EventEngine Pro Squash 2002


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Event Engine Announces The Event Will Go Forward

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The 2002 US Open

Dated: July 17, 2002 2002

U.S. Open Squash Championships Goes Forward in Symphony Hall in September

After consultation between the tournament's Management Committee, USSRA and event promoter Event Engine, Inc., the U.S. Open will go forward as planned in Boston's historic Symphony Hall this September 12 - 15, 2002.

Despite serious objections by Event Engine, Inc. and the USSRA, the viability of the $60,000 PSA-sanctioned tournament had been thrown into doubt on June 18 by the decision of the Professional Squash Association to sanction a major competing event in France over the same dates as those previously registered by the U.S. Open.

As reports from individual players confirmed that most of the top talent would opt to compete for the slightly higher ranking and Super Series points offered by the prospective French Open, U.S. Open organizers were forced to consider moving or canceling the event.

In a bizarre twist, the French Open organizers informed PSA last week that they had "lost their sponsor" causing their prize money allocations to drop to $15,000 for men and $10,000 for women.

After a request by Event Engine, Inc. was agreed to yesterday by the PSA that the association would not register any other competing event higher than $20,000 in prize money against the U.S. Open in September, the way was clear again for tournament organizers to consider returning to their original and ground breaking plans for Symphony Hall.

Event Promoter John Nimick, President of Event Engine, Inc. states, "It has been a difficult period with the PSA these last four weeks. The episode has caused me to ask the association's leadership to review both its own regulations and its business dealings with Event Engine, Inc., which produces three of the Tour's top ten ranking events, and the rest of the international marketplace.

"However, I am pleased that we can now move forward with this unique edition of the U.S. Open. It will be a pleasure to welcome the world's top players back to Boston so shortly after the successful presentation of our postponed 2001 event this past January."

He continues, "Unfortunately, the complete cessation of our marketing efforts over the last month will have a challenging effect on tournament finances. While we will maintain our cash prize money and ranking level commitments, we have decided to invite the world's best players into our own local Boston homes instead of situating them in an area hotel. Hopefully, our Ambassador Program, which will assign a local family to each player and ensure easy transport to and from and airport and playing venues, will provide a suitable and friendly environment for them."

In addition to the main professional competition schedule for September 12-15, 2002 in Symphony Hall, the tournament will host two first round matches each at both the Harvard Club and the Boston Racquet Club. Also on the schedule is a Squash Expo featuring all of the major North American equipment companies, a major junior clinic featuring all the main draw players and the second annual gathering of the Squash Industry Council.

Qualifying matches will be held September 10 + 11 at Harvard University's extensive Murr Center squash facility. Tournament sponsors include The Fineberg Companies, Marsh, Inc., FleetBoston Financial, Boston Racquet Club and Dover Rug Company.