Brier champ to address Curling Club gala

By Jennifer Hoegg

The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com

Despite losing their rink to fire in September, Windsor Curling Club members are excited to be celebrating their centennial year. To mark the occasion, the Club is hosting a gala evening at Kings-Edgehill Feb. 2.

And highlighting the evening will be a keynote address from 1976 Brier Champion Jack MacDuff.

MacDuff began his curling career in Lunenburg when he was 13 years old, going on to curl competitively in high school and at Acadia. He then went on to study at Newfoundland’s Memorial University.

“I went over with hopes of being noticed by some of the better players in Newfoundland, and hopefully some day curl in the Macdonald Brier,” MacDuff said. “We won the province in ‘72 with the university team and represented Newfoundland at the Brier in St. John’s, for the first and only time it was held there. It was a party!”

Four years later, MacDuff skipped the Newfoundland and Labrador team to a national Brier in Regina. Newfoundland rejoiced, throwing parties and receptions and even bronzing MacDuff’s curling shoes. MacDuff speaks of that time with great affection.

As The Brier author, Bob Weeks, wrote, “it is safe to say that few curlers have ever treasured their victory at the Canadian championship the way MacDuff cherished his. He respected it, loved it and esteemed it.”

It is not only that championship win, but also the sport in general for which MacDuff expresses fondness. Curling has had a big impact on his life, MacDuff said. “Curling has been very good to me.”

He even owes his family to curling, having met his wife, Janet, at a curling club.

Stays close to game

Although no longer throwing rocks, having retired from competitive curling in the early 90’s to spend more time with his three children, he stays close to the game and speaks about the game several times a year.

Ruth Taylor, one of the evening’s organizers, is thrilled that MacDuff is headlining the event. “He’s an interesting speaker. We were looking for somebody with a connection to Windsor and had some appeal as a curler.”

And MacDuff has many connections to Windsor. In fact, MacDuff was recruited to the Acadia curling team the year after the squad represented Windsor in provincial competition.

“I’m grateful for the support and grace of Windsor curling club members to the Acadia club in the 60s,” he said. And, as the home of his brother, Reid MacDuff, and his mother, the town is a familiar spot.

MacDuff is eager to help the Curling Club not only celebrate, but fundraise for a new facility. Perhaps the fresh start will be a positive thing for the club, he added -- as new technology can dramatically improve rink comfort, ice making and curling stones. “Back when I started, it was very difficult to get the rock down the ice. Now conditions are better and the ice is so much better and easier to play on”

A strong believer in Junior Curling programs, MacDuff would love to see a new rink help revitalize curling in the area by expanding school programs. “I really think Windsor (Curling Club) can establish themselves well. It’s a growing community. It’s a good opportunity to make this work.”

The upcoming gala is a major component of moving the club forward. “We hope to raise between $10,000 and $20,000. Hopefully more than that!” Taylor said. The evening will include cocktails, dinner and a silent auction. Tickets for the event are available at Windsor’s Scotiabank.