Squash in San Francisco. Hardball. Murray Smith. Three different thoughts, but all one and the same.
As a graduating Princetonian, Murray received his AB in 1954, where he also excelled at squash and tennis. After graduation, he served as a US Army intelligence officer in Illinois. After his discharge, he came to the Bay Area and with his wife and two children, settled in Sausalito, CA
His early career was specializing in buying and managing real estate for foreign investors.
As an avid squash player and golfer, Smith joined the Olympic Club . In the 1960’s, he became the Club’s Squash Commissioner and was a commanding player at the Club, the State, and National levels. He earned many singles and doubles titles including ones from the University Club, State doubles tournaments, and at the Kiva Invitational in Sante Fe New Mexico.
In 1968, Smith joined the University Club. His combined squash and leadership skills led to his ascension to be the Club's President, as well as it's Squash Chairman.
He was an instrumental force in renovating the Club’s squash facility which at the time only had two singles courts, Opening in 1975, four Hardball courts and the first Doubles court in California was the end result.
The general contractor was Floyd Svensson (the Triple Crown Winner (who in 1974 won the Canadian 50+, Mexican 50+, and US 50+ Championships) opened in 1975 with a match between the legendary Hashim Khan and the Club’s top player, Tom Dashiell.
In 1976, Murray was invited to be a Jester.
In 1976, Murray was invited to be a Jester.
In 1985, he brought top NorCal player John Lau on board as the full-time University Club professional.
As with everyone, even accomplished athletes, age slowed him down.
Eventually and unceremoniously, he hung up his racquets, packed up his court shoes, and quietly and gracefully retired to the California Veteran’s Retirement Home in Yountville, CA.
He passed away peacefully in 2018.
Murray Smith University Club of San Francisco
Princeton ‘54,Harvard Law School, Army Counterintelligence
Corps, successful businessman, past president of University
Club of San Francisco, member of the Olympic Club, the
Guardsman, the Mechanics Institute and The Jesters Club ‘76 .
Twice California state singles squash champion, a Pacific Coast veterans squash champion in doubles, a US and Canadianveteran doubles finalist and an avid golfer and tennis player. He organized countless squash tournaments and matches at the University Club and the Olympic Club including a Lapham Grantand a Copa Wadsworth.
Enough statistics! Murray the man was passionate about
squash and immensely proud of his membership in The Jesters Club. He could be curmudgeonly, never more so than when hebelieved that a player was flaunting the rules and etiquette ofhis beloved game of squash. He was unfailingly loyal to hismany friends among whom I was privileged to be numbered forfifty years.
To coin one of his favorite words.”We will miss you pal!”
David Body
Related links:
Walter Pettit 1918- 2014
Ralph Hayward 1943 -2019
Eben Hardie 1958 - 2019
Darwin Kingsley, First Executive of U.S. Squash, Dies
A Remembrance of Paul Fisher
******
Princeton ‘54,Harvard Law School, Army Counterintelligence
Corps, successful businessman, past president of University
Club of San Francisco, member of the Olympic Club, the
Guardsman, the Mechanics Institute and The Jesters Club ‘76 .
Twice California state singles squash champion, a Pacific Coast veterans squash champion in doubles, a US and Canadianveteran doubles finalist and an avid golfer and tennis player. He organized countless squash tournaments and matches at the University Club and the Olympic Club including a Lapham Grantand a Copa Wadsworth.
Enough statistics! Murray the man was passionate about
squash and immensely proud of his membership in The Jesters Club. He could be curmudgeonly, never more so than when hebelieved that a player was flaunting the rules and etiquette ofhis beloved game of squash. He was unfailingly loyal to hismany friends among whom I was privileged to be numbered forfifty years.
To coin one of his favorite words.”We will miss you pal!”
David Body
********
Related links:
Walter Pettit 1918- 2014
Ralph Hayward 1943 -2019
Eben Hardie 1958 - 2019
Darwin Kingsley, First Executive of U.S. Squash, Dies
A Remembrance of Paul Fisher
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