Just a quick report to let you know we had the largest crowd ever out for the 16 goal US Arena Open. Despite being rained out last week (and losing a couple of teams as a result) we had two complete sets of semi final matches on Wed. and Thurs, capped with the Championship game before a complete sellout crowd at Great Meadow on Saturday night.
In a demonstration of the power of team work over individual skill, the victory went to the pro-am Nash Tigers (sponsored by Alan Nash of Warrenton, VA) who defeated an all pro team with a three handicap advantage that included two previous winners of multiple Arena Open championships. It was a very tough and exciting game, and the huge (somewhere close to 2,000) crowd really got into it.
Hosting the VIP social scene was Ambassador Don Ensenat, US Chief of Protoco who attracted a bevy of the Georgetown set. We also had over a hunderd students from the Washington, DC, universities (including the entire Delta Phi Epsilon fraternity) and several groups of them announced Sat. nite that they will now be lobbying their repective schools to start Polo Clubs. The apres game dancing and party lasted till 1am.
Contrary to many misperceptions in the polo community, our experience is that Arena (we call it Stadium) polo can be exciting, crowd drawing and a contributor to the growth of the sport by bringing a new (and more urban) generation in.
Phill Karber
President
Great Meadow Polo Club