The second edition of the Oban Professional Squash Association (PSA) competition proved another success last month.
Atlantis Leisure was the host as 24 players from nine countries tested their mettle in the second largest professional event to be held in Scotland this year.
This year’s tournament was played at an even higher level than the 2022 event, with more world ranking points up for grabs as part of the PSA World Tour.
Between Friday October 27 and Sunday October 29, athletes from Scotland, England, the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand and Zimbabwe landed in Oban for the Oban Challenger 3 Pro Squash event.
The eventual winner was first seeded Stuart MacGregor after the Englishman defeated Noah Meredith, England, 3-0 in an entertaining final match to take home £3,000 in prize money.
MacGregor had progressed through two initial rounds, the quarter-finals and semi-finals to play in the winner takes all encounter on Sunday.
Martin Heath first had the idea to host such high calibre events in Oban, inspiring Oban Tennis and Squash Club to aim to make the PSA event an annual occurrence.
The Oban native and Scottish Squash provided the help and guidance needed to get last year’s event off the ground. Martin and his brother David are both professional squash players from Oban.
Martin spent 11 years on the professional tour, which included six consecutive years of being ranked in the world’s top 10, with a career-high ranking of fourth.
Jackie Kersley from Oban Tennis and Squash Club said: “What a treat we all got with the high standard of squash these professional players gave us, the likes of which haven’t been seen at the club before.
“Thank you to all the wonderful staff and Nick at Atlantis Leisure who helped make sure the event ran smoothly and efficiently. Thank you so much to our sponsors as without their amazing help this event couldn’t go ahead.
“A huge thank you also to the most important people here – the 24 players – most of whom had around 12 hours’ travelling to get to us. It shows the high level of commitment these guys have in trying to climb the world ranking ladder in squash.
“Thank you also to our referees from Aberdeen and Inverness, Keith, Maureen and Ian, who at times had their work cut out. To Kenny Drummond and Dave Bleazard, thank you both so much for all your help. It’s been a special event for Atlantis Leisure and Oban Tennis and Squash Club. Here’s to the next time in 2024.”
Oban PSA 2023 was sponsored by Alchemy; Aggregate Industries; MKM Building Supplies; Rexel; Oban Electrical Services; Maurice Lockhart; The Sports Shop; Outside Edge; Allan McKechnie Hair; D MacLean Heating; Invercreran Lodge; The Old Inn in Appin and Atlantis Leisure.