MASSACHUSETTS PLAYERS HELP THE UNITED STATES SWEEP THE CAN-AM CUP IN MONTREAL
The United States men’s and women’s squash doubles teams were victorious in bringing back the Can-Am Cup from Canada over the weekend of October 23-26 in Montreal, Quebec. Thirteen Bostonians were represented during the competition, with twelve playing for the US and one for Canada.
This biennial event is known as the “Ryder Cup of Squash” and was first held in Boston in 2008. Subsequent competitions followed in Toronto (2010) and Buffalo (2012). Each country sends its two best teams in both men’s and women’s divisions – men from Open up to 75+, women from Open to 55+, with a total of 56 players coming from each country. Separate trophies are awarded for each division, and the overall Can-Am Cup goes to the country with the best overall total.
Having been swept by Canada in 2012, the American team was out for revenge. And revenge it got! The US won the men’s division 24.5-20.5 and dominated the women’s division 17-8. The overall margin of 41.5-28.5 was one of the largest in Cup history.
Massachusetts players competing for the US included Graham Bassett, Len Bernheimer, John Brazilian, Mac Davidson, Doug Lifford, John Nimick, Tom Poor, Chris Spahr, and Sandy Tierney. The women’s team included players Hope Crosier, Sue Greene, and Mary McKee. The lone Canadian from Boston was Andrew Slater, now being fondly nicknamed “Slater the Traitor”!
The next Can-Am Cup is scheduled for 2016 in Wilmington, Delaware, with the 2018 competition most likely headed for Toronto.
Congratulations to all the participants!