Marg Cox - 2020

Marg’s history with Okotoks curling spans 40+ years, beginning in 1980. Her enthusiasm and high level of energy contagiously spreads across the various events she has been involved with. She has been a “community booster” in the Wed night ladies league and a bundle of ladies bonspiels. 

More recently, in the 2016 Pinty’s Grand Slam Event she was Chair of the Special Events/Sponsorship team. Additional to that, Marg was a key contributor in the Russ Howard Curling Clinic in 2017, the U21 Provincial Curling playdowns in 2019, and the Alberta 2020 Scotties.

Susan Lypkie - 2013

Susan curled in Okotoks for over 20 years. As a competitive curler she won numerous events and represented the Club many times including an appearance at the Alberta Provincials at both the Women’s and Senior levels. 

Susan served as a Director for 9 years including 2 years as Club President. Susan was a key individual in upgrading the Club’s website and accounting systems plus was a key Curling Club contact with Town Officials on the lease agreement important to the Club’s long-term viability. She also led several fundraising ventures, including her work at accessing grants for renovations throughout the curling facility.

Susan was a driving force in several provincial bids and served as a key executive on the 2016 Grand Slam event.

Ron McLaren - 2012

Ron curled for 2 years in the “old” curling rink starting in 1972 and then after a few years away, returned to curling in 1983 after moving to Okotoks. He curled continuously in many club leagues after that and spent several years on the Board as a Director including one year as Club President.

Over the years Ron volunteered and led many activities at the Club. He chaired the 2016 Grand Slam event and chaired committees for both the 1998 and 2019 Alberta Scotties which were hosted by the Club.

Over his competitive career, Ron won numerous events and represented the Club in both men’s and mixed playdowns.

Debb McLaren - 2012

Debb joined the Okotoks Curling Club in 1982 as member at the ‘old’ rink. Debb has been a director, volunteer, and a competitive player for nearly 40 years.She was always available as a volunteer for events and activities around the Club. Over the years Debb has acted as the ‘drawmaster’ for countless bonspiels and spent several years as a Club Director. She chaired committees for both the 1998 and 2019 Alberta Scotties which were hosted by the Club.

As a competitive curler, Debb won numerous events and represented the Club in Ladies and Mixed playdowns on many occasions.

Debbie Miller - 2010

Debbie’s history with curling in Okotoks spans 45 years, beginning in high school when she played in the ‘old’ 3 sheet club, initiating her interest in competitive curling. Over the years she won numerous events and represented the Club many times winning the Ladies Zone Championship twice and Senior Southern’s in 2010. The competitive highlight of her career was winning the Alberta Provincial Masters and representing the province at the 2014 Canadian Women’s Masters Championship.

Over the years Debbie has served the Club in many roles. She was on the Board Executive for 10 years, three of those as President. She served as a Chair for the 1998 and 2019 Scotties and was Vice Chair of the 2016 Grand Slam event held in Okotoks.

She credits her passion for the game to her parents who were avid curlers and to her many great teammates. 

Vic Sager - 2001

Vic began curling in high school and although the curling club atmosphere and curling was his game, his real passion became ice making. In 1985 he became the Ice Technician for the Curling Club and did it for 30 years! Vic’s goal was to put the Okotoks Curling Club on the map for great ice equal to or better than the big cities curling ice…..and that he did. 

In 1998 the Alberta Scotties was held in Okotoks Curling rink and the event went off as a big hit accompanied by many compliments on the ice. Just 3 years later (2001) the club hosted a Ladies Players event and again, it was held in the Curling rink. Little know fact Cathy King won both events!

Vic was always available to discuss the ice and listen to curler’s input on how the ice was doing for them. Vic enjoyed many years curling in the men’s and mixed leagues and throughout the curling season, you could find Vic at the rink all hours of the day, taking care and maintaining the ice. He was the Curling Club President for the 1974/1975 season.

Shelly Sager - 2001

Not only was Shelly an active curler in ladies and mixed leagues, but she also helped Vic with ice making and the maintenance whenever he needed an extra hand. As an instructor, she was among the first to use the “stick” technique in curling and was always open to teaching new “stick” users the technique.

