WHITE BIRCH CAPTURES 6TH BUTLER TROPHY
WELLINGTON, FL — It took four years but, White Birch captured its sixth Butler Handicap Trophy today by defeating Las Monjitas 8-7 at International Polo Club Palm Beach.
“We are very happy to have won this against such a tough opponent as Las Monjitas,” said White Birch captain Mariano Aguerre. Las Monjitas was behind early but battled its way back to a 5 goal tie in the fourth and a seven goal tie in the fifth chukker.
A small rain shower delayed the start of the final chukker. Following the delay, both teams showed their mastery at defense as neither was able to capitalize on long drives or solid passing. In the final minute it was a costly mistake by Las Monjitas in front of their own goal that set up the penalty shot by Pancho Bensadon that won the game. Bensadon finished the afternoon with five goals.
White Birch won the Butler trophy in 2000 through 2003 and again in 2005. Today marked their sixth championship in this tournament and keeps them on track with the most championships in polo. The Butler Handicap was one of the most coveted cups in polo for 31 years. It was played as a national tournament in Oak Brook, Illinois and was moved to Florida at the start of the millennium.
The Butler Handicap is a USPA sanctioned tournament played between the four teams not advancing to the semi-finals of the USPA Piaget Gold Cup. The Butler Family offered this coveted trophy to International Polo Club Palm Beach in honor of Paul Butler whose Oak Brook Polo Club provided high goal polo competitions in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.
Las Monjitas was also honored today for winning the IPC Cup. Earlier in the season they also were battling White Birch when an injury to Mariano Aguerre forced the play to be suspended with Las Monjitas leading. Scheduling conflicts and preparation for other tournaments prevented the game from resuming.
International Polo is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington and hosts professional polo tournaments through April and all are invited to attend. The premier game of the week is played at 3 PM every Sunday on the International Field and Stadium. Game information can be obtained by calling the polo hotline at 561-282-5290. Ticket and other information is at 561-204-5687 or on the web at www.internationalpoloclub.com.
WHITE BIRCH 2-2-1-0-2-1=8 (Pancho Bensadon 5 goals)
LAS MONJITAS 0-2-1-2-2-0=7 (Eduardo Astrada 5 penalty goals)