100 YEARS TO COMPETE

Doubles 100 Tournament – starts January 6

100 years. That’s a long time. I’m not even half way there although at the end of the work day I often feel like I’ve well surpassed it. Looking at old photos of myself, I wonder how on earth I morphed into what I am today. (Or how I could possibly have carried that appalling hairdo! How were mullets ever in style?!) I find history very interesting and it’s fascinating to look back to see what was happening in our sporting world 100 years ago…

Babe Ruth made his MLB debut in June 1914. He actually was recruited for his pitching abilities rather than his hitting. Maybe there is hope for Phil Coke…? Tug-o-war was an Olympic event in 1912 in Stockholm, which still leaves hope for all squash enthusiasts that ‘obscure’ sports can actually get accepted! The Indianapolis 500 was won in over 6 hours at an average speed of 83 mph. We drive faster than that on Michigan highways! Compare that to this year where the winner won in 2 hours and 40 minutes at an average of 186 mph…!

The great squash champion Hashim Khan was born in 1914 (reportedly) and squash never looked the same again. A man ahead of his time, I wonder who will be remembered in the squash world 100 years from now the same way? World champion Nick Matthew had a baby girl this year (or his wife did) and James Willstrop’s wife had a boy last year. The genes are no doubt helpful here, so will the squash world be looking upon one or both of these kids in a century time with the same wonderment as we do Hashim?

Which brings us to the 2015 Doubles 100 event! No, you don’t have to be 100 years old to compete, but the combined age of your team does. So you better start acting quickly to find the right partner at the right age. We will have an A and B draw (for which I will decide where to place you).

Things to do when entering:

1. Do it BEFORE the registration deadline. This, by the way, will be Friday, January 2. It’s impossible to add you into the draw once it has been sent out.
2. Enter WITH a partner. It is your task to find a partner. So be quick. Sending me an e-mail that says “I’m in” isn’t particularly helpful.
3. Make sure your MATH is sound. 100 does not mean “99 with a making an exception”.
4. Be prepared to be FLEXIBLE with your schedule when organizing the matches. Deadlines will be issued, and it is expected that matches are completed within the set time limit.
5. If you will away for a period of time during the tournament (more than a week at one time) then probably better NOT to enter. We can’t have the event held up.
6. Winning the category will get you a prize. It will NOT get you remembered 100 years from now.

Over the years we have had some very close finals results, so you can expect to get tough matches in this tournament. And with more people playing doubles, it only stands to reason the matches should be even tougher! Up for the challenge?