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 109 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.
Last year Klentner Ranch redeemed their 2017 double overtime loss. Despite being defeated by Lucchese once in bracket play and losing team owner Justin Klentner to a hand injury, Klentner Ranch was determined to make their second chance count, ultimately earning their first Pacific Coast Open title 8-6.
Seven teams will take to the field to compete for the largest title on the Pacific Coast, an increase from five teams in 2018. Defending champions Klentner Ranch will seek to reclaim the title joined by two new members this year, Geronimo Obregon and Marcos Alberdi. Winning the title in 2016 and 2017, Farmers & Merchants Bank are returning for another chance at the trophy, along with four-time winners and 2018 finalists Lucchese, and Sol De Agosto. The remaining teams competing this year include Bensoleimani.com, Santa Clara and 2019 Belmond El Encanto Robert Skene Trophy champions FMB Too!
Santa Clara’s roster represents three generations of the Escobar family with the youngest member Lucas Escobar playing against them on Farmers & Merchants Bank. Sibling rivalry will also be at the forefront of the competition with brothers Facundo, Geronimo and Mariano Obregon, each playing on a different team, the latter the 2018 U.S. Open Polo Championship® winner. Additionally, two of the competing teams feature Team USPA members, including Klentner Ranch’s Geronimo Obregon and Jesse Bray, and Bensoleimani.com’s Tomas Alberdi.
2018 Silver Air Pacific Coast Open Champions: Klentner Ranch - (L to R) Remy Muller, Mariano Obregon, Justin Klentner, Jake Klentner, Jesse Bray. ©David Lominska
