Wellington, FL – March 28, 2012 – Marc and Melissa Ganzi, owners of Grand Champions Polo Club and Honorary Chairpersons for the Third Annual International Gay Polo Tournament, are pleased to announce the following professional players who will anchor the four teams:
Jason Crowder, rated 6 goals, literally grew up on a polo field. As a child he lived in a condo on the edge of the main field at Santa Barbara Polo Club. He played on the undefeated Lucchese team that swept the 20-goal series. Crowder was crowned MVP of the 2011 Pacific Coast Open, a true hometown hero. Crowder currently plays for the Piaget Polo Team in the 20-goal series.
Nic Roldan, rated 7 is one of the top professional polo players in the world and holds many of the highest accolades in the sport including being the youngest player to ever win the U.S. Open Polo Championship at age 15. Roldan is a brand ambassador for luxury Swiss watchmaker Piaget and a Wilhelmina model.
Joey Casey is a former 7-goaler and has played professional polo for 28 years. Casey’s family has been breeding polo ponies for more than 40 years. He is recognized as a great horseman and one of the most experienced American players. Currently rated at 4 goals Casey’s career highlights include six-time Sunshine League Championship and four-time winner of the International Gold Cup Championships, USPA Gold Cup Championship along with playing in numerous US Opens.
Juan Bollini is a former 8-goaler, currently rated 5 goals. Bollini has won many tournaments including The Gold Cup, The Monty Waterbury and the East Coast Open.
The Polo Gear/Palm Beach Rox Team will include GPL players Talbot Logan from New York, NY, Dwight Tran from New Haven, CT and Jean-Marc Herouin from Los Angeles, CA and will be led by Nic Roldan.
Talbot Logan is the VP of Marketing for Ralph Lauren and got his start in show jumping. He shared, “I was very interested in competing in a horse sport that was also team based. The excitement of the game and the opportunity to travel to great locations is a huge draw.”
Phil Tremo from Palm Beach, FL and Washington, DC, Gina Padilla from Los Angeles, CA, Dan Haynia from Sag Harbor, NY will play on the The Cedar Crest Stables/Star Meadow Team, anchored by Joey Casey.
Phil Tremo also rode in the hunter/jumper world before he found the sport of polo. “What’s really different about polo is that it is much more competitive to me. I love the team aspect of it. What I didn’t understand about polo was that there’s so much to the sport in terms of strategy and tactics. At any given point during a match you have to be thinking, where should I be, what’s my best play, where are my teammates and where are my opponents,” related Tremo.
Tom Landry from Los Angeles, CA, Mark Bennett from Palm Beach, FL, and Gordon Ross from Calgary, Alberta, Canada make up the The Gordon W. Ross Team-Re/Max to be led by Jason Crowder.
When asked what brought Landry to polo, he responded, “I never participated in sports and had never ridden a horse. When I learned about GPL I thought I would give it a try. Immediately I was hooked. It appeals to me on several different levels; the personal physical challenge of riding and learning the sport and the team experience and camaraderie.”
GPL founder Chip McKenney from Los Angeles, CA, Jack Hoffman from Sag Harbor, NY, Christine Vermes from Palo Alto, CA and professional, Juan Bollini will make up the Gamma Mu Team.
“I tried the Gay Businessmen’s association, the Gay Lawyers association and none of those really resonated with me. I didn’t want to sit around at cocktail parties; I wanted to do something- more of an activity. I started to play a little polo and it occurred to me that this would be a great sport to bring to the gay and lesbian community,” said Chip McKenney about why he founded the GPL.
On April 14, 2012 the International Gay Polo Tournament returns to the Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida. This event could not be possible without the generous support of Marc and Melissa Ganzi, owners of Grand Champions Polo Club. The Ganzis have generously provided the use of their polo ponies, and the perfect venue to enjoy friends and a wonderful day of polo.
Third 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 14, 2012
Time: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Tickets:
Call: 561 753 3389 or go to http://www.gaypolotournament.blog.com/tickets/.
$20 General Admission Includes a field side view of an elegant and exciting game of polo
*Please provide your own chair.
$175 Tailgate Space Includes Eight General Admission
Kontiki Tents with Gourmet Food and Beverages. Open to all ticket holders.
Victory/After Party Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Wellington
Featuring renowned DJ, Adam West
When: 6:30 pm
Where: Graffito 3410 Equestrian Club Road, Wellington, FL 33414
Tickets: $50.00 per person includes 3-hour open bar and buffet dinner
For Tickets Call: Maggie Zeller at 561 715 9292 or 561 753 3389
GPL Sunday Brunch
Where: International Polo Club Palm Beach at the Mallet Grill, field side
When: Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Tickets: $150 per person, reservations and prepayment required. Includes brunch, beverage service, valet parking, and champagne. Limited availability. Call 561 753 3389.
Sponsorship
The GPL offers numerous ways to get involved and connect with participants, spectators, and even receive press coverage of future events.
Official Hotel:
Hampton Inn Wellington 561 472 9696
Hampton Inn Lake Worth 561 472 5980
www.Hamptoninn.com
If you would like to get involved please visit www.gaypolo.com or contact GPL at:
Gay Polo League
c/o PMG
12012 South Shore Boulevard
Suite 105
Wellington, Florida 33414
Phone: 561.753.3389
Fax: 561.753.3386
Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com