(Carpinteria, CA) Starting on Sunday, July 9 and continuing through August 27, the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club will be hosting High Goal Polo. What that means is the fastest and most exciting polo of the seven-month season. A complete roster of players and teams is attached. You’ll see players handicap ratings to the right of their names, and the team position (1-2-3-4) on the left of the name.
The highest handicap a polo player can have is 10 – and we will have Agustin Merlos returning, a 10-goal rated player, in the matches this year playing for Duende. Merlos was rated 9 goals at last year’s games. However, his performance on the fields moved him up to the perfect 10 rating. Merlos won MVP for the high goal season last year, and his black mare, Kenia, won Best Playing Pony. Many more players rated at 9 and 8 goals are equally as wonderful to watch in action. Remember these names: Paco de Narvaez, Mariano Gonzales, Pancho Bensadon, Jeff Hall, Adam Snow, and Nick Roldan.
Watching a polo game is a great way to spend a day with the family or friends. Santa Barbara Polo Club is highly regarded by the international community of polo athletes for its “premiere polo fields and great weather.” Many of the athletes come into play for July & August bringing with them their families, a string of polo ponies, and a boost to the local economy.
Plan to make a day of it and come out and see the Sport of Kings played in Paradise. It’s the perfect ending to a Santa Barbara weekend too for those heading South from the city, the SBPRC is just off the freeway and welcomes you to come and discover the excitement of live polo!
For information please call (805) 684-6683 or go online to: www.sbpolo.com
NOTE: on Sunday August 27, the finals for the Bombardier Pacific Coast Open and admission for that day only is $15. There will also be a “Tailgating Contest” at the club with great prizes for Most Creative, Most Elegant and Most Polo awards for their tailgating picnic theme.
SUMMER SEASON (16-20 GOAL)
Sunday, July 9 Games @ 1 & 3 p.m.
Robert Skene Trophy Tournament *** Mrs. Elizabeth Skene will be presenting the awards to winning teams both weekends. She is an elegant woman and would be a wonderful interview on the sport.
Sunday, July 16 Robert Skene Trophy Finals
Games @ 1 & 3 p.m.
Robert Skene was a legend in polo. A former 10 Goal player and Club Manager in Santa Barbara for many years, his acquired the name “Hurricane Bob” was due to his fast and precise play making. He was tirelessly committed to the Santa Barbara Polo club, the sport and was highly regarded by players of all ranks. Although his participation in the sport was interrupted by World War II when he served as a POW for three years in Malaya, he returned to his 10-goal rating and kept it for 17 years until 1967. Throughout his life he and his wife and lifelong sweetheart of over 60 year Elizabeth shared many adventures and whom he credits a vital role in all of his successes. Mrs. Skene remains passionate about the sport and continues to show her support field side throughout the summer seasons.
Sunday, July 23 Games @ 1 & 3 p.m.
USPA America Cup Tournament
Sunday, July 30 Games @ 1 & 3 p.m.
USPA America Cup Finals
Santa Barbara is the host of this prestigious national tournament sponsored by the United States Polo Association. This event attracts players from throughout the world and its high goal rating makes it one of the most premiere tournaments held in the United States.
PRESS NOTE: Sunday, July 30 – NOT A PUBLIC EVENT
After 3 pm game in the clubhouse players will vie for positioning in the Bombardier Pacific Coast Open Calcutta. Sports PRESS are welcome to join us with an RSVP. Call Mo to confirm please.
The Calcutta is where the teams draw their slots for placement in one of America’s premiere Polo tournaments, the Bombardier Pacific Coast Open. Time Approx 5 p.m.
Bombardier PACIFIC COAST OPEN AUGUST 2006
Sunday, August 6 Games @ 1 & 3 p.m.
