The Royal Caledonian Curling Club from Scotland swept into Westchester last week for a match against the Ardsley Curling Club. The Scots play various U.S. curling teams every five years, alternating between countries, for the Herries Maxwell Trophy which the Americans won in 2012 in a tour of Scotland.
The game has close ties to golf, since it was often the game of choice for club members during the winter months when it was played on frozen golf course ponds as it was originally in Westchester at St. Andrew’s. That’s where the Ardsley Club played until it built its curling rink in 1966 on land leased from the Ardsley Country Club. Now two other clubs share the ice, the New York Caledonian Club and the Ardwicks, a women’s club. The St. Andrew’s Curling Club closed its own dedicated ice facility in 1987.
In remarks welcoming the Royal Caledonians, County Executive Rob Astorino said, “It’s great to host the Royal Caledonian Curling Club here in Westchester. The Herries Maxwell Challenge has been a tradition between the United States and Scotland for over 60 years, and we are all proud of Westchester’s participation.”
The Ardsley club prevailed in its match with an 11-8 victory.
The Ardsley Curling Club is located on the grounds of Ardsley Country Club, down the hill from the main club parking lot. While it’s a separate organization, the two clubs share some membership privileges.