CHICAGO, Aug 20, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Chicago will make sports history September 9-15 as Michigan Avenue plays host to the Sweet Home Chicago Open -- the first-ever professional squash tournament to be held outdoors in North America -- sponsored by Lakeshore Athletic Clubs, Zeller Realty Group, Caledonian Fund Services, SmithBucklin and The Fairmont Chicago.

The open-to-the-public event -- to be held in an all-glass court in Pioneer Court (pictured at right), between Tribune Tower and the Chicago River -- is expected to draw the world's top-ranked players as the newest stop on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and U.S. Squash Association tournament series.

"Being among the first squash tournaments of this scale to be held outdoors, the Sweet Home Chicago Open will be an innovative forum to show off the fun and exciting game of squash," said Kevin Klipstein, President, U.S. Squash. "With its passionate base of fans who also participate in all types of sports, Chicago presents the ideal location to host this first-of-its-kind event."

Endorsed by the U.S. Squash Association and the PSA, the Sweet Home Chicago Open will include professional and exhibition matches, as well as clinics involving children from area schools and the METROSquash program, which combines academics and athletics for inner-city youth attending Chicago Public Schools. Exhibition play will feature Canadian-born Jonathon Power, a two-time World No. 1 champion who is regarded by many as the greatest squash player of his generation.

In conjunction with the professional tournament, this event will also showcase approximately 200 local and national amateurs in the Great Lakes Open, which will be held at The University Club of Chicago, Lakeshore Athletic Clubs and the Union League Club of Chicago. The exhibition matches will further reinforce Chicago's love of amateur athletics, as evidenced by the city's bid for the 2016 Olympic Games.

"Squash has long been a game that celebrates the skill and accomplishments of the professional and amateur athlete," said Gus Cook, North America Representative, PSA. "As the squash community aspires to find its place among other Olympic events, the Sweet Home Chicago Open is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the appeal of and enthusiasm for this great game and the skill of the athletes who play it."

To date, squash -- a racquet sport recognized by the IOC and one of 5 sports under review for incorporation into the 2016 Olympics -- is played in more than 150 countries by an estimated 15 million people, including some 500,000 players in the United States. The widespread interest in the game was a draw to many of the tournament's sponsors.

"As Chicago's sponsor of the Virginia Slims Invitational in 1974 and the partner and co-founder of World Team Tennis, we believe the Sweet Home Chicago Open is just as unique and intriguing as those sporting institutions," said Jordon Kaiser, Founding Partner, Lakeshore Athletic Clubs.

For more information, please visit http://www.sweethomechicagoopen.com. For all media inquiries, please contact Ryan Kuntz at 312/765-8770 or via e-mail at rkuntz@healyandschulte.com.

About Lakeshore Athletic Clubs

Lakeshore Athletic Clubs, a family-owned business, has been committed to member satisfaction since opening its doors in 1972. Lakeshore's goal is to provide its members with state-of-the-art equipment and excellent service. Each Club's staff is dedicated to providing members with personal attention and a level of service that is unmatched in Chicago. Lakeshore Athletic Clubs are private and are available for the exclusive use of its members and their guests. For more information, visit http://www.lsac.com/.

About Caledonian Global Fund Services

Caledonian Fund Services administers approximately US$15 Billion in offshore and US domestic hedge funds and fund of funds from offices in the Cayman Islands, Chicago, Isle of Man and Orlando. Caledonian Fund Services provides a complete front to back office outsourced solution for managers of alternative investments. Our services include a real time P&L reporting, trade order management, analytic modeling, fund accounting, registrar and transfer agency, corporate secretarial, web-based reporting, anti-money laundering compliance and fund of fund custody. Caledonian's technology platform includes Advent Geneva, Advent Partner, Paladyne Systems, Mantra and Infosys'Finacle Banking system. Caledonian Fund Services is part of the Caledonian Group which has over 35 years experience in the financial services industry.

About Zeller Realty Group

Zeller Realty Group (ZRG) is comprised of dynamic and creative professionals, working as a team through Zeller Realty Corporation, Zeller Management Corporation and Zeller Development Corporation. ZRG provides a unique blend of insight, expertise, innovation and efficiency in order to find, create and enhance value in commercial real estate utilizing strategic acquisitions, creative investment structures, and effective asset management, property management, leasing and development. For more information, visit http://www.zellerrealty.com.

About SmithBucklin

SmithBucklin is the world's largest association management and professional services company providing flexible, tailored full-service management and function/project-specific services to more than 225 trade associations, professional societies, technology user groups, government institutes/agencies and corporations. SmithBucklin's mission is to drive growth and build sustained competitiveness for client organizations. Founded in 1949, the company employs 750 professionals specializing in all phases of association activity including executive management, member and chapter administration, convention and trade show management, marketing and branding, Web services, education and programs, government relations and financial management. SmithBucklin manages more than $250 million in annual client budgets from offices in Chicago, Washington, DC, St. Louis and Durham, NC. SmithBucklin is 100% employee owned. For more information, please visit http://www.smithbucklin.com or call 1.800.539.9740.

About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

A leader in the global hospitality industry, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is an extraordinary collection of luxury hotels, which includes iconic landmarks like the Fairmont Singapore, Fairmont Le Montreux Palace in Switzerland and New York's The Plaza. Fairmont hotels are one-of-a-kind properties where sophisticated travellers can discover culturally rich experiences that are authentic to the destination. Situated in some of the most exclusive and pristine areas in the world, Fairmont is committed to responsible tourism and is an industry leader in sustainable hotel management with its award-winning Green Partnership program. Fairmont's portfolio includes 56 distinctive hotels, with plans to develop over 20 new properties in the coming years in destinations as diverse as Shanghai, Abu Dhabi and Anguilla. Fairmont is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a leading global hotel company with 90 hotels worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissotel brands. The company also owns Fairmont and Raffles branded Residences, Estates and luxury private residence club properties. For more information or reservations, please call 1-800-441-1414 or visit http://www.fairmont.com.

SOURCE Lakeshore Athletic Clubs

 http://www.sweethomechicagoopen.com