MORGAN CREEK IS VICTORIOUS IN PINECROFT CUP. By Karen Martino. Morgan Creek sailed to a 12-7 victory over Villa del Lago in the finals of the Pinecroft Cup at the Oak Brook Polo Grounds on Sunday, July 9. The tournament was hosted by the Chicago International Polo Club, and was played over a two-week period with four teams participating.
Vale Aguilar had the hot stick for Morgan Creek, tallying six goals, two on penalty conversions. Teammates Fred Castro, Dean Kleronomos and Miguel Gutierrez added one, two and three goals respectively. Castro filled in for patron Angelo Kleronomos, who is recovering from an injury.
Villa del Lago started with two goals on handicap, but by half-time Morgan Creek had pulled ahead 7-6. Morgan Creek continued their scoring spree in the second half, holding Villa del Lago to one goal in the fourth, by Rafael Obregon, for a final score of 12-7.
Mariano Obregon Jr. scored three for Villa del Lago (two on penalty conversions) and Agustin Obregon added one. Patron Jim Zenni took the ball to goal several times, barely failing to score.
Gutierrez’s excellent play earned him the Most Valuable Player award, while Mariano Obregon Jr.’s 9-year-old Thoroughbred mare, Zorra, was judged Best Playing Pony.
In their first match of the tournament, Villa del Lago defeated Morgan Creek 11-9 and sailed past Arranmore 11-7. Morgan Creek squeaked by Arranmore 12-11 and outscored Pinecroft 13-9 to reach the finals. Pinecroft defeated Arranmore 10-7 and also defeated Villa del Lago 11-9, which would have taken them to the finals had they won by three goals instead of two.
The photo captions are:
The winning Morgan Creek team in the Pinecroft Cup: Fred Castro, Vale Aguilar, Miguel Gutierrez and Dean Kleronomos. On the far left is Jim Drury, captain of the Pinecroft team, who sponsored the tournament. On the right is Angelo Kleronomos, who is recovering from an injury.
Miguel Gutierrez was named Most Valuable Player of the match. (Photo by Karen Martino Photography)
Best Playing Pony honors in the Pinecroft Cup went to Zorra, a 9-year-old Thoroughbred mare owned by Mariano Obregon Jr.
Morgan Creek – Fred Castro (0), Miguel Gutierrez (4), Valerio Aguilar (6), Dean Kleronomos (2).
Villa del Lago – Jim Zenni (0), Agustin Obregon (2), Marinao Obregon Jr. (5), Rafael Obregon (3).
Pinecroft Farm – Juan Martin Obregon (1), Gonzalo Teves (3), Antonio Galvan (6), Jim Drury (1).
Arranmore – Facundo Obregon (3), Tim Greene (3), Carlucho Arellano (5), John Greene (1).