One of Nelson’s biggest sporting events is being re-named in honour of a local curling hero.
This past year the close-knit curling family of the Kootenays lost one of its own. Doug Bothamley of Riondel (pictured at left) spent countless hours in the rinks around the Kootenays promoting the sport, coaching competitive, junior and women’s teams, as well as competing himself. He was also a volunteer with Curl BC, helping to promote the sport province-wide.
“There were few curling events where you wouldn’t see Doug, either on the ice competing or in the patch supporting the club socializing, and on the dance floor making short order of his dance card,” said Nando Salviulo, from Nelson Curling Centre:
In his honour, the annual open cash spiel has been renamed the Doug Bothamley Memorial Open Cash Spiel.
The event runs Nov. 20 to 22 at Nelson Curling Centre. Last year first place took home $1,800 and second $1,500, and the total purse was over $10,000.
Nelson will also be hosting the 2016 Canadian Direct Insurance BC Men’s Curling Championship, which runs from Feb. 10 to 14. It’s the biggest curling event in the province and television crews will be in the city for the semi-finals and finals, whichare broadcast on Sportsnet on Feb. 14.