Pacific Coast Open Tournament
TOP PLAYERS PARTICIPATING FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
One of the top three tournaments held in the United States each year, the “Open is the highlight of the Santa Barbara Polo season.” Played since 1904, this event has established itself as one of the oldest and most coveted polo tournaments in the world. It features the top players, horses and organizations in the sport of kings. It is internationally renowned, played in of the finest tournament conditions in the United States with fantastic turf, mild climate with ocean breezes and surrounded with the amenities of one of our country’s most beautiful cities.
Sunday, August 13 Games @ 1 & 3 p.m.
Bombardier Pacific Coast Open Tournament
Sunday August 20 Bentley Polo Classic Tournament
Games @ 1 & 3 p.m.
Bombardier Pacific Coast Open Tournament
Thursday, August 24 Games @ 1 & 3 p.m.
Bombardier Pacific Coast Open Semi-Finals
Saturday, August 26 TWO games
Linfoot Memorial begins @ 9 a.m.
Mayor’s Cup Finals begins at 11 a.m. (approx)
Sunday, August 27
Admission $15 general/kids under 12 free
1 p.m. Consolation Tournament @ 1 pm
Pacific Coast Open Finals 3 p.m.
Tailgating Contest on Field #3 Public Welcome to participate. Gates Open at 11:30 for Tailgating Contestants. Judging will take place between 12:30 – 1 p.m. Winners will be presented with awards after the first match @ Time approx 2:45 pm.
NOTE: on Sunday August 27, the finals for the Bombardier Pacific Coast Open and admission for that day only is $15. There will also be a “Tailgating Contest” at the club with great prizes for Most Creative, Most Elegant and Most Polo awards for their tailgating picnic theme.
We want to thank our Bombardier Pacific Coast Open SPonsors:
Tiffany & Co., Zsweet,
~NO GAMES ON LABOR DAY WEEKEND~
Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club
FALL SEASON (6-8 GOAL)
Sunday, September 10 Games @ 1 & 3 p.m.
Harry East Memorial Tournament – This memorial tournament is held in honor of Harry East, a former club manager in the 1930’s. Organized in 1954 it pays tribute the 7-goaler East who was known as one of the finest teachers of the sport of polo during his day. He was also involved with the early development of the Santa Barbara Polo Club.
Sunday, September 17 Games @ 1 & 3 p.m. Harry East Memorial Finals
Sunday, September 24 Games @ 1 & 3 p.m – USPA President’s Cup Tournament.
This is a regional circuit tournament sponsored by the United States Polo Association.
Sunday, October 1 Games @ 1 & 3 p.m.
USPA President’s Cup Finals
Sunday, October 8 Games @ 1 & 3 p.m.
Wickenden Cup Tournament – This memorial tournament is held in honor of Ernest Wickenden who became the very first local “star” polo player. A native of the area, Wickenden first took up the game in 1898 and soon rose to an 8-goal rating setting a lofty standard for all future members.
Sunday, October 15 Games @ 1 & 3 p.m.
Wickenden Cup Finals
Fields Close October 16, 2006
Info is the same for every weekend ~
Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club
3300 Via Real, Carpinteria CA 93013
Games every Sunday at 1 & 3 p.m.
Gates Open at noon
Admission on Sundays: $10. general; kids under 12 free
Convenient on-site parking & refreshments available.
www.sbpolo.com (805)684-6683
ABOUT THE SBPRC::
Established in 1911, the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club is the third oldest polo facility in the United States and is world renowned for its’ three lush polo fields and international outdoor competition. SBPRC is committed to sharing the excitement of polo with the local community. In addition to the outdoor fields, club facilities include: an enclosed polo arena, extensive horse exercise and boarding facilities, Members’ Social Clubhouse, a newly added exercise & workout center, tennis center, swim club and 140 luxurious condominiums. With stabling for more than 350 horses, an arena for teaching and intercollegiate games, and three of the finest fields in the entire world, the SBPRC is the polo players’ destination of choice. Nestled between the Santa Ynez mountain foothills and the Pacific Ocean, the SBPRC is truly the jewel of the American Riviera.