Summerland Crokinole Club Players excelled in the fifth annual B.C. Open Crokinole Championships held in Oliver earlier this month.
In total, 56 players from Oliver, Osoyoos, Pentiction, Summerland, West Kelowna, Kelowna, Kamloops, Vancouver, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Washington turned up for this full day event for the chance to win $1,700 in prize money.
The Competitive and Recreational Doubles play started the day with the singles play in the afternoon and the Okanagan Valley players held their own against some very strong competitors and took most of the prize money. It was a great event, well organized and enjoyed by all ages ranging from eight to 80 years old and it sparked the interest of a number of spectators that showed up to watch the games.
Competitive Doubles: First Linda Irvine (Oliver) and Ralph Hargrave (Osoyoos) Second Michael Hughes (Summerland) and Jody Good (West Kelowna) Third Quin Erzinger (Penticton) and Ed Erzinger (Penticton) Fourth Ed Ripley (Summerand) and Jordan Ripley (Summerland).
Competitive Singles: First Quin Erzinger (Penticton) Second Jody Good (West Kelowna) Third Linda Irvine (Oliver) Fourth Adrian Conradi (Kamloops).
Recreational Doubles: First Mark Siemens (Summerland) and Vic Jensen (Summerland) Second Darin Fair (Summerland) and Arleigh Fair (Vancouver) Third Nancy Clarke and Peter Critchley (Armstrong) Fourth Wilf Pauls (Enderby) and Jacob Ypma (Enderby).
Recreational Singles: First Nancy Clark (Armstrong) Second Mark Siemens (Summerland) Third Saje Good (West Kelowna) Fourth Wilf Pauls (Enderby).
This event is expected to grow even larger by 2014, with new players attending every year. Crokinole is a Canadian game that has become very competitive with the annual World Championships held in Tavistock Ontario. The new Tournament boards are fast and sleek and pain free which makes it a much more enjoyable game compared to the old original slow Hexagon boards. There are local clubs in Summerland and Oliver with the prospect of new clubs starting in Kamloops, Kelowna and Penticton. If you are interested in learning to play this game or want to renew an old acquaintance you can contact Crokinole Players of B.C. at 250-494-9310.