Cotter claims BC curling title

Vernon’s Jim Cotter and teammates Ken Maskiewich, Kevin Folk and Rick Sawatsky claimed the 2011 Canadian Direct Insurance BC Men’s Curling Championship presented by Kal-Tire yesterday at the Vernon Curling Centre.

Cotter went a perfect 9-0 during the week-long round-robin, but saw his first and only loss in Friday night’s 1 vs. 2 page playoff game against Victoria’s Neil Dangerfield. While Dangerfield advanced to Sunday’s final, Cotter fell to the second semi-final to face defending BC champion, Jeff Richard. Richard advanced to the semi-final by defeating Kamloops’ Brent Yamada in the quarter-final. Cotter won the semi by a convincing score of 8-4.

The final game was close, but single steals for Cotter in the 5th and 7th ends proved to be the difference. With a two-point lead in the last end, Cotter had an open hit to run Dangerfield out of rocks.

Cotter now advances to the 2011 Tim Hortons Brier in London, Ont. March 5-13th.

Final Round-Robin Standings:
Cotter (Kelowna) 9-0
Dangerfield (Victoria) 7-2
Richard (Kelowna) 7-2
Yamada (Kamloops) 4-5
Herrick (Vernon) 4-5
Heath (Vernon) 4-5
Geall (Royal City) 3-6
Pierce (Royal City) 3-6
Buchy (Kimberley) 3-6
Clarke (Victoria) 1-8

Hosting BC was an official funding partner of this event.