GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT // THE LOCAL DRAW
Head to Bucks County for curling – and a history lesson
Editor's note: Tis is the debut column of our
new writer, Carrie Benton. “Te Local Draw” is a column intended to feature bonspiels from across the country in an effort to give some local flavor to the Curling News. We hope you’ll enjoy learn- ing more about the many bonspiels across the U.S. and check a few new ones off your list.
By Carrie Benton, U.S. Curling News columnist
knew that there is an event that disproves that theory?! Te Bucks County Curling Club in Warmin-
B
ster, Pa., will host the second annual Crooked Billet bonspiel May 12-15. Te 'spiel is named aſter a little-known battle during the Revolution- ary War known as the Battle of Crooked Billet, which took place in May 1778. British forces launched a surprise attack against the Pennsyl- vania militia, which leſt the Pennsylvania forces retreating to safety to Warminster, Pa., where Bucks County Curling Club is now located. By design, the Crooked Billet’s inaugural event
was held on the first weekend in May 2015 to co- incide with the Kentucky Derby. To carry the theme of the Derby into the bonspiel, the hosts provided mint juleps to the masses and paused
// EIGHT-ENDERS McCall, Idaho On Oct. 3, 2015, the Baird rink scored an
eight-ender during the sixth end of one of their pool-play games at the McCall Rocktoberspiel in McCall, Idaho. Team members included Jeff Baird, Tatiana Keeling, Sean Keeling, and Tracey Drummond. Bucks County
With a double takeout with the final shot of
the fourth end, the Gery rink, short one team member, was able to pull off this eight-ender
during Tuesday night league at the Bucks County Curling Club (Pa.) on Oct. 13, 2015. Team mem- bers include Zac Gery, Kristin Weiss and Kevin Brady.
Coyotes Te Gallagher rink out of Coyotes Curling
Club (Ariz.) scored an eight-ender during Tues- day night competitive league on March 3, 2015. Team members include Greg Gallagher, Bucky Marshall, Mike Shaw and Jeff Fassett.
USA Curling (( 5
et you never thought that a curling bonspiel could provide you with an American history lesson as well. Who
the games on Saturday night so that everyone could cheer on their favorite horse in the Derby. Tis year’s event is not on Derby weekend as it conflicts with Mother’s Day; however, typically the event will be hosted the first weekend in May. According to Greg Danks, bonspiel coordina-
tor, the event hosts 32 teams in tournament play and has four events. If you are looking for a fun ‘spiel, and for some spring curling, look no fur- ther than Te Crooked Billet. Registration opens in February. Use this link for more informa- tion:
http://www.buckscountycurlingclub.org/ crooked-billet-bonspiel.html. Te Crooked Billet Spiel is hosted at Bucks
County Curling Club, a four -sheet arena club that was established in 2010 as a member of the Grand National Curling Club and USA Curling. In April, the club took over the second rink of the Bucks County Ice Sports facility and converted it to a dedicated curling facility. With virtually year-round ice, Bucks County CC is eager to host bonspiels and raise funds for improvements to their dedicated facility. Teir primary focus for their fundraising is to create a warm room so that they can extend the same level of hospital- ity and camaraderie that surrounding clubs have shown them throughout the years. In addition to the Crooked Billet, the club also
established Te Big Buckin’ Bonspiel this year. Hosting 32 teams in pool play, the Big Buckin’
is held the weekend aſter Labor Day (Sept. 8-13, 2016), giving curlers a unique opportunity to be- gin and end their season with Bucks. With a strong volunteer base from its 110
members in the club, Bucks County Curling Club is a great example of what can be achieved by hard work and determination! Tank you to Greg Danks of Bucks County
Curling Club for providing the information about Te Crooked Billet Bonspiel and Te Big Buckin’ Bonspiel. Both events showcase love of the game of curling with Te Billet giving a nod to the historical significance of the area in which the Bucks County Curling Club is located. Q
Have a story idea for Carrie? Send her an email
at
cambenton1@gmail.com. Due to space limita- tions, we’ll cover just one or two events per issue, but we’ll keep a reserve of your suggestions, so your event could be featured in any upcoming is- sue.
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