Duguid, Northcott get call to World Curling Hall of Fame. Finally

Two of Canada's curling giants are being elevated to an even higher place in the history of the sport they love.

Ron Northcott, a 3-time world champion and Don Duguid, a 2-time winner of the global title, will be inducted by the World Curling Federation during the closing banquet of this year's world men's championship, on April 7th.

“It’s a great honour; it’s unbelievable,” said Duguid, in a Canadian Curling Association media release. "And going in with Ron Northcott really tickles me. He was an inspiration to me when I watched him curl.”

These are two exceptionally deserving individuals and there is no question as to their status as hall of famers. Upon hearing this news, however, my initial reaction was 'they aren't already in the World Curling Hall of Fame?'

Makes you wonder what took the hall so long to enshrine them. It's true that the world hall only began accepting nominations for induction last year. However, previous to that, the WCF annually handed out the Freytag award to honour significant contribution to the sport. Those recipients were automatically installed as hall of famers.

It's amazing that neither Northcott nor Duguid were ever given that award, which has been handed out since 1978.

Northcott, a 6-time provincial champion, won three straight world titles, the last of which came in 1969. He was inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of fame in 1973. Forty years later, the World Hall will enshrine him. Duguid, who won consecutive worlds in 1970 and 1971, was brought into the Canadian Curling Hall in 1974.

“I definitely was thrilled. I was totally surprised,” said Northcott, in the media release. “I have no idea who would have nominated me and how I got by the selection committee. But it’s certainly an honour and I’m very excited about it. I mean, how long has it been? Close to 50 years — that’s a long time.”

Too long. But, the oversight has been corrected and two legends finally get their due.