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Thoroughly
Modern Polo
A new season welcomes both a jet-set culture and family-oriented
fun. |
By
Linda Marx |
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| Clockwise
from top left: Tommy Lee Jones, patron of the San Saba polo
team, playing at International Polo Club Palm Beach. Sarah
Ferguson, Duchess of York, with IPCPB owner John Goodman.
John Walsh of the TV show America's Most Wanted with 10-goaler
Mike Azzaro. Julio Gracida of White Birch (left) battles with
Julio Arellano of Skeeterville (red jersey) for the ball during
the 2005 Stanford Financial Group U.S. Open final. Argentine
model Lara Bernasconi with 8-goaler Jeff Hall. Mason Phelps
Jr. with Nicollette Sheridan. 7-goaler Nacho Figueras (Black
Watch team), Jemilah Afshar and Neil Hirsch (Black Watch team). |
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MATCHES
January
29
Joe Barry Memorial Cup Final (22-goal)
February
19
Ylvisaker Cup Final (22-goal)
March 5
Hall of Fame Cup Final (26-goal)
March 26
C.V. Whitney Cup Final (26-goal)
April 23
Stanford Financial Group U.S. Open Polo
Championship Final (26-goal)
BENEFITS
January
29
Bethesda Hospital Charity Luncheon; 561.737.7733,
x5600
February
12
YMCA Charity Luncheon; 561.968.9622
February
24
Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center Charity
Dinner/Auction; 561.792.9900
March 5
American Red Cross Luncheon; 561.833.7711 |
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Under
Wedgwood-blue skies, enthusiastic crowds are gathering in
Wellington, FL, this winter to watch the best players in
the world compete in high-goal polo. For the season, the
International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPCPB) is the place
to be for the highest level of play, the most glamorous
social scene, and a total polo lifestyle for fans of all
ages.
Beginning its third season (January through April), IPCPB
welcomes a new generation of polo players and spectators
to this state-of-the-art facility, dedicated to professional
polo and the important players who make it happen. At least
20 teams are playing throughout the high-goal season, with
a record 16 teams expected at the 102nd U.S. Open Polo Championship
in April.
Superstar players from Argentina, Mexico and the U.S. include
Adolfo Cambiaso (New Bridge), Gonzalito and Facundo Pieres
(Black Watch), Pite and Sebastian Merlos (Lechuza Caracas),
Mike Azzaro (BTA), Carlos and Memo Gracida (Crab Orchard)
and film actor Tommy Lee Jones (San Saba).
“We bring the best players in the world,” says IPCPB owner
John Goodman, who is patron of Isla Carroll, the two-time
U.S. Open Champion. “Now we have added more activities and
amenities, and I feel we offer the best polo facility in
the world, as well as enhance the equestrian life in Wellington.”
Combining both the hip, jet-set lifestyle with a family-oriented
sports environment built around well-groomed, high-goal
polo fields, IPCPB has joined the ranks of the best, quickly
making this Wellington venue the only place to go each winter
weekend. No wonder celebrities like to visit. Nicollette
Sheridan; Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York; Star Jones Reynolds;
Boris Becker; Stephanie Powers; Miami Dolphins Jason Taylor
and Black Watch's Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras, the hot Argentinean
Ralph Lauren Polo Black fragrance model, are smitten with
the surroundings.
The palm-lined property includes the 40-acre club and polo
fields, tennis courts, a peaceful lake, the pool-house pavilion,
the 7,500-square-foot spa (featuring caviar facials and
stone massages) and fitness center, and the elegant Wanderer's
Room, cooking up classic French cuisine. This fine-dining
room is created in 19th-century British Colonial and South
American design, with lots of wood, leather, vibrant-colored
kilim rugs, paddle fans and plantation shutters.
The 7th Chukker Bar keeps flat-screen plasma TVs tuned to
thoroughbred racing and equestrian events being held around
the globe.
IPCPB has seven state-of-the-art playing fields and a stick-and-ball
field. Added to the original 80 special boxes – each accommodating
eight to ten seated spectators – is a third stadium section
with 36 boxes in the center on the Championship Field.
Underneath the stadium is a special polo and equestrian
library with a permanent collection dedicated to unique
and rare first-edition polo books and magazines, plus various
representations for all equine disciplines.
“We have the best possible polo facility with a club offering
a complete lifestyle and research center for families, couples
and children,” says Tommy Lee Jones.
There's no shortage of social events either: In addition
to specialty matches, charity luncheons and evening balls
for organizations such as the American Red Cross, Food for
the Poor, Tribal Trust and British Forces Foundation, there
are clambakes, celebrity balls, family functions, a 1960s
theme party, Easter-egg hunts, a Kentucky Derby party, a
Mother's Day brunch and a Preakness party.
“Polo has become a sport that embraces and attracts people
from all walks of life,” says Michael Brown, general manager
of IPCPB. “We are open to anyone … we welcome T-shirts to
tiaras.” |
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| Linda
Marx is a reporter for US Weekly and an internationally syndicated
freelance writer and columnist. |
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Photo
credit:
Clockwise from top left: Shelley Heatley, Jamie Konrady, Jamie
Konrady, Jamie Konrady, Jamie Conrady, Linda Wirtz, Linda
Wirtz. |
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