WHITE BIRCH AND LAS MONJITAS REACH BUTLER FINAL
WELLINGTON, FL — The semi-finals for the Butler Handicap a tournament played since 1974 in honor of Paul Butler and the Butler Family of Oak Brook, Illinois were played today at International Polo Club Palm Beach. In the first match Las Monjitas regained its winning form to defeat Zacara 17-11 and White Birch held off a charging Orchard Hill 13-11.
Adam Snow of Las Monjitas had one of his best games of the season as he led his team with nine goals scoring in every chukker except the fourth. The game remained close through four chukkers as Las Monjitas held a 10-8 lead over Zacara. But, Las Monjitas scored five unanswered goals in the fifth and added two more in the sixth to capture the lopsided victory and advance to Sunday’s Final.
White Birch had a comfortable four goal lead 12-8 over Orchard Hill going into the final chukker. Orchard Hill wasn’t ready to concede, however, as they charged back with three goals only to have the game put out of reach by White Birch’s Pancho Bensadon who scored his eighth goal of the afternoon for the 13-11 victory.
Las Monjitas and White Birch will play in the Butler Handicap final at noon Sunday, March 29, followed at 3 PM by the Piaget Gold Cup final between Audi and Lechuza Caracas on the International Field.
The USPA Gold Cup has been played since 1974 and 2009 marks the third year for the tournament at International Polo Club Palm Beach. This year, the eight team field was divided into two brackets. First and second place from each bracket cross played in the semi finals and the winners move on to the Gold Cup Final.
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.
LAS MONJITAS 4-2-2-2-5-2=17 (Adam Snow 9 goals)
ZACARA 1-2-2-3-0-3=11 (Carlos Gracida 5 goals)
WHITE BIRCH 3-2-3-3-1-1=13 (Pancho Bensadon 8 goals)
ORCHARD HILL 2-2-1-1-2-3=11 (Pablo MacDonough 5 goals)