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 w
ho 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. 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. Five years ago, the tournament linked up with METROsquash, Chicago’s urban enrichment squash program. 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 sponsors, Guggenheim and EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, 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 support the event receives from sponsors, patrons, players and fans from around the globe insure that the tradition of the tournament will endure.
