World-class action will be returning to Courthouse Squash & Wellness as they continue to establish their programme by hosting the Platinum Group Pro Squash Invitational next week.

The exhibition event, taking place between June 5 and 7, will combine a blend of clinics and classes along with exiting squash action involving six overseas professionals Nikki Todd, Sam Cornett, Sabrina Sobhy, Ashley Davies, Mike McCue, and Connor Turk, as well as two Bermudian-based professionals in Melina Turk, and Micah Franklin, a multiple national champion.

For the club’s professional Melina Turk, the event is the latest step in her and Courthouse Squash & Wellness’s ambition of reigniting the sport at the club since the former PSA World Tour player’s appointment in November.

“We did the club championships as my first tournament but this will be my first event that the club are promoting high-level squash,” said Turk, who had a highest world ranking of 88th in 2016.

“I’m hopeful this event will complement what we’ve seen over at the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association because it is great, not just for squash at this club, but squash in Bermuda.

“It’s another opportunity for Bermudian squash enthusiasts to come and see some high-level squash on island. We have three females coming over in Sam Cornett, who is a Canadian national champion and reached the top 30 in the world, Nikki Todd, who is No 4 in Canada and reached the top 50 in the world and also Sabrina Sobhy, who most recently was No 1 at Harvard and starting out as a pro.

“Ashley Davies is an English player, who was most recently playing college squash at Rochester in the US and was No 1 for them, Mike McCue was in the top four in Canada and reached as high as the top 80 in the world and then there is my brother Connor Turk, who is just starting his professional career.

“The whole event will be over three days with a great mixture of clinics, where the public can learn from professionals, doubles, and then singles exhibitions, which will be the main event.

“They have a pro event in Devonshire, but I wanted to host an exhibition event because I feel you can get the crowd involved more and the players are more relaxed without having to protect their ranking.

“My ultimate goal is to make this event an annual tournament and keep it as an invitational event to be able to invite the players we want as well as keeping that fun element for the public.”

Having arrived in Bermuda from Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories in northern Canada, the 27-year-old conceded her pleasant surprise at the level of interest in the sport that she has witnessed, as she aims to build on the strong foundations and help the sport flourish once again at the club.

“My first six months here have been great,” Turk added. “I’m looking at continuing to build on the strong interest in the sport and help grow the programme.

“I have been surprised how popular squash is on island and how big a crowd these events draw.

“It’s really exciting to see that level of interest in the sport and it’s exactly what I want to see.”

For more information, contact Turk by calling 441-292-8357 or by e-mailing mturk@courthouse.bm