kirkpatrick rink 2014
Max Kirkpatrick (far left) and his rink from the Swift Current Curling Club will begin play at the SaskTel Tankard this afternoon

The SaskTel Tankard Provincial Men's Curling Championship gets underway today at Shaunavon's Crescent Point Wickenheiser Centre.

Sixteen teams have qualified for the triple-knockout event, with the winners representing Saskatchewan at the Tim Hortons Brier in Kamloops, BC this March.

Swift Current's Max Kirkpatrick will take on Saskatoon's Bruce Korte in his opening match this afternoon at 3:00pm. Also, defending champion Brock Virtue takes on Mike Armstrong, Josh Heidt battle Jeff Hartung, and Scott Manners will play Kevin Marsh in the opening draw.

The opening ceremonies will follow the first draw at about 5:00pm, with the evening draw at 7:00pm. In that session, Scott Bitz faces Terry Marteniuk, Randy Bryden takes on Joel Jordison, Darrell McKee battles Brent Gedak, and Darren Camm plays against Steve Laycock.

Kirkpatrick's rink also includes Shawn Hiebert, Jeff Chambers, Shaun Meachem and coach Ron Meyers.

Action continues through Sunday.

Click here for a story with Kirkpatrick after he qualified for the event