Rothenberg Squash Tournament Features Solid Pro Draw And Large Amateur Field by Rob Dinerman Dateline April 2nd
--- PSA standouts Ryan Cuskelly, Christopher Gordon, Arthur Gaskin
and Shahier Razik headline the field for an eight-man pro field
set to compete in Brooklyn on the weekend of April 10-12 in the third
annual Rothenberg Squash Tournament, named in honor of longtime MSRA/NY
President Michael Rothenberg. In addition to the pro event, the Eastern
Athletic Club and the Heights Casino Annex will also host a number of
amateur flights, ranging in level from beginner to 6.0, with over 120
players expected to participate.
Cuskelly, who has been ranked as high as No. 27 on the PSA
tour, is a familiar fixture in New York area play and played
exceptionally well in winning the Oregon Open in February. Gordon won
the S. L. Green tourney emblematic of the U. S. National Championship
in 2013, ending Julian Illingworth’s eight-year hold on this title, and
he reached the final of the 2015 edition of that tournament in Virginia
a few weeks ago before losing in five games to Todd Harrity. Gaskin
captured the Irish Nationals earlier this month and Razik has
distinguished himself as both a professional player and, more recently,
as a tournament promoter. Columbia University senior and No. 1 Ramit
Tandon, a finalist in the 2012 Intercollegiate Individual tourney, is
slated to compete in the pro event, as are former PSA top-10 Wael El
Hindi, current Yale assistant coach Lewis Walters and Seth Sunil.
The field is an interesting blend of established stars and
upcoming challengers, with no clear favorite and a number of entrants
capable of winning the top prize. The semis at Eastern Athletic Club
are timed to be contested exactly as the Saturday-evening party
(including a large buffet dinner and open bar) is in full swing,
enabling attendees to relax with their fellow players and
simultaneously watch some amazing pro squash up close. The final is set
for mid-day on Sunday.
Proceeds from the tournament will go to the Rothenberg
Foundation, which is devoted to raising money to fund scholarships for
underprivileged students graduating from urban squash programs. Prior
scholarship recipients have matriculated at highly respected colleges,
including 2015 recipient Brandy Williamson at Mount Holyoke and 2014
selectee Katiria Sanchez at Trinity College. Recipients are chosen
based on academic excellence, civic leadership and contribution to the
community.
Entries will remain open until April 5th and anyone
interested in competing in this tournament can do so by going to
