First-round games set for Wednesday and Thursday in
26-Goal Hall of Fame Cup at International Polo Club Palm Beach

WELLINGTON, FL (February 14, 2006) – The single-elimination Hall of Fame Cup, the first 26-goal tournament of the season, begins with two days of  action at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

The first game features award-winning actor/patron Tommy Lee Jones’ San Saba, with 10-goaler Javier Novillo Astrada and 8-goaler Silvestre Donovan, against Jedi, with 9-goalers Pablo MacDonough and Santiago Chavanne, Wednesday (Feb. 22) at 11 a.m. This is Jedi’s first game ever at International Polo Club.

The second game features Lechuza Caracas, with 10-goalers Pite and Sebastian Merlos, against Orchard Hill, led by 9-goaler Paco de Narvaez and 8-goaler Hector Galindo, Wednesday (Feb. 22) at 3 p.m. This is Orchard Hill’s first game of the season.

There is a tripleheader on Thursday (Feb. 23) beginning at 11 a.m. when Black Watch, featuring young superstar 9-goalers Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres, plays Pony Express, led by 9-goaler Piki Alberdi and 8-goaler Pancho Bensadon. This is Black Watch’s season debut.

Defending champion White Birch, led by 10-goaler Mariano Aguerre and 9-goaler Lucas Criado, opens defense of its title against 2004 finalist Bendabout on Thursday (Feb. 23) at 1 p.m. Bendabout features 10-goaler Miguel Novillo Astrada and 9-goaler Lucas Monteverde.

The final game of the first round features Monjitas, led by 9-goalers Eduardo Novillo Astrada and Adam Snow, against New Bridge La Dolfina, which features 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso and 9-goaler Matias Magrini, Thursday (Feb. 23) at 3 p.m. This is the first game of the season for Las Monjitas.

Isla Carroll, Skeeterville and Mokarow Farms received first-round byes. White Birch defeated Skeeterville 11-10 in the 2005 final for the first jewel in the U.S. triple crown.
The semifinals are set for Thursday, March 2 and the final is scheduled for Sunday, March 5 at 3 p.m. on Stanford Field at International Polo Club.

Ten-goalers competing in the tournament are Miguel Novillo Astrada (Bendabout), Pite Merlos (Lechuza Caracas), Sebastian Merlos (Lechuza Caracas), Carlos Gracida (Mokarow Farm), Adolfo Cambiaso (New Bridge La Dolfina), Javier Novillo Astrada (San Saba) and Mariano Aguerre (White Birch).

The tournament is named in honor of the National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization dedicated to the preservation of the history and tradition of the sport of polo. The Museum houses an extensive collection of historic documents and treasures that include important trophies, artifacts, books, works of art and other memorabilia. The Hall of Fame, located in Lake Worth, Florida, was created to honor the heroes of the sport.

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 ticket purchases, please call the club at (561) 204-5687 or visit the website at www.internationalpoloclub.com.
 
Schedule:
 
Wednesday, Feb. 22
 
11 a.m. – San Saba vs. Jedi
3 p.m. – Lechuza Caracas vs. Orchard Hill
 
Thursday, Feb. 23
 
11 a.m. – Pony Express vs. Black Watch
1 p.m. – White Birch vs. Bendabout
3 p.m. – Las Monjitas vs. New Bridge La Dolfina
 
Saturday, Feb. 25
 
1 p.m. – Isla Carroll vs. winner of Lechuza Caracas-Orchard Hill
 
 

International Polo Club
Palm Beach