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[ed note: we have just learned that despite a misleading press release from the British Open organizers, Fitz-Gerald is not an active WISPA tour member at present and will apparently only be competing in the 35-plus division]

Walters Calls on old Boss, Dunlop   
The British Open was holding on by its fingernails two weeks ago. What’s more the nails that had been bitten to the quick in the tumultuous decade since the halcyon days of Hi-Tec sponsorhip. Today the Open has managed to improve its position to a a decent foothold thanks to Dunlop stepping in as name sponsor.

Firstly let me say that I am glad that a sponsor was found in time and secondly that I think Dunlop is a natural sponsor for this event, which some people still call prestigious, but, with all the good will in the world, it is a word that I cannot use to describe an event that has stumbled rapidly downhill over the last years. Perilous is the word that fitz it more accurately.

I think Dunlop should have picked this event up years ago and nurtured it back to full health. Had they done that, it would also have helped the company’s fortunes which have seen some extraordinary ups and downs.

Once the arrogant leader in the squash racket field, Dunlop lost that leadership and arrogance when Prince came along and outsmarted as well as outsold them. And Dunlop Greenflash shoes are now a dim memory and museum items.

When Paul Walters headed up Dunlop’s squash side, he flung racket contracts around like confetti and thus claimed the greater percentage of pro players used Dunlop. His approaches to top players already signed with other companies did nothing for his popularity. And his constant use of his fiancée/partner Sarah Fitz-Gerald as a marketing tool in all his projects produced looks of utter disbelief on many people connected with squash.

It came as no surprise when, having acquired the rights to the 2005 British Open, Walters turned to his old company, Dunlop, for help and thankfully they came up with the cash. It should have come as no surprise when suddenly Walters pulled Fitz-Gerald’s name out of the hat as an added attraction for the women’s draw. But it was.

Fitz-Gerald had retired! She sat next to me at the World Awards dinner and told me she had finally got tired and bored with the life of a squash pro. She was quite happy to do exhibitions and clinics, but the demands of being on the circuit were no longer acceptable to her. She even pulled out of the running for the Australian team for the next Commonwealth Games to be held in her home town of Melbourne; the prospect of being beaten by someone she used to beat also had something to do with her decision.

But here she is, back in the ring, still ready to punch her weight. Aaah, greater love hath no woman….

THE 'CUT-RATE' BRITISH OPEN
She certainly ain’t in it for the money. The WISPA event is a two star with but $25,000 prize money spread among the 16 players in the draw. The winner picks up 17 ½ percent, around $4,200. For the PSA 32 man draw the prize money is $40,000 which means the winner will earn $7,000, not a helluva lot more.

This is a cut-rate British Open; because it is being held in the National Squash Centre the chances are Walters is getting the venue free, add the other expenses to the prize money and he could be facing a total bill of $100,000, which ain’t bad. Dunlop will certainly not be picking up the whole tab and could have secured the British Open for under $50,000 which is a damn good deal. ((In the good old days Hi-Tec would have had to cough up six times that amount for their sponsorship of the Open).

Nevertheless, everyone connected with squash is relieved that the old warhorse lives on for another year. Even Jonathon Power is back in the fold after a year of absence due to its low standing.

CONTINUING ROLE?
What would be even better is an announcement from Dunlop that they will take up the option for the next five years. It would be nice to have a nice gentle canter in a brougham after all these years of a roller coaster.