Gus Cook ( PSA )

The Professional Squash Association ( PSA ) World Tour in the United States over the past few years has seen a number of new events join an existing strong line up of tournaments. However, as is the case worldwide, some events have had to take a sabbatical and delayed registering for the time being but plan to do so again in the near future.

From September 2008 through May 2009 there were 18 different PSA events held in the US from the West Coast through the Mid-West and to the more established squash playing region on the East Coast offering a total of $435,000 in prize money. It was fantastic to see the Sweet Home Chicago Open and several other new events along with the established Motor City Open in Detroit join the tour again.

There are a number of experienced promoters of squash but one person stands out due to his professional commitment to events and provides a benchmark for others. John Nimick, a former PSA CEO in the 90's, has directed the spectacular Tournament of Champions in New York City along with multiple other large and eye catching events in Toronto and Boston for over 15 years, in the process offering many people the opportunity to learn just what is involved.

Events like the ToC, US Open and North American Open in Richmond, VA attract the best players in the world and create more excitement about the sport. Geographic representation at different event levels help to attract not only local sponsorship but national and media attention. This allows squash to break away from the old perception that it is only a blue blood private club sport played predominantly in the North East.

In addition to the activity in US, there is a very strong calendar of events in Canada and an ever increasing number of tournaments at every level in South and Central America. Combined these events demonstrate how much the sport is growing throughout the Pan American region and how bright the future looks.

In the 2009/2010 season many new developments are taking place with multiple new events joining the PSA World Tour in the US and some promoters forming a .mini-tour.. Washington DC, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Boca Raton, Portland and Seattle are just some of the new venues where PSA promoters are planning to host events ranging from entry level Satellites offering $5 - 10k right up to glass court spectacles with more than $50k in prize money. It is quite possible that the total number of PSA events will increase to more than 25 with total prize money in excess of $600k.

The 2009 US Open to be held outside on Michigan Avenue in Chicago is one of the most important developments in recent squash history and has shown that the sport can be taken to the general public. Squash is a very exciting, colorful and dynamic sport to watch live and on television/web with incredible world class athletes performing at the highest of levels. The amount of media coverage and exposure created from last year.s event will increase this year with the added prestigious title to play for, increased prize money on offer along with 7 of the world.s top 10 ranked players entered including current World Open Champion Ramy Ashour and 3 time world champions and former #1 Amr Shabana both from Egypt.

Other players include: 5 time US National Champion Julian Illingworth, Christopher Gordon and Gilly Lane, all from the US and ranked in the world.s top 100 players. They will be showcasing their considerable talents on home soil whilst competing for one of the world.s best known titles in any sport.

Chicago hosting the 2009 US Open comes at an important juncture and I am sure will provide a fantastic endorsement of why squash should be selected for the 2016 Olympic Games and show why Chicago is such a fabulous host city.

The PSA as an organization has undergone many changes over the past few years and is now much stronger and well positioned moving forwards to help assist PSA WorldTour Promoters and ensure that their events are a success. Without these local and national level promoters there would not be a tour for the over 300 professional players. Promoters like Imran Nasir, Paul Zeller and Kevin Klipstein should be applauded for their efforts to help showcase squash not just to passionate enthusiasts but to the general public who are new to the sport.

Squash is changing in the US with more public courts being built across the nation with with over 80 new courts planned in Lifetime Fitness facilities alone. High School, College and Urban Youth programs are flourishing with thousands of new young players taking up the sport each year.

With the support of companies like McWil, who operate the portable glass court, squash can be taken to venues like Pioneer Plaza and Grand Central Station where literally 10.s of thousands of spectators can enjoy the action. With improved television and webstreaming coverage, squash will be seen by a great many more people in the near future. The type of fast paced and dynamic sport that squash is compliments the American lifestyle and this combination makes for a very interesting future which the PSA hopes to encourage and support wherever possible.