Facts
Overview
Presented by Lakeshore Athletic Clubs, the Sweet Home Chicago Open is the
nation's first-ever professional squash tournament to be held outdoors.
The tournament will take place September 9-15, 2008, at the all-glass
Championship Court located in Pioneer Court, in front of 401 N. Michigan
Ave., Chicago. The tournament and its related events will bring together
local, national and international spectators and squash enthusiasts, as
well as the game's top U.S. and international players. The event will
showcase Chicago as a world-class city capable of hosting sporting events
on an international scale, as well as help raise the profile of squash,
which is under consideration for inclusion in the 2016 Olympic Games.
Squash is played in over 150 countries by more than 15 million people,
including an estimated 500,000 players in the United States.
Athlete Participation
Many of the world's top U.S. and international squash players are expected to attend and/or
participate due, in part, to the fact that the Sweet Home Chicago Open will fall just ahead of two
international Professional Squash Association events: the Baltimore City Open (week of Sept. 25) and
the U.S. Open in Boston (weekend of Oct. 4).
Participants and spectators are expected among a group including: World No. 1 squash champion
Amr Shabana of Egypt; Australia-born, former World No. 1 squash champion John White; and the
remaining top 10 world-ranked players: Ramy Ashour (Egypt), Peter Barker (England), Karim
Darwish (Egypt), Gregory Gaultier (Egypt), Wael El Hindi (Egypt), Thierry Lincou (France), Nick
Matthew (England), David Palmer (Australia) and James Willstrop (England).
Admission
Free for professional and exhibition matches (Viewing stands will be located on the east and north
sides of the all-glass Championship Court.)
OTHER EVENTS:
Players/Sponsors Dinner ( by invitation only ) on Friday, September 12
Tournament Party - Saturday, September 13
Tournament Coverage
Live broadcast on PSALive.com, the official Web site of the Professional Squash Association
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
Lakeshore Athletic Clubs
Current Title Sponsors
Zeller Realty Group
Caledonian Fund Services
Tournament Referee
Wayne Smith
289-242-6915
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