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Boys & Girls Club Biggest Winner At Great Futures Celebrity Polo Match At Grand Champions |
Arianna Delin, Sharon Robb for Grand Champions Polo ClubOn a perfect day for polo at Grand Champions Polo Club, the biggest winner at the recent Great Futures Celebrity Polo Match was the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club of Wellington. In front of a large crowd and worldwide ChukkerTV audience, the star power of Nacho Figueras, John Walsh and top polo players was a positive draw in raising funds for 150 children to attend summer camp. “It’s all about these kids,” said Figueras, surrounded by adoring fans. “I believe in this event. It is about kids, polo and worthwhile charity. It is a win-win-win.” Led by Figueras, polo’s ambassador and face of Ralph Lauren, Grand Champions (Melissa Ganzi, Gillian Johnston, Nacho Figueras, Nic Roldan) won the celebrity match for the second year in a row.
Figueras was named Most Valuable Player. Figueras scored two goals. Sombrilla, a dark bay mare owned by DiMenna, was named Best Playing Pony. The winning team featured Ganzi and Johnston, the only two women competing in high goal polo at IPC this season. Johnson scored a tournament-high five goals in two games. LaPrida scored three goals for Equuleus.
“It went really well,” said Grand Champions president Melissa Ganzi. “The participation from the Boys & Girls Club, all their staff coming out and the kids seeing the polo was just a really fun day. They all watched the game and were cheering players on. They were excited to talk with the players during the trophy presentation and have polo balls signed. “I think it was nice that the team with two female players prevailed,” Ganzi said. “It was really positive for a lot of the female staff and kids to come up to us and talk about polo. They were excited and told us they cheered for the girls. It was nice to be role models.” Ganzi said organizers are already talking about the 2016 event. Both Figueras and Walsh said they would like to return for the third annual event.
Figueras said he loves giving back to a sport that has given him so much. “I think Nacho is truly thankful for the opportunities that polo has given him in his life,” Ganzi said. “That comes out in everything that he does. He is a wonderful ambassador for the sport.” Polo players Juan Bollini, a former 8-goaler, and his son Juancito, an up-and-coming player, served as the game umpires.
Proceeds from the game and brunch at International Polo Club Palm Beach benefited the Neil S. Hirsch Boys & Girls Club of Wellington, one of 13 Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, located at 1080 Wellington Trace. The clubs, open year-round, provide services during non-school hours, as well as summer camp opportunities for nearly 7,000 boys and girls from ages 6 to 18 throughout the county.
The celebrity polo match was free to the public which was treated to PDQ’s food truck fare at halftime. Outback co-founder Tim Gannon, a Fort Lauderdale High School alum and polo player, founded PDQ. Chukker.TV live-streamed the fun charity event. Wellington-based Chukker.TV, an independent media company which made its debut in January 2014 at Grand Champions, has gained worldwide attention and built a reputation as the leader in polo broadcasting and live streaming. It also offers re-broadcasts, Video On Demand and player interviews.
Grand Champions Polo Club, featuring five world-class fields, has a full schedule of tournaments from January to May. Let our polo experts create a turn-key experience including top pros to bring out the best in you and your team. Lessons are available. 12-GOAL TOURNAMENTS MARCH: The Top Pony 12-Goal Series; APRIL: Museum of Polo & Hall of Fame Challenge Cup 8-GOAL TOURNAMENTS: MARCH: The Limited Edition 8-Goal Series and USPA Regional President’s Cup; APRIL: USPA Association Cup 6-GOAL TOURNAMENTS MARCH: Madelon Bourdieu Memorial; APRIL: Las Acacias 16-GOAL TOURNAMENTS: MARCH: Santa Rita Abierto; APRIL: John T. Oxley Memorial Trophy
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