The Baker family entered a team in the annual competition on Saturday (March 8). From left they are Victoria and Ken Wood, Sandy Borutski holding the trophy joined by Scott and Will Baker.

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Killaloe – It has often been said that the home team has the advantage in any sporting event and that certainly proved true Saturday when the members of the Killaloe Curling Club (KCC) used home ice advantage to earn bragging rights in the 2025 Baker Trophy competition.

After the final rock came to rest early Saturday evening, KCC had accumulated a total of 49 points, while the visiting Eganville Curling Club (ECC) managed 37. Last year, when the competition was renewed after being last contested in 2012, the ECC squeaked out a narrow 45-41 victory on home ice, so Killaloe exacted revenge this year when they hosted the event.

The teams played a total of 12, four-end games, eight of which Killaloe were victorious in. Eganville managed two wins and two ties, the toughest losses coming in draws two and three where they lost games by the scores of 8-0 and 9-3 to give KCC a 14-point advantage at that point. The Baker family was again well-represented by Sandy Borutskie, a grand-daughter of Martha and Jack, who used to play and now is present to hand- out the trophy afterwards.

The Killaloe team was bolstered by some direct descendants of Jack and Martha Baker, that included a great-grandson, Scott Baker, and a great, great grandson, Scott’ son, Will, and two cousins. KCC president Corinne Higgins was all smiles at how the day was going on Saturday.

“I think it’s awesome. We’ve got a great turn-out, good curling, lots of laughs on the ice, so I think it’s definitely a win-win for both clubs.”

Ms. Higgins said with the popularity of last year’s event, the KCC had no trouble recruiting participants for Saturday’s competition.

“And having the Baker team come to join us was just an added level of interest to encourage our curlers to come out to be involved,” she added.

She noted the KCC team had some members from their Learn to Curl program, along with some of the instructors playing. She added it’s great to have people like Mrs. Borutskie, and Joanne Murray helping organize things because they know the history of the event so well and are eager to share it.

EGG President Gerald Priestley said while the outcome wasn’t as hoped, it was a fun-filled day.

“I think it speaks well to the strength of both our organizations that we were able to get 25 people out for what many is anew event. The old-timers recognize it from the classics of the past, but it’s new to a lot of people.”

He added it’s easier to organize an event like that rather than an open spiel where you’re always searching for that last team. And you end up breaking a host team you to make two.

The fact the competition allows the clubs to curl on different ice surfaces every second year is a plus as some curlers normally don’t compete outside their own clubs.

Family Pleased

Ms. Borutskie, the granddaughter of the Bakers, said it’s wonderful to see the competition flourishing once again after its revival last year.

“I think it’s amazing,” she said. “I think it’s a real testament to the longevity of the Baker Cup that this place is full.

“And everybody is having a good time,” she added.

She said her late mom, Evelyn (Baker) McCue, who saw the legacy continue until her passing in 2023, would be so proud to know it’s been revived and is continuing.

“She’d marvel at it and be so grateful that people have kept the interest up that the Baker Trophy is still of interest after all these years,” she noted.

A former member of the KCC herself, she said a lot of her fellow members are no longer around, but there are first-and-second generation members of their families now playing the sport.

“They’re still involved and keep it going, it’s wonderful. People need a place to go to have fun, because there’s so much in the world right now that is negative,” she said. “Then you come into this building, and you just can’t help but fill joyful. Friends are playing friends here and enjoying it. Even when you lose you can still laugh about it.”

Scott Baker first curled in the annual event in 2024 and at that point, he stated he was already looking forward to returning in 2025.

“It’s all about family, and our family’s legacy. Sandy (Mrs. Borutskie) does an amazing job of keeping our name alive up here and it’s very important for us to be part of the community.”

He adjusted his team for this year, noting it included a Baker Boomer (1946 – 1964), Gen-X (1965 – 1980), Millennial (1981 – 1996), and a Gen-Z (1997 – 2021).

“So, we have all four generations covered now,” he joked.

While it was special to take part last year in Eganville, the fact the 2025 event was in Killaloe brought added appeal.

“It means so much more.” he stated. “We have family obviously, family friends at Round Lake.

His son, Will, was a true rookie at the sport, and the Baker was actually his first competition.

“I feel like I’m tapping into my ancestry and my bloodline. I feel like curling was meant for me.

“I’m starting to learn and feel it more,” he continued. “I’m extremely new. I just started this week, and this is my first game ever. It feels like I’m at home.”

Scott was glad to see Killaloe had a lead when he spoke with the Leader but he knew from experience to not celebrate too early.

“What was really fun was getting my son involved,” he explained. “He actually did some research online, looking into Jack Baker, and got really interested in that. It kind of sparked a little bit of family pride, so he looked up the family coat of arms and stuff like that.

He said he had a ton of fun practicing with Will to prepare for the event, then having the opportunity to play with him in the Baker was a win- win for them both.