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Tue 16th, Final:
[2] Peter Barker (Eng) bt [1] David Palmer (Aus)
15/13, 11/9, 11/2 (53m)
With a fourth successive straight-games win, England's second
seed Pater Barker beat David Palmer in the final of the
Sweethome Chicago Open to claim his 11th, and biggest to date, PSA
title.
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Goliath David tamed
in Chicago final ...
Kim Tunney reports
The story of Samson and Goliath played out on the McWil glass court
tonight which stood center stage on Pioneer Plaza at 401 N. Michigan
Avenue, the battle ground between England’s Peter Barker and
Australia’s David Palmer who contested the final of the Sweet
Home Chicago Open, the PSA’s newest $30,000 event.
Previous to this the two had only played one PSA match against
another, at the 2007 World Open in Bermuda. To appreciate how far
Peter has come since then, he lost 3/0 in the second round. Tonight
the tables were turned as Barker defeated Palmer 3/0.
Barker entered the court and defeated Palmer using basic squash
strategies. In game one, the Englishman worked the ball high on the
front wall, forcing Palmer deep to retrieve deep primarily on the
backhand side of the court (Barker is left-handed). Barker kept the
ball straight and together with the good length effectively reduced
Palmer’s attacking game despite the game going to a tiebreaker.
"I should have won the first,” admitted Palmer after the match. "I
felt like I was in control, but just a bit stiff and sore," from his
four game match against John White in the semis. Barker stayed
focused playing one point at a time. "I tried to stay focused,
controlled and relaxed," explained Barker, whose court demeanour was
steady and confident despite the sustained pressure from his
top-seeded opponent.
In the second game Barker continued to move well, absorbing every
Palmer delivered. Recent training with coaches Paul Carter and Peter
Nicol has concentrated on better court movement and the pay-off for
the hard work occurred this evening. Barker’s intensity and focused
persisted. At 10-9, Palmer hit a forehand that just grazed the tin.
"That was a bad call," said Palmer, who continued to argue the point
with the referee long after Barker had assumed the game win and
walked off court.
Palmer, the 2006 Windy City winner and four-time British Open
Champion, was now down two games and got off to a slow start in the
third with Barker taking the first five points. By now our Goliath
(Palmer) would need to make quick headway against David (Barker)
who, despite a bad patch of errors, cruised to the eleven points he
needed to take the game and match.
As Barker thanked the sponsors during the awards ceremony he
exclaimed that the Sweet Home Chicago Open is "my favourite venue.
It’s the best tournament I’ve ever played. I love playing in
America!" And the fans enjoyed having Barker and the professional
draw here as well to strut and fret their excellent squash on our
world-class sports stage ...
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"I'm over the moon! What makes this so
special is everything David's achieved. He's a wonderful, wonderful
player."
"He was too fast tonight. Peter weathered everything I put out. It
was costly to lose the first."
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 Sweet
Home Chicago Open 2008
Chicago, 09-16 Sep,
$30k |
Round One
11/12-Sep |
Quarters
14-Sep |
Semis
15-Sep |
Final
16-Sep |
[1] David Palmer (Aus)
11/4, 11/7, 11/7 (21m)
Alain Osman Muldeen (Cay) |
[1] David Palmer
12/14, 11/2, 12/10, 11/8 (91m)
[7] Daryl Selby |
[1] David Palmer
11/6, 5/11, 11/6, 12/10 (42m)
[4] John White |
[1] David Palmer
15/13, 11/9, 11/2 (53m)
[2] Peter Barker |
[7] Daryl Selby (Eng)
11/9, 11/8, 11/5 (46m)
[Q] Arthur Gaskin (Irl) |
[4] John White (Sco)
11/8, 11/7, 6/11, 11-9 (37m)
Yasser El Halaby (Egy) |
[4] John White
11/8, 7/11, 11/9, 1/11, 11/9 (115m)
