A major focus for the season was qualifying for the B.C. Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
As it turned out, Patti Knezevic and her Prince George Golf and Curling Club rink only needed one opportunity.
The Knezevic foursome was in Vernon last weekend, throwing stones in the first provincial-qualifier of the year. In the nine-team event, Team Knezevic won three of its four games and secured a berth in the Scotties, Jan. 14-20 in Cloverdale. The B.C. championship will determine the province's representative in the national Scotties, Feb. 16-24 in Kingston, Ont.
Knezevic's team features Kristen Fewster, Jen Rusnell and Rhonda Camozzi. But, because Fewster was unavailable for duty last weekend, Falon Burkitt -- in her first season out of the junior ranks -- filled in.
In Vernon, Knezevic and company clinched the second of three available provincial spots. The first went to Marilou Richter's New Westminster team and the third was snapped up by Roberta Kuhn's Vernon crew.
Two more qualifying events will be held -- in North Vancouver, Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, and here in Prince George, Dec. 14-16.
Knezevic and her rinkmates had planned their winter schedule around the provincial qualifiers and now they'll have to make some changes.
Not that they're complaining.
"Our plan included North Vancouver, as well as Prince George if need be," Knezevic said.
"It was a total grind [in Vernon] through the weekend but it was a good weekend. It's maybe a little bit of a luxury [to qualify right away]. Since they've changed the system, I don't think I've qualified out of the first playdown ever so it is nice because it leaves 53 or 54 days until provincials and that's what we'll be discussing. We have 53 days to prepare so we'll take that time and utilize it accordingly."
Up until a few years ago, the B.C. Scotties lineup was determined via regional playdowns around the province. But, Curl B.C. dropped the geographical boundaries and made the qualifying bonspiels open events.
In Vernon, Knezevic opened with an 8-7 extra-end victory against Kuhn. Next came an 8-7 decision against Allison MacInnes of Abbotsford. Knezevic then lost 6-5 to Richter and, in the B event final, downed MacInnes 10-8 in an extra end.
As the scores indicate, every game was filled with pressure. Under those circumstances, Knezevic was particularly impressed with the play of Burkitt. The youngster tossed second rocks and was as cool as the ice beneath her feet.
"She played well and she was really quite resilient," Knezevic said. "She kind of rolled with it. We were in some clutch moments ... and she understood what needed to be done at all times."
Fewster, who was attending a wedding in Mexico last weekend, will re-join the rink for provincials and Burkitt will slide to the alternate spot.
The Knezevic foursome is new as a group this season but all the players have extensive experience at the B.C. Scotties, which will bring together 10 teams again this year. Along with the three rinks that qualified in Vernon, two other berths have also been confirmed. They will go to three-time defending champion Kelly Scott of Kelowna and to New Westminster's Marla Mallett, who currently has the highest-rated B.C. team in the Canadian Team Ranking System.
"Marla's team is playing very well this year," Knezevic said. "They've done really well on the cashspiel circuit and they played in the final of the B.C.'s last year so, for sure, I think they have to be considered one of the favourites."
