Day two was Sunday May 3. Just short of Cinco De Mayo, but it was the first weekend of Polo in Santa Barbara. The 12-goal started at the Santa Barbara Polo Club where 5 teams are competing in the first of four, two-week tournaments thru May and June. Friday was really the first day of polo and Opening Day as 4 of the 5 teams hit turf running.
Game 1 was Farmers & Merchants stopping Wildcats/Grant’s Farm by a goal or two. It was a young gun named Derrick Berg. It is his first time here subbing for Ryan Gilbertson. Another young gun named Davis Samiego filling in for young Charlie Walker won this one, but it was not Sunday. In game 2 on Friday it was Geoff Palmer and his Antelope team stopping Klentner Ranch.
Today it was do or die for the losers on Friday and the 1 PM game was Farmers and Merchants dueling with a brand new team in California called Hawk Hill. Phil Mactaggart and his team who we are so happy to have in the world of Santa Barbara Polo. Thanks for coming! He is said to be out of Ireland, but has had a very successful team in NY the last few years. We welcome Mactaggart and Hawks Hill to California.
Mactaggart’s Opening Day was a tough one as they could not stop the Palomino (Jason Crowder) and Smokin’ Joe Henderson. With a huge push from Henry Walker, their Patron, and their young gun David S. they were stopped from the WIN section in the end.
Game 2 was GF/Wild Cats vs Klentner Ranch and Justin Klentner. It was Opening Sunday and there was a great crowd for Santa Barbara. This is where the Young Gun, Derrek Berg from MN, shined so much as he may have improved a goal from Fri. The Minnesota Bullet was definitely on today as Friday he played very good. Today he was amazing for a 0-goal player. He scored 4 goals. For a player coming out of the woods this youngster reminds me of Herndon Radcliff in a hurry. The whole team was playing very well. Charlie Peterson took Andy Busch’s place. He did an amazing job for Andy Busch. Josey (Joseph Stuart) was on fire and Santi kept them in line. So after two games it looks like this:
Grants Farm/Wildcats 1 – 1
Farmers and Merchants 2 – 0
Hawks Hill 0 – 1
Klentner Ranch 0 – 2
Antelope 1 – 0
Frday will be a big day as the winners will probably meet on Sunday for the finals.
Farmers and Merchants vs Antelope
Hawk Hill vs Klentner Ranch
Santa Barbara may have turned the corner. Opening Friday was well attended, the Friday night Party was very good and Sunday was the best crowd in several years and not perfect weather. It was bit cool and there was a breeze, but hey it was not a 100 degrees so live on.
San Diego is in full motion to open on the 1st of June. They are looking so GOOD as Party Town already has a huge booking for Opening Day. When looking for ideas on how to showcase Polo Call Lindsay at San Diego Polo. She is the best and it does make it happen ASAP.
If anyone is looking to play the High-Goal in Santa Barbara during July and August, we can help make it happen! We need you and we will do all the work to make it happen. There is no better weather in the World than here. You will not be disappointed. Bring a team or we can build what you need. Two months of fabulous polo.
See ya Friday @ the Party.