Grand Champions Wrap Up Season With US Trust $25,000 Challenge Cup
By Alex Webbe
The rainy weather may have dampened some spirits, but the Grand Champions Polo club will close its inaugural fall season with a very rewarding $25,000 Challenge Cup, courtesy of US Trust.
Scheduled to begin on Sunday, Nov. 4, six teams will compete in the club’s final tournament of the season with action slated to continue on Wednesday, Nov. 7, Friday, Nov. 9 and culminating with the finals on Sunday, Nov. 11.
Some new faces will join the action as Palm Beach Polo and Country Club owner Glen Straub will join forces with Mauricio Devrient, Vali Aguilar and Harm Schutt.
Grand Rapids, Michigan native Scott Devon will be riding into the competition under his Catamount banner. Devon will be joined by Melissa Ganzi, Kris Kampsen and Brandon Phillips.
Six-goaler John Gobin will join Michael Liss’ Heronwood Farms team with Julio Ezcurra and Joe Muldoon while Dr. Scott Swerdlin’s Palm Beach Equine will feature Leo Mandelbaum, Tommy Biddle and Cali Garcia.
Luis Escobar, J. J. Celis, A. Pomo and Diego Arellano have formed a team that has yet to be named and Neil Hirsch’s Black Watch team will return with 8-goaler Jeff Hall, Martin Pepa and Francisco Escobar.
“We’ve had some problems with the weather,” offered Brandon Phillips, “but everyone’s really excited about the US Trust $25,000 Challenge Cup.”
The club’s first fall season was hampered by rainouts that left two of the season’s first three tournaments unresolved.
“It’s been a great season in spite of the rain,” said Kris Kampsen, “We’re not the only club that has had to reschedule matches because of weather.”
U.S. Trust $25,000 Challenge Cup
Entered Teams
Heronwood
1. Micheal Liss 0
2. John Gobin 6
3. Julio Escura 5
4. Joe Muldoon 3
Total 14
TBA
1. A. Pomo 1
2. Luis Escobar 7
3. JJ Celis 5
4. Diego Arellano 1
Total 14
Palm Beach Equine
1. Scott Swerdlin 0
2. Leo Mandelbaum 2
3. Tommy Biddle 7
4. Cali Garcia 4
Total 13
Palm Beach Polo
1. Glenn Straub 0
2. Maurcio Devrient 5
3. Vali Aguilar 6
4. Harm Schutt 2
Total 13
Catamount
1. Melissa Ganzi 0
2. Kris Kampsen 6
3. Brandon Phillips 5
4. Scott Devon 2
Total 13
Blackwatch Polo
1. Neal Hirsch 0
2. Martin Pepa 4
3. Jeff Hall 8
4. Francisco Escobar 1
Total 13