Penny Shantz defended her BC Women’s Masters Curling Championship title in front of supporters at the Parksville Curling Club on Sunday (Feb. 26).
Together with third Cindy Curtain, second Shirley Wong and lead Janet Suter, they beat the quartet of Donna Mychaluk from Royal City and Langley Curling Club 10-5 in the final to earn a shot at defending their Canadian Masters Curling title at the Thistle-St. Andrews Curling Club in Saint John, New Brunswick, April 3-9.
“It always feels great to win your final game,” said Shantz. “That never gets old. But … you feel for the other side that didn’t win always or at least I do. It’s really great to win with friends and not disappoint ourselves and the clubs we represent. Curling is a game and we all have so many important things going on in our lives. It’s important to remember this is a game and there will be a winner and a loser on that given day. We love the game for the opportunity to compete and meet and be with all our curling friends.”
While it looked like home advantage worked well for Team Shantz, it wasn’t like that at all. Shantz said hosting the Masters created some challenges for her and and fellow organizers. She was one of the co-chairs of the event with Kim Beaudry.
“Kim had never done a provincial championship,” said Shantz. “Once the competition commenced she was incredible in taking over and making sure she had all avenues covered. We also had April Seixeiro step in for me, and between the two of them they made sure things were looked after. That took the heat off of me and the team.”
READ MORE: Wild cards a wild ride to Canadian women’s curling championship
While all went smoothly inside the rink, outside was a different story, said Shantz.
“The very biggest challenge might have been the big snow that happened in the middle,” said Shantz. “Three of us live in Nanoose, so the last night we booked in at the Bayside and had a great dinner together and didn’t have to worry about the second dump of snow. If you can eliminate the ‘stuff’ you can focus on your game. It seems to have worked out well.”
Finishing in third place was Parksville’s Leslie Shearer with third Susan Chepil, second Peggy Aikman, and third Carol Dorman.
In the men’s final, the gold was won by Lyle Sieg and his crew of third Brett Kury, second Doug O’Byrne and lead Fred Cleutinx. They won 5-2 against the Castlegar Curling Club team of Bill Van Yzerloo, third Myron Nicol, second Garry Baudry and lead Richard Faunt.
The Parksville Curling Club’s team of skip Carey Sulz, third Rick Dunn, second Tom Freeman and lead Bob Hirschfield won the bronze medal.
Shantz said overall the tournament was a success and commended the entire staff and volunteers for an amazing job of hosting all the competitors. She credited ice technician Tim Kottseiper for maintaining the ice well and making it an awesome experience for all participants.
www.facebook.com