The Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington has released its highly-anticipated schedule for the upcoming fall season, which gets under way in October.
One of the nation’s busiest and innovative polo clubs will host both medium-goal and high-goal leagues, highlighted by the Triple Crown of Polo Tournament and the International Cup.
The medium goal schedule features six tournaments, including the season-opening Tackeria Invitational, Oct. 11-14. The tournament has a special place in club history as the inaugural tournament when the club first opened.
“The Tackeria Invitational is the perfect way to kick off the season,” said Tackeria owner Tony Coppola, the legendary “voice of polo” and USPA President. “We are proud to be a returning sponsor with the Tackeria Invitational now in its 10th year.”
Among the highlights of the season are the Oct. 15-27 USPA North American Cup; Oct. 24-28 USPA Fall Classic; Nov. 1-4 USPA Fall Plates; Nov. 3-17 USPA National 20-Goal Championship; Nov. 14 Triple Crown of Polo Tournament and Romero Britto Celebration; and a Nov. 24 doubleheader featuring the Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial and USPA International Cup. This year, the U.S. team will put its six-year winning streak on the line against Azerbaijan.
Last year, Team USA (Grant Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida, Julio Arellano and Mike Azzaro) defeated Brazil 9-7 to capture the sixth annual International Cup event. Since 2012, Team USA has defeated England, Chile, Mexico, South Africa and Uruguay in International Cup history.
“That was a great win,” Arellano said. “It was a great game right to the end. This U.S. team was a lot of fun. I am always honored to represent the U.S. When Marc Ganzi asks me to participate, it’s always an easy yes.”
The well-organized fall tournaments attract players from all over the United States and the world, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, England, France, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria and South Africa.
The Grand Champions Fall Invitational League is geared toward improving a player’s polo skills at every level. Roster lineups change from tournament to tournament with evenly matched teams featuring pro and amateur players. It’s also a great opportunity for players and sponsors to prepare for the winter season.
Club owners Marc and Melissa Ganzi, both accomplished players, take pride in teaching and sharing the exciting sport of polo with anyone interested in learning. They are coming off a successful summer season at their Aspen Valley Polo Club.
The fall league features: stick-and-ball sessions during the week; two medium tournament games every weekend; ambulance and USPA umpires for all tournament games; world-class polo fields; club-sponsored social events every weekend for all players; and top-of-the-line trophies for all teams every weekend.
The Grand Champions Polo Club is located at 13444 Southfields Road, on the corner of South Shore Blvd. and Lake Worth Road in Wellington. For more info., visit www.gcpolo.com.
