New Mexico Squash Racquets Association was created in the 1980’s by former Navy Squash Captain and Albuquerque native, Randy Kahn. Today, the association continues to flourish along the life lines of New Mexico, the Rio Grande and the Old Santa Fe Trail.
There are four active squash communities in the state: in the north and to the west of the Rio Grande, Los Alamos has an active group of players associated with the National Laboratory; in the northern part of the state east of the Rio Grande, Santa Fe has two active clubs and courts at two colleges; further south along the Rio Grande, Albuquerque provides several opportunities to play; and east along the Old Santa Fe Trail, the United World College has two new international courts that are used by several professors and students.
The premier club in the state is the Kiva Club in Santa Fe. Their annual tournament, the Kiva Classic, is held on the first weekend in December and attracts over 100 players from around the US, Canada and Mexico to play Age Group Hardball Doubles, Hardball Singles and Softball Singles. Hospitality and competition is first rate; many players say it is one of the best tournaments in the country. Charlie Khan, of the Hashim Khan Squash dynasty, is the pro at the Kiva Club and provides excellent coaching to the players in Santa Fe. The Kiva Club also has several Jesters. Under the direction of Charles Perkins and John Amos, the club hosted the Jesters 56th Annual Weekend in September 2008. El Gancho Swim and Tennis Club, also in Santa Fe, provides an alternative to the Kiva Club and is host to the “Not the Vegetable” tournament. Its motto, “Your Mother always said, ‘Don’t play with your vegetables, play squash!’” is a rallying cry that all squash players can get behind.
In Albuquerque, Wellbridge Fitness runs several clubs with squash courts, but most of the players can be found at Midtown Sports where New Zealand native and coach, Tony Dye, gives lessons while Paula Sperling runs an active squash league for men, women and juniors.
The clubs in New Mexico are always willing to host visiting players and beckon them to the Land of Enchantment, but beware. People often think of New Mexico as a desert land with classic saguaro cactus dotting the landscape. In reality, the city is situated in the “High Desert.” Albuquerque’s 5,000 foot elevation matches that of Denver, and Santa Fe’s 7,000 foot elevation is almost a half a mile higher than either of those cities. Local players have a distinct advantage over lowlanders when it comes to oxygen carrying capacity.
