As 2010 draws to an end, it is time to look forward to what 2011 will bring. For the Battlefords one major event to look forward to is the 2011 SaskTel Provincial Men's Curling Championship.
Six of the 16 teams that will be competing in North Battleford Feb. 2 to 6 have qualified for the provincial draw and will be battling for a berth in the Brier March 5 to 13 in London, Ont.
The qualifying teams include: Pat Simmons of Davidson, Randy Bryden of Regina, Terry Marteniuk of Yorkton, Brad Law of Regina, Shawn Joyce of Saskatoon and Scott Bitz of Regina.
The Simmons rink are four time Tankard champions ('05 to '08), despite a disappointing 2-3 record last year in Lumsden at the Tankard. Simmons' team holds the number five spot on the World Curling Tour money winner's list trailing Kevin Martin, Mike McEwen, Jeff Stoughton and Kevin Koe.
Bryden's rink is 16th on the World Curling Tour money winner's list and the second highest Saskatchewan ranked team. Bryden lost in the semi final of last year's Tankard to the eventual winner Darrell McKee. This will be the Bryden rink's sixth straight Tankard appearance.
Marteniuk qualified for the 2011 Tankard after winning the Casino Moose Jaw's tour championship. Marteniuk's rink will be making their first Tankard appearance and are fourth in the Saskatchewan Curling Tour standings and third on the money winner's list.
Law leads all teams on the Saskatchewan Curling Tour standings and money winner's list after winning two of the three bonspiels the team played on the tour this season. He is playing in his second Tankard, his first was in 2009 in Meadow Lake.
Joyce has finished third, second, third and fifth in the four Saskatchewan Curling Tour events this season and with that, sits second on the list of money winners and second in the standings. The last Tankard appearance for the Joyce rink was in 2007 in Humboldt.
The Bitz rink were crowned Tankard champions in 2002 and since have been to the Tankard twice ('05 and '06). Bitz sits fifth on the Saskatchewan Curling Tour standings.
Event passes for the Tankard, which will be held at the Civic Centre, are on sale now for $99. Those interested in watching these six teams and the 10 others in provincial level curling can talk to Margo at the Battleford Curling Club.
