Curling, Etcetera_ A Whole Bunch of Stuff About the Roaring Game - Bob Weeks [21]
TANKARD TOTAL
When Labatt took over sponsorship of the Brier in 1980, it needed a trophy of some sort to present and decided that a budget of $5,000 would deliver it a suitable award. Labatt’s Grant Waterman was put in charge of the job and he commissioned what would become a piece of Canadian sporting history, the Labatt Tankard, a large gold stein with the company’s logo on the front. He managed to keep the trophy hidden from press and even his co-workers until an unveiling at a press conference in Calgary, site of the 1980 Brier, where the Tankard would be presented for the first time. When it was revealed to the press, the reaction was positive, and as photographers snapped away, Labatt vice-president Sid Oland sidled over to Waterman and congratulated him on the trophy.
“How much did it cost?” he asked.
“$35,000,” said Waterman.
Shocked, Oland asked what happened to the $5,000 budget.
“The case cost $10,000,” Waterman exclaimed.
While there were a lot of upset people in the Labatt financial department, the move paid off a few years later when the Tankard was valued at $350,000.
CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR EVERYONE
The Tim Hortons Brier and Scotties Tournament of Hearts are well known as the men’s and women’s Canadian championships, respectively. But there are plenty more national titles up for grabs each year.
Canadian Postal Employees Curling Championship
Started in 1967 in Winnipeg, this event was originally known as the Canadian Postal Curling Championship. It’s been held annually and has teams from every province and a combined territories entry.
Royal Canadian Legion
First held in 1957, the Legion’s spiel is known as the Dominion Championship and is open to members of the Royal Candian Legion.
Canadian Firefighters Curling Association
This group not only has a championship but a full-blown association. It was started by Aubrey Neff, who started a curling league among members of the Vancouver Fire Department. He contacted firefighters in other provinces, and in 1960, a championship was held between five provinces. Today, all ten provinces, Northern Ontario, and the territories compete. Past winners include Ed Werenich and Neil Harrison.
Canadian Blind Curlers Championship
Ten teams play down for this championship. Some represent cities and others provinces, while the defending champion enters as Team Canada.
Canadian Clergy Championship
This competition—known as the Friar’s Brier—had its start in 1978 and is for members of the Canadian clergy and their associates. It is held annually in the same city as the real Brier.
Canadian Police Curling Championship
Back in 1955, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police formed the Canadian Police Curling Association. In 1956, a “national bonspiel” was held at the Winnipeg Granite Club, and in 1972, it was transformed into a true national championship.
The Trans-Canada Telephone Employees’ Championship
Regina played host to the first national championship in 1964. Seven provinces currently compete for the title.
The Atlantic Oilworkers Championship
Anyone who gets a paycheque from the Atlantic petroleum industry is eligible for this championship, which celebrated its 44th anniversary in 2008.
FANTASTIC FERBEY
Randy Ferbey has won more Briers than any other curler, a total of six. He won twice while playing for Pat Ryan (1988 and ’89) and has earned four more titles as skip of his own team in the 2000s. Although he calls the game, third player David Nedohin throws last rock. A few notes on Randy Ferbey:
• He appeared on a television commercial for sponsor Strauss Herbs looking somewhat like a raccoon. The day before the taping, he had been at his son’s baseball tournament, spending the day outside wearing wrap-around sunglasses. He forgot to apply sunscreen, and his face went red, except for where he was protected by his glasses. He gained notoriety for his appearance…and ribbing from just about every opponent, not to mention his teammates.