SBPRC concluded its fall season with the traditional “Last Chance” tournament, welcoming 8 teams from all over California for a great weekend of polo and sun.
There were two flights, a 2-4 goal flight and a 0-1 goal flight.
The 4 goal flight had a playoff round on Saturday, and a final and consolation on Sunday. Casa Sombras and Klentner Ranch/ Del Padre qualified for the final and played a fantastic open game that was neck and neck the entire time. The stars of the game were 12 year old players Jake Klenter (for Klentner Ranch) and 12 year old Conrad Kissling (for Casa Sombras). Casa Sombras eked out the victory 9-8 over Klentner Ranch. Conrad Kissling was named MVP, he scored all 5 of his team’s open goal penalty shot and played well above his handicap for the entire game. Federico Wulff’s mare Tatiana was selected BPP.
Ashton Wolf, Ernie Bautista, Bolko Kissling, Conrad Kissling, with Harrison Azzaro
Earlier that day Lee Pettigrew’s Mercari team won the upper flight consolation over Gehache and Edelweiss.
In the 1 goal flight round robin final, Glencito’s Angels scored a dramatic last second goal to win 8-7 over Ladrones Sueltos. However, they fell short in their comeback attempt against Zegers Electric, who won the that game 4-3 and defeated Ladrones Sueltos 6-4 to win the overall title in the 0-1 goal flight. Abe Hernandez was selected MVP and Domingo Questal’s mare “Mariah” was named BPP.
Notable this year were the multiple family teams. Gehache had a father-son-uncle combination, both Klentner Ranch/ del Padre and Casa Sombras featured a father-son duos, Edelweiss had a husband and wife paired with the father and son Questal combo, and although the other teams may not have been blood relations, after three days of polo and parties (sponsored by SBPRC, Gehache, and Mercari) everyone certainly felt part of the SBPRC polo family by the tournament’s end!
Photo credit to Kim Kumpart