Maspeth Winter Classic
WINTER WONDERLAND FOR SQUASH in NYC this January.
The start of the new year in New York City signals a bloom in squash activity, with events such as the US Century Squash Doubles Championship, Grand Open Eastern States Masters, Grand Open and NY Squash Leagues inter-club matches. Likewise, the highest level of international competition is kicked off with The JP Morgan Tournament of Champions in NYC’s iconic Grand Central Terminal a truly one of kind venue.
For 2025, the Maspeth Winter Open was prefixed to the January/New York squash bloom, in what we expect to be a wonderful year for squash growth! Consider this, two late round matches for the $35k Intsel Pro Outdoor Pro Invitational Tournament were lined up for the occasion. The first match on the steel court featured PSA tour professionals Alina Bushma, (UKR) and Nicole Bunyan, (USA), battling it out to see who will make the 4th Intsel Pro championship final. The second half of the double header showcased U.S. #1 Timmy Brownell and multiple PSA title winner and NYC coaching legend Mohamed Nabil (EGY) as they played their pro quarterfinal contest.
Forty pioneering fans of outdoor squash came out for The Winter Classic. Pre and post-match activity was a bustle of space heater-huddled conversations and soul-warming catering, included open court access and joyous hit-arounds with the pros.
After the match, Timmy Brownell was asked, “How was the floor today?” Timmy said: “...Trust in the court can’t be faked. It plays very well. I’d say 10 out of 10. And the fact that it happened after the snow last night, PSA are you listening? Take some notes. Come on now.”
The matches were super competitive and fun for the fans. Check the links to videos of The Winter Classic matches below, and please subscribe while you’re at it.
• Timmy Brownell & Mohamed Nabil • Intsel Outdoor Pro Quarterfinal Match
• Alina Bushma & Nicole Bunyan • Intsel Pro Outdoor Semifinal
A special thanks to the Friends of Maspeth Squash who contribute to our mission to share the joys of outdoor squash: Rob Mackay, David Liston, Kenny Fagan, Mike McMurphy, Supriya Dutta, Tim Beckman, Courtney Hopkins, Jake Hays, and fans who came out to enjoy the fun.
Thanks to Intsel Steel, Maspeth Welding Inc., NY Squash, Jeffrey Anschlowar, PE, Robert Gibralter, Vera Galvez, Freddy Ramirez, John Beaman, Alwyn Callender, Timothy Brownell, Alina Bushma, Nicole Bunyan, Mohamed Nabil, Robert MacKay, Queens Economic Development