Jack Halford Gets Creative
Mar 27, 2005, by Ron Beck
SquashTalk Independent News Service © 2005 all Rights Reserved;

HE LOOKS TO COMBINE LESSONS IN LIFE WITH LESSONS IN SQUASH
Jack Halford, an accomplished squash coach, with a lot of other diverse talents and interests, has come up with one of the most interesting and creative concepts in years — combining squash with an open range ranch, to create the first and only squash camp on a working ranch. SquashTalk interviewed Jack Halford to get a better understanding of his new venture:

ST: Jack, the idea of combining a western ranch experience with squash is, to say the least, a unique idea, however did you come up with the idea?

Jack Halford at the Tibbetts Ranch, photo © 2005 Jack Halford

JACK: I spent last summer working on this Ranch, and the Bunk House is the same size and shape as a Squash Court, and it just hit me !! Divine Intervention !

ST: Tell us a little bit about the Tibbetts ranch, and what made you decide that was THE place for your venture?

JACK: The Tibbetts Ranch is really one of the last remnants of the Old Wild West which is quite romantic, and the ranchers still employ old fashioned type methods to maintain their wonderful easy going way of life, without the stress of modern day techniques !

ST: Is a squash court being erected at the ranch specifically for this program?
JACK: Yes. I contacted the WSF and got all the correct structural Information, and Ron Tibbetts (The owner of the ranch) is building this squash court himself ! (Having never even seen a squash court)

ST: What do you think will be the unique things that people who attend this camp will gain from the experience?
JACK: Camaraderie, a sense of well being, respect for Nature and the Western way of life, not a care in the World, pleased to be free of cell phones, TV, and computers for one week, healthy living, love for the Wild West, are just a few of the phrases that describe what is ahead !

ST: Tell us a little bit about your background?
JACK: I was Born in the USA (58 years ago) and then I was raised in Winchester (England) with four siblings. I joined the Royal Navy in 1963 at age 16 and served for over 23 years. I did not play Squash until my soccer days and middle distance running legs were tired! I was enthralled with squash and Immediately became involved in Squash coaching. I spent 10 years gaining my Level 3 Coaching Certification (Professional). I was the first ever Royal Navy full time squash coach (travelling the globe) introducing this great game to Royal Navy officers and sailors around the world. I moved to Orlando (Florida) after completing my Royal Navy service.

In Orlando, I worked for Disneyworld as a private dining waiter for 11 years before deciding to try my luck in the Northeastern USA as a Squash Coach. I have worked in and around Greenwich CT , coaching squash and soccer for the last seven years, and I won the USA over 55's Nationals, 3 years ago at Yale.

I am currently a freelance squash coach with a fair bit of success. There is a lot more to tell, but would take too long ! I have three grown children and two grandchildren. My ex-wife died 7 years ago and I am currently single.

ST: Tell us a little bit about the Tibbetts and is this their first exposure to squash?

June, Lana and Ron Tibbetts with Jack Halford photo © 2005 Jack Halford

JACK: I was introduced to the Tibbetts by Mr Bill Broadbent who takes a group of New York Businessmen to the Miles City Rodeo yearly ! I was taken along to keep the troops happy !

Mr Broadbent invited June and Lana Tibbetts to Greenwich where they were exposed to squash for the first time (2 Years ago ). Ron June and Lana run this fourteen - thousand-acre ranch, and it is amazing to see this huge operation being run by such a small family staff.

On the Tibbetts website, there is my story of last summers three week visit which will tell you everything about the ranch and the Tibbetts ! This story made the local press in Montana.

ST: Once this is operational this must be one of the few squash courts in the area, do you think this might serve as some sort of catalyst for squash in the wilds of the west?
JACK: We have discussed getting some good publicity and promoting squash in Montana, and as you know, people who work hard love squash ! (any ideas will be appreciated)

ST: What would you tell prospective campers are the three reasons why they must come to this camp?
JACK: A lifetime friendship with all people involved in the camp will no doubt be the main theme. A true love and respect for Montana and its Western way of life (romantic). Never take for granted ever again the modern technology that now rules the lives of most people.

ST: This is such a creative idea, you must have some other similar ideas on your mind. If this works, what is next?
JACK: My mind is always racing away in sometimes my own little dreamworld !

After watching and coaching squash with mostly privileged people in the Northeastern USA, I have come to the conclusion that too much coaching and not enough playing makes Jack a dull boy ! (Just an observation). So i would love to Introduce the English Club concept, in and around New York, of Squash Leagues.

My son is a member of a small town club and he started off in League 40 and worked his way up to around league 10. These leagues do not discriminate any type of gender. They are purely a way of improving and setting oneself targets to ultimately attain the best level of Squash that the individual so wishes. I am looking for the right software that would help me achieve this on a computer and make life easy for everyone in booking,playing and recording results !!

I have time on my hands, so will try and get this project off the planning table !!

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