Get Your Bonspiel on This January (Women/Mixed/Masters)

Nugget Column #15 – Tuesday January 3rd, 2017

A new year is upon us and if your resolution included making more time for yourself and enjoying life to the fullest, start by registering for a bonspiel.

A bonspiel is a curling tournament, consisting of several games, and is often held on a weekend. In modern day lingo, the word “bonspiel” usually indicates that the event is more recreational and entertainment focused; as opposed to a “playdown”, “competition”, or “championship” where the prize, distinction, or honour received for winning the event takes priority.

The North Bay Granite Club is hosting three bonspiels and a fun night this month, which are open to club members and the public alike.

This Friday will be the third installment of the club’s “Brooms and Board Games” event that runs the first Friday of every month. There is a $5 cover plus $5 to participate in curling activities and $5 for pizza. An orientation to curling is provided at 6:00pm for anyone that has little to no experience, followed by a 6-end curling game at 7:00pm and pizza delivered at 9:00pm. Participants bring their own board games, cards or activities and hang around for the night (cash bar open until late). This month’s feature game is Crokinole; anyone may opt to be included in a fun tournament. More information is available at northbaycurling.com/firstfriday.

On Saturday January 14th, there will be a one-day ladies’ Bonspiel titled “Ruby’s Golden Broom”. Participants register as an individual to be placed on a team.

January 20th – 22nd brings us a Mixed and Mixed Doubles Bonspiel. Grab your hunny and reserve this weekend for some quality time together with your wild curling friends. More information is available at northbaycurling.com/mixed.

Finally, for anyone 60 years of age or older, the senior section’s is preparing for the 2017 North Bay Masters Bonspiel scheduled for January 23rd – 25th.

For $240/team (or $60/individual sign-up) participants will receive: a minimum of three games, buffet supper on the first day, lunch on the second day, a banquet on the second evening, excellent ice conditions, a souvenir program, and a prize table where almost every prize is worth the registration cost. More information is available at northbaycurling.com/masters or by contacting Larry Claus at 705-752-3837 or lclaus1@cogeco.ca. Teams paid by January 11th will be entered into a draw for an early bird prize.

Numerous bonspiel are also occurring in the surrounding area including: an open bonspiel in Mattawa January 6th – 8th; a men’s bonspiel in Englehart January 6th – 8th; an open (age 40+) bonspiel at the Idylwylde Golf and Country Club in Sudbury January 8th – 10th; a masters bonspiel in Blind River January 10th; a men’s bonspiel in Espanola January 20th – 22nd; a mixed bonspiel in Sturgeon Falls January 21st – 22nd; a senior men’s bonspiel in Huntsville January 26th; and a women’s bonspiel in Blind River January 27th – 29th.

For more information on bonspiel in North Bay or elsewhere, please feel free to contact the Granite Club.

Bobby Ray General Manager North Bay Granite Club