The 1st Annual Texas Open Bonspiel

April 13–15, 2007 in Houston, TX

Hosted by The Curling Club of Houston

Bonspiel Results, Thanks, and Photos.

Congratulations to all participants in the history-making, first-ever Texas invitational bonspiel — especially to the members of the Mike Smith rink of Houston (Mike Smith, Dave Stigant, Pat Butler, Trevor Holding), who won the First Annual Texas Open Bonspiel by defeating the Brian Alguire rink of Dallas (Brian Alguire, Mike Hunter, Corey Roelke, Les Long) in the finals!

The four-event bonspiel was played over three days, with 22 rinks participating. Everyone ended up with new friends and great memories. In addition, thanks to our sponsors, particularly Asham, event winners took home nice prizes, too. The bonspiel champs, for example, are proud owners of spiffy new brooms with carbon fiber handles.

An account has been created on the Photo Bucket website specifically to post and share photographs from the Texas Open Bonspiel. Special thanks to Mark Yun of Austin, who set up the account and provided the first set of photographs for all to see. Those wishing to see others' photos and/or to share their own will find the site here; accessing the account requires an ID and password, but the intention is for all well-intended people to be able to see it, so the access information will be e-mailed to all participants. (We'd provide that info here, except for the unfortunate concern that other-than-well-intended people might post photographs others would not want to see there!)

We greatly appreciate the tremendous participation, energy, enthusiasm, and support of everyone associated with the bonspiel. It was a very special event as a result. We hope to see everyone again next year, when the Second Annual Texas Open Bonspiel will be hosted by the Dallas/Ft. Worth Curling Club!

Bonspiel April 13–15, 2007 and Open House April 14.

Both the schedule of events for the First Annual Texas Open Bonspiel, being held in Houston from April 13–15, and the draw, showing who curls whom and when, have now been published/posted.

For spectators: The bonspiel is open to the public, with everyone invited and encouraged to come and observe without charge. It is being held at the Space City Ice Station on the southeast side of Houston (facility location).

For those who would like to try, as well as see, curling: There will be an Open House on Saturday afternoon, April 14, with registration at 1:30 pm and on-ice time from 2:00–3:30 pm. Thanks to Space City Ice Station and The Curling Club of Houston, there is no cost for those who would like to participate. The only requirements: (1) bring an interest in curling and any questions you may have, (2) wear warm, loose-fitting clothes and rubber-soled shoes, and (3) complete the appropriate liability waiver form for adults or minor children. (We will have the forms available at registration, too, but please note that any participant under the age of 18 must have a waiver form signed by his/her parent or legal guardian before being allowed on the ice.) We'll provide all needed equipment and instruction.

We look forward to greeting all bonspielers, open house participants, and other spectators at the Texas Open Bonspiel!

Update (3/17/07): Registration completed, 22 teams to participate.

Registration for the First Annual Texas Open Bonspiel is closed.

We are pleased to announce that 22 teams have registered and will participate. They include two from Canada (Calgary and Winnipeg), one from Minnesota (Duluth), one from Michigan (Midland), one from Maryland/Washington D.C. (Potomac CC), and seventeen representing clubs in Texas (Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston).

Information will go out soon to participating rinks, advising them of first draw times and other details associated with the bonspiel.

Good curling, everyone, and we look forward to seeing you in Houston April 13–15!

Come curl in the first annual Texas Open Bonspiel, to be hosted in Houston April 13–15, 2007.

That's right! "Houston, we have a bonspiel." Or, maybe more appropriately, "Texas, we have a bonspiel." The First Annual Texas Open Bonspiel will be hosted in Houston, Texas from April 13, 2007 to April 15, 2007. Subsequent years will see the bonspiel move among the clubs in Texas on a four-year rotation. Dallas will host in 2008, San Antonio in 2009, Austin in 2010, and then back to Houston in 2011. Don't miss your chance to be part of this new curling tradition!

As the name implies, the bonspiel will be in open format (i.e., any combination of men and women may make up a four-person team). It will guarantee a minimum of three games, likely through a triple event set-up. Play will begin Friday evening to give out-of-towners a chance to travel that day.

The cost will be $280/team. The registration deadline is March 15, 2007. The registration form can be found here.

Some attractive activities outside of curling are also being developed and the current list of activities can be found on the Houston Page.

We anticipate participation from all active Texas clubs and also look forward to welcoming teams from outside the state to participate in this history-making event, including teams from Canada!

Mike Smith, of The Curling Club of Houston, chairs the group planning the bonspiel and welcomes/encourages participation from any club member or friend able to assist with the planning, including scheduling, meals and social events, solicitation of sponsorships, etc.

Last Modified on Sep 28, 2007