8 Teams Committed to Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club is gearing up for the 2009 20 goal season. The defending Bombardier Pacific Coast Open Champion Audi Polo Team will be returning to defend their title, as well as Bombardier PCO runners up Grants Farm. Other teams returning from a successful 2008 season are Zacara (2007 Champions) and Texas teams Lucchese and ERG. They will be joined by newcomer Bob Jornayvaz, who hails from Colorado, and his Valiente team. Ben Soleimani is bringing his Mansour team back to Santa Barbara after a year’s hiatus, and Carlos Gracida, who played with Lucchese last year, is putting together a team as well. Two other sponsors have expressed interest and have reserved a spot with deposits, so there will be plenty of high goal polo action in Santa Barbara this summer.
The 20 goal season kicks off with the Mayor’s Trophy which runs from July 9- July 19, followed by the Robert Skene Trophy which goes from July 22- August 2. For the USPA America Cup (August 5- August 16) the competition between the teams really heats up as everyone starts eyeing the big tournament- the Bombardier Pacific Coast Open, which runs from August 19- Sept 6. The Bombardier PCO is the most competitive and prestigious 20 goal tournament on the West Coast and will showcase world class polo players and ponies giving it their all on the spectacular SBPRC polo fields.