Casablanca’s Mike Azzaro (3) shows his MVP form with a big hit as ELG’s Kris Kampsen (2) defends. Photo by Scott Fisher.
WELLINGTON, FL – Oct. 17, 2013 — Two round-robins featuring six teams will open play in the US Trust Cup presented by Polo Gear on Friday at Palm City Polo Club in Boca Raton and Grand Champions Polo Club.
Audi, Beluga, Casablanca, ELG, Newport and Palm House are entered in the fourth tournament of the fall season.
The opening round robin is 10 a.m. at Palm City Polo Club and features Audi, Beluga and ELG (Equine Law Group).
The second round robin is 4:30 p.m. at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington and will pit Casablanca, Newport and Palm House.
The championship final is Sunday at 10 a.m. followed by the consolation at noon and runner-up match at 2 p.m., all at Grand Champions.
During Sunday’s exciting day of polo, the Wellington Chamber of Commerce trustees, members and guests will be hosted by Grand Champions Polo Club to help kick off the fall polo season and Wellington Green Market. Guests will be treated to an authentic Argentine Asado, beverages and special gift from the Wellington Green Market.
Mariano Gracida, 19, the youngest son of Hall of Fame and former 10-goaler Carlos Gracida, will make his fall debut at Grand Champions along with Charles Armstrong.
The well-balanced teams feature 8-goalers Nic Roldan and Mike Azzaro, 7-goaler Michel Dorignac, 6-goalers Kris Kampsen, Luis Escobar and Guille (Gigi) Aguero, 5-goalers Juan Bollini and Brandon Phillips and 4-goaler Joey Casey.
Casey returns to the playing field after being knocked off his horse in last week’s opening round of the Kay Colee Memorial at Palm City. Casey avoided serious injury, suffering a bruised right eye and lacerations around his eye and nose.
The team lineups are:
Audi (13 goals): Melissa Ganzi, Juan Bollini, Brandon Phillips, Leo Mandelbaum.
Beluga (11 goals): Misha Rodzianko, Mariano Gracida, Joey Casey, Carlos Diaz.
Casablanca (12 goals): Juancito Bollini, Grant Ganzi, Wes Finlayson, Mike Azzaro.
ELG Polo (13 goals): Avery Chapman, Marc Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida, Nic Roldan.
Newport (14 goals): Kaisser Maakar, Gene Goldstein, Michel Dorignac, Luis Escobar
Palm House (12 goals): Glenn Straub, Kris Kampsen, Guille (Gigi) Aguero, Charles Armstrong.
This is the fourth medium-goal tournament of the fall season which has been the most competitive in Grand Champion’s seven-year history. Two additional 20-goal tournaments are scheduled for November.
The two 20-goal tournaments are the Oct. 30 – Nov. 9 USPA North America Cup and Nov.13-24 USPA 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 Carlos Gracida. In the national 20-goal final, Audi edged Piaget, 10-9.
All tournaments are USPA-sanctioned and have grown in stature since their start in the mid-1990s.
Polo Gear is this week’s presenting sponsor. Polo Gear USA manufactures, distributes and sells polo products to players, teams and polo events worldwide. Polo Gear Wellington’s Showroom and Warehouse is located at 3500 Fairlane Farms Rd #15.
In the showroom, there is a pictorial history of polo and polo memorabilia. The walls are lined with team jerseys and uniforms from the world’s top teams, pictures of top players and celebrities, game action photos, trophies and mementos.
The shop serves as Polo Gear’s wholesale and custom team order showroom. Its display room and warehouse is stocked with Polo Gear products.
Store hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Visitors are welcome.
GRAND CHAMPIONS FALL SCHEDULE
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
PALM CITY POLO CLUB
WHERE: 18000 Jog Road, Boca Raton, 561-289-9099 (Club entrance is the first flashing light north of Clint Moore Road).
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