NEWS

Story courtesy of Tony Gregg

Playing an aggressive and quick style of polo, Chris Maloney and his Twin Palms organization (Chris Maloney, Graham Bray, Juan Curbelo, Ryan Kerley) were able to defeat Klentner/Sapa/FMB Too (KSF) (Henry Walker, Igor Seyranov, Jesse Bray*, Tony Uretz, sub for injured Justin Klentner) in the final of the Pacific Coast Circuit Officers Cup A Flight by a final tally of 14-9. Twin Palms steadily controlled the second three chukkers by outscoring KSF by four goals and went on to claim the championship title.

In a fast first chukker, play remained even with both teams scoring three goals a piece. Scoring a Penalty 3 conversion to open up the second, Juan Curbelo was countered by Jesse Bray with one of his own for KSF to maintain the tie 4-all. Approaching halftime, Henry Walker scored a goal to give KSF the advantage for the first time, but it was short lived as Juan Curbelo added consecutive Penalty 3 and 4 conversions. Twin Palms held a narrow lead by halftime 6-5.

The fourth chukker saw Twin Palms gain an advantage of two after a pair of goals from Curbelo and the first from Ryan Kerley. Although Jesse Bray replied with a pair, the score stood 9-7 in favor of Twin Palms. Attacking from both the field and the penalty line, Curbelo continued to extend the lead. Breaking his hand, Walker left the game in the fifth chukker and Jose Rodriguez filled in for the injured player. Outscoring KSF 3-1, Twin Palms ended the fifth with a comfortable lead 12-8. Jesse Bray opened the final chukker with a field goal as Curbelo countered with yet another pair of goals to ensure victory 14-9. In addition to the championship title, Twin Palms earned the coveted Richard Roenisch Bronzes and were presented with bottles of Don Julio Blanc.

Responsible for 11 goals for Twin Palms, Curbelo was named Most Valuable Player. Fletcher, owned and played by Graham Bray in the fifth chukker, received Best Playing Pony honors.

Sponsored by Don Julio and played in front of a large crowd, Lamar Rutherford’s Exit Consulting Group (Lamar Rutherford, Mia Bray*, Jessica Bailey, Rodrigo Salinas) defeated Carol Farnsworth’s Bearsden (Carol Farnsworth, Hope Kerley, Cody Woodfin, Ignacio Saenz) to win the Pacific Coast Circuit Officers Cup B-Flight with a final score 6-4.

While spectators enjoyed generous samples of Don Julio Blanc, the early first chukker was dominated by Bearsden as Ignacio Saenz, assisted by Cody Woodfin, scored twice. However, Exit Consulting Group (Exit) retaliated as Salinas quickly scored a field goal followed by Rutherford, with a nice run from almost 100 yards, to even the score 2-all. The second chukker was turbulent with neither team able to capitalize on the few opportunities that were available. Mia Bray earned the only goal of the second, allowing Exit Consulting Group to lead going into the Sofia Halftime Divot Stomp 3-2.

The third chukker mirrored the second with Bearsden going scoreless for the second consecutive chukker. Exit persisted to add another to their tally and double up the score 4-2. Going into the final chukker, Exit stayed focused and pushed hard to maximize their lead. With another counter from Salinas and Bray, the lead was now extended by four goals. Saenz answered back with a field goal and a Penalty 3 for Bearsden, but it was Exit who claimed the victory 6-4. Along with receiving the sought-after Richard Roenisch Bronzes, the winners were also presented with bottles of Don Julio Blanc.

Mia Bray was honored as the Most Valuable Player. Tomasa, played by Rodrigo Salinas in the third chukker, was awarded Best Playing Pony honors.

*Mia Bray is an Active Team USPA Member. Jesse Bray is a Graduating Member of Team USPA. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.

Photos courtesy of ©Eldorado Polo Club