After consultation between the
tournament's Management Committee, USSRA and event promoters Event Engine,
the 2002 US Open will go forward as planned in Boston's historic Symphony
Hall from September 12-15.
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 US 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, US Open organizers were forced to consider moving or
cancelling 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 US 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 Programme, which will assign a local family to
each player and ensure easy transport to and from the 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 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.