Local player returns from down under

For Palmer resident Mark Alger, no place is too far to go for a good match of squash.

Alger recently returned from Melbourne, Australia, where he competed in the Melbourne 2001 International Squash Festival. Alger, an Alaska Airlines pilot, was one of five Americans competing among 1,200 players from around the world in tournaments for various men's and women's age brackets.

"It was a great tournament," Alger said. "Australia is a very sports-minded country and a beautiful place to visit."

Alger won his first match in the over-40 open division but lost in the next round to the eventual winner of the division.

Alger went to the tournament for more than the chance to play against some of the best squash players in the world. It was an opportunity to renew some old friendships with players Alger knew when he was the best squash player in the U.S.

Alger began playing squash at age 11 as an indoor alternative to tennis during the winter months in Tacoma, Wash. He quickly became hooked on the sport and began competing in tournaments along the West Coast. Alger competed in the Canadian and U.S. junior nationals at age 13.

In 1980, Alger won the U.S. nationals to become a national champion at age 19. He turned pro the following year after beating 13-time North American champion Sharif Khan in the semifinals of the Boston Open in 1981. Alger retired from the pro circuit in 1983 to raise a family and pursue a new career as a pilot.

Back then, American squash was played much differently than international squash. American squash featured a harder ball, narrower courts, different lines, and the scoring was to 15 instead of nine.

"The difference made it very difficult for Americans to compete at the international level," Alger said. "The squash game played in the states has now evolved to be much the same as international play."

After a long layoff, Alger picked up the racket to compete again in 1990 and won the U.S. nationals in 1991 in the over-30 division.

Alger left competition again, playing on occasional trips to Seattle with his mentor and coach Yusuf Khan and his family of squash players.

Alger became aware of this year's tournament in Australia while on a trip to Seattle earlier in the year.

"I saw a brochure for the tournament while I was in the airport and decided to go," Alger said.

He trained for three months by running, doing court drills in his garage, and working with Khan while in Seattle.

Although Alger wished to proceed farther in the tournament than he did, he considered it a great thrill to see some old friends he had competed with in his regular playing days, most of whom have never stopped competing.

His second-round loss in the tournament was to Trevor Wilkinson of South Africa, a man against whom Alger had played 20 years ago.

As for his plans to compete in another major competition, Alger hasn't decided yet, stating he might compete in this year's nationals for the over-40 division.

Alger has instructed clinics in Ketchikan and says that the sport is getting very popular there, proclaiming Ketchikan as the Mecca of squash in Alaska.

Alger hopes for squash to gain popularity in the Valley, adding that it is a great form of exercise and an activity that can be played through the long winter months here.

"Playing a match of squash will wear you out," said Alger. "If you want exercise, this is it."