Golden Open 2026

We are spoilt for write ups about this year's Golden Open!  Thanks so much to Miranda and Andy for taking the time to put together some marvellous thoughts! 

Photos coming soon... 

Thanks Miranda Cirulis

Each year, when the final match is played and the courts begin to empty, there's a moment to reflect on what the Golden Open is really about.

Yes, we're proud to host one of Australia's premier PSA Challenger events, attracting exceptional players to Kalgoorlie...But what makes the Golden Open truly special is the people behind it.

As a regional club, hosting a tournament of this calibre is no small feat, it takes months of planning and an incredible team of volunteers who willingly give their time to ensure every player, official and spectator has a memorable experience. 

From setting up courts and organising draws to transporting players and keeping everything running smoothly, the Golden Open is built on community.

One of the things we're most proud of is our ongoing commitment to equal prize money, the Golden Open was one of the first tournaments in Australia to offer equal prizemoney for our men's and women's PSA events, and it's something we've remained committed to. 

We believe our sport is stronger when opportunities are equal, and we're grateful to our sponsors for helping us continue that commitment.

The tournament is also an opportunity to showcase everything that's great about Kalgoorlie-Boulder, visitors leave talking not only about the quality of the squash, but also about the warmth of our volunteers, the generosity of our sponsors and the unique experience of spending time in the Goldfields.

The real credit belongs to our committee, volunteers, referees, sponsors and the Eastern Goldfields Squash Racquet Association members who work tirelessly before, during and after the event. Without them, there simply wouldn't be a Golden Open.

To our players, thank you for making the journey to Kalgoorlie and for putting on such a fantastic display of squash. Your professionalism, sportsmanship and support of the event are what continue to build the Golden Open's reputation as one of Australia's premier regional tournaments.

Finally, thank you to our naming rights sponsor, Northern Star Resources, along with all of our sponsors and supporters. 

Your investment allows us to continue delivering an event that not only attracts elite players but also showcases our Goldfields community to visitors from around Australia and the world.

We are incredibly proud of what our club has built together and look forward to welcoming everyone back to Kalgoorlie for the 2027 Golden Open.

Thanks Andy Jones!

Golden Open 2026 Delivers Gold Standard Squash in Kalgoorlie

Three weeks ago the squash community had the pleasure of attending the Northern Star Resources Ltd Golden Open 2026 in Kalgoorlie, one of Western Australia's premier squash events and a regular highlight on the Australian squash calendar.

Held from 28-31 May at the Ray Finlayson Sporting Club, the tournament attracted a strong field of professional and amateur players from across Australia and overseas. As a PSA Challenger Tour 6 event, the Golden Open offered a total prize purse of $12,000, split equally between the men's and women's draws.

The men's PSA title was claimed by Switzerland's Louai Hafez, who upset top seed Naoki Hayashi of Japan in a high-quality final, winning 3-1. In the women's event, Hong Kong's Bobo Lam produced one of the performances of the tournament, overcoming top seed Akari Midorikawa in a thrilling five-game final that had spectators glued to their seats.

Away from the professional draws, the local divisions showcased plenty of talent and competitive spirit. Heddwyn Braham captured the Men's Open title, while Josie Jones took out the Women's Open. Jason Patmore and Linda Towill were victorious in the Men's and Women's Masters divisions respectively.

One of the unique features of the Golden Open is its setting. Kalgoorlie may be famous for gold mining, but for one weekend each year it becomes a hotspot for world-ranked squash players. In fact, the prize money on offer is roughly equivalent to the value of two ounces of gold, which seems entirely appropriate for a tournament played in Australia's most famous goldfields town.

The tournament continues to enjoy strong support from Northern Star Resources, the Eastern Goldfields Squash Racquet Association and the local community. Volunteers, sponsors and supporters all play a part in creating an atmosphere that combines professional sport with country hospitality.

As always, squash players are a resilient bunch. Over four days competitors chased tiny black balls around hot courts, survived sore legs, bruised egos and the occasional questionable refereeing decision. As one spectator observed, "Squash is the only sport where you pay money to spend an hour proving how unfit you really are."

Another popular theory doing the rounds was that the ball wasn't actually getting slower as the match progressed, the players were.

The Golden Open once again demonstrated why it has become such an important fixture on the Australian squash calendar. It delivered world-class competition, strong local participation and a fantastic social atmosphere. For players and spectators alike, it was a golden weekend in every sense of the word.

See you next year in Kalgoorlie, where the gold isn't always found underground.