50th Anniversary of the Pacific Coast Squash Doubles Championship

All

Back in November of '22, I got a call from my good friend and one-time doubles partner from Portland, Gary Johnson, enticing me to make the trip to Portland to attend the Pacific Coast Squash Doubles Championships over the January 26-29th weekend.  

Having been rendered as a non-player, and being that this was the 50th Anniversary of the event, Gary had me over a barrel. To further sweeten the deal, Gary offered me a room at his and his wife Ann's home. How could I say, "No"?

The tournament went swimmingly and everyone, winners as well as also-rans, had a fabulous time.

After this milestone event and glowing during the flight home, I was cobbling together in my mind the narrative for this post. 

What I first had in mind was to reference a missive that I wrote a few years back to publish on my blog about clearing, lets, and no lets. But given the consistent quality of play and sportsmanship I witnessed throughout the weekend, that would have been a false narrative.

Another spin for this summary could have been that I was invited to a “super-spreader” event. The exceptional Multnomah Athletic Club has a robust membership of 22,000. Over 150 squash doubles enthusiasts from all parts of the US and Canada made the pilgrimage - 50 (!) descended from Vancouver. The chances of getting COVID were ripe. But I threw caution to the wind. Such is the enchanting spell of doubles squash!

(Alas, I just found out on Thursday that I had indeed contracted COVID, as did Gary Johnson earlier in the week. I tested negative 3 days later.)

I may have even been tempted to write using the theme of ample kegs of beer that has always been a signature feature of this tourney, knowing that the flow of beer was NEVER going to run out. Upon my arrival, I knew going in, that this group of players were in for a good time knowing that it would have been totally unacceptable, particularly to the visiting Canadians, if there was not enough beer to last the weekend! (I learned quite early during my tenure as the pro at the UClub that when it was our turn to host the “Coast”, in anticipation of their unquenchable thirst, I DOUBLED the usual beer order. I can also add that when I had only a few “Coast” experiences notched on my racquet frame, that whenever I lost in the early rounds and to make the remaining period of the tourney worthwhile, I always made it a goal to drink my entry fee in beers.😉

I could have also written about the logistical nightmare of scheduling matches on only two courts (kudos to the tournament committee, tourney chair, Derrick Cameron, and the one and only director of squash Werner Hergeth.)

Or I could have written something acknowledging the ample support from the patrons and sponsors. Without their generous largesse the "Coast' would have been a shallow event.

Yes, I could have written a report on the various tales of the winners and losers. 

I could also have written about the A finals becoming an exhibition match as a result of the leg injury suffered by the much decorated Julian Illingworth in his semi-final match. The “finals” was nevertheless well-contested in front of a full gallery.

This write-up would then end with the perfunctory and trite conclusion that “a good time was had by all”. 

properly accoutred players!

However, for everyone there, the buzzing vibe throughout the weekend indicated that it was more than that. Given the enthusiasm displayed by all, the “Coast” was more than just a mere weekend distraction; it was a can't-be-missed-extraveganza. After years of dealing with the insidious pandemic, it was obvious that the palpable energy in the air was the result of the players missing each other’s company. The regathering of the clan after years of the unfortunate disjointed continuity of the event was the needed antidote for the last few years of social hardship. 

I could have gladly scripted something about the fabulous Saturday evening party hosted at Chez Trubowitz/Schnebly which served as an intimate setting to award the Stanley D. Woolworth Sportsmanship Award by fellow Jester, Terry Eagle, to the much deserving and dearly departed Chuck Williams which was received by Chuck’s widow, Jackie.

Could’ve, would’ve, should’ve.

What I can say was that it was heartening to witness that nary a soul in attendance had their noses buried in front of their phones. It was a special occasion to get reacquainted with one another face to face.

Well, come to think of it, I guess that a good time was had by all.

John

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