Bonspieling 101 - the Basics for new Bonspielers

Here is a list of bonspiels that our own club members have attended since the founding of
our club. But…there are many more bonspiels that each of these clubs and others offers -
so check their web sites for all the schedules and info. Also please contact any of our
own members who are listed to learn more about these spiels and let them know if you
have an interest! Get your own team or maybe get aboard any other team at that club.
“Feel the Spiel!” If you have attended a bonspiel since becoming a PCC member, please
click here and send us the low down and results….especially if ya won some loot!

Bonspiels arranged by month/alphabetical order

OCTOBER -
Inaugural - Potomac C.C., MD - Bonspiel Est. _____ 4-sheets
Think “Politics” on this one. “Open” format. Carve an award winning pumpkin!
Attended; Rich Ashford, Andy Banfield, Steve Burchesky, Jim Svidron,
Al Tarkka, Keith Scott, Jon Bridge
http://www.curldc.org/

Margarita International - Glendale G&CC, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada - 6 Sheets
Think “Politics” on this one. “Open” format. Carve an award winning pumpkin!
Attended; Rich Ashford
http://www.curlingrink.ca/club.php?id=6

November -
Founders - Plainfield CC, NJ - Bonspiel Est. 1996 2-sheets
( Rink fee $160) Pay tribute to the founding of the Plainfield CC built in 1963.
Attended; Rich Ashford, Andy Banfield
http://www.just1thing.net/PCC/index.php/
The May Founders event was rescheduled that year from November as they had to put in
a new chilling unit, so it is the regular November Founders, in this case Nov 2005 moved
to May 2006.

Mayfield Men's Invitational, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. 24 team field.
Rink fee $350 included free Molson Drafts or pop, dinner Friday and House Parties on
Saturday. Low room rates! Note: No denim, sweats or cell phones in the club house.
Attended: Rich Ashford, skip, Ian Webb, Jack Hoffman, Al Tarkka.
http://www.mayfieldcurling.com/

December -
Schenectady 10 & Under Schenectady CC, NY- Bonspiel Est 2005 4 Sheets
Rink fee $240. Men under ten years of curling experience. Attending: Rich Ashford.
http://www.schenectadycurlingclub.org/

January -
Cracked Bell Philadelphia, CC. Open Format. Bonspiel Est 2004.
Rink fee $200. Includes meals. 3 Events.
Attended: Rich Ashford.
http://www.philadelphiacurlingclub.org/

Mitchell - Utica CC, NY. Bonspiel Est 1911 6 Sheets.
Oldest running International Men's Spiel in the country. Field of 48 teams. Must
be on a waiting list to get in.
Attended: Rich Ashford, Steve Burchesky.
http://www.uticacurlingclub.org/

Robbie Burns Thrifty - Plainfield, NJ. Bonspiel Est 1989 2 sheets.
Curler fee $40.
Probably the least expensive entry fee on record. Celebrate Scottish food and the
origin of the game. Trifle contest (Won by the PCC"s Bob Briggs 2006).
Attended: Steve Burchesky, Rich Ashford, Andy Banfield, Jim Svidron,
Al Tarkka, Jon Bridge, Keith Scott, Bob Briggs, Sandra McMakin,Steve Buffington.
http://www.just1thing.net/PCC/index.php

Rochester Friendly – Rochester C.C., NY – Bonspiel Est. 2005 3-sheets
(Fee - Bus Only) “Friendlies” are two-club traditional 1-day spiels and this is a fun Road Trip Spiel. – 2-End games – Bus trip! Loser gets the Coveted Roster. Rochester
members greet you when you arrive in the parking lot!
Attending - Dozens and Dozens of Pittsburgh curlers! Just ask almost anyone!
http://www.rochestercurling.com/

February -
GNCC 5 & Under Championships - Rochester C.C., NY - Bonspiel Est. ___ 4-sheets
Attended- Buffington, Banfield
http://www.rochestercurling.com/

GNCC Seniors- Potomac CC., MD - Bonspiel Established_____ 4-sheets
Attended: Keith Scott, Al Tarkka, Winners 2007!!
http://www.curldc.org/

Juniors – Plainfield C.C., NJ - Bonspiel Est. ___ 2-sheets
(2007 Curler Fee $30US)
There were 16 teams Feb 16-18, 2007. It may become a Bantum Junior Spiel for 14 and under.
Attended; Michael and Natalie Burchesky http://www.just1thing.net/PCC/index.php

March -
Bonsqueal – Plainfield C.C., NJ - Bonspiel Est. ____ 2-sheets
(2007-Rink Fee $300US) Pig Roast! Best Costume Contest!
Attended; Steve Burchesky, Rich Ashford, Andy Banfield, Jim Svidron, Al Tarkka, Keith Scott, Jon Bridge
http://www.just1thing.net/PCC/index.php

Cherry Blossom – Potomac C.C., MD - Bonspiel Est. 2002 4-Sheets
(2007 Rink Fee $260US) Attended; Rich Ashford, Andy Banfield, Steve Buffington, Marie Rose, Michelle Crown,
and in 2008 we took over with 19 Pittsburghers! (Argh - it was not a pretty sight)
http://www.curldc.org/

PCC Stone - Plainfield CC, NJ
Attending; Rich Ashford, Greg Nilsen, Bob Crawford, Jim Svidron
http://www.just1thing.net/PCC/index.php

Wood Memorial - Belfast C.C., MA – Bonspiel Est. ___ 3-sheets
Mens - A long hike but wait till you see how 1st timers are recognized at the banquet!
Attended; Steve Burchesky
http://www.belfastcurlingclub.org/index.php

May -
Founders - Plainfield C.C., NJ - Bonspiel Est. ____ 2-sheets
Attended: Rich Ashford http://www.just1thing.net/PCC/index.php

July -
Summerspiel - Cape Cod C.C., Falmouth, MA - Bonspiel Est ___
(2007 Rink Fee: Men’s-$320US, Women’s-$300US, Mixed-$410US)
Silver Bells Quoits Tournament. Men, Women, Mixed (2 men & 2 ladies any order)
Attended: Steve Burchesky, Rich Ashford
http://www.capecodcurling.org/

TROPICURL – Pittsburgh C.C., PA - Bonspiel Est. 2006 – 5 sheets
(2007 Rink Fee $360US)
This is Our Big One! Dress Themes might be the beach or sailing with pirates!!
Attended – Practically everyone who is anyone!
http://www.pittsburghcurlingclub.com/index.php?topic=tropicurlisland

Here is a handy website for many US, Canadian and occasional International bonspiels:
http://www.mycurling.com/Bonspiel/bonspiel.html

What does "bonspiel" mean?
"Bonspiel" - Wikipedia "The Free Encyclopedia"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonspiel