It was a hard-fought BATTLE on Sunday, September 27th, as Team Jacobs won the head-to-head game against Team Homan at the Plex in Port Elgin (Saugeen Shores).
Organizers deem the three-day event a success from all aspects as more than 3,000 people attended. Tickets for the event sold out by the end of February thanks to the attendance of Olympic medal winners, Team Homan and Team Jacobs.
The addition of the Paralympic Gold Medal Curling Team resulted in recognition and integration in the sports for the first time ever.
The Curling Camp also sold out by the end of February with 80 campers from all over North America travelling to Saugeen Shores to learn from the top players and coaches in the country.
Glenn Howard, who has four World Championships, four Briers and 17 Ontario Tankards, said he has never participated in a camp of this magnitude. “It is amazing to see the turn-out and the interest by people who want to hone their skills and learn more about the game. Not only that, but it is so much fun!”
Once the events were sold out, organizers set up opportunities to watch the event live on Rockchannel.com, CBC Gem, CBCSports.ca, CBC YouTube channel, and the Home Team Network.
Mike Harris, Marilyn Bodogh, and Glenn Howard described the action all weekend to viewership all over the world. Devin Heroux came down with Laryngitis and was unable to host but his appearance at the event and work behind the scenes ensured the best experience.
The three-day event was sponsored by Bruce Power and presented by Holiday Inn Express and Suites, with the hotel also being sold out for the weekend. The event was expected to generate more than $1million dollars for businesses in the community.
Steering Committee Chair Doug Flowers says the event was designed as a fundraiser for charities and curling clubs in the area. “It looks like the four charities, Sandra Schmirler Foundation. Canadian Cancer Society. Canadian Tire Jump Start and Special Olympics will split about $40,000. We were hoping for $30,000 to $40,000 so we exceeded that thanks to the fans, sponsors, and teams. We will have more numbers after we all get some sleep. It was a Herculean effort by the Committee, Chairs, Volunteers, Sponsors, and the community.”
For further information, contact media chair Dave Middleton at dmiddleton@bmts.com.