[8] Julian Illingworth |
[8] Julian Illingworth
(Usa)
11/4, 11/7, 11/5 (40m)
Liam Kenny (Irl) |
[Q] Steve Coppinger
(Rsa)
11/6, 11/7, 11/9 (31 min)
[6] Hisham Ashour (Egy) |
[6] Hisham Ashour
6/11, 11/2, 11/9, 11/9 (42m)
[3] Olli Tuominen |
[6] Hisham Ashour
11/6, 11/7, 11/8 (35m)
[2] Peter Barker |
Shawn Delierre (Can)
12/10, 11/3, 11/6 (32 min)
[3] Olli Tuominen (Fin) |
[Q] Shaun Le Roux (Eng)
11/5, 11/6, 11/6 (31 min)
[5] Shahier Razik (Can) |
[5] Shahier Razik
11/ 4, 11/6, 11/3 (39m)
[2] Peter Barker |
[Q] Mark Heather (Eng)
11/5, 11/6, 11/9 (35 min)
[2] Peter Barker (Eng) |
Qualifying:
10-Sep,
Finals:
Shaun Le
Roux (Eng) bt Ryan Cuskelly (Aus)
9/11, 11/7, 12/10, 11/9 (85m)
Steve Coppinger (Rsa) bt Reggie Schonborn (Rsa)
9/11, 11/7, 11/5, 11/3 (50m)
Arthur Gaskin (Irl)
bt Chris Gordon (Usa)
7/11, 11/5, 11/7, 11/1 (54m)
Mark Heather (Eng) bt Rob Sutherland (Wal)
11/7, 8/11, 3/11, 11/3, 11/8 (67m)
09-Sep, Round One:
Ryan Cuskelly (Aus) bt Philip Nightingale (Eng)
11/7, 11/7, 11/9
Shaun Le Roux (Eng) bt Rahul Singh (Usa)
11/6, 11/2, 11/7
Reggie Schonborn (Rsa) bt Tony James (Aus)
11/3, 11/6, 11/6
Steve Coppinger (Rsa) bt Beau River (Usa)
11/1, 11/3, 115
Chris Gordon (Usa) bt Andrew McDougall (Can) 11/3,
11/7, 11/5
Arthur Gaskin (Irl) bt Bart Ravelli (Ned)
11/1, 11/2, 11/5
Rob Sutherland (Wal) bt Supreet Singh (Ind)
11/1, 11/2, 11/5
Mark Heather (Eng) bt David Philips (Cam)
9/11, 13/11, 11/8, 11/5
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Back to the Plaza for the semis
Kim Tunney reports
The glass court, dried out after the torrential weekend rains, held
center stage once again at 401 N. Michigan Avenue's Pioneer Plaza
allowing the seeds to come through with stellar performances under
the clear, crisp skies of Chicago.
Lithgow's David Palmer met US-based Aussie John White's
strokework measure for measure in a four game semi-final match that
pitted friends against one another. "Yeah, sure it's hard," Palmer
explained, "We're friends; we trained together this afternoon; we're
room mates this weekend; we're both competitive. So it's hard."
 "This
is the best I've played since the Dutch Open," said White who had
played a five game 115 minute match against USA's Julian Illingworth
the night before. "I haven't played much," as White is now the Head
Coach for Franklin and Marshall's squash team and transitioning from
being on the pro tour full time, "so this was a nice push from
David."
Both played exceptionally well in the front of the court, testing
one another with flicks and razor sharp drops or cross drops. Palmer
now has "the kinks out" of his game and is ready for the final
tomorrow evening.
In the second semi-final match of the evening, Peter Barker
felt this glass court "rewards good squash". "I ran the ball away
from him (Ashour) and moved well," describing the keys to his
successful win against Hisham Ashour who upset Olli Tuominen
in the quarters. "I watched his movement patterns and tried to keep
him on his back foot, keeping the ball away from him," Barker
continued.
Ashour makes his way to Baltimore a fitter, tougher player. Tonight,
however, he "made silly mistakes with errors just on the top of the
tin." Ashour had a chance to take the match to a fourth game at
seven-all in the third but hit a tin with a kill allowing Barker the
opening to take the final four points, the match and his ticket to
the final.
Will the up and coming Barker break through tomorrow night by
beating World #5 Palmer? Stay tuned for the final act this Chicago
drama, which begins at 18:30 CST after an exhibition doubles match.
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 "I
knew John would be a handful. He's amazing. He's not really playing
full time any more. So I'm glad it didn't go to five games."
"It's good to be back on the glass court. David is an incredible
player."
"David is
World #5 so I'll need to be at the top of my game tomorrow night in
the final."
