Laura Massaro squash event proves a big hit with players (From Chorley Citizen)
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Laura Massaro squash event proves a big hit with players
8:00am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News
Laura Massaro, runner-up Vicky Lust, winner Emma Beddoes, Richard Ingle director of CourtCare, co-orgniser Chris Lengthorn
Emma Beddoes is the inaugural winner of the CourtCare Open – the first professional squash tournament to be held in East Lancashire.
The $10,000 event, the idea of world number three Laura Massaro and her brother Chris Lengthorn, was held at the David Lloyd Centre in Chorley.
And Massaro, who comes from Chorley, hailed the event a hit with sponsors CourtCare committing to the tournament for five years.
“It has been hard work but it has gone really well,” said Massaro. “Both Chris and myself are delighted. There were big crowds, the squash was superb and everyone was happy.
“It was a real success.”
Despite the shock of number one seed Sarah Kippax crashing out at the quarter final stage, the standard was of the highest order. Both semi finals went to five games – Beddoes beating Sarah-Jane Perry while Lust came out on top against Salma Hany.
“It’s been amazing and I’d like to thank Laura and Chris for putting on a great event,” said Beddoes who won 11-4, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6. “It makes a difference having a player run an event as she knows what we want. I hope to be back next year.”
