British Open Boasts Increased Prize Fund

Substantially increased prize funds have led to 32-player draws in both the men's and women's events in the forthcoming Harris British Open Squash Championships - Nottingham.

The sport's two world number ones Lee Beachill (pictured), of England, and Rachael Grinham, of Australia, lead world-class fields in both the main events - with the men's draw featuring eight of the world's top ten PSA players, and the women's field including all but one of the ten top players in the WISPA rankings.

The greatest event in world squash acquired title sponsorship last week by LG Harris, one of the world's largest and best known manufacturers of paint brushes and decorating equipment. The sponsorship has led to a $60,000 (US) prize fund in the men's event - a 33% increase over 2003 - whilst the women's has been elevated to $42,000, which represents a 60% increase on last year!

The 2004 British Open will take place in Nottingham from 29 October to 6 November, with the later rounds of the event being staged on the all-glass court at the city's Albert Hall from Tuesday 2 November following first rounds and qualifying at the Nottingham Squash Rackets Club.

The 'Wimbledon of Squash' will be boosted by a special BBC Sport highlights programme which will be broadcast on BBC TV Grandstand on Sunday 7th November.

LG Harris lead a significant parade of British Open sponsors including the City of Nottingham; Partypoker.com; Hi-Tec; Head; Gerrard; and Toshiba; together with Official Suppliers: Ernest & Julio Gallo; Park Plaza Nottingham; Squashdiscount.com; Halcyon Days Enamels; The Times; Hart's Nottingham; Yellow Dot Clothing; and A+P Computers. The event's Official Charity is National Playing Fields.

Promoted by John Beddington and John Nimick, the 2004 British Open is also backed by England Squash, the sport's governing body in England, and a Nottingham consortium featuring Nottingham City Council, Experience Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA).

"These increases in prize money reflect our passion for and commitment to the British Open," said Beddington and Nimick. "Between the men's and women's competitions, more than 100+ elite, world class players will now have the opportunity to win the sport's most prestigious title and the lion's share of more than $100,000 in prize money."

Tickets for the Harris British Open can be booked either by telephone on 0115-941 9419, or via email on britishopen@nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk. Further details will also be available on the event's official website www.britishopensquash.com