|
|
Players Cup 2008
04-07 March, Harvard University, Boston |
|
 |
07-Mar, Final:
Winner takes all (almost)
It was
a winner-takes-most showdown in Boston tonight with America's
richest-ever squash prize of $25,000 waiting for the winner,
while the unlucky loser picks up just $5,000. "It's a bit s***
or bust," as one finalist said earlier today ...
James Willstrop, fresh from his walkover last night - he
played an exhibition against Chris Gordon - and on a high after
winning in Virginia, faced David Palmer, who came through
an 80-minute battle to put out Thierry Lincou in his semi-final.
|
Nicol back in winners enclosure
Colleen Turner reports
The McWIL Courtwall Players Cup finals action started off with
an entertaining Lightning Round featuring seven of Boston's best
pros against former world number one, Peter Nicol. The
quarterfinal winners were first to three points; semifinalists,
first to two; with the final decided by a single point.
The pace was fast and furious as Preston Quick, pro at the Union
Boat Club, made swift work of the University Club's Pat Malloy:
3-1. Harvard's Colin West sent the UClub's second contender,
Doug Lifford, packing with a 3-1 win. Sports Club LA's Ben
Howell advanced over Boston Racquet Club's Taiwo Kuti, 3-1.
And after a two-year absence, fans watched Peter Nicol take to
the court against Harvard's Chris Smith in the his first match
of the night. Smith looked solid, particularly next to the
slender Nicol, but the likeable Brit squeaked out a 3-2 victory
to advance.
With first to reach two points determining whom advanced, Quick
and West entered the court. Young Mr. West grabbed the first
point; Quick answered in kind before West buried it deep in the
back corner for the win. Howell came out hoping to drop a dime
on Nicol, but alas to no avail.
A clearly exhausted Nicol reached two first. Showing just a
smidgen of mercy, event promoter John Nimick was kind enough to
chat up the crowd as Nicol took a much needed breather before
the final.
Facing Colin West for bragging rights, Nicol lost the spin,
handing West the serve with but a single point to decide it all.
The pressure obviously reached West as he missed an easy volley
to the back corner and, reminiscent of days past, Peter Nicol
was yet again a winner in Boston.
James Willstrop bt
David Palmer
11/5, 10/12, 14/12, 11/5
(95m)
James takes the pot
It was a packed house when finals action began with David Palmer
(AUS, #5) off to a rocky start, downing two balls and sending
another out of play. At 2-3 Palmer wrested the serve from James
Willstrop (ENG, #4), but a long volley ended in the Brit's
favour, putting him up 4-2. Willstrop racked up another three
points before a soft shot just above the tin advanced Palmer on
the board, but it was too little too late. Willstrop shot ahead
to take the game, 11-5, and a 1-love lead.
In game two, Palmer showed glimpses of greatness, but then just
as often his play appeared clunky and just a bit slow. After a
shot to the tin brought the game to 2-all, Palmer got back to
basics, working the T tight and hard and bringing the score to
4-all. A couple of spills, as well as a tough no let call to
Palmer put Willstrop up 7-4.
With his newly acquired Boston Irish up, Palmer fired off two to
bring it to 6-7. But three hard-earned points took Willstrop to
9-6, before Palmer scraped his way back, making it 9-all. A
fierce volley followed, taking it to 10-all. Willstrop's down
ball put Palmer in the hunt, and the wilily Willstrop pushed it
to 11-all, before a let and stroke in Palmer's favour earned him
the game.
In game three, with the score 4-all, Palmer grabbed three fast
points to go up 7-4, before Willstrop came back for two. Palmer
took the serve back at 8-6, but a forced error and a missed shot
tied it up again: 8-all. At 9-all, a stroke to Willstrop gave
him the serve and the game ball. A missed shot put Palmer back
in the game at 10-all. Palmer took the first point, only to down
the next ball: 11-all. Willstrop quickly gave up a stroke,
putting Palmer up 12-11. A stroke to Willstrop and it was
12-all. A stunning shot by Willstrop advanced him one and a
tossed racquet by Palmer cost him the final stroke and the game.
