Ligara Farm, a women’s polo team, will compete against predominantly all-male teams in a three-week co-ed tournament in Aiken, South Carolina
Ligara Farm Polo Team Set to Compete in the Aiken Polo Club Corey Cup 4-Goal September 23 – October 16
Ligara Farm, a women’s polo team, in partnership with Breezy Hill South, realtor Mike Hosang of the Carolina Company, Bespoke Fine Interiors and Kelly Klee Private Insurance are proud to announce the roster for the Corey Cup 4-Goal which will take place September 23 – October 16 at Aiken Polo Club. Women have entered a team to compete against men in only a few instances in England, Argentina and the United States—this will be an unprecedented event in Aiken, South Carolina.
“Women against men generates excitement and interest among all sexes. There was so much interest in sponsoring our team and becoming a part of this historical event,” said team captain Theresa King. “Women are advancing so far in the general sports arena, but in polo there is a serious lack of value placed on women as serious contributing players. This tournament will showcase women’s commitment and talent in the sport of polo.”
Ligara Farm will boast some of the best woman polo players in the world. Headed by King, the Ligara Farm line-up will feature Team USPA member and King’s daughter, Cristina Fernandez, as well as 23-year-old 2-goaler Tiva Gross from Kenya, Africa, and 2000 International Womens’ Polo Association player of the year and Atlanta, Georgia, native Jolie Liston. The tournament schedule for Ligara Farm consists of three guaranteed games and a final, all open to the public. The championship on October 16 will be the highlighted 3:00pm ET Sunday match at Aiken Polo Club. Held on the historic Whitney Field, one of the oldest consecutively played on fields in the country, the Sunday game is expected to attract as many as 800 spectators.
All polo tournaments are considered co-ed unless specifically designated as a women’s tournament. The rating system in polo is very similar to golf. Each player carries a handicap and in polo women carry two handicaps; a “women’s” handicap, which is used for women-only tournaments and a regular co-ed polo handicap. Ligara Farm will compete with their co-ed handicaps in a male-dominated tournament and challenge typically all-male teams. “I am looking forward to playing with an all-woman team in a tournament of mostly men. This is not very common and I look forward to raising the bar for women players everywhere,” said Liston.
Polo in Aiken has a rich and powerful 132-year-old history. Polo players and enthusiasts travel from all corners of the world to play in Aiken. Aiken’s professional players are world-class and the caliber of polo matches is distinguishably high for the United States. The Ligara Farm team offers brands high visibility in an elegant and social sports setting, and a unique opportunity to connect with one of the world’s oldest and most powerful sports.