MORGAN CREEK DEFEATS PINECROFT TO WIN WYNDHAM DRAKE GOLD CUP
By Karen Martino
In a repeat of the last tournament hosted by the Chicago International Polo Club, Morgan Creek defeated Pinecroft 13-12 to win the Wyndham Drake Gold Cup on Sunday, August 17, at the Oak Brook Polo Grounds.
The winning Morgan Creek team with the coveted Wyndham Drake Gold Cup trophy – Jose Aguilar, Julian Aguilar, Vale Aguilar and Angelo Kleronomos, with Kerry Mickelson, GM of the Wyndham Drake Oak Brook Hotel.
Morgan Creek was undefeated going into the finals, with victories over Dahlwood 14-5, Pinecroft 16-13 and Villa del Lago 12-9. Pinecroft defeated Villa del lago 14-13 and Dahlwood 12-8 to reach the finals.
The game started fast, with Julian Aguilar scoring three strong field goals in the first chukker for Morgan Creek, while Antonio Galvan and Francisco Bilbao answered with three goals for Pinecroft. Julian Aguilar found the goal posts again early in the second period, but Bilbao quickly tied the score with an accurate neckshot.
Pinecroft’s Galvan converted a Penalty 3 to pull ahead briefly, but their early lead was short lived, as Morgan Creek’s Vale Aguilar carried the ball 60 yards to the north goal to tie the score at 5-5.
Morgan Creek came out smoking in the third chukker, with all three Aguilars (Jose Aguilar played instead of Dean Kleronomos in the final match) finding the mark, while holding Pinecroft scoreless, for an 8-5 half-time lead.
The fourth and fifth chukkers belonged to Pinecroft, who narrowed the score to 10-9 going into the sixth. Bilbao scored two goals, the first on a beautiful pass from Jim Drury, while Galvan and Diego Arellano tallied one each. On the Morgan Creek side, Julian Aguilar and Vale Aguilar each found the mark.
The final chukker was pure excitement, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats. Early in the period, with Angelo Kleronomos playing strong defense, Vale Aguuilar scored on a breakaway to pull Morgan Creek ahead 11-9. Bilbao answered with a foreshot to goal from 60 yards out, and Galvan converted two penalties to pull Pinecroft ahead by a goal! With two minutes left, an infraction by Pinecroft gave Vale Aguilar the opportunity to tie the score at 12-12. Then, with seconds remaining, Vale Aguilar converted a Penalty 4 for a 13-12 victory.
Julian Aguilar’s superb play earned him MVP honors, while Antonio Galvan’s 7-year-old Argentine Thoroughbred mare, Mora, received the Best Playing Pony award.
“She is one of my favorite horses,” Galvan said. “I played her in the second and last chukker. I can always depend on her to play well for me.”
Trophies were presented by Kerry Mickelson, general manager of the Wyndham Drake Oak Brook Hotel, sponsor of the tournament. The Wyndham Drake is the oldest tournament played at Oak Brook, where it has been played since 1962, the year the hotel opened across the street from Oak Brook’s old International Field.
“We have a long history with polo at Oak Brook, and we are pleased to continue this relationship with polo in the community,” Mickelson commented.
A benefit for the Graue Mill and Museum took place throughout the afternoon under the main tent, sponsored by Ronald McDonald House Charities, Crawford Group Sotheby’s International Realty of Hinsdale, and Van-Lang Foods. The Mill opened in 1852 and is the oldest working gristmill and waterwheel in the Midwest. It is located in the Historic Gateway District between Oak Brook and Hinsdale, Illinois.
In the second match of the day, Arranmore defeated Villa del Lago 10-9 in a preliminary match in the Morgan Creek Cup. Anthony Garcia and Tim Greene had the hot sticks for Arranmore, with five goals each, while Maco Llambias led the scoring for Villa del Lago with four goals.
Trophies were presented by Bonnie Sartore, chairperson of the Graue Mill fundraiser.
Wyndham Drake Gold Cup
Morgan Creek – Jose Aguilar (3T)/Dean Kleronomos (2), Julian Aguilar (4), Vale Aguilar (5), Angelo Kleronomos (A). Pinecroft – Diego Arellano (1), Francisco Bilbao (6), Antonio Galvan (5), Jim Drury (A). Villa del Lago – Jim Zenni (A), Jared Zenni (A), Augustin Obregon (3), Maco Llambias (6). Dahlwood – Peyton Wigdahl (A), David Wigdahl (3), Gonzalo Teves (4), Anthony Garcia (5).
Morgan Creek Cup
Arranmore – John Greene (1), Tod Rackley (3), Anthony Garcia (5), Tim Greene (2). Villa del Lago – Jim Zenni (A), Jared Zenni (A), Augustin Obregon (3), Maco Llambias (6). Morgan Creek – Dean Kleronomos (2), Julian Aguilar (4), Vale Aguilar (5), Angelo Kleronomos (A). Pinecroft – Diego Arellano (1), Francisco Bilbao (6), Antonio Galvan (5), Jim Drury (A).