Bud Somerville
Encyclopedia
Raymond "Bud" Somerville (born January 27, 1937 in Superior, Wisconsin
) is an American curler. He is a two-time World champion, and five time American champion.
Somerville won his first American championship
in 1965, qualifying his team for the 1965 Scotch Cup
, the World Curling championships at the time. His team won the event, defeating Canada's Terry Braunstein in the final, making Somerville the first skip from outside of Canada to win a World championship.
In 1968, Somerville won his second U.S. championship. At the 1968 Air Canada Silver Broom
(the world championship), Somerville won the bronze medal after losing to Canada's Ron Northcott
, 12-2 in the semi-final. The following year, Somerville won his third U.S. championship, and at the 1969 Air Canada Silver Broom
, he lost once again to Canada's Northcott, this time in the final, 9-6.
In 1974, Somerville won his fourth U.S. championship. At the 1974 Air Canada Silver Broom
, Somerville claimed his second and last World Championship, defeating Sweden's Jan Ullsten 11-4 in the final.
Somerville won his last U.S. championship in 1981. He once again won a medal at the 1981 Air Canada Silver Broom
. He won a silver after losing to Switzerland's Jürg Tanner
, 2-1 in the final.
Somerville also played in the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics, when curling was a demonstration sport. He finished fourth place in 1988, and won a bronze medal in 1992. 1995 would mark his last World Championship appearance, when he was alternate for his son Tim
's team.
Bud's son, Tim is also an American champion, having won the U.S. nationals 1995, 1996 and 1999.
Somerville was the first inductee to the United States Curling Hall of Fame in 1984.
Superior, Wisconsin
Superior is a city in and the county seat of Douglas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 26,960 at the 2010 census. Located at the junction of U.S. Highways 2 and 53, it is north of and adjacent to both the Village of Superior and the Town of Superior.Superior is at the western...
) is an American curler. He is a two-time World champion, and five time American champion.
Somerville won his first American championship
United States Curling Men's Championships
The United States Men's Curling Championship is the annual men's national curling championship for the United States. It acts as a qualifier for the World Men's Curling Championships. Ten teams play in each championship, with the two top-ranked teams in the nation qualifying automatically...
in 1965, qualifying his team for the 1965 Scotch Cup
1965 Scotch Cup
The 1965 Scotch Cup, the men's world curling championship, was held from March 15-18 in Perth, Scotland at the Perth Ice Rink.-Teams:*Throws third rocks.-Standings:-Draw 1:-Draw 2:-Draw 3:-Draw 4:-Draw 5:-Playoffs:...
, the World Curling championships at the time. His team won the event, defeating Canada's Terry Braunstein in the final, making Somerville the first skip from outside of Canada to win a World championship.
In 1968, Somerville won his second U.S. championship. At the 1968 Air Canada Silver Broom
1968 Air Canada Silver Broom
-Draw 4:-Draw 5:-Draw 6:-Draw 7:-Brackets:-Semifinals:-Final:-External links:...
(the world championship), Somerville won the bronze medal after losing to Canada's Ron Northcott
Ron Northcott
Ronald Charles "Owl" Northcott, CM is a three-time Canadian and World curling champion and a Hall of Fame member....
, 12-2 in the semi-final. The following year, Somerville won his third U.S. championship, and at the 1969 Air Canada Silver Broom
1969 Air Canada Silver Broom
The 1969 Air Canada Silver Broom, the men's world curling championship, was held at the Perth Ice Rink in Perth, Scotland.-Teams:-Standings:-Draw 1:-Draw 2:-Draw 3:-Draw 4:-Draw 5:-Draw 6:-Draw 7:-Playoffs:-Semifinal:...
, he lost once again to Canada's Northcott, this time in the final, 9-6.
In 1974, Somerville won his fourth U.S. championship. At the 1974 Air Canada Silver Broom
1974 Air Canada Silver Broom
-Playoffs:-Semifinals:-Final:...
, Somerville claimed his second and last World Championship, defeating Sweden's Jan Ullsten 11-4 in the final.
Somerville won his last U.S. championship in 1981. He once again won a medal at the 1981 Air Canada Silver Broom
1981 Air Canada Silver Broom
The 1981 Air Canada Silver Broom, the men's world curling championship, was held from at the Thompson Arena in London, Ontario, Canada.-Teams:-Round Robin Standings:-Draw 1:-Draw 2:-Draw 3:-Draw 4:-Draw 5:-Draw 6:...
. He won a silver after losing to Switzerland's Jürg Tanner
Jürg Tanner
Jürg Tanner is a Swiss curler and former World Champion. He won a gold medal at the 1981 Air Canada Silver Broom, the men's world curling championship. He also won a silver and a bronze medal at the 1982 and 1980 Air Canada Silver Brooms, respectively, with teammates Jürg Hornisberger, Patrik...
, 2-1 in the final.
Somerville also played in the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics, when curling was a demonstration sport. He finished fourth place in 1988, and won a bronze medal in 1992. 1995 would mark his last World Championship appearance, when he was alternate for his son Tim
Tim Somerville
Tim Somerville is an American curler. He was born in Superior, Wisconsin. He competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, where the American team placed fourth, and at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.-References:...
's team.
Bud's son, Tim is also an American champion, having won the U.S. nationals 1995, 1996 and 1999.
Somerville was the first inductee to the United States Curling Hall of Fame in 1984.