Photo: Colin Dacre

Team Kevin Koe and Sweden's Niklas Edin measure out the final stone in extra ends at last year's Ashley Home Store Curling Classic.

The Penticton Curling Club is gearing up to host some of the world’s best male curling teams during the second annual Ashley Home Store Curling Classic this weekend.

Twenty-four teams from across the world will be competing for $66,000 in prize money in the World Curling Tour event.

Club manager Cathy Jones says the success of last year’s inaugural event saw teams enthusiastic about returning to the Peach City, with the team list filling out in just two weeks.

“Curling has really placed itself on the map in Penticton and we will continue to host this event as long as teams keep coming,” Jones said. “We just want to grow it.”

Tickets are nearly sold out, she said.

“To see this type of caliber on our ice is just phenomenal. It's exciting, it’s a honour to be ambassadors of our club for these teams.”

The Penticton Curling Club saw a bump in membership last year, something Jones attributes to last year’s event as well as the Scotties Canadian Women’s Championships hosted at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

“It really recognized curling as an inexpensive, fun, sport of any age to come out and learn.”

Kevin Koe out of Calgary took last year’s event, edging out Sweden’s Niklas Edin by millimetres in the extra end.

The last batch of tickets can be acquired by calling the club at 250-492-5647. The action runs Friday to Monday.