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The Calgary Adventure
FINAL DAY
Malcolm & James Willstrop & John White in Canada ...
Thu 31 Mar |
THE FINAL DAY
 All
along we had been told that Glencoe was Calgary's flagship
club, with a members' waiting list of over 20 years and facilities
par excellence.
Arthur Hough, the Head Coach there, gave us a conducted tour
and it would be hard to do justice to what we saw: squash, tennis
and badminton courts, skating rink, curling rink, 5 pin bowling,
fitness centre, two eighteen hole golf courses, a ballroom where the
Calgary Symphony Orchestra are playing in May, a restaurant, a
coffee shop, and would you believe it, an English pub!
Add indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, a clothing shop, an
underground car park and perhaps you can see what I mean. Since the
joining fee is well into five figures, you would think the
atmosphere might be stuffy and conservative. Far from it: a crowd,
hanging from the rafters, greeted John and James with great respect
and enthusiasm, ending our four match exhibition tour on the highest
possible note.
John, despite a late night or early morning, whichever way you look
at it, was as comical as ever and we have been outshone by him
throughout, James's attempts to entertain and my bland commentary
proving no match for the Aussie/Scot about to become American.
Tour Wrap Up
So four venues, four full houses and received everywhere with
friendliness and appreciation.
Thanks therefore to all four clubs, Calgary Winter, the Royal
Glenora, Edmonton, Edgemont and Glencoe for their hospitality and
support.
It was John Cox who set it all in motion, with Cam
Trelevan and Jonathan Hill as able and efficient
lieutenants. John hosted all three of us, too, disrupting his daily
routine and that of his lively teenage daughters Emily and Lyndsay.
Thanks too, to Ian Paton at the Royal Glenora Club in
Edmonton and Arthur Hough, late of Street, Somerset at
Glencoe for their welcome and organisation.
The response we got to our pledge to entertain was reassuring and
those who enjoyed our offerings were quick to tell us.
At Edgmont, music supported the squash and I hope we may have helped
to set in motion the very promising teenage band, which included
Canada's top junior Keith Pritchard. They were great value on
their first live performance and James joined them for three songs,
which went down well.
So thanks to everyone who made our visit a reality. It was a
marvellous experience and we all three thank Calgary very much.
A midnight flight to Toronto, then to Bermuda, arriving early
afternoon. What a beautiful place, green and colourful with the blue
ocean always in sight.
I'm currently in the beautiful Princess Hotel, in the best hotel
room I have ever had, resting from the demands of the past week,
getting ready for the Bermuda Masters, where world class squash
awaits ...
Malcolm Willstrop |
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The Calgary Adventure
DAY FIVE
Malcolm & James Willstrop & John White in Canada ...
Thu 31 Mar |
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John, James & Malcolm
at
Edgemont
The third port of call was the Edgemont Club (World Health Sport
Club Edgemont Location), the closest of the four venues, where
Jonathon Hill is the Head Professional. With the Alberta Open
starting on the same night with a record entry of over 250, the club
was a hive of activity.
Another sellout crowd greeted us and two of Canada's top juniors,
Keith Pritchard and Andrew McDougall, were the locals who
worked with John and James, Jonathon coming in on the doubles.
The
evenings always end with John and James playing each other, and so
far, sad to relate, John has won all three, two on tie-breaks, but
James says he has let the older man have his day since he is coming
to the end of his career, and intends to win tonight to assert
himself before Bermuda.
 With all the activity at the club, the crowd was a rumbustious and
heavily-biased collection, but that helped me to win 10 dollars off
an unsuspecting member who thought Keith could beat John, with John
forced to play deep. Given the office by me, John obliged and the 10
dollars were mine.
After the squash a band of high-school students made their debut in
the bar with Keith on the drums - all the rehearsing is done at his
parent's house - and just how good they were. Lauren, the
lead singer, is an exceptional talent and James guested with Take Me
Out, Babylon and Don't Look Back In Anger.
This may have been the band's first appearance in Calgary, but it
will certainly not be their last. There was a large crowd to listen
in the bar and they loved every minute of it.
Well as it has all gone, it has been a demanding tour and it ends
tonight at the prestigious Glencoe Club, where Arthur Hough,
late of Somerset, is the long-standing Head Professional. We are
looking forward to it and then a midnight flight to Bermuda.
Postscript:
John had a late night last night at Todd Dane's house, a
well-known Edgemont squash member and looked very much worse for
wear this morning. He got little sympathy from this quarter and
looking at him, I would say that James will definitely win tonight
...
