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Teams Draw Bracket Positions for
USPA Gold Cup® |
Representatives of eight teams entered in the 2016 USPA Gold Cup® drew bracket positions Thursday evening at the 7th Chukker at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC). The results were:
Bracket I Bracket II
1. Orchard Hill
2. Lucchese
3. Dubai
4. White Birch
Teams will play within the bracket. After bracket play is completed, the top-ranked team in each bracket gets a bye to the semifinals. The second- and third-ranked teams in each bracket advance to a mini-quarterfinal playoff. The final is set for March 27.
John Wash, president of IPC, said IPC is “looking forward to an exciting 2016 Gold Cup,” noting that last year’s final between Audi and Orchard Hill drew record attendance and was the highest-scoring Gold Cup in the history of the 26-goal tournament.
Charlie Muldoon, Executive Director of USPA Umpires, LLC, recounted the rich history of the Gold Cup, which was created in 1974 to be a precursor to the U.S. Open at Oakbrook Polo Club in Illinois. The Gold Cup moved to Florida in 1979 and became the crown jewel of the winter season. It was held at various Florida clubs and since 2007 has taken place at IPC.
“It is an honor and a privilege to have both of the most prestigious tournaments, the USPA Gold Cup and the U.S. Open, held at IPC,” said Muldoon. “It’s great to have the two tournaments back together, as they originally were.” Muldoon called it “incredible” to have White Birch competing in the Gold Cup, a tournament the team has played for three decades and won 12 times. “Having White Birch in the tournament helps keep the tradition of the greatness of polo intact.”
The draw was live streamed by ChukkerTV, a partner of the USPA Polo Network. Follow continuous live coverage of the USPA Gold Cup® on ChukkerTV.
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