JERRY HUTCHESON, ROY LINK AND PATRICK SMITH of the Detroit Polo & Hunt Club joined with entertainer KAREN NEWMAN to host a CELEBRITY BARTENDER PARTY at Elie’s in Birmingham. MI as a regional benefit for the POLO PLAYERS SUPPORT GROUP. The not-for-profit organization headed by David Offen provides financial assistance for seriously injured or ill players & grooms.
In spite of bitter cold & howling winds over 125 brave souls packed the house for laughs, fun and camaraderie. The hosts plus THE RUM DEVILS (a fun local group consisting of JENNIFER HOLMAN, AMY KANARIOS and LIZ JOHNSON (all of Bloomfield Hills) kept the drinks flowing and laughs going.
$1000 was raised for PPSG and donations were also made to the University of Michigan and Michigan State University Polo Teams for their riding programs. All entrants received either a UM or MSU shirt in the school colors outlining the many event sponsors and PPSG.
Team members from the schools competed in selling raffle tickets for a trip to the PPSG 40 goal Polo Exhibition and VIP Dinner & Auction which will be held in Palm Beach, FL on February 13, 2010. Lucky winner was KIM OTSUJI of Plymouth. The ticket was sold by SCOTT DOLE a new aspiring player with the UM squad.
The party list included a large number of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Franklin, MI residents & players along with guests & polo friends from China, England, Germany, Korea and Sweden joining in the fun.
LAURIE TENNENT of Bloomfield Hills (owner of Laurie Tennent Studio in Birmingham) with the help of DAVE QUIZENBERRY of Royal Oak (a computer graphics whiz) filmed the entire event for a CD that will be used in a pilot program to help other regional clubs & groups raise funds for the PPSG. The party lasted until the wee small hours of the morning.