The Monumental City sent an imposing team to defend its 2014 victory on Saturday, September 9th in the NBC-10 Newport International Polo Series, presented by BMW.
Representing Baltimore in the #1 position was Jim Stanton. Playing #2 was George Hempt. In the #3 position was Nik Feldman, and at back, Estani Puch.
Playing for Newport in the #1 position was Peter Friedman. At #2 was Minnie Keating. In the #3 position was Heather Souto, and at back was Rory Torrey.
Baltimore controlled the opening of the match, making an impressive play from the lineup with the first goal drawn by Feldman. Hempt championed the next play with a decisive run to gain Baltimore’s second goal. A one-two play by setup by Torrey and finished by Freidman put Newport on the board before the chukker’s end. The two teams held fast through the second chukker as their heavy hitters, Torrey and Puch put up a goal each for a 3-2 Baltimore lead. Tight defense maintained the one goal spread with a goal by Feldman for Baltimore was matched by Souto, ending the first half 4-3 in favor of Baltimore.
After a little half-time strategizing, Newport catalyzed a comeback with goals by Torrey and Keating met by a single goal from Puch to tie the match at 5-all. The fifth chukker saw a return to dominance for Baltimore as goals from Hempt and Puch put the team back in the lead, 7-5. Puch continued the offensive to open the final chukker with another Baltimore goal, but Torrey matched it to keep Newport within reach of the cup. Puch racked up another goal and Hempt sealed the deal, putting Baltimore into double digits before the final bell signaled a 10-6 Baltimore victory.
During the match, a lucky lady from Barrington, RI won a leather handbag from Brahmin in the weekly door prize drawing. Tailgaters were green with envy over a beautiful tailgate spread on the lawn with a mouthwatering buffet, adorned with lush greenery, and a field side butler that won the Stella Artois best tailgate picnic trunk.
Following the match, the teams took to the podium for the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Toast and Trophy Presentation, where Rory Torrey (scoring 4 goals for Newport) and Estani Puch (scoring 5 goals for Baltimore) were named as top players of the match. Nell Melanson of the Clarke Cooke House presented the perpetual Liberty Bowl to the victorious Baltimore team.
The Polo Series will feature 8 international teams this season including France, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Jamaica, England, Dominican Republic and the debut of Peru, as well as 5 City Teams from major US cities and a few top regional rivals for an action-packed season through the end of September. This is the 26th season of Newport International Polo Series, which has hosted teams from over 30 nations including, Germany, Spain, England, Argentina, France, Egypt, India, Australia, Costa Rica, Ghana, Canada, Chile, Jamaica, Nigeria, Portugal, New Zealand, Barbados, Scotland, South Africa, Hungary, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Kenya, Brazil, China, Italy, Mexico, Sweden, Singapore, Monaco, and Morocco.
Minutes from downtown Newport, the International Polo Grounds are located at historic Glen Farm, 250 Linden Lane (off of Rte. 138) in Portsmouth, RI. This bucolic setting is the last 100 acres of what was once a 700-acre manorial farm whose settlement dates back to the 1600’s. Its classical stone barns from the Gilded Age and its park-like grounds were rehabilitated by polo series founder, Dan Keating, and thrive today as an equestrian & community recreational property, and home of the Polo Series.
The Newport International Polo Series is proud to present its 2017 sponsors including NBC – 10, BMW Centers of Rhode Island, ALEX AND ANI, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina, Hotel Viking, The Chanler at Cliff Walk, Vanderbilt International Properties, Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Brahmin, Stella Artois, Clarke Cooke House, Patrón Spirits, Rockstar Limo, Newport Daily News, Where Boston, RIB & RHEIN x New & Lingwood, Atria Senior Living and promotional partners including McGrath Clambakes, International Tennis Hall of Fame, America’s Cup Charters, Bird’s Eye View Helicopter Tours, The Cocktail Guru, Newport Mansions, Island Surf and Sport and Scooter World. “Our sponsors have been with us since the beginning. Without their support, the Series would not be as extensive as it is,” explains Dan Keating, Polo Series founder.
There’s no sport like polo. Be a part of it! Newport Polo hosts the Newport International Polo Series XXVI, and is the home of America’s first polo club, est. in 1876, and a founding member of the United States Polo Association offering public exhibition matches, polo club member services for grass & arena polo, and polo instruction year-round.