Tag Archives: Grand Champions Polo Club

Grand Champions Polo Club’s Melissa Ganzi Elected to USPA Board of Governors

WELLINGTON, FL – August 24, 2013 — Melissa Potamkin Ganzi of Wellington has been elected to the Board of Governors for the United States Polo Association, the sport’s governing body.

Ganzi, owner of Grand Champions Polo Club, will begin her two-year term at the October 2-5 Fall Meetings at the Houstonian Hotel in Houston, Tex.

Ganzi is one of twelve new Governors-at-Large elected by USPA members.

Others elected to serve are Avery Chapman, an avid player at Grand Champions; Sunny Hale, top-ranked U.S. women’s player and host of the WCT Tournament at Grand Champions; former 10-goaler and Hall of Famer Memo Gracida; Valiente player-sponsor Bob Jornayvaz; former polo great Dale Smicklas, now WCT Commissioner; Steve Armour, Chrys Beal, Richard Caleel, Stevie Orthwein Jr., Russ Sheldon and Charles Smith.

USPA chairman Chuck Weaver called the newly-elected officers “a solid team that will move our association forward.”

Ganzi has played an active role in promoting polo at all levels and is one of the sport’s movers-and-shakers. She has been around horses her entire life and got involved in polo on and off the playing field more than a decade ago.

One of the nation’s top woman polo players, she plays professionally with and against men and is team captain of Piaget, based at Grand Champions. She and her husband, Marc, also a top amateur player, own and maintain the club year-round. She breeds and trains polo ponies at her Santa Rita Farm in Ocala, Fla.

Ganzi is all about diversity in polo. Her vision is to promote the sport of polo among the masses including kids and juniors, women and gay polo players. She would like to see polo embraced by the general public and mainstream sports followers and bring new people to the sport.

Ganzi has staged polo events including junior tournaments, International Gay Polo League Tournament, International Tournament, Women’s Championship Tournament, Polo School at Grand Champions and spring and fall seasons, which has nurtured several top rising juniors and pros at Grand Champions.

Ganzi is president and fund raiser for the National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame Board of Directors and secretary-treasurer of the Polo Training Foundation.

Ganzi has launched an educational project, PET (Polo Education Tour) where she travels to various libraries in South Florida educating adults and children about polo with a full display of polo equipment while talking about the game.

Ganzi has won the Ylvisaker Cup and Butler Handicap Cup, Hall of Fame Cup, Bill Triller 20-Goal Tournament, Western Badge and Trophy 20-Goal, Mayors Cup, Miami Beach Polo World Cup, Aspen Snow Polo Championship, North America Cup, U.S. Open Women’s Tournament and played with Prince Charles, Prince Phillip and Prince Harry.

Ganzi has made history several times in the sport. She was the first woman ever to win the Monty Waterbury Cup in 2001, just one year after she started playing the game full-time. She is one of only a few women in the world to compete in the C. V. Whitney Cup, USPA Gold Cup and U.S. Open.

Earlier this year, Ganzi was honored during the Portrait Of A Woman Luncheon, part of Women’s History Month, for her significant long term contributions to individuals and various organizations and the positive impact she has had on the community, not only in polo, but charity work and organizations that specialize in helping the disabled. Grand Champions Polo Club has been a long-time employer of disabled workers.

The Ganzi family and support staff are currently preparing for the upcoming sixth fall season at Grand Champions.

The season will feature nine tournaments including two 20-goal tournaments in November. All tournaments are USPA-sanctioned and have grown in stature since their start in the mid-1990s.

GRAND CHAMPIONS FALL SCHEDULE

Sept. 27-29,Tackeria Invitational, Palm City Polo Club, Boca Raton
Oct. 4-6, USPA Fall Classic
Oct. 13-15, USPA Kay Colee Memorial
Oct. 18-20, US Trust Cup
Oct. 25-27, USPA Fall Plates
Oct. 30 – Nov. 9, USPA North America Cup
Nov. 1-3, Pedro Morrison Memorial
Nov. 8-10, Palm Restaurant Invitational
Nov. 13-24,The National 20-Goal Championship

GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB

WHERE: 13444 Southfields Road, on the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington, 561-644-5050.

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 high and medium goal 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

Grand Champions Polo Club Announces 2013 Fall Season Schedule

WELLINGTON, FL – June 29, 2013 — With a successful spring season under its belt, Grand Champions Polo Club has announced its fall season which promises to be one of the most competitive in club history.

Nine tournaments are scheduled, including two 20-goal tournaments in November for the club’s sixth fall season.

The Tackeria Invitational, scheduled for Sept. 27-29, is the first of seven medium goal tournaments, set for Palm City Polo Club in Boca Raton.

