Polo News  

Young Hobe Sound Polo Club fields declared ‘amazing’ bythe Westchester Cup USAteam players

 

West Palm Beach, FL-

 

            Mike Azzaro, was strapping on his boots Wednesday morning as he and Jeff Blake, Adam Snow and Nick Roland of the United States Polo Team prepared for a practice at Hobe Sound Polo Club.

            "They are wonderful here, and pay attention to all the details." said Azzaro. "For example, they’ve just built a large berm between the fields and the road, which ensures a safe, private environment for playing polo."

            But it wasn’t the berm that got the raves after the USA team played against an international team comprised of Andres Weisz, Memo Gracida, Julio Arellano, and Luis Escobar, in preparation for the Westchester Cup Feb. 21 in Wellington. It was the fields at Hobe Sound Polo Club.

            "The fields are super," said team captain Adam Snow, following the two hour-long practice match between two 30+goal teams.
"This location is ideal, since it is both near the ocean and I-95, and an easy drive from Wellington."

            Hobe Sound Polo Club was created by the same team that created the renowned Bear’s Club in Jupiter, among many other successful projects throughout the Southeast.  Hobe Sound Polo Club is in its infancy, but one of the owners, Bob Whitley was listening carefully to the praise heaped on the facility by the world-class players.

            "These players are among the best in the world, and we are thrilled they decided to practice for the Westchester Cup here at Hobe Sound Polo Club," said Whitley. "The five practice fields here are young, and they’ll be even better in a year, after they have matured, but it is wonderful to hear how well they worked for the practice."

            "I think everyone is amazed by the improvements," said Andres Weisz, a high-goal Argentine player, who has a new barn and 20-acre estate with polo great, Aldolfo Cambiaso at Hobe Sound Polo Club. "The Celebration Bermuda grass field is young, but the surface is even, and shows the quality of the conditions for the players."

            Horace Lafflay, with the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, is the organizer of the 2009 Westchester Cup, which is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first win of United States players against England in 1909. The 2009 Westchester Cup match at the International Polo Club in Wellington is the first time the event has taken place since 1997, and the first time since 1939 that the British have come to the United States to play for the 122-year-old trophy. Lafflay was among the smattering of spectators watching the practice at Hobe Sound Polo
Club.          

            "The Hobe Sound Polo Club has a great future," said Lafflay, looking over the five perfectly manicured fields and the more than 1400 acres that make up the club. "This will be the center of polo in South Florida."

            Hobe Sound Polo Club is a private club where members purchase 20-acre estates, suitable for custom designed barns, a private practice field and estate homes. The community includes five practice fields, two stick and ball fields, a track and an extensive bridle trail network that will eventually link to the adjacent Atlantic Ridge State Park. A grand clubhouse with pool and tennis courts and additional equestrian facilities are also planned.

Hobe Sound Polo Club is a member of the United States Polo Association.
For more information about Hobe Sound Polo Club, log onto www.hobesoundpoloclub.com http://www.hobesoundpoloclub.com  or call
(877) POLO.888 (877.765.6888).

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