Squash Anyone? University Club of Orlando to open Central Florida’s third Squash Court May 15

ORLANDO, Fla. ---The University Club of Orlando will open Central Florida area’s third squash court on May 15.

Susan Greene, general manager of The University Club of Orlando, said growing demand for regulation squash courts by Orlando-area players and the rise of international squash clubs prompted the University Club to consider installing a regulation court.

Greene said the University Club is converting one of its racquetball courts for regulation squash play.

Squash, which traces its earliest roots to 12th century French monks, was refined by aristocratic debtors incarcerated at Fleet Prison in Great Britain in the 17th century and offers as many traditional peculiarities as golf.

St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire opened the first American squash court in 1884. Thirty years later, adherents formed the United States Racquets Assn. (USSRA), now known as U.S.-Squash in Philadelphia.

The sport is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and narrowly missed being included in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The IOC overlooked squash again for the 2016 Olympic games in favor of golf.

“Squash is a superb sport with an avid following,” Greene said. “We are proud to be able to offer it at the University Club.”