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The Printing House Fitness and Racquet Club’s brand new, multi-colored, 21-foot international squash courts lured some of the top players in the city for the 2003 New York Open. Held on the snowy weekend of December 12th through the 14th, nearly one hundred participants spread out into 8 main draws.
In the Woman’s C’s it was "co-most improved" Amy Runk taking out fellow Printing House member Nicki Munchick. The Woman’s B final saw the other "most improved", Melissa Bolyard defeat the always tenacious Dede Tomara.
On the men’s side Michale Malinowitz took a very literary final over Matt Deboord in the D’s. Aaron Ford came down from Connecticut to hold off Scott Marcontonio who came up from New Jersey for the C title. Juan Climent somehow managed to run even more than Yasuhino "the running man" Sawada for the B championships while Julie Lilien held off the rest of her Cobble Hill gang then accepted an injury default by Nicky Dawidoff to capture the B+ crown. Young CJ Plimpton made a name for himself by defeating all comers including the gutsy Ramesh Haridas for the Limited A title.
It was the Open/A final, however, that had people hanging from the Printing House rafters. In a preview of the great professional squash to come at the Grand Open, Nasir Farooq of Pakistan exhibited tremendous shot-making, intelligent choices and peak fitness to finally wear down former Colombian National Team member Ernesto Lucerna in a beautifully played final.
Thanks to all who participated for your tremendous energy and enthusiasm.
The Printing House looks forward to hosting another major city-wide tournament in the springtime.
Chris Widney (On-site Tournament Director) |
