Western Canada Women's Curling Championship

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The Eaton's Western Canada Women's Curling Championship was the championship for women's curling in Western Canada from 1953 to 1960.

The event was the forerunner of Canada's national women's curling championship (now called the Scotties Tournament of Hearts), which officially began in 1961.

The event was announced in November 1952, with the formation of the Western Canada Ladies Curling Association, [1] and the event was initially called the Eaton Western Ladies' Curling Championship. Eaton's, the main sponsor of the event, donated a specially designed trophy to be awarded to the winning team. They also provided financial compensation of the transportation and accommodation of the teams. [2]

The event usually featured the provincial champions of Canada's four western provinces, namely British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The inaugural event did not feature a team from BC, [3] and in 1957, a team from Quebec was invited. The event was held as a double round-robin, with a playoff only held to break ties.

The winner of the last event in 1960, Joyce McKee from Saskatchewan played off against the champions of Eastern Canada (Ruth Smith of Quebec) for the first Canadian championship. It was the only year a championship was organized for Eastern Canada. In January 1960, the Western Canada Ladies Curling Association voted to form a full national championship featuring teams from all of Canada's 10 provinces to be held in 1961. [4]

Champions

TournamentWinning ProvinceWinning TeamHost
1953 [5] Saskatchewan Janet Perkin, Phyllis Day, Jean Graham, Joyce Miller Regina, Saskatchewan
1954 [6] Alberta Dorothy Thompson, Ila Watson, Hazel Olson, Pat Damburger Edmonton, Alberta
1955 [7] Manitoba Ethel Wright, Norma McLean, Jean McKenzie, Philomene Floch Winnipeg, Manitoba
1956 [8] British Columbia Marie McAllister, Betty Tansley, Lois Haddon, Isabel Campbell Vancouver, British Columbia
1957 [9] British Columbia Marg Fuller, Pat Good, Sylvia Koster, Edna Quinney Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
1958 [10] British Columbia Lois Haddon, Betty Townsley, Isabel Campbell, Ruth Ward, Calgary, Alberta
1959 [11] Manitoba Isabelle Ketchen, Doris McFarlane, Isabel Phillips, Ruth McConnell Brandon, Manitoba
1960 Saskatchewan Joyce McKee, Sylvia Fedoruk, Donna Belding, Muriel Coben Victoria, British Columbia

References

  1. ↑ "Women Curlers form Western Association". Calgary Herald. November 6, 1952. p. 25. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Plan Championship for Women Curlers". Calgary Albertan. November 6, 1952. p. 13. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Trail Women Sweep Clean in Bonspiel". Vancouver Sun. February 24, 1954. p. 16. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  4. ↑ "National Curling Final Approved by Women". Victoria Times Colonist. January 13, 1960. p. 10. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Saskatchewan Rink Capture Women's Title". Calgary Herald. March 6, 1953. p. 30. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Women's Curling Triumph Adds Another Laurel For Host Province". Edmonton Journal. March 17, 1954. p. 16. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Wright Rink Wins Title". Vancouver Sun. March 17, 1955. p. 14. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Newly-Formed Rink Wins Curling Title". Vancouver Sun. March 15, 1956. p. 30. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Fuller Rink Wins Title". Nanaimo Daily News. March 15, 1957. p. 14. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  10. ↑ "B.C. Wins Third Straight". Calgary Albertan. March 14, 1958. p. 23. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Flin Flon Foursome Cops Western Crown". Edmonton Journal. March 13, 1959. p. 46. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
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