Up 2-1 at the start of the game four, Willstrop took the serve
and a 3-0 lead before Palmer returned the favour, earning his
own three points. Another quick three put Willstrop up 6-3. At
8-5, Willstrop appeared unstoppable, forcing Palmer to down
back-to-back balls.
With the match on the line, Willstrop finessed a lovely winning
shot to take the Players Cup title and the $25K cash.
|
STREAMING
Five minutes before
broadcast the internet line out of Harvard broke, so Squashlive
were not able to broadcast the final.
They are however recording the match in high definition and will
distribute it as well as the Darwish v Wael El Hindi + the
Palmer Vs Lincou semis at no charge with packages from their
Players Cup Series programs.
|
|
Players Cup 2008 |
|
Tue
4th/Wed 5th, Quarter-Finals |
Thu 6th,
Semi-Finals |
Fri 7th,
Final |
David
Palmer (Aus)
11/13, 11/2,
11/7, 11/5 (42m)
Hisham Ashour (Egy) |
David Palmer
11/6, 4/11,
16/14, 11/4 (81m)
Thierry Lincou |
David Palmer
11/5, 10/12, 14/12, 11/5
(95m)
James Willstrop |
Thierry Lincou (Fra)
9/11, 11/5, 5/7 rtd
Mohammed Abbas (Egy) |
Wael El Hindi (Egy)
11/9, 10/12, 11/8, 5/11, 11/9 (80m)
Karim
Darwish (Egy) |
Karim Darwish
walkover
James
Willstrop |
Chris Gordon (Usa)
13/11, 11/7, 11/9 (35m)
James
Willstrop (Eng) |
|
Prize Money: 1st
$25k, 2nd $5k, Semi-Finalists $4k, Quarter-Finalists $3k |
|
how was the streaming for you ?? Let us know
on
the Forum |
|
Qualifying Draw |
|
Sun 2nd,
Round One |
Mon 3rd,
Finals |
|
John White (Sco)
bye |
John White
8/11, 11/4, 11/6, 4/1 rtd
Chris Gordon |
Chris Gordon (Usa)
8/11, 11/8, 11/4, 11/4 (40m)
Yasser El Halaby (Egy) |
Julian Illingworth
(Usa)
4/11, 11/8, 11/8, 11/9 (62m)
Rafael Alarcon (Bra) |
Julian
Illingworth
11/8, 11/9, 14/12 (42m)
Hisham Ashour |
bye
Hisham Ashour (Egy) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
  You'll
be able to watch all the action from Harvard's Murr
Center, with great picture quality, camera angles and
production standards thanks to Jean Delierre of
SquashLive ...
and all FREE ... |
|
|
|
Thu 6th, Semis:
Palmer advances,
Willstrop walks into final
Colleen Turner reports
With the withdrawal of Karim Darwish from the semifinals due to
injury, James Willstrop automatically advanced to the McWIL
Courtwall Players Cup finals and is one step closer to the
$25,000 pay off. Determination of his competitor during the
evening's first match between David Palmer (AUS, #5) and Thierry
Lincou (FRA, #7) was not quite so cut-and-dry. The 81-minute
match was equal parts excitement, frustration and aggravation
for players and, to some extent, spectators, too.
Palmer started the semifinal action off strong, hitting
well-placed shots and matching Lincou point-for-point. At 6-all,
he went on a five-point tear to easily take the first game and a
1-love lead. Game two saw Lincou scoot up 6-love in a much
different contest than the first. Palmer took the serve at 1-6,
and with the exception of a shot to the tin by Lincou that was
pretty much it. The tall, strapping gent in white looked a lot
like David Palmer, but that's where the resemblance ended.
Lincou dominated with an 11-4 victory to tie things up.
"Let it Be" was the theme of the match's third game. Despite the
numerous rallies, Lincou was up just 3-love a solid seven
minutes into the game. At 3-all, Lincou once again kicked it
into high gear, grabbing six straight points. Palmer's series of
forced and unforced errors looked bleak indeed, but the
tenacious tall one would not go down without a fight. Lincou
took the serve back at 10-7, and appeared poised to win. Not to
be denied, Palmer rallied to tie it 10-all. The next series of
points were long and tense, to say the least. Palmer hit tin to
give Lincou his first point; Lincou returned the favour: 11-all.