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Calgary 2005...
an Appreciation
When
John Cox first suggested to me in November that an
exhibition tour in Calgary might be a starter, I doubt if he
knew what he was letting himself in for, or how rewarded he
would finally be for all his hard work in putting it together.
By early January there were two definites and a possible, soon
after three and then, because of Cam Trelavan's support, a
fourth as Calgary Winter Club came aboard.
All three have been excellently organised, sold out and a
pleasure to be involved with and I am sure the last, Glencoe,
will be no less from everything I have heard.
As John and I stood together after the squash in the bar at
Edgemont listening to the exceptional band of high school
students, unbelievably giving their first performance,
listening to the very talented lead singer Lauren, with James
adding his support vocally and Canada's foremost junior Keith
Pritchard on the drums, I suspect that John felt all his
efforts and those of others had been well rewarded.
Sold out crowds at every venues, appreciative spectators, lots
of promising children everywhere ... the future of squash in
Calgary and Canada looks bright.
As I say at the beginning of every performance, we set out to
entertain. I hope we have done that since all the efforts of
the organisers, the warmth of the reception we have had and
the sold out crowds deserve that.
Malcolm Willstrop |
Tourism Calgary
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The Calgary Adventure
DAY FOUR
Malcolm & James Willstrop & John White in Canada ...
Wed 30 Mar |
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ON TO EDMONTON
After
a late night at the Calgary Winter Club, it was an early
start on the road to Edmonton, some
three hours away, for our second night, this time at the Royal
Glenora Club.
Cam Trelevan, international antiquarian book expert, was at John
Cox's house ready for an 8am departure and incredibly both John and
James were up and about, though hardly raring to go.
Our long-suffering host, who by now was probably wishing he had not
invited us, was due back at work, no doubt relieved at having his
home to himself.
Soon on the long straight road to Edmonton, bright and clear blue
skies, sunshine, not strong enough to disguise the lingering snow,
however.
John and James were soon asleep, whilst Cam engaged me in
interesting conversation as we drew close to our second venture.
We were met by Ian Paton, the long-serving professional at
the Royal Glenmore Club. Having had two knee and one hip
replacement, Ian can still walk, which is a good effort. As has been
the case everywhere, we were well received and looked after.
At four o' clock John and James gave me a hand coaching some of the
club's young players, many of whom look very promising, twenty five
in all.
After a brief break we were into the second night: another full
house of enthusiastic, appreciative squash-interested people with
lots of children, who, as at Calgary Winter, sustained their
interest remarkably.
John has been running the show so far, an Aussie version of Peter
Kay, whilst James and I have played subdued minor roles, as you
might expect. We have had words with him about upstaging us and are
looking for a change in his attitude.
Jeremy and Gorgé, a young Columbian on a scholarship at
Edmonton University, provided local backup on the court and
excellent they were too. Thanks to them, to Ian, and everyone at the
Royal Glenmora Club.
Cam was on hand to drive us back to Calgary, where we arrived at
2am, making a rather noisy entrance I'm afraid, due to John and
James having a fit of the giggles.
Edgemont today, five minutes away, with the exciting young band to
back us up ... |
World Health Sport Club
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Day THREE,
Sellout
at the Winter Club
A
sellout crowd of 160 at the Calgary Winter Club gave the
four-exhibition tour a send off which will be hard to match. Every
spectator was given a t-shirt - Team White or Team Willstrop - and
the three-sided glass court and balcony provided a marvellous
setting for the first night.
The crowd were soon into the action as John and James demonstrated
some practice routines. Joined by Andrew McDougall and
Keith Glenday, John and James took on the local pair with a
series of conditioned games. Andrew is a promising young player who
did well at the British Junior Open. He held up well against James,
whereas Keith found the tin regularly against John.
Andrew and James joined forces to end the first half with a one game
doubles challenge against John and Keith. The younger pair were
successful as Keith continued to pepper the tin, much to John's
disgust.
The second half began with the main doubles challenge as John and
James faced Ray Chan-a-Sue, the the Calgary Winter
professional, and Cam Trelevan, a main main in the first
class organisation of the event.
Given starts of four, and then six points in the second game, the
locals still couldn't resist the professionals who won 2-0, the
second on a tie-break.
After the main exhibition we were all presented with Calgary
Stetsons and photographed in them [photos to follow, Ed]. John
looked particularly fetching in his. The players were kept very busy
signing shirts long after the squash had finished, when they
received another standing ovation for their efforts.
