Rules

2016 – 2017     Ontario Grandmasters Curling Association Rules

This competition will be governed by the CCA Rules of Curling for General Play, the Eligibility and Registration section of the OCA Rules Supplement and these OGCA Rules.

  1. Eligibility Rules
    1. Age: On December 31, 2016 women must be at least 65 years of age and men must be at least 70 years of age.
    2. Membership: All players must be active members of an OCA affiliated curling club.
    3. Participation: All players must participate in club draw(s) at the curling club(s) indicated on the entry form.
  1. Equalization factor for Smaller Curling Clubs. A smaller curling club is an OCA affiliated curling club with 4 sheets or less of curling ice. A team from a smaller curling club may import one player from another smaller club in Ontario to play on their team. The imported player must satisfy eligibility rules, be approved by the curling club of entry and play front end.
  1. Teams: Each team will be composed of four women or four men or any combination of women or men playing in any team position.
  1. Zone play:
    1. Entries: Only the first eight teams will be accepted in each zone. More teams may be accepted at the discretion of the OGCA Executive
    2. Event: Double knockout with one team advancing to provincial final. The zone draw will be sent to each skip. There is no need for a pre-game meeting.
    3. Substitution: At the zone level, teams must declare four eligible players. Substitution will be allowed in accordance with the rules provided two of the original players are utilized. Players eliminated at one level will not be eligible to spare at the same level.
    4. Pre-Game: Choice of last rock or colour will be determined by a coin toss. The team which has last rock will practice first.
    5. Pre-Game: All games shall allow time for a seven (7) minute per team pre-game organized practice. Practice is to be on the sheet of ice where the team is scheduled to play and only with the stones they will be using in the game.
    6. Extra ends are full ends played toward the glass.
  1. Fill System: If a zone has no entries the fill team for the provincial final will be:
    1. The runner up of the zone with the largest number of entries in that region.
    2. The runner up from the host zone.
  1. Provincial Final:
    1. Event: The 16 winning teams of the zone playdowns shall meet in the Verve Grandmasters Ontario Championship which shall have four events and guarantee each team three games.
    2. Teams: Only four players will advance to the provincial level.
    3. Substitutes: Substitutes will only be available from a pool of players selected by the host committee.
    4. Pre-Game: A coin toss will determine the order of practice or rock colour.
    5. Pre-Game: All games shall allow time for a seven (7) minute per team pre-game organized practice. Practice is to be on the sheet of ice where the team is scheduled to play and only with the stones they will be using in the game.
    6. Choice of Last Rock: Immediately following each team’s practice, one player shall throw one rock to the rings with sweeping. The distance from the pin will be measured by an OGCA official. The team closest to the pin will have the choice of last rock. Ties will be broken by another player from each team throwing one rock to the rings with sweeping.
    7. Extra Ends: Extra ends are full ends played toward the glass.
  1. Delivery Methods: The use of delivery sticks or brushes is permitted.
  1. Travel Guidelines: During travel to zone play, if competitors experience hazardous driving conditions that could delay their arrival they should phone the host club umpire or Head Official, Art Lobel at 905 881 0457. Depending on the nature of the delay, the umpire may decide to delay the start of the game or reschedule without penalty.