At 13-all, tempers over the never-ending lets were fraying
nerves. Palmer went up, but Lincou tied it up yet again: 14-all.
Lincou's shot to the tin put Palmer ahead for good, ultimately
earning the Aussie the win and a 2-1 lead in the match.
Game four was less contentious and more fast-paced than its
predecessor. Palmer asserted his presence with authority,
quickly going up 10-4, before putting Lincou's hopes of
advancing to bed.
|
|
|
Wed 5th, Quarters
#2:
Quarters complete in Boston
Colleen Turner reports
Cambridge, MA - March 5, 2008 - John Nimick, event promoter,
kicked things off by introducing Boston fan-fave and official
McWIL Courtwall Players Cup Tournament Ambassador Peter Nicol
to the capacity crowd. Nicol, world number one for an amazing 60
consecutive months over the course of his stellar 14-year
career, was his customary affable self. He will be the star
attraction during Friday's exhibition Lightning Round, when he
takes on seven of Boston's best squash players.
Compared to Tuesday's quarterfinal action, the rallies were long
and each point hard fought. The closely-ranked players matched
each other point-for-point before a forced error in the first
game gave Karim Darwish (EGY, #8) a 9-7 lead. A no-let
against Darwish brought the score to 9-all, before he grabbed
the serve back and the game 11-9. Game two saw Darwish creep up
5-love before Wael El Hindi (EGY, #9) made his first
serve. In short order, El Hindi returned the favour, bringing
the score to 5-all. A stunning shot just above the tin, followed
by a down ball gave El Hindi a 7-5 lead. At 6-8, Darwish took
the serve, quickly tying it up at 8-all. Stepping off the court
to replace a broken racquet seemed to be the ticket for El
Hindi. At 10-all, he played his final two points hard and well,
taking the game and tying it all up at 1-all.
Both Darwish and El Hindi came out in game three like men on a
mission. At 6-4, it appeared Darwish was getting his groove on,
but a shot to the tin gave El Hindi an opening and the
always-colourful player brought the game to 6-all. A knock to El
Hindi's noggin gave Darwish the advantage, 8-6. A no-let call
further pressed Darwish's lead to 10-7, but a down ball at 8-10
afforded El Hindi his opportunity to come back. Alas, to no
avail, with Darwish taking the game 11-8 and a 2-1 lead in the
match. Feeling confident, maybe, but in the fourth game it was
all El Hindi all the time. His quick win of 11-5 tied the match
and offered spectators the event's first fifth and final game.
At 4-all in game five, Darwish made his move, scooting up 6-4.
But the tenacious El Hindi grabbed the serve and tied it up at
6-all. Matching each other point-for-point yet again, it was at
9-all that a stunned El Hindi witnessed the magic of Darwish and
two very quick points later, good naturedly congratulated his
fellow countryman on his advancement to the semifinals.
It might have taken only 35 minutes, but the local crowd was
enthralled watching American Chris Gordon (#74) make a
valiant effort to grab the first game of the evening's second
match. Gordon looked good in the game, going up 6-3. James
Willstrop (ENG, #4) was able to force several errors, tying
it up at 7-all. But Gordon, the unlikely hero, earned another
hardy round of applause when he brought the score to 7-all. His
taking it to 10-all dazzled even further. At 11-10, Gordon was
living the dream, and even with Willstrop bringing it to 11-all,
Willstrop took the first tie-breaker point easily and worked his
tail off for the final point and win, 13-11. Game two brought us
an adrenaline-pumped Gordon, playing solid and strong. Willstrop
took the game 11-7, but it was by no mean a "gimme." A
wide-awake Willstrop started game three, picking up four quick
unanswered points. Gordon, still working his mo-jo, answered
with his own quick three. At 6-4, however, it was the seventh
point that Willstrop fought tooth and nail to win that energized
the audience. Gordon came back for five more points, bringing
the score to 10-9, but Willstrop showed why he is world number
four, taking the game and match.
|
|
| |
|
 |
Tue 4th, Quarters #1:
Palmer & Lincou advance
Colleen Turner reports
Cambridge, MA - March 4,
2008 In yet another 'twist' to this week's McWIL
Courtwall Players Cup, America's highest ranked player,
Julian Illingworth (#38), had to withdraw from
Monday's quarterfinal action due to injury.