 "All
credit to Barker. He played tough, focused and error free tonight."
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Water, Water, everywhere
Imran Nasir, Lakeshore Athletic
Club's Head Squash Pro, performed heroically off court and behind
the scenes, ensuring that the show would go on despite Mother
Nature's efforts to the contrary - water was apparently coming up
from below the floor, although it did not effect play.
He and the staff of Lakeshore Athletic Clubs should be commended for
their support of this event.
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Sun 14th,
Quarter-Finals:
[1] David Palmer (Aus) bt [7] Daryl Selby (Eng)
12/14, 11/2, 12/10, 11/8 (91m)
[4] John White (Sco) bt [8] Julian Illingworth (Usa)
11/8, 7/11, 11/9, 1/11, 11/9 (115m)
[6] Hisham Ashour (Egy) bt [3] Olli Tuominen (Fin)
6/11, 11/2, 11/9, 11/9 (42m)
[2] Peter Barker (Eng) bt [5] Shahier Razik (Can)
11/ 4, 11/6, 11/3 (39m) |
Record rainfall forces
indoor play
Kim Tunney reports
The rain on Saturday in Chicago broke an all time, one day rainfall
record at 7 inches. Cars became stranded on one of the major
expressways into the city at the underpass at Pratt Avenue which
shut the Edens down for the morning. O’Hare Airport's Terminal Two
was closed part of the day due to flooding. Golf courses became
ponds overnight.
Flash flood advisories continued today which forced the
quarterfinals indoors at the Sweet Home Chicago Open. Spirits were
not dampened, however, because the pros put on a spectacular display
of talent including one seeding upset.
Peter
puts on the moves ...
Number two seed Peter Barker played measured,
moderately-paced squash, moving effortlessly around the court
beating Canada's Shahier Razik in thirty-nine minutes. Barker
forced Razik side to side; up and down the court with ease, playing
what some might call 'pretty' or 'classic' squash. London-based
Barker was really pleased with his performance: "I played a
traditional English game; strong and determined," Barker quipped
after the win, possibly baiting a potential future Aussie opponent.
When asked by a fan after the match if his smooth moves on the court
translated onto the dance floor, he answered an emphatic, “Yes, I’m
a pretty good dancer!” Watch out Strictly Come Dancing producers!
"Peter played very solid tonight," Razik thought. "There were no
openings." Razik was slow to start each game. Like many North
American based pros, Razik is using this event and the next in
Baltimore as a warm up to the Worlds Manchester
Palmer rocks' em ...
If the Barker v Razik match up was all sweetness and light, what
followed was four games of rock ’em sock ’em squash between David
Palmer and Daryl Selby, with the first and third ending
in a tiebreaker. The three ref system, in place during the
quarterfinals, was well used.
Dead nicks and cross court volley nicks were just some of the shots
in both player’s arsenals. In the first, Palmer repeatedly found the
tin on multiple forehand boasts. Then the top seed's error rate
dropped in the second as he won the next two leaving Selby
shorthanded after 91 minutes of play.
White holds USA at bay ...
Every US fan in the audience hoped that they had come to watch USA’s
Julian Illingworth slay giant John White throughout
the first 114 minutes of the best match of the night. Illingworth
won the second and fourth games, staying steady and unfazed
throughout.
"It was frustrating, fun and scary playing him," a philosophical
Illingworth admitted as he analyzed the match. "There were weird
bounces because the floor undulates.”
Illingworth normally plays an attacking style but felt, "I had to
play more defensively since John attacks well. If I’d won the third
I would have won the match." Illingworth played the ball straight
and at a moderate pace for much of the match, taking White’s
attacking game away. "At 7-all in the fifth I hit the tin and at
9-all I made another big error." Illingworth lost after 115 minutes
of play.
White, not willing to pass the baton to the next generation, felt
there were "short balls I didn’t read well that caught me off guard.
Julian played well in the fourth. I give him full credit."
Ashour upsets the Finn ...
In the final match of the evening, sixth seed Hisham Ashour varied
the pace successfully against third seed Olli Tuominen to win in
four. Helsinki’s Tuominen, who prefers playing a fast paced game,
was hampered by Ashour’s constant directional and pace changes. A
trim, fit Ashour upset the seedings and earned a berth in the semis.
