Indio, CA (March 23, 2009) – It has been well documented about Julian Mannix’s Hawks polo team and the accomplishments of he and his young team-mates, Jesse Bray and Patrick Uretz, under the tutelage of teacher Joe Henderson in this year’s eight goal tournaments at the Eldorado Polo Club. Given little chance of even winning a game, they won both monthly leagues.
Things appeared to be normal then, in the final game of the eight goal Officer’s Cup, as the Hawks had a five goal lead (6 – 1) over Ronai White’s Casa Blanca at the end of two chukkers. In the third however, things became very abnormal, as Henderson went down severely and was out of the game with a broken collar bone and a dislocated thumb. Most of the gathered crowd were then giving the game to the White group as the young birds had lost their leader.
Enter Juan Curbello, who, compared to the teacher Henderson, was considered, at 21 years of age, to be nothing more than a teacher’s assistant. Stepping into a game cold is tough, but when you come in and have to replace someone who has done so much with three kids in two short months , it is exremely tough.
The lead of five became three at the half and dwindled to one after four as Casa Blanca’s Carlos Galindo did not let Curbello get on track, let alone teach. A three goal output for Galindo and crew in the fifth (including a penalty one), to but one for the young cast, gave Casa Blanca a 10 – 9 advantage going to the final frame and the birds appeared to be grounded.
It wasn’t to be however, as Curbello found some wings and flew, taking the youngsters with him and led them to a 12 – 11 win and a spot in history – no team had ever won all three eight goal tournaments.
For the champions, Curbello scored four goals, Henderson, Uretz, and Mannix had a pair each, with Bray providing one. An award of one at the start completed the total.
Scoring for the runners-up saw Galindo notch six, Nicolai Galindo add four, and Juan Jose Gonzales supply one.
With Mannix unable to play all games for the Hawks, the strength of Mike Jordan standing in, must be recognized.
Officer’s Cup Eight Goal – Eldorado Polo Club
Hawks (11) – Julian Mannix 1, Joe Henderson 4, Jesse Bray 2, Patrick Uretz, Juan Curbello4 (sub.for Henderson).
Casa Blanca (12) – Ronai White -1, Carlos Galindo 4, Nicolai Galindo 3, Juan Jose Gonzales 2.
Tony Gregg