Illingworth
rolled his ankle during the final point of last night's
match. He had hoped to work through it today, but
realized withdrawing was the best decision. With just
hours to prepare, lucky loser, Hisham Ashour
(EGY, #24) faced world number five, David Palmer
of Australia in the evening's first match.
 Palmer (AUS, #5) quickly shot up 5-0, but the elder
Ashour brother showed his mettle racking up a fast-paced
three. A couple of poor shots by Palmer brought the
score to 6-all. Literally tied through the remainder,
it was Ashour who ground down the rugged Aussie to take
the first game, his only win of the night, 13-11.
Perhaps Ashour was over-excited from his previous win,
but it was a calm Palmer who once again came out strong
in game two, racking up a quick unanswered seven points,
and relinquishing just two before tying the match up,
1-all. Game three saw a cat-and-mouse competition from
the start.
Ashour was in Palmer's face with a couple of "how's your
father" type shots after a let did not go his way. But
it was the athletically dominant Palmer who brought it
back to 7-all, and ultimately racking up his second win
with an 11-7 victory. An obviously worn out Ashour came
out to play, but Palmer made quick work of it, taking
the game 11-5 and advancing to the semifinals in just 42
minutes.
Post game, Palmer was thrilled to win, but was quick to
commend Hisham's play. He said, "He really dug in and
played very well with just a couple hours notice."
 The well-matched Theirry Lincou (FRA, #7) and
Mohamed Abbas (EGY, #13) gave the close-to-capacity
crowd a great show. Just over 48 minutes elapsed for
the two+ games.
Abbas showed great ball control, but
the strong Lincou was not to be denied. The handsome
Frenchman finessed both power and lob shots from
virtually every corner. Abbas brought the score to
9-all, claiming several compelling volleys for himself,
and ultimately the game, 11-9.
Game two saw Lincou up
3-0, when a slip gave Abbas his opening. The scrappy
Egyptian brought the score to 3-all. Lincou answered
with his own groove thing, going up 6-3, before a second
slip once again gave Abbas the point and serve. At 7-5,
Lincou took back the serve, quickly finishing off Abbas,
11-5, and tying the match 1-all.
At 6-4, in game three, Abbas took the evening's fourth
spill of the match, shaken up enough to take his three
minutes.
He came back to go up 7-5, before conceding to
Lincou due to injury.
|
| |
Mon 3rd, Qualifying:
Americans make main draw
Colleen Turner reports
America's highest ranked players, Julian Illingworth
(#38) and Chris Gordon (#74) earned berths in the
Players Cup, running March 4-7 on Harvard University's
all-glass show court at the Murr Center.
Sunday's qualifying first rounds saw Gordon surprise
Egypt's 40th-ranked Yasser El Halaby with a 40-minute
victory. El Halaby took the first game, but a wily
Gordon came on strong to take the next three.
Illingworth, in the evening's second upset, worked a tad
harder to ultimately best Brazil's Rafael Alarcon
(#42)in 62 minutes.
Monday's qualifying finals matches took on a decidedly
red-white-and-blue hue, as a visibly ill John White made
a gallant effort, but couldn't stave off the ambitious
Gordon. White retired in the middle of the fourth game,
giving Gordon a coveted berth in Tuesday's main draw.
Hopefully Gordon didn't catch anything as he'll need his
wits and strength when he faces England's James
Willstrop on Wednesday.
Finishing out the evening, Illingworth bested Hisham
Ashour (EGY, #24), getting off to a solid start in the
first game, playing strong and with purpose. Ashour
played well in the second game, but couldn't tie it up.
In the third and final game, Ashour was down 7-10, and
brought the score to 10-all, but six match balls later,
it was Illingworth who emerged victorious. Securing the
second and final berth in the main draw.
John Nimick, founder of the Cup and promoter of two of
the circuit tournaments leading up to it, states, "Most
exciting about this 8-man format is that it is all on
the line. This is a single elimination shoot-out for the
largest first-prize money in North American squash
history. Bottom line, there are no second chances." |
|
25-Feb:
Squash Heads Back to School ...
Nicol back on Court ...
Colleen Turner reports
Squash is heading back to school - at Harvard, no less.
