The 17-week high goal winter season that begins Thursday will be a historical family affair.
For the first time in the sport’s history, a father, mother and son will all field high goal polo teams at International Polo Club Palm Beach.
An Orchard Hill player tries to control the ball Wednesday as he is surrounded by Coca-Cola players. Orchard Hill won the … Read More
While fathers, sons, brothers and sisters have played with and against each other, Marc, Melissa and Grant Ganzi of Wellington will make polo history. IPC has never had three patrons from the same family compete during the same season.
Ganzi, 17, a senior at St. Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, will head the Audi-Millarville team that features Nic Roldan, a Cardinal Newman alum, and brothers Freddie and Julian Mannix. The team will play the 20-goal tournaments Joe Barry Cup, Ylvisaker Cup and Iglehart Cup.
Ganzi, a third generation player, is coming off winning the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship earlier this month in Aspen, Colo. with Roldan and Juancito Bollini.
During the 26-goal season, Marc and Melissa Ganzi will compete with star-studded lineups.
Melissa Ganzi and Flexjet returns with a new lineup of Roldan, Sebastian Merlos and Augustin Merlos. Ganzi plans on playing in the USPA Gold Cup and U.S. Open. Melissa Ganzi is coming off a runner-up finish at the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championships and tournament wins in Scottsdale and Hawaii.
Marc Ganzi and powerhouse Audi returns with the same lineup of Rodrigo Andrade, Gonzalo Pieres and Freddie Mannix that won the 2015 USPA Gold Cup. Audi will compete in all three 26-goal tournaments. Marc Ganzi and Audi are coming off an impressive victory at the East Coast Open, knocking off favored White Birch in Greenwich, Conn.
In addition to Audi-Millarville, nine other teams will compete during the 20-goal season that begins Thursday at 11 a.m. with the three-team Herbie Pennell Cup. Enigma and Coca-Cola will compete in a play-off game to determine who plays Villa del Lago in Sunday’s final at 3 p.m.
La Indiana, led by Tommy Biddle, and Dubai, featuring Carlitos Gracida, son of the late Hall of Famer and former 10-goaler Carlos Gracida, will make their debut.
Other 20-goal teams are Coca-Cola, Enigma, Orchard Hill, Palm Beach Illustrated, Tonkawa, Valiente and Villa del Lago.
The 26-goal season will feature the return of powerhouse White Birch and patron Peter Brant after a decade’s absence. White Birch is one of the most successful polo teams having won the most high goal polo tournaments over 25 years including the 2005 U.S. Open. During the 1990s, White Birch dominated every major tournament at Palm Beach Polo and Country Club.
Hilario Ulloa and Sapo Caset, the two newest rated 10-goal players, will compete at IPC. Caset will play for Lucchese during the 26-goal season. Ulloa will play for Villa del Lago during 20-goal and White Birch in 26-goal.
IPC will again host the 26-goal Triple Crown: C.V. Whitney Cup, USPA Gold Cup and 112th U.S. Open.
IPC SEASON 13
WHEN: Thursday-April 24
WHERE: International Polo Club Palm Beach, 3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington 33414
2016 SCHEDULE: Thursday-Sunday, Herbie Pennell Cup; Jan. 3-24, Joe Barry Memorial Cup; Jan. 27-Feb. 21, Ylvisaker Cup; Feb. 13, Nespresso 40-Goal Challenge; March 1-19, American Series 18-Goal Liberty Cup; March 5, Iglehart Cup Final; Feb. 24-March 6, C.V. Whitney Cup; March 6-March 27, USPA Gold Cup; March 23-April 2, American Series 18-goal Patriot Cup; March 30-April 24, USPA 112th U.S. Open Polo Championship
TICKET PRICES: Range from $30 for stadium seating to $150 for box seating.
WHAT’S NEW: The club has installed new stadium-style ergonomic seats to replace the lawn seating for fieldside spectators. The Lily Pulitzer Patio at The Pavilion, Funky Buddha Beerstream Garden and red double decker bus have been added.
FOR INFORMATION: Phone: 561-204-5687; Polo Hotline: 561-282-5290; Ticket Office: 561-282-5334; or visit www.InternationalPoloclub.com.
http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/sports/historic-season-ahead-at-international-polo-club-p/nptcn/