By June Norvila
There were 24 teams in the Dec. 1 to 5 Bentley Farmers Bonspiel, up from 18 teams last year. All prizes were cash in the three-event plus consolation event spiel, with continued generous support from businesses and individuals from throughout the area.
Finishing undefeated was the Bentley team skipped by Gord Mydland, with third Robert Walker, second Andy Mueller and lead Dwight Homan who defeated the Ed Rice rink in the A event final. Counting four in the sixth end and getting two more in the seventh earned them the win in an otherwise tight game.
Second event winners was the Red Deer team skipped by Doug Carritt, with third Brian Grose, second Rick Ross and lead Dennis Jackson who were tied with the Ken Brown team 4-4 after the official eight ends of play and had to throw off to the button for the win.
Capturing the third event was the Rimbey rink with skip Bob Pecharsky, third Tracy Palechek, second Gary Schnell, and lead Bob Johnston. Their game against the Lyle Lorenz foursome was close until Pecharsky laid five in the sixth end.
Winner of the Skins Consolation Event was Bentley's skip Jim Morris, with third Merlyn Wilson, second Fred Peterson and lead Willie Pogadl. They counted all the skins in both games they played in the consolation event.
With a blizzard raging outside, it all wrapped up Saturday night at the Bentley Ag Center with a catered banquet for curlers and guests, paying out the top cash prizes and Calcutta money and numerous door prize draws.
Winner of the television that used to be set up in the curling rink lounge was Ron Barnes from Lacombe; Beth Homan from Bentley won her choice between a Shop Vac and an electric roaster. She chose the roaster.