Bonspielers may be a dying breed.
Rick Casmey, past president of the Carol Curling Club and long-time bonspieler, said 12 teams participated in the all-men's Playboy curling tournament hosted by Carol Curling Club from April 9-11, which is down from last year's 16 and down even more from tournaments in the past.
This year Don Turpin's team took it all in the A division and he admits the low numbers might have helped his group win.
"Every year there's less teams," he said. "I curled a little bit better this year than normal.
I enjoy playing with all the men. It's a great sport, it's a good weekend for everybody to party together, get to know one another and have a fun weekend. I just enjoy it."
"The big difference is the number of teams, it's declined," Casmey added. "In the 70s you actually had a playdown in the club to get into the tournament cause there was 64 teams. There was one group who used to fly in with their own plane from Northern Ontario for the Playboy."
He also agrees the Playboy has become more of a local tournament with no bonspielers coming in from Quebec or Ontario.
"There's an increase in interest in curling, but it's not translating into participation," he explained.
Casmey is reluctant to think of bonspielers as a dying breed and has faith increased interest will eventually translate into more participation.
He explained there has always been a men's tournament since the Carol Curling Club started in 1962, but was named the Playboy in the early 70s.
"I guess it just got the name for obvious reasons, which are probably dated right now, but nevertheless, it is what it is," he said.
The men's tournament is similar to the all-women's Colleen's Curling Bonspiel, which happened this year in March.
The women provide breakfast for the men, followed by curling, a dinner, dance, and variety show.
"The guys are so appreciative," said Amanda Gagnon, Playboy co-chair and Carol Curling Club secretary. "When they have fun, we have fun. In return the guys do it all for us on the Colleen's."
Stephanie Casmey, the other Playboy co-chair, explained the event is all about a weekend of fun, non-serious curling where the boys hang out and socialize.
"We try to encourage those curlers that only come to the Playboy to curl year-round next year," she said. "Sometimes it works, sometimes they just come back for the Playboy."
A DIVISION
Don Turpin Team vs. Melvin Davis Team 9-6
B DIVISION
Garry Furlong Team vs. Stan Barnes Team 8-1
C DIVISION
Harvey Flynn Team vs. Ivan Davis Team 8-3
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