Rick Dunn and his Qualicum Beach rink punched their ticket to the 2011 BC Provincial Master’s Curling Championships in convincing fashion recently, going undefeated in five games to take top honours at the Island playdowns in Cowichan Lake.
Dunn, along with third Rob Findlay, second Bart Longmore and lead Garry Nolan, grabbed the lone berth off the rock and now shift their attention to the Provincials which are being held at their home barn, the Qualicum and District Curling Club March 10-13.
The road through the Islands saw them post wins over the Field rink from Victoria (9-3), Fenton from Nanaimo (5-2), MacRae from Nanaimo (7-4) as well as a pair of Ws over their QB counterpart Jack Dixon.
Asked for some insight into the team, Rick explained that it was back in 2009 when he and his teammates formed a Masters team “with a goal to play in the Provincial finals.”
“This year our team made a goal to play at the Provincials in our home rink at Qualicum and win the province,” Rick said easily, adding, “we’re now part way there as we went 5-0 in Lake Chowichan to win the only Vancouver Island spot in this year provincials.”
The team’s club record to date is 17 wins and one loss.
Rick, who is also part of the host committee, explained they will take to the ice alongside three solid teams from the Lower mainland, along with three teams from the Interior and one from Price George. The winner will be off to Winnipeg for the Nationals.
Rick was quick to make the point that event co-chair “Eileen Leachman and her hard-working volunteer group plan to put together a first class event that will rival national finals.”