The beauty of curling is how it blends competition with socializing.

Twenty-nine teams took to the ice at the Cochrane Curling Club, Jan. 19-22, to enjoy a bit of both at the annual men's bonspiel.

"We had some great competition on the ice with some teams coming through and also local teams representing Cochrane and the curling club well," says Kendall Waiting, bonspiel chair, and curling club president. "Upstairs in the lounge, there was lots of socializing and bonspieling, and we kind of twisted arms to make sure people bought raffle tickets, bid on the silent auction, and 50-50, and all of that helped greatly with our Cochrane Curling Club, and supporting our juniors and seniors who are in the club as well."

Kendall says it does take a lot of work each year to put the pieces together, but everybody's game for do it all again next year. He says they can't thank their sponsors enough for all their support.

Here are the winners of the three events. Their photos are below in the photo gallery.

A Winner - Team Romanchuk, runner-up Team Meek

B Winner - Team Hellwig; runner up Team Senft

C Winner - Team Johnson, runner-up Team Buxtom (Cochrane)

UFA donation A $1,200 contribution was made by UFA in support of four bonspiels of the Cochrane Curling Club. From left, communications director Leane Dailey, curling club president Kendall Waiting, club treasurer Jeff Krintila (also holding a bag of swag from UFA) and Aaron Bezeau, UFA Calgary area delegate.

UFA continues to support local bonspiels

The bonspiel also saw the presentation of $1,200 by the United Farmers of Alberta (UFA) in support of local bonspiels. The UFA has been a steadfast supporter of local bonspiels and the funds will be shared between the youth, men's, women's, and mixed bonspiels.

"It's a big part of our mandate to be active in the community and to give back, especially for organizations like this. It hits the nail right on the head," says Jeff Krintila, UFA Calgary area delegate.

"Agricultural people love to curl, I would say, and the UFA members especially.

Cochrane Curling Club president Kendall Waiting says the support is appreciated.

"The Cochrane Curling Club has been well supported by UFA over the years, and we can't thank them enough for their generous support, not only with the generous donation of cash but also with products and different swag for our silent auctions."