Grand Champions Polo Club Hosts Buzz Welker Memorial Tournament

Arianna Delin, Sharon Robb for Grand Champions Polo Club

Grand Champions Polo Club and Polo Training Foundation, which have helped to develop and promote junior and youth polo throughout the years, will host the Buzz Welker Memorial Tournament on Monday at 3 p.m.

Nearly 100 players, under 15 years of age, will compete in the popular tournament.

Many of the players competing are the next generation of sons and daughters of current men and women polo players.

“The kids are amazing,” said Grand Champions Polo Club president and PTF secretary-treasurer Melissa Ganzi, co-host of the event with her husband, Marc. Their teenage children, Grant and Riley, grew up playing the PTF tournaments.

The tournament is named in honor of Buzz Welker, a former polo player who shared his love for the game with anyone who would listen, from experienced to novice players.

Mia Cambiaso. Photo by Scott Fisher.

Before his life ended, Welker played in 16 countries and played with several celebrities including Prince Charles, the Sultan of Brunei and actor Tommy Lee Jones.

Welker died from an aggressive form of cancer on Nov. 27, 2006 at age 69. He was the founder and leader of the Franklin Polo Association and headed major polo clubs in Texas, Florida and Dominican Republic.

On Monday afternoon, advanced players will compete on Field 10 followed by intermediate and lower levels. There will also be a lead-line for young children to end the day at 6 p.m. followed by the trophy presentation.

Riley Ganzi. Photo by Scott Fisher.

The four advanced teams are:

Grand Champions: Mia Cambiaso, Riley Ganzi, Segundo Merlos, Christian Weisz

Casablanca: Jacqui Casey, Benji Daniels, Nico Escobar, Tenzin Tognini

Tato’s Mallets: Hope Arellano, Lucas Arellano, Santos Bollini, Jack McLean

La Martina: Mia Novillo Astrada, Cipi Echezarreta, Matt Cohen, Santino Magrini

Mia Novillo Astrada. Photo by Scott Fisher.

Earlier in the day at 10 a.m., Everglades Polo Club will host the PTF’s March Youth Game, which features three teams of 16-21 year old players competing in a six-chukker round robin.

The teams are: GJ Racing: Blake Ashcroft, Justin Daniels, Wes Finlayson, John Hand; Grand Champions: Juancito Bollini, Grant Ganzi, Liam Lott, Guillerhme Maia; and Casablanca: Agustin Arellano, Matias Gonzalez, Ian MacTaggart, Jack McLean.

BUZZ WELKER MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT

Where: Grand Champions Polo Club, on the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road.

When: Monday, March 16

Time: 3-6:30 p.m.

Information: Free admission. There are great field side views for tournament action. Please provide your own chair. Dogs should be on leashes. Everyone is welcome to watch polo’s future players.

Justin Daniels. Photo by Scott Fisher.

2015 POLO ON DEMAND

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.

16-GOAL TOURNAMENTS:

MARCH: Santa Rita Abierto; APRIL: John T. Oxley Memorial Trophy

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

GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB

WHERE: 13444 Southfields Road, on the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington, 33414.