The Bathurst Panthers Squash Open is expected to attract plenty of senior and junior talent to the Central West this weekend, with almost 100 players registered to partake.
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Three squash courts at Blayney are also set to host matches and Bathurst Panthers Squash Club vice-president Dave Fuller is excited for the talent that will be on show.
“We’ve got 95 players registered at the moment. I always like to get 100, like in cricket you always want to get the century,” he said.
“But I’m really pleased with the amount coming. It is going to make it a really successful tournament.”
Former open winners Jeff Bond and Matt Karwalski, who will look to defend his title, are some of the top squash players expected to take to the court on the weekend.
“Jeff Bond is coming. Jeff attempted the world circuit but he also wanted a career, so he didn’t manage to finish it,” Fuller said.
“Matt Karwalski is also coming back. Matt has represented Australian in the Commonwealth Games.
“It’s the first time we’ll have two of these top level players here. I think the final will be between them.”
Games will be played on both Saturday and Sunday, with the action set to get under away at 8.30am on both days.
Alicia Atkinson is the best local hopeful player and she is set to compete in the ladies open grade.
“I predict she make it to the final against Michelle Lowe,” Fuller said.
“Alicia is excellent and I think she could take it.”
Competitors will be split into men and ladies, with six grades in each category – open, state, A, B, C and D.
There is also a host of junior talent expected to compete including Bathurst sisters Jemma and Haylee Besant and Dunedoo sisters Elle and Georgie Lane.
“Jemma will compete in the ladies A grade and Hayley will compete in the ladies B grade,” Fuller said.
“We’ve got a couple of other high profile girls coming – Elle and Georgie Lane.
“Elle is ranked number two in NSW for under 19 girls and under 12 in Australia. Georgie is ranked number two in NSW for under 15 girls and number five in Australia.”
Andrew Kelly is the highest ranked male player and will compete in the A grade competition.
“We’ve got some very successful entries and they’re well spread out over the grades,” Fuller said.
“The Bathurst Open is one of the best on the circuit and is always good because there’s good socialising and squash.”
Defending ladies’ champion Madeline Perry will not defend her title.