Bay Club of San Francisco Pro Open Report by Kim Clearkin
Frank Schmidt, NorCal Squash President, Adam Perkiomaki (Portland)- Finalist,
Kim Clearkin (Director Of Squash BCSF) and Charlie Johnson - (BCSF Pro) Champion
March 23, 2014
- Although this was only a $1K PSA event I think it represents a
launchpad for PSA players. This tournament is about the players rather
than the spectator, giving them the opportunity to earn PSA ranking
points. It brings together the best in the local community. In the MPM
Capital BCSF Open this weekend we featured the Bay Areas top juniors,
adults and Pros. Added to the mix were players from Arizona, Portland
and even Boston. The first round featured a close match between
Bransten Ming (who recently finished third in the US Juniors, and local
player Andrew Balme. Bransten earned 6 match points before succumbing
12-10 in the fifth. Fortune though favoured the other US ranked junior
Cody Cortes who manages to outlast local teaching pro Gareth Webber
beating him in 5 games after being 2-0 down.
The top 4 seeds though
proceeded through to the semi-finals with no upsets setting up two
great matches for the juniors playing in the concurrent PayPal San
Francisco Junior Silver tournament to see.
First up was Adam
Perkiomaki from Portland and Jack Jago, a visiting pro from England.
Adam used his strength and fitness to overcome Jack in 3 games.
The second semi-final was the repeat of the recent Regional Skill Level
6.0 match between BCSF's own pro Charlie Johnson and another visiting
pro this time from Mexico - Ricardo Lopez. There was much anticipation
surrounding this match as last time it produced a thrilling 5 setter.
Charlie however came out fast and quickly gained a 2-0 lead. Ricardo
stepped up to make it 2-1 but Charlie dug in to win the 4th game and so
set up a great final against Adam. And this is why this tournament type
is so good. Here we now had 2 young pros, in their first ever PSA
final. Watched by the avid squash members of the Bay club, Adam and
Charlie played a fast, intense and exciting game of squash. Every
game was close with Adam winning the first 12-10. Charlie tried to
finish the rallies but Adam continued to use his fitness and speed to
retrieve. There were many great points but Charlie ended up victorious,
winning the match 3-1. His first ever PSA title in front of his home
crowd. A special moment for him.
A great match to end a
a great weekend of squash at the Bay Club San Francisco. For the
juniors that played in the PayPal Junior Silver event the PSA
tournament represented a great inspiration for them. It showed them how
hard it is to play at such a high level and what dedication it takes.
For Charlie and Adam, the Pro event represented an opportunity to earn
valuable ranking points. For the members and spectators this was a
feast of squash.
Thanks to PayPal, Luke
Evnin at MPM Capital, and NorCal Squash for sponsoring the event. Frank
Schmidt, President of NorCal Squash announced that NorCal is sponsoring
a series of these $1K tournaments in the Bay Area. Dates to be
confirmed but we are hoping the next will be in May and another in July.
