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BY HARRY MAIERPcsl-Cre-scent News ServiceWhat lies ahead for a game that is relatively little-known, but has a tradition that dates back to the eaih 1500s?This is the question that faces a small band of dedicated curlers active in the organization and expansion of the sport in Wisconsin.About fi\e new curling clubs have formed in the state since the Green Bay Curling Club was organned in 1958. The most recent is the Lakeshore Curling Club, semng Two Rivers and Manitowoc.When the fiist stones arc thrown at the Lakeshore facility later this month, it will !ia\e a membership of more than 110 men.Refrigerated IceCurling received its biggest impetus since the end of World War II. coinciding with the development of refrigerated ice to permit indoor curling.Prior to that, curling was conducted in sheds that shielded the curler from the weather, but not irom the effects of a mid-January thaw on the ice.For more than 100 years the Midwest has been the center of curling in the United States. The game started in Milwaukee in 1845. and Portage in 1850. Both clubs are active todayDuring the next 100 years. about 15 clubs were organized in widespread areas of the state, usual!'. by a group of Scottish immigrants who brought the game to this country ftom their homeland.Curling AssociationThe Midwest Cuilmg Association was organized in 1945 to promote the development ol the spoil Most of the strength of this organization was in the Chicago area, and it led to the formation of several clubs In the Chicago suburbsThe U S Men's (urhng Association was formed in 1958 and joined in the organization of a national tournament which brought together the top curlersfrom 10 states across the country including Alaska.The third national inurnament was held at the Veterans Memorial Arena in Green Rav m 1959 Since then the event has grown to international competition involving top cuilers from the United States. Canada. Scotland. Switzerland and SwedenLast spring the Midwest Association gave way to individual state associations At the organizational meeting of the Wisconsin Curling Association, there were delegates from 27 Wisconsin curling clubs.Area clubs that are charter members include Appleton, Clintonville, Waupaca and Greer BayThe most recent member is the new Lakeshore Curling Club at Two Rivers*Mo into wotDecember 13, 1964 Sunday Put-Crescent 4—Russ Kriwsuek PhtoCourse of a Curling StoneThis can best be answered by two men who have done more to develop the sport in Wisconsin than any other men or organizations.Glenn Hains. Supeiior. longtime curler and founder and former editor of the North American Curling News, said the development of refrigeration for curling in the 1940s and the participation of women and youth groups have done the most to push the growth of curling.Number DoubledHe said the number of clubs in the United States has doubled in the past 12 years, and Wisconsin leads all states with nearly 30 active curling clubs and nearlv 3.000 curlers.This is compared to Saskatchewan, Canada, which has a population of about 900 000 and m'ore than 600 curling clubs.There is an excellent chance that curling will eventually take its place alongside golf and other popular sports, for it's that fine a game,” Harris predicted.Laurie Carlson. Madison, former president of the Wisconsin Curling Foundation and a veteran promote! of new curling clubs, said he expects the organization of the Wisconsin Curling Association to result in greater impetus toward the development of new cm ling clubs.Carlson reported efforts are underway to develop clubs in Baraboo, Reeds-burg, Wisconsin Dells and Sauk City.Potential curlers at Ashland and Hurley will be using the indoor ice rink facilities at Iromvood. Mich.What lies ahead for tin line?V_Other efforts are underway at Stoughton and Edgerton.
Newspaper Details
Appleton Post Crescent
Appleton, Wisconsin, US
Sun, Dec 13, 1964
Page 74
Full Page
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USA 28 Aug 2020
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