WELLINGTON, FL-Sept. 13, 2013—The two-week countdown has begun for the fall polo season in Wellington.
After a successful spring season, Grand Champions Polo Club will host what promises to be one of the most competitive fall seasons in club history.
Nine tournaments are scheduled, including two 20-goal tournaments in November for the club’s sixth fall season.
The Tackeria Invitational, scheduled for Sept. 27-29, is the first of seven medium goal tournaments, set for Palm City Polo Club in Boca Raton.
The fall season-opener will be warm-up matches to shake the rust off and fine tune for the season.
The remaining fall tournaments hosted at Grand Champions Polo Club are the Oct. 4-6 USPA Fall Classic, Oct. 13-15 USPA Kay Colee Memorial; Oct. 18-20 US Trust Cup, Oct. 25-27 USPA Fall Plates; Nov.1-3 Pedro Morrison Memorial and Nov. 8-10 Palm Restaurant Invitational.
The two 20-goal tournaments are the prestigious Oct. 30-Nov. 9 USPA North America Cup and Nov. 13-24 The National 20-Goal Championship.
Audi’s Grant Ganzi keeps posses
sion of the ball despite Piaget’s charging Juan Bollini, Brandon Phillips and Melissa Ganzi. Photo by Scott Fisher
Sponsors, players and teams are still being finalized by Grand Champions owners Marc and Melissa Ganzi, who will both compete during the fall in preparation for the high goal season.
Hall of Famer and 8-goaler Mike Azzaro heads the pro lineup. Azzaro is scheduled to play the entire fall season. For several tournaments Azzaro will compete with rising young stars and national champions Juancito Bollini, Wes Finlayson and Grant Ganzi.
On the pro roster, Azzaro will be joined by 8-goaler Nic Roldan, Juan Bollini, Joey Casey, Canadian Brandon Phillips, JJ Celis and Kris Kampsen. The newest player to join the lineup is Gigi Aguero, a former 7-goaler.
Audi’s Grant Ganzi, Lucas Lalor and Mike Azzaro teaming up as a pack against Piaget. Photo by Scott Fisher
Among sponsors returning is David Krantz and his YP.Com team.
Krantz, based in Atlanta, has been playing polo off-and-on for fifteen years. After an eight-year layoff, he started competing at Grand Champions two years ago.
“It’s a pleasure and a treat to come down here,” Krantz said. “I try to play at least one tournament each season. I love coming down and seeing Marc and Melissa and playing with Juan, he’s been a good coach for me.”
During the 2012 fall season, Audi dominated the season winning back-to-back USPA North America Cup and USPA National 20-Goal Tournament titles with Marc Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida, Nic Roldan and Hall of Famer and former 10-goaler Carlos Gracida. In the national 20-goal final, Audi edged Piaget, 10-9.
More than fifty invitations were sent out to padrons who have competed at the club in the past five seasons. High goal team owners were also invited.
The fall season is great preparation for the 20- and 26-goal seasons for 2014 in Wellington.
Rosters and lineups change from tournament to tournament. Evenly-matched teams are put together to help build players skills and performance.
All tournaments are USPA-sanctioned and have grown in stature since their start in the mid-1990s.
GRAND CHAMPIONS FALL SCHEDULE
Sept. 27-29, Tackeria Invitational, Palm City, Boca Raton
Oct. 4-6, USPA Fall Classic
Oct. 13-15, USPA Kay Colee Memorial
Oct. 18-20, US Trust Cup
Oct. 25-27, USPA Fall Plates
Oct. 30-Nov. 9, USPA North America Cup
Nov. 1-3, Pedro Morrison Memorial
Nov. 8-10, Palm Restaurant Invitational
Nov. 13-24,The National 20-Goal Championship
PALM CITY POLO CLUB
WHERE: 18000 Jog Road, Boca Raton, 561-289-9099 (Club entrance is the first flashing light north of Clint Moore Road).
GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB
WHERE: 13444 Southfields Road, on the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington, 561-644-5050.
INFORMATION: There are great field side views for tournament action at the home base of pro teams Audi and Piaget. Everyone is welcome to watch high and medium goal polo in a relaxed atmosphere during the spring and fall tournament season and other special events including the International Cup in November, Buzz Welker Memorial Junior Tournament in March, Women’s Championship Tournament and Gay Polo League International Tournament, both in April.
