Greate Bay Racquet & Fitness Hosts Hardball Squash Atlantic Coast Championships

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) October 11, 2011 -- SOMERS POINT, NJ (Oct. 11, 2011) – For more than a century, the thwack and squeak of hardball squash has echoed in North American squash courts, and this October marks the anniversary of the nation’s longest running hardball squash invitational - the Atlantic Coast Championships.

Greate Bay Racquet and Fitness has set aside two days for singles and doubles tournaments, and players from around the world will compete in matches on Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22.

Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball. While records of squash being played in North America go back to the early 1880s, it was in 1930 that the game took a firm foothold in New Jersey when the first Atlantic Coast Championship was held in the former Chalfonte-Haddon Hall Racquet Club, now known as Resorts Casino Hotel. Since then, there's been a string of yearly tournaments held in New Jersey, at Chalfonte-Haddon through 2001, and then at Greate Bay Racquet and Fitness through the present.

Started by Bob Leeds and Jack Lippincott, the Atlantic Coast Tournament attracted some of the greatest national singles champions throughout the years.

Chalfonte-Haddon Hall Racquet Club was located on the 15th floor of the Chalfonte-Haddon Hall Hotel. In July 2001, the hotel was sold and the club was closed. In 2002, Greate Bay Racquet and Fitness was honored to continue the tradition of the Atlantic Coast Tournament. Traditionally a singles hardball tournament, doubles was added in 2005.

At one time the tournament was considered a premiere event, attracting hundreds of world-class players. This year Greate Bay expects about 30 entrants, with the number of competitors growing every year.

“Hardball squash is a fast game on a small court,” said Greg Park, head squash professional for Greate Bay Racquet and Fitness. “Being strong is a vital component to squash, as you’re under immense pressure from start to finish of matches that can last from 20 minutes up to 100 minutes.”

Park, a native of Philadelphia, was honored earlier this year at the World Squash Awards in New York City as Rookie of the Year by the International Squash Doubles Association (ISDA). He is currently ranked 14th in the world and second in the United States by the ISDA. At Greate Bay, he manages private instruction, clinics and leagues for all squash club members.

“The Atlantic Coast Championships has a rich tradition of hospitality,” Park said. “Our event is well-known as an enjoyable event for players and spectators alike, giving the public an opportunity to learn about squash while watching some of the best in the world compete.”

Members of the media and public are invited to attend this world class event:
• DATE: Friday, October 21 - Saturday, October 22
• LOCATION: Greate Bay Racquet and Fitness, 90 Mays Landing Road, Somers Point NJ 08244

• CONTACT: Greg Park, Head Squash Pro, 609.926.9550 x110, or gpark@greatebay.com

Greate Bay Racquet and Fitness is one of South Jersey’s premiere fitness facilities. Their extensive line of exercise amenities includes state of the art equipment, personal trainers and a dynamic group exercise schedule. The team at Greate Bay Racquet and Fitness is dedicated to maximizing each member experience with a unique blend of programs to improve all aspects of personal health. Greate Bay Racquet and Fitness is also the region's leading racquet club with two indoor tennis courts, two singles squash courts and two doubles squash courts. For more information, call 609.926.9550 or visit www.greatebayracquetandfitness.com.

Greate Bay Country Club is one of South Jersey's premiere private golf and lifestyle facilities. In addition to the complete racquet and fitness club, Greate Bay offers members the full country club experience, including championship golf, private dining and excellent facilities for corporate events and private parties, including weddings. The golf course at Greate Bay is fully equipped with a classic award-winning 18-hole design by the legendary Willie Park, Jr., a driving range and short-game practice facilities. For more information, or to visit our Audubon-certified course, call 609.927.5071, or visit www.greatebay.com.

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