Noah Browne will join the ranks of the island’s professional squash players later this month.

Browne will make his debut as a professional at the Digicel Bermuda National Squash Championships, where he will hope to go one better than last year when he lost to Patrick Foster in the semi-finals.

Before that, however, Browne will compete in a tournament at Dartmouth College this weekend.

The Amherst College student will use the men’s and women’s College Squash Association Individual Championships to determine his final individual rank/all-American status for the season, ahead of turning professional.

“I haven’t previously enjoyed outstanding success at this tournament, narrowly missing out on second team all-American two years ago,” Brown said. “I’m hoping to turn this around and finish in the top 20 this year, assuming I qualify for the A Division, which is the top 32.”

After that, Browne’s focus will switch to the national championships where he is hoping to improve on last year’s performance when he reached the semi-finals before losing to club pro Patrick Foster.

“Following this tournament, I fly home for the Digicel Bermuda National Championships where I’m making my professional debut, having just signed up for the Professional Squash tour,” Browne said.

“Last year at this tournament I lost in the semi-finals to the eventual winner, Patrick Foster. I’m really looking forward to playing in the Digicel Championships this year.

“It has always been an excellently run event, which combines such a great atmosphere of fun and competitiveness. This tournament has the added bonus of featuring almost every rival I’ve ever had growing up here in Bermuda: Micah Franklin, Patrick Foster, Robbie Maycock, Kristian Muldoon, Spencer Moss.

“All are great competitors and have been good friends of mine throughout the years.

“I’m certainly hoping to get a bit of revenge on Patrick after losing to him last year, and knowing how seriously Micah is taking his professional career and his successes recently, I’m excited at the prospect of renewing our rivalry.

“The return of one of the great youth players of Bermuda, Elijah Simmons, to competition, will round out the showing at the tournament.”

This summer, Browne is looking forward to combining a career with his professional squash. “I graduate from Amherst in mid-May, after which I am hoping to come home to Bermuda and work in the reinsurance/insurance sector, although I’m looking into other fields as well,” said the political science major.

“Along with joining the workforce in Bermuda I am looking to find a way to balance a professional squash career with a full-time job.”

Browne was named first team All-NESCAC last week. He has featured at the number one position for Amherst throughout his career and has been named first team All-NESCAC in each of his four years with the college.

One of just three league players to end his collegiate career as a four-time all-conference honoree, Browne joins Ahmed Abdel Khalek, from Bates College, as the only players to be selected to the first team in all four years.

The Paget native turned in a terrific senior campaign in 2015-16, posting a stellar 13-3 overall record, winning his first seven matches of the season. He also went 2-0 at the Little III Championship, and 3-0 at the NESCAC Championship tournament. Ten of his 13 victories this season have come by way of a straight-set sweep.

The Digicel Bermuda National Squash Championships will take place from March 13 to 18 with competition in four categories, Men’s Open, Ladies’ Open, Men’s Veterans Open (over 45) and Ladies’ Veterans’ Open (over 40). Players can sign up by e-mail via patrickf@bermudasquash.com. Entries close on March 6.