After nearly 18 months without any form of competitive Squash tournament at the club, Exeter Golf and Country Club hosted its annual Professional Squash World ranking Satellite event on the 4th-6th June. The “String Doctor” Open (as it was sponsored by Master Stringer and Exeter Golf and Country Club Men’s Squash Captain Jon Sharpe, who was also on player re-string duty throughout the event.)
This event involved players from all around the UK (there currently being travel restrictions on overseas players due to the COVID situation.) Due to the restrictions, regular testing prior to and during the event was required of all players, making it a rather hectic set up! Even so, tournament organiser Mike Harris was very grateful for the patience shown by all the players, with all of them making an effort to make things as easy as possible to run.
There was some fantastic Squash on show across the weekend, with some really tight matches and a few upsets along the way too. Particularly in the Semi Final when 3/4 seed James Peach (world 225) beat the top seed Harry Falconer (world 176) in a 60 minute long 3 games to 1 battle.
In the final Peach nearly upset the odds once again, storming to an early 2 games to 0 lead over the number 2 seed Owain Taylor (who had earlier on taken out EGCC Club Pro Mike Harris in an entertaining 3/1 win.) However Taylor (ranked 225 in the world currently,) showed his class and managed to dig in deep in the key 3rd game to take it. From then on he grew in confidence and stepped up the court, not allowing Peach to find the rhythm and the winners he had been able to utilise in the start of the match. Taylor eventually running out a 3 games to 2 winner, and taking the title!
It was great to see the Professional players back competing at our club, especially since they themselves have had to be so limited in what they themselves can do throughout this COVID crisis. Tournament Organise Mike Harris also ran a series of Junior Graded competitions for ages 7 – 18 years old around the Pro Event, meaning that some of the younger players got to watch the top guys competing, providing some inspiration to push them on!
The full draw and results from the event can be seen below, most of the matches were also streamed live and over the next couple of weeks will be added to the “Devon Squash Events” YouTube channel, so that they can be watched back again! Please do check it out as there were some fantastic matches on show.
A huge thanks must go to Jon Sharpe for his sponsorship support of the event and the Pro scene, alongside his stringing efforts throughout the weekend. Also to all of the people who either tuned in online to watch the streams or boomed tickets to come and watch on the day. Your support is always greatly appreciated!
We now look forward to hosting England Squash Junior ranking events on the weekend of 12/13th June, and then an Adult Graded competition in July too. Time to really get competitive Squash back flowing again!
Any enquiries about upcoming Squash and Racketball competitions, adult or junior coaching or anything else at Exeter Golf and Country Club? Please contact Mike Harris at Mike.harris@exetergcc.co.uk
