St. Lawrence Academy Enjoys Curling Classes

For the past three weeks, some forty (40) plus students from the St. Lawrence Academy have been enjoying and taking instruction in curling at the BCC. The program has been very successful in exposing the young grade 3 to grade 8 students to the game of curling. Thanks to Jonathan Penny and Ara Papertzian for providing instruction. Jonathan, who set up the program, indicated the students were really easy to teach and "were like little sponges" adapting very quickly to the instruction.
With the very successful curling program over for this year, the BCC fully expects to see the St. Lawrence Academy back again next year with their well behaved, enthusiastic students, for more curling instruction and experience.

LaChance Wins Mid Winter Classic

The BCC's Mid Winter Classic Bonspiel was held this past Saturday January 22, 2011. Twelve (12) member teams participated in some great and closely matched curling. Two complete (8 end) games were played with a lunch break between games.
The overall winner was the Bernie LaChance team (38.5) with vice David VanBridge, 2nd Lorraine White and lead Julie Brais. Closely in second was Ann Chick's team (35.0) with Raul Cirne (vice), Gord Dougall (2nd) and Cynthia Maskell (lead). Third place team was Bob Chick (34.0) with

Corry Fox, Lorna VanBridger and Mo Gariepy.

All said they had a great day and liked the format with many hoping the same format will be used for the closing bonspiel. Congratulations to Harold Mooibroek for organizing at great spiel.

BCC Members Welcome Home Cody Fox

Cody Fox has long been associated with the Brockville Country Club. He played in many curling leagues starting as a junior and throughout high school. He represented the BCC, TISS, EOSSA in many tournaments. He also worked part time at the BCC as one of our ice technicians. And then he joined the Canadian Forces and went to Afganistan. Completing his tour of duty in Afganistan, Cody recently returned to Brockville. BCC member Sid VanderMeuler suggested BCC should welcome Cody back (Cody seen in picture with parents Terry and Corry) by holding a bonspiel in his honour. The Club agreed and Bob Jordan said he would organize.

So Friday evening, Jan 21st, a "Welcome Home Cody" fun bonspiel was held in a "Doubles Curling" format under World Confederation Rules. Eight (8) ends of curling, a buffet compliments of BCC, and a lot of camaraderie. We are all proud of Cody for his service in Afganistan and it's great to have him home back safe and sound.

LGSSAA School Kids Compete at BCC

An Exhibition Curling League has been formed for schools under the Leeds & Grenville Secondary School Athletic Association (LGSSAA) banner. Taking part in play Thursday afternoon at the BCC were teams from Gananoque (boys) and Ange-Gabriel, Brockville (girls, boys & mixed teams). Also participating is the St Mary's girls team.

Congratulations to Luc Guenette and Stephan LaPointe, teachers at Ange-Gabriel; Dawn Russell, teacher at Gananoque and Jonathan Penny, BCC ice technician for rejuvenating a curling league for school kids.

Teams that qualify through the LGSSAA league will have the opportunity to play in the Eastern Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association (EOSSAA) tournament scheduled for play at the Brockville Country Club, March 3 and 4, 2011. There will be 24 teams (8 boys, 8 girls & 8 mixed) participating and coming to the BCC from all over Eastern Ontario.

Be sure to drop into the BCC March 3 & 4 for some great junior curling. Who knows ... you might see the next Martin, Howard, Homan, Horgan team in the making!!

Winter Golf School Underway at BCC

The first ever BCC Winter Golf School is now in full swing. The brainchild of Derek MacDonald, BCC's pro, the academy will operate at various times, six days a week from January 10th to the end of March. Two hitting nets and a large putting green have been set up in the BCC's golf lounge. During core hours, participants can book a lesson each week with Derek, rated 3rd best CPGA Teaching Professional by Flagstick Magazine (Fall/2010). Outside core hours, members of the academy can book a practice session. Seen in the photo at right is Derek with his video camera and Al Duffield in the hitting cage. The photo below has Derek going over the swing images of Marsha Lindsey as she looks on. Derek states, "I truly believe that hitting balls indoors is one of the most effective ways to improve your golf swing, resulting in better ball contact. It is going to be an exciting time helping everyone improve their golf games over the winter months".
Congratulations Derek! Your golf academy is a great addition to the BCC's many year-round features and will help all participants "Play Better Golf, Longer".

Great "Lunch" & "After 5" Values at BCC

Starting Monday, January 10, 2011, the BCC will introduce new lunch specials and "after 5" values.

$7 Lunch Features:

• Mondays - Stir Fry
• Tuesdays - Entree Salad
• Wednesdays - Pasta
• Thursdays - Wings
• Fridays - Fish
• Saturdays - Wrap
• Sundays - All Day Breakfast

After 5 for just $9.99

• Tuesdays- Tortilla
• Wednesdays - Comford Food
• Thursdays - Pizza
• Friday's - Pub Fare & Share
• $5 Monday Specials

Tax and gratuity extra

Great Food; Great Value. Come enjoy the BCC during the winter months! Oh, the picture! .. just thought it was neat!!

Variety of Curling Gear from BCC Pro Shop

When it comes to Curling Gear, the Brockville Country Club has had a good selection from Tournament Sports available on the shelves of our Pro Shop.

Derek has now made arrangements to give our members and guests access to a whole broad range of first class curling apparel and equipment. Come check out the cataloques and Derek will handle your requirement as a "special request" order. It will only take a day or two and your order will be available at our pro shop. You can now meet your curling needs with equipment and apparel from Balance Plus; Asham and GoldLine as well as Tournament Sports. Check out our pro shop! Talk to Derek for assistance and select from expanded choices for curling apparel and equipment, all available through our BCC Pro Shop.

BCC Staff Christmas Party

The BCC staff Christmas party was recently held. Here is a report from Kelly:

"On Sunday January 2, 2011, the BCC staff got together for their annual Christmas party. In total 22 gathered for a potluck dinner that included some delicious lasagna, meatballs, salads, appetizers and yummy desserts. James Abrams (building superintendent - see below) hosted the classic Pictionary Game with the men taking on the women (guess who won!!), followed by a raffle prize table and the Chinese Gift Exchange. The entertainment included the Nintendo Wii console and Rockband with drums, guitar, keyboard and microphone. Everyone had a blast and can't wait for next year's celebrations. The staff would like to thank the Board and Members of the BCC for a wonderful evening."

And the Board and Members would also like to thank our staff and trust everyone will have a great 2011 year.

Happy New Year!!

To all Members and Guests, the Board and Staff of the Brockville Country Club wishes you and your family a Happy New Year and our best wishes for 2011. We hope to see each and every one of you at the Club throughout the winter months and at the first tee as soon as the course opens .. and it wouldn't be long now!! Here is to a great 2011 curling, golf and social season at the BCC! Cheers.

BCC Curling Clinic Held

The Brockville Country Club held a Curling Clinic between Christmas and New Years. The day event, including lunch, started with a "chalk talk", then ice time, ending with an actual game. The clinic, we are sure, held for both members and guests, will see all who attended "up their curling prowess" in 2011. A special thanks goes to Bob and Ann Chick who were the instructors for the day clinic. Bob, on the right, is seen monitoring the sweeping efforts as the rock heads towards the rings. Trust everyone is enjoying their curling as we head into 2011.