DaytonDailyNews.com

It's already well-known in squash circles worldwide, but director Charlie Johnson envisions a day when the $50,000 EBS Dayton Open truly takes off.

And what better place than at an airport?

Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport is across the street from the Dayton Squash Center in Miamisburg, where the sixth annual tournament unfolds this weekend. Moving to the airport in future years — "a fun spectacle," Johnson suggests — might be an option if a portable all-glass court can be obtained.

To attract more of the world's top players, Johnson sought to bump the Dayton Open up a level this year, but the Professional Squash Association insists on the use of glass courts for its $75,000 events.

The cost of importing such a court would run between $20,000 and $40,000, Johnson said. Mindful that the tournament's first mission is to raise funds for the Dayton Challenge Junior Squash Program, he passed.

"I applied for an exemption, but (the PSA) didn't even respond, let alone enter into discussions," Johnson said.

Squash is big around the world, and glass courts allow for more seating and better vantage points for fans and media. Tournaments are routinely held near the Pyramids of Egypt and in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.

A bit ambitious? Maybe. But the Dayton Open has grown from a $10,000 event in just a few years. This weekend's winner takes home $7,600; the runner-up earns $5,200.

"There are larger prize-money tournaments," Johnson said, "but we're in the top tier."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or smcclelland@DaytonDailyNews.com.