Williamstown, MA — The fifth annual Berkshire Squash Open, a tournament featuring professional squash players from around the world, will be held at Williams College on Tuesday, April 21st through Sunday, April 26th, 2009.  Organized by Williams College squash coach Zafi Levy, endorsed by the Professional Squash Association (PSA), and presented by True North Financial and Sabre Yachts, the event will provide Williams staff and faculty, students, and local and visiting squash fans an opportunity to watch some of the best squash players in the world in our community.

In response to its growing popularity, all main draw matches of 2009 Berkshire Squash Open will be hosted on a McWill portable glass court staged at Chandler gymnasium. The Berkshire Squash Open is one of three squash tournaments in United States to stage a professional squash tournament on a glass court.

“The success of the 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 events was evidence of our commitment to bringing world class squash to the Berkshires. We have worked hard to prepare a solid ground for the event which will see the tournament continue as the most prestigious professional sporting event in the Berkshires. Hosting the tournament on a glass court is a huge step toward making the Berkshire Squash Open one of the most prestigious tournaments in the U.S.,” said Zafi Levy, tournament director and head squash coach at Williams College.

With prize money of $20,000, the 2009 Berkshire Squash Open is one of the top squash tournaments in the U.S., attracting some of the top-30 players in the international professional ranking system. As in past years the draw is likely to feature players from many countries such as Australia, England, France, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, and Wales as well as the U.S.

“For the fifth time in as many years, True North Financial Services, a Mountain-One Financial Partner, is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Berkshire Squash Open. True North has always been committed to community involvement and sponsorship of local events.  The Berkshire Squash Open is a one-of-a-kind competition in this area, and allows non-squash and squash enthusiasts alike the opportunity to see world class athletes at their best.  We are excited to be able to help this event take place right here in the heart of the Berkshires,” said Rob Able from True North financial.

Since the construction of the Simon Squash Center in 1998, Williams’ excellent facilities have been a magnet for a growing body of squash players, consisting of more than 100 Williams faculty and staff, 150 local residents, hundreds of Williams students and a growing number of junior players.  “The goal of the tournament is to provide the rapidly growing number of squash enthusiasts in the area with an opportunity to watch world-class squash at an affordable price,” says Coach Levy.  Williams College Athletic Director Harry Sheehy adds, “Once again, we are pleased to be hosting an event that will bring some of the top squash players in the world to the College and to the community.”

The week-long competition will kick off on Tuesday, April 21st with the qualifying rounds concluding on Wednesday, April 22nd.  From the qualifying rounds, four players will emerge to round out the 16-player draw.  Twelve players will enter the main draw without qualifying, including one wild-card entry.  The official opening round, or round of 16, will then begin on the magnificent McWill Glass court on Thursday, April 23rd, with the quarterfinals to be held on Friday, April 24th and the semifinals on Saturday, April 25th. The two finalists will then square off on Sunday, April 26th, when a fifth Berkshire Open champion will be crowned. Matches will begin each day at 5 P.M.

Starting this year, the 2009 Berkshire Open will serve as official charity event to support NUSEA, National Urban Squash and Educational Association. NUSEA is a non-profit organization which governs all urban squash programs in the United States.

Our goal is to raise $15,000 to sponsor the NUSEA national championship tournament held at Williams College June 19-21. The NUSEA national championship will bring to Williamstown 350 urban squash players for a weekend of squash and fun. For many of the participants, the weekend spent in Williamstown is the only time during the year they visit the countryside.

There will be an amateur event during the weekend of April 25-26 which will include Williams squash alumni, Williams’ varsity team members, members of the local squash community and out of town visitors who sign up for the event. Williams College plans on hosting a special dinner for all alumni on Saturday night between the two semifinals.

For more information about the 2009 Berkshire Squash Open, please visit SquashAndBeyond.com.

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Tags

• Berkshire Open, Berkshire Squash Open, PSA, Williams College