Polo Great Memo Gracida Heads Legends Lineup

Polo Great Memo Gracida Heads Legends Lineup

By Arianna Delin, Sharon Robb for Grand Champions Polo Club

Hall of Famer Memo Gracida, one of polo’s all-time greats, heads the lineup for the Carlos Gracida Legends of Polo Memorial on Saturday, Nov. 28th at Grand Champions Polo Club.

The opening game of a polo doubleheader honors the legacy of his brother, Carlos Gracida, another one of the sport’s greats, who died tragically in February, 2014 at age 53.

Polo has been a Gracida family tradition for decades. It’s only fitting several family members will join Memo Gracida in honoring his brother including Memo’s son Julio and Carlos’ sons Carlitos and Mariano Gracida, along with other family members Alejandro Gonzalez and Weston Gracida.

Memo and Carlos Gracida, both former 10-goalers, played together on seven winning U.S. Open teams and several other tournaments around the world.

The Legends game is 1 p.m. followed by the USPA International Cup featuring Team USA against South Africa at 3 p.m. Gates open at 12:30 p.m.

The U.S. team is led by Nic Roldan and Julio Arellano, the nation’s top-rated players at eight goals, 7-goaler Jeff Hall and top amateur Marc Ganzi in the 24-goal championship game.

The South Africa roster is Selby Williamson, 5, Chris MacKenzie, 6, Gareth Evans, 6, and team captain Tom de Bruin, 7.

Memo Gracida. Photo by Alex Pacheco.

It is the fourth time Grand Champions Polo Club is hosting a major international men’s game in its nine-year history. Since 2012, the U.S. has beaten England, Chile and Mexico in USPA International Cup play.

The polo community is playing a key role in the success of the event including the U.S. Polo Assn. and USPA Properties. Wellington-based Polo Gear made the jerseys for Team USA and South Africa.

The community including the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and Armand Landscape,  is supporting the star-studded event which is considered the social event of the fall polo season in the village.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka, based in Austin, Tex., is the signature vodka sponsor and will be served in the Tito’s Handmade Vodka VIP Tent along with food from Ken-Rose Catering, owned by Kevin Kenny and Rosario Gannon.

Onli Beverages all-natural sparkling flavored water will also be served in the VIP Tent.

Carlitos Gracida. Photo by Alex Pacheco.

ChukkerTV, leaders in polo broadcasting, will livestream the polo doubleheader worldwide with entertaining polo broadcasters Toby Wayman and Dale Schwetz.

Tickets are still available along with various sponsorship packages. They are:

$20 General Admission per person. Be sure to bring your own seating. Delicious food, snacks and drinks and tented seating will be available to enjoy your meal. Field side parking not included.
 
$250 Signature Tailgate Package: Includes admission for one car and your guests can enjoy a field side view of the game. The Signature Tailgate Package includes a reserved tailgate spot with parking for one car, a 10 X 10 tent and one table with 4 chairs.
 
$500 Grand Champions Tailgate Package: Includes admission for one car and your guests can enjoy a field side view of the game. The Grand Champion Tailgate Package includes a reserved, preferred tailgate spot with parking for one car, a 10 X 10 tent, one table with 4 chairs, a bottle of champagne with an ice bucket with 4 glasses and 4 sport Grand Champions Polo Club/ChukkerTV hats.
 
VIP Pavilion Tickets: $200 Per Person: Includes one VIP admission ticket to the comfortable Grand Champions Lounge with a field side view of the game. Enjoy specialty cocktails and fabulous food catered by Ken-Rose Catering.
 
$1,500 VIP Corporate Sponsor: Includes one table and 8 VIP admission tickets to the comfortable Grand Champions Lounge with a field side view of the game. Enjoy specialty cocktails and fabulous food catered by Ken-Rose Catering.
 
For tickets, tailgates and sponsorships call 561-644-5050. Visit http://grandchampionspoloclub.ticketleap.com/the-international-cup-tournament-2015/.

Mariano Gracida. Photo by Scott Fisher.

Proceeds from the doubleheader benefit The Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, a non-profit educational organization, 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.
 
GRAND CHAMPIONS 2015 FALL SCHEDULE

Monday, Audi vs. Barbarossa, 2:30 p.m. and Wednesday final, 3 p.m.: USPA National 20-Goal Tournament; Nov. 28: Carlos Gracida Legends of Polo Memorial, 1 p.m. and International Cup, Team USA vs. South Africa, 3 p.m.