Despite fewer entries, and losing some teams due to the scheduling of some playdowns, the three-event Bentley Farmer’s Bonspiel went ahead.
Twelve teams took to the ice Nov. 28 through Dec. 1, with both male and female participants.
This year the cash bonspiel was won by the Lionel Baron (No Frills) team of Lacombe with team members skip Regan Fuhrhop, third Lionel Baron, second Dylan Hoar, and lead Danny Baron.
Baron has a history in the Bentley bonspiel. He placed in the prizes in the A Event last year, had won the spiel in both 2008 and 2010, and had actually been listed in the prizes back in 2003.
They defeated Lacombe’s Tony Kamlah in the First Event final making Mel Johansen of Sylvan Lake third and Bentley’s Ray Walker fourth.
The Second Event winner was John Stol from Lacombe with team members third Norm Start, second Dan Stol, and lead Jo Harbin. They beat out Bentley’s Walter Lloyd in the final, making Tyler Bennett third and Dana Kamlah fourth.
In the Third Event, an all-Bentley matchup, Norm Rieu with lead Marty Hamm, second Doug Moore, and third Kyle Brink, defeated the Ralph Scarlett team making Allan Wilson third and Tim Feader fourth.
Tyler Bennett took home $105 of the $140 that was available in the skins game against Mel Johansen.
There were free eats in the curling rink lounge for curlers, and a terrific banquet was catered by Laura Walker on Saturday.
Decreasing numbers seem to be a sign of the times in many curling clubs. The number of teams entering in Bentley’s Farmer’s Bonspiel has seen a general decline over the last few years with 18 teams in 2011, 16 in 2010, 24 in 2009, 18 in 2008, 26 in 2007, 21 in 2006, 28 in 2005, 30 in 2004, with a full complement of 32 teams in 2003 and earlier.
This year the over whelming support of donors and sponsors including people and businesses from Bentley, Rimbey, Lacombe, Ponoka, Eckville, Leslieville and more totalled around $6,600 thanks to the continued hard work of Klaas Brink and Cliff Knutson, both long time club volunteers. Brink has been helping the club in this capacity since 1989.
The Bentley Curling Club is hosting a raffle on a 2012 Polaris Ranger Side-by-Side to be drawn for at the end of December. There is a second prize of $2,500 and a third prize of $1,000. Tickets are still available from club members and at the rink and would make good stocking stuffers.