US Squash Nationals @ Hartford, Connecticut

A few ago I decided I would go to the US Squash Nationals where ever they were held. When Hartford, Connecticut was announced as the venue for the 2003 US Nationals, I was somewhat less than enthusiastic but still went, determined to participate in this, the biggest squash tournament of the year. The matches were played at three venues, Trinity College, Loomis Chaffee High School, and Westminister High School. The Trinity College campus (where I played my matches) is beautiful and the squash facilities are superb. Twelve international courts, including two all glass courts. Amazingly, all of the women's draws were played there. The only thing I did not like about the tournament was that they allowed Juniors to play in what I had naively visualized as a tournament for adults. Gone are the days when I could compete with the legs on a sixteen-year old girl!

I arrived a day early in order to fully savor taking a vacation. This also allowed me to take the Advanced Referee course taught by Graham Waters from Canada, who also was the instructor when I got my Canada Referee Certification before the U.S. had a certification program. He and Ben Harris are just great referees and really nice guys! Of course, my favorite nice guys were a pair from Houston -- Rishad Alikhan and Bruce Crane, who were the only other Houstonians at the tournament. On the 16th (Sunday), I got to go cheer them on to victory. Bruce won the 4.5 main draw which now makes him the US 4.5 National Champion, while Rishad won the 5.0 double feed-in consolation draw, although his main focus for the weekend was refereeing the S.L. Green professional matches. Both fought hard during their five matches and deserve a good round of way to go!!

I think that every squash player should try to participate in at least one US Nationals if possible. Participating in a squash tournament where there are approximately 500 contestants is a different kettle of fish. I found it to be a very rewarding experience. Although I didn't bring home a trophy, I can tell you about a cozy little restaurant in the northern part of Massachusetts where I dined one evening, Hartford's delicious homemade rootbeer, and where to go for the best shopping in Hartford. Furthermore, I can also tell you all about the nuances of having to drive in snow!

2003 WISPA Texas Open @ Dallas, TX

The latter part of March brought the 2003 WISPA Texas Open in Dallas. The tournament committee did a fabulous job. The amateur part of the tournament was run by Helen and Martin Danby at one location (YMCA) and Jamie Bush and Kurt Van Eck at another (Premier Club). They really went the extra mile to try and make certain everyone got their share of playing and went away happy. Houston was well represented at the tournament. I won't attempt to name everyone for fear I would forget someone, but suffice it to say that our squad consisted of approximately 15 Houstonians. Diana Scruton and Constance Moore were treated to a friendly match with world ranked Nicol David of Malaysia, who unfortunately came up short in the professional qualifier draw in a close five-setter.

As in 2000, Susan and Bob Morrison guided the professional part of the tournament with style and grace. It was the first time that an all-glass court was used in Texas. It allows more vantage points from which to observe the game and its mobility brings the game right to the fans, including people who otherwise might never get an opportunity to watch the game. Seeing the WISPA players again was like seeing old friends. It was truly amazing how many of them remembered last year in Houston and commented on our hospitality. Rishad, who recently became a National Referee, refereed some of the pro matches. Meanwhile, I was given the opportunity to referee a Men's 4.0 squash match.

The Saturday night tournament banquet and party was fun! The Houston band (Nite Beat) was a huge hit with the girls, and played into the early hours of the morning. We all danced until the band finally left the stage exhausted. Sunday brought us the finals of all the draws including the pro draw, pitting Natalie Pohrer, USA vs Carol Owens, New Zealand. Purely by chance I found myself seated next to Natalie Pohrer's mother from South Africa (a former top ten player herself) and mother-in-law from St. Louis. Parents are parents and still agonize over their child's game whatever the level of competition or the age of the child. Carol was victorious this year in Dallas, but there is always next year, when Houston will once again host the WISPA Texas Open.