Empire state bonspiel

History

In 1954, three women's bonspiels in the GNCC were either poorly attended or canceled due to lack of entries. Representatives of the Utica Glengarries, the Schenectady Women, and the Westchester Wicks met to formulate a plan for a rotating bonspiel to be submitted to the respective clubs for their consideration. The name, Empire State Bonspiel, was adopted. It was agreed that each club retain its club trophy, with the position it was awarded for rotated as the bonspiel rotated, and that a medal be struck and to be awarded to the winner of the first event.

In 2004 The Beulah Fitzgerald Trophy and Medal was created in honor of Mrs. John Fitzgerald, the person who inspired our three clubs to start this event in 1954. The medals were struck and presented for the first time in 2005 to the fourth event winners until 2008. In 2009, they became the fifth event medals.

The Rochester Curling Club women were welcomed to the event in 2005. The Thistle medals were designed and presented to fourth event winners for the first time in 2009. (last updated 2013)

Detailed history