The Polo Report
By Steve Crowder
Back east they are still trying to find a place dry enough to play. The current news is that the semis will be on Monday. They might air it on Monday on the Polo channel 2.30 and 3.30 Eastern standard time.
California’s Jesse Bray is in one of them, with PB Illustrated. He is playing former Pee Wee star Jeff Hall from EDPC.
Friday set the stage for today and it was a reverse situation to say the least. At El Dorado it was Pheasant Hollow thrashing Domrey in a game that really did not matter, as both were in the 7-goal finals. In the 12-Goal it was Bush league destroying Antelope by 6 as that sent to a shootout for finals. Twin Palms came out 1st and a long 4 shot series saw Bush League again beat Antelope for the #2 spot in the finals of the Coachella Cup.
SUNDAY WAS ANOTHER DAY AND WAS IT EVER ;
7 GOAL FINALS PHEASANT HOLLOW VS DOMREY
YOU MIGHT SAY IT WAS A WIPE OUT. Joseph Stuart looked like he might catch fire. He was so hot and his Patron, well he does have a name Champ Roth, and this man is going up the ladder asap. Domrey just went coast to coast so much that no one noticed the weather blowing in. By 1/2 time it was a huge margin, but they did not stop and as the clock ticked down. At the end of 5 it was 14 to 5 and time to end it. Needless to say Domrey are the Champs with a Champ named Roth. Well done!
12 GOAL FINALS – TWIN PALMS VS BUSH LEAGUE
There is a very unique person on this Twin Palms team and he is also the Patron. I call him “Silent Chris.” His name is Chris Maloney and until recently he was head of a huge co. called TriTech. Chris sold Tritche and is retired. I guess he is going pro as a polo player now because he was the executive on the field today. Chris scored 5 of the teams 9 goals and easily won MVP. There was no doubt about it. Bush League, led by Jason Crowder, who scored 11 goals in Antelope win to get here, needed to save some for today. Chris equaled their total for the game. It was a good game, but never was Twin Palms not in control as they led every minute of it. Well done MR. MVP Silent Chris no more.
Some interesting observations I saw today. It could be the ground work for great polo in the future. Besides Chris Maloney, who has been a good player even when he seldom got to ride, there are also some new young guns from the corporate world, who may just be big soon. Champ Roth is a star … almost… if he gets the time. His two buddies, who I would guess are also partners in business, are a year or so behind Champ. They are getting it done . Virgil Kyle and Ryan Robertson. These 3 patrons could be the Cover men for the future. They like the game, they play the game and they have TALENT.
JAN. CHAMPS
DOMREY
Champ Roth
Dayle Fargy
Joseph Stuart
Doug Blumenthal
TWIN PALMS
Remy Muller
Graham Bray
Santi Wolf
Chris Maloney MVP
EMPIRE POLO CLUB … WHAT A FINAL WEEKEND!
This is an amazing place no matter where you go. Empire does everything in an amazing way. Friday was just a day of good polo and a little fun at the Tack Room Tavern, located onsite at the Club. Saturday was an annual event @ Empire which is an example of why Alex Haagen makes money at a Polo Club. He puts on a private event called The Blue & White Party, which has a Hollywood setting, unbelievable food (Argentine Asado by Carlos Cremaschi and crew) and service music and dancing. The guest list had stars all over including the Face of POLO, Nacho Figueras, who will also be playing at Empire over the next 2 months WOW! Thanks EMPIRE and THE HAAGENS 3 & 4. This was awesome for 500 of your best friends and Polo Club Members. The staff of Empire from Bianca to the Chef Carlos Cremaschi, are simply outstanding … and Tony gets it done. Then there is Sunday with the finals and lots of Titos Handmade Vodka, who’s owner Tito Beveridge, was a polo player too.
It was Roseville Motors and Ashton Wolf taking on Mr. Torrey Ripinsky and Reg White of the Thermal/Chapel Hill squad. It was the car people saving the day and collecting the big one in front of a huge crowd on a Titos Sunday. Well done and what a great weekend.
This Super Bowl Sunday they will have it all at Empire … a Super Bowl Party at Polo with big screen football and Polo at the greens with a lot of Titos and food. See you there.
Feb. leagues start on Friday, FEb. 5th and they will play polo here … we do not fear RAIN.
see ya @ Polo