The fall season-opener will be practice matches to warm up and fine tune for the season.

The remaining fall tournaments at Grand Champions Polo Club are the Oct. 4-6 USPA Fall Classic; Oct. 13-15 USPA Kay Colee Memorial; Oct. 18-20 US Trust Cup; Oct. 25-27 USPA Fall Plates; Nov.1-3 Pedro Morrison Memorial; and Nov. 8-10 Palm Restaurant Invitational.

The two 20-goal tournaments are the prestigious Oct. 30 – Nov. 9 USPA North America Cup and Nov. 13-24 The National 20-Goal Championship.

During the 2012 fall season, Audi dominated the season winning back-to-back USPA North America Cup and USPA National 20-Goal Tournament titles with Marc Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida, Nic Roldan and Hall of Famer and former 10-goaler Carlos Gracida. In the national 20-goal final, Audi edged Piaget, 10-9.

More than fifty invitations have been sent out to patrons who have competed at the club in the past five seasons. High goal team owners will also be invited.

The fall season is great preparation for the 20- and 26-goal seasons for 2014 in Wellington.

Rosters and lineups change from tournament to tournament. Evenly-matched teams are put together to help build players skills and performance.

All tournaments are USPA-sanctioned and have grown in stature since their start in the mid-1990s.

GRAND CHAMPIONS FALL SCHEDULE

Sept. 27-29, Tackeria Invitational

Oct. 4-6, USPA Fall Classic

Oct. 13-15, USPA Kay Colee Memorial

Oct. 18-20, US Trust Cup

Oct. 25-27, USPA Fall Plates

Oct. 30 – Nov. 9, USPA North America Cup

Nov. 1-3, Pedro Morrison Memorial

Nov. 8-10, Palm Restaurant Invitational

Nov. 13-24,The National 20-Goal Championship

GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB

WHERE: 13444 Southfields Road, on the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington, 561-644-5050.

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 high and medium goal 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

Gay Olympians to Be Honored during International Gay Polo Tournament

Dover Named Committee Chairman

WELLINGTON, FL – February 15, 2013 — The Gay Polo League will honor gay Olympians during the April 12-13 International Gay Polo Tournament festivities.

Six-time Olympian Robert Dover will serve as Chairman of the Gay Polo Olympian Committee.

Dover has earned more honors than any other U.S. dressage rider in the sport’s history. He competed in six consecutive Olympics for the U.S. equestrian team, four world championships and seven World Cups.

Mason Phelps, Jr., founder and president of Phelps Media Group International, will serve as committee vice chairman. Phelps, a lifelong horseman, was a U.S. Olympic alternate for the U.S. three-day team that competed in the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games.

South Florida has long been a home for of U.S. and international gay Olympians in all sports including beach volleyball, equestrian, soccer, swimming, diving, tennis and track and field.

The committee will reach out to several gay Olympians, including four-time Olympic diving gold medalist Greg Louganis and 2004 Athens Olympics tennis player Martina Navratilova, to be a part of the fourth annual International Gay Polo Tournament that attracts some of the world’s top gay players at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington.

“We would like to invite any Olympians who are interested,” Phelps said. “We would honor and recognize them both on Friday night and during the game on Saturday and ask them to be a part of the awards ceremony.”

All gay Olympians will be guests at the Friday, April 12th Jewels and Jeans Kick-Off Party, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Wellington at the International Polo Club Grande Pavilion at 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, they will be treated to the consolation and championship polo games at Grand Champions Polo Club at a VIP table for lunch and beverages followed by a Victory Party field side in the Elite Tent.

Those gay Olympians interested can contact Phelps Media Group, Inc., International at 561-753-3389 or email gpl@phelpsmediagroup.com.

About the Gay Polo League: GPL is a community that shares a love for adventure, fun, and challenging sport of polo. GPL is committed to providing members with an enjoyable, supportive and competitive experience.

GPL represents a wide range of ages, backgrounds and skill levels. GPL trains and competes in mainstream matches and events while sharing enthusiasm for the sport, to change perceptions about the gay community.

