DAY 4

Weather: very wet. A big change from the previous three days. We breakfasted again at Chicago Curling Club. Quite how they manage to do such good catering is a mystery to us.

We had four teams out against Chicago CC at 9.15 am More on Results above. After an early lunch we moved by coach a few miles to Exmoor Country Club where a four sheeter pad is surrounded by a major golf course and sports complex. Ian Young’s team sat out this match, and maybe the felt they were the lucky ones as the opposition was mighty strong. For the Scots the ice needed the most delicate touch for a good finish. That combined with very determined opposition on home ice produced a big lead for team USA. All credit to Gary Rutherford’s team who worked their socks and just about everything else off to finish only one shot behind. Bill Byers thanks Exmoor members for hosting us at their Club.

After that it was a relief and delight to be taken to the homes of our US hosts for a moment or two before we all returned to Exmoor CC for the Opening Banquet. We had been told by the 2012 Scots tourists that this would be a major event, and it was. There are no too many membership owned venues in Scotland that offer what Exmoor does. Speakers included Rich Lepping, Chairman of the board of USA Curling, Gus Noble, Illinois Saint Andrew Society,and Mark Swanbdby, 2017 Tour Convener and Captain of the 2012 Tour. Our own Clive Thomson replied on behalf of the Scots.

To close this memorable evening, the Scots sang songs from our Song and everyone around the room sang, proving that Scottish heritage is still very much alive in Chicago.

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