Here are a few playing highlights:

• Five-wall glass court and stadium viewing of matches all weekend and in all divisions.

• Centennial playing of the S.L. Green Men’s Championship with a record $30,000 in prize money. Julian Illingworth is pursuing his fourth consecutive national title, but not without some fierce competition.

• Natalie Grainger pursues her second U.S. National title in the $10,000 Women’s Championship draw.

• A $5,000 National Open draw provides a venue for the best teaching pros in the U.S. to come and display their talents.
   

We also intend to wrap this very competitive play with a social environment that is second to none. A few highlights:

• Free entry to the Georgia Aquarium, the world’s largest aquarium, with more than eight million gallons in its various habitats, from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.

• A buffet dinner from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the spectacular 16,400 square-foot ballroom with two viewing windows of the aquarium’s whale sharks and beluga whales.

• A more formal dinner Saturday evening at the Piedmont Driving Club. With more than 300 in attendance, we expect this to be the biggest squash gathering since the Centennial in New York several years ago.

• A trade show environment that features the latest in squash products, US Squash items, and displays from our title, presenting, and gold sponsors.

We encourage spouses and even families to come to the event. The Hyatt's Regency rooms are all spacious, upscale suites, and the guest package is a real bargain for these events. An even better bargain is the Patron package, which includes a guest and gets the Patron into the closed seating behind the stadium court. In addition, Atlanta has a lot to offer. The Georgia Aquarium creates synergy with the new World of Coke, Centennial Olympic Park, CNN Center, Imagine It! Children’s Museum, Georgia World Congress Center and Philips Arena. In addition, Atlanta offers the High Museum of Art, Fernbank Natural History Museum, the Atlanta Botanical Center, and a great lineup of restaurants, shopping, and other entertainment.

A few thoughts and suggestions:

• If you will need extra tickets for a spouse or some family members, be sure to purchase sufficient guest packages up front.

• The social events will be casual, with the exception of the Piedmont Driving Club dinner, which will be coat-and-tie required for men.

• To rent or not to rent a car? We will have shuttle service from the Hyatt to both Midtown and Westminster, our second playing venue. We will also have buses available for transportation to the social events. However, Atlanta has a lot to offer and for flexibility and speed, nothing beats a car. There is ample parking at both playing sites and the Hyatt is walking distance from Midtown. The playing sites are 5 miles apart.

• Weather in Atlanta in March can be volatile, ranging from highs in the 80s, which is why we are considering an optional golf outing on Wednesday, to brief snow if a system breaks out of Canada at the wrong moment. Most likely, high of 65°, low of 45°

Lastly, thanks to our sponsors we have the opportunity to create a truly great squash tournament for all participants. When you come, please support the tournament in return by spending some time between matches at the courts, visiting the trade area, and taking part in a very special happening.

Thanks again for your participation and Welcome to Atlanta!
 

Bob Burton
Tournament Chair

Atlanta:
"Every day is an opening day"

Hosted at Atlanta's
Premier Athletic Facility:
MIDTOWN ATHLETIC CLUB

Hyatt Regency Suites
Atlanta Northwest:
Official Tournament hotel