Following on the success of the several U.S. Open events in
Boston, Players Circuit founder John Nimick anticipates sell-out
crowds and an inviting atmosphere at the inaugural Players Cup
to be held March 4-7, 2008 now located at Harvard University's
Murr Center. The move of the inaugural Players Cup to Harvard's
all-glass show court has also resulted in title sponsorship of
the event by the court's manufacturer McWIL Courtwall.
In another exciting sign of the world's attention on squash in
Boston, England's former World No. 1 and World Champion, Peter
Nicol, has been named the Official Tournament Ambassador and
will be involved both on and off court in select tournament
activities.
Nimick explains, "The debut of the Players Cup 8-man
championship in Boston calls for an intimate and personal venue.
Harvard's eagerness to host the event coupled with their
first-class 300-seat, four-sided squash arena proved
irresistible, prompting the decision to move the event from the
Back Bay Events Center. The concurrent decision by McWIL
Courtwall to
undertake the title sponsorship role is a wonderful endorsement
of both the event and the new location. Not least of all, with
the support of McWIL Courtwall tens of thousands of sports fans
will view the McWIL Players Cup matches on national and
international television as well as live on the Internet."
Regarding Nicol, Nimick says, "Peter's presence is a huge plus
for us. Not only is he one of the winningest-ever professionals,
but he and his company Eventis are one of the leading promoters
of the sport. Getting him on court in our newly titled "Best of
Boston vs. One World Champion" Lightning Round is a great coup."
The four-day Players Cup tournament will culminate with a finals
exhibition sure to be as exciting as the competition itself.
Peter Nicol will take on seven of Boston¹s best players as he
vies to be crowned the first Players Cup Lightning Round victor.
Nicol, who won a staggering 52 PSA Tour titles and spent a total
of 60 months ranked world number one, retired in 2006, but is
still a force on the court. A fierce competitor, Peter is best
known for his ability to retrieve the ball and wear out an
opponent. In addition to competing in the Lightning Round, Nicol
will also be calling select matches during the free live webcast
of the Players Cup produced by Telimage Productions.
Satinder 'Baj' Bajwa, head squash coach at Harvard and former
promoter of the Super Series Final in England, enthuses, "We
have always had an interest in hosting the world's best squash
players here at Harvard. To serve as the location for the first
Players Cup is truly an honor." Bajwa successfully directed the
PSA World Tour's unrivaled 8-man playoff event for
11 years, eventually moving the prestigious championship to
Broadgate in London where it became a sporting fixture of the
city.
All matches will be played on the Murr Center's show court.
Featuring four glass walls fabricated with a unique double-dot
treatment, the walls allow players to have an accurate view of
the ball, while spectators are able to enjoy watching play on
the court. The ceramic dots are fired into the glass during the
tempering process and thus provide not only the vision features,
but also a playing surface with proper 'grip' for the ball.
David Carr, McWIL Courtwall CEO, notes, "Baj and the Harvard
community take their squash very seriously. We are very proud of
the show court we developed for their facility and are even more
thrilled to be the Players Cup title sponsor and have this
opportunity to take 'center court' at the tournament."
|
STANDINGS
FINAL RANKINGS
Karim Darwish, James Willstrop, Thierry Lincou, Wael
El Hindi, David Palmer and Mohammed Abbas are the automatic
qualifiers for the inaugural Players Cup, with the final two
places up for grabs in playoff matches (details to follow).
SCHEDULE
Quarter-finals Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Quarter-finals Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Semi-finals Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Finals & Exhibition Friday, March 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
|
|
|
TV Deal and Australia's David
Palmer calling Hub home just two of the many surprises at March
4-7's Players Cup Squash Final ... Colleen Turner reports
BOSTON February 21, 2008 A groundbreaking television
production deal encompassing the new Players Cup Circuit squash
tournaments in North America and featuring a live web cast during
March 4-7's Players Cup playoff final in Boston was signed and
sealed by Players Cup Circuit founder and president of Event
Engine, John Nimick, with Jean De Lierre, president
of Telimage Productions. This comes on the heels of world ranked
number four David Palmer's recent addition to Boston's
University Club as its travelling pro.
