The curling team skipped by Jeff Duguid played exceptionally well this past weekend to capture the top spot in the 2017 Osoyoos Men’s Bonspiel. The local squad surprised themselves as they didn’t practice much and only play once a week on Tuesday evenings at Osoyoos International Curling Club. They defeated Chilliwack’s School Boys 6-4 Sunday afternoon to claim the men’s A final. Members of the winning team, from left, include second Dean Vincent, third Rob Tinsley, skip Jeff Duguid, and lead Dan Scott. (Dan Walton photo)
A team of “simple recreational curlers” from the Osoyoos International Curling Club were juggernauts as they came out on top to claim top spot in the annual Osoyoos Men’s Bonspiel this past weekend.
“We’re just a normal Tuesday night men’s league team, so we’re really surprised to be here,” said Rob Tinsley, who played third on skip Jeff Duguid’s team after their impressive 6-4 victory on Sunday afternoon in the A final at the 2017 bonspiel. The team was rounded by lead Dan Scott and second Dean Vincent.
The tournament was held last Friday through Sunday at the Osoyoos Curling Club.
The competition faced by Team Duguid was tough, Tinsley said, but his team managed to keep their focus throughout.
Duguid’s rink defeated Chilliwack’s School Boys in the A final.
“All of us were on our game and everybody made their shots,” he said. “The (runners-up) School Boys played really well, but we just came up and made some good shots.”
Tinsley said the ice at the curling club was in great condition throughout the weekend, an improvement over the weeks leading up to the new year.
“The ice straightened out after Christmas,” he said. “It used to curl a little bit more. Now when you throw the rock down, it stays straight.”
Although 10 of the 26 teams in the tournament were from Osoyoos, Tinsley said his team still felt the benefit of home-ice advantage.
“This is our home rink, so we knew the ice pretty good and we threw to the ice,” he said.
For a team that only plays once each week, a tournament that requires five games to be played in two-and-a-half days is quite exhausting, said skip Jeff Duguid.
“It’s tough … it took a lot of hard work,” said Duguid. “It takes teamwork, everybody’s got to make their shot and sometimes you’ve got to cross your fingers and hope for the best.”
Even though they managed to hit all the right notes, Team Duguid didn’t even get any extra practice before the tournament.
“We only play once each week, every Tuesday since October,” said Duguid. “We’re just fun, recreational curlers.”
Duguid, Tinsley and Scott were members of the team that captured the Osoyoos Men’s Bonspiel once before dating back several years, he said. Back then, the fourth member of the team was Duguid’s father.
“It’s nice to win that again with our guys and remember what we did eight or nine years ago with my dad,” he said.
Vincent joined Duguid, Scott and Tinsley to round out the current team five years ago.
Duguid said the competition was tough and while things went their way, all of his team’s opponents had the capacity to win the tournament.
Team Duguid is considering entering the Men’s Bonspiel in Oliver next month, though they haven’t yet committed.
One thing is guaranteed, however.
“We’ll be here Tuesday night for curling, that’s what’s next for us,” he said.
Members of the School Boys included Dave Senft, Terry Hall, Rob Logan and Ross Hall.
The B event was won by Team Green, featuring Stan Green, Gerry Woolsey, D’Arcy Dunn and Dace Gartrell.
They defeated Team Burns that include skip Jim Burns, Gary Shwaluk, Terry Muri and Murray Richards.
Winning the C event was Team Abrey, featuring skip Dale Abrey, Tyler Jaeer, Art Lappalainen and Steve Favel.
Their opponents were Team Hagel, which included skip George Hagel, Dale Dodge, Ed Shugald and John Chapman.
DAN WALTON
Regional Reporter
Dean Vincent and Dan Scott sweep feverishly to guide a rock thrown by Rob Tinsley into the rings. A total of 26 teams from across the province, including 10 local teams, competed. (Dan Walton photo)
