The Comox Valley Curling Club was once again the hub of the action this past weekend as the local Hangover League hosted their annual Eric Chayco Memorial Bonspiel.
鈥淲e are fortunate to have a dedicated following for this event that Eric put into place long ago,鈥� said an event spokesperson. 鈥淥ur job is made easier by the legacy he left, we just keep the wheels turning.鈥� And dedicated they are, many of the same people have bringing teams to this weekend for over 20 years, coming from Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo and the North Island, not to mention the local teams that come out to support this bonspiel.
Of the 48 rinks that entered this 鈥榮piel, only 16 would be at the prize table on Sunday. 鈥淲e thank everyone that came to play, and hope at the end of the day all can say they had a great time,鈥� the spokesman said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 what this weekend is all about.鈥�
The Lana Ferguson of Vista Bay Mortgages 鈥淎鈥� event saw two local favourites (Richard Tanguay with Andy Quant, Alan deJersey and son Eric Tanguay against the Ron Schmidt rink of Harvey Jenkins, John Davies and Buck Briggs) coming through the draw to square off in the final. Tanguay鈥檚 squad took the early lead and executed well to prevent any comeback by Schmidt, leading to a handshake after seven ends. Rick Aiello finished third and Craig Bernes was fourth.
The 鈥淏鈥� event sponsored by RST for Fishing, Kevin Sparkes, came down to Nanaimo鈥檚 Keith Clark skipped by Rob Williams with Randy Brahniuk and Ray 鈥淕uns鈥� Speiss defeating local Tracy Branch. Two Hangover teams, Rod May and James Buick, earned their trip to the prize table as third and fourth, respectively.
It was over quickly for the local Perry Walker rink as they were handed a spanking by the Doug Forbes-King, Les Herauf, John Robertson and Jason Andrews crew in the On the Level Custom Finishing, Rick Cowles 鈥淐鈥� event. 鈥淲e were thirsty,鈥� said a member of the Walker team. Claiming third was Peter Olsen and fourth was Marty Duda.
The Barry Edgett Memorial 鈥淒鈥� event traditional pickle dish trophies were awarded to Campbell River鈥檚 Dean Thulin with teammates Ken Dawson, Brad Sullivan and Graeme Boyd after their win over the On the Level local Hangover squad. Earning third and fourth in this marathon event were locals Terry Kirkoski and Tony Pisto.
The prestigious Spirit of the Spiel award, another tradition inspired by Chayco 鈥渢o recognize the curler who most displays the true spirit of the Hangover Bonspiel,鈥� went to local Rick Cowles. 鈥淩ick has been a member of this league since the 鈥�80s and has inspired many people to enjoy the game of curling. He has been a long-term 鈥淐鈥� event sponsor and he and his teammates participate in this bonspiel in true Hangover fashion every year,鈥� the event chairperson noted.
鈥淭he Hangover League thanks all those that helped to make this a great event - our event sponsors mentioned above as well as Crown Isle Golf Resort, Glacier Greens, Sunnydale Golf, Thrifty Foods and Rick and Buff at Visual Sound Store. Thanks also to the staff at the Comox Valley Curling Club.鈥�
