Local luck runs out for Burgess

Berwick’s Craig Burgess and his Shawn Adams-skipped curling team didn’t make the money at the Port Hawkesbury Capital One Grand Slam of Curling event, The National.

In opening day draws Dec. 20, the Adams four lost 5-3 to Pat Simmons and then beat Joel Jordison 10-2. Both teams travelled from Saskatchewan.

December 21, took a 6-5 extra-end win over fellow Mayflower club skip Mark Kehoe, a late entry to the event when Alberta’s Randy Ferbey withdrew due to injury. Kehoe’s team also includes Berwick’s Donnie Smith. Adams then lost 8-2 to Alberta’s Kevin Martin - who beat Adams last month in the final of the Quebec City World Curling Tour's Grand Slam event; and 7-1 to Greg McAulay of British Columbia.

The 2-3 record knocked Adams out of playoff contention.

Kehoe was eliminated with a 4-1 record - including a first draw 6-5 win over Martin, the two-time Brier champion and 2002 Olympic Silver medal winner.

At stake was a cut of the $100,000 purse - a top prize of $25,000 for the winners - and 36 Canadian Team Ranking System points toward the Canadian Olympic trials in 2009.