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NZ OPEN HISTORY
The New Zealand Open launched in 1976. Remuera’s Pam Buckingham won the first women’s cup and Bruce Brownlee, from Rotorua, was the first men’s champion. The level of international competition started to really heat up in the early 80s, and many New Zealand Squash Open winners went on to become world champions.
New Zealand’s Ross Norman won three NZ championships in a row from 1984 to 1986, and Dame Susan Devoy dominated the women’s tournament, winning a massive seven titles in a row from 1984. Norman went on to win the World Open 1986, and Devoy won the World Open four times. One of the biggest names in New Zealand squash today, Dame Susan Devoy helped the game take off, with her British Open win in 1984 coinciding with the entry of sponsor Honda into the national squash scene.
Devoy’s international stature and Honda’s strong sponsorship blazed a great period for the NZ Open from 1984 to the peak in 1990. The introduction of a Perspex court in 1987 promoted squash beyond traditional club walls and to significantly larger audiences.
At the Henderson Club and Mercury Theatre finals venue in Auckland in 1993, Australian Michelle Martin came out on top. The significant win came a year after virtually-unbeatable Devoy retired from international squash. Paul Steel won it for the men in 1993.
Due to declining event sponsorship and television opportunities, 1993 was the last time the New Zealand Men’s Open was held, and the women’s championships also came to a halt.
Devoy’s international stature and Honda’s strong sponsorship blazed a great period for the NZ Open from 1984 to the peak in 1990. The introduction of a Perspex court in 1987 promoted squash beyond traditional club walls and to significantly larger audiences.
At the Henderson Club and Mercury Theatre finals venue in Auckland in 1993, Australian Michelle Martin came out on top. The significant win came a year after virtually-unbeatable Devoy retired from international squash. Paul Steel won it for the men in 1993.
Due to declining event sponsorship and television opportunities, 1993 was the last time the New Zealand Men’s Open was held, and the women’s championships also came to a halt.
Fast forward to 2009, and the Women’s Open was revived for another year. Held in Mount Maunganui, world number three Natalie Grinham achieved her first win at the event.
The tournament that was a huge part of the squash calendar in the 70 and 80s is back for 2022. Watch the top players make history and see New Zealand’s current leading players, Paul Coll and Joelle King, in action.
Fast forward to 2009, and the Women’s Open was revived for another year. Held in Mount Maunganui, world number three Natalie Grinham achieved her first win at the event.
The tournament that was a huge part of the squash calendar in the 70 and 80s is back for 2022. Watch the top players make history and see New Zealand’s current leading players, Paul Coll and Joelle King, in action.
Devoy’s international stature and Honda’s strong sponsorship blazed a great period for the NZ Open from 1984 to the peak in 1990. The introduction of a Perspex court in 1987 promoted squash beyond traditional club walls and to significantly larger audiences.
At the Henderson Club and Mercury Theatre finals venue in Auckland in 1993, Australian Michelle Martin came out on top. The significant win came a year after virtually-unbeatable Devoy retired from international squash. Paul Steel won it for the men in 1993.
Due to declining event sponsorship and television opportunities, 1993 was the last time the New Zealand Men’s Open was held, and the women’s championships also came to a halt.
Fast forward to 2009, and the Women’s Open was revived for another year. Held in Mount Maunganui, world number three Natalie Grinham achieved her first win at the event.
The tournament that was a huge part of the squash calendar in the 70 and 80s is back for 2022. Watch the top players make history and see New Zealand’s current leading players, Paul Coll and Joelle King, in action.
PAST WINNERS
On the Men’s side, current World No.1 squash player Jahangir Khan claimed his first win in 1980, beating Bruce Brownlee in the final at just 16 years old. He then went on to take six World Open titles. New Zealand’s Ross Martin claimed his spot on the leaderboard from 1984 until 1986.
Vicki Cardwell became the Women’s World Champion in 1983 after winning the NZ title in 1982. Robyn Blackwood took out the NZ Open title in 1983 before Dame Susan Devoy started her winning streak in 1984, which lasted until the early 90s before she retired from the sport.
MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP (BRUCE BROWNLEE TROPHY)
WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP (MURPHY ROSEBOWL)
MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP (BRUCE BROWNLEE TROPHY)
| 1976 | Bruce Brownlee | NZL |
| 1977 | Cam Nancarrow | AUS |
| 1978 | Geoff Hunt | AUS |
| 1979 | Geoff Hunt | AUS |
| 1980 | Jahangir Khan | PAK |
| 1981 | Kevin Shawcross | AUS |
| 1982 | Jahangir Khan | PAK |
| 1983 | Jahangir Khan | PAK |
| 1984 | Ross Norman | NZL |
| 1985 | Ross Norman | NZL |
| 1986 | Ross Norman | NZL |
| 1987 | Rodney Martin | AUS |
| 1988 | Jahangir Khan | PAK |
| 1989 | Chris Dittmar | AUS |
| 1990 | Jahangir Khan | PAK |
| 1991 | Chris Dittmar | AUS |
| 1992 | Hansi Wiens | GER |
| 1993 | Paul Steel | NZL |
| 2009 | No Contest | - |
| 2022 | Mohamed ElShorbagy | ENG |
| 2023 | Paul Coll | NZL |
WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP (MURPHY ROSEBOWL)
| 1976 | Pam Buckingham | NZL |
| 1977 | No Contest | |
| 1978 | Babara Wall | AUS |
| 1979 | Jane Ashton | ENG |
| 1980 | Jenny Webster | NZL |
| 1981 | Vicki Cardwell | AUS |
| 1982 | Vicki Cardwell | NZL |
| 1983 | Robyn Blackwood | NZL |
| 1984 | Susan Devoy | NZL |
| 1985 | Susan Devoy | NZL |
| 1986 | Susan Devoy | NZL |
| 1987 | Susan Devoy | NZL |
| 1988 | Susan Devoy | NZL |
| 1989 | Susan Devoy | NZL |
| 1990 | Susan Devoy | NZL |
| 1991 | Robyn Lambourne | AUS |
| 1992 | Susan Devoy | NZL |
| 1993 | Michelle Martin | AUS |
| 2009 | Natalie Grinham | NET |
| 2022 | Joelle King | NZL |
| 2023 | Nele Gilis | BEL |