On all counts, the Cochrane Curling Club's men's bonspiel, Jan. 24-26, was a resounding success.

With 32 teams participating, bonspiel chair Kendall Waiting says it was a hit on many levels. He mentions just a few of the highlights.

"The bonspiel itself was an overall success returning more prize money to rinks entered than in past years," he says, "and making a profit that will come back to the Cochrane Curling Club for re-investment in club members and next year's men's bonspiel."

For the first time, the bonspiel incorporated an online registration system. It will be modified for all future club bonspiels.

In its second year at the bonspiel, the Man Van, of the Prostate Cancer Centre, saw 44 men visit in the course of three hours.

Kendall Waiting says they look forward to the Man Van returning next year.

Once again the Cochrane Curling Club has received substantial support from United Farmers of Alberta (UFA). Pauline Hjalte, UFA delegate for the Calgary region, presented a $1,200 donation, $300 for each of its four major bonspiels (junior, men's, women's and mixed).

"UFA likes to get involved in the community's where we operate, and I think this is a great program," she says.

Overall positive comments were received about the ice, the facility, and staff. Word continues to spread of Cochrane being a must-do curling destination.

Plus, organizers received rave reviews over the prizes up for grabs, and tickets for the chance to win one of three vodka machine gun and grenade kits were a hot commodity that sold out by late Saturday afternoon 

On the ice, Cochrane curlers performed well.

Gord Copithorne, curling club president, and his 15-year old stepson Ky Macauley were members of the winning 'A' event team. The 'B' final was an all-Cochrane affair with the Hawkes rink defeating the Mravinec rink it a tight game.

Event winners and runners-up were:

'A' Event winner: Skip Rhett Friesz, third Gord Copithorne, second Ky Macaulay, lead Dan Bubola.

Runners-up: Skip Ryan Parent, third Warren Kozak, second Jared Jenkins and lead Dwayne Romanchuk

'B' Event winner: Skip Dave Rutherford, third Cliff Butchko, second Gary Hawkes, lead Wayne MacDonald

Runners-up: Skip Vern Mravinec, third Dave Mead, second Don Van Hout, lead Al Bunn

'C' event winner: skip Bruce Wiggins, third Kelly Mauthe, second Ken Mitchell, lead Bill Fortier

Runners-up: skip Duane Kremp, second John Casper, second Jason Kremp, and lead Murray Wentland.

'D' event winner: skip Jesse MacKenzie, third Ryan Owens, second Dean Stobbe, lead Steve Freisen

Runners-up: skip Nels Briam, third Derrick Wilson, second Robin Boyd, and lead Paul Pachkowski