The Bermuda Squash Racquets Association is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the BCS-IBM Club Championships, which begin on Sunday.

The seven-day event includes Men’s Open, Ladies’ Open, Men’s Veterans (45+) and Ladies’ Veterans (40+) categories and will see more than 75 of the club’s best competitors vie for these prestigious titles.

Back in 1964, when the tournament started, only a Men’s Open and Veterans’ Championship was held, with ladies’ categories added from 1974 onwards.

This year, Nick Kyme, who has far surpassed his father’s seven titles, is aiming to add a fourteenth to his name after losing the championhip for the first time last year to Micah Franklin, Bermuda’s No 1, who is not available for this year’s event.

Kyme will, though, face stiff competition from John Fletcher, a former county player in England, who is competing in his maiden event.

Laura Robinson, a three-time winner, is seeded to play Susie Lacey in the finals of the Ladies’ Open, which has a competitive field this year.

In the Men’s Veterans category, three Brewer brothers are expected to battle it out to claim the title, while in the Ladies’ Veterans division, the in-form Denise Kyme starts as overall favourite.

“We are delighted to have such a full and competitive field of players taking part in this year’s Club Championships,” Runa Reta, assistant director of squash, said. “This is the last event of the calendar year for our adult members, so the players will be looking to end it on a high note.

“It is also fantastic to note that this tournament has been around for 50 years — I think this is a true testament to the consistently high level of interest and involvement in squash on the Island”.

First-round matches begin on Sunday from 12.30pm onwards. Results can be followed at www.bermudasquash.com.