During the long weekend of October 18th-20th sixteen MA Squash members traveled to King of Prussia, outside Philadelphia, to play in one of the highlights on the squash calendar: the 80th Women’s Howe Cup team championships. This unique event has been bringing regional five-woman teams together to compete for the Howe Cup trophy since 1928. With its 12 singles and 2 doubles courts the Fairmount Athletic Club served as a perfect self-contained venue for the tournament.
What distinguishes this event from all others is the camaraderie, geographical diversity and range of levels: 175 women from Seattle to Florida competed in A, B, C and D draws. Abilities ranged from former touring players to an age group world champion to several spirited Pittsburgh women who had only started playing squash a month before the event.
The always eagerly anticipated Saturday night party was held at the Valley Forge Casino Hotel where most players stayed. The bar was busy, national awards were presented, the three Hall of Fame players present were recognized and the dance floor was packed for hours. Later, several players tried the mechanical bull in the Country & Western bar and many women who didn’t have 8am matches the next morning (and even some that did) tried their luck at the blackjack tables and 5¢ slot machines. The house doesn’t always win: three NYC players covered their hotel costs playing blackjack.
The area’s C team, the Boston LOBsters, competed in the biggest draw of 12 teams and came in 5th when they beat the National Capitol Cee One squad 3-2.
The D final was an all MA Squash affair, pitting the Boston D-va’s against the Dartmouth Dames. Both teams had won their first three matches to gain the final. The northern team prevailed 5-0 to complete their perfect tournament: the Dames didn’t lose a match all weekend.
The teams:
Boston LOBsters (C): Mimi Coolidge, Betsy Johnson, Lisa Putukian, Anna Robinson (undefeated at #1), Jimena Velarde
Boston D-va’s (D): Isabelle Engelsted, Deb Harrison, Susan Hall Mygatt, Ton Ton Russell, Candace Stephan (a last minute fill-in from Philly)
Dartmouth Dames (D): Adele Bassett, Diana Calligan, Rhonda Lake, Julia Lane, Margaret Werner
Amy Busey from Boston played for the geographically dispersed Bolly Boggles (C).
There was also a doubles draw on the club’s two doubles courts. Lisa Putukian & Mimi Coolidge played in the 15 team B division. Susan Greene participated in the 4 team Open round robin.
Special thanks to Lisa Putukian and Ton Ton Russell for captaining the C and D teams, to Rhonda Lake who organized the Dartmouth Dames, and to Mass Squash for generously covering the entry fees for all area players.
In other results, Philly A2 won the As, the Barn Louses (a CT, NY, NJ, PA hybrid) won the Bs, and Ottawa’s Merry Malbecs won the Cs.
Next year the Howe Cup travels to Charlottesville, Virginia, home of the brand new University of Virginia’s McArthur Squash Center at the Boar’s Head Sports Club. Put it on your schedule for late October and let’s take even more teams to represent Boston!
Boston Women’s Howe Cup participants: (l-r) Isabelle Engelsted, Candace Stephan, Deb Harrison, Susan Hall Mygatt, Ton Ton Russell, Susan Greene, Lisa Putukian, Betsy Johnson, Mimi Coolidge, Jimena Velarde, Amy Busey, Anna Robinson
Dartmouth Dames & Boston D-va’s: (top row, l-r) Julia Lane, Isabelle Engelsted, Susan Hall Mygatt ,(middle) Candace Stephan, Rhonda Lake, Margaret Werner, (front) Deb Harrison, Ton Ton Russell, Adele Bassett, Diana Calligan
Saturday Night Party (l-r): Isabelle Engelsted, Mimi Coolidge, Deb Harrison, Jimena Velarde, Lisa Putukian, Susan Hall Mygatt