About the Open
History of the Open
The Windy City Open was first held in 1981 when the Illinois Squash Association decided it was time for Chicago to get on the Pro Tour bandwagon. This was during the hardball game's Heyday and the tour at that time was booming. ( Hardball squash was North America's version of the game at the time, played on a smaller court and with a hard, faster ball).
The pro game was dominated by many players who had played collegiate squash (e.g. John Nimick, Ned Edwards, Greg Zaff) as well as Canadians Gary Waite,Todd Binns, Michael Desaulniers and Clive Caldwell, and Mexican players like Mauricio Sanchez and Pepe Martinez as well as the legendary Khans--Sharif, Mohibullah, Sam, Charlie and Gulmast. But one player stood among them all--Mark Talbott. This American player dominated the pro hardball tour for years and in fact won an amazing14 Windy City Open titles!
The Windy City Open switched to the international ("softball") version of the game in the early 90's as the hardball game was fading from the rapidly growing international squash scene. From 2004 to 2007 the Windy City Open was staged on the all glass "Tour Court" in the University Club's magnificent Cathedral Hall and featured world champions Peter Nicol, Jonathon Power, Amr Shabana, John White and many of the world's top players in what was at the time, the richest prize purse in North America.
A skill level championship for Club players has always been an integral part of the event and for the past 4 years the tournament has been a US Squash Regional Championship. Although many Chicago clubs participate as host sites, the Windy City Open fell under the management of the Tournament Committee and staff at the University Club of Chicago for the past 15 years.
Three years ago, the tournament linked up with METROsquash, Chicago's urban enrichment squash program that began only five years ago. We are proud to be a part of this organization that helps transform the lives of children through a rigorous academic and service program with squash serving as a fundamental piece of health and personal development. Throughout this website you will see some information and photos about METROsquash. There are many ways you can support the children in this organization, and we urge you to consider becoming a part of this community by adding your support.
This year, with the support of our tittle sponsor, BMO Harris Bank, as well as the generous support of our other corporate sponsors and patrons, we are proud once again to bring some great Squash to Chicago. The addition of a doubles court at the University Club allows us to feature a pro doubles event this year as well.
The support the event receives from sponsors, players and fans from around the globe insure that the tradition of the tournament will endure.
About the University Club
The University Club of Chicago is downtown’s premier business, social and athletic club, located at Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street, directly across from Millennium Park. During the U.S. Open the Club opened its new cardio and squash center with four new singles and one doubles squash court (all built by McWil Courts). The new center features stunning views of the Millennium Park lakefront, 24 pieces of cardio equipment and a stretching area and lounge. The Club also recently added a Golf Practice Center to its athletic facilities that features a state of the art golf simulator.