Semi-final action is planned outdoors on the glass court Monday
evening pitting fellow Aussies David Palmer v John White in the top
half of the draw and Hisham Ashour v Peter Barker at the bottom.
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Chicago seeks aid after worst rain in
137 years
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13-Sep:
Ike stops Saturday play -
quarters to resume on Sunday
Kim Tunney reports
Due to the heavy rain and wind from the remnants of Hurricane Ike,
which caused roof of the all-glass court to collapse, the pro
players held a meeting at 2:00 pm today and determined that match
play will be suspended today and resume tomorrow. Court repairs are
ongoing.
At 16:00 CST on Sunday, September 14, a decision will be made by the
tournament organizers if the quarterfinals will be played indoors at
the Lakeshore Athletic Club, 211 N. Stetson in Chicago or outdoors
on the glass court at 401 N. Michigan Avenue and their start times.
(18:00 for indoor matches and 19:00 if outdoors).
Still raining -
quarters at the Lakeshore Club on Sunday ... |
Over sixty
amateur players continued through their draws today despite, the
inclement weather, at the Great Lakes Open held in conjunction with
the Sweet Home Chicago Open at both the University Club of Chicago
and Lakeshore Athletic.
In addition, Jonathan Power played an exhibition match with Alain
Mudeen from the Cayman Islands. Although retired from the tour,
Power still showed his amazing level of creativity on court, a skill
that must be a part of his DNA. Flicks, topspins, jump drop shots
and precision drives were just some of the skills on display this
afternoon. Jonathan officially launched his Power Squash Fantasy
Camp located in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico after the exhibition.
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Rain moves play indoors
Kim Tunney reports
In North America, baseball, America’s favorite pastime, is the only
major sport that stops play due to rain.
If it rains in baseball, the game moves into a rain delay. Workers
run out onto the infield and unroll a tarpaulin which covers the 90’
by 90’ square to keep it dry. Fans wait it out in the stands in hope
that the game isn’t called off.
With Chicago’s newest favorite pastime, outdoor squash, the show
just goes on. Tonight’s second set of first round matches were
played indoors at the Lakeshore Athletic Club. The only
similarity between these two sports today was the tarp. PSA’s Gus
Cook was on site and made sure that the outdoor court floor was
draped by a tarp to keep the wood floor dry. Large barrels were set
up in key spots along the court to catch rain as well.
Seeds safely through
First up this evening in the completion of first round play,
England’s Peter Barker kept the ball tight to the walls
throughout to beat the University Club of Chicago’s Head Pro Mark
Heather. Englishman Heather, now transplanted to Chicago, came
through the qualifying rounds and, literally by luck of the draw,
his name was pulled to face the tournament’s number two seed.
Shawn DeLierre from Canada played brilliantly, flicking the
ball during the first game against Olli Tuominen taking it to
the tiebreaker but losing 10-12. He fizzed in games two and three,
making a big push from down 3-8 in the third that wasn’t enough to
reverse the tide.
Tuominen, who prefers playing on the glass court said, “Playing on
the panel court, the ball comes off the front wall quickly,”
referring to the indoor court construction at Lakeshore. “The ball
is deader on the glass court so it’s easier to put in a kill shot.”
Against DeLierre, Tuominen felt “I made a few errors in the first
game then felt more comfortable in game two.” Tuominen‘s match
against Ashour promises good squash showmanship.
Canadian-by-way-of-Eygpt, Shahier Razik faced
Englishman-by-way-of-South Africa’s Shaun LeRoux who was
disappointed in his three game loss. “I didn’t get stuck in during
the match and he takes your mistakes and punishes you,” LeRoux said
post match.
Commenting on the pace of play, LeRoux thought,” I wasn’t in trouble
with the pace.” “I’ve never played him before. Razik plays a simple
but effective game." Seeded five in the event, Razik felt “I was
fortunate to win in three. The court plays dead so I went in short
when I could,” revealing his strategy against LeRoux.
Razik is scheduled to play Peter Barker in tomorrow’s quarterfinals.
“I’ve never played him before,” said Razik. “He’s a lefty and a
solid player which will be a little trickier. I’m looking forward to
it.”
South African Steve Coppinger said he never felt relaxed
against Egypt’s Hisham Ashour. “I couldn’t play my game. If I
made a mistake or hit a loose shot, he was there for it,” admitted
the 6’ 6” Coppinger. “I hit a few good shots but it wasn’t enough.”
