The Howes & Squash

First family of U.S. women's squash is the House of Howe. The dynasty began almost from the moment that the first clubs admitted women to their courts. When Boston's Union Boat Club organized the first-ever women's state tournament, the winner was Mrs. William F. Howe Jr. The wife of a prosperous Boston stockbroker and Yale athlete, Margaret Howe proceeded to take the national championship in 1929, 1932 and 1934, after mothering twin daughters named Betty and Peggy. As soon as Betty and Peggy got their growth and found time to give squash their full attention, they took over. For nearly every year since 1950, one or the other has been U.S. champion.

The twins' careers are remarkably parallel, on and off court. Both are married to surgeons--Betty to onetime (1935) Princeton Football Captain W. Pepper Constable; Peggy to Robert White of Rochester. Each has three children. Chief difference: Betty is lefthanded. Peggy was champion in 1952 and 1953. Betty won in 1950, regained her championship in 1956 and has held it ever since.

Close as any twins, the Howes turn businesslike enemies when they meet in competition. "We just don't like each other on the squash court," explains Peggy. A match between the twins usually produces an extraordinary number of "let" calls, because neither moves aside to let the other have a clean shot, if she can help it. "I won't get out of her way, and she won't give me a thing," admits Peggy.

Both girls are tall (about 5 ft. 10 in., 145 Ibs.), trim brunettes. Lefthander Betty has the stronger game, Peggy the greater finesse. "She's like a bulldog," says Peggy of Betty's play. "She drives in under an opponent's racket or swings without regard for anything but hitting the ball. I'm daintier. I play a softer game."

Last week Peggy, playing in her first tournament after the birth of a daughter last year, got to the quarter finals of the National Singles championships at the Merion Cricket Club in Haverford, Pa. before bowing out. But Betty was at the top of her driving game, methodically rolled into the finals, disposed of Britain's Mrs. Sheila Speight Mclntosh to win her fourth straight title--the tenth national championship for the House of Howe.

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