Dynamic husband and wife duo emerge victorious in provincial tournament
By Fernando David Moreno-Prado Times Contributor
Photo Courtesy of David Grice
Strathmore residents Tony and Jackie Van Kleef took home first place plaques and cash awards after competing in Tier 5 cornhole at the curling rink in Lacombe on July 12-14.
“We weren’t expecting it considering our skill level is still pretty low,” says Jackie. “But we improve.”
Despite the hot weather, the conditions did not impact their gameplay, tells Jackie.
The Van Kleefs have been playing cornhole for over two years – initially for fun but more competitively once the Strathmore Huskers Cornhole (SHC) club was started two years ago. However, their primary motivation is simply their love of the game.
When asked where they will go from here, Jackie explained how they use the app Scoreholio to keep themselves informed of any tournaments that are close by such as places like Regina and Medicine Hat where they and other club members have recently competed. They will continue to monitor the app for the remainder of the summer and beyond.
They not only represent their sport, but also their community as champions. Fellow members of their club have expressed pride in the couple’s accomplishment.
“I’m very proud of them,” says SHC club member Dave Grice. “It just shows how much we’re heading in the right direction how much we’re working on it, teaching them, learning and how much they’re soaking it all in.”
Although the Van Kleefs do other things as a couple, cornhole is the activity that they enjoy doing together the most according to Jackie, whose husband was out of town for work-related reasons. It allows them to strive to improve together as a team.
“We encourage each other to do better,” says Jackie.
As members of the SHC club, Jackie and Tony seek to promote the growing sport and hope to especially attract younger members. They do this by using social media and fundraiser competitions such as in Okotoks and Nanton. Jackie points out that it is an easy sport to learn and improve upon.
Every Thursday, members of the public can observe and practice the sport at the Kinsmen Pavilion near the Strathmore Town Hall. This past Thursday there was over a dozen people participating including Jackie herself.
“The whole club has become like a family,” says club president Lance Smith. He points that they have members ranging from teenagers to people in their 70s. “It is absolutely inclusive for all ages.”