聽 聽 聽Carlyle's 10th Annual Open Oilman's Bonspiel ended fittingly, as the winners of the weekend event were 'Bunzie's Champions', a team determined to pay tribute to their friend, co-worker, and fellow curler, Michael Bunz of Wawota, who died tragically on the job in an oilfield-related accident.
聽聽聽聽 The team, skip Kevin Wilson, third Doug Bourgon, second Garth Newell, and lead Colton Wilson, also wore Saskatchewan Roughrider jerseys in their friend's memory in an effort to honour Michael Bunz's passions and love of life.
聽聽聽 聽Skip Kevin Wilson, speaking on behalf of his team, said, 鈥淢ichael was killed while working in the oilfield. He was an active curler in the Oilmen's Bonspiel and we've either curled with him or gone up against him several times. He was a great friend, both on and off the ice, and a friendly foe on it.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 鈥淗e was also a huge Roughriders fan, so we wore our jerseys in memory of him. We wanted to compete in the bonspiel honouring two of his passions, and of course, his passion for life.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 鈥淒ean Drew of NALCO Champion-which is the company Michael worked for- sponsored us. We all wanted to pay tribute to Michael, and of course, his family.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 Throughout the tournament, a photo collage-made up mostly of pictures Michael Bunz and his family-hung in the Carlyle Curling Club, and his tribute team only removed it to pose with it when they won the tournament.
聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e want to reiterate how much a part of the Oilman's Bonspiel Michael was,鈥� says Wilson. 鈥淲hen he was around, there was always great competition and great cameraderie.鈥� 聽 聽
聽聽聽聽 This year, the annual event hosted sixteen teams from Carlyle, Arcola, Carnduff, Estevan, Kisbey, Lampman, Oxbow and Wawota. The curling action took place at the Carlyle Curling Club, Feb. 19-22.
聽聽聽聽 The tournament format was a Creelman draw, which guaranteed each team four games throughout the tournament, as well as allowing every team a chance to make the playoffs.
聽聽聽聽 Teams are asked to have at least three curlers on each rink that are in oilfield or oilfield-related occuapations. This can include spouses of those working in the petroleum industry.
聽聽聽聽 Organizer Anita Delalleau says, 鈥淚t's a very social bonspiel. Not only does everyone enjoy the curling and the prizes, we also do a lot of socializing. We had a dance on Friday night, and this year, Canadian Energy Services supplied pizza and wings for all of the curlers on Saturday night.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 鈥淏ecause it's our 10th anniversary this year, Crescent Point Energy sponsored an entire prime rib dinner for our banquet, catered by Weirs of Manor. Carlyle Food World made us an anniversary cake that represented a sheet of curling ice,鈥� said Delalleau. 鈥淲e couldn't do any of this-and that includes our prizes-without our sponsors.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 鈥淚'd also like to acknowledge the Carlyle Curling Club's assistance in organizing the bonspiel with me.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 However, after organizing the Oilmen's Bonspiel for the past six years, Delalleau is handing over her organizing duties to Stephanie Gress and Leighann Brown.
聽聽聽聽 Kirk Himmelspach of the Carlyle Curling Club said, 鈥淎fter six years of organizing the Oilmen's, she's leaving us. Thank you, Anita. You'll be missed.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 Of her final Oilmen's Bonspiel as an organizer, Delalleau said, 鈥淚t went extremely well this year. I'd really like to thank all of our sponsors and all of our volunteers.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 鈥淚t's in good hands,鈥� she added. 鈥淎nd hopefully, next year I'll be able to curl in it!鈥�
聽聽聽聽 The 2015 10th Annual Open Oilmen's Bonspiel winners are:
聽聽聽聽 鈥淎鈥� side winners: Bunzie's Champions: Skip Kevin Wilson, third Doug Bourgon, second Garth Newell, lead Colton Wilson.
聽聽聽聽 鈥淏鈥� side winners: Enbridge: Skip Darrell Dunnigan, third Dave Easton, second Brandy East, lead Ethan Newell.
聽聽聽聽 鈥淐鈥� side winners: 'MRC Global': Skip Adam Himmelspach, third Ryan Hansen, second Jamie Clark, lead Jennifer Murray.
聽聽聽聽 鈥淒鈥� side winners: Nankivell Trucking: Skip Kirk Himmelspach, third Kaylee Mullis, second Allan Jackson, lead Claudia Mullis.
