Coworth Park teams up with Guards Polo Club
Europe’s leading polo club to create ‘Guards Polo at Coworth Park’
Coworth Park, Dorchester Collection’s luxury country house hotel and spa, today announced Guards Polo Club is to manage the estate’s world-class polo grounds. Under the new arrangement, the hotel’s two high-goal polo fields will be called “Guards Polo at Coworth Park”. Both the grounds and fixtures will be managed by the Polo Office at Smith’s Lawn with immediate effect, headed up by polo manager Oliver Ellis and Chief Umpire and Field Captain Howard Hipwood.
Internationally-renowned, Guards Polo Club brings almost 60 years of hosting world-class sport and polo eventsLive to the partnership. Coworth Park is the only hotel in the UK that provides its own polo fields and practice facilities and is affiliated to the Hurlingham Polo Association.
Coworth Park’s general manager Zoe Jenkins said: “Dorchester Collection has always been committed to developing Coworth Park into a high profile polo club attracting a world-class schedule of eventsLive. The association with Guards Polo Club will help us deliver this, and will also provide first-class polo action to be enjoyed by Coworth Park’s guests.”
“This is a wonderful opportunity for Guards Polo Club,” said chief executive Neil Hobday. “By bringing our expertise to these two polo grounds at Coworth Park, Guards players will be able to utilise the impressive Coworth Park polo fields. Members’ families will also be delighted to hear that the association will provide special members’ rates for Coworth Park’s guest rooms, restaurants and award-winning spa.”
Guards Polo Club’s chairman Jock Green-Armytage added: “Guards has always been proud of its relationship with its neighbouring club and this agreement will enable us to expand our alliance with opportunities at both venues – creating world-class sporting occasions in the heart of the Berkshire countryside.”
Popular fixtures such as the influential Indian Empire Shield will remain at Coworth Park, as will its various charity days, including the Audi Polo Challenge.