Grand Champions Polo Club: Pony Express, Longfield Advance To Sunday's USPA Sun Cup Final At Grand Champions Polo Club

Source: News Release/Sharon Robb for PMG Inc.

Pony Express, Longfield Advance To Sunday's
USPA Sun Cup Final At Grand Champions Polo Club

WELLINGTON, FL---Longfield will make its first championship appearance against Pony Express in Sunday's final of the USPA Sun Cup at Grand Champions Polo Club.

The fourth tournament of the 2013 spring season at Grand Champions featured five teams in Friday's opening day action.

Longfield (Gavin Guinan/Grant Ganzi, Hannah Buchan, Brandon Phillips, Nic Roldan) advanced with a 5-3 victory over Palm House (Glenn Straub, Carlitos Gracida, Martin Estrada, Tommy Biddle) in Friday's opening game at Palm City.

KIG vs. Pony Express round robin game, Pony Express' Pancho Eddy (3) pursues the ball with KIG defender Juan Bollini (4) closing in. Photo credit Scott Fischer.

Grant Ganzi, who entered the game in the third chukker after his classes at St. Andrew's School in Boca Raton, led scoring with two goals. Guinan, who started the game for Ganzi, Roldan and Phillips each added a goal.

Roldan and Phillips then headed to the airport for a flight to Mexico City where they will compete Saturday in the high goal game Mexico vs. The Rest of the World before returning for Sunday's finale at Grand Champions.

Pony Express vs. KIG round robin game, Tomas Goti (2) of Pony Express about to make a big hit downfield. Photo credit Scott Fischer.

Pony Express (Bob Daniels, Tomas Goti, Pancho Eddy, Gene Goldstein) earned the other championship spot by winning the three-team round robin late Friday afternoon.

In the first round robin game, Pony Express defeated KIG, 7-3, behind Eddy's four goals and Goti's two goals. Goldstein added one goal.

Pony Express also defeated ELG, 5-3. Eddy scored three goals and Goti added two despite a rainstorm bearing down. After a short rain delay, the game was completed.

Pony Express' Pancho Eddy (3) keeps his eye on the ball. Pony Express' Pancho Eddy (3) keeps his eye on the ball. Photo credit Scott Fischer.

During the game, ELG's Lucas Lalor was hit with a polo ball on his right knee in the third chukker and was treated by medics. Still in obvious pain, he managed to return for the final 2:35 minutes of the game.

"We're good...we're happy with the way we played," Daniels said. "It's been very competitive every week. Our team is good. We want to finish strong.

"Mostly I have been playing with Justin (Daniels) but today Justin couldn't play because it's Mother's Day weekend. The kids are honoring their mother."

Added Goti, "This year we lost in the final two weekends ago. We are very happy to be in the final and very happy with the team. We have won many tournaments and we are trying to continue."

KIG's Juan Bollini (4) pursuing the ball ahead of defender Avery Chapman of ELG (4) and KIG teammate Kris Kampsen (2) trying to defend. Photo credit Scott Fischer.

In the other round robin game, ELG (Lucas Lalor, Juancito Bollini, Carlucho Arellano, Avery Chapman) edged KIG, 6-4. Arellano led scoring with four goals and Juancito Bollini added two goals.

The game featured father-and-son competing against each other. Juan Bollini, a former 8-goaler, played for KIG along with M.Z. Kazi, Kris Kampsen and Marc Ganzi. Kampsen led with two goals, Ganzi and Bollini each had one.

KIG vs. ELG round robin, Kris Kampsen of KIG (2) tries to steal the ball from ELG's Avery Chapman (4). Photo credit Scott Fischer.

KIG vs. ELG round robin game, ELG's Avery Chapman (4) with KIG's Marc Ganzi (3) in hot pursuit. Photo credit Scott Fischer.

The 2013 spring season has been one of Grand Champions' most competitive and will have a fourth different champion on Sunday. The other three tournament winners were ELG/Psycho Bunny (Palm City Open), Power Horse (Polo Gear Invitational) and Audi (USPA Spring Challenge).

The consolation and championship final will be held Sunday. The consolation game is at 10 a.m. and championship final at noon.

The remaining Grand Champions spring tournaments are the May 17-19 USPA Eastern Challenge and May 24-27 Memorial by Piaget.

GRAND CHAMPIONS SPRING SCHEDULE

May 10-12: The USPA Sun Cup

May 17-19: USPA Eastern Challenge

May 24-27: The Memorial by Piaget

GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB

WHERE: On the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington.

INFORMATION: There are great field side views for tournament action at the home base of pro teams Audi and Piaget. Everyone is welcome to watch polo in a relaxed atmosphere during the spring and fall tournament season and other special events including the International Cup in November, Buzz Welker Memorial Junior Tournament in March, Women's Championship Tournament and Gay Polo League International Tournament, both in April.