Record-setting curler plays in southeast Saskatchewan

82-year-old curler Camille Villeneuve was in southeast Saskatchewan March 4. He curled in Estevan and Lampman. Villeneuve holds the record for playing in the most curling clubs.

Most people aren't thinking about travel, curling and world records at the age of 82.

But Camille Villeneuve isn't like most people.

Villeneuve competed during the Thursday afternoon senior's mixed curling league at the Estevan Curling Club on March 4. Estevan was the 671st curling rink that Villeneuve has played in over the last 45 years. He made it 672 clubs that night during a game at the Lampman Curling Club.

When he isn't on his curling odyssey that has taken him across North America, Villeneuve resides in Chicoutimi, Quebec. His world record for playing at the most curling rinks is an unofficial one, but Villeneuve has a hard time believing that anyone could have been to more curling venues.

Two-time Brier runner-up and fellow Quebecer Guy Hemmings might be close with his “Rockin' the House” promotional curling tour, Villeneuve said.

“But he didn't play matches in every curling club,” Villeneuve said with a French accent. “He was there for the promotion of curling. He was teaching people how to throw. But he didn't play games as I do at every stop.”

Estevan and Lampman were part of a tour that will take Villeneuve to 45 clubs in 38 days.

Curling is a wonderful game, Villeneuve said. He has played a wide variety of sports. He loves the finesse needed to succeed in curling.

“It's a team game,” said Villeneuve. “You depend on your teammates to make good shots. And to meet people, I like that. I like to meet people from everywhere.”

Hockey was Villeneuve's game for many years. He was a goaltender from the time he was 13 until he was 38. After leaving hockey, he decided to try golf.

His introduction to curling came when he was still 38. Villeneuve, who is a retired teacher, was invited by a colleague to play in a teacher's bonspiel.

“I got hooked,” said Villeneuve. “I played for two years as a lead in this bonspiel. And then I started a team. As with anybody else, I had to learn to lose before learning to win.”

He became good enough to play in Quebec's senior men's provincial championship. His team reached the final one year. He also curled in the provincial masters competition.

Villeneuve said he decided to start his cross-country curling tour after he curled at his 100th different curling club. He recalls that he was at club No. 99 for a bonspiel. One of the competitors found out that Villeneuve was one curling club away from 100. Villeneuve was invited to play at another club so that he could reach the milestone.

“I played my game, and after my match, I received (a gift) from the president, and at that stage, I realized that I had accomplished something,” said Villeneuve. “So I decided why not keep doing this, and be recognized for something different than competition.”

Club No. 100 was more than 20 years ago. Villeneuve has been travelling to different curling clubs every fall and winter, for six to eight weeks at a time, for more than a dozen years.

Villeneuve said Estevan is a nice city, and the curling venue is a good one. He liked the ice.

“I like to throw a few stones before I play to have the feeling of the ice,” said Villeneuve. “And I have quite a nice feeling. It's similar to home.”

Curling Club manager Pauline Ziehl-Grimsrud and Estevan Mayor Gary St. Onge, who is a long-time curler in Estevan, presented Villeneuve with pins. His teammates in Estevan – third Marilyn Johnson, second Ron Rittaler and lead Joan Phair – are local curlers.

He has different teammates at every club he visits, he said.

Villeneuve's tours have taken him across Canada and into such American states as Wisconsin, Illinois, North Dakota, Minnesota and Alaska. He visited Scotland a few years ago and curled in 19 different rinks in 16 days in the country that is the birthplace of the sport.

Another milestone, his 700th club, is expected to come before Easter. Once he reaches the mark, Villeneuve said he will reduce his schedule. But he will continue to travel and play in a few clubs, and that will allow him to build on his record and play the game he loves.

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