ARGENTINE FUNDRAISER HIGHLIGHTS OAK BROOK POLO SEASON
By Karen Martino
More than 1,000 spectators enjoyed an afternoon of polo and cultural activities at the Oak Brook Polo Club on Sunday, September 19, a fitting finale for a very successful season.
The Argentine American Chamber Polo Cup 2007, sponsored by the Argentine American Midwest Chamber of Commerce and the Consulate General of Argentina, benefited the Chamber of Commerce.
In addition, the Chicago Chapter of Clipped Wings, an organization of retired and current United flight attendants, hosted a fundraiser for The Deicke Home, a residence for adults with developmental disabilities..
Tango Sur, one of the top Argentine restaurants in Chicago, prepared an authentic asado (barbecue) at the field; while Buenos Aires Forever, an Argentine bakery, offered a vast array of pastries. An Argentine wine merchant introduced spectators to a variety of wines.
The featured match of the day was USA vs. Argentina in the fourth annual Argentine American Chamber Polo Cup. The teams were led onto the field by two gauchos, brothers Sergio and Hector Urquiza from Salta, Argentina, carrying flags of the USA and Argentina. Dressed in native costumes, they rode Peruvian Paso Fino horses.
Team USA – Jim Zenni, Agustin Obregon, Mariano Obregon Jr. and Jared Zenni – held a sizable lead throughout the match, until the sixth chukker, when Team Argentina tied the score at 10-10, to the delight and cheers of the large Argentine contingent in attendance. Less than two minutes into overtime, an infraction by Argentina gave 12-year-old Jared Zenni the opportunity to convert for an 11-10 victory.
Argentina – John Greene, Miguel Gutierrez, Tim Greene and Clifton Yandell – got off to a slow start, trailing 2-7 at halftime (with goals by Gutierrez and Tim Greene). USA came out fired up, with Mariano Obregon scoring two goals in the first chukker, while cousin Augustin Obregon and Jared Zenni added one each to lead 4-1. By the half, Mariano Obregon had scored two more goals for USA, while Jared Zenni added one.
Early in the fourth period, Jared Zenni converted a Penalty 3 to put his team ahead 8-2. But then Argentina came alive! Gutierrez scored three back-to-back goals, taking the ball at the throw-in and carrying it to goal to score. Argentina’s scoring spree continued in the fifth chukker, with Tim Greene converting a Penalty 3 and scoring on a beautiful pass from John Greene to close the gap to 7-8. Late in the chukker, Jim Zenni carried the ball from midfield and passed it to Mariano Obregon, who handily put it through the goal to go up 9-7.
Mariano Obregon scored USA’s only goal in the sixth period, on a breakaway, while Tim Greene converted three penalties for Argentina to tie the score at 10-all, forcing sudden-death.
The excitement mounted as the teams rode back onto the field, but Argentina’s hope for conquest was soon thwarted, as a foul occurred and young Jared Zenni put the ball through the uprights for his fourth goal of the match and a victory for USA.
Trophies were presented by Jaime Rojkind, President of the Argentine American Chamber of Commerce; and Dario Ruiz, Secretary of the Chamber, who was instrumental in organizing the event. In addition to the beautiful trophies, the winning players received round-trip tickets to Argentina, compliments of American Airlines!
USA – Jared Zenni (B), Jim Zenni (A) Agustin Obregon (2), Mariano Obregon Jr. (6).
Argentina – John Greene (1), Miguel Gutierrez (4), Tim Greene (2), Clifton Yandell (1).