The Curl Manitoba 122nd MCA men's bonspiel is still the largest bonspiel in the world. The folks in Toronto laid claim to the title for a while but they were never close, at least in the last half century. Even at just more than 400 teams this year's bonspiel was almost a third larger than Toronto's at 280.

There seems to be none older, either. Just three years away from the 125th annual event the Manitoba bonspiel has no equals.

Those who play in it will admit there are still some challenges with a new draw format implemented a year ago but it has accomplished the main objective of shortening the time a player has to commit by as much as three days.

However, it is not the age of the bonspiel but the age of the players that I write about today. This year's event underlined the reason curling is such a great competitive sport. Curling can be played on an almost equal footing by players a great deal different in age. The best example of that is the team who won the last bonspiel berth into this year's Manitoba men's championship.

Jim Kirkness, who is 68 years of age, and his team who are 59, 53, and 52 played with and eventually out-smarted much younger teams to win an invitation to Steinbach.

Kirkness is a name you've heard before, but you have never heard of any of his team. Don Newbury, Reg Steckler, and Rick Pullen will all be playing in their first ever Manitoba championship.

They were smiling like kids who had just been given the keys to the candy store when they were handed the small patch of cloth that goes to teams who win championship berths in this province.

They are realistic about their chances of even winning a game at the Safeway championship.

The draw for the provincial playoff will be announced a few days after I write this and a few days before you read it. My guess is these guys are going to be playing Jeff Stoughton, Kevin Park, Rob Fowler and Steve Gould in their opening game. Stoughton is the defending champion and should be the #1 seed in the draw. The Kirkness entry is likely to be the #32 seed into the draw.

They're not in the same league as the Stoughton team. They know that. Then again, they probably shouldn't even be in the same event as the Stoughton team but they are.

It is the best thing and the worst thing about curling in Manitoba. A team like this still has a chance to go to the Brier.

Age does not automatically limit your ability to play the game. Declining physical condition and reduced stamina may become factors in whether you win or lose but a strong competitive spirit and the experiences of many years playing the game can be off-setting factors.

Just ask Jim Kirkness and his team. They won nine games and lost only two over four and a half days.

Some aging but still capable curlers also displayed their talents in the bonspiel's final stages. Reg Malanchuk and his team, who won the Brandon Neil Andrews senior spiel a year ago, won an event. Bob Boughey, who won a Manitoba seniors' title in 1999, lost a main event semi-final with a group of contemporaries. Terry Braunstein, who won the Brier in 1965 and a Manitoba seniors in 1994, lost an event final.

Seniors competitive age in Manitoba is 50 so you can figure out that Braunstein is at least 67 and still playing the game at a pretty high level.

I was only nine years old when Braunstein went to the Brier in 1958 with his team of high-school friends. I realize now how young that team really was. The morning after this year's bonspiel final, he was back on the ice in a Master's zone game and I was playing him.

You'll have to check this space next week to see how we made out.

For complete Manitoba curling coverage, and even the occasional opinion, visit my website —www.thecurler.com. To share your opinion on this or other topics, contact me at myopinion@thecurler-.com.