In 1908 Colonel J.W. deCourcy O’Grady, who was President of the Manitoba Curling Association, presented a trophy to encourage good will and promote curling matches between affiliated clubs in the Association, which at that time included clubs from North Western Ontario and parts of Saskatchewan.  The official name is the O’Grady but is also affectionately known and called “The Old Buffalo”, the latter being taken from a figure of a bison standing in a defiant attitude on the trophy. This large beautiful trophy, which is still in competition today, is stored by the Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame, 145 Pacific Avenue, Winnipeg. Colonel O’Grady also served as President of the MCA in 1911.

The Trophy was put into play in the Annual MCA Bonspiel of 1908.  Any club affiliated with the Association was eligible to enter a double rink (two teams) in the competition, the winner to be declared by the highest total number of points accumulated in a round robin competition.  Two Granite teams skipped by W.P. McDougall and Dr. A.B. Alexander were the winners, defeating double teams from Glenboro, Birtle, Napinka, Dauphin and Regina, Saskatchewan Clubs.

For a history of the O’Grady Challenge please click here:

Since the competition started in 1908 a complete record of games and results have been kept.  To view these records please click here: Trustees also have details on each curler that has played in each match, as well as many colourful comments recorded in the log books over the years.

Annually over a dozen clubs participate in this historic event, which has been running continuously since 1908.

To download a challenge application, please click here for: 2025-2026 Application – O’Grady

All clubs are encouraged to ensure adherence to Curl Canada’s pandemic “return to play” guidelines, as may be amended in compliance with local health guidelines.

To find out more information, please contact Ron Margolis, O’Grady Trustee via cell or text at (204) 295-0163 or [email protected], or call the CurlManitoba during office hours.

For this season’s schedule, please click here

Basic Rules are as follows:

  • Challenging Rink supplies ice and hospitality.
  • Each club made up of a double rink (two teams), highest combined scores determines the winner.
  • Schedule is made up by Trustees, when all applications are in prior to each season.
  • Winning team to contact next Challenger to arrange a date during the week scheduled.

For a complete set of rules, please click here

 

A unique O’Grady competitor’s pin will be given to the members of each team that challenges regardless whether they win the match or not.