In truth the crowd were fantastic - appreciative, attentive,
revelling in the humour - and we would all like to thank all the
organisers, sponsors and the crowd for giving us a great evening.
Our hope is that we entertained them well.
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Day Two: Tue 29 Mar
Last night Rob and Dorte Pritchard, parents of Canada's top
junior Keith, kindly entertained us to a curry night at their home.
The food and company were excellent and we have been treated royally
everywhere we have been.
The impressive clubs, Calgary Winter and World Health Sport Club
Edgemont Location, have a
classless feel about them and everyone has been friendly and
hospitable.
Today the real action begins. The first club to receive us is
Calgary Winter, who have a permanent three sided glass court, but
before that I have to endure a practice session with John and James,
which would try anybody's patience!
The we have a meeting with Grant Pollock, TV sports
commentator, and later with the Calgary Herald.
At Edgemont on Wednesday there will be a musical evening after the
squash when a group of teenagers will entertain. They are called
Sharp Dressed Express and were rehearsing at the Pritchards.
They sounded incredibly good and have a girl singer Lauren who has
poise and a voice to match. James rehearsed and will be singing with
them on Wednesday. Keith is performing too, on the drums. It should
be a great night.
The facilities at Calgary Winter and Edgemont, where Jonathan
Hill has been looking after us, are superb, with therapy massage
and hairdressing all available.
I have been told I need a haircut, and my dodgy leg certainly needs
some therapy, but I daren't see to either, fearing the repercussions
from Sarah and Susan on my return to Pontefract.
After tonight Cam Trelevan will drive us to Edmonton for tomorrow's
show. It's a three hour drive, but we are all feeling refreshed and
ready to go ... |
Calgary Winter Club
World Health Sport Club
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Day One, Part Two:
After a good night's rest, an early start took us to the second
club, the mightily impressive Calgary Winter Club, where John and
James practiced under my watchful eye, with a view to tomorrow
night's performance.
Both players were soon breathing heavily as the altitude took its
toll, but, as is the case with these two in their matches they
produced some magical moments.
After the practice and a shower in palatial surroundings was an
invitation to brunch with our host John Cox, our driver to
Edmonton Cam Trelevan and Ray Chan-a-Sue, the Club
Professional.
We had certainly done well to be at the Calgary Winter Club on
Easter Sunday, when a special spread is prepared.
In truth neither I nor John and James have seen a spread like it -
wonderfully prepared food of all kinds in beautiful surroundings
with excellent service - a form of eating paradise. Immediate
enquiries were made into further visits - Thanksgiving, Christmas
...
James and John, good eaters to put it mildly, were in heaven, hardly
able to believe their luck.
Then a restful afternoon for John and me at our host's, while James
headed for a music session with a local band.
Tonight we will enjoy further culinary delights - a curry evening,
meet the media tomorrow and then get down to the real business of
entertaining the squash fans in Calgary.Day
One, Part One:
John
Cox, a native of Pontefract, but a long time resident of Calgary
since his days at Durham University, an educational establishment we
had in common, suggested to me on one of his visits to see his
matches, that an exhibition tour of Calgary might be possible.
Some six months later, with John White and James Willstrop
as players, here we are ensconced at John's lovely house, almost
ready for lift off.
The four in four nights tour begins tomorrow (Monday) at the
Calgary Winter Club, followed by the Royal Glenmore in
Edmonton on Tuesday. The Edgemont Club is the third venue and
the final exhibition is at the Glencoe Club on Thursday.
 Having
left England with the warmer weather upon us, there's snow on the
ground, it looks rather bleak and it's coldish but by no means
unbearable, though the close by Rocky Mountains look quite
spectacularly daunting.
There is nothing bleak or cold, however, about the reception we have
had, and with all the venues sold out there is a strong sense of
anticipation.
The courts round Calgary are all pretty lively and I fear that John
[White] will be as hard to control on the court as he is off.
Today (Sunday) begins at the Winter Club, which is quite incredible
in its size and scope. Every facility is here: squash, badminton,
tennis, swimming, curling - it was a curling club initially and to
describe it as palatial is an understatement.
As the three of us were shown around by John, we were left amazed.
There is a brunch today at 11am, a curry night this evening, so we
are being well looked after.
Tomorrow night the entertainment - since that's what we are trying
to provide - will begin in earnest and we will certainly have a job
living up to the surroundings ...
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Tourism Calgary
Calgary Winter Club
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