That is probably what is expected for mens enteries. There are only 8 teams at most who are going straight through to distrcits.
So if there are 25 entries, that would leave 17 teams left to go through the pre qualifiers to play for the last 12 spots in districts. The only awkward amount of entries would be in the low 20's.
So taking your figures - we have 2 weekends of curling to get rid of 5 teams !
Wouldnt it make more sense to go straight into the districts with those 5 teams. You could quantify the entries
-- below 24 teams would be 2 sections of 12 (11games)
-- 25 to 36 teams would be 3 sections of 8 to 12 teams (7 to 11games)
--37 to 48 teams??? would be 4 sections of 8 to 12 teams
(and by all means seed the last seasons finalists between the sections)
simples !!
They know the entry numbers by the end of June so can book ice accordingly .
Ahhhh but i forget - the big teams cant be bothered playing against the youngsters and minnows - no point in giving them any experoience or a chance at playing oin the big league .......