Fourth Annual International Gay Polo Tournament Fast Facts

Where: Grand Champions Polo Club
On the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road

When: Saturday, April 13, 2013

Time: Polo Matches start at 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Gates open at noon

Tickets: General Admission $25

Tailgate Price: $225, includes eight tickets and one field side parking place

VIP Tables: $1,000 includes seating for eight center field, four beverage tickets for each, gourmet food ticket for each, tableside service, including hors d’oeuvres, throughout the polo matches

Kick-Off Party: Friday, April 12, International Polo Club Pavilion. 3667 120th Ave. S., Wellington, FL Start Time: 6:30 p.m. (Food, dancing and auction)

For Tickets: 561 753 3389 or go to http://www.gaypolo.com/the-event/

For Tailgates and VIP Tables: Call 561 753 3389

Sponsors:
Cedar Crest Stables
Elite meetings and Events
Gordon W. Ross Team – Re/Max
Phelps Media Group
Polo Gear
Wellington Rotary Club
Grand Champions Polo Club

Official Hotel:
Hampton Inn Wellington 561 472 9696
Hampton Inn Lake Worth 561 472 5980
www.Hamptoninn.com

For sponsorship opportunities contact:
Maureen Gross at Phelps Media Group
mbg@phelpsmediagroup.com/
561-753-3389

For more information about GPL, visit www.gaypolo.com.

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

New This Year at the Fourth Annual International Gay Polo Tournament Elite Tent and VIP Tables

Gordon Ross goes for the shot. Photo by Alan Fabricant

Wellington, FL – February 6, 2013 – The highly-anticipated Fourth Annual International Gay Polo Tournament, one of the highlights of the winter equestrian season, is set for Saturday April 13, 2013 at Grand Champions Polo Club. This year the event is planning some enhancements that will create a new fresh feeling to the event.

The “Elite” tent is new this year. Decorated with an upscale equestrian theme, the Elite tent will be a hub of the event where attendees will enjoy entertainment, food and drinks. The tent is open to all attendees and will serve as the venue for the all-new dance party to be held immediately following the trophy presentations.

“Each year, the organizers of the Gay Polo Tournament look for ways to improve and update the overall experience,” said Chip McKenney, founder and Executive Director of the Gay Polo League (GPL). “Everything is new and exciting this year! New sponsors are participating in the event and new international players are competing this year!”

Continue reading New This Year at the Fourth Annual International Gay Polo Tournament Elite Tent and VIP Tables

Grand Champions Polo Club Announces Dates for Women’s Championship Tournament

WELLINGTON, FL – February 4, 2013 – The eighth annual Women’s Championship Tournament, the only women’s polo event-of-its-kind in the world, will be hosted by Grand Champions Polo Club, April 3-6.

The final and subsidiary final will be held Saturday, April 6.

“Grand Champions Polo Club is excited and honored to host the WCT for the second consecutive year,” said Piaget player-patron Melissa Ganzi.

Ganzi and her husband Marc will host the four-day event that showcases the best women’s polo players.

Last year’s round-robin tournament featured seven teams with players from all over the world including South Africa, Jamaica and Hawaii.

Continue reading Grand Champions Polo Club Announces Dates for Women’s Championship Tournament

Joanna Monaco Memorial Tournament Attracts Record Numbers at Grand Champions Polo Club

Grant Ganzi of Grand Champions Polo Club. Photo credit Alex Pacheco

WELLINGTON, FL – January 21, 2013 – Nearly 100 junior polo players competed Monday in the Joanna Monaco Memorial Tournament at Grand Champions Polo Club.

After seven hours of competing at various levels of polo, the future looks bright for the next generation of polo players.

“I think with the increased number of participants, every year we are noticing a big difference in the skill level of the kids,” said Melissa Ganzi, who along with husband Marc provided two well-manicured polo fields, horses for some of the juniors and CheGrill Food Truck to the Polo Training Foundation’s annual event.

“The kids are improving and moving up in each level,” Ganzi said. “Kids that were in the intermediate level are now moving into the advanced level.

“The kids know the rules and they play safe and strategic polo I am really encouraged about the future of American polo as well as just polo in general.”

Continue reading Joanna Monaco Memorial Tournament Attracts Record Numbers at Grand Champions Polo Club

Teams Announced for Joanna Monaco Junior Polo Tournament at Grand Champions Polo Club

WELLINGTON, FL – January 18, 2013 – A record twenty-five teams have been announced for the Monday, January 21st Joanna Monaco Memorial Tournament at Grand Champions Polo Club.

The next generation of sons and daughters of men and women polo players including Adolfo Cambiaso, the greatest player in the world, will compete in the day-long event at various levels and ability. Adolfito and Mia Cambiaso will compete for Audi.

The event is co-hosted by player-sponsors Melissa and Marc Ganzi, whose children Grant and Riley will also compete.

Grand Champions has hosted several junior tournaments in the past. This is the first time the seven-year-old club has hosted the Joanna Monaco Memorial Tournament.

Last year’s event, hosted by Gulfstream Polo Club, attracted a record 68 participants on 17 teams. This year’s event has already broken that record with nearly 100 youth polo players signed up, according to Florida Junior Polo’s Jennifer McLeavy.

Continue reading Teams Announced for Joanna Monaco Junior Polo Tournament at Grand Champions Polo Club