BLOG: The world’s first all-glass hardball doubles court (exclusive picture)

January 26, 2013 - 5:07am
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The world’s first all-glass doubles court, completed by McWil at Toronto’s National Squash Academy. Picture courtesy of David Carr at McWil

Here’s the first picture of a spectacular addition to the facilities at Toronto’s acclaimed National Squash Academy, the world’s first all-glass hardball doubles court.

No doubt Academy partners Jonathon Power and Gary Waite will be keen to stage another first, televised doubles in this superb court completed on Thursday (January 24) by McWil.

The Academy is continually adding events to its schedule and is one of the most significant developments in the game Canada has seen in many years.

Thanks to McWil boss David Carr for supplying the exclusive photograph.

I’m looking forward to catching up with him at the Davenport North American Open next month in Richmond Virginia, where the McWil glass showcourt will be set up in the Westwood Club.

The USA stages three PSA World Series events each year, with the NAO ranking alongside the recently completed Tournament of Champions at Grand Central Station in New York and the US Open at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Following on with the fourth-highest level of prize money on offer in the States is the Motor City Open, which is about to begin at the Birmingham Athletic Club.

Currently the biggest tournament in the region following the absence of a major glass-court tourney in Chicago, the Motor City Open boasts a $70,000 prize fund with the winner also collecting a Rolex courtesy of Greenstone’s Jewellers.

Promoter Julian Wellings has attracted a strong field. Top four seeds are all Egyptians, Mohamed El Shorbagy, Karim Darwish, Omar Mosaad and Amr Shabana. That’s an impressive line-up!

Last year’s champion, Ong Beng Hee (still celebrating his semi-final win over Shorbagy) is back to have another go before he develops his rumoured worldwide roast-duck operation.

Back across the border in Toronto, Shahier Razik has also guaranteed a strong international draw to his latest invitation event, with Ramy Ashour and Nick Matthew competing in the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Cambridge Cup, which has $60,000 on offer to the eight players in the field. El Shorbagy and Shabana will also be staying around to compete after the Motor City Open.

 

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