11-Jan-04
Spotlight on Bermuda as
World's best prepare for Open
Spread across the
pages of sports magazines and internet sites, the Bermuda Open, which has
Logic Communications, Hewlett Packard and Endurance as its three principle
sponsors, is gaining widespread attention and in the words of current world
champion and Bermuda resident David Palmer, is "one of the most exciting
tournaments to hit the world tour in years".
Full story from the Royal Gazette
10-Dec-03
Bermuda Open to
be
Launched in 2004
Bermuda will provide an idyllic setting for world
class squash next year when the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association hosts
The Bermuda Open 2004 from 15-20 March. The event, presented
by Logic and HP, will attract a star-studded line-up of the world's top
professional players and has been fully sanctioned by the Professional
Squash Association (PSA) as a five-star tournament.
Tournament Director Ross Triffitt enthused: "Even at this early stage
the world's leading players have shown great interest in participating in
the 16-man tournament, with 11 places going to the world's best, one place
being reserved as a wild card entry, and an additional four places chosen
from the 16-man qualifying tournament."
The Tournament will be televised with a potential viewing audience of 375
million through Fox Sports and other sports networks.
Bermuda has been hosting international squash tournaments since 1969 and
claims to have hosted the first "softball" tournament ever held on the
western side of the Atlantic, but the 2004 Bermuda Open is far more
ambitious than any of the Island's previous ventures. Although the
qualifying matches will be held at the BSRA's Devonshire courts, the main
tournament will take place in the tiny capital city of Hamilton on a
specially-imported all-glass court, together with theatre-style seating.
In addition to the PSA five-star tournament, a host of other activities will
be available to the international visitor. The professional men's event will
run concurrently with an amateur tournament, the Bermuda Open Graded
Championships. This tournament will provide players of all standards
from all over the world the opportunity to compete in the event. Prior to
the squash competition, coaching clinics by world champion coaches Mike
Way and Shaun Moxham will be available for players wanting to improve
their game. The physical activities will be accompanied by Bermuda's famous
hospitality with many social activities on offer throughout the event.
"This is a major event for the small Island of Bermuda, with a total
population of just under 65,000, located 700 miles off the eastern coast of
the US," Triffitt added. "Bermuda is one of the world's premier tourist
destinations, with its magnificent pink beaches, pastel coloured houses and
snow white roofs (despite snow being unheard of on this Island paradise!),
numerous golf courses, and its long history as a British colony. Hamilton is
a thriving centre for International business, and believe it or not, well
dressed businessmen do walk the streets wearing Bermuda shorts."
2003 has been a banner year for squash in Bermuda, with the Bermuda Men's
Team sweeping all before them in the recent Caribbean Squash
Championships. The team was unbeaten in team competition, and both of
the finalists in the men's singles were from Bermuda.
An event of this magnitude would be impossible without generous local and
international sponsorship. BSRA President Stephen Young commented: "We have
been very fortunate indeed to have secured sufficient sponsorship to
guarantee the event thanks to the support of presenting sponsors Logic
and Hewlett Packard, Endurance as host sponsor and additional
sponsorship from our primary sponsors, Bermuda Department of Tourism
and the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.
"We are looking forward to an exciting tournament and have plans to expose
our own youngsters and our local community to squash at the highest level."
PSA Chief Executive Gawain Briars added: "After initial soundings
through PSA President Mark Chaloner, David Palmer and Shaun
Moxham, I am delighted that Bermuda has taken the brave step of
promoting a new five star PSA tournament, the Bermuda Open, in March 2004.
"The event organiser, Ross Triffitt, and his team on the island have applied
themselves in the most professional manner in relation to their forward
planning for the event; and I am confident that they will deliver a first
class major new addition to the growing PSA world tour.
"Whilst the famous island's attractions are obvious to all, this will be a
first for them in bringing PSA's top guns to compete for world ranking
points, and I am sure Bermuda's industry and commitment will be well
rewarded when our players demonstrate that it is only in PSA events that the
requirement for 100% effort in competition is a must.
"PSA thanks Ross and the Bermuda Squash Rackets Association, together with
their President Stephen Young, for this commitment and we also
gratefully acknowledge the support provided at this early stage of their
presenting sponsors Logic and Hewlett Packard as well host sponsor
Endurance, together with the Bermuda Department of Tourism and the Fairmont
Hamilton Princess." |
Full
Bermuda Open Coverage
Official Bermuda Open
site
www.bermudaopen.com
Bermuda SRA
Caribbean Squash
Championships 2003
Logic Bermuda
Open 2003
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