Shelly received the “Instructor of the Year” award in 1983 presented by the Southern Alberta Curling Association (SACA). At the time, there wereapproximately 300 instructors in southern Alberta and Shelly was recognized with this award!

Eileen Jewitt - 2000

Eileen curled at the Okotoks Curling Club for 26 years, representing the club in four Senior & Master Provincials. Eileen was an executive member of SACA and ACF and a voting delegate at CCA. She was key to assuring that there would be Provincial Master Women competitions in all provinces.

She was a superb volunteer. In 1995 she was responsible for hosting Six Scottish Teams in Southern Alberta. In 2000 Eileen was selected by the CCA to be Team Leader for the Canadian/Scottish Curling Tour. She chaired the 1998 Alberta Scotties and the 2001 Olympic Trials Last chance tournament on top of all this. Eileen was “First Aid” Chair for the Grand Slam in 2016 and a volunteer at the 2019 Alberta Scotties hosted by our club.

In 1999 she received an Honorary Life Membership with SACA & was the recipient of the IRV England “Executive of the Year” award. She became an Honorary Life member of the Okotoks Curling Club in 2000.

Brian Quigley - 1998

Brian joined the Okotoks Curling Club in 1965 and was active as a volunteer, a director and a competitive curler for over 40 years.

A highlight for Brian was working on the Foothills Men’s Bonspiel in the early eighties as it was the last one prior to moving to the new arena. Along with countless volunteers, 5 sheets of curling ice were put in the hockey arena and with the 3 sheets in the curling rink, they hosted a record of over 100 entries. 

He was president of the Club in the ‘old’ rink during the 1970’s as well as in the 1980’s in the new rink and spent several years on the Board of Directors. Brian was very active in the planning and completion of the current 6 sheet facility which opened for play in 1983.

Brian’s competitive career spanned both men’s and senior’s in which he won numerous events and represented the Club on a number of occasions.

Jean Quigley - 1998

Jean joined the Okotoks Curling Club in 1970 and was active as a volunteer, a director and as a competitive curler for over 40 years. Early in her career she held the position of Secretary Treasurer for several years in the ‘old club’ and later served on the Board after the move to the new facility.

Jean started the Junior Curling League in 1981 and ran it for 3 years. She worked with the Okotoks Junior High to introduce curling into their school program. Jean also chaired a committee for the 1998 Alberta Scotties as well as the 2016 Grand Slam.

Jean represented the club in Ladies playdowns numerous years and went on to play in Senior and Master Provincials. In 2014, she represented Alberta at the Canadian Ladies Masters.

Ursula Hoppenheit - 1996

Ursula moved to Okotoks from Calgary in 1968. She ran her own business for the first several years she lived in Okotoks and with the demands of the business, had no spare time for curling. 

That changed in the mid 70’s and Ursula took up curling and loved the game. Ursula curled in the ladies’ leagues for 43 years up to 2018 and then finally retired from the game. Ursula enjoys her retirement and remains living in Okotoks.

Bob Bird - 1993

Bob joined the Okotoks Curling Club in 1986. He spent time on the Executive Board as the league representative for Friday night mixed curling. Bob made his mark in the Club through his volunteer activities and he was especially active in the organization of bonspiels at the Club and actively recruited teams to ensure those events were always as full and as successful as possible. 

He was actively involved in the organization of the 1998 Alberta Scotties championship in Okotoks. Over the years Bob participated in fundraisers including managing the “pull ticket” program which operated at the Club for several years. Bob received his Honorary Curling Club Membership award in April 1993.

Thelma Chisholm - 1993

Thelma joined the Okotoks Curling Club in 1983. She was actively involved in more than just curling in Okotoks. In 1988 Thelma was the Alberta Delegate of the Canadian Ladies Curling Association (CLCA) to the Scott Tournament of Hearts. CLCA later amalgamated into the Canadian Curling Association (CCA) in 1990 and then in 2015 CCA adopted its new name, Curling Canada.

Thelma curled up to 1993 and was an active volunteer in the club and took an active part in organizing the entertainment for various curling events throughout the year. She was a huge promoter of the Pepsi Junior girls program and dedicated hours to this program. Little know fact, Thelma was a licensed auctioneer! Thelma received her Honorary Curling Club Membership award in April 1993.