"Boston is becoming the hub for great things in squash. David's
addition to the Boston squash scene, coupled with our
television-come-web-cast deal with Telimage Productions, the
leading producer of video squash programming, affords us the
opportunity to make squash accessible to larger and larger
audiences," explains Nimick, whose Event Engine sport and
entertainment company is promoting the Players Cup Circuit and
three of its associated tournaments.
The Players Cup TV programming package for 2008 includes match
highlights from the Players Cup Circuit events, as well as
complete coverage of selected matches of the Bear Stearns
Tournament of Champions, PACE Canadian Squash Classic, the
Davenport Virginia Pro and the Players Cup playoff championships
in Boston.
Free streaming from Boston
De Lierre shares, "We are thrilled to broadcast the Players Cup
matches in Boston, which features the largest first place prize
money in the history of North American squash, via squashlive,
from March 4 - 7, all free of charge and free of download
hassles."
Ten million-plus viewers will be able to tune in the programs
simultaneously without affecting the quality of the images. The
production will further be distributed worldwide to the PSA
affiliated networks abroad and to The Tennis Channel in the United
States following the completion of the Circuit on March 7, 2008.
With the conclusion of the PACE Canadian Classic, the feisty
Ramy Ashour (EGY) stands firmly at the top of the points
table, with new American resident David Palmer retaining
second spot, Englishman James Willstrop third and Karim
Darwish, also of Egypt, moving into fourth place. Frenchman
Thierry Lincou and Egypt's El Hindi Wael round out
the top six, with the remaining top nine players well poised to
make a move for the final two slots. The Circuit is currently in
Portland for the Evergreen Oregon Open, February 19-23, and the
ranking finale will take place in Richmond at the Virginia Pro,
February 25 - March 1, in which nearly all the top Circuit players
will compete.
Palmer's Boston Base
A long time fan of the Hub, Palmer shares, "I'm targeting 2010 as
a potential retirement date, but as long as I'm strong, motivated
and competitive, well, who knows when I'll stop. I knew I wanted
to make the U.S. my home and Boston is definitely one of my
favourite towns, so this opportunity with the U-Club is really
exciting."
His key responsibilities at the University Club will include
coaching and lessons for members; direction of squash camps over
the summer; and using his name and talents to promote the club and
increase general interest in the sport of squash.
|
2008 Schedule:
Jan 10 - 16
Bear Stearns Tournament of Champions,
Grand Central Terminal, NYC
Jan 24 - 27
EBS Dayton Open,
Dayton Squash Center, Dayton, OH
Feb 13 - 16
PACE Canadian Classic,
Toronto Convention Center, Toronto, ON
Oregon Open,
Multnomah Club, Portland, OR
Feb 25 - Mar 01
Davenport Pro Championships,
University of Richmond, VA
Mar 04 - 07
Players Cup,
Back Bay Events Centre, Boston, MA
|
|
|
BOSTON November 16, 2007:
Colleen Turner reports
A bigger, bolder, brassier game of squash takes off in North
America. The Players Cup Circuit is comprised of five
PSA-sanctioned world-class pro tournaments.
Boston will serve as
the pinnacle of competition as the Circuit's top players clash the
first-ever Players Cup Squash Championship, a special playoff
event.
 "This
city has a rich tradition of hosting world-class squash and we are
very excited to add to that wonderful legacy by launching the
Players Cup here in Boston.
"This event is a true slam-bang
showdown. Eight of the world's best players will qualify to
compete for a winner's purse of $25,000, which will be the largest
first-place prize money ever awarded in North American squash
history."
"Squash has grown considerably in North America and this sort of
elite, end-of-season event will showcase the sport in a new and
more focused way that is sure to thrill sports fans.
"Governed by
US Squash, more than 400,000 people play squash in the USA and the
sport is growing strongly at the junior and college level."
Players Circuit founder and 3-tournament promoter
Beginning in New York City on
January 10 and ending in Richmond, VA on March 1, the continuous
five tournament Series will climax with the Players Cup in Boston
March 4-7.
The $50,000 Players Cup is an 8-man, single elimination
competition presented over four nights at the Back Bay Events
Centre.
Six competitors will qualify for the Players Cup based on
their cumulative prize money earned in the five preceding events,
while two players will earn a berth through local qualifying
events.
