KIG vs. Pony Express round robin game, Pony Express’ Pancho Eddy (3) pursues the ball with KIG defender Juan Bollini (4) closing in. Photos – Scott Fisher.
WELLINGTON, FL – May 10, 2013 — Longfield will make its first championship appearance against Pony Express in Sunday’s final of the USPA Sun Cup at Grand Champions Polo Club.
The fourth tournament of the 2013 spring season at Grand Champions featured five teams in Friday’s opening day action.
Longfield (Gavin Guinan/Grant Ganzi, Hannah Buchan, Brandon Phillips, Nic Roldan) advanced with a 5-3 victory over Palm House (Glenn Straub, Carlitos Gracida, Martin Estrada, Tommy Biddle) in Friday’s opening game at Palm City.
Grant Ganzi, who entered the game in the third chukker after his classes at St. Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, led scoring with two goals. Guinan, who started the game for Ganzi, Roldan and Phillips each added a goal.
Roldan and Phillips then headed to the airport for a flight to Mexico City where they will compete Saturday in the high goal game Mexico vs. The Rest of the World before returning for Sunday’s finale at Grand Champions.
Pony Express (Bob Daniels, Tomas Goti, Pancho Eddy, Gene Goldstein) earned the other championship spot by winning the three-team round robin late Friday afternoon.
In the first round robin game, Pony Express defeated KIG, 7-3, behind Eddy’s four goals and Goti’s two goals. Goldstein added one goal.
Pony Express also defeated ELG, 5-3. Eddy scored three goals and Goti added two despite a rainstorm bearing down. After a short rain delay, the game was completed.
During the game, ELG’s Lucas Lalor was hit with a polo ball on his right knee in the third chukker and was treated by medics. Still in obvious pain, he managed to return for the final 2:35 minutes of the game.
“We’re good… we’re happy with the way we played,” Daniels said. “It’s been very competitive every week. Our team is good. We want to finish strong.
“Mostly I have been playing with Justin (Daniels) but today Justin couldn’t play because it’s Mother’s Day weekend. The kids are honoring their mother.”
Added Goti, “This year we lost in the final two weekends ago. We are very happy to be in the final and very happy with the team. We have won many tournaments and we are trying to continue.”
In the other round robin game, ELG (Lucas Lalor, Juancito Bollini, Carlucho Arellano, Avery Chapman) edged KIG, 6-4. Arellano led scoring with four goals and Juancito Bollini added two goals.
The game featured father and son competing against each other. Juan Bollini, a former 8-goaler, played for KIG along with M. Z. Kazi, Kris Kampsen and Marc Ganzi. Kampsen led with two goals; Ganzi and Bollini each had one.
The 2013 spring season has been one of Grand Champions’ most competitive and will have a fourth different champion on Sunday. The other three tournament winners were ELG/Psycho Bunny (Palm City Open), Power Horse (Polo Gear Invitational) and Audi (USPA Spring Challenge).
The consolation and championship final will be held Sunday. The consolation game is at 10 a.m. and championship final at noon.
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