The year was 1982. At the time, the prevailing gender policy promulgated by San Francisco's Olympic Club did not allow women to be members in their bastion. Their invitational squash tournaments countenanced this policy and were also for males only. (I have a few tales of my own that are related to this one that is about to be told. - JL)
Rather than express outrage and complain about their discriminatory treatment, the distaff side of the Bay Area's squash community took the high road and responded by creating their own event and thus was the beginning of the San Francisco Women's Squash Tournament and Bake-Off played on the SAME weekend as the “other” tournament. And not to be outdone, the Bake-off was also exclusionary - males were not invited to play.
Ann Lyons, Evy Kavaler, Lindsey Walker
To the best of my knowledge, the founders of this ground-breaking event was the glamorous trio of Ann Lyons, my wife, Evy Kavaler, and Bonnie Forer.
During this majestic period of squash in San Francisco known simply as "the Alex Eichmann Era", this "Gourmet Food Folly" became, in just a few short years, one of the finest and one of the most anticipated events of the season.
Aprons and kitchen towels were given out as tourney favors.
In those free-wheeling days, hardball was the only game in town. Upon the arrival of the month of September, the so-called “squash season" began in earnest and lasted until the spring when outdoor activities beckoned. Tournaments throughout the season spanned across Northern California from the San Francisco Bay Area to as far south as Fresno. It was a Movable Feast - a glorious time to be a squash player in the region.
The "Bake-Off" was a demanding tourney that required each invitee to possess a pallet of diverse skills. She was not only required to hit a precise "rail"; an aspiring player also had to know how to be masterful in creating an award winning cake. It’s hard to imagine nowadays, but more than thirty-two hearty women entered the fray each year.
Ironically, the OC's "no women allowed" policy created this extraordinary event. (And, if invited, men may not have been up to the task of playing because of their male-only limitations brought on by their male-ego inclinations.đŸ˜‰ - JL). So much for the notion of "the weaker sex".
Trophies were not only awarded to the winning players, but honors were also bestowed to the luminaries of each culinary category.(i.e. - Best Entree, Best Dessert, Best Side Dish)
The "Bake-Off", played at the south-of-Market public squash mecca in NorCal known as the Squash Club of San Francisco (owned by legendary Hall of Famer, Alex Eichmann.),became such a popular affair, that many players from the "other" tournament eagerly ventured to the other side of town during breaks between their matches.
Gil Mateer vs. Kenton Jernigan
(The SCSF boasted having 8 hardball courts! My wife, Evy, and I were among the first enthusiasts to join. The building is now the home of the Sound Factory, 525 Harrison. The SCSF was the host Club of the 1983 US Singles National Championships and nearly 400 players from across North America competed; the first time the Nationals were held in California. The gallery of court #1 accommodated hundreds - players and fanciers alike! - JL)
Jovially and in due time, the "Bake-Off" surpassed that "other" tournament in prominence, gaining more popularity in each subsequent year that, without a doubt, it would have become the star attraction of the season.
All one had to experience to be convinced that this was a special occasion was to sample some of the scrumptious and irresistible culinary delights - fare that was in all ways, a cut above of what was then offered by most other tourneys. Oh, and the squash that was showcased was of high-quality as well!
However by 1989, this ongoing local drama came to a timely and inevitable end when, after years of unrelenting pressure, the OClub finally bit the bullet and with some grumbling, admitted women into their membership ranks and with it the opportunity for women to play on their squash courts.
No comments:
Post a Comment