A trim Ashour played a fast paced game as Coppinger struggled to
find good length. “I’ve been training over the last three months,”
said the leaner-looking Ashour.
The quarter-finals will most likely be played indoors, unless the
weather turns for the better ...
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Draw & Results
A sponsors dinner was held in the evening at the Fairmont Hotel to
thank the many volunteers and donors who put the event together.
Lakeshore Athletic Clubs, Zeller Realty, Caledonian
Global Fund Services and the Fairmont Hotel were all
thanked over a roast chicken dinner topped off by cheescake in
raspberry coulie garnished with a white chocolate swirl.
Celebrity watch:
 Tennis
great Billy Jean King ‘happened’ by the outdoor court on
Thursday night, stopped to watch the match play and signed
autographs.
King lives in Chicago and during her career she won sixteen grand
slam singles titles. She is best known for fighting sexism in
sports. In 1973 she beat Wimbledon men’s champion Bobby Riggs in the
“Battle of the Sexes”.
Now if only Chicago’s Mike Ditka (Head Coach Chicago Bears football)
and legendary Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan (His Airness) would
just stop in ...
Blossoming at the Aria ...
The sponsors' dinner at the Fairmont Hotel's Aria bar gave the
players a chance to enjoy the exclusive Backswing Blossom
cocktail ...
The Backswing Blossom
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Round One, part one in Chicago
Kim Tunney reports
The weather held nicely with overcast skies keeping the sunlight off
the court for tonight's first set of round of sixteen matches.
Top seed David Palmer worked 17 year old Caribbean champion
Alain Mudeen up and down the court to win the first match of
the evening. Palmer looked relaxed, testing the side walls with
boasts to see how the court played. It was to his liking.
Wildcard Mudeen, who studies at the American School in Cairo,
admitted that "I'm not a British Open champion just yet," referring
to Palmer's multiple wins. But with practice and determination, his
day will come.
US superstar Julian Illingworth, now ranked #38 on the PSA
tour, continued his run up the ladder to beat Ireland's Liam
Kenny in three.
Illingworth started strong in the first game leaving Kenny behind
holding four points, Kenny pushed in the second managing seven
points by working the front of the court on the drop and cross drop.
Leaving much to be done in the third, Kenny pushed but was no match
for Illingworth who claimed the victory 11-5.
F&M (Franklin and Marshall) Head Coach and PSA World # 19 John
White showed patience and skill defeating Egyptian-born
Yasser el Halaby who, while attending Princeton University from
2002 to 2006, won the intercollegiate championships an unprecedented
four times in a row.
However, that accolade alone was not enough to stop White from
defeating him in four, which attests to the performance level
differences between American collegiate squash and the professional
world tour.
Yet with that, John White felt his match was just "all right".
White, who is one of the hardest hitters in the game, has been known
to hit balls clocked at 172 miles per hour - a world record. "The
court takes a good length," he said, referring to the feel of the
ball off the wall on the McWill Court, "It sticks to the sidewall so
my drops were working tonight."
A perfectionist on the court White admitted that, "the court rewards
you for good squash," referring to strategies that work an opponent
around the four court corners using rallies that require waiting for
the right opportunity to advance a winning shot. White has a rest
day tomorrow before facing Illingworth on Saturday at 6:00 pm.
Ireland's Arthur Gaskin, who qualified just last evening for
admittance into the main draw, left everything on the court against
#7 seed Daryl Selby from England. Both the first two games
were tight with Gaskin earning nine and eight points respectively.
In the crucial third game, Gaskin pulled a muscle yet fought
valiantly through several points, never giving up until finally
going down 11-5.
Selby, the 25-year-old from Harlow in Essex, moves into the
quarter-finals on Saturday. A former junior national champion in
England, this was the first time he has faced Gaskin in a world tour
match.
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WGN TV live from Chicago
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Qualifying Complete in Chicago
Kim Tunney reports
On a beautiful summer night under the watchful eyes of the venerable
Chicago Tribune building, the historic Wrigley Building and the
brazen newcomer on the block Trump Tower, qualifying match play
began for the Sweet Home Chicago Open, the nation’s first squash
tournament held outdoors.
