Players Championship preview

Posted: April 13, 2012

Well this is the end of the year. Long season that started in late September in Saskatoon is almost over. The prestigious Players Championship starts next week in PEI. Our first game in PEI will be game 92 for us. We have a respectable 59-32 record this year but it definitely could be improved upon. We have played real well since Christmas but if you were to ask each of us about the year there would be some games and losses we’d love to have back (and not just the Brier final!)

The format this year for The Players is the brain child of Blake MacDonald and Jeff Stoughton to tell you the truth. Last year in the year end players meeting we were discussing the slams and Blake talked about how he’d love to see each of the slams have their own identity similar to golf. Jeff then talked about lowering the field at The Players and making it more prestigious and that is exactly what the powers that be did. All it did do though was eliminate any soft spot in the draw!

Don Walchuk used to always say "if you can’t find a soft spot on the draw then you are the soft spot!". We are hoping to head out there and get off to a good start so we don’t end up being that soft spot!

Stoughton and Martin on day 1, Edin and Epping on day 2, and closing the round robin on Friday with a Gushue, McEwen and Howard day is quite the draw. Seven battles in the span of 60 hours is going to be a test for all of these teams. It is an excellent chance to make a little spending money for the summer, and leave the year with a taste of success and take that into our summer workouts and practice session to lead into next years critical CTRS trials season.

Amarula contest

We are all heading out today for Toronto, quick little stop on the way to PEI to attend the Dixie Curling Club year end mixed bonspiel and hang out with all the clubs patrons. Dixie won the Curl with Team Koe contest and we are excited to head out there on Saturaday night and meet everyone at the club.

After the contest we’re going to watch a Jays and Raptors game before we head to PEI. Definitely looking forward to this week.

Side note for anyone who cares! I cleaned up the Masters pool. Tiger in 97 like performance by team Nolan as I cleaned house with a 13 shot win (even with Stensen’s Sunday 81). Time to collect my cash this weekend.

Comments

Dale - Good Luck!
Posted: April 16, 2012

Jay from Michigan - Thanks for another interesting preview, Nolan. The guest appearances by Mark Nichols and Brett Gallant will add to the intrigue as well. Looks like some tough competition, in a compressed time frame, but I know you guys will do well--and do try to *enjoy* this week as much as possible. Safe travels, good luck, good curling, and congrats on your Master’s pot. Will do my best to follow along, on whatever media is available. :-)
Posted: April 13, 2012

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