2001 Ontario Scott Tournament of Hearts

The 2001 Ontario Scott Tournament of Hearts, the provincial women's curling championship of Ontario was held January 23 to 27 at the Cataraqui Golf and Country Club in Kingston, Ontario.^[1] The Sherry Middaugh rink from Coldwater, Ontario won the event. She and her rink of Janet Brown, Andrea Lawes and Sheri Cordina would go on to represent Ontario at the 2001 Scott Tournament of Hearts.

Middaugh's win earned her a spot at the national championships for the third time. She had previously won the 1996 Saskatchewan championships, and the 1999 Ontario provincials, the latter as a third for Kim Gellard. Entering the 2002 championship, her rink was the top ranked in the country on the women's tour.^[2]

In the final, Team Middaugh from Coldwater defeated Team Anne Merklinger (which also consisted of Theresa Breen, Patti McKnight and Audrey Reddick) from Ottawa's Rideau Curling Club, 9–3. Sherry Middaugh curled 100% in the final. Middaugh forced Merklinger to a single in the first end, when Merklinger made a hit against two. In the second end, Merklinger skimmed a guard and jammed her stone on her last, leaving Middaugh first and third shot. Middaugh then made a hit to score three on her last to take a 3–1 lead after two. In the third, Merklinger had a hit against three on her last, but rolled too far in her attempt, giving up a steal of one to go down 4–1. Middaugh did not look back from there, and cemented her victory by scoring another three-ender in the eighth, resulting in Merklinger conceding the game.^[2]

The event was intended to be the last to be held on curling club ice, with the plan to play on arena ice in 2002.^[1]