Paul Zeller, President and CEO of Zeller Realty Group hosted
the event in his ‘front yard’: the Pioneer Court plaza at 401 North
Michigan Avenue. The Chicago River formed the fourth side of the
square where the McWill court took center stage. Chicago, a hopeful
Olympic city for 2016, never looked better.
“It’s great to see it all come together tonight,” said tournament
organizer Imran Nasir from the Lake Shore Athletic Clubs.
“It’s been a collective effort; a real spirit of collaboration
between the many squash groups and clubs in and around Chicago.”
Both qualifiers and spectators were equally stunned at the local;
“It’s a great venue. Amazing. Really the best I’ve ever played” said
Ireland’s Arthur Gaskin. “It’s like watching a really
fantastic squash match in your backyard,” declared a spectator who
stopped to find out what was going on while power -walking down The
Magnificent Mile. “The building’s really cradle you into the plaza”.
Lodging at the Fairmont Hotel also ranked highly amongst the pros,
though none yet have been spotted drinking the now infamous
Backswing Blossom cocktail making its debut at their Aria Bar.
The first match of the evening took the longest to complete at 85
minutes with Shaun Le Roux claiming victory over Ryan
Cuskelly in four. The game start was delayed due to the setting
sun peeking through the buildings to the west. Le Roux claims his
ticket to play Shahier Razik in the round of 16.
Local pro Mark Heather, who has been training to run the
Chicago Marathon in October, used all his stamina to beat Rob
Sutherland in a grueling five game match. “I’ve not picked up a
squash racquet much in the past few weeks.” (Is this the start of a
new training trend at the University Club of Chicago?) “I’m really
knackered!” he admitted. Heather gets one day of rest before facing
Peter Barker (#2 seed) on Friday.
Ireland’s Arthur Gaskin worked his short game to success
against USA’s Chris Gordon winning in four. Surprised a bit
by his result, Gaskin said, “I started shabbily but got stronger
during the match; that’s not usual for me. “ No rest for Gaskin as
he moves on to play Daryl Selby tomorrow.
“It was a frustrating match for me,” Gordon explained. “Hats off to
Arthur for the good match and to the tournament organizers. It’s
great to have a new event in the States. It’s been a fantastic
experience to play here.” Gordon heads down south tomorrow to play
in the next event in Houston. Gordon hopes to “stay healthy, keep
learning and not make the same mistakes twice.”
The final match of the evening ended at 11:00 pm and pitted two
South Africans: Reggie Schonborn against Steve Coppinger.
Coppinger came through in four: “The third game was hard. But I knew
if I got the third game, I’d win it.” Schonborn, assistant coach at
Trinity College in Connecticut, said “I played well in the first
game. But Steve picked up the pace in the second and I never found
an answer for that.” Schonborn also heads down to Houston tomorrow
but hates to leave agreeing that the Sweet Home Chicago Open “is a
great event; it’s beautiful to be here in Chicago.”
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WGN TV live from Chicago
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Fairmont Chicago offers specialty squash menu during Sweet Home
Chicago Open
Chicago, IL . September 9, 2008
 Chicago
will play host to the first-ever professional squash tournament to
be held outdoors in North America, the Sweet Home Chicago Open, from
September 9-15.
The tournament, sponsored by Lakeshore Athletic Clubs, will bring
the sport's top squash players to Windy City for the competition,
and as an official partner of Sweet Home Chicago Open, The
Fairmont Chicago will host athletes, staff, and media in the
property's newly-renovated luxury guest rooms. In celebration of
this exciting event, The Fairmont Chicago will also offer a
specialty squash-inspired menu at the property's acclaimed
aria restaurant and a Backswing Blossom cocktail available at
aria bar.
Located just two blocks from where
the competition will be held in an all-glass court in Pioneer Court,
The Fairmont Chicago's aria provides a modern twist on American
comfort foods with dishes inspired by flavors and techniques found
around the world. The squash menu will be offered throughout the
duration of the Sweet Home Chicago Open and will feature cream of
Kabocha Squash soup with apple creme fraiche, pumpkin oil and
toasted pumpkin seeds as an appetizer; seared, aria-spiced
duck breast with organic squash and caramelized root vegetables,
wild mushrooms, cranberry-quince reduction sauce as an
entre; and for dessert, Red Kuri Squash 'semi-freddo,'
cinnamon-praline biscotti, cranberry chutney, nutmeg air.
