There was plenty of action at the finals of the Spreckels Cup, the biggest tournament in the Golden State this year. A fired- up 6 goal Final was probably the best game as it was a Civil War between Father and Son versus Mom and son. Casa Blanca with Mom Ronai White and son Rege with the Wolf Man (Ashton Wolf) and Father Carlos Galindo took on a very good OC POLO with their head honcho the Latin Lover (Rick Pacius) showing Saturday was just a bad day. He likes the crowd. He was just cruising Saturday so he would be ready for the party on Sunday. Rick was on fire Sunday making many big plays to help Son Nicolas Gallindo (Son of Carlos Galindo on the opposing team)and the Surfer Diego Cossio do what they do best . . . win the play. Brand new grass man named Theo hit them the ball so many times it finally broke the Casa Blanca run to goal. It was Dudley’s Casa Blanca holding the lead, but the fighting OC just would not quit and finally took the lead in the 3rd for the final time. It was quite a feat for Rick and Theo, who are both brand new to grass Polo. It is so good to have their kind in the world of polo. They are fuun and exciting and oh yes Rick has a very cool wife named Robin who can hit the plastic as well. It was such a good performance and a very tough tournament all but 2 teams were capable of beating each other at anytime. It was Casa Blanca finishing the run of the M and M’s running for a repeat on Sat.
The big finals was the 14-goal which will probably move to 16-goal next year. It was limited to 6 teams this year and we hope to open up some more spots next year. It was a very good game, but it lacked real excitement for the first two chukkers. When the 2 # 1’s got going in the form of Alvaro Tadeo for Tri Tech and Thomas for Hanalei Bay then the big boys started to make it happen. It was the Doctor’s (Gaston Von Wernich’s) brother Federico Von Wernich, who was later voted MVP, who took charge and guided a hard-riding Silent Chris Maoney and his Tri Tech squad to the winners circle. In the second half it was Tritech cruising to a 4 goal lead and Hanalei Bay tried to make a run in the 6th. After 2 big goals it was the boss man taking control as Silent Chris took out a 7 goal player smashed a big backhander and his teammate got a penalty from the play and it was made. It was all over except for the crying and Tri Tech returned to the winners circle after a long wait. All in all they still cannot beat Madison Square, but Madison Square did not beat the rest of the pack like Tritech did.
THIS WAS AN AWESOME TOURNAMENT AND MONTH OF POLO IN SAN DIEGO. They had a party nearly ever polo night and they are bringing good fields, good players and a heck of a show to town. That’s what the Triple Crown people see… big crowds, fun people and it’s show time. Its going to get so much bigger. As we say goodbye to the Spreckels Tournament the winners are so happy and here is the way it was this final day.
Click here to view more photos of the Spreckels Cup Finals.
Champions of 2007
6-Goal – OC Polo
*Rick Paicius
Theo Wakeman
Nicolai Galindo
Diego Cossio.
14-Goal Champions – Tritech
Alvaro Tadeo
Federico Von Wernich
Gaston Von Wernich
*Chris Maloney
*= Captain/Sponsor
We are looking for more ladies for the Women’s Tournament this coming weekend. So if you are interested in playing, call Steve Crowder 805-896-4406.
See ya.
OC Polo won the finals of the 6-Goal and Tritech won the 14-Goal Finals.
Tritech Champions of the 14-Goal Spreckels Cup Finals. From left to right: Chris Maloney, Gaston Von Wernich, Federico Von Wernich and Alvaro Tadeo. Click here to view more photos of the Spreckels Cup Finals.
Hanalei Bay was the runner up of the 14-Goal Finals. From left to right: Ron Bonoguidi, Brandon Phillips, Tom Collingwood and Silvestre Donovan.
OC Polo Champions of the 6-Goal Spreckels Cup Finals. From left to right: Diego Cossio, Rick Paicius, Nicolai Galindo, Theo Wakefield.Click here to view more photos of the Spreckels Cup Finals.
Casa Blanca was the runner up for the 6-Goal Final. From left to right: Ronai White, Ashton Wolf, Carlos Galindo and Rege White.
Tomas Obregon won the Willis Allen Award for Best all-around young player, (under 30), judged on Sportsmanship, Horsemanship, and Playing Ability.
Shelley Geiler was awarded the Best Sportsmanship award for female players.
Sportsmanship male: Rick Paicius
Sportsmanship female: Shelly Geiler
Most Improved Player: Jay Thornton
MVP Female: Lisa Bosstick
MVP Male: Chris Maloney
Click here to view more photos of the Spreckels Cup Finals.
Source: Scott Lancaster, Manager of SDPC. Photos by Lynn Bremner, PoloZONE.com