Koe takes next step in $1M payday

Kevin Koe could become the first curler to cash in a million dollar paycheque.

Photo: Contributed

Kevin Koe of Calgary leads an 18 rink field into the Grand Slam of Curling at Prospera Place.

Koe leads a field of 18 of the top curlers in Canada into the Grand Slam of Curling, Canadian Open beginning Wednesday evening at Prospera Place.

By winning the first of four Grand Slam stops, Koe will, if he wins the final three events, become a curling millionaire.

Koe says he really never thought curling would hit this type of potential payday, but in reality, wonders if it really is on the line.

"That's even a bit of a stretch to say . . . I mean, no one has ever done it," says Koe.

"It will probably happen sometime in the future and, hopefully it will be this year."

While the odds of winning are long, Koe says the thought of sharing that big payday with his team does creep into his mind from time to time.

"Once in a while, but it's not something I spend too much time thinking about. One team has a chance after the first event and, like I said, "I'm glad it's us," says Koe.

"We're playing well but it's hard enough to win just one of these things. We'll just take it event by event."

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

The ice is being prepared for the start of the Grand Slam of Curling

He will have to beat back the likes of Kevin Martin, Glenn Howard, Jeff Stoughton, Brad Gushue and Kelowna's Jim Cotter at the $100,000 Canadian Open.

Koe, who beat Cotter in the final of the first Grand Slam event in Brantford, Ont. will meet the hometown favourite in the opening draw Wednesday night.

"Jim has a great team and a great bunch of guys and it's nice for them to have one of these events close to home because I don't think they get that chance too often," says Koe.

"It's a rematch of the last final and they are having a good year. It will be a good way to start the event."

Round robin play resumes Thursday and Friday with four draws each day beginning at 9 a.m.

The 18-team field will be broken into three six-team groups.

Teams play a complete round robin within their group with the top eight teams qualifying for Saturday's playoff rounds.

Tickets are still available for the Grand Slam through Select Your Tickets.