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International Polo Club Palm Beach Fast Facts

Founded by: John and Carroll Goodman
Date Founded: December 2003
First Official Polo Match: December 28, 2003
Polo Fields: Seven (7) Bermuda grass
Location: 3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington, Florida
General Manager: Michael C. Brown
Polo Manager: Jimmy Newman
Membership Director: Julie Pickens

2008 Polo Season Highlights:

Sunday, January 13 - Opening Day

Sunday, January 27– 20-goal Joe Barry Memorial Cup Final
The Joe Barry Memorial Cup is named after American polo legend Joe Barry, who died on May 18, 2002 at the age of 58. Born and raised in Texas, he achieved a 9-goal rating and dominated polo in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s. Barry won six U.S. Open championships, three Gold Cups, three Silver Cups as well as the Coronation and Camacho Cup trophies. One of the greatest No. 4s in polo history, Joe Barry was elected to the Polo Hall of Fame in 1999.

Sunday, February 17– 20-goal Ylvisaker Cup Final
The Ylvisaker Cup in named in honor of William T. “Bill” Ylvisaker, a polo pioneer, who founded Palm Beach Polo and Country Club in the late 1970s. A former Chairman of the USPA, Ylvisaker was elected into the Polo Hall of Fame in 1996. Ylvisaker has won numerous major polo tournaments, including the prestigious U.S. Open in 1972.

Sunday, March 2– 26-goal C.V. Whitney Cup Final
The tournament is named in memory of Cornelius Vanderbilt “Sonny” Whitney, who along with his brother John Hay Whitney, were important polo patrons in the 1930's. The son of Hall of Fame patron Harry Payne Whitney, C.V. won the U.S. Open three times (twice against his brother), and was a renowned owner and breeder of thoroughbred racehorses.

Sunday, March 23– 26-USPA Piaget Gold Cup Final
The USPA Gold Cup, which began in 1974, is one of the premier tournaments in the United States and returns to South Florida after a five-year hiatus. This is its first season at International Polo Club Palm Beach. Peter Brant’s White Birch has won this event a record 12 times. The Gold Cup was one of the first major high-goal tournaments won by Adolfo Cambiaso, in 1991 with Cellular One. Mariano Aguerre has won the Gold Cup eight times, more than any other professional player. The legendary Gonzalo Pieres has won the Gold Cup seven times while Cambiaso has won it six times and Alfonso Pieres has won it five times.

Sunday, April 20– 26-goal Stanford Financial Group U.S. Open Polo Championship Final
The Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship is the most prestigious polo tournament in North America. A record-tying 15 teams competed in the 2005 tournament. Camilo Bautista’s Las Monjitas is the defending champion.

The Houston-based Stanford Private Wealth Management, a privately-held global network of affiliated companies, has been the title sponsor of the U.S. Open since the 100th U.S. Open Polo Championship in 2004. Stanford’s family of companies provides international private banking, trust and brokerage services and real estate development. The success of the group is the result of entrepreneurial spirit and drive spearheaded by third generation Chairman and CEO R. Allen Stanford.

Game-Day Activities: International Polo Club Palm Beach will host the following series of events every Sunday, including Opening Day, beginning at 11:30 a.m.:

During the Champagne Divot Stomp at halftime, guests are invited to join in the stomping of the divots on the field while enjoying a complimentary glass of champagne…a unique twist to the game’s tradition. The bubbly is often brought to midfield by unique modes of transportation.

After the post-match Trophy Presentation, guests are invited to meet the players for autographs and pictures.

Visit the 7th Chukker, a friendly watering hole that features an antique wooden bar and a plasma screen TV, immediately following the awards presentation. The 7th Chukker is a fan favorite where polo enthusiasts can meet and mingle with the polo players and other fans.

Children’s Play Area, including a bounce house, face painter and other activities.
Vendor Village, located at the entrance to the stadium, includes booths selling a variety of merchandise for polo fans and non-equestrians alike.

The Facility: International Polo Club Palm Beach is the first new polo club to be built in decades, fulfilling a long-standing void for a facility dedicated solely to high-goal professional polo. Designed in a tropical, Caribbean-Colonial style, it combines old-world charm and new-world comfort. In addition to its public facilities, the club’s membership facilities include a tiki bar and outdoor dining area, swimming pool, tennis courts as well as spa and fitness center with workout rooms.

Directions: Approaching IPC from the Florida Turnpike, take Exit 93 (Lake Worth Road), and travel west approximately four miles, crossing over 441 and continuing to 120th Avenue South. Turn right onto 120th Avenue South and proceed a quarter-mile to the IPC. Approaching IPC from Interstate I-95, take Exit 49. Travel west on Forest Hill Blvd. approximately 10 miles to Fairlane Farms Road. Turn left on Fairlane Farms Road and follow to the stop sign at Pierson Road. Turn right onto Pierson Road. Follow Pierson Road approximately two miles to the traffic circle and turn left onto 120th Avenue South. IPC is the third entrance on the right. Parking is complimentary.

International Polo Club Palm Beach
3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington, FL 33414
Phone: (561) 204-5687/ Fax: (561) 784-3993
Website: www.internationalpoloclub.com

Media Contact Information:
Tim O'Connor
561 722-6017/561 204-5687