His intensity left him with “splitting headaches” after games
This is part 1 of a two-part podcast episode. Part 2 will be posted shortly.
John Kawaja was obsessed.
His competitive drive, at age 21, led to a first Brier championship as second for Ed Werenich in 1983. Joined by third Paul Savage and lead Neil Harrison, the “Dream Team” went on to win the men’s world championship, then known as the Air Canada Silver Broom.
In 1990, now third for Werenich and with the front end of Ian Tetley and Pat Perroud, Kawaja won a second Brier and world championship, to go with countless World Curling Tour cashspiel titles and, of course, the TSN Skins Game.
His intensity left him with “splitting headaches” after games.
Kawaja also played an integral role in the creation of the first Players’ Championship – the Seagram’s VO Cup – which birthed WCT coverage on TSN.
However, following a semifinal loss in the 1997 Canadian Olympic Trials, at an age (36) when many curlers reach their peak, he walked away… for a career in the global golf industry.
Watch and listen as John shares stories from the bonspiel circuit, the Briers, lunches with PGA golf stars, the Battles of the Sexes and battles with European teams, all while trying to uncover the genius of Ed “The Wrench” Werenich.
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This show is also available at The Curling News YouTube page.