Busy year ahead for squash players

THIS year’s Eastern Province squash calendar will kick off on January 22, when the annual Barton-Driscoll doubles event takes place at Crusaders.

This popular tournament marks the start of another busy year for EP squash players, with a series of regular tournaments planned for the first half of the year in the build-up to the Jarvis-Kaplan Cup interprovincial in Benoni.

Another highlight is in September ,when EP host the annual Masters singles interprovincial, which attracts close to 1 000 players.

The Barton-Driscoll doubles even is open to players of all levels, who will be divided into four sections.

The entry fee is R50 and entries can be given to Lisa O’Grady (epsquash@worldonline.co.za) or Neale Emslie (071-850 0865) by Wednesday (January 18).

The first major tournament of the year will be the Westview Open, to be played from February 6 to 10.

As normal, this event will incorporate B and C divisions involving singles and doubles games, while the A section will feature only singles matches.

The EP calendar for the year is: January 22: Barton-Driscoll doubles, Crusaders February 6-10: Westview Open February 14: Super and Goffer leagues start April 3-7: Londt Park Open April 18: Winter leagues start April 28-30: Rhodes Open May 14-18: EP Closed (all leagues) May 26-28: NMMU Brian Bands Open June 9-11: Crusaders Joe Davis Locksmith Challenge July 3-7: EP Handicap July 10-14: Walmer Classic; Jarvis-Kaplan Cup (Benoni) July 16-20: EP Masters championships August 9-11: Difford Cup August 18-20: Profiles Open September 8-12: Masters singles interprovincial (PE) October 9-12: EP Mixed Doubles October 15-18: EP Masters Doubles October 23-26: Old Grey EP Men’s and Women’s Doubles November 9-11: Masters doubles interprovincial (Durban)