rangen, second Gerry Winters, and lead Bob Johnston defeated the Kyle Brink foursome after running them out of rocks in the eighth end making Jim Bruns third and Walter Lloyd fourth.
Saturday evening following play, there was a banquet catered for 140 people by Complete Catering from Innisfail. Throughout the evening, there were a myriad of door prizes, draws for the curlers and attendees had a chance to bid on a few donated silent auction items.
Karen Jaffray won the draw for the donated BBQ and Harvey Brink won a draw for Oilers hockey tickets.
Music for the evening was supplied by Larry and Lorraine Gustafson from Ponoka.
The hardworking bonspiel committee was Allan Wilson, Gary Muzylouski, Norm Rieu, Martin Wilson, Bruce Millar, and Klaas Brink. Draw master was Ken Brown.
There is always lots of free food at Bentley. On Tuesday evening, chili and buns was sponsored by Urs and Elisabeth Mueller.
Wednesday evening buffalo smokies was supplied by Armin and Rita Mueller of Rangeland Bison.
Thursday evening there were meat and cheese platters by the Rimbey and Lacombe Co-op and the curling club.
Friday there was ribs and salad donated by JOCO Trucking (Allan Wilson).
Free coffee was sponsored by Bruce Millar.
Ice technician is Brent Asham and the lounge attendant is Colleen Peterson.
The Bentley club is holding a $15,000 cash raffle with tickets available now from members.
Bentley’s next bonspiel is the men’s bonspiel in January.