The complete results are available here, or if you prefer you can also take a look at the game by game summaries.
2004 was again an excellent year for the defending champions as three went back home with the laurels they won in Saint John the year before. The successful ones are Colin Finnie (Men), Sylvianne Moisan (Women) and Buddy Dyrda (Junior Boys).
New champions were crowned in the other divisions, including the first "Peewee" champion (9 years and under) ever, Ayshia Olsen.
The outcome of the Men's competition was again hard to predict. Five men stayed in the running for most of the round-robin. Colin Finnie finally won his 4th title with his important last two wins against Tom Gallina and Stan Leis. The last game meant the winner was Canadian champion as Colin and Stan were tied at 3 losses each. Duncan McKenzie shot the high game of the men's with 83.9% against Colin Finnie (round 16). Actually, the Maritime star defeated Finnie in both of their encounters, while Colin's other loss was against Stan Leis (round 9).
In the women's division, Sylvianne Moisan won her fourth consecutive Women’s Canadian Title, and her mother Angeline was runner-up all four years. This time, Angeline defeated her daughter twice in the double round-robin, but lost the playoff 19-30 when Sylvianne shot 83.3% to Angeline's 75%. Sylvianne's other loss (yes she lost 3 games!) was to Elyse Brunelle (round 19 of 20). Elyse came close also during their first encounter, which was the longest game of the tournament at 92 shoes. Elyse had 82.6% and lost 33-41 to Sylvianne's 84.8%. The champ's high game was 90%. She also had to defeat a local player in a special exhibition match. It was called the "big Victoria Rumble" where Sylvianne (17 ringers out of 20) defeated Jim Gallant... As you'll see with the pictures, this was a lot of fun!
The Junior Boys division was won for the third consecutive year by Victoria's Buddy Dyrda. He recorded the first perfect game ever pitched in that division at the Canadians with 20 ringers, and also compiled the 3rd best overall average by a junior at the Canadians. Jaala Curren from Saskatchewan is the new Junior Girls champion.
Howard Weitzel won the Senior Men's 30' division in his first try. The former Men's Canadian champion and World Senior champion has won titles in 4 different divisions at the Nationals! His only loss was to Wilf Gregory, the 2002 champ. Charles Fromm defeated Vern Tyacke in close games to capture his first Senior men's 40' title, while Dorothy Krimmer had to beat Hazel Heistad twice to get her Senior Women's crown. First in the last game of the round-robin 42-21 to tie her, then in a playoff 41-27.
At the banquet held Saturday evening, winners and champions received their awards. But other special presentations were made. Kay McKay received the Sharon Ellison Award, presented by Charolette Demmans. The award is given to aknowledge the outstanding contribution and work by a deserving individual during the Canadian Championships. It is given in memory of the late Sharon Ellison, a Hall of Fame member, who has worked many years at the Championships. Among other presentations was the induction of Don Griffith into the Horseshoe Canada Hall of Fame as an outstanding male promoter. Unfortunately, Don passed away a few weeks before the championships. The 2005 Canadian Championships will be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia from August 10-13, 2005.
To the Victoria club team, the crews in charge of the courts, the computer, the kitchen, the tournament director, the scorekeepers, judges, and to all volunteers who helped make this 2004 tournament a success : thanks !
P.S.: See also these other pictures:
Back to Main Page