LATEST NEWS FROM THE MUSEUM OF POLO & HALL OF FAME – December 2010
MUSEUM ANNOUNCES HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES FOR 2011
After the course of the lengthy nomination process, it is the honor of the Nominating Committee and Board of Directors for the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame to announce that the new inductees to the Hall of Fame have been chosen. On Friday, February 18th, 2011 the following will be inducted: Stephen A. Orthwein, Charles Cary Rumsey (posthumous Hall of Fame), Merle Jenkins for the Philip Iglehart Award, Jules Romfh (posthumous Iglehart Award), Tommy Wayman’s great pony La Fortuna (ponies after 1950) and for ponies before 1950, Tenby, who carried Devereux Milburn from 1911 – 1921. Scroll down to read Inductees bios.
The Induction Ceremony & Dinner Gala will be held at the Museum of Polo and all are invited to join in honoring these deserving individuals as they are welcomed into polo’s Hall of Fame. Tickets are $200.00 each and it is a black tie event. Cocktail reception and Silent Auction begins at 6:30 followed dinner, awards ceremony and dancing. Please contact Brenda Lynn at the Museum of Polo for further information – (561) 969-3210, e-mail: polomuseum@att.net. Make sure to reserve your seats early as seating is limited.
Since many have asked what the requirements are and what the process is to be nominated to the Polo Hall of Fame, it should be understood that Nominations for the Hall of Fame can be made by anyone in the polo community. All recommendations are to be submitted to the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame in writing, accompanied by a biographical resume of the candidate and the specific reasons for such recommendations (why you think the person is a good candidate for the Hall of Fame).
Any person who has contributed to the game in an extraordinary and honorable manner shall be eligible for election to the Polo Hall of Fame, whether by dedication to the sport or by ability and record as a player. Foreign players may be inducted if it is determined they have been a significant factor in polo in the United States.
The Philip Iglehart Award, established in 2001, is given to recognize exceptional lifetime contributions to the sport of polo on either a regional or national level.
Realizing that the horse is the heart of the game, the Horses to Remember category was created in 2000. This award is presented to recognize outstanding polo ponies whose achievements on the field were singled out by contemporary judges in tournaments and shows, and by other experts as worthy of special recognition. Consideration is given, but not limited to recipients of the Willis Hartman Award and Best Playing Pony winners in the major U.S.P.A. tournaments.
The “Nominating Committee”, named by the Board of Directors of the Museum and Polo Hall of Fame, is charged with evaluating the relative merits of the persons recommended, and after a lengthy process of discussions, comparisons and voting, then submits its selections to the Board of Directors for election.
SPONSORSHIPS AND SILENT AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED FOR HALL OF FAME DINNER
The Museum needs your support to make the Hall of Fame Dinner a success. This is our most important fund-raiser of the year. Without your donations we cannot continue our mission to preserve the history and tradition of the sport of polo for the generations of the future.
TABLE SPONSORSHIPS – Continuing the successful format of the last few years, we will again for the 2011 gala feature “Sponsor Tables” for the hors d’oeuvres for the Grand Reception preceding the Dinner and Awards Ceremony. Each table will bear the signage of its sponsor, be it a polo team, company or names of the sponsoring individuals. Sponsorships are still available at $5,000 (the tax deductible portion is $4,000) and includes one table for 10 for the dinner, the afore-mentioned signage and verbal recognition at the dinner. An Entertainment Sponsorship is also available for $6,000 with signage in the main tent, verbal recognition throughout the evening by the Band and a table for 10.
We are happy to welcome back return sponsors Barb Uskup/302, International Polo Club Palm Beach, Marc and Melissa Ganzi, Grand Champions Polo Club and Robert Lipman and Lipman Brothers, Brown- Forman, and welcome new sponsors Glen and Gloria Holden.
SILENT AUCTION – We have started collecting Silent Auction Items, so please let me know if you have anything you would like to donate – we really need help getting some great things like vacation or dinner packages, jewelry, art, gift baskets, spa certificates, upscale decorator items – and you famous polo players out there – could you offer polo lessons or a signed jersey? The possibilities are endless and we really need your support.
Don’t miss your opportunity to show your support for the Museum and the Hall of Fame Inductees. Please call me or e-mail me for further details and information. Brenda Lynn (561) 371-1569, e-mail: polomuseum@att.net. Looking forward to hearing from you!
WALK OF FAME BRICKS – A Great Gift Idea – Still time to order for Christmas if you act now – We are now taking orders for the latest group of bricks to be installed before the Hall of Fame Dinner. Please contact Brenda at the Museum right away to reserve your place in polo history with a brick in the Museum’s Walk of Fame. There is also a special area designated for Intercollegiate/Interscholastic recognition. For further details, call Brenda (561) 969-3210, fax: (561) 964-8299, e-mail: polomuseum@att.net. Bricks are 8 x 8 and allow 5 lines, from 14 – 18 characters per line. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT A CHRISTMAS GIFT WE CAN SEND OUT A CERTIFICATE ADVISING THAT A BRICK WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE RECIPIENT’S HONOR.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE MUSEUM OF POLO
The Museum of Polo has an ongoing mission to preserve the rich history and tradition of our sport. For us to continue to do so, we need your help. If you would like to contribute to the Museum to help continue its mission of preserving the history and tradition of polo, please send your tax-deductible contributions now. We welcome gifts of cash, securities or other negotiable instruments. For further details, please call the Museum at (561) 969-3210. Please make checks payable to: The Museum of Polo and send to 9011 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, FL 33467.
The Museum of Polo is a 501 (c) 3, not-for-profit, educational organization. We exist solely through the generous donations of our contributors. Thank you for your support
George DuPont with Mike Uretz at Santa Barbara Polo Club.
TRAVELING EXHIBIT CELEBRATES PACIFIC COAST OPEN
Thanks to the generosity of Amb. and Mrs. Glen Holden, the Museum’s traveling exhibit was on display in sunny Santa Barbara for the finals of the historic 100th Anniversary of the Pacific Coast Open Tournament. Thanks to the efforts of Chase Design, the exhibit was revamped with many new, never-before-seen photos of Santa Barbara and the PCO and also featured a stand-alone display that reviewed the history and highlights of the tournament. Included as part of the hospitality tent of PCO sponsor “Bombardier”, it was a very popular gathering spot as polo enthusiasts old and new stopped to chat, swap stories and enjoy looking at the wonderful old photos. The Museum is also working on an exhibit that will be on display to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Santa Barbara Polo Club for 2011. Hope to see you there!