Curling Hall of Fame welcomes new members

SUMMERSIDE -- Four new members joined the Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame and Museum here at the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club on Monday night.
Sharon Renner Knox and the late Wanda Hunter were inducted in the builders' category, while Arthur (Art) Burke and the late G. Allison (Joe) Saunders were enshrined under the players' category.
Hunter joined the Summerside Curling Club in 1956, beginning a 40-year career in the sport. She was described as a dedicated curler and supporter of the game as a player, official, administrator, coach and sponsor.
"She loved the sport of curling and it was her favourite thing as you can hear by all the things they said she did," said Hunter's daughter, Betty Hunter. "She loved the Silver Fox and it was fitting that this award was given here because it was her home as well as a few other people."

35-year career
Burke's career spanned 35 years and his resume included two provincial schoolboys' titles, five P.E.I. men's championships and a P.E.I. senior Legion crown. He started curling at the age of 10 at the Charlottetown Curling Club.
"I am very honoured, very pleased and very glad to see a lot of my fellow curlers, competitors and it's been quite a number of years since I've played here in Summerside," Burke told the audience. "Most of my curling done here was done at the old club, which was a lot of good times and I made a lot of good friends. I've seen a lot of them here tonight."

Golf and curling
Renner Knox began serving as an administrator, instructor, coach and official in the early 1970s at the Belvedere Golf and Winter Club. She served as president of the P.E.I. Ladies Curling Association in 1979-80.
"I just never looked at it as a job or work," said Renner Knox. "I love the sport of curling. I really enjoy working with teenagers, I love competing and then to go away and represent P.E.I., it wasn't a job. I was so thrilled to do the travelling and honoured to be asked to speak on behalf of the curlers of P.E.I."

First rock
Saunders began a 37-year career at the Charlottetown Curling Club in 1954. He would compete in eight national competitions.
"I know Dad and Harris Dingwell were quite well-known with their sweeping abilities when they curled with Art (Burke)," said Saunders' son, Allison Jr. "The physical side was equally appreciated on the strategy side.
"Dad did a lot of coaching and one of his famous sayings was, 'Always think four or five shots ahead guys, that's how you win.'"

jpsports@journalpioneer.com


On The Button

P.E.I. Curling Hall of Fame
and Museum induction ceremonies:

The third induction ceremony was held Monday night.

A total of 18 people have been inducted.

Future plans include inducting all P.E.I. members of the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame. Jerry Muzika, chair of the P.E.I. Curling Hall of Fame and Museum, said there are five more individuals to be enshrined.

The induction ceremonies will continue to be rotated between Summerside and Charlottetown.

Paul H. Schurman and Joanne Holden served as masters of ceremonies.