It has been said of Doug that he knew more about curling and curlers than anyone else. He played a variety of roles in the sport: as promoter, innovator, builder, broadcaster, print journalist and author.
Doug was a great supporter of the Scottish Curler magazine. He was a great team member - his Canadian Commentary column arrived promptly every month and, you could be sure, his words would be interesting AND provocative!
I first got to know Doug in 1980 in Moncton at the Silver Broom World Curling Championship. I was a rookie on the press bench. Doug, the executive director of the event, could not have been more supportive and helpful. After Moncton he encouraged my efforts as a member of the curling media. When I took over as Editor of the Scottish Curler five years ago, Doug was still there with his support.His most recent book Tales of a Curling Hack was published last year. His contributions to the world of international curling will be well documented elsewhere. For now I've lost a friend.
Join with me in thinking of Doug's wife Anne, and their family, at this time.
A memorial service is planned for Sunday, September 9, at 2 pm, at Annesley United Church, 82 Toronto Street South, Markdale, Ontario.
The photo is of Doug when he visted Glasgow with the Silver Broom site selection committee in 1982. The group gave the nod to the Glasgow organisers to stage the event in the Kelvin Hall in 1985, building from scratch a temporary ice arena with seating for 6,000, plus all the associated facilities, in just eight days and nights. The photo is from Richard Harding's Curling magazine.
