02/14/2024
Note below to the Cricket's squash section from our Head Squash Professional, Robin Clarke. This year's 3 Draws have been posted as of today!
Squash Activity,
Look out next week when we promote the professional singles tournament, the Guilfoyle PSA Squash Classic presented by Chronicle Wealth which is a professional singles tournament featuring some of the best singles players in the World and will give our members a chance to witness our very own Robin Clarke come out of retirement and compete in his first pro singles tournament in a very very long time!
This week we feature the Stephen Milic Harvey Kalles Doubles Pro Am, which begins February 27th.
This exciting doubles events features some of the best professional doubles players in the world. Seriously. This year we are fortunate to have World #4 (not too long ago #1) Scott Arnold participating, who’s known to have one of the hardest hitting forehands in the game. Other top ranked professionals include your very own Robin Clarke, World #7 Matt Henderson, World #15 Colin West, Bentley Cup champ Robert Nigro and other National / Provincial champions.
This year we are excited to promote 3 (3!) draws which includes a Women’s draw which also features THE BEST Women’s doubles squash players in the World, including newly crowned Squash Ontario Hall of Fame Inductee and World Champion Stephanie Hewitt, our very own World ranked Nikole Todd, the first Silver Medallist at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Canadian history and singles World #20 Hollie Naughton and many more rounding out an extremely competitive draw feature some of our top women club players.
Pro Ams are the most fun spectators will have watching top level doubles. The pro’s are trying their best to call off their very capable amateur partner (our members!) in order to gain a small advantage mid rally. This creates epic rallies, lots of yelling (“MINE”! “LEAVE IT!”) and no doubt some body tattoos from being hit with the ball! It’s also extremely difficult to predict match winners, as professionals are strategically paired with our members to create parity throughout the draw.
Finally, with the handicap scoring (+ or – 3 points per game) there are wild swings in momentum each and every game.
Throughout the week, similar to the PSA event we have KILL THE KEGS each night. The first round of each draw will take place over 3 days, February 27, 28 and 29. Semi-Final night is March 1st and is a not to miss event paired with the pro singles semi-finals & a Squash Ontario Junior tournament. Those who make the finals will get the weekend off for rest and recovery before battling for the title during MNHL on Monday, March 4th. Everyone is encouraged to come up and witness the finals while having a slider and a beer!
The draws for all three events are below (pinch and zoom on phone!).
As always, thanks so very much to Stephen Milic and Harvey Kalles for continuing to be title sponsor, going on 9+ years now (10 if you count the quieter Covid year. Stephen works hard to make this event a success year after year and tirelessly makes every effort to throw together a wonderful experience for the spectators and those who participate in the tournament.
This year's we've got a great group of platinum sponsors helping us bring in the top talent from across the GTA. Thanks so much to Jay Calafiore & Mortgage Architects, Dr. Paul Deratnay at Family and Cosmetics Dentistry, Ridley Windows & Doors, Brady Jones & BRJC Specialist Recruitment Consultants, Carlo Mariglia & EY, Mazda Adhami & Gravity Developments, Chris Pryce & Human Capital Benefits and Ken Alexander at Davenport Law.
If you see any of these sponsors make sure to say thank you!
