The Plainfield Curling Club (or PCC) is a nonprofitcurling club located in South Plainfield, New Jersey.[1] It owns and operates the only dedicated curling facility in New Jersey.[2] It was founded in 1963,[3] with the members initially using rented ice and curling outdoors.[4] The current two-sheet structure was completed in 1967.
The PCC season runs from late October through early April. As of the 2018–2019 season, the club holds league play seven days per week, hosts six annual bonspiels, and has programs for juniors (teenagers) and “little rockers” (ages 6–12). It also hosts supervised programs for members of the public to try curling.
The club had a significant increase in membership for the 2002–2003 season, after U.S. television coverage of curling in the 2002 Winter Olympics increased awareness of the sport. There was a similar spike in membership for the 2006–2007 season due to the 2006 Winter Olympics television coverage.[2] Interest in the sport at the club again peaked after the 2010 Winter Olympics.[5][6][7][8]
The Plainfield Curling Club regularly hosts several bonspiels each year and most all are open to curlers from other clubs.[16] Unless noted, teams for these bonspiels are "open" format; that is, teams may be made up of any combination of men and women.
The Founders' – Held in November, this internal bonspiel pays tribute to the club founders.
PCC Junior Bonspiel – Held in January, for teenage curlers.
Jersey Curlz – Held in February/March, this women's bonspiel is a United States Women's Curling Association (USWCA) circuit event.
The P.C.C. Stone – Held in March, this men's bonspiel pays tribute to Peter C. Christofferson, father of founding member Ken Christofferson.
The Bonsqueal – Held in April, this popular open end-of-season bonspiel features a new pig-related theme each year (in reference to the hog line curling term) with a Saturday night pig roast. Due to its popularity, games are 6-ends each except for the finals.
In addition, the Plainfield Curling Club occasionally hosts other bonspiels, including Mid-Atlantic Curling Association (MACA) events, the Mid-Atlantic Women's Bonspiel, friendly competitions with other area clubs, and continues to be one of the host clubs for the Herries Maxwell trophy, an event played every ten years between Scotland and the USA.[17]