The Women's International Squash Players' Association is celebrating the elevation of its long-established Apawamis Open to a WISPA Gold 35 event.
The 2006 event at the Apawamis Club in Rye, in the US state of New York, has attracted a top-class field led by Malaysia's world No1 Nicol David and Netherlands' world No2 Vanessa Atkinson.
Long-time event organiser Peter Briggs commented: "This is a transitional year for us and though we hope to welcome back the guys, for now we are really excited to have the cream of the WISPA women at Apawamis. Not only do our members enjoy watching them, but talking to them and in some cases playing with them too; especially the juniors whom the women are so happy to play with."
Andrew Shelley, Chief Executive of WISPA, added: "Because the club itself are the main sponsors this year, they decided that to run high level events for men and women wouldnt be possible, and WISPA is delighted and grateful that they have chosen to run with a WISPA Gold event."
After qualifying on 1st/2nd February, the first round gets underway on Thursday (3 February) leading to the final on Sunday.
1st round draw:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v Annelize Naude (NED)
[6] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) v Qualifier
[3] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v Pamela Nimmo (SCO)
[8] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v Madeline Perry (IRL)
[5] Natalie Grainger (USA) v Alison Waters (ENG)
[4] Vicky Botwright (ENG) v Qualifier
[7] Tania Bailey (ENG) v Qualifier
[2] Vanessa Atkinson (NED) v Qualifier