Merlos Brothers Make Mark as Agustin Joins Pite and Sebastian at Coveted 10-goal Status in United States; All Will Play at International Polo Club in 2006

Agustin Merlos is living a dream. With his ascent to 10 goals, it marks the second time in the modern era of polo (since 1945) that three brothers have reached the sport’s maximum rating. For the 2006 season, Pite, Sebastian and Agustin Merlos all will be rated at 10 goals while they play at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

PHOTO: The newest 10-goaler, Agustin Merlos.  PHOTO BY: Photo by Jamie Konrady.

The first time this amazing feat happened was during the 2000 season when Bautista, Gonzalo and Marcos Heguy were all rated at 10 goals, according to the United States Polo Association (USPA).

Pite Merlos, the eldest at age 37, has been a 10-goaler since 1995 while Sebastian, who turns 34 on February 10, has been a 10-goaler since 1996. This is Agustin’s first year at 10 goals. Pite and Sebastian will play for Victor Vargas’ Lechuza Caracas during the 2006 season at International Polo Club Palm Beach while Agustin will lead a new 22-goal team, Reata, for patron Al Micallef of Texas.

The Merlos brothers will be joined by seven other 10-goalers during the upcoming season – Mariano Aguerre, Javier Novillo Astrada, Miguel Novillo Astrada, Mike Azzaro, Adolfo Cambiaso, Carlos Gracida and Marcos Heguy, the most that will regularly play at IPC in its brief three-year history.

 “For sure, my dad is more happy than me,” said Agustin, who turned 29 on December 24. “He was never a 10-goaler. This has to be amazing for him.”

Hector “Cacho” Merlos is one of the most famous polo players in Argentina’s storied polo history, having won two Argentine Opens, in 1982 and 1973. Pite and Sebastian have won three U.S. Open championships each and one Argentine Open title apiece.

“He gave us opportunities,” said Agustin, referring to his father. “For all of us (to be at 10 goals) is a dream come true. It is even better with three of us than one or two of us.

“To be 10 goals is fantastic, it honors an individual, and it’s nice to be recognized for myself and for the people who worked so hard with me. This honor comes with a lot of years of effort and a lot of people have helped me. I have had great horses and I have played on great teams.  

            “To be competing with the best players in the world at the best club in the United States, I’m really, really happy. I’ve been dreaming of this all my life.”

Historically, there have been numerous sets of two brothers who have been rated at 10 goals at the same time, including Javier and Miguel Novillo Astrada for the upcoming 2006 season. In the past, Carlos and Memo Gracida, Eduardo and Nachi Heguy, as well as Alfonso and Gonzalo Pieres were all 10-goalers at the same time.

International Polo Club Palm Beach opens its third high-goal polo season on Sunday, January 15 at 3 p.m. with an opening-round match of the 22-goal Joe Barry Cup. Nine teams have entered the tourney, including defending champion Lechuza Caracas with Sebastian Merlos and Reata, with Agustin Merlos.

International Polo Club Palm Beach will host five high-goal tournaments over 15 weeks, including three 26-goal events, the highest-rated tourneys in the United States. The 26-goal tournaments are the Hall of Fame Cup, the C.V. Whitney Cup and the U.S. Open Championship. Peter Brant’s White Birch won all three events in 2005.

The polo matches are open to the public. General admission for the Sunday games at International Polo Club Palm Beach is $10 for adults. Children under 12 enter for free. Tickets may be purchased at the gate on the day of the game.

International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South, between Pierson Road and Lake Worth Road in Wellington. For information, directions or tickets, please visit the club’s website at www.internationalpoloclub.com or call (561) 204-5687.