Despite the blustery weather, the opening draw of the PEI Scotties Tournament of Hearts at the Cornwall Curling Club was played on Thursday evening, although the opening ceremonies had to be cancelled.

The two winners in draw one were Kim Dolan of Charlottetown, who beat last year’s runner-up, Tammy Dewar of Montague by an 8-3 score, and Donna Butler of the host club, who edged Seniors champ Shirley Berry, who plays out of both Cornwall and Charlottetown, 7-6.

Butler now faces defending champion and 2010 national runner-up Kathy O’Rourke, while Dolan, an eight-time PEI Scotties winner, takes on former world junior and five time PEI Scotties champ Suzanne Birt in the second draw of this triple knockout event, Friday at 11 am.

The other Friday draw goes at 4 pm, with Saturday through Monday play daily at 1:30 and 6:30 pm.

The winning team will advance to the national Scotties, February 19-27, a few kilometres away at the Charlottetown Civic Centre.

Both the provincial and national Scotties Tournament of Hearts competitions are sponsored by Kruger Products and its family of brands, including Scotties® facial tissue, Cashmere® and Purex® bathroom tissue, SpongeTowels®, and White Swan® products.