When the finals of the 39th All Ontario Farmers Bonspiel began this year at the Sydenham Community Curling Club, there was more on the line than just that the prestigious title.
For only the second time in its history, the event featured brothers facing off against each other as Jerry and Dave Meyskens met in the final.
Jerry and his team, of Randy Meyskens, Jordan Douglas and Bob Devolder defeated Dave and his team of James Dunlop, Jake Sayer and Al Kominek.
The victory was the second in a row for Jerry’s quartet. It marked the 10th title for Jerry and the ninth for Devolder, both tops in the event’s history.
“The first time Dave and I met in the finals was 2013, the year after our dad died,” Jerry said. “It was pretty emotional.”
Jerry won the inaugural event in 1986, curling with his late father, Joe. Jerry’s mom Mary, curled as well as his son Randy (who threw fourth stones in this year’s event) and his grandson, Carter, making the Meyskens a fourth-generation curling family.
While Jerry’s team was expected to be a strong contender, Dave said he was happy that his team did as well as it did. “Jake and Al haven’t curled much this year, and we kind of said, ‘Let’s just go for it and see what happens,’” he said.
Vice James Dunlop had a prior win under his belt when he threw third rocks for Jerry in 1997.
The brothers have faced each other dozens of times throughout the years in various leagues and other bonspiels, but both admit they don’t keep a running total of who’s emerged with the most wins.
“I’ve won the Crazy Legs (Sydenham’s other major bonspiel) three times and Jerry hasn’t won that one, so I guess it all evens out,” Dave said. “Mostly, it’s just family bragging rights until the next time we meet, so it’s not for long. Usually, it’s our mom that comes out the winner.”
The Jim Brackett rink (Brad Way, Joe Griffore and Marcel Meyers) won the first consolation event while second event winners were the Glover rink (Brent Glover, Brian Glover, Greg Robinson and Chris Van Damme and third event winners were the Cookstown rink of Doug Ross, Adam Ross, Scott Dawney and Brian Ross.
