ESPN to film finals of sport’s most prestigious tournament series at New Bridge Polo and Country Club, September 22nd. Adolfo Cambiaso – world’s greatest player returns to Aiken for TCP event.
Aiken, SC – Polo in Aiken will be featured in front of a worldwide television audience as the third and final leg of the 2007 Triple Crown of Polo (TCP) championship series takes place at New Bridge Polo and Country Club this fall. The TCP presents a 20-22 goal tournament that kicks off with a launch party on September 5 and concludes on Saturday September 22 when action from the finals will be taped for television by ESPN for distribution on the ESPN 2 and ESPN International networks, reaching more than196 countries in twelve different languages.
Many of the sport’s leading players are expected to converge on Aiken, vying for the chance to put their name on the coveted Triple Crown of Polo trophy, a solid silver work of art, handmade by Tiffany and Co. and called “the most magnificent trophy in all of sport,” by famous artist LeRoy Neiman. Adolfo Cambiaso – the Tiger Woods of the sport and without doubt the world’s leading polo player – returns to Aiken for the Triple Crown of Polo, playing for the home team of New Bridge. “Whenever you take the polo field at the same time as Adolfo Cambiaso – with him or against him – it’s an incredible honor,” said New Bridge Polo and Country Club co-founder Russ McCall who sponsors the New Bridge team. “I am looking forward to playing again with him and Matias [Magrini] this September.”
The Triple Crown of Polo sports three weekend feature games on Sunday September 9 and 16 and Saturday September 22. Spectators can select from several options for viewing the tournament games, from private cabanas and luxury sky-boxes to individual VIP tickets for the Chairman’s Club inside the Lexus Oasis. There will also be fieldside tailgating spots as well as general admission. Tickets will go on sale in late June.
Entering its third season, the TCP is the first multi-market tournament in the sport’s history, providing a worldwide stage for sponsors and teams competing to showcase Aiken and its wonderful polo. TCP is a unique tournament that, through television, takes its audience inside the personal lifestyle of the players, participants and owners. The broadcast reaches the active and affluent audience with whom polo resonates. The TCP series takes place in Sarasota, Florida, Santa Barbara, California and concludes with the third leg in Aiken. Founding sponsors for the TCP are Tiffany and Co. and Lexus.
“We are delighted to host the Triple Crown of Polo this year,” said McCall. “Last year we drew a record crowd for the finals of the Gold Cup. This year we are playing for the third leg of the Triple Crown of Polo and the prestige of a televised event for ESPN. With these components we hope that the support for this world-renowned polo tournament will continue to grow and that the community will continue to support polo in Aiken by coming out to watch.”
The first leg of the Triple Crown of Polo from Sarasota, Florida will air Saturday, June 23 at 1:00 P.M. (EST) on ESPN 2.
About Triple Crown of Polo
The Triple Crown of Polo (TCP) is the first multi-market tournament series in the sport’s history and provides sponsors a unique opportunity to reach the loyal fans of world-class polo competitions. ESPN has an exclusive agreement for coverage of the TCP across multiple ESPN outlets, including domestic and international television rights. TCP national sponsors for 2007 are Lexus and Tiffany and Co. LeRoy Neiman, the most popular living artist in the United States, is the Official Artist of the Triple Crown of Polo. For more information, visit www.triplecrownofpolo.com.
Triple Crown of Polo CALENDAR
September 5 – Launch party featuring the tournament draw
and player introduction (Willcox Hotel)
September 9 – First Sunday feature game at 4:00 PM (New Bridge Polo and Country Club)
September 16 – Second Sunday feature game at 4:00 PM (New Bridge Polo and Country Club)
September 19 – Semi-final games (New Bridge Polo and Country Club)
September 21 – 2007 Polo Ball – Celebration of Aiken’s 125th
Anniversary of the Aiken Polo Club and Whitney Field at 6:30 PM (Green Boundary Club)
September 22 – Triple Crown of Polo Championship 3:00 PM (New Bridge Polo and Country Club)
For more information call the Aiken Downtown Development Association on 803 649 2221 or visit www.triplecrownofpolo.com