 "With the
Players Cup Series, we now have a perfectly coordinated winter pro
squash schedule with events that all North Americans can follow.
"Nimick's plan to conclude with the Players Cup brings me back to
the days of the Mennen Cup in the early 1980s, when the top eight
players in the world came to Toronto for a special,
invitation-only event that electrified the squash world.
"Having the Players Cup in Boston, the heartland of squash and the
home to some of the greatest pro tournaments, college teams and
the world's first after-school youth enrichment squash program,
makes it the perfect way to end the winter squash season."
Squash Author
Players Cup Tickets:
4 Seat Gold Patron $1,600
2 Seat Silver Patron $900
1 Seat Bronze Patron $500
Ticket Prices $25 - $150
mmwinstanley@aol.com
|
2008 Schedule:
Jan 10 - 16
Bear Stearns Tournament of Champions,
Grand Central Terminal, NYC
Jan 24 - 27
EBS Dayton Open,
Dayton Squash Center, Dayton, OH
Feb 13 - 16
PACE Canadian Classic,
Toronto Convention Center, Toronto, ON
Oregon Open,
Multnomah Club, Portland, OR
Feb 25 - Mar 01
Davenport Pro Championships,
University of Richmond, VA
Mar 04 - 07
Players Cup,
Back Bay Events Centre, Boston, MA
2008 Players Cup Schedule:
Quarterfinals Tue, March 4, at 7pm.
Wed, March 5, at 7pm.
Semifinals
Thu, March 6, at 7pm.
Finals & Exhibition
Fri, March 7, at 6pm. |
|
|
2008
Players Cup Squash Circuit
launched in North America
Sponsors and Promoters Band Together to Shape Winter Squash
Season,
with tournaments in New York City, Dayton, Toronto, Portland and
Richmond,
culminating with Top Player Showdown in Boston...
|
BOSTON October 8, 2007:
In a groundbreaking initiative for the sport of squash in North
America, five world-class pro tournaments will band together in 2008
to form the Players Cup Squash Circuit. The Circuit tournaments are
sanctioned by the PSA, and will culminate with the first-ever
Players Cup playoff event, which will be an unsanctioned special
event.
Beginning in New York City on January 10 and ending in Richmond, Virginia
on March 1, the five high-level tournaments will climax with the
Players Cup in Boston, March 4-7. The 8-man, single elimination
competition provides a winner's purse of $25,000 USD, earning the
winner the largest first place check in North American squash
history. Six competitors will qualify for the Players Cup based on
their cumulative prize money earned in the five preceding Series
events, while two players can earn a berth through local
qualifying events.
 "The Players Cup Circuit is such a
great idea and the players will love it. It will bring something new
to the game and add more excitement to the events here in the
States.
"With the players knowing that there is a big purse at the
end of the series, I am sure they will all come and try to get a
piece of the action at the Finals in March."
US-resident world #8
The inaugural Circuit events will
all take place in January and February and lead immediately to the
playoff matches in Boston.
2008 Schedule:
January 10-16: Bear Stearns Tournament of Champions,
Grand Central Terminal, New York.
January 24-27: EBS Dayton Open,
Dayton Squash Center, Dayton, Ohio.
February 13-16: PACE Canadian Classic,
Toronto Convention Center, Toronto, Ontario.
February 20-23: Evergreen Oregon Open,
Multnomah Athletic Club, Portland, Oregon.
February 25-01 Mar: Davenport Pro Championships,
University of Richmond, Virginia.
March 04-07: Players Cup,
Back Bay Events Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
Total Prize Money: $370,000 USD
|
ToC News
 "Squash
is one of sport's hidden gems, featuring world-class athletes at the
top of their game. With 15 million people playing in more than 125
countries, the sport was recently voted by the International Olympic
Committee to be the #1 choice for potential inclusion in a future
Olympic Programme.
"With the launch of the Players Cup Squash Circuit, we are making a
concerted and coordinated effort to give North American sports fans
a distinct season of squash that they will never
forget.
"Squash has grown considerably in North America and this sort of
elite, end-of-season event will showcase the sport in a new and more
focused way that is sure to thrill sports fans."
Players
Series founder and promoter of three of the Circuit tournaments |
|
|
|
