by PAUL RAYNER

Gwen Wooley hopes to make the most of her first opportunity at a major national curling title.

On March 2, the Lois Fowler rink from the Brandon Curling Club defeated Linda Van Daele 6-5 to capture the 2009 Mondetta Senior Women’s Championship in Winnipeg. The squad won in the tenth end when Fowler got the go ahead point. Wooley, the rink’s third, said it was a great feeling to be Manitoba champion.

“This is the highest I’ve ever gone province wide,” the Minto native stated, “apart from Foresters. I have never gone past provincials, so it feels great.”

Wooley said they actually had earned a trip to the tournament on two different occasions, both in November – one in Starbuck and the other at the Charleswood in Winnipeg.

“Yes, we got it twice.”

She said the rink, which also includes lead Lynn Sandercock and second Lori Manning, has been together for three years. As well as curling together in the Brandon Curling Club, they also hit the rings separately in other venues. For example, Wooley herself also curls in Boissevain.

Wooley feels that part of the reason they reached this level of success this year is because they were able to concentrate more on a specific goal.

“This past year we really focused on senior ladies,” Wooley explained. “We felt we could go to the Scotties and compete, but it takes a lot out of you. We decided to concentrate on the senior ladies.”

The rink will be representing Manitoba at the Canadian Seniors Curling Championships from March 21-28. These will be held at the Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club in Summerside, PEI. They left Winnipeg on Thursday morning in order to get there in time to do some practice. Each rink gets ten minutes per sheet in the six-sheet rink. They get the same amount of time before each game, and can practice after games if they wish. It is important to get a feel for the ice.

“All ice is different, Wooley explained, “I hear they have good ice.”

Both men’s and women’s championships are being held at the same time, with the biggest name being Russ Howard of Ontario. As Fowler is the only member of the rink to go to the championships before, it is difficult to prepare any real strategies. Wooley said coach Brian Fowler and a couple of the husbands will be along and they can watch other games, to do a bit of scouting for the Manitoba team.

Their first draw is at 12:00 noon on March 21 against Yukon/Northwest Territories. Wooley feels their traditional strengths can help them in PEI.

“Our strength is that we are an excellent hitting team. If we get ahead, we can hit well. To be successful, we need to get a lead and use the hitting to stay in.”

“I think we can be successful,” she continued. “We have to catch on to the ice right away and score points and take control. We haven’t set a goal, but we are definitely going there to win.”

Wooley is quite happy to have the opportunity to wear the bison for the province.

“I’m very excited,” she said on Monday, “I’m sure it won’t sink in until we go into Winnipeg Wednesday night. It is one of these things you work hard at and when it happens, you feel pretty good.”