Grand Champions Polo Club's Season-Ender
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Grand Champions Polo Club's Season-Ender Social Event Of The Fall Polo Season
Beautiful trophies waiting to be awarded to legendary players in the inaugural Legends of Polo game. Photos by Scott Fisher
WELLINGTON, FL -- Dec. 1, 2013 -- Grand Champions Polo Club ended its fall season in grand style on Saturday. The polo doubleheader featuring the Legends of Polo game and USPA International Cup between Team USA and Chile, was the social event of the fall polo season.
Fans didn't let the early morning rain and wind dampen their spirits or enthusiasm to enjoy an afternoon of polo and mingle with family and friends in the VIP tent, tailgating and general admission spots.
Juan Luis Nilo, Consul General of Chile, and Isabel de Quesada made the drive from South Miami to support the Chile national team play and join other VIPs, dignitaries and event hosts and club owners Marc and Melissa Ganzi.
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| A polo fan showing equal allegiance with her U.S. and Chile flags. |
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| Chile players Jose Antonio Iturrate, Matias Vial, Max Silva and Juan Sanchez post with Juan Luis Nilo, Consul General of Chile, Isabel de Quesada and Grand Champions Polo Club co-owner and host Melissa Ganzi. |
"This is a wonderful event. I am very proud of our players, they represent Chile well," Nilo said after watching Team USA (Marc Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida, Nic Roldan, Jeff Hall) capture the USPA International Cup with a 13-8 victory over Chile (Matias Vial, Max Silva, Juan Sanchez, Jose Antonio Iturrate).
Nilo presented the awards after the featured match and enjoyed talking polo with Wellington Mayor Bob Margolis. Margolis was joined by his wife Linda and Wellington Council members John Green and Anne Gerwig and her husband Alan. Others in attendance were George and Brenda Dupont of the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, Gary Fellers of Polo Gear, Terry Duffy of Palm Beach Illustrated and Mark Bennett of the Gay Polo League.
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| Flags from around the world added a majestic view of the field as players shake hands after the Legends of Polo game. |
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| Grand Champions Blue Legends teammates Joey Casey, Juan Bollini and Hector Galindo joking after the game. |
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| Team USA's Marc Ganzi with Isabel de Quesada and Juan Luis Nilo, Consul General of Chile. |
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| Glistening globe trophies for the USPA International Cup players. |
Fans were treated to the National Anthem twice, sung by Jessica Wittenbrink, the 2008 Miss South Florida and 2013 Miss Oktoberfest before each game. Lake Worth High School's ROTC program provided the color guard. Entertaining announcers Toby Wayman and Tony Coppola of the Tackeria provided game commentary.
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Jessica Wittenbrink gave a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem before both games.
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Perfect Vodka was the event's major sponsor and was represented by Dennis Cunningham and his beautiful wife Felicia.
Another sponsor was Syltbar with Anna Di Brisotto and Antonio Grava, distributors in the U.S. and Regina and Claus Blohm enjoying the day.
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| Lorraine Casey and Juanse Olivera among fans near the players' tent watching the game. |
Syltbar's mission is to bring people the world's finest products including Prosecco which was flowing freely during the games.
Onli Beverages was another gracious sponsor donating its delicious thirst-quenching product.
Braman Audi was out in full force as a sponsor and brought a beautiful array of cars for fans to enjoy in a display next to the VIP tent.
Aaron's Catering had a fabulous array of food, from sliders to sushi for VIPs to munch on throughout the day. Miami-based food truck Che Grill was also on site serving its wonderful Argentine fare to fans.
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| Putting the finishing touches on the beautifully-designed red, white and blue VIP tent. |
Patty Denuzzio, known as Pattycake and owner of Pattycake Art, was face painting kids requesting everything from a tiger to the butterfly look. Her ornate designs were the hit of the day. Of course, parents were asking if it washed off and it does. Kids were hoping it was permanent to show off at school on Monday.
Waste Management donated the dumpster and boxes.
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| Beautiful tents lined the field for tailgaters to enjoy the games including kids showing off their face painting art and dog. |
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| Jelly Wayman listens to game details from his owner and announcer Toby Wayman. |
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International was also among the main sponsors in the VIP tent and tailgaters. Mason Phelps, a 1968 Olympic equestrian three-day eventer, enjoyed the afternoon socializing and watching polo. Dressed in his patriotic red, white and blue suit, he handled the coin toss with Mayor Margolis.
Proceeds from the two games and social event went to the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame in Lake Worth, which is in the midst of expanding. It is the only polo museum of its kind in the world.
The museum is dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the development, history and tradition of the sport of polo by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting its collections as well as honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to the sport.
Game Sponsors:
Braman Audi, Palm Beach
www.bramanaudi.com
Flight Options
www.flightoptions.com
Grand Champions Polo Club
www.grandchampionspoloclub.org
Museum of Polo & Hall of Fame
www.polomuseum.com
Onli Beverages
www.onlibeverages.com
Perfect Vodka
www.perfectvodka.com
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
www.phelpsmediagroup.com
United States Polo Association
www.us-polo.org