With all due respect to Benny Goodman, he was curling’s version of the “King of Swing” and he’s about to be inducted into the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame.
Clarence “Shorty” Jenkins changed the sport of curling world wide. He experimented with curling rocks to ensure optimum performance and maximum curl. Jenkins revolutionized the sport with innovations in ice scraping and types of water for ice and pebbling that became universally adopted. “Shorty” was the lead ice maker for major events like the Brier, the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and TSN Skins games.
You knew when “Shorty” was in the building by his trademark pink cowboy hat and boots which took on bigger fame when he starred in a Tim Horton’s commercial. Jenkins’ daughter Kity Bavis on how that started.
When he wasn’t perfecting curling ice, Shorty Jenkins was a groundskeeper at area golf courses including Trenton, the Bay of Quinte and Cataraqui. He also designed the Frankford Golf Course.
Jenkins passed away in 2013. Already a member of the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame, Jenkins will be inducted with Paula Stephanson, Rob Ray, Joel Carr-Braint, Chris Valentine and the 1962 Belleville Kenmores to the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame this Saturday at 1 o’clock at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre. This is open to the public.
