Photos by Alex Pacheco.
WELLINGTON, FL – May 9, 2013 — KIG and Longfield return to action when Grand Champions Polo Club hosts the USPA Sun Cup, its fourth tournament of the spring season, on Friday and Sunday.
Five teams will compete Friday in opening day action known as “Friendly Fridays” at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Palm House, led by big-hitting 6-goaler Tommy Biddle, will play Longfield, led by 8-goaler Nic Roldan, in the opening six-chukker game at 11 a.m. on PB Polo Field 8.
KIG, led by 6-goaler Kris Kampsen and 5-goaler Juan Bollini; Pony Express, led by 6-goaler Tomas Goti; and ELG, led by 5-goalers Lucas Lalor and Carlucho Arellano, will compete in a round-robin beginning at 5 p.m. at Grand Champions Polo Club’s Field 1.
The teams are rated from 11 to 13 goals.
The 2013 spring circuit has been Grand Champions most competitive with three different champions emerging: ELG/Psycho Bunny (Palm City Open), Power Horse (Polo Gear Invitational) and Audi (USPA Spring Challenge).
The two-day USPA Sun Cup tournament also features some of the sport’s rising young stars including ELG’s Juancito Bollini, 17, a senior at Wellington High School, and Longfield’s 14-year-old Grant Ganzi, a freshman at St. Andrew’s.
Bollini and his father, Juan Bollini, have both won MVP awards during the first three weeks of the season. Bollini Jr. was named MVP at the Polo Gear Invitational after scoring five goals including the game-winner. Bollini Sr. was last weekend’s MVP for Piaget after rallying his team to a near-upset of Audi.
The consolation and championship final will be held Sunday at times to be announced.
KIG, 12 goals, Bash Kazi, Marc Ganzi, Kris Kampsen, Juan Bollini.
Pony Express, 11, Gene Goldstein, Bob Daniels, Tomas Goti, Pancho Eddy.
ELG, 12, Avery Chapman, Juancito Bollini, Lucas Lalor, Carlucho Arellano.
Palm House, 13, Martin Estrada, Glenn Straub, Carlitos Gracida, Tommy Biddle.
Longfield, 13, Hannah Buchan, Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Brandon Phillips.
People are still talking about last Sunday’s marathon thriller that featured a wild finish and Audi’s 11-10 shootout victory over Piaget. Marc Ganzi clinched the win with a 40-year penalty shot.
Juan Bollini will return to action for KIG despite still nursing a sore shoulder after getting hit with a polo ball.
The remaining Grand Champions spring tournaments are the May 17-19 USPA Eastern Challenge and May 24-27 Memorial by Piaget.
GRAND CHAMPIONS SPRING SCHEDULE
May 10-12: The USPA Sun Cup
May 17-19: USPA Eastern Challenge
May 24-27: The Memorial by Piaget
GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB
WHERE: On the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington.
INFORMATION: There are great field side views for tournament action at the home base of pro teams Audi and Piaget. Everyone is welcome to watch polo in a relaxed atmosphere during the spring and fall tournament season and other special events including the International Cup in November, Buzz Welker Memorial Junior Tournament in March, Women’s Championship Tournament and Gay Polo League International Tournament, both in April.
Sharon Robb for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com