On November 20th and 21st of 2010, Club Polo Cabo had its season opening with the Baja Gold Cup in beautiful Cabo San Lucas Baja California Mexico with title sponsorship from Diamond International.
This tournament included two teams of women professional players from around the world and two teams of men pro players for a BATTLE OF THE SEXES.
Players arrived on the 18th, Fiesta Americana Grand Resort, the club polo season sponsor, had welcome cocktail reception at the beautiful setting of the hotel on the beach, Alberto Gurrola, the General Manager, and Tony Yahyai, the Club Polo President welcomed everyone.
Friday was a leisure day where the players did some fishing, shopping and resting during the day. Sunny Hale caught a 100-pound marlin on her fishing adventure with the Outhier family.
Friday evening started with a cocktail reception at Mercedes Benz, one of the teams sponsors, where the unveiling and presentation of their new Mercedes SEC63 was held. Later that night everyone gathered at Nikki Beach of the ME Hotel, another team sponsor, for a great party done by Ernesto Luna, General Manager of the ME Hotel, right on The Sea of Cortez with candlelight and fireplace.
On Saturday the 20th at 11:30 AM the games were underway. The first game between two ladies teams; Team Diamond International: Sunny Hale (Palm Beach), Kristy Waters-Outhier (Texas), Jacki Pope (England). Team Mercedes Benz: Lesley-Ann Masterton Fong-Yee (Jamaica), Carline Anier (France/Indio), Brianna Galindo (California). Secretary of Tourism Mr. Lic. Jacobo Turquie Alcerreca attended the games and threw in the first polo ball to start the game.
At the end of the 4th chukker, the score was tied at 4-4, so to give the horses a rest before the next match, a penalty shoot out was held, and as a result, Team Diamond International won the match. Right afterwards, El Comal Restaurant prepared very tasty gourmet lunch in a great setting at the VIP tent. The VIP tent was decorated by none other than Mariana from Festafina with her wonderful furniture. Clase Azul Tequila, the best tequila in Mexico as the official sponsor, served their wonderful tasting tequila. In addition, Vinoteca served their various line of wines together with Corona serving beer to all. Mariano Lemus at CaboFaces.net made sure everyone posed for the camera to take this wonderful experience home.
In the afternoon, the men team started their match;
Team Club Polo/Fiesta Americana: Tony Yahyai (Iran/US), Carlos Galindo (U.S/Mexico)
Alvaro Tadeo (Mexico/US).
Team ME Hotel/Nikki Beach: George Olivas (Texas), Scott Zimmer (US), Rogelio Sada (Mexico).
Per Sunny Hale, the umpire of the afternoon game, the first two chukkers were like a bar fight. Alvaro made a great neck shot to the goal from behind mid field that put Club Polo on the scoreboard, Tony Yahyai converted two penalties to goal and one from a pass from Carlos and his last goal from the line up all the way to goal. The final score was 10-3 in favor of Club Polo with 3 goals from Alvaro, three goals for Carlos and four goals from Tony. For the Nikki Beach team, each player had one goal.
Saturday evening, everyone gathered at Casa Dorada Hotel for a charity dinner in the honor of Children Cancer Foundation in Cabo, Diamond International and Clase Azul Tequila donated varies items for the charity auction. On Sunday morning, the consolation match got started between, Team Mercedes Benz and ME Hotel/Nikki Beach, it was all tied up until the last 30 seconds when Scott Zimmer of Nikki Beach team made a foul that gave team Mercedes Benz the opportunity to score and win, putting the men’s team in the fourth position.
At lunch time the charity auction was started by none other than our own Steve Lewandowski , world-class announcer and auctioneer. Clase Azul Tequila auctioned their best tequila ULTRA, Diamond International, Vinoteca and Club Polo offered more items to the auction.
At last, the final match got started between Club Polo/Fiesta Americana men’s team and Diamond International women’s team, Sunny Hale verses Carlos Galindo, and since the handicap were not even, the women team received two goals to start. Tony Yahyai converted a pass to goal to put Club Polo on the scoreboard! Throughout all four chukkers, both teams were neck and neck and within one point of each other. At the last minute, team Club Polo was ahead by two until Sunny made one goal in the final seconds but the ladies were still one short. The Club Polo/Fiesta Americana won by one point 6-5. At the trophy ceremony, all teams received trophies that were presented by each of the team sponsor.
Sunday night Alberto Gurrola was kind enough to have a great dinner prepared just for the teams and Club Polo Staff at Fiesta American resort exclusive setting around bonfire at poolside with the view of the ocean.
Tony Yahyai, President of Club Polo Cabo, would first like to thank all the team members for taking the time to come to Cabo and helping to promote the wonderful sport of polo in Cabo region. Tony also gives many thanks to the title sponsor, Diamond International, one of world’s largest diamond dealers with a great location in downtown Cabo San Lucas, and to Fiesta American Grand Resort, with many locations in Mexico and Latin America with the Cabo location being the most luxurious of all. Tony gives thanks to Mercedes Benz and wishes them success on their new great looking Mercedes. Also, many thanks to ME Hotel /Nikki Beach with the best club in Cabo, The Passion Club, a place where celebrities and the best looking people come together. Many thanks to Clase Azul Tequila with their unforgettable tasting tequila, and National Rent Car (Official Season Transportation for club polo) and all the other contributors to this event.