Silver Air Pacific Coast Open
Tournament History
Standing at a striking height of five feet, the glorious silver-and-gold trophy for the Pacific Coast Open (PCO) is a dazzling sight. Crowned with an eagle supporting a globe and adorned with semiprecious stones, the trophy is mounted on a redwood base with side panels depicting lively polo scenes. The cup was commissioned in 1908 by friends and members of the Coronado Country Club in California. First competed for the following year, it was initially called the All American Polo Trophy.
Over the last 108 years, the trophy has resided at many clubs. Throughout the late 1920s until the early 1940s the tournament was hosted by numerous California clubs, often landing at each club for no more than a few years before switching to another. After World War II, the PCO moved to the posh and glamorous Beverly Hills Polo Club until 1952 when it took permanent residency at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club where it remains today.
In recent years Pacific Coast Open competition has been dominated by powerhouse Lucchese captained by John Muse. Over the last seven years Lucchese has won four titles. From 2010-2012, the combination of Muse and world-renowned 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso led the team to an unprecedented “three-peat” victory.
Last year’s Pacific Coast Open went into a thrilling double overtime that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The seasoned Farmers & Merchants Bank defeated the young guns of Klentner Ranch 11-10 taking home the trophy for the first time in the organization’s history. Best Playing Pony honors were presented to 12-year-old Canadian Thoroughbred mare Disney owned and played by Klentner Ranch’s Jesse Bray. Reminiscent of the golden age of polo when horses would play numerous chukkers, the striking gray played a portion of no less than five chukkers.
Five teams will take to the field to compete for the largest title on the Pacific Coast. Defending champions Farmer's & Merchants Bank will seek to reclaim the title. Also in the running are 2016 PCO champions and recent America Cup winners Restoration Hardware, 2017 finalists Klentner Ranch, four-time winners Lucchese and Sol De Agosto.
Photo: 2017 Gulfstream Pacific Coast Open Champions - Farmer's and Merchants Bank (L to R) Nico Escobar, Felipe Vercellino, Lucas Criado, Danny Walker. ©David Lominska.
