CORNWALL, P.E.I. — When it comes to curling, it has been a memorable start to 2021 for Sean Ledgerwood.
The Cornwall resident and member of the Crapaud Community Curling Club has won two provincial championships for the first time in a career that spans 35-plus years.
Ledgerwood played second for Eddie MacKenzie's rink that won the P.E.I. Tankard men's curling championship in O’Leary in late January. He held the same position with Philip Gorveatt’s rink out of the Montague Curling Club that captured the P.E.I. senior men’s title for curlers aged 50 and over at the Silver Fox in Summerside recently.
“It was pretty cool to play on two different teams, and the two teams were quite different,” said Ledgerwood, a 51-year-old Cornwall resident. “With the Tankard team, I was the oldest, and the young kids were always teasing me about how old I am.
“Then I go to the senior team, and I am the youngest, so I am teasing the old guys that they are old – a little role reversal!"
The young kids Ledgerwood referred to are MacKenzie rink teammates Ryan Lowery and Tyler Smith. The 20-year-old Lowery plays the lead position, and Smith, 22, is the third.
Team MacKenzie will represent P.E.I. at the Tim Hortons Brier in Calgary, March 6-14.
“It worked out well for Sean this year for sure,” said Gorveatt. “I wish them well out there, and we will all be watching. That will be the next step for him for sure. It’s a big moment for him.”
Experience
Ledgerwood said he has enjoyed playing on the MacKenzie and Gorveatt rinks. It is, however, two different experiences, he said.
“Playing with the young guys and seeing them grow and play, it’s neat to see that,” said Ledgerwood. “Then you go to a senior team, which is full of experienced guys, and they’ve all been to the Brier multiple times. You have so much experience (with the senior team) that you are not teaching anybody there. You go and do your job.
“With the Tankard team, you are trying to give some of that experience, help guys along and help get them get better for a long curling career.”
Work ethic
Ledgerwood’s passion for curling and a willingness to help other players is evident. Gorveatt said Ledgerwood has the best work ethic of anyone he has curled with.
An example of that, said Gorveatt, is Ledgerwood’s dedication and desire to continually improve. Ledgerwood and Gorveatt enjoy spending a lot of hours working on the technical side of the game.
Gorveatt added Ledgerwood’s drive and commitment have made an impact on his senior rink.
"He's kind of changed our team and taken the team in another direction," said Gorveatt. "Sean has a lot of experience, and he is smart.
"He knows the game, and he has a very efficient slide, he makes a lot of shots and I can count on him. That is all you can ask for.”
Jason Simmonds is The Guardian's sports reporter. He can be reached by email at [email protected] and followed on Twitter at @JpsportsJason.
