Curling Club hosts 63rd international tourney
BY ERICA BERINGER Contributor January 17, 2012 7:44PM
Steve Waters (center) from Exmoor, Highland Park launches a stone as teammates Sean Silver (left) and Steve Wright follow it down the ice, during the curling championship match. | Jerry Daliege~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 21, 2012 8:18AM
The Chicago Curling Club in Northbrook hosted the 63rd Annual Men’s International Bonspiel Jan. 12-15, attracting teams from Quebec and Toronto as well as Minnesota and New York.
Brooms, stones and a 32-degree ice box are essential components to the art of curling, but this multi-century-old ice sport has evolved into a complex, generational bridging game that has been dubbed the “gentleman’s sport.”
The tournament itself finished a success. Winners of the four events included Team Wilson from Chicago, Team Clasen from St. Paul, Minn, Team Armstrong from Highland Park, and Team Touchette from Wauwatosa, Wis.
The sport, originating in Scotland, is one of accuracy and skill, but the four-day competition was a testament to the social nature of the game, and why it is in fact called the gentleman’s sport.
Marcia Arnold, member of the Chicago Curling Club since 1975, explains why. “If you win, your team offers to buy the other team dinner or coffee.”
And true to form, the 36 teams did just that. After each two-hour game the opposing teams met at one table, sitting and talking over homemade chili and grilled cheese sandwiches and reminiscing over the days events. And at these tables, anyone is welcome.
“As soon as you’re able to stand up on the ice, you can start playing the game,” Arnold said.
From generation to generation, curling has become a family affair. Many of the members of the Chicago Curling Club themselves have curled for years, and introduced their families to the game. Members such as Arnold have formed teams and won competitions with their children.
Normally on the ice competing, this time around Arnold worked as a volunteer on the food committee. With games beginning early in the morning and finishing late in the afternoon each day, the kitchen was in constant motion. Churning out soups, sandwiches, beverages and desserts to keep up the strength of the curlers.
One of two curling facilities in the Chicago area, the Chicago Curling Club is home to members from ages 24 to 86.
“It’s never too late to start,” said Gordon Norton, a competitor from Toronto. “There’s no age restriction.”
Norton has been curling for 38 years. After watching his grandmother curl, he decided to take up the sport himself. Originally from Quebec, he moved around quite a bit, improving his skills and developed friendships with fellow curlers in the States.
“It’s the camaraderie that attracts people to this sport,” Norton said. This being his eighth year competing in Chicago, Norton’s mind is full of memories from previous years, but also with hopes that more prospective curlers give the game a try.
“You don’t have to be an athlete to curl,” Norton says. “Everyone finds their own level of ability.”
And amidst those willing to learn are those ready to teach.
The experienced curlers are on hand to explain the facets of the game, and the rich history that accompanies it.
Although winners were named for various events, in this gentleman’s sport, everyone went home victors.
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