2010 Motor City Open dates: January 27 – February 1
Tourney’s $40,000 purse richest ever
Birmingham, Mich. – The 2010 Motor City Open presented by Suburban Volvo will be held January 27-February 1. For the 11th year, the tourney will be hosted by Michigan’s premier squash facility, the Birmingham Athletic Club, located north of Detroit. The club will sport all-new, state-of-the-art, body-friendly floors.
The MCO has been upgraded to a 4-star tourney for the first time with a purse of $40,000. The winner will also receive a Rolex watch worth $7000 from Greenstone’s Jewelers, making the winner’s purse the largest in the U.S. Overall, the MCO is the States’ third largest squash event and 15th largest on the pro world tour.
This year’s event comes on the heels of the Tournament of Champions in New York City and promises some of the world’s top players. The 2009 MCO was won by world #17 Borja Golan of Spain over England’s world #12, Adrian Grant. Past champions include Jonathon Power, John White, and Greg Gaultier.
In addition to top athletes, the Motor City Open offers kids clinics with guest appearances by the touring pros, and a pro-am doubles tournament. With its friendly atmosphere and member-hosted housing for the players, the Birmingham Club stop is one of the most popular on the tour. “Even if I don’t win this tournament, from the first day I saw that the people here are great,” said 2009 champ Golan. “All the volunteers, there are so many volunteers, make you feel like so comfortable all the time.”
For tickets call Julian Wellings at 248 646-1663 or email: jwellings@mail.birminghamathleticclub.com.
