Motor City Drives Home Victories at Hobe Sound
By Sarah Eakin
Detroit Blues claimed a double victory in the closing finals of the 2011 winter season in the Outback Polo League at Hobe Sound Polo Club.
Guillermo Usandizaga was voted Most Valuable Player in the March 12-goal finals as the representatives of the Motor City defeated Wood Lawn 15-13. Detroit Blues’ Collin McCosh shared highest goal scoring honors with Wood Lawn’s Ruben Coscia, both contributing eight goals to their respective teams’ tally.
Tommy Collingwood produced six goals – four in the opening chukker – for Detroit Blues in the April 4-goal finals as they defeated Rocking K Ranch 7-5. Husband and wife team and Detroit natives Paul and Emmalyn Wheaton and Steven Jenkins, grandson of the Detroit Polo Club founder Merle Jenkins, shared the winner’s podium.
Altair sported a trio of young rising polo stars in the March 8-goal finals as they inched a 12-11 victory in overtime over Brookland Plantation. A substantial nine goals came from Mariano Gracida, ably supported by his elder brother Carlitos and Collingwood, the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Marcus Onetto’s eight goals in the March 4-goal finals ensured Northword/Ganaraska a 12-7 victory over Bluewater Creek/Rosco and Most Valuable Player honors for Onetto. Teammate Tiffany Busch who scored the second goal of the game won the equivalent accolade as an amateur.