Koe clashes with Morris to kick off Tour Challenge
Calgary’s Kevin Koe kicks off his quest to defend the Tour Challenge title taking on John Morris and his Vernon, B.C., team in the opening draw of the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling event.
The series announced the full draw schedule Monday for their second tournament of the 2016-17 season running Nov. 8-13 at Western Financial Place and Memorial Arena in Cranbrook, B.C.
The Tour Challenge is the largest tournament on the Pinty’s GSOC tour featuring a total of 60 men’s and women’s teams split into two tiers. Tickets are now available for the Tour Challenge, click here for ticket info.
Tour Challenge: Tier 1 Draw Schedule | Tier 2 Draw Schedule | List of Teams | TV Schedule
The action-packed opening draw also featuring reigning Scotties Tournament of Hearts champion Chelsea Carey of Calgary facing off against Allison Flaxey of Caledon, Ont.
Kelsey Rocque of Edmonton goes up against Japan’s Ayumi Ogasawara and Edmonton’s Val Sweeting meets Sherry Middaugh of Coldwater, Ont.
Winnipeg’s Reid Carruthers clashes with Charley Thomas of Didsbury, Alta., to round out the first night of the Tier 1 tournament.
Winners of the Tier 1 division will qualify for the season-ending Humpty’s Champions Cup taking place April 25-30 at WinSport Arena in Calgary.
Tier 1 teams also earn points towards the Rogers Grand Slam Cup, awarded to the overall men’s and women’s season champions following the conclusion of the Players’ Championship.
Meanwhile, Krista McCarville of Thunder Bay, Ont., starts the Tier 2 division against Vancouver’s Diane Gushulak; Yellowknife’s Kerry Galusha faces Shannon Kleibrink of Okotoks, Alta.; and Casey Scheidegger of Lethbridge, Alta., plays Marla Mallett of Walnut Grove, B.C.
Tier 2 division champions will get the chance to move up to the elite ranks earning spots to the Meridian Canadian Open running Jan. 3-8 at the Civic Centre in North Battleford, Sask.
Full event passes are now on sale for both the Meridian Canadian Open and the Humpty’s Champions Cup for special early bird prices, click here!
Can’t make it to Cranbrook for the Tour Challenge? Sportsnet has you covered, click here for our TV schedule. Also watch online or on your mobile device by subscribing to Sportsnet NOW, sign up today and get your first seven days free.
Keep it here at thegrandslamofcurling.com for more updates.
