The Vancouver Curling Club (VCC) was turned into a sea of pink on Saturday, November 26 as the Pacific Rim Curling League (PRCL) held its annual Pink Broom bonspiel.

The one day “funspiel” dates back to the ‘80s and is a fun-filled day where curlers of all levels come together to play four games of four ends each. Players sign up individually in their preferred position and get the opportunity to curl with a different team each game. Each curler accumulates points throughout the day as they vie for the top spot in their category.

The Pink Broom is a very popular event within the league as it enables participants to get to know their fellow curlers in a less competitive environment. Over the past several years, it has attracted players from other VCC leagues. That’s extremely heartening to PRCL president Jason Tusor.

“The PRCL created the Pink Broom to bring together players who wouldn’t normally get a chance to curl together,” said Tusor. “We hope to see more representatives from other VCC leagues come out to curl in the Pink Broom next season.”

Participants are all encouraged to wear pink during the bonspiel. VCC board member Matt Hinton took his pink outfit to a whole new level. Dressed in dapper pink socks, buttoned down shirt and his signature pink bow tie, Hinton was the clear choice to win the title of “Mrs. Pink”. Long-time PRCL curler Mark Trowell’s positive demeanor earned him the Ms. Congeniality award, while John Geddes took the award for Most Sportsmanlike conduct. Eric Bond was the lucky Pink Broomer who won the 50/50 raffle, and promptly donated the money back to the PRCL to be used towards our annual bonspiel.

This year, in memory of past PRCL member and treasurer Roy Wilson, the PRCL created a new award, which went to the PRCL’s current treasurer Gerald Gunn.

Finally, after the points from each game were tallied, the top scorers in each category were announced:

• Lead: David Sangster and Doris Bourassa (tie)
• Second: Bryan Pezzi
• Third: Stephen Caldwell
• Skip: Stephen Bailey

With the Pink Broom now complete, we're now shifting our focus to organizing our next big event – the Pac Rim Cup bonspiel, which will be held at the VCC in early February 2012.

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who made this event a huge success!

Event Date: November 26th, 2011

The Pink Broom is a fun, annual bonspiel that enables participants to get to know their fellow PRCL curlers in a less competitive environment. *History of the Pink Broom

*** Registration for the Pink Broom is Now Closed! ***

Mix and match format

Objective: obtain the most points in your position and win the coveted award for the "Best" Skip, Third, Second, and Lead.

Cost: $50.00 per player  

Registration Fee Includes:

• 4 draws (four-end games)
• Lunch/Snacks/Coffee

  2011 Pink Broom Schedule

History of the Pink Broom

by Roy Wilson

One can safely say there has been a Pink Broom, in some format, from the early days of the organization -- starting out at UBC in 1983-84 -- until today. Although a written record of winners was never kept, the cups, plaques and photos will continue!

The Pink Broom originally was the gay Vancouver bonspiel held at UBC Thunderbird Winter Sports complex. Back in 1986, it was a two-day affair with teams from out-of-province (mostly Toronto). It was fun and VERY social, with drag queens serving shots of schnapps between ends! The Pink Broom became the Pac Invitational Bonspiel, now the Pac Rim Cup.

In 1989, the PRCL modified the Pink Broom to a one day fun bonspiel. A broom was painted pink and adorned with glitter and various sparkling stones - and passed from one season's winner to the next (until 1993).

As it exists today, the Pink Broom has been a wonderful opportunity for new curlers to meet other league members during a fun, social event!