The Fairmont Chicago's aria bar will
feature a Backswing Blossom cocktail, infused with Chicago
Honey Co-op honey and expertly mixed with cane rum, fresh squeezed
lime and orange juice, Grand Marnier, Beauregards Farms Thyme, and
acai pulp puree. Served over rocks in a pilsner glass and garnished
with a squash blossom, the Backswing Blossom is a refreshing and
sweet way to celebrate the success of the Sweet Home Chicago Open.
Note: We HAVE to have a photo of this. Players are invited
(once they're out, of course)
to sample one and send us
the evidence ...
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Chicago to Host Nation's First-Ever Outdoor Professional Squash
Tournament
Chicago will make sports history
September 9-15 as Michigan Avenue plays host to the Sweet Home
Chicago Open -- the first-ever professional squash tournament to
be held outdoors in North America -- sponsored by Lakeshore Athletic
Clubs, Zeller Realty Group, Caledonian Fund Services, SmithBucklin
and The Fairmont Chicago.
The open-to-the-public event -- to be held in an all-glass court in
Pioneer Court between Tribune Tower and the Chicago River -- is
expected to draw the world's top-ranked players as the newest stop
on the PSA and U.S. Squash Association tournament series.
Five of the top 20 and nine of the top 30 ranked players have signed
up for this $30,000 prize money event. Headlining the players are
David Palmer (current British Open Champion), Peter Barker
(currently ranked no. 5), John White (former World champion),
Shahier Razik (Canadian no. 1) and Julian Illingworth
(US no. 1).
Endorsed by the U.S. Squash Association and the PSA, the Sweet Home
Chicago Open will include professional and exhibition matches, as
well as clinics involving children from area schools and the
METROSquash program, which combines academics and athletics for
inner-city youth attending Chicago Public Schools. Exhibition play
will feature Canadian-born Jonathon Power, a two-time World
No. 1 champion who is regarded by many as the greatest squash player
of his generation.
 "I
think the Sweet Home Chicago Open is significant and certainly
unique. The tournament matches being held outdoors with all of the
exhibition matches and other opportunities for amateurs and children
to play the game of squash makes this event one of a kind.
"I'm thrilled to be a part of it, and I look forward to spending
time in our host city, Chicago"
In conjunction with the professional
tournament, this event will also showcase approximately 200 local
and national amateurs in the Great Lakes Open, which will be
held at The University Club of Chicago, Lakeshore Athletic Clubs and
the Union League Club of Chicago. The exhibition matches will
further reinforce Chicago's love of amateur athletics, as evidenced
by the city's bid for the 2016 Olympic Games.
To date, squash -- a racquet sport recognized by the IOC and one of
5 sports under review for incorporation into the 2016 Olympics -- is
played in more than 150 countries by an estimated 15 million people,
including some 500,000 players in the United States. The widespread
interest in the game was a draw to many of the tournament's
sponsors.
"As Chicago's sponsor
of the Virginia Slims Invitational in 1974 and the partner and
co-founder of World Team Tennis, we believe the Sweet Home Chicago
Open is just as unique and intriguing as those sporting
institutions,"
Founding Partner, Lakeshore Athletic Clubs |
www.sweethomechicagoopen.com
"Being among the first squash tournaments of this scale to be held
outdoors, the Sweet Home Chicago Open will be an innovative forum to
show off the fun and exciting game of squash.
"With its passionate base of fans who also participate in all types
of sports, Chicago presents the ideal location to host this
first-of-its-kind event."
President, U.S. Squash
"Squash has long been a game that
celebrates the skill and accomplishments of the professional and
amateur athlete. As the squash community aspires to find its place
among other Olympic events, the Sweet Home Chicago Open is the
perfect opportunity to demonstrate the appeal of and enthusiasm for
this great game and the skill of the athletes who play it."
North America Representative, PSA
 |
Squash is
a blast -- and a workout
Daily Herald Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:28 PM PDT
When you hear the word squash what do you immediately think
of? The yellow vegetable that you did not like as a kid, but find
somewhat appetizing now or do you think of squashing a bug that you
see crawling across your kitchen floor? Interview with
promoter Imran Nasir |
|
