Bumper crowds enjoy a stellar Masters

Mercure City of Perth Masters chairman Pete Loudon reflected on another successful event when play came to a close on Sunday.

The World Curling Tour spectacle welcomed a stellar line-up of teams from Scotland and across the globe to the Dewars Centre.

Team Mouat came out on top in an all-Scottish final, defeating Perthshire rink Team Glen Muirhead in front of a bumper Perth crowd.

“There were great crowds and I think that was partly because of the dates with people still to go back to work,” Pete explained to the PA.

“And definitely because there were more Scottish teams involved. We had five in the quarter finals, three in the semi finals and then an all-Scottish final.

“About 50 per cent of the Scottish teams that entered made the play-offs.

“Robin Brydone deserves a special mention - a local young team with a point to prove. They did well to get to the semi-final.

“Glen played a fantastic game in the semi-final to beat Team de Cruz, with both teams at the top of their game.

“Team Mouat was different class in the final. You need to look at the number of competitive games they’ve played over the season so far.

“Mouat has probably played two or three the number of games because they are full time. Glen and the boys are still combining curling and work.

“They should be proud to get to the final and it will set them in good stead for the Scottish finals in the middle of February back in Perth.”

Plans are already being pieced together for next year’s event.

Pete added:“The television coverage has been great and some of the numbers, certainly on YouTube, were five hundred at a time and thousands on the catch-up.

“We look at different ways to improve the event every year.

“We sat down with David Murdoch, the national coach, on Saturday to try and get an idea for the schedule for next season.

“You want to pick dates that don’t clash with other big competitions and if we stick with the same weekend that will probably work.

“We’ll maybe only go for 24 teams next year and have also talked about combining it with the ladies’event.

“We’re already speaking to the Mercure City Mills just now, the main sponsor, about the dates for next year and also Live Active Leisure.

“Between them, the council, Perth Honda and Earnside coaches, it all helps. The committee work really hard to make this happen.

“It’s a real team effort with people knowing what they are doing. For the ice conditions, Paul Martin and the boys have done a great job.”